fatninja27
Inactive
I am looking to purchase my first handgun. I am looking to spend around 200-300$. I was looking for some suggestions on both revolvers and semi-automatic handguns and why you think they would make a good first handgun.
First Handgun Question
- Thread starter fatninja27
- Start date
Delaware_Dan
New member
I vote for the Ruger MKIII
The Great Mahoo
New member
What do you expect of the gun? What do you plan to do with it? Is it for home defense, personal protection, concealed carry, hunting, or just plinking targets at the range?
Handguns can be used for all sorts of things, and what you have in mind for it will help us help you. Not all calibers work for all applications, nor do the size of the gun itself. Give us a bit more info, please. Also, knowing where you live could help, since some guns are hard or impossible to get in some places.
Handguns can be used for all sorts of things, and what you have in mind for it will help us help you. Not all calibers work for all applications, nor do the size of the gun itself. Give us a bit more info, please. Also, knowing where you live could help, since some guns are hard or impossible to get in some places.
Baba Louie
New member
Rule of thumb for 1st handgun... a .22lr as named above (or others not yet named... like a Ruger Single Six).
Good for target practice, trigger/sight control, safe handling, training w/ others, plinking, small game hunting, could be used for SD. Good luck finding bulk ammo for that right now.
Next up, in way of centerfire handguns, some say 4" revolver in .38 or .357 others say a semi-auto in 9mm. Be kinda hard pressed to make that w/ your budget... maybe some older lightly used S&W 10/64's or a used Ruger 89/95 might be had cheap enough. Theres always HiPoints. Ammo will cost more (when you ever do find any). Far better for SD and hunting larger game. Holes in paper don't care about size (except being larger makes it easier to see them).
So, as the Great Mahoo asks, what's it for? Answer that, you're halfway home.
Good for target practice, trigger/sight control, safe handling, training w/ others, plinking, small game hunting, could be used for SD. Good luck finding bulk ammo for that right now.
Next up, in way of centerfire handguns, some say 4" revolver in .38 or .357 others say a semi-auto in 9mm. Be kinda hard pressed to make that w/ your budget... maybe some older lightly used S&W 10/64's or a used Ruger 89/95 might be had cheap enough. Theres always HiPoints. Ammo will cost more (when you ever do find any). Far better for SD and hunting larger game. Holes in paper don't care about size (except being larger makes it easier to see them).
So, as the Great Mahoo asks, what's it for? Answer that, you're halfway home.
chemgirlie
New member
The firearm should fit the purposes and experience of the user.
What do you intend on using it for (self defense, hunting, plinking...)?
What's your experience level?
Does it need to be concealable?
What features do you like?
What do you intend on using it for (self defense, hunting, plinking...)?
What's your experience level?
Does it need to be concealable?
What features do you like?
voyager4520
New member
For $200-$300 you're not gonna get much. You might find some decent used guns, but still, good luck with that cause you're gonna need it.
srt 10 jimbo
New member
As far as revolvers go, Ruger single six 22lr/22wmr, I f you can find one cheaper then $300
PhoenixConflagration
New member
I went the cheap route myself, purchasing first a Hi-Point C9 just to have something, then a Taurus PT111 for CC. Now I have a Glock 19 and wish I'd just saved a little longer and got the Glock first.
Having just gone through the experience of learning to shoot, I don't see anything wrong with learning on a 9mm like the G19. Taking a class is a great idea, but if (like me) you don't have the $$ for one, either find a friend to take you to the range, or just read as much as you can about safety and technique. I mean read stuff for a week or two, then read more for another week or two.
Good luck.
Having just gone through the experience of learning to shoot, I don't see anything wrong with learning on a 9mm like the G19. Taking a class is a great idea, but if (like me) you don't have the $$ for one, either find a friend to take you to the range, or just read as much as you can about safety and technique. I mean read stuff for a week or two, then read more for another week or two.
Good luck.
Perhaps a Bersa .380 ?
http://www.christiangunowner.com/bersa380review.html
Looks like it can be found right in your price range new.
I'm finding them for an average of about $250-280.
I'm not real familiar with the gun myself , but I've heard Bersa name for a long time and the size and features seem like they would make a good "first" gun for the price.
http://www.christiangunowner.com/bersa380review.html
Looks like it can be found right in your price range new.
I'm finding them for an average of about $250-280.
I'm not real familiar with the gun myself , but I've heard Bersa name for a long time and the size and features seem like they would make a good "first" gun for the price.
I do have to agree with Pheonix though. If you enjoy shooting and want to get a better bigger gun , I would save just a little longer if possible. I also recommend going with a friend or going to a range that allows you to rent guns and trying different guns and styles to your liking.
I picked up a new Glock23 as my first handgun for $469+tax at a local store ( he was returning from the Gun show so kept the -$20 markoff ) and am very happy with it as my first (and only handgun). I want to get a 1911 Now but am trying to save for a nice Kimber.
Glocks are extremely reliable , and extremely easy to keep clean. So for a first time gun owner it's very convenient and simple to learn off of.
I picked up a new Glock23 as my first handgun for $469+tax at a local store ( he was returning from the Gun show so kept the -$20 markoff ) and am very happy with it as my first (and only handgun). I want to get a 1911 Now but am trying to save for a nice Kimber.
Glocks are extremely reliable , and extremely easy to keep clean. So for a first time gun owner it's very convenient and simple to learn off of.
PhoenixConflagration
New member
If money is just absolutely too tight to go any more than $300
then +1 on the Bersa .380. My wife has one and I like it a lot as well.
then +1 on the Bersa .380. My wife has one and I like it a lot as well.
allenomics
New member
I'd start with a .22 Ruger Mark III or the less expensive 22/45 .22 Ruger pistol.
Buy new if you can. Ruger's 22/45 pistol can be bought for $250ish. You might want to save a few more bucks from each paycheck and buy something a bit better.
You can buy a pistol/revolver for under $250 like a Kel-Tec or Rough Rider. I respectfully don't believe it will be a keeper; something that is reliable, accurate and durable; a good long-term value, for that king of money.
Buy new if you can. Ruger's 22/45 pistol can be bought for $250ish. You might want to save a few more bucks from each paycheck and buy something a bit better.
You can buy a pistol/revolver for under $250 like a Kel-Tec or Rough Rider. I respectfully don't believe it will be a keeper; something that is reliable, accurate and durable; a good long-term value, for that king of money.
Hellbilly5000
New member
First and foremost go handle as many different handguns as possible weather it be at your local gun store, gun range, or gun show. Make sure you find what fits your hand (what fits your hand wont fit mine the same way) if its a little out of your price range then save up a little more, Also make sure you go to a gun range and rent and then shoot the snot out it to see if you like it or not and to see how you react with the firearm.
+1 hellbilly
Go to a rental range, or go with friends (or make friends at a local range) see what fits your hand, feels good, you can handle well....then cruise the gun classifieds and gun shops to see what you can find.
Have an open mind, Listen to everyones advice, then pick the eyes out of all the advice and what you have shot and liked, then see what fits best what you require.
Like most of us, you get "The BUG" and I can all but guarantee you will not know exactly what you want until you buy something and realise something else would have been better
Thats how come most of us now have 10+ guns and still want more (I have 17 handguns (pistols & revolvers) and know of about 10 I would also want (one day).... But, alas, I am just sick :barf:
Dont be worried to get the right gun first up, It wont happen, no matter what you get
Am I right guys?
Go to a rental range, or go with friends (or make friends at a local range) see what fits your hand, feels good, you can handle well....then cruise the gun classifieds and gun shops to see what you can find.
Have an open mind, Listen to everyones advice, then pick the eyes out of all the advice and what you have shot and liked, then see what fits best what you require.
Like most of us, you get "The BUG" and I can all but guarantee you will not know exactly what you want until you buy something and realise something else would have been better
Thats how come most of us now have 10+ guns and still want more (I have 17 handguns (pistols & revolvers) and know of about 10 I would also want (one day).... But, alas, I am just sick :barf:
Dont be worried to get the right gun first up, It wont happen, no matter what you get
Am I right guys?
TacticalDefense1911
New member
Another vote here for a Ruger MKII or MKIII. They are affordable, they shoot cheap 22lr ammunition so a lot of range time wont cost you an arm or a leg, they function on any type of ammunition from the cheapest of the cheap to expensive high velocity rounds, they have good sights, a good trigger, are very accurate and have good ergonomics.
L_Killkenny
New member
You've never owned a handgun and you're on a budget for a handgun right? Then it is stupid to get anything but a .22 LR. You'll need the practice and if you can't afford too then you are SOL. Not much a .22LR can't do in a pinch.
As far as which flavor it's completely up to you. The list of good guns in your price range is large and depends a lot on the shooter and their taste. It's easier to tell you which guns to avoid.
As a general rule the Ruger's and Brownings are tough to beat in the $200-$300 price range and there's not much , if anything, to recommend below $200 new. Quality really drops below that.
As far as which flavor it's completely up to you. The list of good guns in your price range is large and depends a lot on the shooter and their taste. It's easier to tell you which guns to avoid.
As a general rule the Ruger's and Brownings are tough to beat in the $200-$300 price range and there's not much , if anything, to recommend below $200 new. Quality really drops below that.