Looking for my first handgun

G

gtcolt

Inactive
Hey guys, I'm new here, and I'm just about to turn 21. Already having a few long guns, my 21st birthday is about to open a whole new horizon, but I can't figure out what to get.

I'm trying to spend around $350 on something used. I'm looking for something concealable with good stopping power. I like revolvers, but don't know a whole lot about how concealable they are. I'm currently thinking either a .357 revolver with a 4"ish barrel or something in .40 s&w. Budget is a big issue as I'm a poor college student and had to sell some stuff to get the budget i have. What do ya'll think?
 
Welcome to the forum

You will find a lot of great info here. I am not sure how much you have been around handguns so get to a range and ask some questions before you go a packn. Revolvers are great ccw but you have a huge variety. You also will with autos. Get to the range, take some classes if possible, get more knowledge before you go out and buy a gun. I have done it and then you sell it later and buy something else because it does not fit your needs.
Handguns are a lot of fun on the range or hunting but there is a lot to learn.

Good Luck!!
 
Ever read any books or articles by Masaad Ayoob?

Wish I had - first. Not because there are not other wise people. But because he is one of the wise and is very logical.

Here is one of several links:

Some Ayoob Stuff

His books have good info too.

My first handgun was a .44 special. The ammo selection was nothing to brag about then. I also tried a .45 ACP, .357 mag in four inch, and a .44 mag in four inch. Finally ended up with a .40 S&W semi-auto which is a marvelous round. Have seriously eyed the Ruger SP 101 small .357 many times.

If I could only have one handgun, pretty sure it would be the .40 S&W. With the right loads, it approaches the .357 threshold.

I think that comfort and affordability is very important. What can you afford to practice with, and what gun feels good to hold and to carry. Maybe pick a few calibers, then find the model that feels right.
 
Is there a range in your area that rents? If so, jump at the opportunit to try guns out.

You could look for a used Glock 23, .40 S&W. Reasonably concealable, fun and effective to shoot.

But, try lots of guns if you can, look around for what you want. Don't just buy yhe first thing you see.
 
That range idea is a very good tip.

Having just moved back to the Portland area last summer, I keep forgetting that I have a lifetime membership to The Place to Shoot indoor range. They rent firearms for a very small fee.
 
There are a couple ranges in the area that rent, but they don't have a very good selection of things to rent... mostly glock 17/19's, xd9's, and 1911's. My roommate has a glock 23, but it just doesn't feel right in my hand. I've looked a lot at the Taurus 65/66, but I can't decide which side is lying about their reliability, haha.

Also, does anyone have any experience with a kel tec p40? I saw one at a local shop today, but I can't seem to find much info about them.
 
if you are a poor college student you may want to re-evaluate your current selection of calibers... .357 magnum is running $54 per 50 and .40S&W is running $22 per 50 here right now... if you are poor and on a tight budget 9mm is the way to go...

I just got a BNIB Glock 19 for $360 shipped to my FFL WITHOUT a LE discount... but I'll never tell how :-P
 
First One

Take a look at the Hi-Point pistols. Most of these guys will say that are no good but I have 10 of them in different calibers at my range. I have never had a failure on one of them, and they have a real Lifetime warranty. For whwt you say you have to spend you could get two!!!
 
Take a hard look at Ruger. Get on gunbroker.com, and just search around a little to get familiar with prices, then rent some to see what you like. Trust me it will pay off. You might like how something feels in your hand nut get it home and find out you can't hit squat with it. Good luck, and welcome to the forum.

357 magnum is running $54 per 50
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Pardon me? I'm paying less than half that here in Delaware. Don't order ammo online.
 
Also, does anyone have any experience with a kel tec p40? I saw one at a local shop today, but I can't seem to find much info about them.
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NOT for a beginner. It is like a P-11 but chambered in .40 S&W. Not pleasant to shoot. I understand that they weren't KelTec's best offering, and they gave up on them. If you want something in that sort of package I'd go with the P-11 or PF-9 (which I have, I'm carrying it right now), but even then I wouldn't advise one for a beginner.

My advice for a beginner would be either a full size .22 (revolver or auto, your choice) or a medium frame .38 Spl or .357 Mag revolver. Use these to learn the basics. If you opt to go the .357 Mag route I'd suggest loading it with light target .38 Spls at first. Same thing if you opt for a .38. Yes, ammo is kinda pricey nowdays. That's one reason I reload, and even then it is more expensive than it used to be.

Ammo price and availability is one reason why I'd really suggest going the .22 route. That, and you'd be using the low recoil platform to build good habits. Low recoil, low(er) ammo price, somewhat better ammo availability. Upgrade to a more powerful platform after the Obambi ammo/gun bubble bursts.

...For whwt you say you have to spend you could get two!!!
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Or, more sanely, 1 and some ammo. Nowadays, not so much ammo. Assuming you can find any.
 
.357 magnum is running $54 per 50 and .40S&W is running $22 per 50 here right now
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Woah, that's ridiculous. 357 is only about $25 for 50 where I am and 40sw is something like $12 for 50. I keep hearing all these things about ammo shortages, but even though the Wal-marts are out of a lot of stuff here in GA, I can find about anything I want by making a couple different stops. Prices have already come back down a bit from what they were in December or January.

Ammo cost and availability is not a huge concern for me. That kind of thing just isn't that bad around here. A .22 is pretty much out, because I want something I can stake my life on. I've shot plenty of handguns, I've just never owned one. Hi-point I've heard too many horror stories about, and all the ones I've seen have that big, awkward looking slide that a skinny guy like me would have a hard time concealing when the time comes.

After looking around more today, I think it's down to a Taurus 65/66, Ruger SP101, Kel Tec P11, or Glock 23...
 
Also, does anyone have any experience with a kel tec p40?
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They sound like an awful handful (in both senses of awful).

In that price range, used S&W or Ruger wheelgun, 3 inch barrel if you can find it. 2 inch is a snub, not easy to shoot. New Taurus wheelgun can be had in that price range, but they're more of a crapshoot.

And, you're aware, aren't you, that you can shoot .38 special in a gun chambered for .357 Magnum (but not vice versa).

Used Ruger P series auto. 9mm and .45 are more findable than .40.

In your $350, don't forget to budget for ammo, extra magazines, holster, etc.

A S&W Sigma might be had new in your price range. Their reputation is for not-so-wonderful triggers.
 
I think it's down to a Taurus 65/66, Ruger SP101, Kel Tec P11, or Glock 23...
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You said you hated how the Glock felt... why the reversal?

Taurus 65/66 and Ruger SP101 are totally different revolvers and in totally different classes of reliability.

I own a lot of guns. I have 6 revolvers. I only have one .357, and in 8 years of gun ownership I have yet to justify the purchase of another .357.

I have a 3" Ruger SP101 on my hip right now. I can hit a carboard chest-sized target at 50 yards off hand with it. It is heavy enough to absorb some of the recoil of full power .357 loads, but is light enough to comfortably carry IWB.

The closest thing to a failure it has ever had was a friend shooting it and he shortstroked the trigger since he was used to a different style of trigger.

I'd suggest either a 3" SP101, or a 4" Security Six (used) if you can find one.
 
350 hmm. Gun shows sell used police guns for about 400 with 3 mags, the gun and the case, and even 2 boxes of ammo. That is what I saw last week at the gun show in my town. It might be a good idea for you to go to one and shop around. S&W .40's that I have seen there were going for 350 before tax, and that is the cheapest I saw it. My first and only right now is my P345. As a college student to another, if you can burn the extra 150 and get a new one for around 500. There is nothing wrong with used, but with new you get warranty, specific time to take it back if you don't like it(not all stores) and you don't have to worry about it busting on you. Picked up my 345 for 500 out the door brand spankin new. Glock would be out of your price range new or used, so idk what to say about that.
 
Hi,
I will be a new gun owner shortly. I am probably going with the new S&W Sigma, 9mm. The one constant complaint I hear is the heavy trigger pull, but I am looking forward to my new hobby.

Sal
 
Why not rethink your strategy?

Buy a new .22LR (Ruger 22/45). Bulk up on cheap ammo so you can shoot often and become more proficient.

.357 ammo is too expensive; you'll blow your budget in minutes on a used gun.
 
Got a Glock 26,30 and 36. Like them all and can completly rebuild them after 30 minutes of readind or DVD whicever you prefer. Great reliability and good accuracy.
 
Thanks for all the input guys.

In that price range, used S&W or Ruger wheelgun, 3 inch barrel if you can find it. 2 inch is a snub, not easy to shoot. New Taurus wheelgun can be had in that price range, but they're more of a crapshoot.
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I saw a Taurus 605 in blue with a 3" barrel today that I liked, fit in the budget too.

I'd suggest either a 3" SP101, or a 4" Security Six (used) if you can find one.
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Also say a Service Six that I could afford, which I think is the same thing with different grips(?) The guy at the store said it would be hard to conceal, but I think he was just trying to point me in the direction of something more expensive.

I changed my mind on the Glock because of a handy rubber slip over for the grip that was cheap and made it feel MUCH better to me.

Tomorrow I'm headed to a former favorite gun store of mine to see what they've got, and if I can't find something better, I'll probably end up with the Taurus 605.
 
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