First Gun Purchase - SemiAuto vs Revolver
- Thread starter ChaseA
- Start date
I think what you shoot the best with and are the most comfortable with is what should make your choice for you. Dont be sucked into one or the other because someone thinks its a "beginners" or "experts" gun.
You need to decide for yourself what you like and are comfortable with. The best way to do that is to shoot as many as you can and see how things go.
Regardless which one you choose, you need to spend enough time with it to be proficient with it, and to know what to expect from it.
Also dont be sucked into the "you need to carry a small gun" mentality. Its normally not a "truth", and many of the smaller guns can be a challenge to shoot well with, regardless of experience.
With properly working guns, I doubt youll see much difference in reliability. You'll hear revolvers are more reliable, but thats not always the case, and when they do have a problem, it can often be something not dealt with in the heat of the moment. In the rare cases an auto does stop, its usually pretty quick and simple to get them running again.
If you get a bullet jump forward, or have the ejector rod come loose on a revolver, or get junk under the extractor due to improper reloading, etc, you probably wont even be able to get it open (or closed) to deal with it.
You need to decide for yourself what you like and are comfortable with. The best way to do that is to shoot as many as you can and see how things go.
Regardless which one you choose, you need to spend enough time with it to be proficient with it, and to know what to expect from it.
Also dont be sucked into the "you need to carry a small gun" mentality. Its normally not a "truth", and many of the smaller guns can be a challenge to shoot well with, regardless of experience.
With properly working guns, I doubt youll see much difference in reliability. You'll hear revolvers are more reliable, but thats not always the case, and when they do have a problem, it can often be something not dealt with in the heat of the moment. In the rare cases an auto does stop, its usually pretty quick and simple to get them running again.
If you get a bullet jump forward, or have the ejector rod come loose on a revolver, or get junk under the extractor due to improper reloading, etc, you probably wont even be able to get it open (or closed) to deal with it.
I own a lot of both types. I would highly recommend a revolver because it is an easier gun to learn to shoot. You can start by cocking back the hammer and shooting it single action. Once you are hitting the target you can then master double action shooting. At that point you could switich to a semi-auto pistol HOWEVER if you plan on doing a lot of shooting you will want to reload. With a semi-auto the brass goes flying all over the place. Some shooting ranges don't want you running around picking up the spent brass. For that reason alone you might do better with the revolver.
Like others, I'd recommend a 357 Magnum with the idea you will learn to shoot using 38 Special ammunition. If recoil is causing a problem a revolver can be used with very light Wadcutter charges that have no recoil. You don't have that option with a semi-auto pistol because recoil is needed to reload the weapon.
Think about a quality used DA revolver. You will probably be able to resell it in a year's time or so for the same amount you paid for it.
Like others, I'd recommend a 357 Magnum with the idea you will learn to shoot using 38 Special ammunition. If recoil is causing a problem a revolver can be used with very light Wadcutter charges that have no recoil. You don't have that option with a semi-auto pistol because recoil is needed to reload the weapon.
Think about a quality used DA revolver. You will probably be able to resell it in a year's time or so for the same amount you paid for it.
If you like a revolver better, there really isn't any good reason why you shouldn't get one. For a double-duty home defense and concealment gun, a medium-frame .357 Magnum or .38 Special revolver with a 2 1/2-3" barrel is probably your best bet. As far as new guns go, the two best options would be either a S&W 686 with either a 2 1/2 or 3" barrel or a Ruger GP100 with a 3" barrel. If you're willing to buy used, a Ruger Security Six, Police Service Six, or Speed Six with a 2 3/4" barrel or a S&W M19 or 66 with a 2 1/2" barrel or M10, 13, 64, or 65 with a 3" barrel would all be good options as well.
I know this is your first purchase, but really depends on what your experience is with handguns.
If you have done a lot of shooting, then go with what has worked best for you in the past. If you haven't done a lot of shooting, I recommend you take a class to learn the basics of safe handling and shooting first. Then, if you have friends that shoot, ask them to take you out and let you try theirs. If you don't have access to any through friends, then rent a variety of handguns at a range if you can. It's worth it - even if you have to drive a few hours and spend $100 to try out a few. it will probably save you money in the long run.
Many on this board can attest to the "buy one, sell it, buy another, sell it, buy another..." dance that comes from not having tried out the guns you buy before you buy them. you can waste a LOT of money doing that... as my wife will tell you
If you have done a lot of shooting, then go with what has worked best for you in the past. If you haven't done a lot of shooting, I recommend you take a class to learn the basics of safe handling and shooting first. Then, if you have friends that shoot, ask them to take you out and let you try theirs. If you don't have access to any through friends, then rent a variety of handguns at a range if you can. It's worth it - even if you have to drive a few hours and spend $100 to try out a few. it will probably save you money in the long run.
Many on this board can attest to the "buy one, sell it, buy another, sell it, buy another..." dance that comes from not having tried out the guns you buy before you buy them. you can waste a LOT of money doing that... as my wife will tell you
Ive been doing this for 45+ years now, and I still havent learned.the "buy one, sell it, buy another, sell it, buy another..." dance that comes from not having tried out the guns you buy before you buy them. you can waste a LOT of money doing that... as my wife will tell you
Well, thats not entirely correct. I now just buy all the same type so they all look the same and my wife cant tell.
nancynurse
Inactive
first handgun purchase
I personally like the safety on a semi auto, like my XDM 9mm. The safety is in the handle.
I personally like the safety on a semi auto, like my XDM 9mm. The safety is in the handle.
And that's a good reason to buy used. Many used guns can be sold a short while later for around what you paid for it. This often isn't the case if you buy NIB. For example, I bought a 4" S&W Model 15 .38 Special a year and a half ago for $309 that I could probaly sell for $375 now.
Plusses of a revolver not mentioned yet:
-Won't throw hot brass down your girlfriend's shirt
You want her to LIKE guns!
-Reloading is easiest w/ straightwalled revolver cartrides like .38 special. Reloading is the only way to shoot anything but .22lr inexpensively.
-You don't have to go on an easter egg hunt to police up your brass.
Plusses of an auto pistol:
-Factory ammo is generally cheaper than ammo for revolvers.
-Pistols are flat. They fit IWB better than revolvers because the latter are round (well, roundish) and so are more concealable, for me, anyway.
I would suggest a Ruger sp101 revolver in .38, .327 or .357 for a first gun.
-Won't throw hot brass down your girlfriend's shirt
You want her to LIKE guns!-Reloading is easiest w/ straightwalled revolver cartrides like .38 special. Reloading is the only way to shoot anything but .22lr inexpensively.
-You don't have to go on an easter egg hunt to police up your brass.
Plusses of an auto pistol:
-Factory ammo is generally cheaper than ammo for revolvers.
-Pistols are flat. They fit IWB better than revolvers because the latter are round (well, roundish) and so are more concealable, for me, anyway.
I would suggest a Ruger sp101 revolver in .38, .327 or .357 for a first gun.