first time handgun buyer

[monte44]

I'm a first time buyer looking for a handgun for home defence and range use. I am a male and have small hands. I've fired the Baretta m9 but found it to be too unwieldly for me to handle. My friend has has suggested going with a Glock 23.

I'd appreciate some feedback, thanks.

 

[memphisjim]

glock 23 is a fine weapon
you may however want to look at single stacks or even a revolver

 

[gilfo]

Check into the CZ line. May I suggest a 75 Compact or the PCR. I to have small hands and the Compact fits like a glove. You may want to also look at the Rami. I have one of those too.

 

[gwnorth]

It's pricier then a glock, but SIGs P239 single stack is very small-hand friendly (you can get it in 9mm, .40s&w or .357sig). You need to try a bunch of different makes and models to find what feels most comfortable. Even relatively subtle differences in grip size, as well as grip shape, can have a big impact on how you take to a gun.

 

[BossHogg]

All kinds of affordable 4 inch revolvers out there in .38 caliber. Most will give you a well balanced weapon thats a pleasure to shoot. I think a revolver is the best way to go for first time buyers. Very simple to use no safety to engage or disengage just point and shoot. Just make sure it's a double action revolver.

 

[Confederate]

Glocks are great guns, but are too easy to accidentially discharge, especially with new users.

The three guns I'd recommend are:

1) Ruger or S&W .357 revolver. These guns are powerful, reliable and versatile. Most .357 owners count this caliber as one of their favorites and the guns that shoot them as their favorites. The guns also shoot .38 Spc rounds. That's hard to beat.

2) Ruger stainless Single-Six. This .22LR also will shoot the more powerful .22 magnum, and is fun to shoot. Being a cowboy gun, the Single-Six is a pain to unload, but most owners love shooting this gun. Oh, and it's cheap to shoot.

3) Ruger Mark II/III. This gun is cheap to shoot, offers amazing firepower and is accurate and reliable. It's great for self defense and many knowledgable people consider it a great survival gun. (I like the standard fixed sight model, but many like the 5-inch bull barrel. I also like the 6 7/8-inch model.)

Centerfire autos are great guns for later use, but you have to sweep up your brass, change the springs in your gun and magazines at regular intervals, and they're generally tougher to reload for. A revolver can go the rest of your life with no parts replacements, particularly Rugers, and you can leave them to your children.

 

[Manco]

I'm a first time buyer looking for a handgun for home defence and range use. I am a male and have small hands. I've fired the Baretta m9 but found it to be too unwieldly for me to handle. My friend has has suggested going with a Glock 23.

For a beginner, a double-action .357 Magnum revolver is a great and versatile choice for home defense (it can also shoot much lighter .38 Special and intermediate .38 Special+P cartridges). The Ruger GP100 and Smith & Wesson Model 686 are both fine examples--the former is exceptionally tough and of high value for the money, while the latter is perhaps more "refined" in some ways and has a 7-shot option. Get one with a barrel of at least 4" if you don't ever plan to carry it concealed. They're not small but should fit most small hands just fine, and their size will help manage recoil. There are smaller .357 Magnum revolvers available, as well, such as the Ruger SP101.

If on the other hand you're more interested in a higher-capacity semiautomatic pistol, then the Glock 23 is a fine weapon, although I'd suggest also trying the full-size Smith & Wesson M&P40, which is very similar but has a slimmer grip and shorter trigger reach while maintaining a high shot count. Both are exceptionally easy to use for beginners, at least among semiautomatics.

.22 LR handguns are something that probably everybody will want to own eventually, being ideal for beginners, great for training, and so inexpensive to shoot. Starting out with one is therefore never a bad idea, although one caveat is that they're definitely lacking in defensive terms--they certainly can kill but your odds of stopping an attacker quickly are not as good. If you're serious about home defense, then there is nothing wrong with starting out with something more powerful like the guns mentioned earlier. I would also suggest taking a course in defensive pistol from a reputable instructor. Your friend or local range may be able to recommend somebody in your area.

 

[Ala Dan]

An original, Smith & Wesson model 10 .38 caliber revolver with a 4" barrel.
It can be had with issued small walnut grips, for persons with small hands.
Not too much recoil and muzzle blast; yet enough power to get the job
done~!

 

[Cpt. America]

Don't waste your money on a .38 spc just go ahead and buy a .357 mag. It will shoot the .38 rounds with less recoil than a triditional compact revolver would. Besides if your going to use it for home protection the .357 mag is a great man stopper.

 

[9MMare]

The fullsize Smith and Wesson M&P (not Sigma) 9mm is very very reliable and comes with 3 different sized backstraps (grips). It has a pretty mild recoil and is well-balanced and points well. It holds 17 rounds, plus one in the chamber and you can get it with and without a thumb safety.

With cheaper 9mm ammo (compared to other defense calibers) and the mild recoil, it will encourage you to practice practice practice! (And it's fun).

You can also get a Crimson Trace or other laser for it and that helps alot when training for your trigger pull.

If you also want a gun to carry concealed, it comes in a compact version too.

 

[Airburst]

Sigma in 9mm, Glock 19 (9mm) Steyr M9 or M40, S & W 6906. I'd stick with a 9mm for your first handgun or go with the aforementioned revolvers.

 

[mbr]

I have short fingers, and here is a partial list of handguns that I can comfortably control:
Ruger sp101
S&W J-frame revolver
Browning Hi-Power
1911, (With thin grips and a short trigger)
Walther PPS
Springfield EMP
Glock G19
Glock G30sf

As mentioned above, I would recommend a small revolver as a first handgun. You'll pick one up anyway at some point if you stay with this, as they are just so handy, and are a great way to learn good gun handling habits. Good luck with your search.

 

[nerfsrule2]

I have two Glock 23's (and I like them very much) a one for carry gun and one for HD..(The one that sits on my nightstand has a Crimson Trace laser grip on it..) 2 points..I shoot a lot and the Glock 23 has very "Snappy" recoil; which could bother new shooters, espec if you want to shoot a lot.(and who doesn't) second would be cost and availability of ammo..You might want to consider 2 guns(the other would be something in .22 cal)... If you can only afford one gun think about a 9mm .. Remember no lead through OEM Glock barrels..

 

[Meeteetse]

If you are just starting out I suggest a revolver. Learning the manual of arms on any semi-auto takes a lot more training than a revolver and there is really no need for high firepower for most of us.

If you are dead set on a semi then take a look at the Glocks or the S&W M&P in 9mm.

 

[rd2007]

I'll jump on the revolver bandwagon and definitely make sure it's a .357 Magnum. I see no use at all for .38 special only revolvers unless it's very small. The .38 special round will get you started and the .357 Magnum will make almost everything else seem like Jello
it'll seriously knock the fudge out of a bad guy too

 

[billybob44]

All kinds of affordable 4 inch revolvers out there in .38 caliber. Most will give you a well balanced weapon thats a pleasure to shoot. I think a revolver is the best way to go for first time buyers. Very simple to use no safety to engage or disengage just point and shoot. Just make sure it's a double action revolver.

++1 on the revolver. Hard to beat a 'K' frame S&W .357 in 6 shots. If your hands are too small for this, try the 5 shot 'J' frame in .357. I would go for the Mag. chambered gun, for the extra power, if needed down the road.

 

[mljdeckard]

The main reason I would steer you away from a Glock 23 is because the recoil on a .40 is pretty snappy. Many people consider the Glock 19 (same thing in 9mm) the perfect Glock.

The most important thing to do is spend a little cash, take a Saturday at a local range that has guns to rent. What feels good to you is the most important thing. I would try a couple of different sizes of .357 revolver shooting .38s, and a couple of guns each in 9mm, .40, and .45. Different models in different sizes. And over time, your skills will get better, your preferences might change. It's ok to change your mind later and get something different, it doesn't mean you screwed up the first time.

Remember what free internet advice is worth. If your gut and feel defies all reasoning presented here, go with your gut.

 

[shockwave]

1) Ruger or S&W .357 revolver. These guns are powerful, reliable and versatile. Most .357 owners count this caliber as one of their favorites and the guns that shoot them as their favorites. The guns also shoot .38 Spc rounds. That's hard to beat.

Agreed. A solid .357 revolver is bulletproof. Load the first one or two chambers with .38 special hollowpoint and then .357 all the way in. With a revolver, you never have to worry. No safety, no jamming issues. Point and shoot.

 

[Quadkid]

for a first time buyer don't go solely by someones recommendation. Go and test out these recommendations for yourself. When i was looking for my first one i tested out over 15 guns. Its a lot easier of a decision when you see what you like to fire and what feels awkward.

 

[msb45]

Some ideas,

I agree that a standard .357 revolver is generally the best bet for a beginner, that's how I started and have no regrets.

Find a local range that has a rental or seek out some friends to try their guns. Every shooter is different and you can get the best idea that way.

If you can't get a rental gun here's an old trick by justing holding the gun. I've picked out a safe target (WITH A CLEARED AND EMPTY GUN) like a spot on the wall away from the clerk behind the counter closed my eyes and "pointed" the gun to that spot and then open you eyes to check the sight alignment. The better the alignment the more "natural" or better the fit for you. Not as good as shooting, but better than just feel alone.

 

[jad0110]

I am a male and have small hands.

Just curious, how tall are you? Just trying to get a feel for how big your hands are. My wife is 5' and has tiny, child-like hands. There are VERY few guns that she can even reach the trigger on. She can just manage to reach the trigger on my single stack 1911. Same with a J Frame S&W. Forget double stack autos and revolvers bigger than the tiny J Frames. The best fitting gun for her is the Walther P22, which has by far the shortest trigger reach of any gun I've seen.

Revolvers are certainly worth looking into. One of the revolver's biggest advantages is the ability to really customize the stocks to suit you. Sure, some autos have changeable backstraps, which is always nice, but this isn't nearly the same thing as what can be done with revolver stocks. In fact, if you are any good working with wood, you could carve your own, or there are outfits that can do this for you.

I see no use at all for .38 special only revolvers unless it's very small.

Don't waste your money on a .38 spc just go ahead and buy a .357 mag.

You know, I should probably keep my mouth closed. Afterall, I'd hate for demand for 38 Special revolvers to increase and drive up prices . Nothing wrong with a .357 Mag as a first gun (my first revolver was a .357 Mag), but then again, there is often a rather stiff premium to pay for that ability to shoot .357 Magnum, depending on the make/model. For example, a used 4" .38 Special S&W Model 15 (blue with adjustable sights) can be found for $275-$325. The same gun in .357 Mag, the Model 19, seems to be selling for at least a $150 premium these days.

If one shoots 38 more accurately (and perhaps more quickly), then there is nothing wrong with a 38-only gun. Good 38 loads are nothing to sneeze at. Actually, with the savings you could buy a sweet Harrington & Richardson 22 revolver for practice and fun plinking.

no jamming issues.

Well, as big of a revolver nut as I might be, revolvers can jam. Granted, if the gun is in spec/good working order and you keep the extractor star area clean, this shouldn't ever be an issue. But like anything built by man, they can and do break.

 

[M2]

I agree with ya, I had to carry the Beretta M9 in the military and hated it. It put my off 9mm pistols until I picked up a Taurus PT111 in a trade. I've since bought another Taurus.

I'd recommend going to a gun show and see what feels right in your hands. I personally like the XD-45 Service, I have no problems carrying it concealed and it packs 12+1 of .45 ACP. Mine has been flawless in the four years and thousands of rounds I've put through it...

Good luck with your search!

Cheers! M2

 

[Cranky CJ]

Beretta PX4 in 9mm? go give that a feel. One of the most comfortable I'v ever held. My pre-teen sons have shot my XD9 without having any issues, try the XD lineup as well. There are a lot of different hand guns out there go to a gun shop and try them all until you find one that fits your hand.

 

[NMGonzo]

good snubby in .357 to learn the ropes

After that, anything your heart desires imho

 

[chris150]

I agree with the revolver idea. I have both, semi-auto and revolver. When I was looking to buy my first hand gun, I was thinking about a S&W 686 ( .357 ), but ended up buying a S&W 617 ( .22 revolver ), the best choice I ever made. Though, a 686 is a fine gun, you have much more ammo for the price with a .22, and get to shoot it thousands of times for the price of a few hundred .357's. Everyone should own a .22. The Ruger Mark II/III is a good idea, good quality and price, though there are others.

Also, the idea that you should try a bunch of guns before you buy, is very good advice. There are thousands of gun brands and models out there and each one is, at least slightly, different in feel and performance. I bought my first gun because of the feel, and to this day, it is still the gun I like to shoot most.

There are many good brands out there, Smith & Wesson (S&W), Colt, STI, Ruger, Glock, Springfield (SA), Browning, Kahr, H&K, CZ (one of my favorites), Sig, FN, Steyr, Kimber, etc.. All of these are good, even great, guns. The point is, with all these great guns to chose from, you should be able to find a good gun that feels good in your hands and offers great quality. The best one for you will be the one that fits your hands the best. With all these to choose from, you should be able to find one that works for you. Try as many as you can and buy the one that feels the best to you.

With small hands, you might want to concentrate on single-stack semi-auto's and revolvers. I have small hands also, but shoot a CZ SP-01 very comfortably, so size is not always the major factor. Some makers like Walther and SA make some guns that have interchangable backstraps which allow you to fit the grip to your hands.

To answer your direct question, Glock is a good brand and for some people is the best gun on the planet, but for others, it is the hardest gun to shoot accurately. The 23 is a .40 cal. and some people find the .40 a hard round to handle, there are many cal's that are good for self defence that have less felt recoil, 9mm, .38, .380 (maybe), others. Those that say that a .38 should be avoided are not considering every angle. I have a S&W 638 (.38 special) and feel comfortable using it for CCW, I feel no need to carry a .357. I would not want to shoot a 1 7/8" bbl 12 oz. gun in .357, done it and don't ever want to do it again.

If you are like I was before buying my first hand gun, you have hundreds of questions, and I spent over a year in forums trying to answer them. Most of my questions, I answered for my self after buying my first hand gun. I'm glad that I started with a .22 revolver.