The Best Pistols for Competitive Shooting

People talk about it all the time. “How do I get into competitive shooting?” or “What are the best pistols for sale to use for competitions?” The truth is, there are plenty of pistols that can be used during these competitions. These competitions are the ultimate place in which to talk to other shooting enthusiasts, to learn, to show your skills, and to watch some of the most intense sporting events.

One of the best aspects about getting into the sport is that you don’t need a special weapon to do so; you really just need a pistol that fires safely. Firearm safety should be top of mind no matter what type of shooting you’re doing.

What to Look for In a Competitive Shooting Firearm

If you are looking to purchase a weapon strictly for competitive shooting, you will want to review some criteria before you just buy any Glock or Colt pistol on the market. Some qualities your competition pistol should have are:

Rugged and Durable Construction

This might be the most difficult feature to identify, but it is a key component. You are looking for a weapon that can fire hundreds of thousands of rounds per year without losing any of its functionality. That means that all of the main parts to the pistol should be able to be easily cleaned and able to withstand hours on the range every week. Practice makes perfect, but it also puts a lot of wear on your weapon. Having one that will withstand dirt and grime is crucial.

A Semi-Automatic Pistol

Though revolvers can be an enjoyable way to compete, they typically are not the best way to get used to the basics of a shooting competition. Pistols are easy to use, easy to load, and more natural feeling than a revolver, according to many shooters.

Ergonomics

This will be based on your individual needs. Everyone’s hand is different, so finding a pistol that fits comfortably and naturally into your grip is important. Try out a few to see what feels right for you.

5-Inch Barrel

When your barrel is over 6 inches, your weapon is affected by a diminishing rate of return. Smaller weapons will have less accuracy at longer distances. For most competitions, 4- to 5.5-inch barrels are ideal.

9mm Handgun

These are the ideal weapon for beginners because they feature low recoil and a decent-sized magazine that is often adjustable.

Competitive Shooting Models

Though there are plenty of guns for sale online that can be used for competitive shooting, there are three that come to my mind when I think of what I would want to be using:

Glock 35 Gen 3 Competition

This Glock was made to achieve the high accuracy in target engagement. It is a semi-auto handgun that uses a 17-round magazine. The frame is 5.32” and is compatible with numerous sights. Not only is it ideal for competitive shooting, but it also doubles as an excellent home defense firearm. It is able to withstand the rigors of the range and still have enough power to keep you safe at home.

Nighthawk Custom Heine Signature Competition

This Nighthawk is another semi-auto pistol that is made for competitive fields. It was designed by Richard Heinie, a founding father of the United States Practical Shooting Association. This organization is the largest competitive pistol shooting group in the US. The 9mm that they made is a single action with a 5” barrel. It features a thin frame and a one-piece magwell to help achieve an unparalleled balance between accuracy and reliability.

Colt Competition Government

This Colt 9mm doesn’t accept 2nd place when it is used in competition. It packs plenty of features to help you shoot straight and take home the top prize. The 3-hole aluminum trigger paired with the undercut trigger guard give your fingers easy access to a quick draw and pull. Its lightweight frame comes in a 36 oz., but still has plenty of power through its 5” barrel to get the explosive power your shots need to hit targets quickly and accurately.

Competition Pistols at GrabAGun

So whether you are looking for a cheap pistol, a beginner’s pistol, or want to add another weapon to use at your next competition; one of these three are sure to help you jump up a few spots on the leaderboard. No matter what type of firearm you’re looking for; GrabAGun has the widest selection, lowest prices, and financing options to help you get the gun you want, at a price you can afford.

.357 Magnum Guns For Sale

357-magnum-guns-for-sale

The .357 revolver cartridge debuted on the firearms scene back in 1935 when it was first introduced by gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson. Based upon the .38 Special cartridge, the .357 became the first Magnum cartridge, and was introduced as the world’s most powerful handgun among guns for sale at the time.

For 20 years, it was the only Magnum. Eventually, the .44 Magnum and the 9mm surpassed the .357 caliber . Nevertheless, it remains popular today for its stopping power and reliability.

History of .357

The Gangster activity of the prohibition era spawned the use of early bulletproof vests, which defeated any pistol ammunition of the time. Until the development of the .357 Magnum. The .357 was born out of law enforcement’s need for an advantage over the criminal element.

The Colt .38 Super Automatic was the first pistol ammo that was able to penetrate the car doors and ballistic vests that the gangsters and bootleggers used for cover. The .357 was developed by extending the .38 Super Automatic casing by 1/8 inch allowing room for additional powder. This extension allowed it to be used in rifles and it became known as a dual use round.

.357 Magnum Pistols

The .357 Magnum pistols, and later the .44 Magnum’s, popularity declined with the development of smaller guns chambered in 9mm using smokeless powder. This was due to the 9mm abilities to produce a higher velocity in a smaller cartridge, providing smaller and lighter guns for modern guns for sale.

The .357 IMI Desert Eagle was the first semi-automatic pistol to fire the .357 Magnum cartridge. Today’s law enforcement often use the .357 pistols as a backup weapon, but not as their primary. The .357 remain popular guns for sale among many citizens for self-protection, security jobs and sports.

The .357 SIG, developed in 1994, was designed to mimic the performance of 125 grains .357 Magnum loads fired from 4 inch barreled revolvers in a cartridge designed for semi-automatic pistols. It performs very closely to the .357 Magnum but, in a semi-automatic, it provides an increased capacity. The Texas Highway Patrol became the first government agencies to use the .357 SIG cartridge in 1995. Today many government agencies and law enforcement officers use the .357 SIG caliber.

A Great Caliber for Self-Defense

The .357 Magnum makes an effective self-defense pistol. While there are other handguns with an even greater impact in these factors, the .357 remains more than adequate. The fact that it produces less recoil than other more powerful handguns may be an advantage for those shooters who have difficulty maintaining accuracy with recoil. For these shooters, the .357 pistols can provide ample stopping power in a handgun they are able to control.

Guns For Sale at GrabAGun

GrabAGun offers an extensive selection of guns for sale and includes the .357 Magnum revolver and the .357 Sig semi-automatics. We also offer accessories for every type of firearm, including gun holsters, optics, and much more! GrabAGun provides a great selection of discounted firearms products. If you require assistance give our knowledgeable customer service agents a call.

The Infamy of The Derringer

derringer pistols for sale

The History of Deringer

Henry Deringer was the son of a German gunsmith and, after an apprenticeship in his father’s shop, he established his own firearms manufacturing facility in Philadelphia in 1806. He manufactured flintlock pistols, muskets, and percussion rifles for the U. S. Army. In 1825, Deringer began the production of percussion dueling pistols. By 1840, he was manufacturing a smaller dueling pistol and by the 1850s the short barreled, single-action percussion pocket pistol which rapidly gained popularity among pistols for sale at the time. Go to GrabAGun and look through our more modern Derringer collection!

Interestingly, the Deringer lacked a standardized caliber and came with its own bullet mold specific to the caliber of the pair of pistols which varied from .33 to .51 inches. With Henry Deringer’s death in 1868, competitors began applying the breechloading system to their own versions of concealable pistols, and called them “Derringers” to avoid trademark infringements. From then on, guns made by Henry Deringer were the Deringer, while any small short barreled and non-automatic concealable firearm was called a derringer.

The Deringer’s Infamy

The Deringer went down into infamy as the gun that killed Abraham Lincoln. He was shot by actor John Wilkes Booth in April, 1865. Lincoln died the following morning. Forensic evaluation of the pistol in 1997 revealed a characteristic unique to the Booth Deringer, unlike the majority of Deringer pocket pistols, the Booth pistol bore rifling with a left twist. Today the infamous tiny pistol is on display in the Ford Theater Museum.

The end of the Civil War saw the decline in the percussion Deringer’s popularity. The new .41 Short rimfire cartridge was introduced in 1863 resulting in the availability of more modern pistols for sale using the more convenient rimfire cartridges.

The Derringer Today

Today’s Derringer is an exceedingly popular among pistols for sale. The typical modern derringer, or pocket pistol, has significantly improved Henry Deringer’s little gun. Modern Derringers provide greater quality, increased round capacity, and improved safety features and performance.

Derringers at GrabAGun

GrabAGun is an online gun dealer offering an extensive selection of guns for sale from a large selection of models. GrabAGun has the largest selection of guns on the internet and our inventory isn’t limited! If you seek a particular weapon, give us a call and we will locate the firearm.

Shop our site for rifles for sale, shotguns for sale, AR-15’s for sale and pistols for sale including a large selection of the diminutive derringer pistols for sale. Our selection of derringers includes derringers with interchangeable barrels for sale.

Great Selection of Pistols For Sale

Pistols for Sale

GrabAGun is your premier source for online gun sales. We carry an extensive selection of pistols for sale in our online store at discount prices. The brands we carry include Beretta, Browning, Colt, Diamondback, Glock, Kel-Tec, Remington, Ruger, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Walther, and more.

Whether you are shopping for concealed carry pistols, a pistol for target practice and recreation, a duty weapon, a home defense pistol or a pistol for a gift, we are sure to carry exactly what you are looking for.

We carry derringers for those in need of a diminutive pistol. Often called ‘pocket pistols’, derringers are increasingly popular for their ease of concealment. We also stock concealed carry holsters as every firearm needs a gun holster to protect the gun, as well as for safety reasons. We currently carry over 120 models of derringer pistols alone.

With so much to choose from, unless you have already decided upon a particular brand, model and configuration it can be a daunting task to narrow your selection down. Our friendly customer service agents will be more than happy to assist you in choosing just the right gun among our numerous pistols for sale.

GrabAGun would like to make your experience a satisfied one when you are looking to purchase pistols for sale online.