First Hand Gun
- Thread starter ripcord22
- Start date
Lost Sheep
New member
Before the guntwo suggestions.
Shooting glasses. Polycarbonate lenses or anything capable of taking a hit from ricocheting rocks or lead spit out from the side of someone else's revolver. Yes, I have been hit with little pieces of stuff and it has broken skin.
Hearing protection. You don't notice that after the whistling goes away, your hearing returns, but never as sensitive as it was before. All hearing loss that stays after 24 to 48 hours stays forever. And it is cumulative.
I like revolvers because I reload. I don't like to go chasing brass all over the place. I like 22s for reasons already stated by other advisers, but I will repeat
A 22 is affordable and REALLY affordable to shoot, which is important because, to get proficient with a handgun requires A LOT of practice. 22s cost pennies a shot. the cheapest centerfire ammunition is about 8 times as expensive. You can shoot 400 rounds of 22 for the same price as one box of 38 special. Don't take my word for it. Go to a store and look at their prices.
Besides, if you want to trade in your 22 (you won't, but if you do) they hold their value well. You won't take a huge loss. A Ruger 22 Single Six is cheap and fun. A Ruger Mark II used or Mark III used or new is a great gun. Taurus has a nice 22 9-shot double action revolver as well.
Having a 22 will get you onto the gun range where you will be able to see any number of other guns (and meet their owners) and learn about them. Maybe even shoot a few.
Lost Sheep
Remember, only believe half of what you see and one quarter of what you hear. That goes double for what you get from the internet. Even this post. Maybe especially this post.
Do your own independent, confirming research when ANYONE gives you new facts on the web.
Also remember, even the idiotic stuff might have a kernel of truth buried in there somewhere.
Lost Sheep
Remember, only believe half of what you see and one quarter of what you hear. That goes double for what you get from the internet. Even this post.
Do your own independent, confirming research when ANYONE gives you new facts on the web.
Shooting glasses. Polycarbonate lenses or anything capable of taking a hit from ricocheting rocks or lead spit out from the side of someone else's revolver. Yes, I have been hit with little pieces of stuff and it has broken skin.
Hearing protection. You don't notice that after the whistling goes away, your hearing returns, but never as sensitive as it was before. All hearing loss that stays after 24 to 48 hours stays forever. And it is cumulative.
I like revolvers because I reload. I don't like to go chasing brass all over the place. I like 22s for reasons already stated by other advisers, but I will repeat
A 22 is affordable and REALLY affordable to shoot, which is important because, to get proficient with a handgun requires A LOT of practice. 22s cost pennies a shot. the cheapest centerfire ammunition is about 8 times as expensive. You can shoot 400 rounds of 22 for the same price as one box of 38 special. Don't take my word for it. Go to a store and look at their prices.
Besides, if you want to trade in your 22 (you won't, but if you do) they hold their value well. You won't take a huge loss. A Ruger 22 Single Six is cheap and fun. A Ruger Mark II used or Mark III used or new is a great gun. Taurus has a nice 22 9-shot double action revolver as well.
Having a 22 will get you onto the gun range where you will be able to see any number of other guns (and meet their owners) and learn about them. Maybe even shoot a few.
Lost Sheep
Remember, only believe half of what you see and one quarter of what you hear. That goes double for what you get from the internet. Even this post. Maybe especially this post.
Do your own independent, confirming research when ANYONE gives you new facts on the web.
Also remember, even the idiotic stuff might have a kernel of truth buried in there somewhere.
Lost Sheep
Remember, only believe half of what you see and one quarter of what you hear. That goes double for what you get from the internet. Even this post.
Do your own independent, confirming research when ANYONE gives you new facts on the web.
Sorry, I agree that the .22 Lr is great to practice and learn finesse on, but the first caliber I ever shot was 9mm, and it was nothing. I would say start with something like a 9mm or .38 spl and if that's too much, then work down from there. If it's ok, then perfect it and then work on doing more caliber-wise.
A used gun can often be a great deal - often letting you buy a much better gun then you could buy new with the same funds (although even used asking prices are a bit wacky these days). I live in Virginia, where face-to-face personal sales are perfectly legal, so I have only ever bought used guns that I have seen and held prior to agreeing to the sale. In other words, I've never bought sight unseen on a forum - although there are folks here and at some of the other gun forums I am a member of that I would trust to be true to their word on the condition of an item they are selling (they have long standing, excellent reputations as both forum members and as past sellers).
And buying a trade in or a consignment piece from a store is often a good deal. The gun stores I frequent check such items themselves (they all have a gunsmith on staff) and of course you can thoroughly check the gun out at the store prior to purchase. I always field strip anything I am seriously considering in the store before I buy, even factory new, or at least ask the staff to field strip it so I can see, as sometimes they may not want a customer doing that to an item they have not actually purchased yet.
Again, that's why finding a range and renting things makes a lot of sense. You may find you really like something that is out side your budget new, but you now know what to look for used and can check online forums, local stores, or post a WTB (want-to-buy) add in the forum classifieds and see what comes up.
I was in the same position as you. While I waited for my state pistol permit to finally arrive, I did lots of research and narrowed my choices down to four: Springfield Armory XD-9; FNP-9; Beretta PX4; and S&W M&P. Then I went out and handled and dry fired those models. If you can rent and shoot a few, all the better, but do not buy a gun before at least handling it. Ergonomics and grip comfort are very important. Decide how much you are willing to spend and go from there. I settled on a 9mm as a good compromise first handgun. The Beretta PX4 is an excellent weapon and it was on my short list, but I went with an FN Herstal FNP-9 and I could not be happier. It has great ergonomics, low recoil, is superbly made and I got one for $497.00 + tax. FN Herstal makes excellent quality pistols, although they are not as well known in the U.S. as Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory, Glock or Beretta. (BTW, the PX4 Storm will probably be my second 9mm eventually.) Here are some photos of the FNP-9 in Dual tone or Black Matte:
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I usually agree with Big Ugly Tall Texan, but if i'm to be honest I learned to shoot handguns with a 6" Colt Python loaded with .38 specials. I do agree that a revolver is a much better choice for learning the fundamentals of shooting as opposed to an auto. With the 6" barrel and loaded with .38s there was no real recoil to deal with and I could concentrate on sight picture, proper grip, trigger control, and all the safety aspects that you are just learning starting out. I probably put 1000 rnds of .38s through it before I fired my first .357 in it.
I'd suggest a S&W K-frame or a Makarov. Personally, I don't have much use for a .357 at the range or in my house, so I'm good with a plain ol' .38 SPL Model 10. Both .38 SPL and 9X18 are good medium power rounds and the guns I mentioned above will give one reliable, accurate service for generations. I reload for the Model 10 so I can shoot quite a bit cheaply. The thing is a true naturally comfortable shooter. The Mak is also a great shooter but, since I have to buy store-bought ammo, I don't shoot it as much and am therefore not as "fluent" as I am with the S&W. But, newbies always have the best results with the Mak. It's very easy to master and to maintain. If I were to only have one handgun around the house, either of these would do very well.
Note about the Makarov: It's the only semi-auto I consider to be as reliable as a decent revolver. It also breaks down for cleaning in less than 20 seconds.
Note about the Makarov: It's the only semi-auto I consider to be as reliable as a decent revolver. It also breaks down for cleaning in less than 20 seconds.
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There is a sticky at the top of the revolver forum which explains how to inspect a used revolver. It's worth looking at.
imho getting a used gun is the most sensible thing to do. Most modern semi-autos from major gun makers will work fine for thousands of rounds. If you buy one that is clean and rust free the odds a greatly in your favor that it will be a good shooter.
Single action revolvers are really simple mechanisms that you can learn to take apart and put back together in an afternoon. Once again the odds are in your favor if you buy one from a major gun maker.
Double action revolvers can be problematic. These types of guns can look real nice but have cylinders that are out of whack or have bent cranes from to much horse play.
While I would be confident buying a used double action I'd worry about someone not familiar with guns buying one. The odds are still in your favor but being wrong could lead to some unpleasant event.
Stone Cold
New member
I think the 1911 is the safest model out there, for beginner or otherwise. Everyone can shoot a 1911 with a little training. And, after learning that, you can probably shoot everything else without too much trouble. Most people can't hit the broad side of a barn with a snub nose revolver, much less when the adrenaline gets pumping with the stress of an armed confrontation.
Saw a guy with his wife at the range today with a snubby. Rounds were hitting 10 feet in front of the target stand. Now, you might say that's normal for a new shooter, but that was the man shooting, not his wife. I don't know where her rounds were going.
Saw a guy with his wife at the range today with a snubby. Rounds were hitting 10 feet in front of the target stand. Now, you might say that's normal for a new shooter, but that was the man shooting, not his wife. I don't know where her rounds were going.
Bill DeShivs
New member
If one learns to shoot with a small/short handgun, that person will be a better shot with bigger guns.
I learned with a Browning .25.
I learned with a Browning .25.
