[Tarendol]

Some of you may have read on the general board that I am a new shooter trying to pick out a handgun. Today my purchasing permit was approved, so I went to the gun store to check out what they had. I know I should get a .22 as my first handgun, but... they had a Glock 17 there that I want. I mean really want! :) So now I am going insane trying to decide what I should get... a .22 now and the Glock later (if it is still there,) or the Glock now and a .22 or a conversion kit. Should I really just get the .22? Are the conversion kits any good? I did a search and the conversion kits seem popular, they are just expensive (almost the cost of a .22 but I wouldn't have to go through the permit hassle again.) I did see one at Atlantis Arms for only about $200, that is not so bad... does anyone know how reliable that store is? Sorry to ramble on, I just had to write something to get it off my chest. Why did I ever decide to buy a handgun?? :)

[Chipperman]

The short answer is to buy both.

If you cannot do that, maybe the store will allow you to buy the .22 and put the Glock on Layaway until you can get that one as well.

.22 conversion kits run the gamut from good to awful. Some of them are jamming POS's, and some are fine. Try to get some feedback on whichever one you are looking at. The nice thing about conversion kits is that it allows you to plink with the same grip, controls, etc. at your carry gun.

[Longbow]

get the Glock!

[gulogulo1970]

Get the Glock learn to shoot it, when you can afford the 22, get it and your shooting will improve. 9mm is not a hard recoiling round and it will not be too much gun to learn on for 99% of people out there.

Buying a 22 first is a good idea but it is not like its out of the Bible or anything. My first two guns were both 45's. I owned centerfire handguns for 13 years before I bought a 22 handgun. I own a Glock 17 and I shoot it often because the ammo is very cheap, not as cheap as 22LR but easy for most to afford.

Buy what you are most interested with, your passion will usually fuel learning to shoot it well. If you buy a gun you are not really interested in you might never learn how to shoot it though lack of interest. May not apply in your case, but for me I strive to shoot guns I like very well. I'm not always successful and well, those guns get sold.

Good luck, and buy what you want and practice with it.

[Jim K]

I will give the opposite advice. Assuming the .22 is a good one (S&W, Ruger) and not some junker auto or SNS revolver, buy the .22. The ammo is cheap and you can shoot it lots with no concern about blast or noise level (wear plugs or muffs anyway, of course). You will learn to shoot easier and faster. Then, when you feel the time is ripe to step up in caliber, get the Glock. Glocks are going to be around for a long time, so there is no hurry.

Many shooters have been ruined by starting with a big CF handgun; the recoil and blast give them a flinch that takes years to get over.

Jim

[f4t9r]

You REALLY want the Glock
so get it you can always pick up a 22 later

[Cueball]

Go for the 22 first and get used to it, get safety down pat, shoot lots with it (ammo is dirt cheap for 22's) then look at a Glock or other CF later.

[Sunray]

Listen to Jim. As a new shooter, it'll cost you a whole bunch less to learn how to shoot with a .22 than it will with any calibre Glock.

[MachIVshooter]

How much of a PITA is it to get a purchase permit? If it is a real hassle, I would find a gun I really, REALLY liked and spare no expense. Here in CO, see it, like it, buy it (takes about 1/2 hour for NICS check), but you are in an entirely different situation. Get what you really want, regardless of price and chambering. Anyone can handle a 9mm, .45, .45, etc. It is not the best way to start out, but given your situation that is what I would do. My first handgun was a Ruger .357 mag., the second a Colt MkIV .45. Many centerfires came before a .22 pistol for me, so.............

[Tarendol]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I thought about it some more and decided I really do need a .22, I've never even fired a handgun before so I will need a lot of practice. So, I will just get both (one now, and then the other when I can afford it... though I haven't decided on the order yet! :) ) It is not too much of a pain to get a new permit; I just have to wait another week and then pay another $10. I can always get a conversion kit later if I want, but having a dedicated .22 (probably the Ruger Mk. II I saw at the store) will give me more options. Anyway, thanks again! :)

[10-Ring]

You'll end up w/ both..WE ALL KNOW THAT! Get the one you can get the best deal on first & the other when you can. The best thing is to get the trigger time you need to develop good technique...practice practice practice
Good luck

[denfoote]

Resistance is futile.

You will be assimilated!!!!

http://usera.imagecave.com/denfoote/borg.jpg

Get the Glock!!

[Tarendol]

I am annoyed at how weak I proved myself to be, I went in the store wanting to only look at .22's but the case with the higher calibers had an irresistible song :). I am starting to wonder how good a deal the Glock really is, though... he is offering it for about $399 refurbished (but the store has an excellent reputation and they give a lifetime warranty so I am not worried about the job,) and I am seeing new Glocks online for between $450-500. I'm not sure how good a deal $400 is for a refurbished Glock... though I do have to check and see what sights it had; I seem to recall that they were upgraded from the original. It also had what the store owner called a "side-by-side" magazine that I presume holds twice as much ammo, but I don't think they are that expensive anyway. Well, when I go in again I will mention my concerns about the price and see what he says!

[gudel]

I'm not sure how good a deal $400 is for a refurbished Glock...

That's not a good deal. I picked up a used but LNIB G22 from some member for $400 shipped UPS next day air.