Our first handgun

M

Model700

New member
This might be a touch long-winded, but hear me out.

I say ‘ours’ because my wife and I will be sharing it. I am not new to firearms (I own hunting rifles, a HD shotgun, and a blackpowder revolver). I have shot 50 rounds out of a friends .40 Ruger P91D and at least a couple magazines of another friends service .40 Glock 22. So I still consider myself a newbie to semi-auto pistols. My wife can’t remember ever if she has fired a firearm. For a number of years I have wanted to own a centerfire handgun, but have never had the extra money to do so. Recently my wife had stated that she wanted to learn how to shoot a handgun (she has no interest in rifles). So of course I jumped all over that and went into ‘research’ mode.

In my research and talking to trusted gun-owning friends, a DA/SA revolver might be the best first handgun for some folks. Basic design, ease of use, if a round doesn’t go off, simply pull the trigger again for the next round. For defense purposes, I know that proper training (and lots of it) should be done whether it is a revolver or semi-auto, but I would think that for a non-gun person who wants a handgun for defense, the revolver would be the better choice.

In our situation, I like guns and would enjoy learning to shoot a handgun and practicing as much as I can as money allows for ammo. I would shoot enough to trust myself to be proficient enough to defend my family and myself. My wife would like to shoot occasionally, but not near as much as I would…at least I don’t think so. She doesn’t want to CC or to necessarily defend herself with a gun. She just wants to shoot for fun. I would really like for her to be able to handle a gun to defend herself…but I won’t force her. The ‘defending’ of my family is my responsibility. I do realize that I’m not with her (or my daughter) at all times. Also, I would intend to get my CCW permit. So the handgun would be for plinking/target, home defense (have the Winchester Defender also) and later on possible CC on my person or in my vehicle (CCW permit required in the state where I live). I think that a handgun with a 4” barrel and full 3 finger grip is what we would want. I know that something smaller (barrel and grip) would be better for CC. I live in the country, and work from home so I’m not out and about in town very much. With the CCW permit, I’d have a gun in my vehicle or with me when in the woods mostly. There are times when I’m in one of our bigger towns or cities that I’d be carrying. A .22 handgun for my wife (and for me to :)) would be great, but my ‘gun money’ is limited, so one gun will have to cover all bases for quite a while. Realistically I will be doing most of the shooting, but I still want a handgun that my wife will enjoy shooting. I think a 9mm DAO semi-auto would work for us since I’m willing to ‘learn’ to use a semi-auto properly and proficiently compared to a revolver. Since I plan on doing a lot of shooting, I believe that 9mm ammo will be the easiest on my wallet (compared to .38 Spl. in a revolver).

I had in my mind all figured out down to the exact handgun I want to buy…but then I started reading about what is recommended for a ‘first handgun’. So I just want to make sure I’m not missing anything in my thought process for my situation. In my mind right now I’m weighing the higher cost of .38 Spl. to 9mm ammo (the more boxes/quantity the bigger the price spread), the ‘slimmer/flatter’ profile of a semi-auto, and the basic design and ease of use of a revolver compared to a semi-auto (more for my wife’s sake). I would sum up my wife as a non-gun person who would like to try shooting for fun occasionally. I truly believe that I like guns enough that I could be focused enough to learn to shoot and operate a semi-auto proficiently.

So, is my reasoning sound for a semi-auto over a revolver for my situation? Or is more info needed for a comment/reply?

Kevin
 
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So the handgun would be for plinking/target, home defense (have the Winchester Defender also) and later on possible CC on my person or in my vehicle (CCW permit required in the state where I live). I think that a handgun with a 4” barrel and full 3 finger grip is what we would want.
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My first thought was that a S&W Model 10 would be just about perfect and if you were interested in a revolver that's where I would point you. I will say that most of the women that I know that have fired a .38 revolver have really enjoyed it so since you are shopping for one gun for both of you don't discount that revolver. You can always add a 9mm later on if you find that you really enjoy shooting a handgun.

Really it's going to come down to how much you plan to shoot and what your ammo budget is like. I always plan to shoot a couple hundred rounds a week but it usually only ends up being about 100-200 rounds a month total (rifle, handgun and shotgun) so maybe 50 rounds of handgun ammo a month. Keep in mind that .38 ammo goes on sale fairly regularly at Dicks and Gander Mtn so if you shop smart you can get ammo fairly reasonably priced. My advice is go find a reputable gun shop with your wife and see what's comfortable for both of you, handle everything that looks good to you until you find the right gun. Anyone can learn to shoot a semi-auto, sure there's more training that needs to go into it but that's half the fun. In the end 9mm or .38 it isn't going to make much of a difference either way as long as you're proficient with it and you know how to handle any malfunction that may come your way, both cartridges are well respect defense rounds and both make pretty good plinkers.

Stu
 
Honestly you should probably take your wife out to shoot some rental or friends guns. You don't want to end up buying a gun you think she will like, only to find out she doesn't care for it at all and now has no interest anymore.

Call up some ranges in your area. Find out if any of them do rentals where you can pay a one time fee and then use any of their guns, one at a time of course. It can be quite profitable for them if you have to buy a bunch of ammo from them too, so some places do it.

After doing so you may find out she loves the Ruger Mark III .22lr, or maybe she will really like a .45 colt Single Action Army replica (Colt model 1873, Peacemaker, etc.). Whatever she likes, either get that, or come back here and find out more about similar guns and find somewhere that will let you rent those for her. Once you find the right thing get it for her. Then, if it is not a gun you want to carry, get your own gun later. The point is, focus on her. Make sure she is happy. Doing so will increase her interest in shooting, and maybe even help you to get her to transition to rifles as well. A shared interest can also be quite good for the relationship, so don't mess up the opportunity by not making sure you get something she already likes.
 
From reading your post, it sounds like YOU want a semi-auto, but feel like maybe a revolver would be better for your wife?

My advice is, rather than go with forum advice, take your wife out and either rent a few different guns, or see if you can borrow them from friends. There's no substitute for her input if the gun is to be shared with her.

You seem to feel like a revolver is better suited to a newbie, while a semi-auto is suited more to an experienced shooter. In truth, nothing could be farther from the truth. I've been shooting all of my life, have owned and shot many semi-autos, and I still prefer a good revolver.

Seriously, at least take your wife to a gunshop and let her look, handle, and discover what she prefers. Remember that, as the primary shooter, you should be able to adapt to her preference easier than she can adapt to your's. I speak from experience on this. A semi-auto with a large grip may be hard for her to handle, and she won't have the experience to compensate. Make sure she can rack the slide, reach the trigger (especially important on a DA of any kind), and do so with some level of reasonableness.

IOW, if you're lucky enough that your wife wants to learn to shoot, make sure you make it as comfortable as you can for her. :) The results of having your wife for a lifelong shooting partner are priceless, and you can always get something that's "your" gun later.

Daryl
 
Bang on great replies folks! Thanks!

I’m slowly coming around to where my thought process was a few months ago…to start with a revolver in .357.

I started there, but then got to reading about and looking at semi-autos and figured that I could want to shoot enough to be proficient with one. Then my wife made the ‘statement’ (about wanting to shoot)…but I still figured that she could learn on a semi-auto. She handled a friends Hi-Point .380, which she could rack the slide, but she didn’t like the short grip (she has bigger hands than I thought). She also handled another friends Springfield XD-M .40 and generally liked the way it felt (I can’t remember if she tried racking the slide on it). My wife is pretty feisty and pretty strong, so I don’t think she’d have trouble racking most slides. Her and I even went into an Academy Sports and handled a Ruger SR9 and a Sig P250. The P250 grip felt to big for her, but she really liked the SR9 grip. By myself I went to a LGS and handled a Ruger P95, S&W Sigma, S&W M&P and Springfield XD-9. To save you all from my entire ‘previous’ thought process, I was all set to put a XD-9 on layaway (from an online gun shop) in the next month or so…but before that, I was going to have her shoot a friend’s Colt Woodsman .22, another friends Beretta 9mm (not sure what model) and the friends XD-M .40 that I mentioned earlier. Then I started ‘reading and thinking’ again, and started this thread to get some advice.

Daryl is bang on in that ‘I’ want a semi-auto…but better judgement, better sense (whatever you want to call it) tells me to go with a revolver. Regarding my wife, arentol made a good point:
The point is, focus on her. Make sure she is happy. Doing so will increase her interest in shooting, and maybe even help you to get her to transition to rifles as well. A shared interest can also be quite good for the relationship, so don't mess up the opportunity by not making sure you get something she already likes.
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Also what Daryl said is very true…and I have thought about that already:
Remember that, as the primary shooter, you should be able to adapt to her preference easier than she can adapt to your's.
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Since I am a very practical person, I would have more ‘use’ for a revolver as my only gun right now. I want this ‘gun’ thing to work out for her. She wouldn’t probably want to go shooting with me all the time, but just that she enjoys the times she does. You’re all very right about including her in the gun selection…the way I know her, that will mean something to her. Since I am a very practical person, when I REALLY think about it and be realistic, a DA/SA revolver in .357 as my only gun right now would be best. My wife and I (and when my daughter gets old enough) can learn with .38 Spl’s, SA plinking/target shooting, shooting the proper .357 loads I’m sure I could shoot a deer if I wanted to, self/home defense with .357 loads (or proper .38 Spl. +P loads), CC when needed, and for the woods and camping if I’m in an area where there might be larger critters that could harm my family or myself. I’ll add that my dear mom-in-law (widowed) said one time recently that she should learn to shoot...another reason. I know that everything mentioned could be done with a 9mm semi-auto (I wouldn’t deer hunt with one), but I believe that the revolver would somehow suit ‘us’ better. As has been said…I could get what ‘I’ want (XD-9) later when funds allow. And about the difference in ammo costs (9mm vs .38), I could do as Stu suggested and watch for ammo sales.

Another ‘reason’ that ‘I’ want a semi-auto is that in AR (it might be this way in other states also) for the CCW permit, I can qualify with a semi-auto and an carry a revolver also. But if I qualify with a revolver, I can only carry a revolver. If we do get a revolver, I can borrow my friends .22 semi-auto to qualify with to be able to carry both.

‘Locally’ (within about 60 miles), I know of one gun range that rents handguns (9mm Glocks). If I go to the Dallas area (4 hours away) or Little Rock area (3 hours away), I would probably find a range that would rent guns. I still would like her to shoot my friends semi-auto guns that I have mentioned just to see how she likes shooting period...and I think she will. As for revolvers, we’ll just have to find a gun shop and handle/fondle what I’m thinking would be the gun that will work for us…the new Ruger SP101 KSP-431X (.357, 4.20” barrel, adjustable rear sight). We/I haven’t handled one, but from seeing pics online and reading, I think I’d be replacing the factory grip for the Hogue grip…mainly for the length.

The thing that I have to see is, what I can do about the purchasing of it. I had set an absolute budget of $400 for a handgun awhile back. Then I thought about layaway and figured that I could handle an absolute max of $500 OTD (I had found where I could get the XD-9 online to me for under that price…including shipping and FFL transfer). From a brief look online, I don’t know if I can do that with the SP101. I might have to add at least another $50. I’ll do my taxes and see about another ‘money’ thing I have to look after shortly and go from there.

Sorry for another long post.

Kevin
 
Unsure of the law but if you can borrow a semi auto for your test you def should. You will no doubt own a semi in the future even if you go revolver now.

A .357 revolver is nice because you can load it with .38 for practice so you don't kill your wrist. Snubbie magnums are awful about that, especially for women shooters.
 
I have a friend that did just that...borrowed a .22 semi-auto for qualifying for his (and his wife's) CCW permit (she carries a revolver in .38 I believe). In fact, I had inquired about who was teaching, when the CCW class was in my area, and the cost for future reference and had mentioned that I did not yet own a handgun. I was told to sign up for the class anyway and the use of a gun would be taken care of...which I took to understand that I could borrow one. I plan on taking the class for the permit, but after I make an actual gun purchase first.

Kevin
 
My only comment right now is don't feel you need to get a revolver for your first gun, a semi-auto can be just as good of a starter gun. I like revolvers, they're nostalgic and they are fun to shoot but for me it ends there. To this day I still don't own one. Get what you like best and are most comfortable with. A good semi-auto is just as reliable and just as safe as a revolver is. But do get a good one (and good ones can be had for 400 to 600 no problem).
 
I hear ya pgdion. As I've tried to explain in my posts about my situation, for my wife and I, I'm thinking that a revolver is the way to go for us. Now if the gun was just for me only, then I'd be looking to get a semi-auto. If my wife had generally more interest in shooting and guns, then maybe a semi-auto for us both. But as I've mentioned already, she's not a gun person...just would like to shoot for fun and not to 'train' (if that makes sense.)

Kevin
 
As a side note, when I decided to buy my wife her own handgun I was looking at a Beretta that I thought would be perfect for her. I forget the exact model it may have been a Tomcat. Anyway we went down to the Local gun shop and looked it over and she didn't like it. So we went through every small frame handgun in the case and she eventually decided on a Sig P232 in .380. The moral of the story is she may not care for the gun you pick out for her so make sure she's comfortable with what ever you buy. I never could shoot that Sig very well, I get bit by the slide every time, guess it's a good thing I have plenty of my own handguns. You may end up finding yourself in the same position and need to add another handgun to the arsenal for yourself (not that that's a bad thing).

Stu
 
I understand what you're saying. I won't be able to buy 2 handguns right away. One will have to work for both of us...leaning more in her favour...with myself to be able to adapt to her preference. I do hope that the Ruger revolver I mentioned suits her. Just by the pics I have seen and what I've read, it seems to be what we would be happy with. Actual handling is what is needed though.

Kevin
 
Let me first say I think it is best to start out with a .22LR for learning proper form and techniques for shooting a handgun. The ammo is much cheaper with less recoil and muzzle blast. IF you are only going to have one handgun, one option I would suggest is a DA revolver with a 3" to 5" barrel in .357 Mag. Make sure the model you choose fits your hands and the hands of your wife. Many people pick a handgun that is too big for their hands - with the action uncocked they cannot put their trigger finger on the trigger properly while maintaining the proper grip and alignment of the strong hand to the handgun.

When checking hand strength concerning the ability to work the slide on a semi-auto, (unloaded firearm, chamber clear, no magazine in the mag well and no ammo in the area) be sure to try working the action on an uncocked semi-auto. Many people are able to work the action of a cocked semi-auto but have problems with an uncocked semi-auto.
 
Good point on the .22 handgun. Maybe, hopefully, by the time my daughter gets old enough to shoot, I'll get a .22 handgun. For now, one gun.

Also a good point regarding working the slide on an uncocked semi-auto.

Kevin
 
If you plan on using this handgun for hunting, check the regulations regarding caliber and barrel length. Some states require a barrel length of at least 6" and some require a barrel length of at least 4". There are also caliber and ammo energy requirements. I really like the Ruger SP101 platform. However, you mentioned possible hunting, and for that I would prefer the GP100 platform. Be aware that the distance from an uncocked trigger to the backstap is longer on the GP100 than the SP101.

As previously mentioned, make sure the handgun fits the hands of you and your wife. Alignment of the handgun to the strong hand is very important. With alignment, the strong hand thumb and trigger finger should be on parallel planes to each other and to the handgun. Most people do not use the proper grip on a handgun. Here Todd Jarret talks about grip alignment with a semi-auto. The grip of a revolver is a little different (support thumb is over strong hand thumb with strong hand thumb bent so it points towards the ground) but the principle of alignment of the trigger finger and thumb to the handgun and the backstrap in the web of the strong hand is the same.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa50-plo48
 
I agree that if you only have one handgun in the house it should probably be a revolver. To qualify for my CC permit I had to take a firearms safety course and my wife took it with me. One of the guys teaching the course was an ex cop. His suggestion that the best house handgun was a revolver that can be chambered in .38 SPL. His reasoning is the simplicity, no safety to worry about, no slide to rack, no stove piping if you limp wrist and you can shoot while holding the gun at any angle in a panic situation. The .38 round is manageable by most anyone from a 90 pound woman and up.
He said flat out that if you aren't experienced and proficient with handguns and aren't willing to go out and practice at least once a month, you should not use a semi-auto. A revolver can sit in a drawer or a safe for years and you can bet you life that when you pull it out it will fire. All the internals, springs etc. are at rest unlike a semi auto so it is less likely to malfunction.
My wife and I each have a loaded handgun at the ready in a quick access safe, mine a 9mm Stoeger Cougar semi and hers a Taurus .38 snubby. She rarely practices so we feel comfortably with her handling a revolver.
It looks to me you are going in that direction too. Just buy the revolver first that you both can use and when you can afford it get the nice semi auto later for yourself!
 
Model700,
So far it looks like you and your wife have done some shooting with different handguns. Your leaning toward a 357 magnum revolver which I think would be a great first handgun. With your budget of $400 to $500 you should be able to find a nice one. I would look for a S&W or Ruger.
Good luck,
Howard
 
Discern, good video link. I'm sure I'll be referring back to it again. I included hunting as something I could do with a .357 revolver...don't know if I really would. I have looked up the hunting regs. for AR (where I live), and 4" is the min. barrel length and .22 center fire is the min. caliber.

bbqbob51 said:
Just buy the revolver first that you both can use and when you can afford it get the nice semi auto later for yourself!
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That's what I would like to do!

Howard, I've shot a few...but not enough rounds downrange to make mention of really...but it was fun and I can't wait to actually own my own!!!

Kevin
 
Today I'm with my family visiting my wife's grandma in Alexandria, LA. I thought that while I was in a town (I live out in the country), I'd try and find a gun shop where I could handle a SP101. At a very nice pawn shop I found a nice used one (3" barrel) with a the Hogue replacement grip. Fit my hand very perfectly! I could get all 3 fingers on the grip nicely. I did forget to do the close-my-eyes-and-point the gun, then open my eyes to see if I'm pointing in the general direction that I had intended (to see if it naturally points for me). I dry fired it a few times in DA and SA. Maybe I haven't shot enough handguns, but the DA didn't feel like much...didn't feel long like I've read...maybe I don't know any better. It felt good. While I was there, I handled another XD (this one was in .40). I still like it for my choice for a semi-auto. My wife was 'busy' watching a cooking show, so she didn't come with me to look at the guns today. We'll be in another town soon, and I know of a place that supposely stocks SP101's where she can handle one. Although it probably wouldn't have the Hogue grip since it would be new. Yep, I like that Ruger. Feels like quality.

Kevin
 
Snub nosed revolvers have brutal recoil to me and they are not a good choice for someone who has never shot that much. Subcompact semi-autos will also have a lot of kick some times.

Based upon the fact you and your wife will be shooting it, I suggest you get a medium frame 9mm semi auto. Below is a list of Semi-Autos I would suggest you consider.

Ruger SR9c
Glock 19
Springfield Armory XD-9
Smith and Wesson M&P9 compact

I will get a lot of flack for this next statement but in a home defense scenario, you want access to as many rounds as you can practically have. You want a simple weapon with no de-cocker levers or safety levers. In today's world of Home invasions, I want a handgun that will hold a lot of rounds. A 5 or 6 shot revolver won't cut it for me.

You can use hi-cap mags with most of those guns listed above. All things considered and for the money, I would get the XD-9. A medium package with 16 rounds of 9mm ammo.
 
Kevin,

(Note-I am not an experienced target pistol shooter.....matter of fact, just bought my first "bigger than a .38sp" autoloader, but...)

I agree with Beararms about revolvers. Good guns, but I am totally enjoying this new Glock 23 more than I ever did the .38. I bought this thing new for only $450+tax....Generation3 40sw. Seeing how I got such a decent deal on this pistol I bought a Lone Wolf conversion barrel for 9mm and a spare 9mm mag for some cheaper shooting. My wife and my 20 year old daughter both shoot it better than I do. They prefer the 9mm set up, but can shoot the .40 well too.

The only hiccup was when my daughter was shooting the very first time. Had a fail to feed. She stiffened up her gun arm and then successfully ran out three mags without fail.

My wife likes the Glock much better than the .38 snubby. Me too.
 
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