Advice for 1st Handgun

[BKP]

I'm interested in my owning first handgun.
So many options... Too many choices... Is it unheard of to try several models before purchasing (if the store had a range..) ?
If anyone want to suggest a gun, probably autoloader, I would appreciate it.
I have plenty of hunting rifle/shotgun experience, very little handgun.

I'm an adult male, average size. Interested in:
Home defense / stopping power
Accuracy
Dependable mechanics
Price
Thank you!

Also one for my wife too (average size, not strong in the hands)!

 

[geronimo509]

I hate to say this but I think you would be very happy with a glock. 9mm, .40, or .45. it is accurate. It is VERY dependable!! probably the best gun for your money for HD. Some will say a shotgun for HD, but you said handgun so thats my suggestion. Also, some ranges rent firearms and I would definitely suggest that you try some different firearms

 

[Big Daddy Grim]

I agree with the glock view but look at the S&W M&P and the XDs all good choices for a first handgun my first was a Colt 1911 Delta Elite.

 

[easyrider604]

For a first handgun, I always recommend a 4" barreled revolver, whatever S&W K frame they can afford, for reasons that have been discussed forever in this forum: ease of operation and mechanical reliability.

For caliber, I would recommend .38 special, but if the recommendee has any aptitude at all for guns and shooting, I'd tell them to go for a .357 magnum, for its versatility.

 

[David E]

4" .357, either a S&W 686 or Ruger GP-100

.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

S&W Model 10. If you just have to have an autoloader for a first pistol, get a Beretta 92FS.

Those two are the best pistols in their class and are very reasonably priced, new or used.

 

[okespe04]

Given the political climate I would go for the glock. Autos are more likely to be targeted for restrictions. Get a good high cap auto while you can.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree a 4" 38/357 revolver would be best but if you really want a semi-auto and price is a consideration the S&W M&P or Springfield XD would probably be your best bet. If you can go a little higher on the price a 1911 is also a good choice. You don't need a full size 1911 to be well protected.

Whatever you do please stay away from cheap guns because when you buy cheap you get cheap. I'm not talking about a gun that's inexpensive, I mean cheap. Nothing wrong with buying a quality handgun which is used. Most often it will be a much better buy than a new gun that's cheap.

 

[mmartin101808]

I would suggest any type of double action only semi-auto. I would stay away from anything with a safety/decocker, because you and your wife being new to shooting possibly wouldn't remember to disengage the safety/decocker in a high stress situation. In other words something you can pick up, squeeze the trigger, and go boom without much thought. Revolvers are also a good idea. My only caution with a revolver would be the heavy trigger pull. What it comes down to is how much time do you realistically want to spend at the range to become familier with your gun. If you want something that's simple to shoot, and easy to maintain go with a Glock/M&P/XD/H&K type gun. If you don't mind putting in the range time to learn to control the heavy pull of a revolver, than go that route. I second the notion that whatever you buy, don't buy cheap. There's a difference between cheap, and a good value.

 

[altitude_19]

There's nothing wrong with having a safety. In fact, I HIGHLY recommend one for new pistoleers until you have CEMENTED your gun handling habits (finger off the trigger until read to fire, etc). The REALLY nifty thing about safeties is you don't HAVE to use them. Once your habits are locked in and you can safely carry without one, just leave it off.
RUGER P90.
It's a single stack, so it's low on the list of hi-cap magazine ban priorities. It's SUPER reliable, inexpensive, and it fires 45 ACP (stopping power and wide availability). The top slide is steel, so it's a soft shooter (handles like a Cadillac, actually). The grips are easy to exchange for after market gear (lasergrips, Pachmyr grips, etc). The safety on the thing is first rate...it actually cams the firing pin forward away from the hammer and de-cocks itself when engaged.

 

[MaterDei]

Welcome BKP.

I agree with altitude with regard to safeties.

What is your budget?

 

[glassman]

I agree with easyrider. A revolver would be my first choice for someone unfamiliar with handguns. A nice K frame in .357 would do it. You could shoot .38's for practice and move up to .357 for more serious things. If an auto loader is a must, I would suggest CZ or Dan Wesson.
Welcome to the forum, by the way. A lot of very knowledgeable people here..a great place to learn.

 

[Redhawk1]

First time handgun shooter, I suggest you get a good 22 L/R revolver, and learn how to shoot it well. When you get very proficient with the 22 revolver, get a 357 Mag revolver, S&W 686 or a Ruger GP 100 with a 4 or 6 inch barrel. You can practice with 38 specials, and then 357 Mags. The key is to keep practicing to stay proficient with your handgun. That is all you would need for home defense.

The problem with learning to shoot on higher recoiling handguns is, you can or will develop a flinch with does you no good, if you cannot hit your target.

The reason I recommend a revolver is, it is the easiest to operate of all the handgun, especially in a stressful situation. You can always pick up a semi-auto later and get familiar with it as well.

 

[hlq]

<blockquote>Also one for my wife too (average size, not strong in the hands)!</blockquote>

Sounds like your really looking for two, if she is new to shooting, a revolver like the J frame S&W might be a good choice. Then pick an auto loader for yourself that feels right.

 

[Hostile Amish]

Both the Glock and S&W M&P are good beginner's guns. Get them in 9mm for low recoil.

 

[rbernie]

Browning HiPower in 9mm Luger/9x19.

 

[stalkingbear]

It amazes me when the glock guys ALWAYS prescribe glocks no matter what the question. The ONLY obvious choice is an 4" .357 revolver and use .38s to practice.

Especially when his wife is CLEARLY not strong enough to rack the slide on an semi-auto.

 

[Supertac45]

Sig 229 in .40 S&W is my reccommendation.

 

[indiandave]

I agree with the guys saying start with a revlover. As mentioned a S&W model 10, a S&W 686 and a ruger gp 100. At first avoid light weight guns.

 

[gglass]

Go with a Smith & Wesson M&P.

Why?

• AMERICAN made and owned
• High-cap mags
• Designed for the military and LE agencies
• Over 370 LE departments have made it their issued weapon since its 2006 introduction (more new contracts than any other firearm brand)
• The best bang for the buck out there

 

[Fishman777]

I agree with the revolver crowd...

I think that a good revolver would suit your needs very well.

I think that they are great guns for all skill levels. Currently, I only own one centerfire handgun right now. It is a GP100 with a 4" barrel. I think that a medium framed .357 magnum from either Ruger or Smith and Wesson would be a great choice. In my opinion, revolvers are the ultimate multi-purpose gun for a few reasons.

1. A good revolver specimen will be reliable, regardless of ammo or the shooter's skill level.
2. .38 special/.357 magnum (flexible power levels)
3. Easy to shoot accurately.
4. Easy to operate and safe.

There are a lot of other benefits, but I've gotta run.

 

[hso]

BKP,

Welcome to THR.

First handgun advice? Most people will recommend a particular gun but I recommend that you instead find out what fits you before picking a particular make and model. Think about it, if you want to teach someone to ride a bike don't you find out what fits them first so they can operate it and and enjoy it? Same for handguns.

You first should determine what points naturally for you. You've been pointing all your life. We all have. As such each of us have developed a natural and comfortable point at things. Find a handgun that has a grip angle (angle between the barrel and centerline of the grip) that allows you to point the handgun naturally. This may be a 1911 grip angle or a Glock or CZ 75 or something else, but you'll find a "family" of handguns that the angle between the barrel and grip match your natural pointing ability.

So how do you determine what "points" for you? Have a selection of handguns available (no, not a bunch of 1911s or Glocks). Stare at a point 20 feet away. Point at it a couple of times (yes, I know this "looks" goofy) and then pick up one of the handguns (I usually start out with a 1911) and getting a good one-hand grip on it stare at the "target" you were pointing at. Laying your index finger along the frame, point the gun just like you were pointing with it. Now check the sights and see if you have to adjust the front sight up or down to align on the target. Make note of what you did. Now put the handgun down and repeat the whole silly looking process over again with a different handgun (no not the 9mm 1911, the Glock or CZ or BHP widebody 1911 or...) Repeat this until you find the one that you don't have to adjust to get the sight aligned. You have the "family" of handguns that point for you. Probably different than what points for me or my buddy (BHP vs CZ).

Now you can work within that family to find out what grip width and reach to trigger you need to make it fit you.

The advent of new handguns with changeable grip inserts has lead to a whole new generation of handguns that allow you to customize the grip to more closely fit you without having to change guns. Just try the gun the way it is right out of the box and then change the grip insert and see if that's a better fit. Repeat until you find the one that makes the handgun fit you or you've run out of inserts in the box and have to switch to a different make. Pretty clever idea on handgun manufacturer's part.

The advantage to this approach is that people who complain about recoil on a 9mm CZ75 have been quite happy with a Para P13 and folks that don't like a BHP 9mm have been tickled to death about a CZ 10mm. Once you find the handgun that fits your architecture you can handle heavier loads much more comfortably and you will start out shooting more accurately.

What fits you probably won't fit your wife so she can now go get what fits her and join you on the range.

 

[Archer1945]

if she is new to shooting, a revolver like the J frame S&W might be a good choice.

I absolutely discourage any brand new shooter from getting a J frame S&W unless it is one of the kit guns, preferably in .22LR. The J frame in the short-barrel versions is a specialist's weapon and takes a lot of experience and practice to be able to shoot well.

I am also one of those that recommends a 4" 38/357 though most of the polymer frame semi-autos are extremely reliable and some are now coming with inter-changeable grips which makes them easy to fit to a person's hand. The only real disadvantage with learning with a semi-auto is the tendency to want to shoot them as fast as you can before learning proper technique. BIG advantage of learning on a semi-auto is the much better trigger pull than a revolver has.

 

[punkndisorderly]

I tend to agree with Archer. While compacts like J-frames and pocket pistols can work for a new shooter, they tend to be difficult to shoot well thanks to greater recoil and short sight radius.

I'd start with one of the "generic" choices like a service length S&W .38/.357 or mid/full size 9mm Glock/XD/M&P. If one of those doesn't fit the bill, work your way out from there looking for something that has whatever it is your looking for that the "generics" don't.

I'd also stick to 9mm or 40S&W. I haven't had much luck introducing new shooters to shooting with .45's. Most of the time, the recoil is slightly too much for most new shooters. My wife is perfectly happy shooting a 9mm or .38 but tends to avoid my 1911 like the plague.

I also highly recommend picking up a Ruger MkII/III or Browning Buckmark as early as possible (perhaps even before a centerfire). A good reliable .22lr is a great way to get new shooters hooked, offers inexpensive training on the fundementals of marksmanship, and can be shot an enire afternoon for the price of 30 minutes of 9mm.

 

[stalkingbear]

My 16 year old babygirl laughs & rolls her eyes when people says the .45acp 1911 recoils too much. She's been shooting .45s AND .41 magnum SINCE SHE WAS 12!!!!!!! In fact, I've apparently lost my Taurus PT1911 as it's impossible to pry it from her hands when we go shooting. Naturally most of the guns are stored in the gunsafe when not being used except for the loaded 1s that are currently serving guard duty.