looking at buying my first handgun

[frankienorth06]

I just got my gun permit to carry, 2 weeks ago. Looking at buying my first handgun. I don't know much about guns, the guys at Scheels talked me into the smith and wesson revolver. Any advice on other good hand guns?

 

[TAKtical]

This question should be moved to general discussion. Now on to your question. Have you decided on a caliber? Im a big glock fan so that would be my recommendation. They are in the lower price range for excellent quality handguns. ($450-$550) i prefer the 17 because its a 9mm, it holds 17 rounds, and I can conceal it with no problem. If thats too big for you, try a 19 or a 26. If glocks arent your cup of tea, try a springfield armory XD, or a S&W M&P. Glocks, XD's and M&P's are all in a similar price range, are extremely reliable, and come in all different sizes and calibers. If you are new to shooting or just handguns, I would stick with 9mm. Its a proven caliber for self defense and its the cheapest centerfire pistol caliber so you will get to practice much more for less money. Dont get a gun in a caliber that you cant afford to shoot regularly. 9mm costs about $20 for 100 rounds, .45 acp costs about double that, and .380 and .38spl fall somewhere in between. You are going to want to go to the range once a week or at the very least every other week if your want you accuracy to improve, so the cost of ammo will really add up.

 

[JRWhit]

If your new to it, you may want to consider some classes. You can usually find some good beginner shooting classes through your local law enforcement, or from the shooting range. I prefer the 9mm both due to cost and capacity. As far as brands you need to do some shopping and see what suits you. I carry a Ruger SR9C with the 10 rd clip. It also comes with an extended 17rd clip. I like it very much and shoot well with it. But the same gun may not suit you the same.
What ever you get pay attention to the manual and to your ammunition. Don't use a +P ammunition unless your gun can handle it.

 

[BADUNAME37]

IMO, go with the S&W for starters. You can't beat S&W.

 

[meanmrmustard]

If your new to it, you may want to consider some classes. You can usually find some good beginner shooting classes through your local law enforcement, or from the shooting range. I prefer the 9mm both due to cost and capacity. As far as brands you need to do some shopping and see what suits you. I carry a Ruger SR9C with the 10 rd clip. It also comes with an extended 17rd clip. I like it very much and shoot well with it. But the same gun may not suit you the same.
What ever you get pay attention to the manual and to your ammunition. Don't use a +P ammunition unless your gun can handle it.

I know I'm picking nits here, but they're not clips, they're magazines.

That is all.

 

[mapwd]

I second the Glocks, I like the 19 for carry. Revolvers are great guns, dont get me wrong, but there is a reason police officers don't carry them anymore, and it's the same reason ccw holders should also carry sem-autos, capacity, and speed of reloading. If you are ever in a gun fight, that is a bad time to realize you need more ammo than your gun allows. Reloading a revolver fast takes a lot more skill than reloading a semi auto, for the average ccw that is.

 

[badman400]

A vote for XD here. I own 5 of them. One has almost 7000 rounds through without a single part replaced and still running flawlessly.

 

[mapwd]

XD's are great guns as well, I have had 2 of them. The bore on them sits a little to high for me though making them top heavy. I ended up going back to Glocks for that reason only. They are rock solid guns though.

 

[MTD]

Before you finalize what you want, I would suggest that you go to a few different pistol ranges; rent and try out as many different type of pistols and calibers to establish your own feel of what would be your favorite sidearm. Come back and look for opinion when you have narrowed down to 2 or 3 types that you like.

Good luck and have fun...

 

[savanahsdad]

if your looking for a carry gun "something small" I'd look at a .380 like a sig p238 or a Ruger LCP and a small stub nose revolver like the S&W that you were looking at would be great , I'd would stay away from any of the FAT dbl. stacks

 

[basicblur]

Any advice on other good hand guns?

First thing to do is decide what role/purpose you see your first gun serving - then recommendations can be made.

 

[ROAshooter]

without this turning into a revolver vs semi-auto discussion/arguement......as the OP stated ...he is very new....and I have witnessed too many new shooters with high capacity magazine...slipping into the "spray&pray" form of shooting.
A good revolver...be it a Runger...S&W...Colt...will teach trigger discipline...to make each shot count....before you have to reload....
and a revolver...in its basic simplicity...is easier to use in a panic...no safety to disengage....just cock-pull....or squeeze trigger to fire...no stove piping from a limp-wristing...
not everyone is ready...for the operations..... that should come as natural movements that a semi-auto requires...but as experince is gained in shooting in general....an auto can be the next step in the learning curve

 

[JRWhit]

My apology. Comes with 10 rd magazine.

 

[IBEWBULL]

PM sent

I hope you check out my pm and get back to ma with some more inforamtion.
Post it here for us all and see what comes of it.
SW makes some fine guns. Too many folks think small and light are the best way to go. I do not though. A good holster makes carry easier. The stainless steel is heaver but will last longer and the added weight will help aid your shooting pleasure.
I think a 3 or 4 inch revolver is a great starter.
Ruger makes a nice SP 101 in 2,3, and 4 inch plus a bit on all.
.357 mag / 38 special has been around a long time and the options are great.
See what feels good for you and find a friend to go shooting with.
Buy the ammo and see if youcan try some ones guns out. There are many willing to help.
Good luck,

 

[BYJO4]

I agree that you should take a basic handgun course to learn how to safely handle and shoot a firearm. Also, if you have a range that rents handguns, I suggest trying different models and calibers to see what works best for you.

 

[Lost Sheep]

I just got my gun permit to carry, 2 weeks ago. Looking at buying my first handgun. I don't know much about guns, the guys at Scheels talked me into the smith and wesson revolver. Any advice on other good hand guns?

First piece of advice: NEVER let anyone with a stake in the sale sell you on a gun (or anything, car, house, anything). The most you let any salesman tell you is what are the good points of guns. Then go fact-check whatever he(she) told you.

Verify for yourself everything you learn. Believe only half of what you see and one quarter of what you hear. That goes double for everything you find on the internet (with the possible exception of the actual web sites of the bullet and powder manufacturers).

Coming here to fact-check was a good idea. But anything you learn here should be fact-checked also. No ulterior motives likely (as you might find in a store), but oddballs abound on the internet where there are few repercussions on personal reputations.

Lost Sheep
Lost Sheep

 

[Lost Sheep]

Welcome to the forum and thanks for asking our advice

Before you finalize what you want, I would suggest that you go to a few different pistol ranges; rent and try out as many different type of pistols and calibers to establish your own feel of what would be your favorite sidearm. Come back and look for opinion when you have narrowed down to 2 or 3 types that you like.

Good luck and have fun...

I agree that you should take a basic handgun course to learn how to safely handle and shoot a firearm. Also, if you have a range that rents handguns, I suggest trying different models and calibers to see what works best for you.

All excellent advice above, but the two I quoted are the best of the lot.

Choosing someone else's gun is as risky as choosing their spouse.

One way of seeing a number of different handguns in use is to hang out at a range.

The best way to hang out at a range (and incidentally, develop good shooting skills) is to have a decently accurate 22 rimfire and practice.

Get a decent 22 rimfire, capable of good accuracy, and practice at a popular range. The practice will teach you good trigger control, sight alignment, breath control, etc, without the distractions of recoil and blast. And 22 rimfire is one-tenth the cost of centerfire ammo, allowing a LOT of practice time.

And while you are there, guys are VERY proud of their hardware. Very likely, if you show safe gun handling skills, are polite, approachable and interested, people at the range will be willing to show you their stuff and even let you put a few bullets downrange.

I'll wager you keep your 22, even after you decide which centerfire gun you want. They are a lot of fun.

Lost Sheep