NuB gun cal ?

I recently got into handguns about a year ago.
Found this site when I was looking for info before buying.
I'm prior service & grew up in the country hunting small game ,so most of my exprience has been with rifles up until recently.
I had shot 38 & 45 handguns of my dad & family when I was younger ,but loved rifles more.
Well ,since hanging out with these great guys \ gals , & a few handguns later , their info has been great.
My first purchase of a handgun was a 38 Tarus revovler.
It was a nice gun to learn basics with ,then my others have been semi autos.
First semi auto was a Bersa 380 , simple , accurate, good pricing too.
If you plan on getting a chl , maybe a semi such as a nine mm or 380 would be a great start for you.
Either way , happy shooting ! :cool:
 
Self-defense or range shooting, I'd recommend a 9mm pistol. Ammo is comparatively cheap and it's an excellent self-defense round.

Your next best bet is to get a revolver chambered in .357. You could get one in .38, but why? You can typically get a .357 for close to the same price, and then you have the capacity to shoot .357 and .38 out of the same gun.

Any thoughts on what kind of gun you'd like?
 
9mm is cheap! CHEAP!, ARRRGH!!!!!!!

I get so sick of hearing that. :mad: No centerfire ammo is cheap these days! What practice 9mm is, is less expensive than other centerfire calibers.

Your first handgun should be a .22 LR. A decent .22 costs less than a decent centerfire handgun (high end models are more expensive). .22LR ammo is the "cheapest" ammo on the planet.

You can learn the basics of sight picture, trigger pull, proper grip, and care and maint of the handgun with a .22, and without the blast and recoil that puts many beginners off. You can actually affored to shoot it enough to practice, and develope these important skills properly. Plus, its fun!

As a Plus, you can sell it when you don't want it any more, and get most of your money back out of it, assuming you haven't trashed the gun. And if you have trashed it as part of your "learning curve", its better to have done it with a .22 than a much more expensive centerfire.
 
What do you want the gun for? Concealed carry, home defense, woods protection, range/target? Specifics would be helpful.
 
Get a .22 first ie a Ruger Mk II, For home defense get a cheap used shotgun.

In the mean time take as many classes in firearm handling as you can. Rent and shoot as many handguns as you can afford.

Once you have the .22 mastered, or at least figured out, get a centerfire handgun.

It's not a race, take your time.
 
get so sick of hearing that. No centerfire ammo is cheap these days! What practice 9mm is, is less expensive than other centerfire calibers.

Your first handgun should be a .22 LR. A decent .22 costs less than a decent centerfire handgun (high end models are more expensive). .22LR ammo is the "cheapest" ammo on the planet.
Click to expand...

Sorry but I disagree. While I started with a Ruger 22/45, I was looking at a 9mm very shortly after, especially as crime in my area was sky high. There's absolutely nothing wrong with a 9mm as a first pistol.
 
tjpratt,

"Self defense" is a pretty broad category. Home defense, concealed carry, ect. Without specifics, it's impossible to narrow down your choices. Before purchasing anything, you need to give a lot of thought to how this gun is going to be used. Without specifics, then every handgun made is on your list at this point.

But a few general questions can be answered:

NO , .357 Magnum and .32 are not fired from the same gun.

If you want a major-caliber center fire pistol, and a lot of us do, including first timers - and if you'd also like it shoot a lot, which you should do while learning the ropes. Then 9mm is the best choice. Practice ammo is cheap, relative to other center-fire pistols. It's also a very formidable self-defense gun. It's a caliber that probably won't leave you feeling like you need to 'step up" to something else.

If on the other hand you want to go to the range and have a fun shooting all the time, and be learning a lot about shooting as you're doing it. Get a .22lr. A small 8 shot revolver, or a semi auto, which ever you prefer. More fun for the buck than any caliber ever made. Not the ideal self defense round, but it WILL do in a pinch. No one wants to be shot with even a .22, criminal or otherwise.
 
I carry a .45 but at the range I usually shoot my Ruger .22
I can shoot 500 rounds of .22 for less than the price of 50 rounds of .45
 
Get a .22 - Ruger Mark II or a revolver. You will shoot a lot more and it will be great as an affordable plinker even after you pick up a centerfire pistol.
 
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