[Bullet]

A customer of mine wants to purchase a handgun. He has never owned a handgun. He wants it for self defense and target practice. What would you recommend a revolver or semi-auto and why? What Caliber and why? What brand and why? I am going to print out the responses to this thread and give it to him. Maybe this will help him with his choice. Thanks.

[Preacherman]

I always recommend a revolver as a first gun. Simple manual of arms, fewer bits and pieces to manipulate (leading to less chance of an accidental discharge), and provides a solid foundation he can use to go on to autopistols later.

[sm]

I still contend learning to shoot a revolver DA makes one a better shooter no matter if they choose to shoot other platforms down the road.

[natedog]

If he's planning on practicing reguarly, a semi-automatic. If he's planning on shooting a box through it and throwing it in the drawer, a revolver. It really depends on what they are more comfortable with, though.

[sfhogman]

What both folks above said. Personally, I'd recommend a Ruger GP100 like mine for a DA centerfire. (Love that gun!) Smith makes some very nice .22 DA revolvers.

When I take newbies to the range for the very first time, I always bring my SS Single-Six. It has to be cocked every time, giving the shooter time to think about what she/he is doing, looks non-threatening, and is loads of fun to shoot.

This person needs to read lots, and aquaint himself with the very serious subject at hand.

Basically, I'd say either a DA .357 revolver. It'll also shoot .38 special, which is not too expensive.Quality examples can be had cheaply used. For an absolute beginner, a .22 DA or SA. No recoil, cheap ammo, and you'll probably want to keep it even after you've graduated to something bigger.

Best,
Jeff

[jobu07]

.22 caliber revolver. Easy to use, easy to shoot, less things to break, and revolvers seem to be inherently more accurate than autos (less moving parts?). Plus, the ammo is cheap, so your customer will be able to get in plenty of trigger time to learn the fundementals of pistol shooting: site picture, trigger pull, and learning how to grip the weapon (.22 is great for the last as you don't have to deal with violent recoil).

[Frandy]

A revolver. If one and only handgun, a Ruger or Smith .38/.357 with either 3 or 4 inch barrel.

My 2 cents.

Frandy

[MikeJ]

I have found that many people want to purchase just one gun and not need to graduate to something else later on. If he feels this way, I wouldn't recommend a .22 since it won't be a good defensive gun. I would strongly recommend a midsize .357 so he can shoot .38's out of it for low recoil practice and have the option of .357's. IMO, the guns he should look at are the Ruger GP100 in the 3" and 4" versions along with any S&W 4" models like the 66 or 686.

[Universal]

I voted for a revolver. I have no official proof of this but as a former firearms instructor, I always felt that shooters who started out on a revolver were easier to teach on a semi-auto. I personally started out with a .38 Special but later moved to a .40S&W semi-auto.

For a first gun or if one could have just one, I think a 4" barrel .357 Magnum revolver is a great choice. I would suggest shooting .38 Special ammo but later the option of something different would be there.

[Baba Louie]

I'll go the other route and say a lightly used semi-automatic Ruger MkII in .22 lr. w/ 4" barrel and fixed sights.
Reasoning? Inexpensive initial purchase, Accurate, Fun, 10 rounds of relatively cheap fodder per magazine, Builds good shooting habits w/ minimal (NO) recoil, lifelong firearm, easy manual of arms once the takedown is mastered, & even tho' it's not a .38 special or a 9MM it can be used for home/self defense if needed (I mean, it's better than what he now owns, right?).

BUT... for about the same price, a used S&W Model 10 (revolver), 4" barrel. All of the above apply with only a couple of exceptions. Slightly more recoil, & ammo is more expensive when it comes to practicing.

Make certain to teach him the 4 Rules of Gun Safety

[MechAg94]

A revolver gets the edge in my book at least if I don't know if the person wants to own more guns or not.

- Function is more intuitive to a new shooter. Can see the hammer and cylinder moving and know what is going on.
- Checking to see if it is loaded is simpler and more straightforward. No worries about loaded magazines, is a round in the chamber?, and stuff like that. I think that can be confusing for newbies.
- Cleaning is less critical for a gun that might just sit in a draw until needed.

For a potential gun nut, I think it depends on what they want. Certainly a double action only gun or at least a single action with plenty of safeties would be appropriate. I learned to shoot pistols with a Ruger Mark II. My first large caliber pistol was a Springfield 1911A1 Loaded pistol. I have learned to appreciate the advantages of a revolver though.

[WT]

I assume it is NOT for concealed carry but defense of the home. Also for target shooting.

In that case a K-frame revolver with a 4" or 6" barrel in .38 Special caliber should work just fine.

[hightech]

I recommend that he take a basic pistol course first and learn about the differences and what it takes to shoot each type. EDUCATION FIRST. Then I would steer him toward a 22 cal revolver to practice the fundamentals with. When he becomes proficient he should move up to a 38 spl/ .357 mag revolver. A 2 to 3 inch if he is going to carry for CCW or 3 to 5 inch for home protection only.

[cookekdjr]

Reliable .357 revolver.
If he throws it in the nightstand only to reach for it 3 years later during a burglary, it will fire.
A loaded semi-auto in the same circumstances may not b/c the magazine springs may be worn out from the tension.

[Brian Williams]

I voted Revolver, 22 prefered but 357 and shoot 38s.

A loaded semi-auto in the same circumstances may not b/c the magazine springs may be worn out from the tension
Some mags have been used after being loaded for years and they work fine, it is the constant change in compression that wears out springs, not just sitting there. OBTW It is compression for most mags not tension.

[SWMAN]

One handgun for target practice and self-defense? .357 magnum, 4". Can shoot both .38 specials, .38+Ps, as well as low, medium or heavy .357 loads. Revolvers are easy to load, operate and malfunctions are few and far between. My recommendation would be either a S&W 686 or Ruger GP100. :)

[mainmech48]

When folks of my acquaintance who have little or no experience or training with firearms mention that they want to get a handgun "just in case", I always recommend a 4" .357 or .38 Spl. And always with the caveat that they only do so after getting some formal training.

Same reasons that've already been mentioned. High quality examples obtainable at a relatively inexpensive price, extreme versatility, simple manual of arms, more tolerant, relatively speaking, of neglect of regular maintenance, etc.

While I live in hope, my customary cynicism leads me to believe that almost all of these "just in case" pieces will be unlikely to see 100 rds of actual use in any given year. The rest of the time they'll live in a bureau drawer or on the top shelf in a closet. For folks lacking the willingness to commit to obtaining reasonable profficiency and regular practice to retain it, it's the most practical alternative to nothing out there, IMHO.

[Ben Shepherd]

First thing: It MUST fit his hand-everything else is secondary to this!!!

Revolvers make great first guns for reasons mentioned above.
Caliber/size wise I would reccomend something along the lines of a k-frame smith with around a 4" barrel. Preferably chambered in 357 mag, due to the wide ammo selection.

[357wheelgunner]

A customer of mine wants to purchase a handgun. He has never owned a handgun. He wants it for self defense and target practice. What would you recommend a revolver or semi-auto and why? What Caliber and why? What brand and why? I am going to print out the responses to this thread and give it to him. Maybe this will help him with his choice. Thanks.

I'd recomend a revolver due to the ease of dry fire practice (with snap caps), that is how I got rid of my terrible flinch. I'd recomend a S&W model 64 with a 4" barrel, because .38s are great for practice, and the .38+P 158gr LHP can still be bought and has worked well for many years in self defense. The 4" K-frame points like a finger, fires a potent round, and feels nice in the waistband.

[Amy]

Well, one *could* go with a semi-auto revolver. The Mateba is just such an animal, and there was even one made in the late 1890's, the .455 Webley. I'd recommend the Mateba over the Webley though...

Amy

[sixguns]

S&W 686 .357 magnum 6" barrel

[LSCurrier]

Why not both!!

What else would you spend your money on?? My wife has over 70 shoes and yet she buys more. Could I do any less with guns??? I've bought 4 handguns in the last 6 months and am still drooling over a few. Don't tell her though!! ;)

Luke

[bakert]

I like the .357 but there's nothing wrong with a plain old .38 revolver. Some people just can't shoot a .357 well and a .38 with +Ps aint nothing to sneeze at. Would also say get at least a 4" barrel. Short guns harder for a beginner to shoot well too. Of course I could live with a .22 and they're just plain fun to shoot but just like the bigger calibers better for self defence.
Baker

[22luvr]

A revolver.....perhaps a 4" barrel, 6-shot, adjustable sights.

Why? The no-brainer simplicity and battery of a revolver. It 's all right out there in the open for the operator to see and hear the particulars.

Less ammo sensitivity, .38spcl or .357 mag, can be operated SA or DA, makes a great bludgeon when empty, tremendous versatility-self defense, hunting, target practice, plinking, etc.

If the shooter gets the bug, a fine semi-auto can come later.

[ChristopherG]

4" .357 or .38. Smith or Ruger.

And his second gun should be a reloading press.

[Master Blaster]

For a first gun or if one could have just one, I think a 4" barrel .357 Magnum revolver is a great choice. I would suggest shooting .38 Special ammo but later the option of something different would be there.

A no brainer, GP 100 or S&W 686 depending on his preference and wallet.

[CAS700850]

I voted revolver, and always reccomed one as a first gun. Simplicty, ease of operation, no need to field strip to clean, and range of ammunition. Few autos can shoot light target loads and full house defense loads without problems at one end of the power spectrum.

[geekWithA.45]

;)

The concensus on the "just in case, lives in a drawer, rarely shot gun" is a 4" .38/357, citing simplicity, flexibility, and for many other perfectly good reasons.

That GREAT for sitting in the drawer, for occassional range use, and for pointing at bad guys.

It's fantastic right up until this hypothetical good guy, who hasn't put enough time in to master the revo's trigger, which is an order of magnitude more challenging than a semi's trigger, has to actually PULL SAID TRIGGER in an emergency.

Then he jerks it badly, misses by a mile at a range of 3 feet, kills his neighbor and his cat, and then dies of embarassment from the BG laughing at him.

Well, maybe that was an excercise in hyperbole, but my point is that the revo trigger's a challenge and a handicap, and the manual of arms for a straightforward semi isn't really all THAT big a deal.

I'd vote for a dao semi, a la sig or glock, based on the notion that remembering to rack the slide is a gross motor skill that needs little practice.

[MoeMentum]

I went with a revolver as my first hand gun, It just makes things easier.

[medmo]

Revolver in 38 spec. or 357 mag. AD's are less common because you can tell if it is loaded from 8 feet away with a decent sey of eyes looking at the rear of the cylinder. Wheel guns are much more simple than semis and that is a good thing for a new shooter learning and gaining confidence. Before some crazed, frothing individual slams me for the simplicity statment let me cut to the chase. When a semi auto goes "click" instead of "bang" what do you do in an "Oh-Crap" situation? Yeah, real instinctive right? Most people pause for at least a second staring at the thing thinking "What is wrong here?". With a revolver the next correct step is very instinctive, "Pull the dang trigger again". This gives you a total do-over with a fresh chamber and new round.

[Ala Dan]

Most definitely a revolver! :D

[nero45acp]

Smith & Wesson Model 64 3" .38 special +P


http://firearms.smith-wesson.com/store/index.php3?cat=293602&item=831466&sw_activeTab=1


Ease/simplicity of use. Proven reliability, durability, and accuracy. Acceptable to very good trigger out of the box. Good barrel length for self-defense and informal target shooting/plinking. Adequate/affordable cartridge for self-defense and target shooting. Can accept a wide range of bullet configurations. Stainless finish more rust resistant and easier to maintain. Affordable for most budgets.


nero

[HSMITH]

Revolver, and one should forget entirely that it has SA capability until they have learned to shoot it DA decently.

When one has learned to shoot a DA revolver decently they can pick up just about anything and shoot it decently.

[larry starling]

Revolver for all the above reason's! choice Smith&Wesson model 60 or a Taurus! Both reasonable priced and reliable! :rolleyes:

[Checkman]

Have to go with the majority here. If a person dosen't practice with a semi-auto it's just as easy to mess up on the trigger pull plus there's that manual of arms again. More complicated with an auto.

[lawboy]

I voted revolver, but that assumes we are talking about a centerfire handgun. If we are talking a rimfire handgun, then I vote semi-automatic 22lr. The reasoning is that in centerfire, a revolver is more versatile than a semi-auto in terms of what it can shoot and the tasks it can do well. If a 44 caliber or .357 caliber or even a .32 caliber gun is bought, there are several cartridges it can safely fire. Also, when handloading, revolvers are much more versatile in what they can shoot in terms of power levels and bullet weights and styles than are semi-autos. However, if a rimfire is the issue, then the field/target grade semi-autos outclass the revolvers hands down, especially when cost/performance ratios are looked at. A ruger, browning s&w etc. semi-auto cannot be beat for accuracy, ease of maintenance and versatility in sighting equipment, etc in the rimfire game.

[chickenfried]

Well unlike most of you guys, I can still remember the days when I was newbie :neener: , cause I still am. I bucked the trend and voted semi-auto.

I tried out a lot of my friend's guns a lot of times before I finally bought my own. I disliked shooting revolvers compared with most of the semi-autos I tried out. Didn't shoot the revolvers as well in DA or SA. Most semi-autos fit better in my hand. Felt the loading and firing procedure with a semi-auto felt simpler and more natural.

I think it's important for him to try out as many guns as possible. He'll know when he finds the right one for him. In my case it was a 1911. A gun that very few would've recommended as a first purchase. But after I held it and shot it I knew it was the one for me. The right gun for ME is what got me hooked on firearms.

[Elmer]

I love the fact that so many folks on this board still appreciate good revolvers. I have a safe full of semi autos, but at three in the morning, if I hear a bump in the night, a K frame, fixed sight, S&W will be in my hand.

[Vern Humphrey]

For home defense, I'll go with a shotgun. For a nightstand pistol, so I can get across the floor to my shotgun, I'll go with a revolver. For a carry gun, I'll go with an automatic.

For training beginners, I like a revolver, and think it makes a sensible choice for a first carry gun.

[Elmer]

For home defense, I'll go with a shotgun. For a nightstand pistol, so I can get across the floor to my shotgun, I'll go with a revolver. For a carry gun, I'll go with an automatic.

Well said!

[38SnubFan]

My first was a .38 snub-nose, and I still appreciate it's simplicity.

I say a revolver is the best first handgun, although I have found my autoloader to be inherently easier to shoot accurately. Although the DA pull on a revolver takes practice to become proficient, it's also made ME a better shooter (I was shooting a 150/150 at 10 yards with my revolver. Need to get back into practice though, because one's revolver skills will weaken if they get to used to an automatic).

I prefer the .38 Spl. over .357 Mag. for two reasons:
1) .38 and .357 use the same bullet, and both are equally effective at close range (defensive shooting).
2) .38 has A LOT LESS muzzle flash and blast then the .357. A .357 used indoors in a home-defense scenario can be enough to cause someone to be deaf for days or weeks, if permanent hearing damage doesn't occur.

This isn't to say that a semi-auto can't be a good starter gun (especially in 9MM), because ANY gun owner, newbie or veteran, should be reading the owner's manual and understanding any new gun they buy fully prior to loading it for the first time.

For carry, it's my .45ACP auto, but for home-defense, the .38 is still the ticket. (The .45ACP gets unloaded at night to keep the mag springs from wearing out prematurely). I also trust the .38 in the case of a 3AM break-in when I still have the "sleepies" in my eyes that I don't have to worry about a round being chambered, the manual safety deactivated, etc.

Final answer: Go for the revolver first, then as proficency is mastered with that, graduate up to the auto (and maybe a caliber starting with "4" :D ).

-38SnubFan

[bbrown609]

The most sensible gun purchase I ever made was my 4 inch stainless GP100. A good .357/.38 makes an excellent first gun and is also a great home defense gun. The great thing about a revolver is that the second shot is not dependent on whether the first one goes bang or not. If it doesn't fire, then you just pull the trigger again.

[JohnKSa]

You know, I've been rethinking the "revolver as a first gun" recommendation. I know it's sort of the common wisdom, but bear with me while I line out my mental wanderings. ;)

A recent post about a person who cocked their revolver and had to call someone to come over to decock it reminded me of a similar story I heard from a gun store owner. Someone brought in a loaded, cocked revolver and asked him to decock it. Decocking a revolver can be intimidating--and while it's safe to do when done right, there is a pretty good potential for problems if someone doesn't know what they're doing, or is agitated. While it's also obviously possible to cock a semi-auto, they usually provide a means to decock easily and safely. Even when they don't, it's possible to unload an automatic and decock it empty if all else fails.

So, that gets us to a DAO revolver to avoid the issue of decocking.

But a DAO revolver is not nearly as easy to shoot well as a semi-auto. In fact, I would consider a DAO revolver to be something of an expert's gun. It requires a lot more practice to shoot well, and as with any revolver, it requires a LOT more practice to reload quickly than an auto. Reloading in a typical self-defense scenario may not be an issue, but if a gun can be quickly and surely loaded, that gives the user the option of storing it unloaded. Not necessarily a great idea, but one that appeals to some owners, and is virtually a necessity for others.

So, I'm beginning to question the conventional wisdom of automatically recommending revolvers as beginner's weapons. I'm not ready to go all the way and start recommending autos as a first weapon--yet--not without more thought, but I am beginning to lean that way...

[sixguns]

De-cocking a revolver is a very good point, but it is something that is covered with basic firearms training, therefore I don't think it is a blocking issue.

[461]

.357 Magnum revolver, one case of .38 special ammunition, and a range membership. Yes, I said Case, not box. Once the case of ammo is fired double action the shooter may then move up to .357 if they like and may also keep the firearm loaded for protection. If said shooter doesn't have time or patience then said shooter should find another interest.

[lesjones]

Revolvers almost never have sharp edges that can cut skin, like some autos have.

You can change the grips on a revolver to fit almost any size hand.

Updated to add: lawboy may be right about semi-auto .22s being a better deal than .22 revolvers. I finally tracked down a 4" S&W 63 last year. I loved the aesthetics, but it didn't shoot anywhere near as well as my Buckmark despite costing more, so I wound up selling it. Of course, now I'm looking for a model 17 to see how well it shoots. :-)

[pezo]

revolver , first and last. I love all types of handguns but still prefer the wheelgun. Every time I think hey thats would be a nice auto loader to have I wind up with a revo I want more. To each his own.

[No4Mk1*]

I have watched people who own one revolver and shoot it once a year at the range. They don't hit the target much even under such calm condionions.
If he will seek some instruction and practice at least once a month, then a semi-auto is my choice. Mostly for increased capacity and very fast reloads. If he is not going to practice enough to use a semi-auto well then he should not get a gun. The complexity of semi-auto pistols is far overrated. My mountain bike is much more complex to operate than a pistol. He just needs good formal or informal instruction and frequent practice.

Caliber suggestion is 9x19 for rate of accurate fire and ammo cost.

[wheelgunslinger]

I would, naturally- given my bent toward the wheelguns, recommend a revolver.

I started out with a Bisley Vaquero in .45 Colt. It was great for me since I spent so much time in the wilderness alone and in town doing town things. I could wear it in the open and no one worried about it since it looked like a cowboy gun. I learned to crossdraw and to speed drill with it and still use those basics that I learned.

However, n00bs need to be reminded that there are no "training wheels" in handgunning. A wheelgun isn't something to look at as less than or as a "first step". Sure you don't see Jet Li using one in the movies, but I'll bet that while I typed this that someone lost their life to one.
Wheelguns do have their drawbacks, as mentioned above. So, if your n00bie wants the cool factor of an auto, point them to an auto. Better that they really like what they have than see it as a shooting counterpart to a learner's permit for driving.

AS for what I recommend, I'd say a Ruger GP100 in stainless with a 4" barrel would be great. Shoot .38's out of it and learn how to breathe, squeeze, aim, and all that stuff. Then, if necessary or wanted, get a CCW permit and carry it around in a nice holster.
Of course, this depends on Who this person is, body size, age, experience, etc. When I picked up a bi-quero at my local gun store, I'd already had military training, had been an avid hunter for years, and needed something to give ticked off black bears headaches and dispose of angry copperheads and Timber rattlers here in Appalachia. When I got into IDPA and personal security work, I went with an auto. And now, I'm back to wheelguns. *shrug*

[deputy tom]

Another vote for a S&W K-Frame .357 mag.tom. :cool: