*INTRO* and newbie question

C

CoolCatUM

Inactive
Hello all, I'm new to the board and I have been developing an interest in handguns for a little while now and I've decided to purchase my first. I am a complete newbie and definitely plan on taking some sort of safety/shooting course. I was wondering what some of guys suggest as a good first semi-auto pistol. I was thinking of a 9mm or a .40 but I'm not sure. Anyone have any suggestions on what calibre to get and any input on specific brands? I would really like something that isn't too expensive ($650 for a HK USP is a lotta money). Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much for your time.
Damien
 
One more thing I forgot, I was thinking about getting something compact, but then again, I'm not even sure yet...

Damien
 
Welcome!

First, let me say that, contrary to what the Lethal Weapon flicks have convinced the American public, there's nothing wrong or 'uncool' about a revolver. A lot of us here at TFL may love our 1911's, Glocks, H&K's, Berettas and what not, but 9 out of 10 crusty 'born with a gun in their hand' shooters would, if confined to one weapon, pick a 4" to 6" medium-frame .357 wheelgun...

If you gotta have an auto (and price is a consideration) Taurus's Beretta clones are fine pistols, police trade-in (USED) Second and Third generation Smith & Wesson (GOD I hated typing that, but being new, you might not have gotten *&*) are available for reasonable prices, and (personally) if you take a good course that teaches you to keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, the Glocks are some of the most rugged, reliable, and cost-effective pistols ever made. I have owned 6 and have yet to hold a jammed Glock in my hand despite tens of thousands of rounds sent downrange.

I'm sure many others will chime in so let me note that this was all In My Humble Opinion and Your Mileage May Vary...

Good Luck and happy shooting!

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"..but never ever Fear. Fear is for the enemy. Fear and Bullets."
10mm: It's not the size of the Dawg in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog!

[This message has been re-edited by Tamara (edited April 29, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Tamara (edited April 29, 2000).]
 
CoolCat,
First, welcome to the forum.
I am glad that you have in mind getting something of quality. The HK is a fine pistol. Here you will get almost as many answers to your "what to buy" question as there are people regestered on this board.
It depends on how much you really want to spend. I personally own handguns made by Walther, Ruger, Taurus, and Glock. From full size autos down to the sub-compact Glock 26.
My first auto was the Ruger P95. It is a very tough, reliable, accurate auto. It is also reasonably priced. It is chambered in 9mm. I prefer the 9mm over the .40 cal, but that is just me. I'm sure the .40 S&W crowd as well as the .45 people will also chime in before this is all over. A good way to find out what you want is to go to a range that rents guns, and try some out for yourself. It's fun, and you just might end up with something that you can't live without.

[This message has been edited by denfoote (edited April 29, 2000).]
 
I would recommend a G-26 Glock, 9mm very compact but about $440 used to $535 new in my area. The G-26 if you want to carry concealed. Used S&W Cheifs special or 909 in 9mm can also be had for around 350-400.

For a larger gun try a G-17 in 9mm or a S&W Sigma.

You might also consider a Ruger D/A, S/A semi auto if on a budget.

Sigs are nice I have a 230SL in 9mm Kurz
The blowback action recoil in this .380 is a bit harsher than a 9mm with a lock up design, but it is accurate and very slim which makes it easy to conceal.

I recommend 9mm because the ammo is cheap and plentiful and there are many good factory loads availible.

The best advice is to go to a commercial range near you and spend about $100 on a couple of rentals you think you may like and a few boxes of ammo.

If the guns are dirty politely ask that they be cleaned since you are considering a purchase.

See which guns fit your hand and shoot well.

Get a .22 like a Ruger Govt model or target mark II. The .22 is great for low cost practice.

[This message has been edited by Master Blaster (edited April 29, 2000).]
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by CoolCatUM:
Hello all, I'm new to the board and I have been developing an interest in handguns for a little while now and I've decided to purchase my first. I am a complete newbie and definitely plan on taking some sort of safety/shooting course.
Damien [/quote]

For this first (no prior experience) gun?
I'd get a .22 target pistol until you learn the in's and out's of shooting. They're cheap to shoot, fun, and great plinkers.
Admittedly, not a great defensive handgun (but if you read the "Armed Citizen" page in the NRA magazines, .22's aren't an uncommon defensive gun...apparently pretty effective too).
I own a Colt Woodsman. These are no longer manufactured, but you might find a used one. I shot a friend's S&W .22...super nice gun, but expensive. So, I'd look into a Ruger.
This is your first gun...don't get "too much" gun for a novice. It'll make your introduction more enjoyable.
 
I would second the notion of starting off with a .22LR in your first gun. I know it might not seem as glamourous, but you will pick up the basics of accurate shooting faster by starting off smaller - less recoil, not as loud, cheap shooting. An analogy would be learning to ride a bike with training wheels...
 
First of all, there is no right answer to this question; There are only opinions. Secondly, it sounds like you are on a budget not only with regard to this gun but also with regard to not being able to upgrade to a more powerful gun in a month. That being said:

I would not go with a .22. While they are nice, cheap and fun (I have a 10/22T rifle and 22S pistol), you will outgrow them very quickly.

Also, while revolvers have their purpose, I prefer to have the a semi-auto because they generally carry more rounds of ammo in a more compact package (and the good ones are as reliable as a revolver).

Finally, what to buy.
1. I would choose a gun from a major manufacturer (ie, Beretta, Glock, Sig, Ruger, S&W, HK, Walther, Colt, etc.) which has been proven over the years. The reason for this is that these guns are generally more reliable than newer models.
2. I would choose a gun with a 4-5 inch barrel. I presonally prefer the midsizes which are closer to 4.25 inches (ie, Glock 19.23, Walther P99, etc.) because they are good for home or carry.
3. I would choose a caliber of either 9mm, .40, or .45. These are the most popular, and thus plentiful and cheap to buy (especially the 9mm). Much of caliber choice depends on capacity, and thus most .45's hold less rounds than 9mm's of the same size. Keep in mind that with the new laws, magazines with more than 10 rounds are extremely expensive (75-125 bucks apeice). Thus, especially if you are not planning on shelling out the dough for hi-caps you may want to go with something with under or close to 10 rounds.
4. Finally, buy something you are comfortable with. If you can't rent and test fire the guns (which not all ranges do), pick them up and play with them (AFTER MAKING SURE THEY ARE EMPTY AND STILL NOT POINTING IT AT THE GUY BEHIND THE COUNTER). Make sure it feels comfortable. Make sure you can conceal it if you plan to carry it (and that they make holsters for that gun that you like). Make sure you can manipulate all the controls (ie, slide release, mag release, etc.). Make sure your hand fits around the grip. Make sure you like the way it looks (don't laugh, this is important to some people).

That's pretty much it. If you're like most of us, you will love your first gun but will want a second (and third and fourth) very quickly. Finally, you can't really go wrong with a Glock 19 or 23.
 
Ditto the 22. Get a used ruger for $200. Take a basic gun safety course. And have fun for $10/500rounds. In a couple of months if you find your trigger finger snaps to the side of the frame automatically whenever the gun is not on target start looking for a factory refurbished or used glock in 9mm. Buying a used glock is as risky as buying a used brick (I stole that). And 9mm will get you into centerfire without developing a flinch or a big hole in your wallet.

The 22 may seem like a extra unnecessary step but gun ownership is a journey not a destination. In 20 years you will pull that 22 out of the stuffed full safe with care cause its one of the most valuable guns in there. Its also a great way to get family and friends introduced to shooting.

On the cost of good guns. Remember, If you take care of a quality gun it will serve your grandchild as well as it serves you. There is no other consumer product that can boast this. Also, a pistol like the HK will easily shoot through ammo with a value ten times that of the gun, usually without significant repair or parts replacement. If you start talking about serrious fixes you are looking at 100 times the gun value in ammo. Only buy quality, its cheep.

[This message has been edited by Bullwinkle (edited April 29, 2000).]
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by CoolCatUM:
Hello all, I'm new to the board and I have been developing an interest in handguns for a little while now and I've decided to purchase my first.[/quote]

What would be the primary use of the gun? Target shooting? Self Defense?

I'd recommend a .38 special revolver with at least a 3 inch barrel. A Ruger SP101 can be had for around $329.

If you'd like to have a semi-automatic, then consider Ruger again. The Ruger P95 in 9mm is also around $329.

I personally do not advocate the idea of someone starting off with a .22 if self defense is a consideration.

.38 Special revolvers and 9mm handguns are pretty mild in terms of felt recoil. Neither would induce anticipated
"flinch".

.38 Special and 9mm ammunition is inexpensive.

[This message has been edited by dvc (edited April 29, 2000).]
 
I have to say that the .22 is a GREAT first gun. Get one so you understand the basics of a gun, and then move up. Also, if you choose a gun of a bit higher caliber and are not going to use it for CCW, might I suggest a full sized vs. a compact? The fullsize are generally easier to control, and slightly more accurate, so you can raise that self-esteem at the range, and get your shooting mechanics down.

This board will help you. Welcome!
Albert
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ezeckial:
For this first (no prior experience) gun?
I'd get a .22 target pistol until you learn the in's and out's of shooting. They're cheap to shoot, fun, and great plinkers.
[/quote]

Personally, I like this response and others who have recommended the .22. Learn how to shoot, practice with whatever you can get your hands on, then decide what is best for you. There is no better tool than a .22 to learn the basics. They are cheap to purchase as well as the ammo. Once you have the basics down, everything you have learned on a .22 will be transferred to the higher caliber’s.

When I first started shooting, I practiced with nothing but a .22. Once I knew the basics, I can pick up just about any gun and have it perform exactly the way I want.

Most good shooters will recommend a .22 as a first handgun.


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Shooter's Enrichment Forum
 
What if the persons main interest is self defense?

What if the person is of limited financial means and really cant afford to buy a beginner .22 now, and then something more appropriate such as a .38 or a 9mm later?

Everything has to be put into perspective before the appropriate viable choice can be made.
 
I agree Dvc, if a person is limited to a one gun purchase, but who can stop with just one? :D

We will just have to wait for Cool Cat to fill us in.

While at the range yesterday shooting my target .22, one of the fellow shooters ask me if I was wearing ear protection. I was, and he continued to say, “I just wanted to check. I’m shooting a lot louder weapon than that thing you got.”

I think it is funny how my 41 is always a “thing”, a “play toy”, a "sissy gun." I’ve heard them all. They usually shut up with such nonsense when I out shoot them. Not with just my 22’s but whatever they want to play with. :D




[This message has been edited by LadydeeJ (edited April 29, 2000).]
 
i was in your position about half a year ago. i went shooting once and just fell in love with it, and decided i had to have a gun. i went around asking for people's opinions on what i should buy for my first gun. now the first time i shot, i shot my friend's glock 32 in 357 sig, and i liked it a lot, but my shooting really stank. my groups were all over the place, but i felt i had to get something in the same caliber. many people told me to start off with a .22 but i was pretty dead set on getting something in .357 sig (i had heard and read many great things about this load). being as stubborn as i am, i went ahead and purchased a sig 2340. it's a great gun and i got it at a great price. i had the gun i wanted in the caliber i wanted, but my shooting still sucked (because the .357 sig has a bit of recoil, i had developed a bad flinch which threw off my mechanics) i decided to take a private lesson from someone at a nearby shooting range, and he introduced me to all sorts of different guns and calibers that i had never shot. in the end, we ended up using a 22 for most of the time to tune up my mechanics, and it really carried over to all the other guns we ended up shooting, including my own. i realized that i had to get a 22...they're just as fun to shoot, the ammo is dirt cheap, and they do wonders for your shooting. i decided to go with a browning buckmark, which has become my primary choice when going to the range. my shooting has improved dramatically, and i now get to shoot more often because my ammo costs are next to nothing. my personal opinion to anyone is to start off with a 22 (just like the opinions of those guys i asked in the first place). get your mechanics down, and rent other guns every once in a while if you feel the urge to shoot something bigger. after a while, you'll gain a lot more experience and be able to make a good decision on your next purchase. in the long run, it will be well worth it. because of my stubborness, i didn't listen to anyone who told me to go with a 22, and my shooting suffered because of it. i'm still trying to get rid of that flinch, which the 22 has really helped me do, but every once in a while it comes back. i thought 22's were wuss guns because they were so weak and small, and i wanted something big and manly. i realize now that i was completely ignorant of the whole process of becoming a good shooter, which i'm picking up a little bit at a time each time i go to the range. in the long run, you'll appreciate that little 22 more than anything else!
 
Well, I think I should put a little more info about my intentions and why I'm getting into guns. First off, years ago when I was a freshman in high school, my father took me to the range with him while we were living overseas. I first shot a .357 using .38 Special ammo (Is this correct?). Then I shot his Glock 17 and I really liked how smooth it fired in comparison the the revolver, which has more "kick". Ever since then, I've been interested in getting a gun for myself... mostly for the sport of it, but also for self defense. That's why I was looking into a compact gun, but not subcompact (those 2 finger grips look like they would be uncomfortable). Because I wouldn't be able to upgrade anytime soon, I want to start out with either a 9mm or a .40, but from what I've been reading, 9mm ammo costs less so I guess that would be the better route. I've been looking at the Ruger P95 like some of you suggested, anyone know where I can get some more information on these and other Ruger models? Also, are there any good gun FAQs on the net besides the rec.gun FAQ? Thanks a million

Damien
 
Glock 19. 9mm is the best all around caliber. Easy to shoot. Cheap ammo. Modern personal defense 9mm will do the job.

Glock 19 is a perfect size - compact but not tiny. Concealable yet large enough to be accurate. Easy to shoot. Foolproof.

Just remember - pull the trigger and it goes boom.
 
If economics are a major consideration, the .22 might actually be a better choice for you. Consider that a trip to the range in which you shoot 200 rounds of 9mm will cost you about $25 at minimum (unless you reload your own). .45 ammo will cost at least $40. On the other hand, 500 rounds of .22 is about $15. With that kind of savings, you'll be more likely to afford another gun when you're ready, and you'll still be able to have a cheap trip to the range whenever you want.
 
I would start off with a good Ruger MkII or 22/45. The small ruger .22 pistols are accurate inexpensive a fairly reliable. Once you are comfortable with shooting one of those, then move on to something larger. Maybe a Berreta 92, or a Glock. Have fun, not to much fun or someone might get hurt :)
 
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