First time pistol questions

For a first pistol (don't care what pistol it is), I highly recommend you to stay with 9mm and compact in size (along the size of the Glock 19, M&P9 compact, etc...). You can use it for range work, home defense and/or CCW.

Next step is go to the local gun stores (better if you can visit the local ranges and try them out) and put your hand on that grip. Make sure you can feel comfortable with it before even considering purchasing it (lots of newbie mistake was "name brand" or "popularity" brand, etc...). If it doesn't fit your grip well, you're not going to enjoy shooting it.

Good Luck.

Yg
 
A medium-sized revolver in 357 or 38 special is the best first centerfire handgun, imho.

I have a number of full-sized 9mm service pistols. My favorite is the CZ75 (you can get brand-new clones of it for not a lot over $300). The Beretta 92 is also excellent. Most people like the Browning High Power, if you don't mind engle-action. A 9mm 1911 is another single-action option.

The most important thing is to handle the in stores or rent them at ranges. It has to feel good in your hand.
 
Triggers on striker fired pistols can be from okay to terrible, so one thing you want to decide is if the stock trigger is what you are sticking with, slight mods and a budget for same. If you want to mess with the trigger yourself, just swap one out or send it out. Look at the price/complexity to work on the trigger as a part of the total cost as well.

Sights on some are okay, some warrant changing them out. Again, consider if you want stock sight, change them out and the cost to do it yourself or get them done by a gunsmith.

To me, those are not determining factors since I have no issues changing sights and triggers on my own pistols. But for a person getting their feet wet, it is a consideration.

The XDm and M&P Pro are two with better triggers and sights that will suffice for most people. I have shot both in matches and done very well with them. A stock trigger and sights on a Glock will take more discipline and time to master.
 
A medium-sized revolver in 357 or 38 special is the best first centerfire handgun, imho.
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I agree with this. I shot revolvers for years and years without firing a pistol. When I finally bought my first hand gun, it was a .357 revolver. I pull the trigger and it goes bang. Not much to it. But I understand why people just want the pistol. My brothers first was a glock 19. Probably a good first choice because it wont break the bank and you cant get more reliable. Having said that there is tons of great advice in this thread. Some things to research...

-Do you want a safety? Some do and some dont.
-Trigger types - SA, SA/DA, etc.
-Customizability - ie after market parts, make release left handed if you are
-weight
-size
- reviews of gun. if you only see bad that is not a great sign.
- storage of guns - how are you going to store? research storing a gun, especially if you have kids. safes, humidity, gun cleaning
- material/finish - blue, stainless, plastic, etc.
-# of rounds. how many rounds does it shoot and do you want? 6? 12? etc.
-sights
 
My first handgun was a Taurus M65 in .357 Mag. Still have it, still shoot it and I won't ever get rid of it.

Ruger, Smith, Colt, Taurus would be the ones I would look at. There are scads of used revolvers, but you have to know what you are looking for in the used market.
 
So what options would be out there if I was looking at revolvers as well?
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Putting revolvers on the options list gives you some great possibilities. Just like with autos, there are a wide range of styles and sizes to choose from, and you want to make sure the size, weight, grip style, etc. are right for you. That is the most important factor regardless.

The same principles apply here. You want to balance useful caliber with comfortable shooting and cost of practice ammo. My first thought is to say a 3-4" .357. You can practice with light .38 rounds to work on your fundamentals, which will be both cost effective and comfortable to shoot. It will be small enough for CC if you decide to go that route, and you can choose from .38+p or .357 mag for your carry/home defense ammo. Incredibly versatile, and you really can't find anything simpler to operate than a good wheel gun.

As far as brands, there are many out there. Taurus has a plethora of inexpensive options for getting started, as does Charter Arms. If you want to go straight into a more expensive option, look at S&W or Ruger.
 
Tgst being said, what would you look for in a first pistol? I've read several articles but there is nothing like first hand experience!
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What I like to do, is start people who are new to shooting, with a 22lr... Low recoil and a bit less noise... It really helps new shooters, more so those of smaller stature.

You can get a good one for less than $300...

But that isn't always practical for all shooters, as they may not have the funds to get a 22 and then something like a 9mm. 23lr ammo is also harder to find right now.


So... I recommend 9mm. Ammo is cheaper and easy to find, recoil is mild compared to other options, and it's an effective defense caliber if one chooses to use the firearm in such a manner.


Things to look for in a pistol...

It needs to be comfortable in your hands... While one can make do when it doesn't, it's always easier when it does fit well.

All the controls need to be easy for you to use... One shouldn't find controls difficult to use. While I can not activate mag releases and slide stops without adjusting my grip, as my hands are smallish... That is not something I consider a problem. Controls that are stiff and hard to use is a problem.

The slide should be easy to rack/manipulate with speed and force... While most males have no issues with this area, I have seen females struggle with this. An example, my fiance loves her CZ, and can operate it without help, but she can not rack/manipulate the slide easily and with force,so I would not trust her to use that pistol defensively.

The trigger should be clean, without a lot of mush and creep, and not overly heavy nor too light... This aspect is something that more experienced shooters look at, as most new shooters don't really know what to look for in a trigger... But a comparison of different triggers would inform a new shooter to the different dynamics of various triggers at least, and then they can use that to help guide them.

If at all possible, shooting a pistol before deciding to buy, is a good idea. Sometimes the pistol feels good in the hand, but unruly when fired. My fiance had issues with some pistols feeling slick in her hand when firing them... This was as a new shooter, and she has improved and does not have this problem much any longer. So this may not be a concern if you have a little experience under your belt.


Intended use is important... Defense in home and target shooting can have very different needs. Carry tends to favor smaller pistols, good shooting tends to favor bigger.

Unless you are going for bullseye type shooting, most pistols considered good for defense in the home, work well for general fun on the shooting range as well.


Another thing to look into... What kind of action do you want.

Striker fired
Double action/single action
Single action only
Double action only.

Single action only (SA) pistols like the 1911, are easy to learn on, as they tend to have the better triggers... In general, a SA trigger is shorter to pull, if not lighter than other trigger systems, making safety discipline even more important.

DAO pistols have longer trigger pulls, sometimes very long. They can be the hardest trigger to learn for beginners, but if you can master one, you can probably shoot anything well after... Some may have issues with reaching the trigger well on theses types...They may be heavier on average, compared to other types, but the better ones are no heavier than one would think normal. (5-6.5lb pull is considered good for defense and general use... This applies to most trigger types) they are widely used in carry pistols and some duty pistols, as they allow the ability to not have a manual safety, yet still be very safe.

DA/SA is a combination on the other two. When made safe, the trigger is in DA mode, and has a long trigger pull that is typically at least twice as heave as the SA mode. After the first shot, all other shots are in SA mode, though the SA trigger is usually not as short as a SAO trigger. Many iconic pistols use this method... Sig and HK are examples. Some have issues with the transition between two different trigger pulls... But this is a duty and defensive use and training issue, as such matters are not an issue for those just shooting slow at a range. Trigger reach in DA mode is a concern for some as well. If you can not reach the trigger well when holding the pistol lined up straight with the forearm, then the reach may be too long. Though a slight grip adjustment can sometimes help, without compromising your ability to shoot well.

Last is the striker fired type... A very popular action type today. Trigger pulls are longer, close to a DA pull or a bit shorter. Though they tend to be lighter than many DA triggers. Average is 5.5-7lb... They average in feel from DA, to partially tensioned DA, to aa lot of slack with a SAish break. Most have no manual safety, which concerns some people. On the whole, they are just as safe as other actions when handled correctly. They may have a bit less margin of error for mishandling relative to some other types, but it always boils down to user error.


I have an HK VP9, and I recommend it highly. They run around $600.

A new SW M&P is a good option, I love mine. Comfortable and a good shooter. I have a custom trigger in mine, but the new production has a better trigger from the factory than mine did. And the price is great on them right now.

There are several other good options depending on what action type you want. Price will vary, and modern strikers tend to be the most economical options.
 
marine6680 said:
What I like to do, is start people who are new to shooting, with a 22lr... Low recoil and a bit less noise... It really helps new shooters, more so those of smaller stature.

You can get a good one for less than $300...

But that isn't always practical for all shooters, as they may not have the funds to get a 22 and then something like a 9mm. 23lr ammo is also harder to find right now.


So... I recommend 9mm. Ammo is cheaper and easy to find, recoil is mild compared to other options, and it's an effective defense caliber if one chooses to use the firearm in such a manner.


Things to look for in a pistol...

It needs to be comfortable in your hands... While one can make do when it doesn't, it's always easier when it does fit well.

All the controls need to be easy for you to use... One shouldn't find controls difficult to use. While I can not activate mag releases and slide stops without adjusting my grip, as my hands are smallish... That is not something I consider a problem. Controls that are stiff and hard to use is a problem.

The slide should be easy to rack/manipulate with speed and force... While most males have no issues with this area, I have seen females struggle with this. An example, my fiance loves her CZ, and can operate it without help, but she can not rack/manipulate the slide easily and with force,so I would not trust her to use that pistol defensively.

The trigger should be clean, without a lot of mush and creep, and not overly heavy nor too light... This aspect is something that more experienced shooters look at, as most new shooters don't really know what to look for in a trigger... But a comparison of different triggers would inform a new shooter to the different dynamics of various triggers at least, and then they can use that to help guide them.

If at all possible, shooting a pistol before deciding to buy, is a good idea. Sometimes the pistol feels good in the hand, but unruly when fired. My fiance had issues with some pistols feeling slick in her hand when firing them... This was as a new shooter, and she has improved and does not have this problem much any longer. So this may not be a concern if you have a little experience under your belt.


Intended use is important... Defense in home and target shooting can have very different needs. Carry tends to favor smaller pistols, good shooting tends to favor bigger.

Unless you are going for bullseye type shooting, most pistols considered good for defense in the home, work well for general fun on the shooting range as well.


Another thing to look into... What kind of action do you want.

Striker fired
Double action/single action
Single action only
Double action only.

Single action only (SA) pistols like the 1911, are easy to learn on, as they tend to have the better triggers... In general, a SA trigger is shorter to pull, if not lighter than other trigger systems, making safety discipline even more important.

DAO pistols have longer trigger pulls, sometimes very long. They can be the hardest trigger to learn for beginners, but if you can master one, you can probably shoot anything well after... Some may have issues with reaching the trigger well on theses types...They may be heavier on average, compared to other types, but the better ones are no heavier than one would think normal. (5-6.5lb pull is considered good for defense and general use... This applies to most trigger types) they are widely used in carry pistols and some duty pistols, as they allow the ability to not have a manual safety, yet still be very safe.

DA/SA is a combination on the other two. When made safe, the trigger is in DA mode, and has a long trigger pull that is typically at least twice as heave as the SA mode. After the first shot, all other shots are in SA mode, though the SA trigger is usually not as short as a SAO trigger. Many iconic pistols use this method... Sig and HK are examples. Some have issues with the transition between two different trigger pulls... But this is a duty and defensive use and training issue, as such matters are not an issue for those just shooting slow at a range. Trigger reach in DA mode is a concern for some as well. If you can not reach the trigger well when holding the pistol lined up straight with the forearm, then the reach may be too long. Though a slight grip adjustment can sometimes help, without compromising your ability to shoot well.

Last is the striker fired type... A very popular action type today. Trigger pulls are longer, close to a DA pull or a bit shorter. Though they tend to be lighter than many DA triggers. Average is 5.5-7lb... They average in feel from DA, to partially tensioned DA, to aa lot of slack with a SAish break. Most have no manual safety, which concerns some people. On the whole, they are just as safe as other actions when handled correctly. They may have a bit less margin of error for mishandling relative to some other types, but it always boils down to user error.


I have an HK VP9, and I recommend it highly. They run around $600.

A new SW M&P is a good option, I love mine. Comfortable and a good shooter. I have a custom trigger in mine, but the new production has a better trigger from the factory than mine did. And the price is great on them right now.

There are several other good options depending on what action type you want. Price will vary, and modern strikers tend to be the most economical options.
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excellent advice. I'll be sure to take this into consideration. Thanks for taking the time to write it out
 
Be aware that every choice you make has advantages and disadvantages. A lighter pistol is easier to carry but will have more recoil. A thumb safety gives you another step to take before you have an accidental discharge, but it also gives you another step to take before you can use your pistol defensively. Choosing the right pistol is a matter of determining what combination of features hits the right note for you. The different options are all available because enough people value them to keep them on the market. The more familiar you are with handguns and shooting before you make your choice, the better considered your choices are likely to be.
 
If you are considering a revolver...

My first revolver was a .22 but I was like 7 yrs old:) I would recommend a 4 inch .357 as a first revolver. It can fire 38 special rounds, which are cheaper at the range, and its the perfect all around gun. Great for the range, great for self defense, and will still go bang if it sits in a safe for years untouched. Revolvers are just much easier, less maintenance, and more reliable - overall. You pull the trigger it goes bang. No worry about limp wristing, etc. I have one for home defense. If my wife needed to use a gun she could not use a pistol, she would need a revolver...not that I would expect her to hit anything with it lol. I really love the look and feel of revolvers. My current revolver is a taurus 65 .357. Great gun. My only complaint is that I went blue rather than stainless steel. I like the look of the blue better but prefer the durability of stainless.
 
KB,

Do you have any gun shops with indoor shooting ranges in your area? Most gun shop ranges have rental guns that you can try out. The best way to buy a new gun is to get your hands on a shoot as many different brands and types of handguns as possible. Figure out what you shoot best with before plunking down a ton of $ on something you might not like.

Note you will most likely have to pay the following fees:
Range Fee - standard everywhere. Most shops charge per hour.

Gun Rental Fee - some shops charge per gun, some will let you rotate guns with no additional fee as long as you paid for the 1st gun.

Target Fee - you can bring your own or buy theirs.

Eye & Ear Protection Rental Fee - you should own your own set of eye and ear protection but you can pay to rent theirs.

Ammo - most shops require you buy your ammo from them to use in their guns. Trick here is to buy 1 or 2 boxes from them but also bring some of your own.

Do a couple different visits. Try out name brand guns - Sig, Glock, HK, Ruger, FN, S&W, etc. Try some revolvers.

Tip - do some research on how to shoot a handgun before going to the range. Youtube is helpful for this. Semi-autos and revolvers have different grips and techniques. One method of gripping a revolver will result in pain when gripping a semi-auto & vice a versa.
 
drobs said:
KB,

Do you have any gun shops with indoor shooting ranges in your area? Most gun shop ranges have rental guns that you can try out. The best way to buy a new gun is to get your hands on a shoot as many different brands and types of handguns as possible. Figure out what you shoot best with before plunking down a ton of $ on something you might not like.

Note you will most likely have to pay the following fees:
Range Fee - standard everywhere. Most shops charge per hour.

Gun Rental Fee - some shops charge per gun, some will let you rotate guns with no additional fee as long as you paid for the 1st gun.

Target Fee - you can bring your own or buy theirs.

Eye & Ear Protection Rental Fee - you should own your own set of eye and ear protection but you can pay to rent theirs.

Ammo - most shops require you buy your ammo from them to use in their guns. Trick here is to buy 1 or 2 boxes from them but also bring some of your own.

Do a couple different visits. Try out name brand guns - Sig, Glock, HK, Ruger, FN, S&W, etc. Try some revolvers.

Tip - do some research on how to shoot a handgun before going to the range. Youtube is helpful for this. Semi-autos and revolvers have different grips and techniques. One method of gripping a revolver will result in pain when gripping a semi-auto & vice a versa.
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Unfortunately I don't know of any gunshops with ranges around here. I know a few people with different guns so a lot of it will probably shooting theirs.
 
Just dropping in at the end but I'd get

1- a 1911 style in 9mm

It's a nice design and 9mm is cheaper than many while still being strong enough to give a good feel. There's nothing wrong with 22lr but 9 has more oomph without being overkill

--or--

2- 357 Revolver

Again get a good brand like a Ruger. I'd say double action so you have choices but you can't really go wrong. I said 357 because it also fires 38 special and that's what I'd use in it all the time. 38 is cheaper and more user friendly and you have the option to try 357s when you feel a Dirty Harry moment coming on.
 
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