[Cinder]

Ive never owned a gun.All the time i go hunting with my freinds but i use there shotguns, never had my own. I really want to get a good pistol to start off my collection. There is a local fireing range that i would be going to alot but my question really is does anyone know whats a good gun for a pistol beginer? Im very interested in Ruger SP101 revolver, is that a good begginers pistol? Im very open minded and up for anything. Thanks in advanced

-James s

[Mot45acp]

First off welcome.

Best advice I can give, is handle shoot as many as you can. Find a range with rentals. Do your friends own any pistols? Figure out what the intended use is. Home defense? Carry (later)? Target shooting? The 357 is nice. You can load 38's in it until you are comfortable with recoil. Then step it up to 357's.

Have you ever shot a pistol? If not find somebody local to help you out.

There is no real blanket answer to your question. I dont have experience with the SP101, but it is one of the few that I have yet to hear anything bad about.

Best of luck
Mot

[trueblue1776]

SP101 is a great first gun! I'm an auto guy, but there isn't anything wrong with the SP101.

[Alphazulu6]

Welcome to THR! A first new gun is an important choice. All the above are great new firearms but consider a nice Glock 17 (9mm) as it is maintenance free, reasonable price, and you can shoot for cheap :D

Though revolvers are considered "new guy friendly" they are not generally as accurate and a pain to keep reloading so to someone that wants to have some fun and learn to shoot, an automatic that doesnt jam or turn you into a mandatory learning gunsmith is a good choice. SP101 is accurate but there are many others out there that you might consider to learn to shoot with :D

[Cinder]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Alphazulu6 that sounds liek a really good idea getting a automatic that dosent need to be reloaded every few shots. Ive been looking at the gun on line and i fell in love. i think thats the gun i want to get, but im still gunna be looking around and researching it for a few days before i make a decision.i have 2 questions, how much do you think a glock 17 would cost and what practice/target shooting rounds you do you prefer?

[Cinder]

FS-22.04oz-2 also what does this mean?

[DWARREN123]

For a revolver (or any handgun) decide what you requirements for it will be, range, target, self defense. Then handle as many as possible that meet your needs in a caliber that is manageable for you.
With that said I have a Ruger SP-101 with 3" barrel that is very good for my uses.

[Wedge]

m very interested in Ruger SP101 revolver

You just answered your question. Welcome to THR!

Though revolvers are considered "new guy friendly" they are not generally as accurate and a pain to keep reloading
I definitely disagree. Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt vs. Glock 17. Same shooter (me). 15 yards. 3" groups vs. 6" groups, offhand. 20 rounds of .45 Colt and 9mm to come up with those group sizes. The .45 Colt loads were definitely not cowboy loads (255gr LSWC over 9gr Unique).

To answer your questions about the Glock 17, $500 and WWB 115gr FMJ, though now I shooting 5.1gr Unique, Remington JHP and WSP primers.

[TimboKhan]

Though revolvers are considered "new guy friendly" they are not generally as accurate and a pain to keep reloading

No offense AlphaZulu, but your dead wrong. Revolvers are, if anything, consistently more accurate than their autoloading cousins if for no other reason than that the sights are on a fixed plane. Also, your suggestion that reloading a revolver is a pain is subjective. I would argue that reloading a auto is actually more of a pain, and certainly more time consuming if you consider standing there and shoving the rounds into the mag. Sure, jamming a loaded mag up the well is simple and easy, but loading that magazine is many times more difficult than dumping the empties out of the average revolver and dropping new rounds in.


Cinder, you will be fine with the Ruger. It is a well-built, rugged gun that will give you a lifetime of service if you care for it properly, which isn't hard to do at all.

[greener]

Ruger makes fine revolvers and I've seen nothing but good reviews on the SP101. I have a GP100 and love it. Makes me look like a better shooter than I am.

If you are new to guns I'd suggest you consider getting a .22 for training or practice. .22's have the advantage of low recoil and low ammo cost. Getting to be reasonably good with a pistol takes a lot of practice and .22's will allow that without breaking the bank. I'm not sure if it matters whether you practice with a semiauto or revolver, most of the basics are still the same. Although I shot for many years and fired expert with 1911's on military ranges, I didn't shoot long enough that I was pretty close to "new to handguns" when I decided to start shooting again. I bought a 22A to get years of rust off. It was a good investment in relearning to shoot. The only downside is that I found I liked shooting rimfire pistols and the pop guns I have seem to multiply.

[Walkalong]

Im very interested in Ruger SP101 revolver, is that a good begginers pistol?
Absolutely....shooting .38's..... & Welcome to THR.

[glassman]

Once the bug bites, it bites hard. I would bet that your first gun won't be your last. My advice is to do your research by reading as much as you can and get answers to your questions from people who have experience. Handle and fire as many guns as you can and then make an informed decision. Resist impulse buying and choose quality over quantity. There's nothing worse than spending your hard earned money on a POS.

[Legionnaire]

Cinder, the SP101 is a fine revolver, and it can be quite fun at the range, especially with .38 specials (but buy one in .357 Mag). I really, really like the SP101, especially with the 2.25" barrel.

That said, it wouldn't be my first choice for a "first" revolver. I'd recommend a Ruger GP100 in .357 Mag with a 4" barrel. It is built like a tank, slicks up nicely with use, and is easier to shoot accurately due to the longer sight radius. I'd get one with adjustable sights.

Like I said, I really like Ruger revolvers, and like both the SP101 and the GP100. The SP101 is the superior choice for concealed carry. But the GP100 would likely be the more fun/forgiving range and field gun.

[chopz]

definitely think about a 22 first. by the time you've developed your technique and become accustomed to handling the 22 you'll no doubt have had time to try a few others and research more.

also rent and try first. and i'd avoid a lightweight gun as a first gun. consider something made of steel, nice and heavy. and well balanced.

[Samuraigg]

So do all .357 handguns also shoot .38 special? Or is it only the revolvers?

For instance, would a Springfield XD in .357 be able to load and fire .38?

[Wedge]

For instance, would a Springfield XD in .357 be able to load and fire .38?

NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!! DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS!!!

.357 magnum is a 1/8" longer .38 Special. So a .38 Special will chamber in a .357 Magnum. The opposite is not true.

Generally when someone says a .357 they mean .357 Mag.

A Springfield XD in .357 is in .357 SIG which is a .40 S&W casing necked down to 9mm (0.355) and made to replicate a 125gr .357 Magnum balistics.

[Samuraigg]

Haha don't worry, I don't even have a .357 anything to try it in ;)

Thanks for the clarification.

[10-Ring]

For those that ask, I usually recommend a 4" 357 magnum revolver -- ie the Ruger. It will allow you to practice more (using 38 specials) and still be a very good gund for SD/HD/ games / maybe hunting...IMO the Ruger is a good choice!

[The Lone Haranguer]

Originally posted by cinder:
Im very interested in Ruger SP101 revolver, is that a good begginers pistol?
It is a good revolver, but IMO not the best for a beginner. Its rather poor sight picture (compared to most autos or adjustable-sighted revolvers) and short sight radius will make it harder for you to shoot accurately, which will not be a good confidence builder. At least its recoil - with .38 Special loads, not .357 Magnum - is not punishing, unlike smaller and lighter snubnoses. I recommend a medium-frame adjustable-sighted .22 revolver as a very first handgun to learn the "basics" on. Assuming you want it for self defense, the .22 is not an adequate cartridge for this, however.

Originally posted by Samuraigg:
So do all .357 handguns also shoot .38 special? Or is it only the revolvers?

For instance, would a Springfield XD in .357 be able to load and fire .38?

Only revolvers in .357 Magnum. The cartridge used in the Springfield XD (an autoloader) is the .357 SIG, not at all the same.

[glockman19]

Cinder,

Welcome to THR.

For a first pistol I'd recommend a Glock 17 or 19 for a first revolver a Ruger GP100 or SP101 or a S&W 686

[Kilgor]

Glock 9mm. The model 19 being the preferred model as a do it all gun.

Requires little maintenance, cheap to shoot, good for self defense, good resale value if you don't like it, most people shoot it well, ultra reliable, etc.

The sp101 is ok, but is heavy for what it is. The trigger is usually poor at first until it wears in after 1,000+ rounds (or dry fires) and it is only a 5 shooter.

If you want a 5 shooter, look at Smith and Wesson. Much better trigger and much lighter.

[Black Adder LXX]

Cinder- welcome!

As you can see you kicked the anthill here... :D

The most important factor in determining your first gun is your own personal tastes and what you want it for. If you're looking for something to learn on, the sp101's bigger brother the GP100 in 4" stainless would be good. Mine shoots great and is more accurate than I am. The glock is a popular choice although I would suggest you rent or at least hold one before buying as the feel is a deal-breaker for some.
You might also want to consider a 22 either semi-auto or revolver. 22 ammo is as inexpensive as it gets, and new shooters need a lot of practice. Also, the recoil from the larger service calibers sometimes cause people to 'flinch' when they shoot which can cause all kinds of problems. For these reasons a lot of folks recommend a 22 as a first gun, I like to bring mine every time as I can always take the 22 back out to get a flinch under control during a practice session. The Ruger Mark III or Browning Buckmark are the most common/reliable choices in the semi category. Smith and Wesson makes a real nice 22 revolver the 617, but it's a little pricey. A used smith 22 revolver is a good choice as well YMMV.

Good luck to you-

[fletcher]

The SP101 is an excellent choice. Durable, reliable, relatively inexpensive.


Welcome to THR (and shooting).

[Seancass]

make sure if you think you want the glock, you TRY ONE FIRST!!!!!! i've heard so many good things about them and when i shot one i HATED IT!!!! in fact, so did all my friends. Actually the owner did a little too, but has only admited it recently now that he has shot better guns. we couldnt hit a thing with it.

go with a revolver, me thinks, but i would personally get a little longer barrel than the snub. thats just me.

[Lonestar49]

...

IF you decide with a semi auto, I really suggest, as suggested, if for fun, a 22lr caliber semi..

IF you want fun, but are thinking of self defence, home self defence, punch, cost factor of shooting a lot of ammo, to learn, practice, learn, practice, repeat, repeat, repeat.. then go 9mm bar none. Then, once you have the knowledge, skill, experience, confidence, trust of both, yourself, and guns, then get a bigger caliber like 357 or 40 cal with more punch and recoil.

AND, listen to the Revolver shooters, I don't own one, but I CAN understand exactly what they are saying too, and they are right, as well, if not, on a simplicity factor, even more right..


LS

[Sonora Rebel]

Sig-Saur P220 .45acp If you only have one... this is it.

[AJD]

Although your choice of the Ruger is a good gun, I'm going to give advice that few, if any, new shooters like to hear.

You would be best served buy a .22 LR revolver or semi-auto. A semi-auto Ruger MKII or MKIII will cost around $200-$300. A Smith & Wesson Model 17 will probably run around $300-$400.

I say a .22 LR for your first choice because they are in fact 100x better at training a new shooter to shoot well than any Glock 9mm or .38 Special revolver will ever be. Until you've learned how to focus on the front sights, achieve good trigger control and avoid flinching you will not shoot very well. A .22 LR will provide basically no recoil, no blast, and will greatly reduce your chances of flinching because of that.

Dry firing, the practice of pulling the trigger on an empty chamber, can help you to develop trigger control and teach you to look at the front sight. But it will never help you get rid of a flinch because no amount of practice drills with an empy gun can prepare you for when the firing pin hits the primer on a live round.

People may say "The 9mm is cheap". Your going to probably pay around $150+ for 1000 rounds of 9mm ammo. For .22 LR that much money would probably get you around 5000+ rounds of ammo. With ammo cost like that, you will be able to practice alot more within a reasonable budget which will help you become a better shooter much faster.

I know that some people who shoot at 7 yards and hit a man sized target all over the place are perfectly content with that level of accuracy but if you actually want to become a decent shot the .22 LR will help you get there alot faster. And if you really learn the basics of shooting, then moving up to a 9mm or .38 Special from a .22 LR will not be that difficult for you.

[macadore]

In my opinion, the most important thing in a first handgun is getting one that is pleasant and inexpensive to shoot. Hard recoiling handguns make novices flinch and this adversely affects accuracy. This can be discouraging. A 357 Magnum revolver will allow one to learn how to shoot with 38 Specials and then move up to the 357 when the shooter feels ready for a more powerful round. The 38 Specials are among the least expensive center fire rounds available and the 357 is one of the most versatile handgun rounds available. I am partial to S&W revolvers, but that’s just a personal opinion.

[Lew]

FS-22.04oz-2 also what does this mean?

Did anyone answer this yet? That's the empty weight of a Glock 17!

You said you've gone hunting with shotguns, right? Well, as laudable as the .22 is, maybe you can skip that step. (Just a thought, settle down, ya'll). You should know a bit about triggers, recoil...I've never shot a .22 pistol (surprise!) and I do fine. Started with .40, actually. Some people are just naturals :-D

[CZ.22]

http://www.geocities.com/xavierbreath2/SmittyWessonModdel15-3.jpg
Something like this might work

[chaim]

Probably the best first gun is a 3" or 4" medium framed revolver, assuming you want to learn and have something you can defend yourself with (not everyone has the budget to buy a .22 now and something else later when they are able to handle a gun safely for defensive use). Something the size of the Ruger GP100 or S&W L-frame (586, 686, 520, 620) are great in that they are fairly heavy so shooting .38spl is very low on recoil, and transitioning to .357mag is fairly easy. If you may also carry you may want a K-frame. They are a little smaller and lighter, I think they handle much better, .38spl out of them is pretty easy on the hands, but .357mag can be a bit stout if you aren't ready for it (but I really don't think it is bad at all- .357mag in a K-frame is one of my favorite combinations). You can shoot .38spl out of any .357mag revolver for light recoil and cheaper ammo when starting out (and for regular practice), you can shoot the more expensive and powerful .357mag for fun when you are ready, both many .38+P and .357mag loads make for wonderful home defense or CCW rounds, and you can even hunt with many .357mag loads (or use them for bear defense).

For auto pistols I prefer 9mm for a new shooter who also wants something that can be put into use for defense. It is much cheaper to shoot than many other auto calibers, recoil is relatively light, and it is suitable for HD and CCW.

If you have something else for defense, .22lr is ideal for new shooters (and a must for all shooters). Almost no recoil (makes prolonged practice sessions easy), very inexpensive ammo (makes more practice easy), often quite accurate, and if you get the right one it can be quite fun. As a new shooter you probably won't be ready to use your gun for HD and CCW yet, if you will be able to afford another gun later when you are ready for a HD/CCW capable gun, get the .22lr now.

All that said, the SP101 is a great gun, but it may be a little small for a new handgun shooter. If you are set on this gun instead of a bigger gun, look for one with a 3" barrel (the longer sight radius will make accuracy easier).

[kurk]

Go with 9 mm. Ammo's cheap enough that you'll actually be able to practice with it! :)

[Legionnaire]

Hey Cinder, any decision yet?