The default answer I use is a used Glock 19 Gen4 with Trijicon or Warren Tactical night sights. The G19 is extremely popular and you can always sell it if you decide you want something else.
However, it is best to learn to shoot prior to purchase. Take several lessons, including NRA Basic Pistol. A two to four day defensive gun course will teach you what you need and want in a pistol. A gun that seems great in the store may not be so great on the range after you have spent some time with it. It may have some attributes that you did not realize would bother you.
Most service grade designs over two years old are just fine. However, I do recommend staying with known manufacturers: Beretta, HK, SIG, Glock, Springfield Armory, Colt, S&W, CZ, Browning, etc.
A learning gun may be different from a concealed carry gun. The gun should fill your hand and support your palm. The barrel should be between four and five inches long. This will give sufficient sight radius for more accurate shooting.
I do not recommend revolvers because of the long heavy trigger. While shooting, loading and unloading the gun in a basic way is easy (with single action), doing so at speed is much more difficult than with a semi-auto. However, revolvers are worth investing the extra time to master because they'll make you a better shooter overall. If you have no intention of shooting the thousands of rounds necessary to master it, then prefer a quality semi-auto.
Furthermore, I do not recommend the 1911 pistol. You need to know what you are doing with them. They require a certain maintenance schedule and may require tuning to achieve reliable function. Read these articles to educate yourself if you are interested in the 1911. An unreliable pistol can be very frustrating to those who are learning to shoot.
http://www.10-8performance.com/pages/Articles.html
Start with the "1911 User's Guide".
However, it is best to learn to shoot prior to purchase. Take several lessons, including NRA Basic Pistol. A two to four day defensive gun course will teach you what you need and want in a pistol. A gun that seems great in the store may not be so great on the range after you have spent some time with it. It may have some attributes that you did not realize would bother you.
Most service grade designs over two years old are just fine. However, I do recommend staying with known manufacturers: Beretta, HK, SIG, Glock, Springfield Armory, Colt, S&W, CZ, Browning, etc.
A learning gun may be different from a concealed carry gun. The gun should fill your hand and support your palm. The barrel should be between four and five inches long. This will give sufficient sight radius for more accurate shooting.
I do not recommend revolvers because of the long heavy trigger. While shooting, loading and unloading the gun in a basic way is easy (with single action), doing so at speed is much more difficult than with a semi-auto. However, revolvers are worth investing the extra time to master because they'll make you a better shooter overall. If you have no intention of shooting the thousands of rounds necessary to master it, then prefer a quality semi-auto.
Furthermore, I do not recommend the 1911 pistol. You need to know what you are doing with them. They require a certain maintenance schedule and may require tuning to achieve reliable function. Read these articles to educate yourself if you are interested in the 1911. An unreliable pistol can be very frustrating to those who are learning to shoot.
http://www.10-8performance.com/pages/Articles.html
Start with the "1911 User's Guide".
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