what should my first handgun be?

Well I want a dan wesson .45 1911, a sig .40 S&W, or a smith and wesson .357 (probably model 27).

No losers in that list. However if you come across a nice clean Model 28 Highway Patrolman don't pass it by either. Maybe not quite as shiney and lacking the finer details but it's a superb gun and a plain jane clone of the 27.

The .357 Mag wheelgun for a multitude of reasons, one of which is the ability to fire .38 Special ammo also. :)

www.gunnerforum.com

www.taurusarmed.net

Those are all nice, but I would really suggest a .22 ruger mrk III for a "first gun".

My first gun was a .357 s&w and quite frankly I could not hit the side of a barn.

A .22 can give new shooters confidence and the bullets are affordable enough to practice, practice, practice.

Of course "sprice" being a senior member probably knows how to shoot a gun. LOL.

I don't own one, but I would love to own a Dan Wesson. Really fine guns.

Sprice, enjoy your new gun.

What's your budget?

1911s and SIGs (other than the P-210) are a dime a dozen. Get an ORIGINAL Model 27 and you've really got something. I've got two, a 3 1/2" and a 6".

A 1911 is one of those things you just kinda need if you're a red-blooded male. They also seem to run as some of the most expensive autoloaders in the US, so it's best to get the one you want right off the bat; it's cheaper "in the long run", because much of the other semi-autos are significantly cheaper to purchase.

That's how I did it, anyway.....my 1911 was the most expensive firearm I've ever purchased outside of my AR15....and it was worth it, IMO. And now, every other handgun I"ve purchased since seems "inexpensive" in comparison.

The possibility exists that it will be none of the three posted in your poll.
Until you go to the range and shoot the suggested firearms and get a good determination if any of the three are right for you -- whether they fit your hand and your eye and your body frame, etc. -- you won't know a thing.

While you are at it, you ought to try another half-dozen or so firearms, and then another half-dozen or so after that, until you are absolutely, positively, without-a-doubt certain that you have selected the right gun for you. Range work will make the determination for you, not a poll on THR.

If you are talking a pre-lock S&W 27, that is by far the best choice in that list. It is by far my favorite revolver. You can load cream-puff .38 rounds in it that will feel like a .22LR in that big gun. I love 1911s and am thinking about a Sig .40 myself (that 239 is a nice looking/feeling gun...), but the 27 is a realm apart. If possible, get an earlier one (pre-1980 or so) with the 3.5" barrel - they are really fun and good looking.

I'd suggest none of them. I'd get a 9mm autoloader if you want an autoloader. If you want a revolver get the .357, and shoot .38s. The .40 and .45 have more stopping power than 9mm, however, they are more expensive and probably recoil more, making them morel ikely to give you a flinch.

To make a real Rec, It helps to know someones experience. If you don't have much time w/ pistols, and it's not going to get alot of use, go w/ the Smith and keep it loaded w/ .38s's. If you are a big guy w/ Military time, and it's for home defense and the occasional carry situation, I say a 1911, but as a cheap skate, I can't see how a Dan Wesson's price tag is justified. If it will be a regular carry gun, I say the Sig. It all depends on what you want and need. Good luck w/ what ever you choose

Learn to shoot, before stunting your growth with recoiling monsters. A .45 ACP will not take your mind off recoil. A .22 Ruger Mark III pistol is something you will want in your "collection" sooner or later. MAKE IT SOONER. cliffy

Buy a .22 Ruger or Browning pistol. Buy 2000 rounds of .22 lr. Shoot through them all. You will then be a better pistol shot than 99% of people on the planet.

Then buy the Dan Wesson. Get into NRA Bullseye competitions with your .22 and .45.

Later buy the other two when you run across deals.

Dependable and simple to operate.

It depends. What's the gun for?

Another Rec for a .22, in whatever version you like.
If you want my opinion on .22 pistols, I recently weighed my options and bought a second Ruger mkIII, while putting a P22 into semi-retirement.

I like autos best, but I think that everyone should start with a revolver. Super easy to operate.

It depends. What's the gun for?


^^^ that.