*INTRO* and newbie question
- Thread starter CoolCatUM
- Start date
You've already received much good advice, and are doing what was extremely helpful to me (just purchased my first handgun two weeks ago); that is, participating in this discussion list. Skim through all the various forums on this list, even those that may not at first look like they'll have anything of value. There are 'nuggets' of good information everywhere. I found this site using a web search engine, and I believe it to be one of the most comprehensive and helpful.
I live in an area where rental of handguns is not a realistic option, as the closest range is 4 hours away. I did visit as many shops as I could find, and handled a lot of handguns. I ended up buying what felt good in my hands, reasoning that if it didn't feel good in a 'static' condition, it wouldn't feel good during live shooting (since confirmed by range time). I went against conventional wisdom, which was strongly behind getting a revolver as a first handgun, and bought a .40 caliber semi-automatic. I also heard a lot of convincing voices recommending a .22 purchase. Though I hope to buy more handguns, I decided to buy what I feel will be very suitable for various uses if this one is the only one. Not too big, not too small in size and caliber, excellent reputation of both company and product, a good set of features without seeming like a compromise; it's a Sig P229. Future purchases, if any, will probably be other makes and calibers, just so I can get more hands on experience of all the choices that are out there.
Though I had shot handguns many years ago, I also took a personal protection handgun course. This was very helpful, would recommend it to any new shooter, and in fact helped focus my decision of what to purchase. We had simulators with Sig and Glock sa's, and live fire with a Smith revolver. The sa's felt much more balanced in my hands.
If you follow any of the consensus recommendations from this list, and get what feels good to you, you will have made a good purchase.
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"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." Albert Einstein
I live in an area where rental of handguns is not a realistic option, as the closest range is 4 hours away. I did visit as many shops as I could find, and handled a lot of handguns. I ended up buying what felt good in my hands, reasoning that if it didn't feel good in a 'static' condition, it wouldn't feel good during live shooting (since confirmed by range time). I went against conventional wisdom, which was strongly behind getting a revolver as a first handgun, and bought a .40 caliber semi-automatic. I also heard a lot of convincing voices recommending a .22 purchase. Though I hope to buy more handguns, I decided to buy what I feel will be very suitable for various uses if this one is the only one. Not too big, not too small in size and caliber, excellent reputation of both company and product, a good set of features without seeming like a compromise; it's a Sig P229. Future purchases, if any, will probably be other makes and calibers, just so I can get more hands on experience of all the choices that are out there.
Though I had shot handguns many years ago, I also took a personal protection handgun course. This was very helpful, would recommend it to any new shooter, and in fact helped focus my decision of what to purchase. We had simulators with Sig and Glock sa's, and live fire with a Smith revolver. The sa's felt much more balanced in my hands.
If you follow any of the consensus recommendations from this list, and get what feels good to you, you will have made a good purchase.
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"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." Albert Einstein
I've been thinking about what gun I'm going to get first when I turn 21 20 months from now. (hey, you can never plan too early!). I'm in the same boat you are basically. From everything I've read, I would buy a Glock 19 if I only had $500 or less. I'm probably going to get myself a HKP7M8 for my first gun. I can afford 9mm ammo. I think economics plays an important part. I plan to use my gun for home defense, CCW, and target shooting.
First off, I would suggest taking a Basic Firearms Safety class. You will have an instructor teach you about gun saftey, basic shooting techniques, and get some range time with a couple of handguns.
Second, if you are confident that you want to go through with purchasing a gun (believe it or not, some people change their mind), join a range and become a member. Why ? Members often get benefits like renting guns for free, each shooting session will be much cheaper than if you were a nonmember, and in the long run you will eventually have saved a lot of money that can be used towards your first purchase. Membership at my range was a hundred bucks per year with free rentals and a discount on ammo. Since then I have probably saved hmmm.. (one sec) about $300 in 6 months time. Not the lottery but a good chunk of cash.
Thirdly, after you have tried everything and know what you want, go out and get a Glock 19.
Good luck.
Second, if you are confident that you want to go through with purchasing a gun (believe it or not, some people change their mind), join a range and become a member. Why ? Members often get benefits like renting guns for free, each shooting session will be much cheaper than if you were a nonmember, and in the long run you will eventually have saved a lot of money that can be used towards your first purchase. Membership at my range was a hundred bucks per year with free rentals and a discount on ammo. Since then I have probably saved hmmm.. (one sec) about $300 in 6 months time. Not the lottery but a good chunk of cash.
Thirdly, after you have tried everything and know what you want, go out and get a Glock 19.
Good luck.Welcome to the board Cool, Alot of good advice given here. And may I suggest you may want to take a look at the Beretta Cougar series. They are some fine guns and they come in compact versions also 
But there is nothing wrong with anything that has been mentioned above. Just try it out and make sure it fits you.
Happy Shooting
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We preserve our freedoms by using four boxes: soap,ballot,jury, and cartridge.
Anonymous
But there is nothing wrong with anything that has been mentioned above. Just try it out and make sure it fits you. Happy Shooting
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We preserve our freedoms by using four boxes: soap,ballot,jury, and cartridge.
Anonymous
Gunslinger
Moderator
I can't ad anything to the excellent (typical of TFL) advice you have already received but would simply like to say Welcome to the board and encourage you to hang around. This is a great place to learn for "newbies" and "old salts" alike
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Gunslinger
TFL End of Summer Meet, August 12th & 13th, 2000
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Gunslinger
TFL End of Summer Meet, August 12th & 13th, 2000
I don't have the experience of most of the the people
on this site, but that won't stop me from offering advice.
My advice is rent, rent, rent.
I am in a simliar situation, and they rent most
of the kinds of guns I would think of buying.
I can rent for $5 - $7, and shoot the pistol I'm
interested in once a week for three months for $60 - $75.
That seems like a heck of a deal to me. My son and
I have shot a Walther P99, Browning Hi-Power,
some Ruger auto (P-95?), S & W 686, Ruger GP
100,
H & K P7M8, and I forget what else.
Our favorite so far is the SIG 226. I think this
Friday, we'll shoot a SIG 299 .357 SIG.
I think that one of the reasons that renting seems
like a pretty good idea is that in most new hobbies,
your opinions/testes change most rapidly when you're
starting out. Most of what we have been shooting
has been .38's and 9mm. Last week we shot a .40
(the SIG 226). The first time I shot a .40, I hated
the recoil, and thought I really preferred a 9mm.
After three or four months of shooting, the recoil
of the .40 turns out to be a non-issue. So when I
started out, I would never have considered a .40 pistol.
Now I really like the 226. If I'd bought, I'd be
stuck with a 9mm for a couple of years (I don't
think my budget will allow me to purchase at the
rate some posters seem to purchase). This Friday,
I am going to check out a .357 SIG. The good news
is, like it or not, the pistol will cost me $7.
So the advice from the (very) cheap seats,is rent,
rent, rent. The down side to renting (for me) is
that the range I go to doesn't rent some of the
guns I'm really interested in (Beretta Cougar).
Even so, as far experiencing different calibres,
etc., it's still worthwhile.
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ahlan wa sahlan
PCV Yemen 1984-86
on this site, but that won't stop me from offering advice
.My advice is rent, rent, rent.
I am in a simliar situation, and they rent most
of the kinds of guns I would think of buying.
I can rent for $5 - $7, and shoot the pistol I'm
interested in once a week for three months for $60 - $75.
That seems like a heck of a deal to me. My son and
I have shot a Walther P99, Browning Hi-Power,
some Ruger auto (P-95?), S & W 686, Ruger GP
100,
H & K P7M8, and I forget what else.
Our favorite so far is the SIG 226. I think this
Friday, we'll shoot a SIG 299 .357 SIG.
I think that one of the reasons that renting seems
like a pretty good idea is that in most new hobbies,
your opinions/testes change most rapidly when you're
starting out. Most of what we have been shooting
has been .38's and 9mm. Last week we shot a .40
(the SIG 226). The first time I shot a .40, I hated
the recoil, and thought I really preferred a 9mm.
After three or four months of shooting, the recoil
of the .40 turns out to be a non-issue. So when I
started out, I would never have considered a .40 pistol.
Now I really like the 226. If I'd bought, I'd be
stuck with a 9mm for a couple of years (I don't
think my budget will allow me to purchase at the
rate some posters seem to purchase). This Friday,
I am going to check out a .357 SIG. The good news
is, like it or not, the pistol will cost me $7.
So the advice from the (very) cheap seats,is rent,
rent, rent. The down side to renting (for me) is
that the range I go to doesn't rent some of the
guns I'm really interested in (Beretta Cougar).
Even so, as far experiencing different calibres,
etc., it's still worthwhile.
------------------
ahlan wa sahlan
PCV Yemen 1984-86
FEG Hi-Power copy (PJK9HP) should run you around $200, hi-cap mags have been in production since 1935 and it will use them all. Finish isn't as 'pretty" as a true Browning but they shoot like a dream. I put and extended safety on mine and a houge monogrip.. and i'll be disconnecting the magazine safety.. but RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX these guns are superb.
Dr.Rob
Dr.Rob