Lost Sheep
New member
Thanks for asking
First of all, there are no stupid questions. In fact, your questions show you to possess wisdom and insight...and enough modesty to ask and to not let ego interfere with judgment. A good trait, especially good in a gun owner.
Now, however, I usually recommend 22 rimfire. It's cheap, it allows you to get to the range for good practice time. Being at the range allows you to rub elbows with and gain the wisdom of well-informed gun owners of all types of weapons (and if you are seen to be respectful of your own equipment, and theirs, often get the chance to take a few practice shots with a wider variety of weapons than any of us could ever hope to own). Much as you could get from a Weapons Class, but in a more relaxed settings.
If I could afford to get a 22 rimfire to match every centerfire weapon I owned, I would do it. Practice is cheaper, developing a flinch is not an issue and having a matched pair of anything is neat.
So, I recommend 22 rimfire bullets, and a gun to shoot them from. (even if I do repeat myself)
Unasked-for advice: Whatever you get, get something adequate for good target work. If you can hit the target consistently with good, tight groups you will be encouraged rather than discouraged to practice. Shooting is not only for self-defense, but a darned good sport, too. The more you practice the better defended you will be and the more fun you will have. Also, the more confident you will be with your gun.
If I didn't make the point before, get a good, target-quality 22 rimfire. Smith & Wesson 22 revolver, or auto; Browning Buckmark; Ruger Mark III or Mark II (Used). A decent Taurus (reputation spotty, but my 4 Tauri are all good). If you don't think its worth it, figure you want to run 100 bullets twice a month through a centerfire pistol. Add up the cost (of both the gun and the ammunition) over 2 years. Then figure you might be able to run 400 bullets a month through a (less costly) good, accurate 22 rimfire pistol and have a REALLY good time at it. Add up THAT cost. In 2 years you will likely be a really good shot and will have saved enough money in ammunition costs to buy a second, centerfire pistol of your liking. And you will have seen enough other guns at the range and talked to enough other gun owners to have made a well-informed opinion of what will likely fill your needs and desires.
You will have to do the cost calculations, as your local prices will be different than mine.
Win-win.
Lost Sheep
p.s.
Now I will make a judgement. If you can't practice at least that much (above) you should reconsider owning a handgun. Long guns are a LOT easier to master than handguns. Handguns take MUCH practice, and on a continuing basis. On the other hand, practice is a heck of a lot of fun.
p.p.s.
When you do get the centerfire, consider a reloading setup. It cuts ammo cost by 50% to 80% or more, depending. My friend's 500 S&W costs $2.50 to $3.50 per shot, retail. We reload for 70 cents each. Savings on 9mm is slimmer, but the satisfaction of being independent of retail ammo shortages is priceless. And reloading is a relaxing pastime in an of itself if you are amenable to it.
Welcome to the forum and thanks for asking our adviceActionJacksonNJ said:
First of all, there are no stupid questions. In fact, your questions show you to possess wisdom and insight...and enough modesty to ask and to not let ego interfere with judgment. A good trait, especially good in a gun owner.
So sorry you have to do that.
The more knowledge you have when you step into a gun store with money in your hand, the better. I would recommend it unless you already have some experience with different types of guns and have developed a strong preference. Even then, I would still recommend it.
My shooting buddy had one of those (package deal with the purchase of a larger revolver). I did not like the heaviness of the trigger pull. You might like it or get used to it; but I would try several different guns before I spent hard-earned money or difficult-to-come-by permission to get a gun with which I was not both confident and comfortable.
That depends on how confident you are with online buying. Local, sole proprietor retail outlets' prices are usually higher than mail-order, internet, or chain store prices; but a local guy figures he is investing in a loyal customer. You can learn a lot from an honorable retailer if he is trustworthy and the prices are not that prohibitive. Get references to good gun shops when you take your local NRA class.
See the above
When I bought my first gun, I also bought a reloading setup. I knew I could not afford to shoot enough to get good practice or even to justify having a gun if I had to buy retail ammo. So, I got hard-cast lead because that was the most economical and available.
Now, however, I usually recommend 22 rimfire. It's cheap, it allows you to get to the range for good practice time. Being at the range allows you to rub elbows with and gain the wisdom of well-informed gun owners of all types of weapons (and if you are seen to be respectful of your own equipment, and theirs, often get the chance to take a few practice shots with a wider variety of weapons than any of us could ever hope to own). Much as you could get from a Weapons Class, but in a more relaxed settings.
If I could afford to get a 22 rimfire to match every centerfire weapon I owned, I would do it. Practice is cheaper, developing a flinch is not an issue and having a matched pair of anything is neat.
So, I recommend 22 rimfire bullets, and a gun to shoot them from. (even if I do repeat myself)
Unasked-for advice: Whatever you get, get something adequate for good target work. If you can hit the target consistently with good, tight groups you will be encouraged rather than discouraged to practice. Shooting is not only for self-defense, but a darned good sport, too. The more you practice the better defended you will be and the more fun you will have. Also, the more confident you will be with your gun.
If I didn't make the point before, get a good, target-quality 22 rimfire. Smith & Wesson 22 revolver, or auto; Browning Buckmark; Ruger Mark III or Mark II (Used). A decent Taurus (reputation spotty, but my 4 Tauri are all good). If you don't think its worth it, figure you want to run 100 bullets twice a month through a centerfire pistol. Add up the cost (of both the gun and the ammunition) over 2 years. Then figure you might be able to run 400 bullets a month through a (less costly) good, accurate 22 rimfire pistol and have a REALLY good time at it. Add up THAT cost. In 2 years you will likely be a really good shot and will have saved enough money in ammunition costs to buy a second, centerfire pistol of your liking. And you will have seen enough other guns at the range and talked to enough other gun owners to have made a well-informed opinion of what will likely fill your needs and desires.
You will have to do the cost calculations, as your local prices will be different than mine.
Win-win.
Lost Sheep
p.s.
Now I will make a judgement. If you can't practice at least that much (above) you should reconsider owning a handgun. Long guns are a LOT easier to master than handguns. Handguns take MUCH practice, and on a continuing basis. On the other hand, practice is a heck of a lot of fun.
p.p.s.
When you do get the centerfire, consider a reloading setup. It cuts ammo cost by 50% to 80% or more, depending. My friend's 500 S&W costs $2.50 to $3.50 per shot, retail. We reload for 70 cents each. Savings on 9mm is slimmer, but the satisfaction of being independent of retail ammo shortages is priceless. And reloading is a relaxing pastime in an of itself if you are amenable to it.
Last edited: