Advice on First Caliber

A

anthony6727

New member
I'm getting ready to purchase my first hand gun for self-defense. I have read in many threads that people recommend getting a .22 to start. This isn't an option for me since I am planning on just getting one hand gun for now. So that leaves open the 9mm - .45ACP. I've shot both the.45 and the 9mm so I have a basic feel for them. I know that eventually I will want to get a .45 when I am proficient enough. However, i'm not sure if I should start with a 9mm, which has less recoil, etc (i'm not sure if this even makes much of a difference) or Just get the 45. I'm considering the Beretta 92a1 for my 9 selection, and the FNP 45 tactical. Any input is greatly appreciated. I'm sure this question has been asked a million times so if anyone knows of any relevant threads, that would be greatly appreciated as well.
 
I think you're on the right track. 9mm is pretty easy to control even if you don't have much experience. I'm a revolver guy, so I started with .38 special so I could later graduate to .357 magnum without switching guns.

A few questions to ask yourself: What do you want to use the handgun for? Home defense, something you'll pack just part of the time, or a 24/7 carry piece? How much training & practice do you want? 9mm is a good start as the ammo is pretty cheap, and it takes a lot of shooting to learn to use a handgun defensively. Another alternative is to go with .45, but to get a kit that lets you shoot .22 out of the same gun. That way you can practice lots & cheaply whenever you want, then move up to your defensive caliber when you're ready.

If it's going to be a concealable handgun that will also be your primary piece, I'd recommend not going too small. A tiny, lightweight gun is harder to learn to shoot than a larger one with adjustable sights. Go with something mid-sized.
 
The 9MM is cheaper to shoot, so if being able to afford shooting is important I'd go that route.

On the other hand if you can afford to shoot .45 all day long why not? Im tall and fat so I've never understood the argument that you need to start with .22 because of the recoil. I can shoot .357 just as well as .38s - I just need an extra second to compensate for the recoil in between shots.
 
The reason to start with a good quality .22 is not due to recoil considerations, it has to do with cost of ammunition. You can learn your fundamentals with low cost ammo and shoot quite a bit more with a .22 than any centerfire.
 
i like the idea of getting a .45 that is able to convert to .22 while u learn... .22 will be a whole lot cheaper to start with
 
.22 and 9mm are the way to go.

A full sized steel 9mm like the CZ75 is a pussycat to shoot and a good defensive pistol to boot. But everyone needs a .22 pistol also.
 
Consider the 4" .38Spl/.357 revolver,

for first time and only purchase.

Learn the fundamentals using .38Spl target loads and get introduced to reloading of same cartridges.

Then when YOU feel comfortable, introduce the .357 loads.

This is best COMPROMISE for you're situation.

Good used revolver are plentiful and reasonable$$$$.

Good luck, decide what YOU are comfortable with.
 
I would say go straight to a .45 if you can afford to shoot it. I prefer the .45 as the recoil is more of a push backwards than a muzzle flip like the 9MM.

Almost any "Compact" version of a glock or S&W M&P or Springfield XD series chambered in whatever you choose will serve you well. Notice I didn't say subcompact.
 
9mm

-greater capacity
-less recoil given a similar platform (thus, faster follow-up shots)
-cheaper ammo (more practice)
-no significant difference in effectiveness (the "big and slow" crowd is going to get pissy about that comment...:rolleyes:)
 
Really personal choice and budget. I see a lot of people on ranges who bought something that they can't shoot well since they never got the basics down. They have a bad flinch that will take a lot of time, ammo, and likely a .22 to get fixed.

I would go the .38 special/.357 route myself. If that isn't for you then I would go with the 9mm.

Or maybe, get the .22, shoot 5000rds out of it and sell it once you're rock solid with it to fund the next one. You'll lose about $100 in the sale but that is money very well spent in the long run!

Beretta has a factory .22 conversion for the 92's as does CZ if that is a route you want to look at.
 
I vote if only one pistol can be got.Go wiht the 45 right off the bat and learn to shoot it. I did not waste my time on 22 either.Recoil is mostly hear say any how. My 1911 has very little recoil.If it is an issue load 165 or 180 gns till you get used to it.:D
 
The idea for the .22 conversion isn't bad, but how much do those cost? You could probably get a used Ruger Mk .22 for about $200-$250. If the conversion kit costs anywhere near that range he might as well get 2 guns.
 
22 conversion kits

1) I do not catch used 22 pistols in my state for a fair price(why I don't know)

2) the great thing about 22 conversion kits is that they take the same holster and have the same trigger as your primary so your practice is more fruitful for practicing for personal protection

J.A.C has 22 kits for BHP,1911,glock, and beretta/taurus 92

SIG has factory 22lr kits

Adavantage arms has glock and 1911

and there are several more for 1911 as well as the above. It's what most pistol shooters wish they would have done in the first place if there honest with themselves.
 
9mm is fine.

Ammo is cheap, and lower recoil will make it easier to shoot.

Premium JHP's are "good enough" for defense purposes.

Make sure you handle a variety of pistols, and choose one that fits your hands well.
 
If there is any doubt in your mind, go 9mm. Its cheap and it works.

You are going to want both eventually, so my philosophy is get the one you can/will shoot a ton first (hence the .22 argument). If the gun is purely for fun and not defense, .22 all the way and upgrade when funds allow.
 
Consider the 4" .38Spl/.357 revolver,
for first time and only purchase.
Learn the fundamentals using .38Spl target loads and get introduced to reloading of same cartridges.
Then when YOU feel comfortable, introduce the .357 loads.
This is best COMPROMISE for you're situation.
Good used revolver are plentiful and reasonable$$$$.
Good luck, decide what YOU are comfortable with.

this is the only thing you need to read in this thread. Every collection needs one of these, if you only have one gun this is the one. And get access to a .22, you really do need it. Borrow, rent, share, somehow get use of one.
 
9mm or .38 special. I'm not of the school that says "buy a .22 first". There are several reasons for this.

1. Just about anyone can learn to handle either 9mm or .38 special. To me, they are basically the same - revolver / semi-auto, take your pick.

2. Either round is a decent self defense round. At least this way, you have a gun that you can use for self defense right out of the box.

3. 9mm ammo is cheap enough to where you can shoot tons of it and it won't break the bank.

4. If you are worried about learning not to flinch - stop worrying about it. You may or may not initially experience this problem. If you do, simply shoot more. You can still practice good technique with a real gun - you don't need a toy .22 to accomplish this.

5. I'd bet that most of the "experts" (and there are some genuine experts on this board) on this board fired a larger caliber than .22 the first time they shot a handgun.

6. If you find you are having problems hitting the target, then move the target closer. Figure out where you tend to group, and then work on correcting the problem. There are charts, instructors, books and self-appointed experts that can help you do this.

7. I have a Ruger Mark II .22. This was about the 6th or 7th handgun that I had purchased. I bought it because everyone said you really should get a good .22 to practice with. And, I did use this to practice for awhile. It did nothing to improve my accuracy or ability to shoot larger caliber handguns. But, it is fun to shoot every now and then - so, for me it's basically a range toy. Admittedly, I do use it to introduce kids who have never shot, or adults who are a bit timmid about shooting to shooting handguns.

Learning to shoot by using a .22 handgun first won't hurt anything. I'm not saying that it's "bad practice" to do this. I'm simply saying that it isn't necessary.
 
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I'd get a .45. why not start out at the top of the food chain?
for about 70 years the US trained millions of youths of all shapes, sizes and temprements to ust the 1911 pistol with some pretty well documented results.
And get a Ruger Mk2, too.
 
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