luis luevanos
Inactive
go with a glock 19 its a 9mm with 15 round mag realy fun to shoot!!
Help me buy my 18 year-old son his first handgun...
- Thread starter tobnpr
- Start date
my son is 15 and has been shooting every gun I have for a couple of years now including my 50 cal desert eagle, mine doesn't like shooting the 22 either, he loves the recoil from magnum loads and his M44. If I were in your shoes I would be getting my son a Glock 17 or 19 in 9mm - caliber choice mainly due to availability and cost of ammo. These guns are easy to operate with no external safeties or decockers to fool with. most important thing is gun safety, gun safety, gun safety, I have a friend who's son shot himself cleaning an "unloaded" handgun.
luis luevanos
Inactive
not to mention its cheap to shoot also!
Cheapshooter
New member
Consider a Heritage Rough Rider. 22 rimfire, and also comes with a 22Rimfire Magnun cylinder. Single action, and unlike other revolvers it even has a safety. Very reasonably priced and economical to shoot.
My suggestion may come under a lot of criticism from the "quility is king" crowd, but for their very reasonable price they make an excellent, cheap to shoot, safe trainer.
http://www.heritagemfg.com/site/department.cfm?id=50
There are double action rimfire revolvers on the market, but good ones can be quite costly like a S&W 617. Taurus revolvers are about half the price of a Smith, but there has been a lot of discussion about their quailty. Seems that it's a 50/50 chance that you would get one that doesn't have to be sent back for repairs, and usually numerous times. Sometimes never getting fixed right.
If it is a centerfire he has his heart set on, you can't go wrong with a ruger GP 100 or SP 101
In a semi-auto rimfire, you won't go wrong with a Ruger, or Browning Buckmark. Those are quality firearms that can last a lifetime and more.
There are a lot of good choices in a semi-auto centerfire from Ruger, S&W, Glock, and others.
If you have a range close by that rents guns it would be the best thing to rent several and try them out. Most ranges that rent guns charge by the hour, and you can swap guns to try many types and brands.
Good Luck
My suggestion may come under a lot of criticism from the "quility is king" crowd, but for their very reasonable price they make an excellent, cheap to shoot, safe trainer.
http://www.heritagemfg.com/site/department.cfm?id=50
There are double action rimfire revolvers on the market, but good ones can be quite costly like a S&W 617. Taurus revolvers are about half the price of a Smith, but there has been a lot of discussion about their quailty. Seems that it's a 50/50 chance that you would get one that doesn't have to be sent back for repairs, and usually numerous times. Sometimes never getting fixed right.
If it is a centerfire he has his heart set on, you can't go wrong with a ruger GP 100 or SP 101
In a semi-auto rimfire, you won't go wrong with a Ruger, or Browning Buckmark. Those are quality firearms that can last a lifetime and more.
There are a lot of good choices in a semi-auto centerfire from Ruger, S&W, Glock, and others.
If you have a range close by that rents guns it would be the best thing to rent several and try them out. Most ranges that rent guns charge by the hour, and you can swap guns to try many types and brands.
Good Luck
My first choice would be a longer barrel .22lr, autoloader or revolver. Ammo price and ease of learning the basics is what leads me to go this route. The downside is that eventually you'll need to move up to a heavier caliber. On the plus side, you'll already have a .22! And, after all, everybody needs at least 1 .22.
That said, there is the ego thing. I understand. Try and talk him out of it. If you just can't, then fall back on Plan B. Get a 6" barrel .357 Magnum revolver. Single action or Double, stay with major name brands. Colt/Ruger/S&W. Especially so since you reload. You have the capability of loading light .38 Spl wadcutters to start him on that recoil about like a .22lr. You can then use the same revolver to move up to heavier loads and longer ranges. The downside is ammo costs. That and, eventually, you'll want to get a .22 anyway. After all, everybody needs at least 1 .22.
That said, there is the ego thing. I understand. Try and talk him out of it. If you just can't, then fall back on Plan B. Get a 6" barrel .357 Magnum revolver. Single action or Double, stay with major name brands. Colt/Ruger/S&W. Especially so since you reload. You have the capability of loading light .38 Spl wadcutters to start him on that recoil about like a .22lr. You can then use the same revolver to move up to heavier loads and longer ranges. The downside is ammo costs. That and, eventually, you'll want to get a .22 anyway. After all, everybody needs at least 1 .22.
hasbro_fan
New member
Accuracy, and new to a handgun, and fundamentals, go for a 22lr.
If dead set against one, then 38spl 4 inch revolver used, or maybe a Ruger 95 (9mm) or similar in 9 mm or 45.
I still use a 22lr pistol at the range to practice grip and site alignment. A flinch or improper set-up is still a miss.
Not cool or fancy, too bad.
If dead set against one, then 38spl 4 inch revolver used, or maybe a Ruger 95 (9mm) or similar in 9 mm or 45.
I still use a 22lr pistol at the range to practice grip and site alignment. A flinch or improper set-up is still a miss.
Not cool or fancy, too bad.
IMightBeWrong
New member
I'm 21 years old. My fist handgun was a Colt 1911 that I still have. I can't even begin to tell you how attached I am to it, and had my father purchased just about anything else I don't know how much I'd be into shooting handguns now. He bought mine from a customer of his used when I was 16 and we had a lot of fun with it.
First handgun I bought for myself was a Glock 23 and it was also great. I no longer own it now because I prefer DA/SA autos, but it was an excellent pistol and really changed the way I thought about gun safety.
First handgun I bought for myself was a Glock 23 and it was also great. I no longer own it now because I prefer DA/SA autos, but it was an excellent pistol and really changed the way I thought about gun safety.
triplebike
New member
If .22 is out of the question & you want to get him an excellent handgun that won't break the bank, then check out the Stoeger Cougar series. They are Beretta made handguns that are manufactured in Turkey. All metal, unbelievably reliable, accurate & probably one of the very best values available.
"Im gonna go against popular thought and say go with a 9mm. Its fairly cheap and its a big boys gun. He is 18 after all, if he is used to shooting high powered rifles, a 22 aint gonna do much for him."
+1... He's going to be hankering for a nice automatic so you might as well do yourself a favor, be the hero, and get it for him now. 9mm seems the best choice IMHO... ammo cost is about 1/2 that of .45. If it was me, I'd let him pick among the popular reputable choices in your price range... Glock, Ruger, KahrCW, CZ, etc.
+1... He's going to be hankering for a nice automatic so you might as well do yourself a favor, be the hero, and get it for him now. 9mm seems the best choice IMHO... ammo cost is about 1/2 that of .45. If it was me, I'd let him pick among the popular reputable choices in your price range... Glock, Ruger, KahrCW, CZ, etc.
Thanks for all the input, guys.
As I kinda suspected, no firm consensus, but definitely a leaning towards the .22 cal, which I didn't expect.
To clarify for the above poster, there is no "disrespect" for other shooters (with .22's). To be perfectly candid, and please- no one take offense- shooting rimfires just doesn't capture the excitement of the hobby for us.
While I'm not a rich man (especially in this economy the last few years!), we do reload which keeps our costs down. And, ammo cost is not our primary consideration. If all we were concerned about was putting a projectile into the center of a bullseye- we'd be shooting air rifles. Again, being honest, all three of us (my 13 year old started 4 mos. ago with an AK
, and damned if he can't shoot consistent 3" groups with it now) like the "power" of centerfire weapons. Can't explain it, or justify it, it's just the way it is. Last weekend at the range there must've been a .50 cal being shot across the berm at the 200. Couldn't see it, but every time it went "BOOM" we just looked at each other, smiled, and shook our heads (and thought...$5, $10, $15, $20...)
Some of you, I suspect, will "get" what I'm trying to say...
I believe CWKahrFan hit the nail on the head for me. 9mm it is.
As I kinda suspected, no firm consensus, but definitely a leaning towards the .22 cal, which I didn't expect.
To clarify for the above poster, there is no "disrespect" for other shooters (with .22's). To be perfectly candid, and please- no one take offense- shooting rimfires just doesn't capture the excitement of the hobby for us.
While I'm not a rich man (especially in this economy the last few years!), we do reload which keeps our costs down. And, ammo cost is not our primary consideration. If all we were concerned about was putting a projectile into the center of a bullseye- we'd be shooting air rifles. Again, being honest, all three of us (my 13 year old started 4 mos. ago with an AK
, and damned if he can't shoot consistent 3" groups with it now) like the "power" of centerfire weapons. Can't explain it, or justify it, it's just the way it is. Last weekend at the range there must've been a .50 cal being shot across the berm at the 200. Couldn't see it, but every time it went "BOOM" we just looked at each other, smiled, and shook our heads (and thought...$5, $10, $15, $20...)Some of you, I suspect, will "get" what I'm trying to say...
I believe CWKahrFan hit the nail on the head for me. 9mm it is.
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In the $500 price range, I'd suggest an excelent conditionS&W 3rd Gen 9mm like a 5906. Reasons:
1. Good reliable handgun that will last a lifetime.
2. He should be able to handle 9mm, and this is a useful gun that he would likely keep and pass down to his kid someday.
3. Its a nice looking gun - soon will be the days that you won't be able to purchase a decent stainless steel handgun any longer and good ones will be in demand.
4. Although your son may choose to buy a .22 pistol on his own, I think it is way more significant to buy him a "real" gun.....just my humble opinion.
1. Good reliable handgun that will last a lifetime.
2. He should be able to handle 9mm, and this is a useful gun that he would likely keep and pass down to his kid someday.
3. Its a nice looking gun - soon will be the days that you won't be able to purchase a decent stainless steel handgun any longer and good ones will be in demand.
4. Although your son may choose to buy a .22 pistol on his own, I think it is way more significant to buy him a "real" gun.....just my humble opinion.
aarondhgraham
New member
Best of both worlds,,,
For christmas this year,,,
Buy him a CZ-75B Kadet chambered for .22 LR,,,
This $595.00 pistol is the exact same size and almost exactly the same weight,,,
As the $495.00 CZ-75B chambered in 9mm.
The theory here is that he learns to shoot the pistol using inexpensive .22 LR ammunition,,,
Then when he gets the proficiency down you assist him in getting the 9mm version of the pistol.
There are pistols out there that are as good as the CZ-75B,,,
But you will have trouble finding one that's significantly a better pistol.
Just food for thought,,,
.
For christmas this year,,,
Buy him a CZ-75B Kadet chambered for .22 LR,,,
This $595.00 pistol is the exact same size and almost exactly the same weight,,,
As the $495.00 CZ-75B chambered in 9mm.
The theory here is that he learns to shoot the pistol using inexpensive .22 LR ammunition,,,
Then when he gets the proficiency down you assist him in getting the 9mm version of the pistol.
There are pistols out there that are as good as the CZ-75B,,,
But you will have trouble finding one that's significantly a better pistol.
Just food for thought,,,
.
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Aaron,
Thanks for the suggestion.
I usually subscribe to the "buy once, cry once" theory...
Believe me, I'm not trying to be argumentative with you guys that are suggesting the rimfire for experience, but probably because I have no handgun experience myself I'm not understanding...
At 18- an adult- he will have no trouble handling a centerfire any more than I would. Granted, no handgun experience- but he has the shooting basics with the long gun very well in hand after five months and 1200 rounds downrange...breathing, trigger control, etc. We hit the range at a minimum every two weeks...
But I'm certainly not one to ask for advice, then pretend I know what I'm talking about. If you think it would be a real mistake to just start him out with the 9mm, I'll heed the advice and get the .22.
Thanks for the suggestion.
I usually subscribe to the "buy once, cry once" theory...
Believe me, I'm not trying to be argumentative with you guys that are suggesting the rimfire for experience, but probably because I have no handgun experience myself I'm not understanding...
At 18- an adult- he will have no trouble handling a centerfire any more than I would. Granted, no handgun experience- but he has the shooting basics with the long gun very well in hand after five months and 1200 rounds downrange...breathing, trigger control, etc. We hit the range at a minimum every two weeks...
But I'm certainly not one to ask for advice, then pretend I know what I'm talking about. If you think it would be a real mistake to just start him out with the 9mm, I'll heed the advice and get the .22.
Spats McGee
Administrator
Even though it looks like you've already made a decision, I'm going to throw in another vote for the .22LR. Compared with something like a .45, ammo is dirt cheap & he'll be able to shoot a whole lot more for the same price as shooting some of the bigger calibers. Besides, they're an absolute blast to shoot! (no pun intended) If he decides to move up in caliber later, he can always trade the .22 in on something else, though I honestly doubt he'll want to.
aarondhgraham
New member
Not so much a mistake as a plan for fun,,,
It's not so much a mistake as it is a strategy to shoot more for less.
When I go to the range I like to pull the trigger a lot,,,
Even though I am single and make a professional salary,,,
Centerfire ammo takes a big chunk of my disposable allowance.
A bulk pack of 550 rounds of .22 LR costs me about $18.00 at Wal Mart,,,
That same amount of money will buy me around 75 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
I take both guns to the range,,,
I shoot a lot of .22 LR and then some 9mm,,,
It is just a way to make my range trips more fun for me,,,
Shooting my guns for a longer time is the fun part of having a .22 pistol.
.
It's not so much a mistake as it is a strategy to shoot more for less.
When I go to the range I like to pull the trigger a lot,,,
Even though I am single and make a professional salary,,,
Centerfire ammo takes a big chunk of my disposable allowance.
A bulk pack of 550 rounds of .22 LR costs me about $18.00 at Wal Mart,,,
That same amount of money will buy me around 75 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
I take both guns to the range,,,
I shoot a lot of .22 LR and then some 9mm,,,
It is just a way to make my range trips more fun for me,,,
Shooting my guns for a longer time is the fun part of having a .22 pistol.
.
Probably just as well...
... my internet connection failed, when I tried to submit a kinda long post.
I'll shorten it right up.
I see A LOT of people at the range who are shooting for the first time, without having any instruction on shooting handguns other than what they've learned from the internet, XBox, or gangsta videos; using handguns that are too much for their lack-of-experience level.
They use poor stance and posture. They flinch. They flag others. They do all sorts of crazy things.
Of those, the one that bears on your decision is really the flinch. This is caused by the shooter trying to anticipate recoil, and it becomes an engrained habit pretty quickly.
The advantage of the .22 is that it doesn't bark or bite much, so the shooter doesn't tend to tense up in anticipation of recoil, and therefore sight picture, trigger control, and form tend to hold up better.
It's easier to learn a good habit than to unlearn a bad habit, such as flinch. So, IMO the smart money is to 1) start with a .22, in a full-sized platform (better grips, better leverage on the trigger, typically better triggers, longer sight radii), and 2) get some initial instruction on safety, form, and mechanics from somebody who knows what they are doing, in person.
Good luck,
M
... my internet connection failed, when I tried to submit a kinda long post.
I'll shorten it right up.
I see A LOT of people at the range who are shooting for the first time, without having any instruction on shooting handguns other than what they've learned from the internet, XBox, or gangsta videos; using handguns that are too much for their lack-of-experience level.
They use poor stance and posture. They flinch. They flag others. They do all sorts of crazy things.
Of those, the one that bears on your decision is really the flinch. This is caused by the shooter trying to anticipate recoil, and it becomes an engrained habit pretty quickly.
The advantage of the .22 is that it doesn't bark or bite much, so the shooter doesn't tend to tense up in anticipation of recoil, and therefore sight picture, trigger control, and form tend to hold up better.
It's easier to learn a good habit than to unlearn a bad habit, such as flinch. So, IMO the smart money is to 1) start with a .22, in a full-sized platform (better grips, better leverage on the trigger, typically better triggers, longer sight radii), and 2) get some initial instruction on safety, form, and mechanics from somebody who knows what they are doing, in person.
Good luck,
M