'Ello, 'Ello, 'Ello

[TheGame]

Hi all,

About me: I am an Indian working in the US and with an increasing interest in firearms this last year or so. In order to develop my interest in a systematic way I am in the process of taking some firearms classes. I have already taken the NRA's basic pistol course and plan to take the rifle/ marksman courses as soon as I can.

It's been an interesting journey; for someone who's hardly shot anything in the past 42 years of my life, I have now shot a multitude of pistols, revolvers, shotguns and rifles, including S&Ws, Glocks, Springfields, Rugers and Berettas and an equally wide variety of ammo.

I do not mean to boast at all, so my apologies if this sounds that way - of course I am just an amateur, especially compared to some people on this forum. It's just that this is a newly acquired hobby and at the moment I'm pretty enthusiastic about it.

One of the reasons I joined this forum is to do more research into the PB and NPBs in India so that I know what firearm to buy when/ if I come back to India.

I have already done some research here over the past month, but I guess my question to whoever's reading this would be:

If you are living in India and could get one NPB from abroad, what firearm would it be? First would it be a revolver? If so, what make. model? Would it be a shotgun? If so, what make and model? Anything else?

Cheers guys, I am sure I will learn a lot from you.

[Vikram]

Welcome to IFG.

You have acquired an exceedingly addictive albeit wonderful hobby.

To answer your question-depends what you want or what you want to do.

If I were to take one gun to India, that would be a .357 magnum revolver made by Korth or Manhurin.My logic,you can get rifles or shotguns in India.But, try buying a decent handgun in that calibre.

Your needs could be much different.

Best-
Vikram

[goodboy_mentor]

If you are living in India and could get one NPB from abroad, what firearm would it be?

Yes I agree with Vikram, .357 revolver makes sense since it will also be able to fire .38 special cartridges. Given the cost of .357 cartridges in India, one can practice by firing .38 special cartridges. If I would want option of even cheaper cartridges than the .38 special, like .22lr for target practice I would go for either Smith & Wesson 617 .22 LR, 10 round revolver or U.S. Firearms New Model 12/22, 12 shot cylinder and will except all .22 rounds!
If the cost or availability of cartridges is not a concern, my choices would be:
1) SIG Sauer P226(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P229) in .357 SIG. Reasons: High energy, flat trajectory, high velocity, extreme accuracy, high firepower and deep penetration, concealable handgun.
2) FN Five-seven(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_Five-seven) Reasons: Practically all the reasons of .357 SIG plus magazine capacity of 20 to 30 rounds!

[Sakobav]

Welcome aboard

I would recommend .327 Federal new cartridge unless I misunderstood you can fire .32 long in it a pragmatic and cheaper ammo option in India - since .357 will make a big hole in the pocket. .327 is a decent alternative and good ccw carry. Some links below - its made by S&W, Ruger and Charter arms all decent guns. If you are married get the better half a gun too - ( if not another good reason to get hitched LOL)

http://www.gunblast.com/SW-632CCP.htm

http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/f14/ ... ong-29464/

Cheers

[nagarifle]

welcome aboard mate. anything is better then noting, best buy is for which ammo can be had.

[xl_target]

Your question poses a huge dilemma for a shooting enthusiast intent on bringing a pistol into India for self defense purposes.

The problem with .357 SIG, while it is a great cartridge, is going to be its availability in the future. It's not easy to find even in the US and it is expensive to shoot compared to more common calibers. If one could be assured of availability, it would definitely be a preferred option.

If you like revolvers, the .357/.38 Sp. chambering is probably more realistic. The chances of .327 Federal Magnum being available on a regular basis are slim and many people will balk at considering the other variations of the .32 as their preferred defensive round (if they had other choices).

If you like auto pistols and want something bigger than a .32 caliber, you're going to be hard pressed to come up with something. 9 X19 is a PB, .45 is a PB in some areas. The more exotic cartridges are going to suffer from availability problems. .380 ACP is one option and .40 S&W is probably more available than some of the other calibers but it won't be cheap.

The best bang for your buck is going to be .22 LR and it is available but one might not be willing to bet one's life on its stopping power. A .22 LR bullet, while it has taken all kinds of game and has been fatal to many humans, the ability to stop an intruder will depend on placement and/or (especially if you are in a high adrenaline, life threatening situation) luck. Most people trained in defensive shooting, in the US, are trained to shoot at COM. Shooting at COM with a .22 is not going to guarantee anything if you default to your level of training.

However, as naga says, "anything is better than nothing" and if you have a pistol without available ammo, you might as well start brushing up on your rock throwing skills.

[Prabhath]

It would be a CZ 75 Kadet for me. It chambers .22 lr (ammo choice and availability is pretty decent and affordable in India). The 75 has some wonderful reviews. Light and very reasonable priced. Moreover it is an extensively tried and tested pistol.