First Gun Purchase - SemiAuto vs Revolver
- Thread starter ChaseA
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Coltman 77
New member
A revolver will make a very fine first handgun. Very basic manual of arms.
Go for it.
Go for it.
DiscoRacing
New member
I like revolvers... but carry two autos..
Biggest advantage to carrying a revolver...is that if the gun fails to fire with a revolver..assuming its a double/single action..all you have to do is pull the trigger again to fire the next round.... with an auto you would have to manually rack the slide action back to load the next round.
Biggest advantage to carrying a revolver...is that if the gun fails to fire with a revolver..assuming its a double/single action..all you have to do is pull the trigger again to fire the next round.... with an auto you would have to manually rack the slide action back to load the next round.
Cheapshooter
New member
Because of it's basic design, and ease of operation a revolver would be a great choice.
If you want a centerfire, stay with the 38 Special, or preferably a 357 Magnum. The 357 will give you the advantage of shooting lighter 38 Spcl rounds until you want or need the more powerful and costly 357.
If you are thinking of a rimfire, there are several single action revolvers that run form acceptable to excellent in quality for reasonable prices.
Unfortunately, in a double action rimfire, a rock solid reliable model can be costly.
Check in your area for ranges that rent guns. Try out several that you think you might like.
Welcome to the forum, and good luck.
If you want a centerfire, stay with the 38 Special, or preferably a 357 Magnum. The 357 will give you the advantage of shooting lighter 38 Spcl rounds until you want or need the more powerful and costly 357.
If you are thinking of a rimfire, there are several single action revolvers that run form acceptable to excellent in quality for reasonable prices.
Unfortunately, in a double action rimfire, a rock solid reliable model can be costly.
Check in your area for ranges that rent guns. Try out several that you think you might like.
Welcome to the forum, and good luck.
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peacefulgary
New member
I think that if you intend to carry this weapon then a compact or sub-compact autoloader is the way to go.
A large and heavy revolver will not be something you will want to carry, and a snub-nose light-weight revolver can be a real challenge to shoot well.
But if this is going to be a house gun that is seldom if ever carried, then a revolver is fine.
A large and heavy revolver will not be something you will want to carry, and a snub-nose light-weight revolver can be a real challenge to shoot well.
But if this is going to be a house gun that is seldom if ever carried, then a revolver is fine.
revolver or semi ---- Depends on primary purpose, your abilities and willingness to train.
In general, DA/SA revolvers are easier to use but hold less ammo than semis. Revolvers are also less likely to fail --- failure due to poor grip/limp wrist, stove pipes, etc. Revolvers tend to require less maintenance.
Manual of arms- semi tend to require more practice than revolvers.
If .22 rimfire handgun - most likely will be a target/plinking handgun, I would go Semi.
In general, DA/SA revolvers are easier to use but hold less ammo than semis. Revolvers are also less likely to fail --- failure due to poor grip/limp wrist, stove pipes, etc. Revolvers tend to require less maintenance.
Manual of arms- semi tend to require more practice than revolvers.
If .22 rimfire handgun - most likely will be a target/plinking handgun, I would go Semi.
glockcompact
New member
+1
My vote for a first time gun owner when I don't know their willingness to get training would be a 357Mag.
Great house gun / range gun with a lot of versatility.
If you lean towards a revolver, go for it. They are fine handguns for beginners and experts alike. Same can be said for autos - granted, for nervous beginners the loading/unloading of a revolver is a simpler to grasp concept.
We can assist in narrowing your choices a bit if you can provide the following:
Primary use
Secondary use (if any)
Budget
Used or new preference
Construction preference (steel, polymer, aluminum, titanium, etc)
Finish (blue, stainless, nickel, etc)
Caliber preferences (if any)
We can assist in narrowing your choices a bit if you can provide the following:
Primary use
Secondary use (if any)
Budget
Used or new preference
Construction preference (steel, polymer, aluminum, titanium, etc)
Finish (blue, stainless, nickel, etc)
Caliber preferences (if any)
Ruger Single Action -- 22/22Magnum is a fun firest gun
They are single action pistols (cowboy style) so they are not the type used for defensive shooting (double action revolver or some type of semi-auto).
But, they are fun.
The Single-SIx convertible 22 I've seen has adjustable sights and has two cylinders -- one is for cheap .22 Long Rifle ammo and the second is for .22Magnum -- the ammo is more expensive than 22 LR but still cheaper than center fire (9mm/.38/.375 etc).
Price for one of them is probably a little over $400 for new -- but if you enjoy shooting you'll find that inexpensive ammo allows a lot more shooting.
Buying one or two boxes of ammo when you purchase a pistol doen't really prepare you for the annual cost of shooting as a hobby - especially if you shoot pistols.
They are single action pistols (cowboy style) so they are not the type used for defensive shooting (double action revolver or some type of semi-auto).
But, they are fun.
The Single-SIx convertible 22 I've seen has adjustable sights and has two cylinders -- one is for cheap .22 Long Rifle ammo and the second is for .22Magnum -- the ammo is more expensive than 22 LR but still cheaper than center fire (9mm/.38/.375 etc).
Price for one of them is probably a little over $400 for new -- but if you enjoy shooting you'll find that inexpensive ammo allows a lot more shooting.
Buying one or two boxes of ammo when you purchase a pistol doen't really prepare you for the annual cost of shooting as a hobby - especially if you shoot pistols.
Revolver is probably a little safer because its function and whether or not it is loaded is so much more obvious than an auto. This is important for the rarely-goes-shooting owner and for other untrained household members.
For someone who shoots enough to get proficient and doesn't live with other untrained people this is not so important.
Another good thing about revolvers is that if you reload, you don't have to chase your brass all over the place to recover it......
I recommend a .357 revolver as a first gun unless the person will consider a .22 pistol as a first gun to learn on. The .22 should be the 2nd gun if possible.
For someone who shoots enough to get proficient and doesn't live with other untrained people this is not so important.
Another good thing about revolvers is that if you reload, you don't have to chase your brass all over the place to recover it......
I recommend a .357 revolver as a first gun unless the person will consider a .22 pistol as a first gun to learn on. The .22 should be the 2nd gun if possible.
Thanks all for the great advice.
Here are a few clarifications for you guys (especial you Jad)
Primary use would probably be target practice and protection in the house
Secondary use would be to conceal it.
Budget limit would probably be about $4 - 600
Used or new preference New would be preferred but I'm open to used
The rest isn't altogether important to me.
Here are a few clarifications for you guys (especial you Jad)
Primary use would probably be target practice and protection in the house
Secondary use would be to conceal it.
Budget limit would probably be about $4 - 600
Used or new preference New would be preferred but I'm open to used
The rest isn't altogether important to me.
chris in va
New member
Given that criteria, probably a semiauto. More rounds, quicker/easier to reload, less costly ammo if you go with 9mm.
I had a 357/38 for a while, just couldn't warm up to it. I like my Kahr much better.
I had a 357/38 for a while, just couldn't warm up to it. I like my Kahr much better.
peacefulgary
New member
Considering this, here are a few you might want to check out-
Ruger SR9c
S&W M&P9c
Glock 19
SA XD9 compact
Justice06RR
New member
These are excellent guns and all within your price range for a semiauto if you choose to go that route.
The SR9c and XD9c both have the extended magazines with your purchase so it is great for range practice with the full mag, and the compact mag for concealment.
Go to a few gun shops and look around/feel how these guns fit your hand. Good luck!
Both of these revolvers meet your criteria, though NIB 686s are darned difficult to find under $600 these days. NIB, the .357 Mag 3" or 4" GP100 or 3" SP-101 are probably your best bets. Lots of folks (including me) have had great experiences with the Taurus 66 .357 Magnum as well.
Used, there are many more choices. My favorite all around handgun is my 4" blued Ruger Police Service Six (fixed sight version of the Security Six) in .357 Magnum. These revolvers have been out of production for more than 20 years, replaced by the bulkier (though still nice) GP100. I paid $275 for it a little over a year ago. It is a medium frame revolver, so it is well suited for home and range use, yet it is still just compact enough to be a solid choice for concealed carry if you invest in a quality gun belt and holster. It is reliable, and points very nicely in my hands.
Other great choices on the used market include S&W K Frame based revolvers in .357 (Model 13, 19, 65 and 66) or .38 Special (Model 10, 12, 15, 64 and 67), and most can be had for within your budget limit.
Kreyzhorse
New member
+1. A Ruger GP100 or a S&W 686 are perfect first guns and are great for either range work or HD.
Well, OP, it IS harder to play Russian Roulette with an autoloader...
Seriously, IMO, go for what you like. You can always get something else later.
It's sort of like getting a first car. Until you get some experience, it's hard
to focus on your actual preferences, which may change later, anyway.
Seriously, IMO, go for what you like. You can always get something else later.
It's sort of like getting a first car. Until you get some experience, it's hard
to focus on your actual preferences, which may change later, anyway.
Revolver.
Why?
Simpler, safer & plenty powerful enough to learn pistolcraft with.
There are a lot of incidents of those new to the craft messing up with self-loaders than revolvers. Its not possible to load a revolver backwards, unlike a certain brand of autoloader who feature it on the front page of the catalog..
Why?
Simpler, safer & plenty powerful enough to learn pistolcraft with.
There are a lot of incidents of those new to the craft messing up with self-loaders than revolvers. Its not possible to load a revolver backwards, unlike a certain brand of autoloader who feature it on the front page of the catalog..
OscarTurner
New member
If you have a range that rents guns, go try a bunch. I usually lean towards revolver when someone asks a question like this. But, different people have different understandings and comfort levels with guns. A revolver is easy to understand so you can spend more time learning to shoot it and less time trying to understand it. But, I started with a Beretta 92FS and I was comfortable with it from day one.