Advice on a handgun...

thanks

Erick and OSU Sig, I am looking to buy a pistol for concealed carry(mostly for a loaded gun in a vehicle) and a rifle for varmints on the ranch (Coyotes, stray dogs, etc.). I think that I have decided on a Browning X-bolt Stainless Stalker .22-250 for the rifle. I can't seem to make up my mind on the pistol, however. I don't think that I want a .45 so I am leaning toward a Beretta 9mm 92FS INOX or a 92A1. Which on of these pistols, or any other suggestions, would you choose?Where would be the best place to get these guns?

While not in the list, I hope you don't mind me throwing a few ideas your way.

If you're looking at the Berettas as a full-size, all metal, durable pistol, I'd also suggest the CZ 75 (or SP-01 if you want a rail) varieties or the full size Sig (I think it's the P226, but may be the P229). Both types are great guns and are a little bit smaller than the big Beretta is you find the grip on it is a bit of a stretch.

Thanks, I'll have a look at them. The 92FS feels good in my hand, which is fairly big. The only reason that I am considering the 92 A1 is because of the rail. Are there any negatives to the 92 A1 compared to the 92FS?

I was going to say that with your hands, you could probably handle the Beretta, but for a lot of people the grip is too big. If you're looking for a full-size 9mm you might go with a SigSauer 226 and I think others would recommend it as well. It does cost a bit more than the Beretta and it doesn't have a manual safety if that's something you absolutely have to have.

I am afraid I'll have to disagree with your position on a 223 being better than a shotgun. If you plan to be in an extended gun battle at range, you would be correct but gun battles may not last long and they may be inside 30 meters.
In the stress that will surely surround the notion that I am going to have to kill this perp in order to protect my family and self, I want every advantage I can get. Inside 30 meters, a shotgun is worlds more effective than an AR. Imagine how your heart rate will affect looking through a scope or attempting to locate a target with a red dot. Now compare that to what looking down the barrel of a shotgun is like. I keep a shotgun at the ready in case I have to do battle inside my home. I have rifles and handguns that are also standing by but if I were able to inflict multiple wounds on a bad guy with one shot, that's better than attempting to shoot a moving target with a 55 grain bullet. At least, that is what I believe.

Not to mention if a DA decided to make a political example out of you, that scary black rifle is going to look more menacing by an order of magnitude than a wood stocked shotgun to a jury. Not worth it to me.

I would hold off on the X Bolt. I'm not hearing much good about them. If you are looking for an excellent shooting, good value in a rifle, look at the Tikka T-3 in 22-250. It's made by Sako and the barrels come off the same equipment Sako barrels do. Simply put, the Tikka may be among the best values in center fire rifles and are certainly among the most accurate. Tikka rifles come with scope rings which is another benefit.
There are so many good handguns out there that I would be doing you a disservice by recommending one over all the others. The best thing for you to do is to go to your local gunshop and look, feel and grip all of the ones you can. H&H in OKC will allow you to shoot a model if you are interested in buying it. That is the best way to see which one feels best in your hands. I'm not a huge 9mm fan but ammo is inexpensive and can be found almost everywhere.

ftw!

I'd rather use a tactical nunchuck on a picatinny rail adapter, if you ask me.

I must correct you on pattern at 10 yards. Cylinder bore shotguns with spreader wads, shooting bird shot will expand a pattern that will completely cover a human body's width at, say 15'. Multiple wounds beat a single wound for stopping an advance, every time.

Plus one on the shotgun! The only way I would use a high power for home defense is if it is my only weapon. There is too much chance of blowing thru a wall and hurting an unintended target.

I want to join!

What bullets in the .223? I would like to see the study, not that I don't believe you, but that I find it interesting that a rifle round would be stopped that easily. You do have me interested enough to load up the AR and so some simulations myself when I get time.