Friend is buying first gun
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Possibly buying a factory refurbished Glock would assure your friend that it will be a reliable handgun even though it was used.You may find it has some holster wear because many of them were police turn-ins.However I believe they still come with a factory warranty.These are the only Glocks we're able to buy in MA since they have to be made prior to 1998.Many local dealers also offer a one year warranty on used guns if bought in their store.That may be a safer idea than buying from a private party.
P
PreserveFreedom
Guest
A Glock is a great first gun as long as he practices proper firearms safety. Make sure he is keeping his finger off of the trigger until he is ready to fire. Other than that, encourage him to get some high caps, even if he has to pay $100 a pop.
Mark IV Series 80
New member
You may want to have him look at some double-action revolvers.
A used S&W police trade-in can be had for approx. $150. Here is how to check one out:
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=57816&highlight=revolver+check
IMO, any good used S&W or Ruger double-action revolver would be ideal for a first gun.
-Mk.IV
A used S&W police trade-in can be had for approx. $150. Here is how to check one out:
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=57816&highlight=revolver+check
IMO, any good used S&W or Ruger double-action revolver would be ideal for a first gun.
-Mk.IV
automainea
New member
i agree with mark IV on a revolver for the first gun,a glock for the first gun sounds scary
A Glock was my first gun and I still have all 10 fingers and 10 toes as well as no gapping self inflicted wounds. I think a Glock is an excellent first gun as long as you practice good safety habits. If you don't pull the trigger it won't go off. I recommend a G19. Great gun, good size and cheap to shoot. Local shop sells cop turn ins with night sites and 1 highcap for $450.
Here's another vote for a revolver for a first gun-
cuz they are easier for the beginner to learn on; with no manual
safeties or slide release's to have to deal with. And some skillfull
revolver shooter's get off shot's as quickly as the guy with a
semi-auto!!! Plus, with a revolver a newbie doesn't have to deal
with FTF's or failure's to eject.
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.
cuz they are easier for the beginner to learn on; with no manual
safeties or slide release's to have to deal with. And some skillfull
revolver shooter's get off shot's as quickly as the guy with a
semi-auto!!! Plus, with a revolver a newbie doesn't have to deal
with FTF's or failure's to eject.
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.
don't shoot it's me
New member
I too, vote for a wheel gun as a first gun....newbies tend to "play" with the weapon since it is new to them and a wheel gun takes more of a deliberate action to light one off.....
If the person is a competent person I don’t know why push so hard to a wheel gun! The first handgun I shot was a 1911 in the army. Since then I have HK, S&W pistols, Beretta, 1911 (my own). I also have a Ruger Vaquero, which I love and it was probably my fifth or sixth gun I brought. With proper training let the person have what he wants; he probably thinks it cool because all the LEO's have one. I personally think they are they very ugly gun but beauty is the eye of the beholder. 
CastleBravo
New member
I started with a Glock 23 and think a Glock is fine as long as your friend isn't a bimbo. I'd suggest a 19 for starters, tho.
A makarov was my first. The initial investment was very small ($110) and it is accurate and almost impossible to destroy. It is a little heavy for its size, but it's a fun shooter and definately should be considered for a first gun.
My second was an HK P7M13 that was a police gun so it had holster wear but had very few shots through it. Police guns are also a good choice.
My second was an HK P7M13 that was a police gun so it had holster wear but had very few shots through it. Police guns are also a good choice.
My first gun was a Colt Police Positive Special .38spl
which was a gift for my 12th or 13th birthday.
It was given to me by my father who was, at the time,
a firearms instructor for the State Police. It was an old
State Trooper issue handgun that had long since been
retired and replaced with S&W 66's then 686's. I used
it to learn and practice all the fundamentals of handgun
shooting and safety. And to this day I can still shoot it
faster and more accurately than most of my other
handguns.
On the other hand, if you are serious about handgunning,
and do not do something STUPID (meaning that you take
the firearm seriously and actually apply the rules of safety).
I don't see a big issue with starting out with a Glock pistol.
Always assume it is loaded, keep your finger OFF the trigger
and be keep that muzzle pointed away from things that can
die. Good luck.
mlk18
which was a gift for my 12th or 13th birthday.
It was given to me by my father who was, at the time,
a firearms instructor for the State Police. It was an old
State Trooper issue handgun that had long since been
retired and replaced with S&W 66's then 686's. I used
it to learn and practice all the fundamentals of handgun
shooting and safety. And to this day I can still shoot it
faster and more accurately than most of my other
handguns.
On the other hand, if you are serious about handgunning,
and do not do something STUPID (meaning that you take
the firearm seriously and actually apply the rules of safety).
I don't see a big issue with starting out with a Glock pistol.
Always assume it is loaded, keep your finger OFF the trigger
and be keep that muzzle pointed away from things that can
die. Good luck.
mlk18
Your friend should go out and buy whateverthehell he wants, period. He/she should then learn to shoot safely & responsibly.
I sincerely believe that most people have already made up their minds long ago about what they want to buy in a handgun and aren't looking for real advice, they only want group affirmation that it was a "good choice".
With that said, there's not much you can do to a used Glock to make it not work, that's why it's a Glock!
My only suggestion is that your friend starts off with a 9MM or a .40cal.
I sincerely believe that most people have already made up their minds long ago about what they want to buy in a handgun and aren't looking for real advice, they only want group affirmation that it was a "good choice".
With that said, there's not much you can do to a used Glock to make it not work, that's why it's a Glock!
My only suggestion is that your friend starts off with a 9MM or a .40cal.
contender4040
New member
Go to a range and try a little bit of everything. A lot of shooters would probably gladly let you try out their weapons and give some advice on each one.
As a G19 owner, I also see nothing wrong with a Glock for a first handgun. Cost of ammo for 9mm is prety much only bettered by a .22 (which would ALSO make a great choice), which means significant cost savings over most other auto or revolver calibers. That means more time at the range for the same amount of money, and that means more familiarity with the weapon. IMO, that's a good thing.
Safe gun handling is NOT a function of the firearm. It IS a function of the person with the gun in his/her hands. The manual of arms for a particular weapon platform doesn't change from person to person. If a "newbie" is comfortable with a Glock, then s/he ought to get one AFTER learning how to be safe with it. That probably means a little help from you, IMO. Personally, I don't like the idea of buying the gun and THEN learning how to be safe with it. That's putting the cart before the horse.
Regardless, I think we can all agree that the four rules of safe gun handling apply whether you're talking about a Glock, H&K, Sig, or any other firearm out there. The rest of it is getting to know your particular firearm.
Safe gun handling is NOT a function of the firearm. It IS a function of the person with the gun in his/her hands. The manual of arms for a particular weapon platform doesn't change from person to person. If a "newbie" is comfortable with a Glock, then s/he ought to get one AFTER learning how to be safe with it. That probably means a little help from you, IMO. Personally, I don't like the idea of buying the gun and THEN learning how to be safe with it. That's putting the cart before the horse.
Regardless, I think we can all agree that the four rules of safe gun handling apply whether you're talking about a Glock, H&K, Sig, or any other firearm out there. The rest of it is getting to know your particular firearm.
Telling someone that they should buy a revolver for their first gun because a Glock requires too many safety precautions for a newbie is ALMOST saying "Buy a revolver, you don't have to be nearly as careful with them".
I KNOW you guys didn't say that, but that's what it would sound like to a newbie.
You still gotta keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire.
You still HAVE to ensure it's not loaded before "handling" it.
You still gotta keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire.
You still have to learn the proper function of your gun.
You still gotta keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire.
Anyway, My first pistol ever ever ever was a Ruger Mark II semi-automatic pistol. I was 18 years old. I hated revolvers and would NEVER have spent so much time shooting it, making the safety rules second nature, learning the in's and out's of operation, marksmanship, etc, if my Dad had MADE me get a revolver. I firmly believe that someone who wants a semi-auto but buys a revolver cuz "everyone" says your first gun should be a revolver is at risk of not developing the interest in shooting because deep down, they ain't happy with their purchase.
Not a flame, just the facts man... You guys who say "must buy a revolver for first gun" most likely LOVE your revolvers, and own several.
I also feel just as strongly that a newbie's first gun should NOT be some unique, obscure, hard to find pistol, because EVERYONE makes holsters and accessories for Glocks, and it's just too much fun to find 'stuff' for your gun every time you walk into a gun shop, or gun show... and how many of us have annoyed the CRAP out of our "significant others" at the movies, or at home watching TV, and saying "look honey, Chow's got an HK USP like mine" It should also not be in any caliber that they don't sell at Wal-Mart.
I KNOW you guys didn't say that, but that's what it would sound like to a newbie.
You still gotta keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire.
You still HAVE to ensure it's not loaded before "handling" it.
You still gotta keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire.
You still have to learn the proper function of your gun.
You still gotta keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire.
Anyway, My first pistol ever ever ever was a Ruger Mark II semi-automatic pistol. I was 18 years old. I hated revolvers and would NEVER have spent so much time shooting it, making the safety rules second nature, learning the in's and out's of operation, marksmanship, etc, if my Dad had MADE me get a revolver. I firmly believe that someone who wants a semi-auto but buys a revolver cuz "everyone" says your first gun should be a revolver is at risk of not developing the interest in shooting because deep down, they ain't happy with their purchase.
Not a flame, just the facts man... You guys who say "must buy a revolver for first gun" most likely LOVE your revolvers, and own several.
I also feel just as strongly that a newbie's first gun should NOT be some unique, obscure, hard to find pistol, because EVERYONE makes holsters and accessories for Glocks, and it's just too much fun to find 'stuff' for your gun every time you walk into a gun shop, or gun show... and how many of us have annoyed the CRAP out of our "significant others" at the movies, or at home watching TV, and saying "look honey, Chow's got an HK USP like mine"
It should also not be in any caliber that they don't sell at Wal-Mart.