First time at the range (ever!)

[BoomStick82]

Well, today my girlfriend and I went to the closest range that would rent handguns and had a good time (me better than her, but she had more fun as more ammo was shot). We shot both a springfield xd9 and a walther p99 with the da/sa trigger setup (my favorite from them). She liked how the p99 felt a lot better, even though the percieved recoil was noticably higher with it than the xd9. She also held a generic 1911 in the lobby, but was afraid to fire off the "big" .45 caliber rounds. I must admit, that since this was my first time ever firing a centerfire handgun (previous experience is pellet only, heh), that the 9mm definitely had some kick to it, although nothing "radical" We both managed to keep most of our shots in the 9 ring (and not many outside the 8 except when we flinched, or I tried using my left hand instead of my right) on the "insane saddam" target they had when we set it at 21 feet. I personally liked the ergonomics of the xd a bit more than the p99, but I absolutely love the way the 1911 felt in my hand. I know there are 9mm 1911's out there (springfield makes one that doesn't seem to be too expensive), but my question is, do you think that both of us would be able to handle a .45? I didn't have any problems with the recoil of the 9mm, but she didn't like the noise (which I feel was due to the fact it was an indoor range with no sound-deadening treatment) that the 115 grain foicchi loads were creating. She's willing to go back at some point and give the .45 a try as long as I can convince her that the recoil won't be an insane amount more than the 9mm. I really don't want to start this up as a .45 vs. 9mm debate, just trying to find an excuse to get back out to the range

 

[osteodoc08]

For now, I'd stick with the 9mm. It will help you gain your confidence quickly and is considerably cheaper to shoot which would allow for more practice.

If this is your first time and are serious about shooting, I suggest joining a beginning shooters course to build go technique. Also remember that gun ownership is also for the responsible only. I'm not saying that you are not responsible at all, don't get me wrong. I'm just saying that with gun ownership comes the responsibilty of gun ownership.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Good for both of you!

The ideal way to begin shooting is with .22 rifles, whose recoil even small children don't mind.

That said™, better to begin shooting with anything than nothing.

 

[Cousin Mike]

I learned to shoot with a 9mm. Learning to shoot with a .22 is not a requirement, but probably best. Had I learned on a .22 I might be a better shot than I am at the moment.

That said, if you just want to rent one to have fun with, and experiment with caliber, rent a 1911 and satisfy your curiosity. IMHO, don't buy one until you are a decent shot. My 1911 was the first gun my girlfriend ever fired. She wasn't very good with it (obviously), and the recoil was pretty massive for her, but that made it all the more fun for her. You or your girlfriend might not like the recoil, and the noise/flash from a 1911 might make the percieved recoil even worse. You might like it, but it might prove to be too much. The lady is now looking for her own weapon, and prefers the 9mm, but she still likes to shoot my 1911. As for me, I'll be sticking with the .45 for a while, and just put a payment on a Sig P220 as a holiday gift to myself.

There's only one way to find out what you like! Good luck, be safe and have fun!

 

[Tomcat1066]

The first semiauto pistol I ever fired was a S&W 9mm (not sure the model). It was my Dad's issue weapon. A couple of months ago, I fired a buddy's Milspec Springfield 1911 and the .45 felt like it had less recoil than the earlier 9mm. Granted, years seperated the two range trips (more than I really care to count), but the jist is this: Don't fear the .45. It's a fun round and the recoil isn't bad at all from what little experience I have with it.

Tom

 

[Werewolf]

but my question is, do you think that both of us would be able to handle a .45?

I started both my wife and my eldest daughter out on a 9mm CZ-75 (all metal - fairly heavy - light feeling recoil even with +P).

Eventually both wanted to try out my Sig P220 and S&W 1911. Guess what - both prefer the bigger guns. HELL! My eldest daughter's favorite handguns are my Ruger Vaqueros .45LC and my Taurus Raging Bull in .44 Mag (she really likes the Raging Bull best). My 14 year old niece fired her first pistol at age 12 - a Glock 22. Never phased her a bit.

Recoil isn't all that big a deal once you know what to expect. If .45 is an issue then shoot some out of various guns to see how much of an issue then shoot some more and eventually you'll wonder why it was ever an issue at all.

Society has programmed our women to think they're frail and weak. They're not. Don't treat 'em like they are and even they can be surprised at just how tough they can be.

 

[Cueball]

I would stick with the 9mm for now. I wouldn't want either of you to get discouraged due to noise or recoil. Moving her to a 45 might turn her off to shooting sports and you don't want that... ease into it.

 

[Werewolf]

I would stick with the 9mm for now. I wouldn't want either of you to get discouraged due to noise or recoil. Moving her to a 45 might turn her off to shooting sports and you don't want that... ease into it.

See what I mean...

Even experienced shooters have been brainwashed by society to consider women pussy wimps so easily frightened by loud noises and a bit of response to physical action.

Women are not wimps - why can't Americans get that thru their heads.

 

[Ares]

She's willing to go back at some point and give the .45 a try as long as I can convince her that the recoil won't be an insane amount more than the 9mm. I really don't want to start this up as a .45 vs. 9mm debate, just trying to find an excuse to get back out to the range

It's more but not a whole lot more, you could handle it easily. Especially in a heavy all steel full sized 1911. However that being said it is generally accepted that you probably should begin with a .22LR and work up. Borrow them or rent them, unless you really want them. However whatever you choose is up to you. If you so choose I doubt a .45 will give you anything more than a little more muzzle flip.

 

[MarshallDodge]

Ares is right, the 45 will feel different out of an all steel 1911. Not as "snappy" as the 9mm.

My wife and I shoot our 1911's in 45ACP everytime we go to the range. I reload so I make up some lighter loads that have less recoil.
Last time we were at the range my 10 year old boy was having fun with them as well. Looks like I might have to spend more time at the reloading press.

We usually shoot some full loads at the end just to stay sharp.

The full load 230 grain bullets are not bad but see if they have some 185 grain target loads. You will really like them.

I have a Springfield 1911 in 9mm that is really soft shooting. You can tell the difference during rapid fire.

 

[chris in va]

Stick with a 9mm for now. Fairly inexpensive ammo and you'll be shooting a LOT, trust me. It's nothing for me to blow through 3-400 per session, especially at an outdoor range where you can blow stuff up.

22's are nice, but just get one later on for plinking fun. Better yet, get a 9mm that also has a 22 slide conversion...like CZ.

 

[Black Majik]

Well.... my first gun was a Colt .45..

But, I'd say continue learning on the 9mm. Theres always time to try out a .45, and trust me, it ain't all its cracked to be. Some even feel the .45 ACP round is easier to shoot since the recoil is more of a push instead of a snap.

If you'd like though, try 50 rounds of .45 ACP to see if you like it. For regular practice though and to get used to shooting, nothing really beats 9mm.

Confused yet?

 

[Ares]

The 9mm is definately cheaper to feed and in all fairness I should point out that there are indeed many good 45ACP pistols out there that aren't 1911's as well. In the end try several and buy what you like to shoot the most. These things, even "bargain" models are often a pretty decent outlay of cash so make sure you get something you're going to like and won't regret spending the money on.

 

[Cueball]

Werewolf,
I based my suggestions on his original comments...

She liked how the p99 felt a lot better, ... but was afraid to fire off the "big" .45 caliber rounds. ...and.. but she didn't like the noise

That's the only reason I made the suggestions I did and I stick by what I said.

 

[goon]

I would stay with 9mm for now too, especially if you can find a 9mm 1911. There will come a day when you can pick up someone else's .44 magnum and not have a problem with it but it does take a couple K rounds downrange. Don't rush it. Getting there is half the fun.

 

[ulflyer]

I don't necessarily agree with the "stay with the 9" crowd. I've owned an XD 9 and the "perceived" recoil...to me...was more than my standard 1911's. More in the sense of real snappy, compared to a 45 big push. Actually I'd rather shot my lightweight Colt Defender than the XD. But, like many have said....rent one, try it. Let us know. Betcha you'll never look back at the 9.

 

[Cousin Mike]

My first gun was a 9mm. Even then, I thought the kick was light and easy to manage. When I fired a .45 for the first time I was surprised at the muzzle flip on a full size 1911. Being used to it now, 9mm's almost feel like toy guns to me. I shoot well with a .45, and prefer the recoil of the .45, but it's still a stronger kick overall. Saying the .45 is as light a recoil as a 9mm is a tad bit misleading IMHO. The .45 is nothing to be scared of, just expect a little more bang from such a bigger bullet, and have fun.

 

[middy]

I find the recoil of .45 acp to be pleasant, from a full-size 1911. It also make bigger holes. What's not to love?

Oh yeah, it costs twice as much as 9mm.

 

[Davo]

I once had a girlfriend who loved coming to the range with me not to shoot, but because she loved loading the mags
She loved my 22/45, actually I do too.
We split up shortly after I got an ultimate clip loader, and I cant help but wonder if that had something to do with it

 

[Snagglepuss]

My first handgun was a a G19, 9mm, and I found the recoil to be mild and just right. I immediatly bought a .22 conversion for the Glock. It felt anemic and not real fun. The upside is I can shoot for pennies with it. Want to shoot fast. A 10 round clip of .22 may cost 5 cents, but a 8 round clip of .45 will cost $2.40. So if you like to blaze away like a madman get a .22. After a few months I bought a S&W 686 revolver, .357 magnum. The flash and recoil was more than the 9mm obviously but wasn't bad. Then on to the S&W 629, .44mag. This recoil was a blast and the noise turned heads at the range. You could feel the concussion in your bones. From there I moved to a .45 1911 platform. Two 1911's later I was in heaven. I have now purchased a 10mm 1911 and am still waiting to shoot it. This progression all occured in a 18 month period. My best advise is start with the 9mm but don't be worried to move on quickly. As one member mentioned above, it is all what you expect. If you set your mind to expect a larger recoil and noise you will be ready. Once you have experienced a different range of calibers you can then settle in on the one you like. Unfortunatly for me I like switching around and using 2 o 3 guns of different calibers on each trip to the range.

I am sure you will enjoy whatever you decide on. Shooting is a great sport and researching, buying and gun maintainance are side benefits. As mentioned above a class is also a great idea. You can exchange ideas and gain knowledge fast. It is also a great place to try different types of handguns.

And remember - Gun safety is a must.

 

[armoredman]

Congradulations. You have taken a first step into a larger world. Welcome.


Try everything you can, find the "one" that fits you like a glove, and look all over, at any pistols you can try out. There is the "one" out there - sometimes you find it, sometimes you spend most of your life looking for it, which can also be fun!

 

[Sunray]

I've always found the .45 ACP to be much more comfortable to shoot than the 9mm. Neither will hurt you or your lady, but it won't be fun either if the muzzle blast and noise is too much. You don't need to shoot factory loads either. Target loads in either calibre will do nicely. You're not there to hold off the Red Hordes. You're there with your lady to have some fun shooting. Oh, and don't get PO'd if she shoots better than you do. It usually just works out that way. Women are inherently better shots than men are. Just consider yourself lucky she'll go shooting with you.

 

[BoomStick82]

As of now, I'm a bit more accurate (she's still a bit afraid of autoloaders), but she is really excited to try a revolver out, so we're going back to the range sometime in the next week to try out some .38 special rounds from a 4-6" revolver (hopefully ruger). This way I can pick up revolvers and leverguns in .357 magnum and work our way up to the full power loads and have great ammo compatibility. I also plan on picking up a reloading setup if I can make sure it is safe to have inside my apartment.