Super exciting awesome first gun thread

T

tightgroups

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I want a gun to target shoot. I'm not concerned with self defense, though I suppose that's a nice side effect of the hobby. I've never shot a pistol before. I don't want an ugly gun. I know this is stupid. I don't care. I'm not wealthy, so keeping the price reasonable is important. Since I'm not experienced enough to know what I want, my thought is to find something cool in the used case though I could be swayed from that.

Recommend guns. Gogogogo.
 
I would recommend something chambered in .22LR. It will be a lot of fun to shoot and the ammunition costs will be lower than any other caliber.

Do you have any particular preferences when it comes to firearms?

Metal vs. polymer/plastic?
Blued steel vs. stainless steel?
Revolvers vs. autopistols?
Double action vs. single action?
 
The best option for a target gun is to buy a .22. They are cheap, ammo is as cheap as you are going to get, and they can be plenty accurate.

I'd suggest you look into Ruger and Browning's .22 semi-auto offerings. The Ruger Mark III and Browning Buckmark are both awesome pistols, and have some really nice target shooting models. I myself happen to prefer the Buckmark because of it's grip angle. My father bought a new camper model for around $300 if I recall correctly. It's very accurate, has great sights, a nice trigger, and has yet to malfunction even with the cheap bricks of ammo we put through it.

If you are looking for something with a little more punch that could also be used for SD, I'd suggest looking for an older used Colt Gold Cup 1911. For many years these were the target pistols used for bullseye competition. Though they are considered collectibles today, you may still be able to find a decent one in the $700-$800 region, which is cheaper than most of the new production target guns out there.
 
I agree with the .22LR. I would also suggest going to a local range that rents pistols and spend some time behind weapons that you would consider buying. If that's not an option, let us know what your spending range is. You'll probably get more useful suggestions. Happy shopping.
 
Metal vs. polymer/plastic?

Typically prefer metal

Blued steel vs. stainless steel?

Typically prefer stainless

Revolvers vs. autopistols?

Don't care

Double action vs. single action?

Don't have the experience to know whether I have a preference

Unfortunately there's no good way to describe one's taste in guns, but maybe if I list some sexy stuff it'll help. Hi-Powers, 1911s, PPKs, saw a stainless Colt Python with white grips on here that was hot, CZ82s, etc. Glocks are ugly.
 
what gun?

What kind of target shooting?
Western/cowboy? Single action pistols are extremely beautiful, but don't look modern. They are single action, which means you have to reload one round at a time typically, so they are less popular.

Look for a used quality single action revolver in .357. It will be more accurate than you are for quite a while, will be more affordable, and is a heck of a ballistic performer.

If you want to shoot pistol (semi-auto) there are many levels of this. Still, i'd suggest looking for a used target gun, something someone else has tuned up for you- you'll spend your time learning to shoot instead of messing with the gun's accuracy, which will probably screw up your ability to analyze your shooting technique since an unknown factor of the gun being changed is thrown in.

Read all the replies, don't overlook revolvers. And go to some shooting matches, and ask questions. You'll get a lot of info, i'd bet.

Good luck and welcome to the shooting world.
 
ugly glocks

You said you think glocks are ugly, and you don't have a preference between revolvers and semi-autos, then definately ask about single action revolvers. There are some incredibly accurate Freedom Arms SA revolvers, though they are not cheap, even used.
 
Tightgroups, what is your budget? You said you don't really have a preference but, there are a ton of guns out there!:D

.22's are cheap as is the ammo for them but, they are not much on the self defense side of things had you ever needed it for that use.

The next cheapest IMO is the 9 mm.
 
Hi,
I would suggest a Ruger Mark III 22LR pistol in a 5 1/2 inch barrel. Great gun and accurate. And Ruger makes very reliable guns. My first handgun was a Ruger Mark I 5 1/2 inch barrel. I learned to shoot with this pistol and it was very accurate. More accurate than me.

Good luck,
roaddog28
 
In terms of budget, my thinking is to keep it under $500 so that if this turns out to be a passing interest I'm not more heavily invested. The type of shooting I'd be doing initially would just be putting holes in paper at the range, then maybe try out IDPA/USPSA type stuff.
 
Shafter, you're probably correct, and down the road I'll end up spending a ton of cash on guns and ammo, but at that point I will know what I like and know that I will stick with the hobby.
 
I'd recommend a full-sized (service) pistol and a .22 Conversion Unit. It may cost a bit more out of the gate, but the amount of trigger time you get for less cost is worth it. Additionally, you'll have a gun you can move up to (in terms of caliber) when you get the basics down and maintain the same control scheme and trigger.


Here are a few options where CUs are easily procured:
CZ75
Witness (in any caliber)
Springfield GI or Mil-Spec 1911
Browning HP (though beautiful in all respects, above you target price)
Glock (just throwing the option out there)
Beretta and Taurus 92-series
Sig (I like the 228 pre-BS rail because it's a good all-around autoloader)

I'm missing a few, I'm sure, but just getting the wheels turning.

Don't be afraid to buy used. Most used guns are good buys. www.genitron.com and www.gunbroker.com will give you an idea on pricing.

Regards,
Lucky
 
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options

I love my walther p22 for shooting ...
you get 550 rounds at wal-mart for 16/17 bucks ...

you can get a glock .22 and later convert it back <whatever # you like>
I am not exactly sure how it works... i think you get a glock 22 converted to .22 cal..
 
Among .22 semis, the Beretta Neos is also worthy of consideration. Extremely reliable and more accurate than most shooters, and very easy to add after-market sights of various sorts.
 
In terms of budget, my thinking is to keep it under $500 so that if this turns out to be a passing interest I'm not more heavily invested. The type of shooting I'd be doing initially would just be putting holes in paper at the range, then maybe try out IDPA/USPSA type stuff.
Click to expand...

Perfect for you - A used S&W 4" Model 15 .38 spl. Adjustable sights for target work, and a fine gun for getting started in IDPA. Under $250 for the gun. Get a holster, some speedloaders & speedloader holders and you've got a complete IDPA rig for about $400.

By all accounts these guns are in very good condition. They've been rendered DAO, which wouldn't be a problem for IDPA/USPSA competition, but they can be put back to SA/DA by a gunsmith pretty easily.

http://www.jgsales.com/index.php/sm...1_431?osCsid=a1db673d7192299490271c041fe42355

If it weren't for a possible interest in IDPA/USPSA, I'd concur with the others, though - get a .22LR. Probably a Buckmark or Ruger MkIII. With a .22LR, you can still compete - rimfire steel and bullseye, both of which will help make you a better shooter.
 
Target shooter ...

Not ugly ...

Under $500 ...

Ruger Mark!

ruger%20mark%203%20hunter-02.jpg


There ya go!
 
This is Ruger's basic model pistol,,,

It's the 22/45 slab-side 4.5" barrel with non-adjustable sights.

I bought mine last Fall for $239.00,,,
It's extremely reliable in that it's not mis-fed a round,,,
Or failed to fire one time and I am on my 5th 550 round bulk pack.

I have an even 20 handguns that I love to shoot with,,,
No matter what else I take to the range this one goes as well,,,
For pure shooting fun this little guy can't be beat by anything else I own.

It's just plain fun!

They don't have to be the fanciest,,
Or the top of the line model to be worthwhile.

.
 
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