First Handgun

S

Spenc0109

Inactive
Hey yall just joined the sight looking to buy my first pistol on my 21st birthday(january), been doing alot of research and have a few ideas. .357, .45 , glock, just not real sure what would be a good one for me and i plan to get my CHL soon after. do yall have any ideas of what might be a good choice??
(looking to spend less than $1000)
 
You really didn't give much details on what you want, or need. I assume it's for SD/HD "Carry".

A nice small revolver snub fit's my bill in with GDHP 135g .38spl +P (S&W 638 bodygaurd).

I just put it in the front pocket and leave were ever I go.

PS: I have some serious fire power if need be, but I can't put them in my front pocket with out them showing.:D
 
I'd suggest a good polymer 9mm for a first gun. Try springfield xd or xdm, Smith M&P, can't go wrong with CZ's either, Sigs are nice, H&K's are as well. Shoot, with 1000 for a first handgun you just might end up with two! :)
 
GojuBrian said:
Shoot, with 1000 for a first handgun you just might end up with two!
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking. Get a .22 and a centerfire. .22's are great for learning the basics and getting inexpensive range time in.

Here are a couple of new guns that are $860 together. You can get gently used guns even cheaper.

Ruger MKIII 22/45

Glock 19
 
Last edited:
two

I like the idea of two guns if you have the wherewithal.
The Ruger/Glock suggestion is a good one.
One of the details that is needed is about your experience. How familiar are you with handguns? The powerful 9s, 10s, 45s are wonderful guns as is that .357 but they are tough (and expensive) to learn on.
Pete
 
+1 to .22lr and centerfire.

I'd lean toward revolvers for simplicity (but if you like semi-autos and will practice regularly that would be okay). My first pistol was a Ruger Mk II (safe to dry-fire) with a Glock 19 a few years later. I also practiced with BB and pellet guns in my younger days (convenient to practice).

I strongly recommend decent training and lots of dry-firing (no ammo around).

Another option is a .22lr conversion kit, it provides the option of identical trigger pull, but the cost would be similar to many .22lr handguns. (Glock, CZ, Berretta, and a few others have conversion kits available for some models).

Good luck.
 
CZ-75B or 75D PCR in 9MM with .22 conversion Kadet Kit. It will give both a defensive weapon and cheap target practice, plus a great plinker that is just about as accurate as my Ruger MK II.
 
get a .22lr browning buckmark camper, I love mine. Punch out the bullseye all day long

as for a real caliber, just to be outside the box, get a Jericho 941 in 9mm. Its built around the CZ frame, and it resembles a Desert Eagle. it used to be called the Baby eagle even. Good looking gun, and cz quality
 
FIRST handgun?

If I had it to do over again, I would start with a 4-6" .22 lr revolver. Handgun shooting is all about form and control, neither of which will ever be possible without practice. Most revolvers of any decent quality will give you great target results with practice. You will no doubt be surprised at how tough it is to get good groups at first. After mastering all the safety and handgun manipulation techniques, then move on to a good quality centerfire of your choice. There are also wide variations as to the accuracy of both autos and revolvers of different calibers. To make things easier to understand, maybe the first thing you will need is several very well-illustrated books on basic handgun shooting. Time will hopefully provide the rest. Best of luck, 7
 
For a .22 there is nothing wrong with a Ruger, but I like the Buckmark much better. Unless you are looking at revolvers, then a Single Six.
For a center fire? Beretta 92 9mm.
 
Great suggestions.

If you're going for a .22 revolver though, try to find a Smith & Wesson Model 17 or 18. Classic revolvers. If you can learn to shoot either of these double action, and achieve good accuracy, shooting the the Glock will come very easy.
I don't believe there's a better teaching tool for trigger control and proper sight alignment than a good double action revolver.
 
Start with a .22--far less expensive to shoot, usually more fun at first, and better for gaining proficiency due to lighter recoil.

Try shooting a few rental center fires before buying one.

A .357 Magnum in a light gun is no fun at all, will likely cause a flinch, and is not good for rapid second and third shots.

Revolvers are simpler to learn than semi-automatics, are usually more reliable, and require less ammunition, including costly carry (SD) ammunition, to establish confidence in the dependability of the handgun/ammunition combination.

In general, smaller and lighter guns are easier to carry and conceal and harder to shoot well.

Consider how you want to carry it. A Bodyguard or Centennial or a Ruger LCR will fit easily in a pocket (with a pocket holster). Most semi-autos are difficult to draw from a pocket.

Some things to read, reflect upon, and heed before you start carrying agun or use it for home defense:

Know and understand your state and local laws and those of any jurisdictions in which you will be carrying a gun. In general, the laws permit the use of deadly force only when it is immediately necessary to counter an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm.

Always remember that using--even showing--a gun entails significant criminal and civil liability.

Do not fall into the trap of believing, even subconsciously, that the granting of a gun permit confers police powers.

Consider your gun to be a last resort.

Realize that in general, laws governing the use of deadly force apply on your own property as well as elsewhere.

Always do your utmost to avoid getting into any kind of confrontation.

Know how to use your firearm safely and effectively. Practice. Avail yourself of all of the training you can afford.

Stay out of harm's way to the extent possible; do not venture from a place of safety to investigate anything--do so only to ensure the safety of your family.

Remember, when a threat ceases to be a threat, so does the justification to use deadly force--do not shoot at anyone who is fleeing or who for any other reason no longer constitutes an immediate threat.

Understand that the aftermath of a shooting can be extremely stressful and costly, if not otherwise devastating, to you and your family. If you must shoot, however, know what to do and whom to call afterwards.

Forget everything you've seen on television about drawing and pointing guns, "clearing" a house, apprehending people, etc.--life is not like television.

Don't be without your gun when you need it--and on the flip side, if there is some place you might not want to go without it, don't go there unless you have to.

Stay alert and observant wherever you are.​

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3663681&postcount=1
 
wow thanks that is all good info and advice..o and by the way im purchasing my first handgun i own multiple deer rifles and shotguns.:D
 
+1 on a good .22LR revolver or even a bottom-feeder.

The .22 will allow you to spend long hours at the range practicing for very little money. And it is a good way to test out new ideas (or tactics) with minimal cost.

Rifle and shotgun shooting have little bearing on handgun shooting. While some of the principles are the same, the handgun is harder to become proficient with and difficult to master.

But if you're in a hurry to jump into centerfire guns I'll give an unusual recommendation. As long as it fits your hand well, buy a used S&W N-Frame Model 28 Highway Patrolman.

Why? These guns are built like tanks. The action parts are still generally available and a used one most likely has a nice smooth action. With one of these and a case of standard .38 Special range ammo (130gr FMJ or Wadcutters) you'll have almost zero recoil. Round after round will go through the gun with minimal recoil and that will help you focus on trigger control and sights.

If the N-Frame is too large, find a used Model 686 or Ruger GP-100 whose action is still tight. The L-Frame 686 weighs almost the same as the N-Frame but has smaller grips. The Ruger's grips sometimes fit those who don't like the S&W grips. Same principle - heavy gun, light loads.
M28_02.jpg

S&W Model 28, .357 Magnum

Later on, you can fire .357's all you want. But to get the basics down, to learn to be accurate with every shot there's nothing like a wheelgun. Once you understand how to shoot accurately, you can do well with any handgun. And you'll have a great home defense gun when you're done.

Once you've accomplished learning to shoot a handgun well and have fired some .38 +P and/or .357 ammo, then you can consider a CCW piece. The requirements are different and you can better judge what will work for you and what won't.

There are any number of excellent choices for a CCW handgun. If you live in the "bad" areas of town, you might want more than a 5-shot J-frame revolver. But I would suggest that a J-frame makes a good 1st CCW gun for the following reasons;
  • The 5-shot limitation makes you think about avoidance more than confrontation.
  • They are small and light enough (under 24 oz) to keep them with you all the time.
  • Many options of where & how to carry (IWB, OWB, Shoulder or ankle holsters, pocket, etc.)
  • More discrete if you unholster in preparation for an incident that dissipates.

1911sc.jpg

S&W 1911Sc (now called the PD) lightweight 1911 .45 Auto

If you were heading towards a CCW pistol, I'd advise a single-stack magazine for easier concealment (usually about 8 rounds). Not only do civilian gunfights tend to be short and with few rounds fired, the thinner and lighter guns are easier to wear all day. Recommendations include;
  • Colt Defender .45 (1911 3.5")
  • S&W 3913/3914 9mm (3.5")
  • S&W 457 .45 (3")
  • Kahr K-9/K-40 (steel) 3"
  • Kahr PM-9 (poly) 3"
  • Colt Commander .45 (lightweight 1911 4")
  • S&W 1911PD .45 (lightweight 1911 4")
 
My first gun was a Taurus 85, .38 Spcl, a good weapon and I still have it, but not the best gun to learn on IMHO .. I'd suggest a Springfieldl XDm-9 ... not bad to carry, lots of capacity in a serious caliber and a solid gun to learn on and one you won't grow out of ... I have one and love it, tho for carry I prefer a Kahr PM9 or Sith j-frame, since I mostly pocket carry ... good luck ...
 
My first handgun was my Browning High Power but I did not become a good handgun shooter until I practiced Bullseye with a .22.
Nowadays I advocate the CZ in your choice of caliber WITH their Kadet until. Practice with 22s until you become proficient, when you make the transition to centerfire the feel of the gun is familiar. Also advocate conversion units for the M1911 and Browning HP. In a revolver hard to beat an S&W.
 
Spenc0109 said:
Hey yall just joined the sight looking to buy my first pistol on my 21st birthday(january),
Click to expand...

What state are you in? I am just wondering why wait until you are 21? Very few states have a 21 year old age requirement on private sales of handguns.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top