How do you choose your first handgun?

I'd say just pick one you like, no you can't do that here, you'll be told what to pick, what's best, what you need. It's America, we can't just have a few good choices, we must have hundreds or even thousands, just to make life more confusing. Oh by the way, if it fits and feels good in your hand, and it's a .38 or bigger, and it just makes you tingle, dam, you just picked up the gun that's right for you. :D
 
I'm probably rehashing what has already been said but... w/e.

If it is your first gun then you should acquaint yourself with safe firearms handling rules and procedures.

If it is your first handgun then you should proceed to step two which is to figure out what you want to use it for. You want to buy a gun to perform in a role... not buy a gun and then use it in a role it isn't suited for.

Role aside you should make sure that the gun fits your hands and you can use all of the controls on it (ask for instruction if necessary). Don't buy a gun that has poor controls. Don't buy a gun that is too big or too small for your hands. Dry fire a gun you like a few times (if the gun store lets you). The easier it is to use, the better it fits, and the smoother the trigger pull will make the gun more fun to shoot (and therefore own).

Then consider how much you are willing to spend on ammo to help narrow down your caliber choices (you may be restricted to certain calibers based on specialized roles however).

Finally, consider how much aftermarket support their is for the handguns you have selected. You won't be very happy when you discover that there are no accessories (such as holsters) for certain guns. That is why you have to think about that before you purchase it. 1911s and Glocks have quite a bit of aftermarket support.
 
I lived on a ranch during my young years all the way through college. When I got my first handgun it was a Ruger Super Blackhawk.

I reloaded for it and for a long time it was really the only handgun I owned.

Later I sold it for an SW 59 and the story goes on.

At my age now I have "recovered" some handguns I had let go of because they meant something to me.

I have spent an obscene amount of money over time I confess on guns for the reasons many do.

In retrospect the Super Blackhawk as a "first handgun" was a right choice for me. I was old enough and had experience shooting the SW 29 so I knew what I was getting into.

I don't think a .22LR is always the best "first choice" for a handgun. I think it really depends on the "pleasure factor" whatever it might be for a specific individual.

The .22 LR can be a very frustrating "first handgun" because it is best used and limited to either beginners, targets, small game and practice.

If the .22 LR is chosen as the "first" handgun it should be a good one. I mean a good one that usually costs more than many others in other calibers, like the SW 41 or SW 17 or Colt New Frontier. Making a good .22 handgun requires a lot of work and quality parts compared to other calibers.
 
Get a quality (S&W, Colt, Ruger, Browning) .22 semi auto or revolver that appeals to you. Get lots of trigger time in, get comfortable with it and learn how to properly shoot and safely handle a handgun.

The world then becomes your oyster.
 
My first handgun was my trusty Browning High Power-"13 round magazines!"
My first revolver was my trusty Colt Trooper .357.
Nowadays I advocate something like a full size CZ with their Kadet unit, you learn to shoot with the 22, when you transition to centerfire the feel of the gun is familiar. I also have the Ciener units for my Browning HP and Colt Mark IV. I did not become a truly good pistol shooter until I was on a pistol team in college practicing weekly with my High Standard Victor. So I definitely advocate the 22 as a "first gun."
 
I chose my first handgun.....

..... after reading the writings of Jeff Cooper- I got a 1911 in .45 ACP. That ruined me: Crunchentickers are pretty much unshootable, for me.
 
Nod to jimbob86. However, I like my 3913 and 4013 crunchentickers just fine.

There's a lot of good advice in this thread. Can't tell you how you should make your decision, but can tell you how I made mine:

1. Decide purpose. I wanted a carry gun.
2. Research calibers. I settled on a .40 S&W.
3. Look for platform and check ergonomics. I liked the compact size of the S&W 4013. That was a lot of years ago, and I still have, carry, and shoot it.
4. Buy a .22 of the same action type. Since I was buying a semi-auto for carry, I bought a Browning Buckmark for cheap practice.

If you decided you wanted a .38 wheelgun, buy a .22 revolver, too.
 
Well, the first handgun I purchased was a S&W 629 .44 Magnum with a 6" barrel. It was used, and I recall putting money on it to put it on layaway before my birthday. The gentlemann at the shop asked me if I knew what I was getting in to and I said "Oh yeah, my dad had a Super Blackhawk, I have a bucket of .44 brass and reloading gear." He nodded and said "You're further ahead than a lot of guys who buy these." :D

But I have been around firearms as long as I can remember, I've shot rifle competitively off and on and was no stranger to handgunning either. So what works for me isn't a course I suggest for everybody.

My recommendation to new shooters is a .22 of some form or another and a medium-caliber centerfire like a .38/.357 revolver or a 9mm semi-auto, "compact" or larger. The theory being something you can afford to shoot and is comfortable to shoot encourages good habits, which will transfer to everything you shoot forever after. Starting with a cannon is a sure way to ingrain every bad habit that is hard to get rid of. Not 100% guaranteed, but I know when somebody was started on "too much gun". It takes a lot more work to replace the bad habits than it would have taken to lay the foundation of the good habits.
 
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