First Hand Gun for a first time shooter

M

marty55

New member
Hello everyone!

Recently I posted about how I inherited some hand guns, however I do not want to learn or shoot any of those for now.

I want to purchase "MY" gun. I want to buy a handgun because I like the fact that it is MINE and I would like to learn properly doing it this way. That being said, what do guys recommend?

I will be taking safety courses, along with hopefully having a shooting mentor. Even if I do it alone, I will make sure I am being trained properly. I want to learn a gun that will always be fun to shoot. For example, 10 years down the line, I'd like to still want to have the desire to shoot this gun.

Price range ~$600. I will be buying new (nothin against used, just considering this is the first gun Im buying, and it will have the most sentimental value to me)

I'm all ears!
 
I want to learn a gun that will always be fun to shoot. For example, 10 years down the line, I'd like to still want to have the desire to shoot this gun.
Click to expand...


A good quality 22 rimfire. Ruger offers several well built 22 rimfire single action (Cowboy style) revolvers, and has just brought out a smaller framed model, the SP 101. Ruger makes good quality guns at a price a few hundred dollars less than Smith & Wesson.
Ruger, and Browning both have well made, accurate semi-auto 22 rimfires as well.
Don't be too anxious to start out with a centerfire handgun. You will get much more needed practice with the rimfires.

For example, 10 years down the line, I'd like to still want to have the desire to shoot this gun.
Click to expand...

Don't think that the rimfires are just for beginners. After over fifty years of shooting I still get as much fun from my rimfires as I do from any of my centerfires. In fact, I have recently re-discovered how much fun they can be, and every trip to the range includes at least one rimfire. Where I might shoot a hundred rounds or less of various centerfire guns I always end up shooting a couple hundred or more rounds with the rimfire.
 
The excitement to begin target shooting is killing me!

I dont like to just post, and then dissapear. I hope I can share my experiences through progressing in my training as I go along. With that being said I feel bad asking these questions seeing as my knowledge is so limited.

That cz 75B looks beautiful. I think I like looking at the damn things more than I do shooting. Well, I have only shot a gun once (some old .22 rifle).

Btw, im 6'5 220 I suppose this could be of use in determining a gun as well?
 
Got to agree that a good .22 handgun is great starter. If you are acquainted with shooting and have some experience and safely started........I see no reason why a Ruger .22 auto would not be ideal. There are a variety of options. My old std model still shoots better than I do.

A revolver has a bit simpler manual of arms, and as mentioned, a Ruger Single-Six is another option if you want to be a bit more conservative.


Both are pretty common and can be found affordably.
 
Please don't feel bad asking questions here... There's a whole slew of bored old retired guys like me here who need somethin' to do...

Jeepers creepers... Every time a new prospective handgun shooter comes on here, like clockwork, a bunch of guys start singing the praises of starting with a .22.

To each his own, but I'm gonna go ahead and say again that .22's bore me to tears... They don't even feel like real guns to me... I honestly have just as much fun shooting my nice CO2 BB gun as shooting .22 handguns.

Everybody's different.

Being 6'5"... perhaps a .22 won't feel like a real gun to you either. I dunno... I just felt like speaking up again with a different perspective... But shooting some of your "new/old" inherited guns will give you an idea.

So shoot... So you have some frame of reference... And have fun!
 
I reckon a Ruger SP-101 in .22LR would suit you just fine. Once you've learned, and get comfy with firearms, the rest in your collection should fill your every need.
 
Jeepers creepers... Every time a new prospective handgun shooter comes on here, like clockwork, a bunch of guys start singing the praises of starting with a .22.

To each his own, but I'm gonna go ahead and say again that .22's bore me to tears... They don't even feel like real guns to me... I honestly have just as much fun shooting my nice CO2 BB gun as shooting .22 handguns.

Everybody's different
Click to expand...
Thank you...

I personally consider the .22lr to be an "expert" level gun.
There's so many things "wrong" with a .22 rimfire, it's not a fun gun to shoot.
It's the most demanding caliber I own to shoot - bar none.
My enjoyment shooting a .22 comes from my desire to master it, not the actual shooting of it.

I can easily see how/why people get bored w/one. I've come to feel the same about most center fire guns, w/the exception of the 9mm Luger.

I dont like to just post, and then dissapear. I hope I can share my experiences through progressing in my training as I go along. With that being said I feel bad asking these questions seeing as my knowledge is so limited
Click to expand...
Ask away!
We're only to happy to drag you into the addicition along with us! ;)

You might want to add a general location to your profile also.
There's some get togethers every once in a while that are listed under another part of the forums.
I've not been to one in years, but, generally everyone is happy to let someone try out what they bring.
 
You’re going to get a lot of suggestions like “Get a manly man 40 or a goucho 50” don’t. A lot of suggestions you will get are guns that those people like and shoot. Good suggestions but will they fit you? You have had suggestions on a 22 so far and I will add the same one.
Start with a 22 LR. My choice would be a Ruger Mark II or one of that type or as Crazy88 said Ruger SP in 22 LR.
I have trained a lot of new shooters and most buy a 357 magnum or 40 S&W and they can’t shoot the right side of a barn from the inside. I always start them on a good quality 22 and many times I hear coming out of their mouth “Why a 22, I want to shoot a big gun!”
I always have the same answer. If you can’t shoot a 22 accurately you’re not going to shoot anything else well. Also since most of your first rounds are poor or getting on a learning curve the cost of rounds is extremely low.
I have a safe full of guns to choose from, revolvers and autos. But every time I go to the range I take my Ruger MKII, every time. If I see myself getting sloppy I’ll pull out the Ruger to see what I’m doing wrong. Get rid of the recoil. I have a problem when I shooting a long session and I get lazy and have poor trigger control. Shoot several mags out of the Ruger and its gone.
But since you already have a very nice gun in the S&W 2206 and the Smith 17 in 22 you don’t really need a Ruger. You already have a 1911 so you don’t need another of the greatest gun every built.
What you do need is experience and experience will help you choose the next gun that fits you and your experience level. I know you want to buy your “own” gun but with what you have which is a GREAT starter collection the one thing I don’t see is a pistol caliber rifle.
A good carbine in something like 9mm is great fun and cheep to shoot and a great addition to your collection. Look at a Beretta storm carbine and have fun.
Also with a nice collection that you have the first thing I would invest in is a very good quality safe. Remember that home insurance does not cover guns. Mine only covers up to 1000$ and to insure the value of guns can be very expensive. Safes are a good insurance and with your collection the first thing I would buy.
http://www.berettausa.com/products/cx4-storm/
 
I inherited some hand guns, however I do not want to learn or shoot any of those for now.

I want to purchase "MY" gun. I want to buy a handgun because I like the fact that it is MINE and I would like to learn properly doing it this way. That being said, what do guys recommend?

Price range ~$600. I will be buying new
Click to expand...

I agree with the .22 suggestion. But since you inherited some nice revolvers, I'm going to suggest a .22 double action revolver - a 4" 10-shot 617. A bit over your price range, but worth it, IMO. Mine is my most-shot gun, and it's been one of my wiser purchases. And yes, it was my first purchase. Since then, I've gotten pretty good with a revolver (or any handgun), and my 617 played (and still plays) a big role in that.
 
I also recommend a .22lr, IMHO it is the best way for new shooters to learn a proper grip, trigger control, sight picture, and sight alignment, without developing a bad flinch.

Both Ruger, and Browning make quality, affordable .22lr pistols.
 
marty, you have a very nice collection!!!!!!!!!!! sorry to hear about your father..

now i am also going to through ing my 2cents!!!!!!!!!!! i agree with a .22lr
i have a ruger bearcat that is one of my most shot revolvers!!!!!!!!! one thing that adds to the joy of shooting the .22 is the price of ammo... here in ohio i can get 550 rounds for 15 bucks!!!!!!!!! thats alot of practice for such a low cost! plus when you become able to shoot them well the become nice small animal guns!!!!!!!!! that is if you hunt!!!
 
Everybody should have at least one handgun chambered in 22lr. I have four, all revolvers. I need to get another auto. I had a Ruger standard 6"bbl that I used to hunt rabbits with. Had to sell it for too little cash when I was in college 30+ years ago. I still regret selling it but I really needed some cash. 9mm might be a good choice for a bigger gun to start with due to low cost of ammo to practice with. I learned to shoot with a 22lr rifle. I learned to shoot handguns with 22lr, 9mm, and 38Sp. Choose a gun you really like the looks and feel of. If you want to keep the gun for ten years or more, don't go cheap but don't go expensive either. You will have to define these limits for yourself.
 
Jist for reference here's collection...btw a NICE collection :)

All of these are brand new in box except 4 of em (colt 45, 1 of the hammerless, and 2 of the 38's). These were my dads. He left them to me when he passed away when I was 3. I turn 21 tonight!!! (haha)

These guns are beautiful. All in the case with the paperwork(not receipt of sale, but instruction manuals ect..), and cleaning supplies. Its unfortunate he sold all of his rifles, because I would have that too. More unfortunate hes not hear to teach me about them today.

Now to the point of the post.

I want to get into target shooting, for fun. I would start out with 1 or 2 of the used 22's (Revolver and sem-auto). I would take a class and start from the ground up. But what the hell am I going to do with the rest of these guns? I looked some up to be $450-$600+ and those were in poor condition.

Will I get addicted to shooting and want to shoot all of the pristine guns? Maybe shoot me a few words of wisdom of what to do here.

I made a post two years ago when my mom told me to sell them all. Thank god I didnt. I need experienced shooters to chime in here!

I will try to get pictures asap



S&W .357 019 B RB 2 ½

S&W .38 060 S RB 2

S&W .22 017 B SB 4

S&W .38 064 S RB 2

S&W .38 010 B SB 4

S&W .38 015 B SB 4

S&W .22 063 S SB 4

S&W .38 640 S RB 2

S&W .38 064 S RB 2

Colt .45 Semi officers Mark IV 3 ½

S&W .38 Hamerless 2

Walther 9mm WAP-64581 8664

S&W .22 2206 6

S&W .38 36 2

S&W .357 66 2 ½

2 Shotguns

1 Proof Tested 12 Gauge 2 ¾ chamber. Single Shot.

2 12 gauge 2 ¾ Remington wingmaster model 870
Click to expand...
 
Gotta agree with CW, a 22 is boring to me, at least at the range, but to each his own and some people love them. A 22 might be more fun if you live somewhere where you can shoot outside on your land. I sold my Walther P22 and bought a CO2 pellet revolver to shoot in my basement, which does a great job of replacing the 22 for cheap practice and only cost me $50.

I saw you have a nice collection of revolvers so I would recommend a good full size 9mm. My first gun was a subcompact 40 and that was a mistake. I sold it and now have a Sig P226 in 9mm which is what I should have bought in the first place. Ammo for the 9mm is inexpensive compared to a 40, 45, 38 or 357, but it still feels like you are shooting a real gun.

Btw, some gun ranges will let you pay a flat rental fee, ($7.50 where I go), and you can shoot 1 gun at a time and keep swapping it out for another. I would definitely recommend making a range trip and doing this before you buy one so you don't have any regrets.
 
Looking at the above

I do not think it would be wise to spend your money on a 22lr or 38/357. You got plenty of it! For 600 buy yourself another 9mm preferrably a 9mm compact. Compact autos are the do it alls, easier to shoot than a subcompact and easier to conceal than full size...and the whole german engineering/military coolness too!

Do not go fancy/exotic on first gun, stick with the proven most common platforms. Budget for $500 for the gun (it will get you a reliable quality pistol) and spend some time on youtube or buy a dvd instructional (eg magpul dynamics art of dynamic handgun). The instructional videos will save you hours of headache
 
That's a very nice collection your father left you, you should be proud to own those guns. Like most here I recommend a .22lr as a starter handgun. They are cheap to shoot which leads to more trigger time. My Ruger Mark III easily sees more trigger time than any 3 other handguns I own and I own a bunch. If it were me, I'd start with some of the guns my father left me because a) I already own them and b)they were my father's guns and he'd want me to shoot them. If you're at all sentimental shooting your father's guns will allow you to have a connection to him once again. I have several guns that belonged to my father and try to shoot them often. My father wasn't sentimental when it came to his guns, he had some favorites but when it came down to it they were tools and he bought, sold and traded as he saw fit so if I had one of his guns that I never shot he'd tell me I was a fool to keep it and to trade it for something I would use.

Stu
 
He's already got three .22's.
Two of them are (IMHO) tyhe best that money can buy.

Why buy another that's bound to be far less of a gun than he already has?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top