My first handgun

[Pietro Beretta]

Hello everyone. I am sure you have all heard this question asked before hundreds of times. However I am going to ask anyway. I turn 21 in June, and plan on buying my frist handgun soon after. I have fired a couple of different calibers and am comfortable with all that I have tried thus far (22lr, 25auto,9mm,38sp,357mag,45auto).

I am wondering what gun should I buy for my first? I have narrowd it down to 3 different models and calibers. This is for home protection only. I also like smaller framed guns, fits my hand better.

Kahr PM9 (Semi-Auto Pistol 9mm): http://www.kahr.com/pistols_9mm.html

S&W Model60 Cheifs Special (357Mag Revolver 3inch barrel version)-can also shoot the 38sp round
http://www.galleryofguns.com/prod_images/162420.jpg

Kimber Stainless Pro Carry II (45auto Semi-Auto Pistol)

What do you guys/gals think? Feel free to add any handgun I might like, keep in mind I live in California.

 

[jobu07]

I'd like to suggest a nice .22 lr wheelgun. You'll get maximum trigger time and reinforce all of the stuff that makes you accurate with a handgun.

 

[Frandy]

Got me which is best!

Pietro, you are going to get as many different answers as there are posters. For me, a first weapon for home defense only is a 12 gauge shotgun.... Okay, you want a handgun instead. There is only one absolute requirement. Well, two.

First, reliabilty, Home defense, right. No other weapon other than a baseball bat, right? Reliability is the key.

Second, you must want to practice and have the opportunity to practice. And then practice some more.

So, which of those handguns? Beats me. You need to decide which fits YOU best and go from there. I will say that I have more than one weapon in the house that is loaded. A shotgun is one of them, but another is a revolver with .38 +P ammo because I am confident that when I pull the trigger, it will go BANG. My loaded 9mm is also reliable, but I would still grab for the shotgun or revolver first, given the chance.

Others will differ. Some will tell you what is best for you.

FWIW,

Frandy

 

[pax]

For home protection only, I'd go with something larger than a .22!

But the second poster made a good point -- for your first gun, you do want something you are willing to shoot a lot.

If the price of ammo is a consideration now, or might be in the future, then you probably would be better off to go with a 9mm rather than the other two calibers you named. It is a viable defense caliber, you can send a lot of it downrange for not a lot of money, and it's pleasant to shoot. With all that, you wouldn't have a lot of excuses not to go to the range and get better.

On the flip side, I don't know anyone who doesn't really enjoy shooting a 1911, and that's certainly the standard. Of course you'd have to shoot a lot of rounds through it to assure reliability before trusting it, but that's true of every defense gun. If you're likely to get into IDPA or IPSC-type shooting, you'll be grateful to have it. And of course, larger is generally better when it comes to defense rounds.

If you went with the revolver, you would have fewer mechanical worries than with either of the semi-autos you named. Being able to choose between two calibers -- a more pleasant shooting caliber, and a harder-hitting defense round -- is a plus, too. The big drawback for the revolver is that it doesn't hold as much ammunition as the others. While the rule of thumb for gunfights is, "three seconds, three feet, three rounds or less..." you don't have any assurance that that's all you'd need. Especially for someone just getting started shooting (and thus more likely to miss under stress), I'd be reluctant to recommend a lower-capacity gun if a higher-capacity gun is available.

To my mind, it all boils down to trade offs. What do you want, and what are you willing to give up to get it? Every gun is a compromise and there's no such thing as a tool that fills every need. So you'll need to balance considerations such as initial expense, ongoing expense, comfort, ammunition capacity, and reliability to decide which one works best for you.

pax

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Given your name, I'd assume you'd be looking at a Beretta...I have five. For home defense, the model 60" 3, 686 4," or even the model 10 (.38) are excellent choices. The .22 is largely for target only, not defense.

Laura

 

[dasmi]

Ruger Service, Security or Speed Six in .357 Magnum. Great guns.

 

[Shipwreck]

Beretta 92 is my fav 9mm.

If you plan for home defense and aren't too familiar w/ handguns, I wouldn't recommend something as small as a Kahr. That's more of a CCW weapon.

 

[Brian Williams]

You have picked some great guns, Might I suggest a few others to look at.
Ruger sp101, 5 shot 2" or 3" barrel, small, tough as nails, great reputation.
Ruger Gp 100 series 3" barrel, has smaller grip that the 4" otherwise Ditto above but 6 shots.
S&W 1911 great gun similar to the Kimber
Sprigfield WWII or GI model also great guns
S&W 686 or the new 620 or 619


OBTW Welcome to THR

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

One thing to keep in mind, in carry guns - size is a consideration, always. In home defense guns, it's calibers that come into play and in revolvers, the bigger the caliber and the longer the barrel, the better. The question for defense is how effective is its stopping power and how much have you practiced with it. Even a lever action gun in a handgun caliber or 30-30 is a great option. I'm surprised you haven't look into a Beretta 92FS, the Vertec with a light installed becomes an awesome gun. Visit the Beretta form at www.berettaforum.net and do a search.

Handguns like Sigs, Beretta, H&K are always better than the small framed autos, but if you don't want to spend that kind of cash, revolvers or a lever action should get your attention.

 

[Redneck Revolver]

the kimber would probably be my pick. kimbers are great guns, reliable (from the accounts ive heard anyways) and accurate plus plesant to shoot if you dont mind the .45 recoil.

 

[Majic]

You say you like small framed guns, but have a 1911 on your list. Anyway remember small framed handguns are harder to shoot. If you want a semi-auto then take a look at the many single stack models. They fit smaller hands better than most double stackers.

 

[Stasher1]

If I was in the market for a reliable home defense gun, a Kimber wouldn't be on the list. My Stainless Pro Carry II is the worst gun I have owned. FTF, FTRTB, parts breaking, poorly fitted parts, etc.


For home defense I'd buy a large-framed 4"-6" .357 mag revolver in stainless with a nice rubber grip and a bunch of practice ammo.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I've carried a Kimber for about a decade now, and have put about 50,000 rounds through it -- it's a fine gun.

If cost is no object, go with the Kimber and consider getting the target-grade .22 conversion kit for it when you can.

 

[Smythe77]

I would suggest starting out on a .22 be it a decent revolver or semi-auto & once at home with your grouping you will have a far better idea of what you want in a center-fire & for what purpose. Then go for the center-fire. After all .22 ammo is darn low in price compared to center-fire when it comes to factory ammo.

Good chance that after a short while you will be offered the center-fire of fellow shooters (something I always do to Club members, for often it changes their mind) & have that better idea of what you want.

 

[SRN]

I like the Kahrs. I have a K40 and a MK9. Both are reliable and accurate - but both needed houge hand-alls installed to help me hold onto the guns (I have bigger hands than you apparently). Inexpensive 9mm ammo is easily available so you can practice alot and good 9mm ammunition is available for self-defense. However, for home protection I think there are better choices than the PM9. This gun has excellent potential for concealed carry, but its small size and light weight are not big factors in a home situation.

The Kahr K9 or T9 series may offer you better choices. The guns are a bit larger, but none are big or have big grips so they should still fit your hand well. Their higher weights will help control recoil better. They have longer barrels to help take advantage of standard pressure 9mm loads. They have larger magazine capacities. Also, the P-series Kahrs have had some reliability problems that I've not seen/heard of in the K or T-series guns.

regards,
Steve

 

[Pietro Beretta]

My dad has a Jaguar Beretta .22lr handgun that I love to shoot, and is kept in my bottom drawer (and as soon as I turn of age it will be in my name).

I own a Marlin 336 30-30, Ruger 10/22, and a Yugoslavian SKS.

I do agree a 18" pump action shot gun like the Mossberg Persuader would be a good home defence weapon.

I also realize a 1911 is a bigger framed gun, however I have held the Kimber Pro Carry and it felt comfortable in my hand, yet was still a tad big, but acceptable

I also realize shorter barrels mean less accuracy, however homes here in california are not all that big and wide open, im not going to need to be shooting long ranges.

Im almost leaning to the S&W Revolver

 

[Pietro Beretta]

Also any gun i buy has to be on the list here for me to be able to purchase it in california:http://justice.doj.ca.gov/safeguns/safeguns_new.taf

 

[FunGunner]

Not going to tell you what to get first. I will tell you what I got for MY first handgun. A HK USP45. Why? First, it's a 45. Second, you can stuff 12 rounds into a standard magazine.

Go with a name brand and you'll be happy.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Your list is nothing. Check out www.fsguns.com and see the link that says what I can't buy in my state. Bear in mind that even if it's on our approved list, it doesn't mean we can have it. i.e. we just had the Glocks for sale here and they were taken away -- again.

Although you're shooting in close places, the home is still large enough to benefit from a longer barrel. Don't foget about panic. Longer barrels help with accuracy. However, what helps more is if you use it at the range a lot. Can't beat a 686 4" for that.

 

[cookekdjr]

Have you fired the Kahr pm9? I hear its not the easiest gun to fire. I don't think you need something that small unless its to carry concealed.
My suggestion: Go to a range that has lots of rentals. Try out alot of guns. Buy what works best for you.
BTW, the Browning Hi Power is great for many small-handed folks.
-David

 

[MrMurphy]

The guns you listed are concealment type guns.

The larger P9 or TP9 in the Kahrs are better sized, or a Sig P239.

In Revolvers, a home-only gun, a S&W 686P or 66 would do better, or a Ruger GP100.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

Welcome to THR. My suggestion would be to try out a Walther P99, if it is allowed in the PRK. I t has adjustable backstraps on the grip that allow some customization.

 

[sigp6]

Welcome aboard.

I have carried a Kahr MK9 for the last 4 or 5 years and love it. I can carry it wearing just shorts and a T-shirt with no problem. It is surprisingly accurate and I've yet to experience a problem with it. The PM is even lighter so it should be great to carry.


Modifiedbrowning - are you on Walther's payroll?

Tom

 

[sharpie613]

The Walther P99 is just that good. The trigger is superb and the price is comparable to the Glock. It comes in 9mm and .40 flavors and my 9mm eats everything and doesn't jam. If the Walther doesn't float your boat, you may want to look at a Sig. PRK legal and reliable. 10 round PRK legal Sig mags are 15-20 bucks each now.

 

[30 cal slob]

The Kimber is a bit much for a first gun, dontcha think? I would lean toward it if you got a .22 LR conversion kit to start with.

My first handgun was a no-frills Ruger P-87 9 mm pistol. It was inexpensive to buy and shoot, and fairly easy to break down, clean and maintain. Recoil was comfortable, and it was accurate enough, but as I got more experience I found other models to offer more accuracy.

You'll likely go through the same process.

You know, the Springfield Armory XD's offer a pretty darn good value for a first gun nowadays (without having to pay for a Glock/HK/imported gun premium). I would at least try one out in 9mm. Or, look at a used full-sized Glock.