Inexpensive starter pistols

N

Nine the Ranger

New member
I'm looking for a gun to get me into the handgun world, I don't want to spend too much more than $400.

I don't really mind if it's a semi-auto or a revolver. I'd just like it to be a reasonibly priced gun, with reasonable ammo prices, and not somthing that'll break my wrist (seeimg that I've neber shot a handgun)

Any suggestions anyone?
 
Handguns aren't like guitars, there isn't much for "beginner" models. "Beginner" model pistols are just as capable as "advanced". If you want something cheap and reliable, get a used S&W model 10 or 64 (revolver). They shoot 38 special, the same cartridge most police depts used for the majority of the 20th century. If that's all you bought, you'd have all handgun bases more than adequately covered.

If you want to focus on just shooting and marksmanship, look at a browning buckmark. It's a 22 long rifle but ammo is far cheaper than anything else and those guns are awesome.
 
You might want to go handle and if you can shoot a Sig P250. You can score a new one in a variety of calibers (.380, 9mm, .357 sig, .40 & .45) and in a variety of sizes (sub-compact up to full size) in the price range you mentioned.

It comes only in double action like a revolver; although it is a semi-auto. The 9mm should not bother you recoil wise and is an inexpensive caliber for ammo. I have it in a sub-compact, compact and full size. I prefer the sub-compact 9mm and the full size .45 ACP. With one fire control unit, you can acquire a number of calibers and size platforms. Go to the Sig Sauer website for more details on what I am referring to.

As I stated above, you need to decide on your own by handling and shooting. If it is your first ever experience with a handgun, you would be wise to get some training and hands on experience.

Let us know what you decide on and how it goes. Most of all practice and enjoy. :)
 
Find a local gun store (even the big box guys) try out what they have in stock, and see how they feel. If there's one nearby that rents / has an adjacent range, even better.

If you don't like the balance, weight, grip, etc of any weapon, it's not worth a nickel to you. You've got incredible resources on TFL, but there's no substitute for holding it.
 
Hardworker gave some good advice,,,

A used Smith & Wesson Model 10 would be a great starter handgun,,,
It's a medium frame (K-frame) DA/SA revolver chambered in .38 Special,,,
It's the most basic handgun there ever was but it's also a great piece of machinery.

Right now you can buy a used heavy barrel model at buds gun shop for $269.00.

The other end of the spectrum is to get a .22 semi-auto pistol,,,
The best ammo you can find will be somewhere around 7-10 cents a round,,,
Decent ammo in bulk packs of 550 rounds (Federal at Wal Mart) run about 3.6 cants a round.

My take is buy the .22 first so you can afford to shoot it enough to gain proficiency,,,
Use the time shooting the .22 to research/try out centerfire revolvers and semi's for your next purchase.

These are the 5 most common target style .22 pistols out there,,,
Any one of these 5 will give you many years of excellent performance.

I've not listed them in any order of preference.

Browning Buckmark = Great pistol but I found the grip to be funky.
Ruger 22/45 Mk II or MK III = Great pistol with a 1911-ish grip.
Beretta U22 NEOS = Great pistol with a very slender grip.
Ruger Mk II or MK III = Great pistol with a luger-ish grip.
S&W 22A = Great pistol with a very fat grip.

Any of these will serve you very well,,,
They are all reliable firearms that aren't ammo picky,,,
Rather than sweat over which one is better, get the one that fits your hand.

Aarond

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On Bud's right now they offer a Springfield XD 9mm for $429.00.

That's a few bucks above the range you gave, but nonetheless it's a pretty darn good firearm.

I've rented and shot one at my local range; as a new shooter of the pistols I've rented and/or tried so far, I've shot the XD the best. The list of guns I have shot: a Beretta 92, Springfield XD, S&W M&P, Sig 220, S&W .357 Magnum (not sure on the model) and a couple shots out of a Sig 229.

So far my best efforts have been with the XD, but of course your opinion and experience could differ.

Here's the link so you can check it out.
 
Get a .22 rim fire.

A Ruger Mark II or III would be a good choice.

Ammunition is cheap enough to allow a lot of practice, and you WILL need a lot to become proficient and accurate.
 
Armscor M200 or M206 revolver.

.38 Special, so ammo is easy to find. Affordable (you should be able to buy one new for under $200) and I believe it has a lifetime warranty. Not the prettiest handgun in the world, but the one I have is very solidly put together and acceptably accurate (for self defense, not a bullseye gun).

There's a review here: http://ezine.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=140

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ruger p series-$350 or so/ used glocks $400-500 so/ smith model 10 police revolvers dao i believe go for $285-300 or so at budsgunshop online. T-33 Tokarev pistol $300 or so. Taurus pt pro series $350 or so., lots of smiths, sigs, charters, cobras, worth looking into also. you got options bud!
 
If you have never shot a handgun, IMO you need to get a revolver. For $400 you have a wide selection. If it is something you are going to keep and not resale look at Taurus. You can even buy the new Smiths in their snub 38's for your price range. I said Taurus if you was going to keep because, they make a pretty good revolver but don't retain their value very well.
 
You are right to consider ammo cost. Many people focus on $100 give or take on the gun, but with ammo running $20-$30 a box, the cost of the chosen cartridge is more important in the long run.

.38 Special and 9mm are the best deals in ammo for centerfire handguns. .22LR is still 5x cheaper though, if you'll consider a rimfire.

My personal choice would be the S&W 617 (stainless double action .22LR revolver), but that would really bust the budget on the weapon - roughly $700 new. If you'd consider a single action .22, the Ruger Single Six is roughly $500 new in stainless.

A used S&W 67 (stainless double action .38+P revolver) might be $400.

A Glock 17 or S&W M&P 9mm full size polymer framed semiauto are about $500.
 
Some great advice here already.


I'll throw out two 9mm (inexpensive ammo) that would be good for newbie and seasoned gun owners alike:

Palmetto State Armory has a Sig Sauer 2022 for $349. This full size pistol has many design features seen on their $800 guns and a fantastic trigger and polymer frame. And because it has a hammer (unlike most polymer pistols) it an be easier to rack. Originally listed as at $5-600 pistol, at $349 it's a steal.

The second great deal right now is a Caracal F or C which can be had for $399. It's a (F)ull size or (C)ompact size polymer 9mm. Designed similar to a Glock that costs 100-200 more. Very well made and the price makes it hard to beat.

Either option will be a minimal investment on a solid pistol that can be enjoyed by a variety of shooter.
 
IMO range with rentals is a great place for a newby to start looking. One step better than gun shops because you can shoot those that feel good. Something in 9mm is reasonable price as far as ammo is concerned but hefty enough to use as self defense weapon if that is the direction you might head in.

Your price range will cover quite a few decent guns.
 
My recommendation is for a 22 rimfire, new or used. One capable of target-grade accuracy. Not Olympic quality, but enough.

semi-automatics that leap to mind:
Ruger Mark I, II or current model III
or Browning Buckmark or
Smith & Wesson Model 41

Revolvers that come to mind:
Ruger Single-Six
Smith & Wesson's K-Frame K-22 "Masterpiece" (I had one a while back)
Smith & Wesson 617
Taurus (I forget the model #)
Ruger SP101

Here's my reasoning:

1 Practice is important for becoming a good shot. Practice (beyond dry firing) takes ammo. Ammo is cheaper for a 22 than for any other caliber. Example: 22 rimfire costs (around here) $20 - $30 per 500. 500 rounds of 9mm (a very inexpensive round) is at least $100 to $150 per 500.

2 Practice with a round that has almost no recoil makes concentration on sight picture, breathing and trigger control much easier without the distraction of recoil and excessive muzzle blast. You can add those elements later after you have gotten the basics ingrained in your subconscious. If you start out with a hard-recoiling round you are almost certain to develop anticipation (usually characterized by a flinch) which is devilishly hard to cure. Prevention is much easier to, especially while you are learning.

3 Having a good, accurate 22 will put you on the range (if you go to a formal or informal shooting range) where you will get acquainted with other shooters, see their gun handling practices and see their guns. Most gun owners are proud of their hardware and if you exhibit good safety practices, a modicum of shooting skill and a little bit of polite interest, they will very probably let you handle their guns and even send a few rounds downrange. You can get to try out a wide variety of guns that way and collect testimonials from people other than salesmen when you go to a store.

4 Most (accurate) 22 rimfire guns are cheaper to buy than similarly accurate centerfire guns and hold their resale value well.

I also recommend you visit a web site owned by one of the administrators on The Firing Line, "Pax". It is principally written for women new to guns, but most of the information there is EQUALLY applicable to either gender. "New to guns" is "new to guns" whether male or female.
http://www.corneredcat.com/Contents/


Good luck. Thanks for reading.

Lost Sheep
 
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