Another new guy looking for guidance

First, welcome to the forum.

Second, look to make sure your S&W 22A is not one that has been recalled ant not sent in to S&W to fix the problem.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...4_750001_750051_757979_-1_757978_757978_image

Third, I would suggest taking the NRA Basic Pistol Course if you have not already take it. This is a very worthwhile course.

Fourth, I personally would not suggest the .40 S&W for a relatively new shooter. The recoil of a .40 S&W is pretty snappy, and you do not want to develop a flinch. Of the most popular (9x19, .40 S&W, .45 ACP) the perceived or felt recoil from least to greatest is typically
9x19<.45 ACP<.40 S&W.

If you can, try several different models and calibers to see what you like and shoot the best. Also look into ammo availability and ammo cost. Don't be in a rush to make a purchase. Do your homework and research so you have more of an ability to make an informed decision.
 
I think the first area you need to decide is between striker and hammer fired, i.e. the Double Action and Single Action type.

Finding out what works and how you feel about it is paramount.


Striker is easier to pick up and shoot initially if you are new to guns. Except the small concealed Sig (250 and th4e new 290) Sigs are DA/SA hammer fired.

I came from a revolver background (and 1911 which would be SA with a safety). Ergo the hammer fired suits me. I am fine with a 1911 though it has capacity restrictions (double stack 9mm in a pretty small gun has 16 or 17 rounds).

I went with a Sig SP2022 in 9mm and have no regrets. I was formally a big bore advocate, but with more potent powers (velocity increase) and self defense bullets the 9mm matches up with the big bores to the point that its shot placement and hitting vitals.

While you may indeed gravitate to striker fired (and that’s fine) the Sig SP2022 is a bargain at less than $400 and an outstanding gun if hammer fired turns out to be what works for you.
 
TailGator, thanks for the insight. I'm not overly concerned about recoil, but will take your suggestions very seriously. I'm a fairly big guy (6'7', 300 pounds) and should be able to adapt without too much problem. I have a co-worker with a S&W 500 and I'm angling to get a few rounds through it. :)

Discern, thanks for the tip on the recall, I'll check it out. I'm already scheduled to take a pistol course through the local gun club. I have applied for membership and don't anticipate any problems getting in.

RC20, is there a good resource for an in-depth discussion about striker vs hammer fired guns? I'm headed to google right now to do a bit of searching, but if you have any suggestions, feel free to share them.

Anyone have any thoughts on a S&W 4043? I literally stumbled across a used one by accident and it's all-metal but only weighs about 28 ounces empty, if my research is correct.

Again, thanks to everyone for your help.
 
erikivy,

Not all firearm courses are of equal quality. I know shooters who had to take a pistol safety course to shoot at another range. When they took the NRA Basic Pistol Course, the comments were the NRA course was a much better, more informative and more thorough course. Many shooters who considered themselves as experienced were surprised at what they learned in the NRA Basic Pistol. In order to qualify as a NRA course, the course must follow the NRA criteria and guidelines for that particular course. NRA courses must also be taught be NRA Certified Instructors or NRA Certified Training Counselors qualified to teach that particular NRA course.

If you are joining a gun club, you may have an opportunity to try different firearm of other members. Most shooters I know are more than willing to let others try their firearms. Offer to pay for the ammo or supply the ammo (no reloads, no remanufactured - factory new ammo of the manufacturer the firearm owner wants to be used).
 
Discern,

I may be mistaken, but I think the class offered by the club is the NRA prescribed class. This is how the club website describes it:

FIRST Steps Pistol Class
FIRST stands for “Firearm Instruction, Responsibility, and Safety Training.” The NRA designed FIRST Steps as a firearms orientation program for new gun purchasers. This basic firearms course covers the most fundamental shooting skills, and the specifics of your particular model of pistol.

This course, because of its narrow focus, can be completed in roughly three hours. Students will receive the NRA's handbook, The Basics of Pistol Shooting, which contains basic practical lessons on the safe use, cleaning, and storage of their pistol. The practical part of the course consists of shooting from a single pistol shooting position. As the number of participants or pistol types involved increases, the course will take proportionally longer.

The course goal according to the NRA FIRST Steps Pistol Orientation Plan is the following: “To provide beginning shooters with an introduction to the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to own and use a specific pistol model safely.” The lessons covered in the classroom include :

Introduction to Pistol Safety, Parts, and Operation
Introduction to Ammunition and the Fundamentals of Pistol Shooting
Introduction to Pistol Shooting from the Benchrest Position
Introduction to Pistol Cleaning, Storage, and Training Opportunities
Students will receive feedback from one–on–one instructors on the live–fire exercise. Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive a certificate.
Click to expand...


What do you think?


-Erik
 
Okay, I see the difference now. I will ask around at the club and find out what additional courses are available locally. Thanks!
 
I depends on where it is taught and the NRA Certified Instructors doing the course. Some will do it in one day. Others will do it in two days (maybe a weekend or the same day of the week on two or more weeks). Others may do it in the evenings over two, three or four days. The course requirements are a min of 8 hrs as set by the NRA. Some instructors may go well over the 8 hours min for this course and do it in a multiple day setting. There may be a course locally, but it just is not listed on the NRA website. It is up to the NRA lead instructor to list the class on the NRA website. Personally, I would look for a course that goes over the 8 hr min and includes a good portion of range time. If you have any questions, contact the NRA lead instructor for that class.
 
For personal self defence - I suggest the Glock 23 - Compact
.40 caliber is the all around best for stopping and knock down power.

If your new to handguns, take some lessons at a shooting range from a knowledgable person or qualified shooting instuctor.
 
Please help.....

Hello all, I was wondering if what I did at the range today was any good or real crapy or what. I will understand if it isn't any good because this is probaly only the tenth time I have ever sot a hand gun. the first time was about 8 years ago with something big that was a auto,:) and the second time was in 2009 with a .38 revolver, I think I shot it about four time total and This is about the fifth time that I have shot this particular gun (phoniex arms .25) this is what I did: all groups where with one clip which is seven rounds:
3 yrds- 1."
5 yrds- 1.5"
7yrds- 2."
10 yrds- 3. "
15 yrds- 5."
25 yrds- 8.5"

Thanks to all that will respond and let me know.
 
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Fourth, I personally would not suggest the .40 S&W for a relatively new shooter. The recoil of a .40 S&W is pretty snappy, and you do not want to develop a flinch. Of the most popular (9x19, .40 S&W, .45 ACP) the perceived or felt recoil from least to greatest is typically
9x19<.45 ACP<.40 S&W.
Click to expand...

really? a .40 S&W feels like more recoil than a .45?

i have limited experience with handguns(only .38 revolvers, and semi-autos in .22 LR, .25 ACP and .40 S&W), but the Browning Hi-Power in .40 S&W was a joy to shoot. I'm about half your size too, erikivy, at 6' and 150 lbs. if a .45 is even softer maybe I'll turn out to be a hardcore 1911 guy :)
 
Paulymc27: Those groups aren't half bad, especially considering that your choice of handgun is not exactly renowned for accuracy (or reliability, to be honest). It might not be a bad idea for you to start another thread so the helpful folks on TFL can discuss your choice of firearm and caliber.

swopjan: The info that you quoted from Discern is a very common perception among folk who have shot all 3 calibers from similar pistols. The recoil from .40 is often felt as being more of a short hard impact like a punch whereas that from .45 it kind of builds and releases in a more gradual way (although still in just a fraction of a second) more like a push. Hard to describe, really, but it is definitely worth shooting both to see which one you like and handle better. I handle 9 mm best of all, so that is my choice, but I made my choice and you get to make yours. Ain't it great?
 
The .45 has more momentum than the .40, so it has more push. The .40 is a higher pressure round, developing momentum not far behind that of the .45, in significantly less time, so it has more snap.

Some people mind one more than the other.
 
Please help.....

Ok, Thanks man. I was just asking because the guy at the range was kinda of impressed of the 25 yrds shots, I was shooting a paper target which had 25yrd slow fire handgun written on it, and all the seven was inside of the circles. If you can't tell I don't know a whole lot about firearms but would like to get into them more and learn more about them. I got that .25 because it was cheap and I was going out of town for a while to a big city and just wanted something just in case. oh, and how do I start a new thread when I can get some more info?
 
When I needed to get approved for my concealed carry I also took the NRA course (8 hours I believe) and the best thing about it is you get a certificate certifying you not only in your state but a separate certificate certifying you on all 50 states. So if you ever apply for a license in another state no need to take a qualification course specifically for their state since the NRA course covers it.

I also got to shoot a bunch of different guns for the last 2 hours of the course. S&W 41 in .22, S&W M&P in 9mm, Glock in .40, Colt 1911 in .45, Ruger SP101 in .357, Mossberg 500, and a bunch of rounds through an AR-15 and savage bolt action in .223. I forgot me and my father were the only two people in the course, so the guy started pulling all his personal guns out of his trunk for us to shoot.
 
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@Dragline45,

Unless the criteria has changed, not all states accept the NRA Basic Pistol Course certificate as a criteria to apply for a concealed carry permit from their state. Also be aware the certificate just means you have passed the NRA Basic Pistol Course, it is not a CC permit and does not say you are qualified for a CC permit. Some states will also make you take an additional shooting test to pass their accuracy requirements. Each state sets the criteria that must be met to apply for a CC permit from that state. Also be aware that some states will only recognize resident permits and do not recognize non-resident permits. Check with a knowledgeable attorney and make sure you understand and know the laws.
 
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