Washington DC – -(Ammoland.com)-As the popularity of guns continues to soar, some gun novices may be wondering which handgun will give them the most bang for their buck.
Which handguns would allow them to target shoot somewhat economically while also serving well as self-defense/concealed carry weapons?
I have two guns in mind for such buyers — the Glock model 19 9mm or the Sig Sauer 2022 in 9mm.
Both of these weapons use ammo that’s relatively cheap and both have a recoil that even early teenagers can handle (with adult supervision).
First the Glock 19.
This gun is literally unstoppable. It was one of the first polymer guns on the market and, together with its larger predecessor Glock 17, has become a law enforcement staple and a concealed carry favorite. Moreover, the model 19 specifically has become one of the most popular 9mm pistols in America because of its light-weight and durability.
The Glock comes with two detachable magazines – 15 rounds per magazine for now – and because it’s a semi-auto, it shoots one bullet every time you pull the trigger. The model 19 is the kind of gun many shooters can hit a bulls-eye with right out of the box.
Ammo for this gun costs you approx. $14 a box online or at Wal-Mart at present, and that’s $14 that buys you 50 rounds to shoot with your son or daughter at cans or paper targets.
With hollowpoint P ammo – which is simply a designation for ammo loaded to higher pressures for more velocity – the Glock 19 is also a perfect weapon to leave by your bed at night for home defense.
SIG SAUER SP2022 Pistol
Now, the Sig Sauer 2022.
The 2022 is a heavier and bulkier handgun than the Glock 19. However, it is on par with the Glock on two very important points — durability and shootability. Because of this, various Sig Sauer models are used by the Secret Service and police departments around the country.
The 2022 is one of the more affordable Sig Sauer models and is perfect for family shooting and home defense. Unlike the Glock 19, the 2022 is a bit bulky for concealed carry — unless you are a person who can conceal larger guns easily.
Right now, the Glock 19 and the Sig Sauer 2022 cost you between $490 and $540 brand new. And either gun will last a lifetime. Moreover, both guns can cheaply be fitted with detachable flashlights and lasers that make them even easier to use in night time, self-defense setting.
One last point. For true gun novices, the Glock is by far the easiest of the two handguns to break down and clean after a hard day of shooting.
As for my personal taste, I own both guns. I use the smaller Glock 19 for concealed carry in the summer, when I’m wearing t-shirts, and the larger Sig Sauer 2022 in the winter, when I have a jacket on.
I would bet my life on either weapon. What is your favorite gun for plinking and self defense?
About:
AWR Hawkins writes for all the BIG sites, for Pajamas Media, for RedCounty.com, for Townhall.com and now AmmoLand Shooting Sports News.
His southern drawl is frequently heard discussing his take on current events on radio shows like America’s Morning News, the G. Gordon Liddy Show, the Ken Pittman Show, and the NRA’s Cam & Company, among others. He was a Visiting Fellow at the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal (summer 2010), and he holds a PhD in military history from Texas Tech University.
If you have questions or comments, email him at awr@awrhawkins.com. You can find him on facebook at www.facebook.com/awr.hawkins.
Read more at Ammoland.com: http://www.ammoland.com/2013/01/two-guns-for-plinking-self-defense/#ixzz2HgBIeBVG
I most certainly would never bet my life on any 9 mm. I would never go smaller than .40 cal and trust my own life to .44 mag and .45 ACP. My grandson learns to shoot and plink with his 9 mm, but he knows what to trust his life to and why. How does he know this? I taught him and demonstrated the differences between the calibers.
Just my personal opinion. Just sayin’.
I believe carrying anything less than a .357 for defense is a dangerous propostition….I prefer large cal. defensive rounds and have done ballistic gel tests with my oldest son a cpl years back to prove my point.
I agree with oldranger68….”wouldnt bet my life on a 9mm” but to each his own.
Anyway my point I really wanted to make was that with the shortage of ammo now being witnessed around the country,..is it “prudent” to do any plinking?
If I did,…I would certainly use a cheap and plentiful round such as a 22lr instead of high dollar $$$ short supply ammo.
Just my .02 opinion
That’s what I’ve been saying. Why are people wasting ammo practicing when there is a shortage on hand. Conserve your damn ammo, otherwise you will just have a very expensive paperweight to throw at the insurgents when the time comes. Use your brain people.
I have to agree with you guys about the ammo. My wife even got angry at me a few months ago for being out back shooting with my son and my grandchildren. When you love to shoot it’s hard to back off, but it looks like I may not have to back off too long.
Got a few thousand rounds of .22 LR and five old antique .22 rifles as well as the grandchildren’s .22s so, all is not lost.
Having no military background, and almost no practice ranges here anymore (they’re LEO only now) here are the reasons I like the 19:
“The model 19 is the kind of gun many shooters can hit a bulls-eye with right out of the box.”
“Ammo for this gun costs you approx. $14 a box online…….”
“With hollowpoint P ammo – which is simply a designation for ammo loaded to higher pressures for more velocity – the Glock 19 is also a perfect weapon to leave by your bed at night for home defense.”
“One last point. For true gun novices, the Glock is by far the easiest of the two handguns to break down and clean after a hard day of shooting.”
One of the main reasons I post so many articles about guns (besides liking them) is to get as much feedback as possible from the other posters here.
Much appreciated.
I found the 9 to lack good expansion or mushrooming when encountering heavy clothing worn by the intended target. The round appears to be too “HOT” in velocity to allow for good expansion upon impact……..it tends to pass right on thru a body without the massive internal trauma needed for one shot..one drop…or one shot one kill…
But with that said YMMV…….use the sidearm that you are competent with…only practice will tell. But also dont be timid to try other larger calibers if time and money is on your side…….Many have found a simple 100 year old design of the 1911 to be damn accurate and very simple to operate right out of the box…..And many can be had for the same or lower price than the GLOCK
Again…its what you have come to be comfortable with.
I have GLOCK 22 40SW PST 15RD FS .Easy to handle,Plinking & Self Defense.
1911s suck and so does the pussy ass 45. Thats wht the millitary ditched em for the 9mm. The 10mm rules tho, beats grampas 357 six shooter. Peace