First Handgun

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EHCRain10

EHCRain10

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hey guys just looking for some advice on what hangun to buy when i turn 21 in a few months.
Ive shot a few revolvers (up to 44spl) but no semiautos and the recoil isnt too bad with any that i have shot
i dont plan to CC for a while until im confidant in my skills so this will mainly be a gun to carry at the range or in the woods
HD is not needed, i have shotguns for that

Thanks for the advice,
Also could you provide a price estimate for whatever you recommend so that i can make sure to have the proper funds when i become old enough.

PS, i will most likely take a trip to a range where i can rent a few different guns prior to buying this gun so that i can make sure of my purchase
 
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I'd strongly suggest a Glock subcompact in 9mm or .40 S&W (G26 or G27), they're the smallest of the glocks, have a good capacity, and will be reliable as glocks always are. I carry a glock 30 myself daily, and I used to carry a G26. You will not regret it. When it comes to defensive pistols, reliability is my first concern, and glock nails that and much more.
 
alot of folks will recommend a .22 of some kind, which is a good choice, and makes for alo of shooting at a low cost. i can't remember what my ruger 22/45 cost my wife bought it for me but they aren't much i know that like $300 maybe?

but i would also suggest anything from the xd line, i have 2 and i love em. any caliber they are all outstanding. aroud $469 where i am at

also check out glock 19 eing my favorite, glock go it right in there 9mm pistols, but i don't much care for the other calibers in the glock line. they are about the same price of the xd's aroud me, mybe 25-50$ more deends on the dealer.

also check out the s&w m&p line up, there ergo's are great and they shoot well, they are around the same price range as the glocks and the xd's, i haven't priced them latley but i know they are close.
 
.22 rimfire revolver.

Ruger Single-Six is a great single-action revolver. $250-$300

Smith & Wesson Model 18 is a great double-action revolver. $375-$475

There are others, of course, but those are the best I've seen - and I've been watching for many years. Stick with Ruger or S&W and buy "used" if you can.

You can watch them selling on Gunbroker.com between now and when you turn 21 so you have a much sharper estimate of what you'll need to spend.

Good Luck to You !!
:cool:
 
I'd strongly suggest a Glock subcompact in 9mm or .40 S&W (G26 or G27), they're the smallest of the glocks, have a good capacity, and will be reliable as glocks always are. I carry a glock 30 myself daily, and I used to carry a G26. You will not regret it. When it comes to defensive pistols, reliability is my first concern, and glock nails that and much more.
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Did you read the OP?

i dont plan to CC for a while until im confidant in my skills so this will mainly be a gun to carry at the range or in the woods
HD is not needed, i have shotguns for that
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One can easily deduce from his statements that he is looking for a range piece/woods gun, which is not an ideal role for a G26/27 or any other subcompact.

ECHrain10;
Lots (and I mean LOTS) of good choices out there, and you're just going to have to hold/fire a few to figure out what feels right. Since you don't specify predator defence as part of your selection criteria, any of the common chamberings like 9x19mm, .40 S&W or .45 ACP are probably best. If you are looking for bear defense, I'd probably look above 9mm. As for platform, the ones I've found to be almost universally comfortable to new shooters are the 1911 and CZ-75 based guns. On that note, I have not yet found anyone who dislikes the feel of the new S&W M&P series pistols.
 
MachIVShooter, thanks for the advice, im not looking for predator defense and there are only smallish black bears in my area, it also helps that 90% of the time im in the woods im running either a chainsaw or a tractor, so defense isnt needed

the more i think bout it, a basic 1911, or 4inch midsize revolver would seem to be what im looking for, any comments?
 
You need a .22lr plain and simple. No matter if it is a revolver or semi-auto. You should start out with a .22lr and work up from there. No sense in purchasing a .45ACP if you don't know how to shoot...
 
I'll say a good .22 as well. go to the store(when legal) and fondle a few. I went with the Ruger Single Six. it's not for every one. A lot of my friends wondered why i got it and not something "cool" like a .44, .45 or glock. They dont talk as loudly when i hit the target they keep missing. Single action is slow and you aim every shot. at the same time, it's hard to just blast off ammo when you're in the mood to do that.

A semi-auto .22 is a great choice. They are pretty cheap to buy and super cheap to shoot. The Ruger Mk or 22/45 and Browning Buckmarks are probly the best choices. Some of the other brands like Sig and Walther CAN be very ammo picky. A .22 will really teach you control and keep you from flinching. I want a 1911 like no one else on this board, but i know if i had bought one for my first pistol i would not be nearly as good a shot as i am now.
 
My 2 cents:
A decent .22 revolver digests everything you feed it. Some .22 semi-autos can be finicky. A .22 is almost a must.

If you want something with a bit more oomph, I'd seriously recommend a 9X18 Makarov (Russian, E. German or Bulgarian.) They're affordable, fairly compact & a dream to shoot. The ammo is cheap and they are as dependable as an old Dodge Dart. Makarovs are my new religion. I bought one for $145, total, and the second one for $173, total. Look online at auction sites. A C&R license will keep costs down. They're really good things. Ask around.
 
My reccomendation: Ruger GP 100 .357, 4" Barrel and a cheap single stage reloading press.

The GP is for general purpose. With the right load, that gun would be suitable for anything short of Grizzly bears. .38's can be loaded for pennies apiece for practice. Bowling pin, IDPA, hunting........

"Beware the man with one gun. He probably knows how to use it."
 
When I count to three, your eyes will be heavy and you will be very sleepy.....1.......2........3.........now, you need to look at the Bersa line of pistols. When I count down from three to one you will be awake, 3......2......1

At under $350 out the door, you won't be disappointed.
 
I Like .357 revolvers a lot. You can shoot .38 special in them for plinking and practice, and have the option of .357 magnum in them when you feel like it.
.38 special through my 4 inch revolver(Colt Python) shoots smooth and accurate, and is a lot of fun.
I don't have one, but if i were to get another revolver, i think i'd be looking at a Ruger. Reasonably priced, well liked by seemingly all who have them, built like tanks.
 
I suggest a Glock. However, if you are not too familiar with handguns then perhaps something with external safety as well since Glock does have it. Glock assumes that you are well trained and understand your weapon.
 
First hangun. No question. It should be a .22- revolver or semi to your taste. You will probably keep it and shoot it for years.
 
My 22 handgun was my 3rd or 4th handgun after 380, 9mm, and 45. Don't see why people feel the need to start out with 22.
 
Question to OP, you state that the recoil wasn't bad .. which begs the question .. how was the accuracy?

I'd hazard that 90% of shooters that start with a larger caliber (without good instruction) will be all over the paper. Why frustrate yourself when you can focus on shooting instead of trying to tame a bad flinch?
I see it all the time .. new shooter+centerfire caliber=all over the place on the paper at 5 yards.

Build a solid foundation, then move up.

.22 sure seems to help get folks started right.
Heck, even .177 airguns.
 
Oh. I wasn't taught about guns, I had to teach myself, so I had already learned 22 rifles and shotguns and regular sized rifles, so when I got my first handgun it was a 380. Didn't feel the need to start out with a 22 handgun when I didn't have any and wanted something for concealed carry.
 
Yep. Same, only I got interested in bb guns and parents just went along with it and eventually I got into .22's and so on.
 
Since more that a few have suggested a 22LR as my first and im not a huge fan of it, how about a 17HMR revolver as my first? if you guys say i should learn on a gun with light recoil aka a rimfire, id rather have the HMR because i enjoy that round more.

Any double action revolvers in that round?
 
One of the primary reasons lots of folks have said .22 is the cheap ammo prices. With a 550 bulk pack at about $10, you can get a lot of pistol practice cheap. I don't know the ammo prices on .17 but I've seen a lot of Taurus Trackers in this chambering. I think CDNN has a page in their catalog devoted to the .17 guns. When the ammo is $8-$20 for 50 rounds, practice gets expensive real quick.

On range days, I generally fire 1 box through one of my big boys and then blast away with one of my .22 revolvers and a bulk pack...
 
Since more that a few have suggested a 22LR as my first and im not a huge fan of it, how about a 17HMR revolver as my first?
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Umm..why? For the price of 17HMR, you could just go 9mm. I've actually never shot a .17hmr from a handgun, but I imagine the muzzle blast would get you flinching as bad as a centerfire might.

I'm a big proponent of the .22LR - and it's not just for newbies, either. That said, I think it is possible (but unlikely) that one could learn on a centerfire without picking up bad habits, but given the cost difference you just won't be shooting as much.

Here's a suggestion: Ask yourself how often you'll be shooting, and how many rounds per session you'd like shoot. Or ask yourself how long you'd like to shoot per session. I shoot roughly 250 - 300 rounds in an hour, so you'll burn a box of 50 in about 10 minutes. Do you really want to be at the range for 10 minutes? Could you afford to shoot for an hour? Look up some prices of ammo on the internet, and calculate how much you'll be shelling out per month shooting. If you can swing it (without being financially irresponsible), go for it. If not, consider the .22LR.
 
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