I am within the going next year going to buy a pistol. My friend who is a retired police officer has offered to sell me his old service revolver for $250. It is a Sturm Ruger .357 magnum with a 4" barrel. He is going to include a cleaning kit and a couple speed loaders he has for it as well as teaching me how to shoot, clean, and care for it. It can also handle .38 special loads. I know it's a good deal, especially since he is teaching me how to use it, but is this a suitable gun for a first time pistol owner?
Beginner Pistol
- Thread starter joe07735
- Start date
Marko Kloos
Inactive
It's probably the best choice a new handgun owner could make, at least in my opinion.
A 4" .357 is a very safe, flexible, and capable handgun. It's easy to learn, fun to shoot, and it can be called upon to do any job you may want to ask of a handgun. You can use it for concealed carry, home defense, plinking, competition, and target shooting, and it will do all of those jobs well.
In addition to .357 Magnum, you can shoot the milder recoiling .38 Special in that gun as well. Rugers are very sturdy handguns, so it should last forever if you take good care of it.
A 4" .357 is a very safe, flexible, and capable handgun. It's easy to learn, fun to shoot, and it can be called upon to do any job you may want to ask of a handgun. You can use it for concealed carry, home defense, plinking, competition, and target shooting, and it will do all of those jobs well.
In addition to .357 Magnum, you can shoot the milder recoiling .38 Special in that gun as well. Rugers are very sturdy handguns, so it should last forever if you take good care of it.
Excellent choice and can be carried fairly easily. I usually carry a 4 inch K frame S&W. An OWB Pancake holster puts it securely against the body or an IWB covers everything but the grip.
The only difference you might have in concealing it is having to buy longer cover shirts if you carry OWB.
The only difference you might have in concealing it is having to buy longer cover shirts if you carry OWB.
fisherman66
New member
Do you own a 22lr? I have a Ruger 357 and like it.
I can't keep from suggesting a 22lr. 357's are fun, but expensive. If you want a good plinker/trainer get a 22lr first or with the 357. I don't know how people get along without one.
I can't keep from suggesting a 22lr. 357's are fun, but expensive. If you want a good plinker/trainer get a 22lr first or with the 357. I don't know how people get along without one.
I would not say that it is a great choice for CCW, but that doesn't mean you CAN'T conceal it.
Generally speaking, the larger and heavier the gun is, the better (and more expensive) the holster and belt you will have to use to conceal it. In addition, your body type or normal style of dress will figure heavily into the equation.
The gun is a good gun and the deal is good--I'd go ahead with the deal and use that gun to learn to shoot. Start with the lighter .38 spl loads and develop your skills with them. Don't be in a hurry to get to the magnum loads, you don't want to develop bad habits, and dealing with a lot of recoil and blast early in your training can cause problems for some people.
Generally speaking, the larger and heavier the gun is, the better (and more expensive) the holster and belt you will have to use to conceal it. In addition, your body type or normal style of dress will figure heavily into the equation.
The gun is a good gun and the deal is good--I'd go ahead with the deal and use that gun to learn to shoot. Start with the lighter .38 spl loads and develop your skills with them. Don't be in a hurry to get to the magnum loads, you don't want to develop bad habits, and dealing with a lot of recoil and blast early in your training can cause problems for some people.
I don't have a .22 pistol to practice with. In fact I have no guns. However, in a year I'm turning 18 and since I no longer have to beg my parents to buy a gun for me I want to buy a couple. I plan on getting the .375 magnum for self-defense and range shooting, a 12 ga. shotgun for hunting, and a .22 rifle for small game. I really don't want to spend over $1000 for all of them. If I have money left over I may consider a plinker but....
I believe it is a service six but I'm not sure. My friend has assured me it is reliable and he offered to go with me and get it checked out by a dealer. It was his service pistol when he was on the police force so I imagine that the county would issue him a quality firearm. Also, the fact that he was a cop is reassuring because I know I won't get trained half-assed. I just need to convince my parents that guns aren't evil and then I'll be fine. If they don't go along with it is anyone renting rooms? 
Good gun
Good price
Excellent perks and extras
Yes, a good first gun.
BUT, to avoid learning the bad habit of "flinching", use light loaded (target) .38's until you become proficient.
Some will say start with a .22LR, but the .22 doesn't come with a professional to teach you the basics.
Don't worry about CW carry... By the time you can get the permit, you will buy a second more concealable handgun (1911 compact?) and then you'll own two good pieces!
You have lots of time to plan for that eventuality.
Go for it and be happy!
Good price
Excellent perks and extras
Yes, a good first gun.
BUT, to avoid learning the bad habit of "flinching", use light loaded (target) .38's until you become proficient.
Some will say start with a .22LR, but the .22 doesn't come with a professional to teach you the basics.
Don't worry about CW carry... By the time you can get the permit, you will buy a second more concealable handgun (1911 compact?) and then you'll own two good pieces!
You have lots of time to plan for that eventuality.
Go for it and be happy!
4" barrel is a bit much for ccw. this is a case for the right tool for the job. For learning the fundamentals of handgunning, target and home defense you cannot beat a service size revolver in the 4" barrel range. it will serve you well. you will later realize that you will need a 2nd revo when and if you consider ccw'ing. this will be a small frame possibly 5 shot "snubby" barreled peice. these are for closer range and you need even more practice to be proficient but they will be easier for actual conceal carry. Practicing with your 4" service size first will be benificial to this task as well. note: realizing that you need different guns for different job's is how the joy and fun of firearms collecting begins.
rangefodder
Inactive
"I plan on getting the .357 magnum for self-defense and range shooting, a 12 ga. shotgun for hunting, and a .22 rifle for small game. I really don't want to spend over $1000 for all of them. If I have money left over I may consider a plinker but...."
The deal is not only good, but great... to include the cleaning kit, the speedloaders, and to help you with the fundamentals for $250.00 is the perfect deal IMO, but a little reading and practice are definitely necessary as well. And being a former LEO I doubt he'd give a kid a piece of junk, but just make sure anyway. Also, it being a Ruger, it is a workhorse.
As far as the $1000 goes,
$250 for a .357
$250 for a shotgun
$225 for a .22 rifle
$225 for a .22 plinker
that totals $950.00 and you might even get them cheaper at a gun show.
but if you ask me, I'd forget about the .22 plinker. Just use your 357 w/ .38 spcl rounds. and save the rest of the money to put towards the innevitable... a second handgun of your choice. one that may be more concealable for your body frame.
Anyway, right now take the .357 and love it, live it and take care of it. It might save you and your's one day.
The deal is not only good, but great... to include the cleaning kit, the speedloaders, and to help you with the fundamentals for $250.00 is the perfect deal IMO, but a little reading and practice are definitely necessary as well. And being a former LEO I doubt he'd give a kid a piece of junk, but just make sure anyway. Also, it being a Ruger, it is a workhorse.
As far as the $1000 goes,
$250 for a .357
$250 for a shotgun
$225 for a .22 rifle
$225 for a .22 plinker
that totals $950.00 and you might even get them cheaper at a gun show.
but if you ask me, I'd forget about the .22 plinker. Just use your 357 w/ .38 spcl rounds. and save the rest of the money to put towards the innevitable... a second handgun of your choice. one that may be more concealable for your body frame.
Anyway, right now take the .357 and love it, live it and take care of it. It might save you and your's one day.
fisherman66
New member
There is no reason that the 22 rifle or pistol can't fill in the roll of plinker.
Just get one 22 of the best quality you can afford (that will best fill the roll of small game hunter - a hand gun 22 can be scoped in many occasions.
I have a 10/22 that is my plinker, but it is also my small game getter if that need arises.
You may eventually have both a handgun and rifle 22lr, but it is entirely unnessessary to get both now.
Just get one 22 of the best quality you can afford (that will best fill the roll of small game hunter - a hand gun 22 can be scoped in many occasions.
I have a 10/22 that is my plinker, but it is also my small game getter if that need arises.
You may eventually have both a handgun and rifle 22lr, but it is entirely unnessessary to get both now.
XavierBreath
New member
1. It sounds like a fair deal. If you want it, get it. I usually do not buy or sell with friends, simply because friends are worth more than any disagreement. That choice is your's though. It sounds like a solid deal and a friend who will stand behind it.
2. Do not expect your friend to be a qualified firearms instructor because he was a cop. Many people strap on a gun every day and are barely qualified to do so, much less teach others. Accept his instruction, especially on the care of the gun, but get qualified firearms instruction as well. You will shoot much better much faster.
3. In four years when you are ready to CCW, you will no doubt own or want to own another gun for that purpose. If you can't afford it, trade in this one. I think you can save the money in 4 years though, so whether or not this gun is a good one for CCW is a non-issue.
4. A .22 pistol is the best tool for learning handgun marksmanship.
2. Do not expect your friend to be a qualified firearms instructor because he was a cop. Many people strap on a gun every day and are barely qualified to do so, much less teach others. Accept his instruction, especially on the care of the gun, but get qualified firearms instruction as well. You will shoot much better much faster.
3. In four years when you are ready to CCW, you will no doubt own or want to own another gun for that purpose. If you can't afford it, trade in this one. I think you can save the money in 4 years though, so whether or not this gun is a good one for CCW is a non-issue.
4. A .22 pistol is the best tool for learning handgun marksmanship.