I've shot .22 and .357/38 special. I mostly like to just target shoot, I own a couple .22s, it's not much of a challenge for me anymore. Meanwhile .357s are too much kick for me. Maybe I don't have enough strength in my arms or something. Is there a popular caliber somewhere in between a .22 and a .357 that you would recommend? I'm going to a gun show today and I'd like to pick something up for a temporary carry piece between those two.
Novice needing caliber advice..
- Thread starter Lady
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I'm a BIG fan of a K-Frame 357. You can shoot .38 Special in it all day long and have a ball. It's more expensive to shoot than .22, but it's also more fun.
A 4" Model 66 would be perfect for an all around shooter. (Smith and Wesson stopped making these a few years back. The slightly larger L framed 686 would be a great alternative as well, provided your hands are big enough.)
In the Ruger offerings the GP 100 would be my preference.
These are bigger than the carry guns from either company, but they are very comfortable to shoot. Especially so for 38 Special.
If you're looking for a semi-auto, consider a full sized 9mm. The larger frame and slide help to keep the recoil manageable. My favorite is the Browning Hi-Power. But any of the full sized nines would be a nice option as well.
For cost of shooting, it's hard to beat 9mm or 38 special. Both are *relatively* cheaper to shoot.
A 4" Model 66 would be perfect for an all around shooter. (Smith and Wesson stopped making these a few years back. The slightly larger L framed 686 would be a great alternative as well, provided your hands are big enough.)
In the Ruger offerings the GP 100 would be my preference.
These are bigger than the carry guns from either company, but they are very comfortable to shoot. Especially so for 38 Special.
If you're looking for a semi-auto, consider a full sized 9mm. The larger frame and slide help to keep the recoil manageable. My favorite is the Browning Hi-Power. But any of the full sized nines would be a nice option as well.
For cost of shooting, it's hard to beat 9mm or 38 special. Both are *relatively* cheaper to shoot.
Do you know that you can shoot ("mild") .38 ammo from a ("strong") .357 Magnum revolver? It will handle both. (But the reverse isn't true... A .38 revolver will not shoot .357 Magnum ammo.)
Regarding a step up from .22 in automatics: .380's are popular (as in Ruger LCP and Bersa Thunder, for examples) ... Then 9mm is a step up from that. (Hundreds of choices).
Best is to go to a range that rents out handguns... Usually $10 per gun... Maybe try a few to get a feel for them unless you have friends who will let you shoot theirs a bit.
Regarding a step up from .22 in automatics: .380's are popular (as in Ruger LCP and Bersa Thunder, for examples) ... Then 9mm is a step up from that. (Hundreds of choices).
Best is to go to a range that rents out handguns... Usually $10 per gun... Maybe try a few to get a feel for them unless you have friends who will let you shoot theirs a bit.
dalegribble
New member
have you tried any 45 caliber handguns? the 45 acp or 45 lc (long colt) are much more comfortable for me to shoot than 357's which i just don't enjoy. the 45 acp is available in many semi auto configurations, my favorite being the 1911. the 45 lc can be had in either modern double action revolvers or my favoite, the western style single action six gun. if you have a chance to fire one or both of these calibers i think you may like them.
Kreyzhorse
New member
A Ruger GP or a S&W 686 in .357 are great choices. With the ability to shoot .38s, it makes a nice step up from shooting .22lrs.
lee n. field
New member
.38 Special.
.38 will work in any revolver that .357 will work in (but not vice versa), and is a lot tamer. At the bottom end, there are .38 "wadcutter" target loads -- absolute powderpuff stuff.
Since you are recoil sensative, I would suggest to look at a S&W L-Frame (686) .357 magnum, or Ruger GP-100 .357 magnum revolver and think in terms of shooting .38 Specials with it. I would also suggest keeping to 4", or 6" barrel length.
I have the S&W 686 4" barrel revolver and think .38 Specials shoot much like .22 magnum in my Ruger Single Six revolver. A little recoil, but not enough to pay much attention to.
The lighter and shorter the barrel you get in a particular caliber, the more recoil you will experience.
I have the S&W 686 4" barrel revolver and think .38 Specials shoot much like .22 magnum in my Ruger Single Six revolver. A little recoil, but not enough to pay much attention to.
The lighter and shorter the barrel you get in a particular caliber, the more recoil you will experience.
If you're not challenged by shooting a .22, then you're doing something wrong.
Move the target further away, try multiple targets, or get involved in competition. You are the most important part of shooting and you should be trying to stretch your ability.
Lots of cartridges have less recoil than the .357. In a full sized gun .45 Colt, 44 Special and .45acp, all have less felt recoil.
You should consider renting a few different guns.
6" S&W model 14 .38 special or a 4 inch L-frame.
5" 1911 9mm.
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I misunderstood OP. I was thinking target/plinking caliber/gun between a .22 and .357.
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For carry between .22 and .357 --- still 9mm or .38 but in a different/smaller handgun than mentioned above.
5" 1911 9mm.
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I misunderstood OP. I was thinking target/plinking caliber/gun between a .22 and .357.
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For carry between .22 and .357 --- still 9mm or .38 but in a different/smaller handgun than mentioned above.
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Food for thought...a .357 will be higher priced than a .38 but it may be close.
What are the advantages of a 'new' .357?
In a better quality brand, new, .357, you can expect a stronger frame and/or cylinder design. As you know, it will shoot .38, or .357. A non +P bullet in the .357 offers an excellent, stout round if you have self defense (SD) in mind, too. The +P has too much sting in that caliber for my taste.
+P .38 rounds in a .357 revolver offer another SD option.
What are the advantages of a 'new' .357?
In a better quality brand, new, .357, you can expect a stronger frame and/or cylinder design. As you know, it will shoot .38, or .357. A non +P bullet in the .357 offers an excellent, stout round if you have self defense (SD) in mind, too. The +P has too much sting in that caliber for my taste.
+P .38 rounds in a .357 revolver offer another SD option.
oneounceload
Moderator
For in between the 327 Magnum fits right in - shoot something as soft as the 32SW, 32 SWL, or step up a bit to the 32 H&R mag, on up to 357 equaling 327 magnum - all in one gun
Wow, thanks for all the replies. I'm not sure what some of the calibers are that were suggested to me as I am still very novice, but I have a much better idea of what I'm interested in now. I read as many replies as I could and did a little research before I left for the show, but I didn't have much time. And now that I'm not so rushed I can be more informative.
For those who are interested in my purchase:
A Star F Target Series, 1930-1940's, 7 inch barrel. It's pretty fun to shoot.
Most of the handguns I was interested in were just out of my price range, so I decided I'll go to the next show in a few weeks with a definite gun in mind. We went to the range after that. I tried to shoot my friend's .357 Smith & Wesson magnum again, with .38 specials. While I was much more accurate than any of my friends when firing it, after about 12 rounds my hands ached and arms felt tired. I decided to rent a baretta since I had been eyeing one at the show. I shot the PX4 Storm. (I think they were .45 ACP?) I was in love with it. Felt little recoil.
So, after all the events yesterday and after reading your replies I'm leaning toward a .38 special or something comparative to that baretta. I'm still looking around on the web for the right carry piece. I'm not leaning very hard toward a revolver but I'm also not excluding one. If anyone has any other suggestions I'd be very happy to read them as well.
I decided to go to the gun show with a few friends of mine that knew more about guns than I. Asked about a few calibers and revolvers, one baretta in particular caught my interest. My attention was mostly grabbed by .22s, (can't help it, love them), I wasted a lot of time with them and in the end I left with one.
For those who are interested in my purchase:
A Star F Target Series, 1930-1940's, 7 inch barrel. It's pretty fun to shoot.
Most of the handguns I was interested in were just out of my price range, so I decided I'll go to the next show in a few weeks with a definite gun in mind. We went to the range after that. I tried to shoot my friend's .357 Smith & Wesson magnum again, with .38 specials. While I was much more accurate than any of my friends when firing it, after about 12 rounds my hands ached and arms felt tired. I decided to rent a baretta since I had been eyeing one at the show. I shot the PX4 Storm. (I think they were .45 ACP?) I was in love with it. Felt little recoil.
What I meant was that I've mastered the feel of a .22, I can aim, shoot, and hit the target with ease; whereas the .357 wants to break my hands off my wrists, that's the challenge I was trying to convey. I agree with you, .22s are still very challenging skill-wise.
So, after all the events yesterday and after reading your replies I'm leaning toward a .38 special or something comparative to that baretta. I'm still looking around on the web for the right carry piece. I'm not leaning very hard toward a revolver but I'm also not excluding one. If anyone has any other suggestions I'd be very happy to read them as well.
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g.willikers
New member
Lady,
From the description of your range experiences, it sounds like an auto loader (semiauto) would be better.
Revolvers are kind of clumsy and hard to control, as compared to a flat and sleek auto.
And the action of the mechanics of semi autos does reduce the felt recoil.
Try a few more 9mm and see.
Don't choose just based on the caliber, the gun has much to do with how recoil is felt.
For example, 9mm guns usually recoil less than the small .380, and pocket sized .38s are harder to shoot than a full sized version.
If you get the chance, try a Smith & Wesson M&P semi auto, in 9mm.
It's one of the softest shooting 9s out there.
Hope this helps some.
From the description of your range experiences, it sounds like an auto loader (semiauto) would be better.
Revolvers are kind of clumsy and hard to control, as compared to a flat and sleek auto.
And the action of the mechanics of semi autos does reduce the felt recoil.
Try a few more 9mm and see.
Don't choose just based on the caliber, the gun has much to do with how recoil is felt.
For example, 9mm guns usually recoil less than the small .380, and pocket sized .38s are harder to shoot than a full sized version.
If you get the chance, try a Smith & Wesson M&P semi auto, in 9mm.
It's one of the softest shooting 9s out there.
Hope this helps some.
Thanks for your nice well-written report! Your Star Target .22 is interesting. You might like this link:
http://www.star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/f/index.shtml
It's cool that you liked the Beretta PX4 Storm. Only thing I'd like to mention is that... since you're new to carry... I suggest that you pay a lot of attention to weight while you're perusing the various choices. I'm maybe a little obsessive about weight but I've found, over time, that I really like light guns for carry. My lightest (Ruger LCP .380 with aftermarket 10-rd. mag) is only 14 oz. (loaded)! And most of my carry guns are in the very low 20's-oz. range. The PX4 Storms run between 26 and 29 oz. EMPTY... just to give you an idea. My main point is that, to me, carrying all the time is important... and my set-up HAS to be light and comfortable as possible so that it's not at all a "chore" but just something that's there that I don't even think about much. So... if you like autos... I suggest light single-stack polymers such as the Kahr CW series or the Walther PPS or the new Ruger LC9. In 9mm, these all run about 18-22 oz. empty and are nearly identical in size and in the same ballpark in cost too. Mostly what I'm saying is to beware of picking too-heavy of a gun that you may well get tired of lugging around. So I'm just suggesting to keep 20 oz. in mind as a general ballpark "target" and to be thinking... lighter rather than heavier. That's my thing. You may be different... Here's a link to a nice handgun search tool:
http://www.genitron.com/HandgunDB/DB-Search-Handguns.asp
PS: Even smaller and lighter is the just-out Kahr CM9 if you want to go in that direction... That'll probably be a little hard to find for awhile though. It's an economy version of the PM9.
http://www.star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/f/index.shtml
It's cool that you liked the Beretta PX4 Storm. Only thing I'd like to mention is that... since you're new to carry... I suggest that you pay a lot of attention to weight while you're perusing the various choices. I'm maybe a little obsessive about weight but I've found, over time, that I really like light guns for carry. My lightest (Ruger LCP .380 with aftermarket 10-rd. mag) is only 14 oz. (loaded)! And most of my carry guns are in the very low 20's-oz. range. The PX4 Storms run between 26 and 29 oz. EMPTY... just to give you an idea. My main point is that, to me, carrying all the time is important... and my set-up HAS to be light and comfortable as possible so that it's not at all a "chore" but just something that's there that I don't even think about much. So... if you like autos... I suggest light single-stack polymers such as the Kahr CW series or the Walther PPS or the new Ruger LC9. In 9mm, these all run about 18-22 oz. empty and are nearly identical in size and in the same ballpark in cost too. Mostly what I'm saying is to beware of picking too-heavy of a gun that you may well get tired of lugging around. So I'm just suggesting to keep 20 oz. in mind as a general ballpark "target" and to be thinking... lighter rather than heavier. That's my thing. You may be different... Here's a link to a nice handgun search tool:
http://www.genitron.com/HandgunDB/DB-Search-Handguns.asp
PS: Even smaller and lighter is the just-out Kahr CM9 if you want to go in that direction... That'll probably be a little hard to find for awhile though. It's an economy version of the PM9.
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A couple of guns - that I use for new shooters / grandkids ...
One is a 1911 frame semi-auto Kimber Tactical Pro II model in 9mm. It has an alloy frame, 4" barrel ...and its easy to shoot. The weight doesn't intimidate new shooters ... Mags hold either 9 or 10 rds depending on whose mags you use. The controls are easy to reach / and straight forward ...
Another gun that new shooters and the kids like - is a Sig Sauer 239 model in 9mm. The 239 model is a single stack / not double stack - so its more narrow. The stock grips are fine / but you can also add a Hogur rubber grip /which will absorb a little more recoil. Sigs controls are a little different than a 1911 ...with a decocker ...but still easy to use. In a Sig - I like the standard Double Action / Single Action trigger ( DA/SA).
For new shooters - even in 9mm ...I go to a lighter round. 115 grain bullets / and keep the velocity down. There is no need to shoot 124 grain or 147 grain bullets for a new shooter.
And either weapon /would be a good carry option as well...in my opinion.
One is a 1911 frame semi-auto Kimber Tactical Pro II model in 9mm. It has an alloy frame, 4" barrel ...and its easy to shoot. The weight doesn't intimidate new shooters ... Mags hold either 9 or 10 rds depending on whose mags you use. The controls are easy to reach / and straight forward ...
Another gun that new shooters and the kids like - is a Sig Sauer 239 model in 9mm. The 239 model is a single stack / not double stack - so its more narrow. The stock grips are fine / but you can also add a Hogur rubber grip /which will absorb a little more recoil. Sigs controls are a little different than a 1911 ...with a decocker ...but still easy to use. In a Sig - I like the standard Double Action / Single Action trigger ( DA/SA).
For new shooters - even in 9mm ...I go to a lighter round. 115 grain bullets / and keep the velocity down. There is no need to shoot 124 grain or 147 grain bullets for a new shooter.
And either weapon /would be a good carry option as well...in my opinion.
.327Fed .357sig...
Hello Lady:
I'd suggest the new .327Fed caliber for DA revolvers or the powerful .357sig for semi auto pistols.
If you plan to buy a new weapon for carry or protection, I'd get a simple DA only semi auto pistol in .357sig. A HK P2000sk or a SIG Sauer P239 DAK with night sights.
Clyde
Hello Lady:
I'd suggest the new .327Fed caliber for DA revolvers or the powerful .357sig for semi auto pistols.
If you plan to buy a new weapon for carry or protection, I'd get a simple DA only semi auto pistol in .357sig. A HK P2000sk or a SIG Sauer P239 DAK with night sights.
Clyde
I'd go with a 9mm pistol. There are several brands that are carry worthy. A new Ruger SR9c might work.
http://www.ruger.com/products/sr9c/models.html
http://www.ruger.com/products/sr9c/models.html