What handgun for first pistol/CCW?
- Thread starter Bel5191
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I agree with those who have advocated getting a pistol chambered in 9mm Luger in the interest of cheaper shooting. You might want to take a look at the affordable (nice ones can be had for $400.00 and under) Smith & Wesson Model 5906 (or its third generation variants) "police trade-ins". These are very well-made, reliable pistols that, for whatever reason, are vastly unappreciated by many. With the money saved, you could almost afford getting something like a Ruger MKIII .22RF (or a MKI or MKII if you buy used) at the same time.
And welcome to The Firing Line!
And welcome to The Firing Line!
I started with a S&W J-frame (640-1) and have added the M&P 9c and Kahr CW9 ... all three of these are my carry guns depending on my activity, mood, location visiting, clothing, etc...
If you are truly looking for a CCW gun, go for something compact that will conceal because I'd rather see you carry the gun versus leaving it home because it's too big and not very concealable (that's what she said
). I say this because when you first start carrying, you'll most likely be concerned with printing.
There are some good suggestions in this thread so you'll have lots to check out. Good luck!!
If you are truly looking for a CCW gun, go for something compact that will conceal because I'd rather see you carry the gun versus leaving it home because it's too big and not very concealable (that's what she said
). I say this because when you first start carrying, you'll most likely be concerned with printing. There are some good suggestions in this thread so you'll have lots to check out. Good luck!!
I think it's a good idea to get the 22.
I start and end my range sessions with my Ruger, and I can't tell you how many times it's reminded me to revisit some fundamental principle to get back on track with my shooting.
Another idea I had was the Walther PPS - it has a better trigger than the Glocks and it is thinner and less bulky than any of the Glocks.
Another idea would be the CZ 75 Compact. You can learn to shoot this with a fairly nice SA trigger, and the gun has a little more mass than the polymer pistols so felt recoil should be less.
I think with the Walther and CZ, they are OK guns to learn on (in conjuction with a .22), but they are still decent CC guns.
Finding the optimal pistol for your carry needs is like finding the optimal car - probably not going to be the same for you as someone else. But since you've added the requirment of learning to shoot to the mix - it changes things. Small, lightweight compact pistols are not the best pistols to learn to shoot with. There are probably better carry options out there than the CZ and Walther - but I think they're horrible first guns to try to learn shooting on.
I start and end my range sessions with my Ruger, and I can't tell you how many times it's reminded me to revisit some fundamental principle to get back on track with my shooting.
Another idea I had was the Walther PPS - it has a better trigger than the Glocks and it is thinner and less bulky than any of the Glocks.
Another idea would be the CZ 75 Compact. You can learn to shoot this with a fairly nice SA trigger, and the gun has a little more mass than the polymer pistols so felt recoil should be less.
I think with the Walther and CZ, they are OK guns to learn on (in conjuction with a .22), but they are still decent CC guns.
Finding the optimal pistol for your carry needs is like finding the optimal car - probably not going to be the same for you as someone else. But since you've added the requirment of learning to shoot to the mix - it changes things. Small, lightweight compact pistols are not the best pistols to learn to shoot with. There are probably better carry options out there than the CZ and Walther - but I think they're horrible first guns to try to learn shooting on.
There's a whole nuther way of looking at this also....
Money was super, super, super tight when I learned how to shoot.*
I learned on a Smith and Wesson model 19 .357 mag/.38 spl.
I shot a box of .38 spl. and picked up a Lee pound em in pound em out reloader for $11.00.
That initial box of 50 shells lasted me a couple of years via reloading them.
I had to make each shot count. I couldn't afford to flub anything.
It was, literally, do it right or not do it at all.
I love my .22's - but - I also consider them a two edged sword.
Yes - they are cheap to shoot - but - there's always the temptation to dismiss a poor performance by thinking "It's only a cheap .22. I can do better next time and only be out a few pennies."
A 9mm or .38 spl is more "real life". In real life, you nearly always only get once chance & you better make that one chance count.
Once you've gotten the basics down - then you can move up to a .22 to refine them.
*I'd technically been shooting for a number of years - if you can call it that.
It was mostly making a lot of noise and hitting a lot of air, and once in a while a target.
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johnwilliamson062
Moderator
I can't afford shoot 9mm enough to get my trigger pull/control/whatever where I want it. Of course, for most need most people want need or want it where I want it.
A major benefit of the glocks is that you can buy one with nearly identical controls and such in whatever size you want.
If you buy a police trade in online and don't like it you can often sell it for the same or more to some chump at a gun show, so they are pretty safe bets.
A major benefit of the glocks is that you can buy one with nearly identical controls and such in whatever size you want.
If you buy a police trade in online and don't like it you can often sell it for the same or more to some chump at a gun show, so they are pretty safe bets.
Lost Sheep
New member
Just to repeat myself
One seldom mentioned advantage of starting with 22 is that it gets you on the range where you will get to see A LOT of different guns being shot and talk to those who shoot them in person.
Thanks to all the folks who also suggested the 22 option.
I did not think of the centerfire gun with 22 conversion. Probably because I don't own one. It is an excellent way to go, too.
Lost Sheep
One seldom mentioned advantage of starting with 22 is that it gets you on the range where you will get to see A LOT of different guns being shot and talk to those who shoot them in person.
Thanks to all the folks who also suggested the 22 option.
I did not think of the centerfire gun with 22 conversion. Probably because I don't own one. It is an excellent way to go, too.
Lost Sheep
Lost Sheep
New member
About reloading
I have reloaded my own ammunition (for my own guns) since the 51st round I ever shot.
I had to shoot factory rounds for the first 50 just the get some reloadable brass.
When I bought my first gun, I knew I could not afford to shoot centerfire if I didn't reload. I did not take my own advice about the 22 rimfire only because I knew I wanted to learn to reload and you can't reload rimfire.
But then, I already knew how to shoot from my military training.
My second, third and fourth guns were 22 rimfire.
Lost Sheep
I have reloaded my own ammunition (for my own guns) since the 51st round I ever shot.
I had to shoot factory rounds for the first 50 just the get some reloadable brass.
When I bought my first gun, I knew I could not afford to shoot centerfire if I didn't reload. I did not take my own advice about the 22 rimfire only because I knew I wanted to learn to reload and you can't reload rimfire.
But then, I already knew how to shoot from my military training.
My second, third and fourth guns were 22 rimfire.
Lost Sheep
I started to mention the .22 conversion, however, there are some catches with it that made me think otherwise:
- They are pricey. Midway lists the TacSol for around $300; for that money, you may as well get a separate .22
- This is a beginner to firearms. I would not want to complicate learning to shoot by introducing variables due to installing the .22 conversion back and forth.
- The OP may or may not be mechanically inclined
- The .22 conversions can be pickier on ammo and magazines than just getting a separate .22 pistol
Given the huge number of "Range Seals" and "Exspurts" ( an ex is a has been and a spurt is a drip under pressure)........do you really view that as an advantage?
I see a lot of guns being shot - but - the ones I pay attention to shooting them are few and far between...
Therein lies the rub w/a .22.
A SW 17, Colt and High Standard - - nice guns - problem is the OP stated he has $700 max.
Those three tend to start around $500 and go up from there.
That's only when you can find one.
High Standards have dropped back some in price,,,but,,they still hover around the $700 mark.
I gotta ask.....did the military use a .22 or did you just go to the .45acp or 9mm - depending on when you were in?
IMO the Army does a fairly good job of teaching soldiers basic marksmanship, basic rifle and how to shoot the M16.
From what I've seen, they did a lousy job teaching the average officer how to shoot the M1911A1.
MPs got good training on how to shoot a handgun, but the average officer did not.
From what I've seen, they did a lousy job teaching the average officer how to shoot the M1911A1.
MPs got good training on how to shoot a handgun, but the average officer did not.
Stephanie B
New member
I'd go with getting a .22. Unless you're a natural at it, handgun shooting is a skill that is not the easiest to acquire. It takes a lot of practice.
Once the initial cost of the handgun is paid out, the biggest cost of learning will likely be ammunition. If you want to become really good at it, then get a .22 and practice, practice, practice. (Or buy a centerfire and learn to reload, but go price out a good reloading setup, before you decide.)
Once the initial cost of the handgun is paid out, the biggest cost of learning will likely be ammunition. If you want to become really good at it, then get a .22 and practice, practice, practice. (Or buy a centerfire and learn to reload, but go price out a good reloading setup, before you decide.)
If you're needing a CCW type gun for the real world I'd say a mid sized 9mm or a 38 spl revolver. Both are affordable to shoot enough to learn you're gun.
I know the 22 is a cheap way to start shooting, and I have a quite a few, but the truth is I hardly shoot any of them. I do like the centerfire rounds so much better than that little poof I get form a 22. I try to take them out every so often but quickly move on to the 38spl or 9mm for range time. I too think the 22 is double edge sword.
You might consider a combo gun. Some thing like the EAA Witness Model 999175 is a 9 m/m single/double action that also comes with a 22 rimfire upper conversion unit. This would allow you to shoot the 9 and practice with 22 on the same frame, so same trigger pull, sight picture, and pistol controls. ( I suggested the EAA because the were selling 400-450 for the combo last add I saw. And of the 5 people I know that have them (my self included) love them.
Lost Sheep
New member
Military training only started me off.
Primarily, a 22 centerfire (M-16) 1973 through 1983, but also 40mm (M-79) and 7.62 (M-60). I also snuck into a .38 Special class and qualified expert, but that never made it onto my records.
Nowadays, I shoot 22 rimfire out of a trio of Ruger Mark IIs and a Dan Wesson, Ruger (Single six and SP101s) and Taurus (m94?) revolvers. 9mm out of a brace of M1951 Helwan Brigadiers (Beretta clones), Taurus M92 and M99 and a CZ99. 45 ACP out of a plethora of 1911s, one Taurus Millenium and a covertible Ruger Blackhawk 45 Colt/45 ACP. And .357s out of one Colt Trooper, an ancient Dan Wesson, a bevy of Ruger Security Sixes, SPs, GPs and a Blackhawk. I also do Redhawks and Super Redhawks in 44 Mag, 480 Ruger and 454 Casull. I think that covers it. Of COURSE I reload. I've GOT to.
Lost Sheep
Well, yeah, there's that. I did not mention that the OP should evaluate the gun handling skills of those he would pay attention to (or even stand near).Hal said:
Hal said:
Primarily, a 22 centerfire (M-16) 1973 through 1983, but also 40mm (M-79) and 7.62 (M-60). I also snuck into a .38 Special class and qualified expert, but that never made it onto my records.
Nowadays, I shoot 22 rimfire out of a trio of Ruger Mark IIs and a Dan Wesson, Ruger (Single six and SP101s) and Taurus (m94?) revolvers. 9mm out of a brace of M1951 Helwan Brigadiers (Beretta clones), Taurus M92 and M99 and a CZ99. 45 ACP out of a plethora of 1911s, one Taurus Millenium and a covertible Ruger Blackhawk 45 Colt/45 ACP. And .357s out of one Colt Trooper, an ancient Dan Wesson, a bevy of Ruger Security Sixes, SPs, GPs and a Blackhawk. I also do Redhawks and Super Redhawks in 44 Mag, 480 Ruger and 454 Casull. I think that covers it. Of COURSE I reload. I've GOT to.
Lost Sheep
Lots of recommendations for glock 19, and that's a fine choice. However, I'd throw out another idea. I would suggest a 3" sp101. You would still have enough left over for a belt, holster and a few other things, and a basic reloading setup for 38 special if you really want.
The gun has a great balance between a service sized gun and a small snubby. It concealable but doesn't feel like a tiny little thing that's awkward to hold, and it has enough heft to make recoil manageable for a beginner. If you learn to shoot it well, you will almost certainly be able to shoot anything well.
Learning how to shoot doesn't require a huge round count - you should practice dry-firing where most of your technique is built and then when you are at the range use that time to confirm what you have been doing at home.
The gun has a great balance between a service sized gun and a small snubby. It concealable but doesn't feel like a tiny little thing that's awkward to hold, and it has enough heft to make recoil manageable for a beginner. If you learn to shoot it well, you will almost certainly be able to shoot anything well.
Learning how to shoot doesn't require a huge round count - you should practice dry-firing where most of your technique is built and then when you are at the range use that time to confirm what you have been doing at home.