First Handgun - What to get?

[only1asterisk]

Do yourself a favor and buy a fullsize gun first. The advice to get a revolver is solid. A 22 is the pefect beginners gun, but you may be better served with something more useful. There is no better teacher than a S&W 686 or Ruger GP100. Cheap to shoot, powerfull with as much or as little recoil as you want. Get a 3" or 4". Start with 38's and shoot a lot. When you think you are ready to move on shoot more, then shoot some +P's. When you get to the point where you can shoot them as well as the lesser 38's you will be ready to move on to 110 grain 357's or medium velocity 125's. When you get good with these, you should be ready to shoot any handgun within reason. You will have leared a great deal about handguns from being at the range and watching others. Hopefully you will be a decent shot. Most of all you will have a gauge to measure other handguns buy. This is important. You can even carry it, although it will be more difficult than some other guns, it is not impossible.


If you must have a auto, you may want to get a full size all steel 9mm. Easier to conceal than an revolver, it will however take more time to become proficient. Ammo is still cheap, which is good because you will shoot it twice as fast.

Another good way to go with an auto is a smaller cartridge in a medium size gun. The one that comes to mind is the CZ 83 a double action high capacity 380. Bigger than a pocket pistol, but smaller than a full size gun, it may be the way to go if you really want to carry in a hurry.

You should probably avoid any compact 40's or 45's until you master a fullsize gun. Whatever you choose, let us know. I for one am very interested.

Dave

 

[Tommy Gunn]

Check the used gun market for a used .38 caliber S&W M10 revolver. There are alot of police trade-ins for just under $200 retail.

These are quality guns. The .38 Special chambering is very accurrate and will do everything you need a handgun for.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's From The Deep South-

For a first gun, I would recommend a revolver also.
They are a bit easier to become proficent with; but still it
takes practice, practice, practice! For a type selection,
I would have to say a (good used, but NOT abused) S&W
model 19, with a 4" barrel. This will allow you to shoot the
low cost, low recoil .38 specials for plinking/target shooting
and the potent .357 magnum's for defensive purposes.
One can usually we found in LNIB for between $250-300.
I would stay away from the Taurus and Rossi .357's. Buy
only quality firearms; is a good rule of thumb to follow!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Rich357]

Hi Blain,

Think safety now and every time you pick up a handgun. Don't ever assume it is not loaded. Watch that muzzle. Think, think, think.

What do you want to do with this handgun?

Are you looking for a carry piece? Or, will it mostly be for use at a range and / or home defense?

Do you have rental ranges in your area? You should try before you buy.

It is hard to find one perfect gun the first time. Your needs and interests will likely change over time. A handgun that is reliable, accurate and shoots modestly priced ammo is one that you will likely enjoy and want to take out to the range an use.

A .22lr revolver or semi-auto can give you years of shooting enjoyment and not cost you an arm and a leg.

If you want a more power full hangun, 9mm and .38 Special ammo is relatively inexpensive and easy to find. Bullet placement is more important than a little more power. Check the stats on the Ammo Lab site. There is not a huge difference between 9mm, .357SIG, .40S&W, .45auto.

Handguns in 9mm, I recommend:
Walher P99
Glock 17, 26 and 34 (I find them easier to shoot well than the G19)
SiG P239, P229 or P226... all are excellent. The P239 is the least expensive.
HK USP Compact

Handguns (revolvers) in .38/.357Mag, I recommend:
S&W 686 4"
S&W 66 4"
Ruger I'm sure is fine but I don't first hand expereince.

Rimfire handugns:
Ruger MkII semi auto
Browning Buckmark
S&W 617

Good luck,
Rich

 

[YodaVader]

I agree with the revolver choice - that is , if you really want to become a proficient handgunner. Trying to learn with low profile non adjustable sights like those found on most service autos is not the way to go. Trying to learn with a creepy , gritty , heavy trigger pull is highly detrimental to good shooting. A lot of service autos I have fired fall into that category.

Most of the new shooters , mostly kids , come into the range with their new semi-autos and proceed to spray bullets all over the place , some hitting the target , some the walls well to the side of the target , even seen bullet marks on the ceiling! Some really poor shooting.

Not saying that a revolver will make you instantly a good shooter , but buying one like Ala Dan recommends - a good 19 or 66 - you have good sights which can be adjusted , a handgun capable of shooting very mild ammo to begin with and a an extremely crisp creep free trigger which is a great aid in learning to shoot well. Plus you will have a gun that is usually capable of one inch accuracy with the right loads at 25 yards. Not that you will be able to shoot that well , but having a gun that is capable always helps confidence.

A good 22lr will go a long ways into making one a good handgun shooter. Smith 17 wold be a good choice. Low noise , recoil and cheap ammo all adds up to a handgun that is extremely pleasurable to shoot. Does not have the macho factor of a Glock , Beretta or HK but to me me it is far more impressive to make hits than to spray lead. Hitting the 100 yard silhouette (Ram) is almost routine with a good revolver or 22 target auto.

Not saying that I dislike a autos - fired a Les Baer 45 bullseye gun last year which was amazingly accurate , crisp trigger and a fantastic gun! That is my idea of a desirable semi-auto pistol!

 

[1goodshot]

Get a 4"-6" 357, either a S&W 686 or Ruger GP100. Everybody needs a good 357. They will both last a lifetime with normal use.

 

[only1asterisk]

Further infomation:

Dealer Prices
357 Revolver
S&W 686 $425+
S&W 66 $370+
Ruger GP100 $325+

9mm Fullsize
Cz 75 $325-350
S&W 5906 $450+ ($275 police trade in)
Ruger 9mm's $270-340

(S&W prices are all stainless others are blued)

Police trade in revolvers are $150-275, but you need to be able to reject bad ones.

When you pick a specific model, let me know and I will research a price for you.

All above prices are what the dealer pays, and honest dealer will get you any of these guns for $50-70 markup!

Add ons and extras:

Good locking case for transportation and storage

Holster and belt

Cleaning kit

Books with pictures Gunsmithing: Pistols & Revolvers by sweeney. Covers cleaning, used gun buying, lots of good reading.

Training Classes

AMMO!!! and lots of it!

Range membership!

NRA Membership

GOA and SAF donations

Have fun,

Dave

 

[only1asterisk]

I forgot,

Buying a used 357 K-frame S&W is not a bad idea, but be extra careful. Model 13, 19, 66, 65 Smiths are not as robust as L-frames 581, 586, 681, 686 or Ruger's GP100. Too many full power 357 mags will accelerate wear and tear. On a used gun were you don't know the history, this is a risk. Paying a little more for the stouter gun might be a wise investment.

6" barrel revolvers are great to target shoot with, but are a PITA to carry. If you want, or find a great deal on a 6" don't feel bad about buying it, you can always cut it down, or have a new barrel fitted ($125-175) when you get ready to start carrying.

Good luck,

Dave

 

[Blain]

Well I did it, I bought a handgun!!!!!


had made up my mind to get a .40 handgun by the time I had gotten in the store. The dealer pulled out and showed me the .40 SWDS. I tried it out for a bit and asked to also see the titanium finished P99 in .40 to compare them with. Both were nice guns, however, the P99 just felt better and seemed lighter, even!

The DS40 came with the case, two mags, and a holster for $450. The P99 came with all of the above (but without the holster) for $500.

IT was a hard decision, and the lower price + the addition of a holster for the DS40 almost made me purchase that gun instead. However, as the guy said, I should buy a gun based on how it fits/feels and not on a holster. I just had to buy the P99, it just felt right to me! Not to mention, I get an inch more of barrel length for added velocity.

The P99 also came with a 3 round higher capacity (10 round mags) with the capability to buy preban 12 and 16 rounders later on if desired.

So the P99 it was!

There was also a black P99 .40 selling for $400. Even though it was an identical model in all black for $100 less, I just had to go with the titanium finish! It just looked so.......money!

BTW, is it me, or is it almost impossible to fit 10 rounds inside the factory mags?

 

[only1asterisk]

Congradulations!

The p99 is a fine gun, I'm sure you'll be happy with it. Don't let it discourage you. Lots of cop learn to shoot with a 40 (many learn to flinch too). You may want to check out the P22. It looks feels and works like your P99, but it's a 22 LR. It will pay for itself in the price difference of 20 boxes of ammo. Should be able to pick one up for $240 or so. Also will help you to cure flinching, should you start.

Again, congradulations! Welcome to the club.

Dave

 

[Sir Galahad]

So ya didn't pick the .500 Magnum S&W or Desert Eagle .50AE, ya chicken! Just kiddin! Load the mags to 10 and let them sit overnights a week. They'll start getting easier to load.

 

[Rich357]

Some compact .40s and .45s.

SIG 239 .40 slim, accurate, reliable, comfortable to shoot

Glock 27 .40 small, accurate, reliable, easy to shoot well, 9 round magazine

Glock 23 .40 compact, accurate, reliable, easy to shoot if it fits your hand 10 round mag or more if pre-ban

Wather P99 .40 relatively compact, accurate, reliable, easy to shoot well, DA/SA,

USP Compact .40 accurate, reliable, easy to shoot well.

The Kahr .40s small and apparently reliable. I don't have experience with them, yet.

Glock 30 .45 compact but a little wide, accurate, reliable, surprisingly easy to shoot well. 10 round mag

Glock 36 .45 compact and slim, accurate, reliable, easy to shoot well, a litte more felt recoil than the G30, 6 round mag

There are a number of small 1911 style .45s. I don't have much experience with them, yet.

Rich

 

[happy old sailor]

blain: get a mag loader. save frustration. save fingers.

surprised your dealer did not mention this.

 

[litework]

Darn Blain, that's an awesome selection. I'm glad you went with the P99. The .40 is a nice caliber and the P99 is a nice package. Congrats on your purchase.

 

[Blain]

Thanks for the compliments guys! I shot it today and it shoots like a dream, hardly any recoil, even one handed! I have found some speedloaders for the 9mm P99 but not for the 40....where can I find some?

 

[goon]

As a sidenote, I would like to tell you of my handgun experiences.
My first handgun was a Ruger Single Six .22. I couldn't hit anything with it. Eventhough I would hold just right and squeeze the trigger just right, I would miss by feet. The chances of my hitting a pop can at even a minimal distance were minute.
My next gun was a Kimber .45. Eventhough my results with the .22 were dismal, I was much better with the .45. I quickly learned to empty a full magazine into the head of a silouhette target at 25 yards with little difficulty. That has characteristically been the story for me. I can shoot automatics pretty well, and I am not too bad with a DA revolver, but the single actions elude me.
The thing is that I would advise you to try a few different handguns before you decide. A .22 revolver may be a good choice for most people to start with, but it wasn't for me. It may or may not be for you.
Hell, you could pick up a 2.5 inch .357 and knock the center out of a target with it right away for all the more any of us know. I say try some out and pick what you want to start with.
The one glaring advantage of a revolver is that they are easily found with adjustable sights, so zeroing is user friendly. Adjusting the sights on some fixed sight autos can be a PITA.

My advice for a new auto says maybe the CZ pistols or a SIG. I have examples of both and they are both top notch. The CZ wins for price. Stay with 9mm to start. Cheap ammo and powerful enough to do what needs done. And low recoil.
For a revolver, I would choose S&W as a first, but I wouldn't turn down a good Ruger or Colt. All four of the Smiths I owned/own were excellent guns. Adjustable sights and .357 would be my preference. I started with 110gr .357mag loads, but you could use 38 Spec. if you felt the need to start there. If you have absolutely no experience with a handgun, .38 may be best to start with anyhow. It is only a very little step up from a .22 when fired in a large frame gun.
Now that I think about it, I should think you will need one of each.
Good luck.

 

[arinvolvo]

I say get something in 9mm....It is easy and cheap to shoot, so you will shoot it more, and get more practice.

 

[Rich357]

Congrats on getting the P99 .40!!

This last weekend I took my P99 9mm out to the range for the first time. No problems. It was a little more snappy than my Glock 9mm. The trigger of the P99 slapped my finger a little. The hole in the rear of the grip was a little scratchy on my hand. It is easy to smooth it's edges. I'm sure the trigger will feel better with more shooting.

Before I bought my P99 I had shot a well broken in P99, so I know the P99 can be very nice after several hundred rounds.

Rich

 

[denfoote]

Blain,
Excelent choice!!
I have had a P99 for several years now and have not had any problems with it!!

 

[Blain]

Rich, if you don't like the grip try one of the two other ones that come with the pistol!