Beginner-does first gun really have to be a .22?

The reasoning for purchasing a .357 is that the .357 can shoot both the 38spl and the .357 Magnum. A .38 can only shoot the .38spl, not the magnum. A .357 magum requires a 'stronger' cylider and hence the .357 magnum cartridge is the same diameter as the .38 but made slightly longer to ensure you wont load one into a gun designed for the .38.

So everything else equal, the .357 gives you more options. You can shoot the cheaper .38spl or you can load up the .357 mag once in a while for some extra fun (and that .357 magnum is fun!!!). That said, there are a lot of fine .38's out there.

So, at this point, my first purchases will be a .22 and .38 revolver, than down
the road a 9mm pistol, probably Beretta 92fs, PX4, CZ 75.
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All excellent choices (the 92FS is my favorite) if considering the PX4, also check out the Cougar (heavier but I actually like it better).
 
Has the poster ever fired a gun? It sounds as though the answer is, "no".

Maybe some time with some rental guns or with an instructor might be money well spent.

Monty
 
Yes,

Fired a handgun a few times as a teenager.

I have plans to take several NRA classes in my area in the next few weeks.

I want to do this the right way, with safety being of the absolutely paramount
factor!
 
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there is a possibility all of us may find ourselves wishing for more power. I don't know anything about what's going to happen in your life. All I mean to suggest is that you are limiting yourself, where I would choose the .357 you don't see the possibility of ever wishing for more than the .38 can deliver. That's fine, if I had a .22 or a .38 to choose from as "the only gun I'm allowed to have" (a completely unreasonable assumption, of course, but there are people who vote for politicians who generate such situations) I'd choose the .38. But if there was a .22 or a .38 or a .357 to choose (and again, I'm limited in this hypothetical situation to "just one") then the .38 will never get a second glance.

I DO HAVE .38 revolvers, but I'm not limited to one gun.

Most situations where a .38 is an option, with the exception of a pocket gun, I'm going to reach for a .44 Special instead anyway.
 
I'm going to reach for a .44 Special instead anyway.
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O.k. so the obvious question here is....

Why not a 44 Magnum then? ;)

More power than you want/need?

Over penetration could be a problem?

Too loud?

Too much recoil?

More expensive to shoot? ;)
 
if it was an "only", and I had to choose, you bet I'd take the mag. But like .357, .44 Magnum is obnoxiously loud. But with .44 Spl, I'm not borderline under-powered like I would be with .38.

I just like shooting .44 Spl. AND it has plenty of power.
 
But with .44 Spl, I'm not borderline under-powered like I would be with .38.
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You ARE into a much bigger and heavier gun though... unless you give up a round.



With MANY choices in modern plus P loadings and modern bullet designs, I'd hardly call a .38 Special Plus P, out of a 4" or 6" barrel borderline underpowered.

That might have been true 50 or 60 years ago where .38 Special was mostly of the lead round nose variety, or maybe an issue with a 2" barrel.

It sure worked for police for quite a long time.

38 Special is VERY pleasant and enjoyable to shoot, and modern Plus P loadings from a 4" or 6" tube are a fine choice for personal defense against all but big 4 legged creatures.
 
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Good for you, nodule.

Learning the correct way the first time is the best way.

Maybe try out a few different guns and calibers first, and you might be able to make a more informed decision.

Best,

Monty
 
You don't have to get a .22lr as your first gun....but you'll enjoy it more...and, since you'll end up getting a .22lr anyway, why not get it out of the way now?..... :D

ET. said:
Oops! I just read the second amendment on line and much to my surprise there is an entry that states:

"Any citizen whom just recieves his lawfully issued permit must in due conscience obtain a .22 pistol as his first pistol. There must be no exceptions to this rule. We, the founding fathers, feel it necessary to restrict said first purchase to a caliber equivalent to such a small munition to ensure the safety of our fellow revolutionaries. (Plus John Adams has a rather large supply of 22 shells he needs to get rid of pronto, but that has no bearing on this lawfully written amendment) Any decree which unduly conflicts with this amendment shall hereto be construed as void, as this amendment shall live in perpetuity."

Who knew?
__________________
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I always thought that Adams was a shifty fellow.... ;)
 
nodule,
You have this all very well thought out. An advantage of the waiting period, if there is one, you have the time to fully ponder the vaious options involved in a handgun purchase.

A .38-Special S&W revolver is a thing of joy to shoot. If you eventually "get totally into" shooting so your reloading and making your own bullets, you'll find that you can shoot .38-Spcl target loads for about the same cost as .22-LRs.

As far as shooting .38-Spcls in a .357-RemMag revolver, the others are correct, it leaves a build-up behind. But, for a reloader, it's no problem to load .38-Spcl-type target loads in .357-RemMag brass.
tobnpr said:
…buying my 18 year old son his first handgun…
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Living in a restrictive state, perhaps I've become overly sensitivity to potential problems with gun laws. What you can and can't do with a handgun between the ages of 18 and 21 is bizarre. IINM, an 18-year-old can't buy a handgun from a dealer but can from a private party (if your state allows such a transfer). If you buy a handgun from a dealer and pass it on to your son, it might be considered a straw sale and a federal violation.
 
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