Joey_the_Wolf
Member
Hello friends,
I own a couple of pistols myself (a 1911 and a Beretta 92) and even though I am in the market for a .22 pistol, that's not why I'm making this topic. See, a friend of mine is also in the market for a pistol, it's his first firearm and he is fairly new to guns. He told me he really liked my Beretta 92 and how it operated and felt, and I will be taking him to the range pretty soon so he can try out my two pistols, but I'm still in need of some advice as to what to steer him towards or recommend. He's coming to me for advice, so I want to make sure I give him good advice.
Here's some background on him. Although he doesn't really have any recent firearms experience, he's a legal Cuban immigrant who did serve in the Cuban army in the late 80's. Although he was in Armor, he did train and familiarize himself with rifles and safety rules, so he's no dummy when it comes to safety, and he does seem responsible and level headed, but seeing how he's never really handled pistols I'd like to see him with something simple to learn and easy to maintain. I'd tell him to get a shotgun since it's mainly for home defense (he has a wife and a kid), but he also is interested in getting a CCW and having it in the car for trips, so he's set on getting a pistol.
Here's what I think. I believe he should rent a few pistols and get the one he likes best, and since he is on a budget, and also really wants to get into target shooting, I am recommending he get a high capacity, double action 9mm. Good enough for defense, and great for plinking. He likes my Beretta, so maybe one of those. I've put together a list of pistols I think might suit him, keeping in mind he's a beginner. Let me know if I'm the right path here, and please add your own recommendations.
I'm thinking:
Beretta M92/96 DA/SA type pistol. Simple to use, but a bit pricy. Again, he's on a budget.
Taurus DA 9mm. Any of the newer ones look good, and the 24/7 series looks promising, although I admit I've never fired one, so input on this pistol would be appreciated.
Ruger P series pistol
I'd say H&K or Sig, but again, budget.
Smith and Wesson high cap service size 9mm. M&P's look very nice, and so do the older 59 series pistols. Also affordable.
I'm tempted to say Glock or a 1911 because I love both, but he is a beginner and I'm not sure if I should recommend either... I rarely advise beginners to start with anything other than a semi pistol with a true DA trigger, or a Revolver. There's something very comforting about a beginner having to consciously pull the trigger with some effort on that first shot. Pet peeve of mine, even though I do love 1911's and single action pistols...
Speaking of revolvers, there's nothing wrong with a good solid .357 mag, and they are relatively cheap, esp. if used.
I really don't want to overwhelm him with too many options and confuse him more, so I'd really like to narrow down the list to like 2-3 pistols he can pick up and try. I guess the bottom line is I want him to choose, and not have anything pushed on him, but I still want to steer him in the right direction.
Also, it goes without saying that I will be drilling the 4 rules and gun safety into his head every time I get the chance.
Tips? Comments? Advice?
Thanks.
I own a couple of pistols myself (a 1911 and a Beretta 92) and even though I am in the market for a .22 pistol, that's not why I'm making this topic. See, a friend of mine is also in the market for a pistol, it's his first firearm and he is fairly new to guns. He told me he really liked my Beretta 92 and how it operated and felt, and I will be taking him to the range pretty soon so he can try out my two pistols, but I'm still in need of some advice as to what to steer him towards or recommend. He's coming to me for advice, so I want to make sure I give him good advice.
Here's some background on him. Although he doesn't really have any recent firearms experience, he's a legal Cuban immigrant who did serve in the Cuban army in the late 80's. Although he was in Armor, he did train and familiarize himself with rifles and safety rules, so he's no dummy when it comes to safety, and he does seem responsible and level headed, but seeing how he's never really handled pistols I'd like to see him with something simple to learn and easy to maintain. I'd tell him to get a shotgun since it's mainly for home defense (he has a wife and a kid), but he also is interested in getting a CCW and having it in the car for trips, so he's set on getting a pistol.
Here's what I think. I believe he should rent a few pistols and get the one he likes best, and since he is on a budget, and also really wants to get into target shooting, I am recommending he get a high capacity, double action 9mm. Good enough for defense, and great for plinking. He likes my Beretta, so maybe one of those. I've put together a list of pistols I think might suit him, keeping in mind he's a beginner. Let me know if I'm the right path here, and please add your own recommendations.
I'm thinking:
Beretta M92/96 DA/SA type pistol. Simple to use, but a bit pricy. Again, he's on a budget.
Taurus DA 9mm. Any of the newer ones look good, and the 24/7 series looks promising, although I admit I've never fired one, so input on this pistol would be appreciated.
Ruger P series pistol
I'd say H&K or Sig, but again, budget.
Smith and Wesson high cap service size 9mm. M&P's look very nice, and so do the older 59 series pistols. Also affordable.
I'm tempted to say Glock or a 1911 because I love both, but he is a beginner and I'm not sure if I should recommend either... I rarely advise beginners to start with anything other than a semi pistol with a true DA trigger, or a Revolver. There's something very comforting about a beginner having to consciously pull the trigger with some effort on that first shot. Pet peeve of mine, even though I do love 1911's and single action pistols...
Speaking of revolvers, there's nothing wrong with a good solid .357 mag, and they are relatively cheap, esp. if used.
I really don't want to overwhelm him with too many options and confuse him more, so I'd really like to narrow down the list to like 2-3 pistols he can pick up and try. I guess the bottom line is I want him to choose, and not have anything pushed on him, but I still want to steer him in the right direction.
Also, it goes without saying that I will be drilling the 4 rules and gun safety into his head every time I get the chance.
Tips? Comments? Advice?
Thanks.
