New to handguns

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MavericK1

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I'm new to handguns and dont know much about em. I was wondering what kind of gun i should get,it's just i've seen alot of shooter movies and been to a few gunshows and really wanted to know what it would be like to hold your own gun.....by the way im 12,so any suggestions for my level would be helpful,and i was looking at the berreta (sorry if its spelled wrong)full size 9mm, but im sure i probably wouldnt be able to use it well :confused:
 
A .22 rimfire -- preferably a revolver -- is the safe and effective place to start. Forget all about the "cool" semiautos in combat calibers until you've mastered the .22. And forget pretty much everything you've ever seen about guns in the movies.
 
You might have a little trouble getting a handgun at your age. Most states require that you be 21yrs of age before you can buy a handgun, and 18yrs before you can buy a rifle or shotgun.

For someone who has never shot a pistol before, I suggest that you get a .22lr pistol. It gives you a good pistol to learn on, and ammo is dirt cheap so you can shot a WHOLE lot. You can see about getting a defensive pistol later on, and when you do I suggest you look into a 9mm. Some good .22lr pistols to look into is the Browning Buckmark, the Ruger MKII/MKIII, or the Walter P22.
 
Start with a CO2 pellet pistol. They have a fair selection at Wal-Mart, see if you can get your parents to get you one for christmas. Set yourself up in the backyard or the basement (with a pellet trap) and start having fun. Learn your gun handling safety and basics and then worry about stepping up to a .22.
 
Hello bLOOD. There's nothing wrong with your interest in guns, but keep in mind that the real world doesn't bear much resemblance to the movies. The most important aspect of real guns is using them safely. Make sure you learn gun handling from a responsible adult.
 
just to get it straight,im just new to handguns and stuff,but i have deer rifle and about 4 air soft guns,and a bb gun.....plus my dad is kinda helping me look at some, but the thing is price is an issue right now
 
im not saying im gonna go try to curve a bullet like in that movie Wanted in the streets or something, im just into the idea of being able to do the imposible stuff like in movies,but im not gonna try to do any of it
 
Get something in the caliber .22 long rifle.(I know it's called long rifle, but it's common in handguns too.)

It is cheap to shoot, and low in recoil. You may wish to consider the Ruger single-six, the Ruger mark III, and the browning buckmark. Or, given your age, maybe a ruger bearcat. Other people can provide you with more information on those guns.

9mm is not a good gun to learn to shoot with. It is more expensive and has more recoil than .22 long rifle.

Even though .22 is not nearly as powerful as 9mm, it could be used for defense in a pinch, and is still very, very lethal.
 
WC145 has good advice re. air pistols. There's a tendency to think of them as toys, but many of them are more accurate than the average cartridge firearm.
 
You get like 500 honesty points in my book man. It's great getting young people into shooting. I too suggest starting with a .22. Keep hanging around this board, and you will learn a lot about enjoying firearms responsibly.
 
i checked out the .22, and does anyone have something maybe cheaper? i know im asking for too much but,if theres something cheaper out there that will be could for me i wanna know
 
The cheapest .22 would probably be a Ruger 22/45, or a browning buckmark camper. Also, keep in mind they usually go for less than MSRP, so call your local gun shop and ask.
An air pistol could be had for less than a .22, but I'm not sure what quality.

Or, you could get a hi-point, but I really don't think that would be a good gun to learn on. You might not even be able to reach the controls.

I'm going to bed, I'll look at this thread more tomorrow.
 
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The very best thing you can do is to get involved with competition rifle shooting.

Take a look at the Jaycees BB gun competition. It's pretty tough. You can do that until you're 16 or so. Then, you'll move up to 10 meter precision air rifle (the bullseye is about the size of the head of a pin). You can also do 22 precision rifle.

Competition is very fierce, so you'll need to be very disciplined.

These sports will give you the opportunity to meet new friends, get REALLY good at shooting, and travel around the country to competitions (that's the best part).

I went to the 1985 IBBGM in PA and the 1986 National Championship at Camp Perry, Ohio. It was a great experience for me. Winning 10 meter Air Rifle at Camp Perry helped too :)

NRA Competitions:
http://www.nrahq.org/compete/index.asp

IBBGM:
http://ibbgcm.home.att.net/index.html
 
Re register with a new user name. Half the country is just looking for an excuse and opportunity to prevent you from ever owning any gun. The user name you have chosen, and the attitude it suggests, helps them and ultimately hurts you and us.

Having said this, with parental assistance, I would suggest a Ruger single six revolver in .22 Long Rifle for a handgun and/or a Marlin bolt action .22 rifle as a long gun. I would teach a new shooter on a rifle first.
 
There Will be Blood,

Impact Guns is a good website to just get an idea of what you would be paying for firearms in a store.

Here's a page of Ruger .22lr:
http://www.impactguns.com/store/ruger_rimfire_handguns.html

Here's some Walthers:
http://www.impactguns.com/store/waltherp22.html

Here's some Brownings:
http://www.impactguns.com/store/browning_buck_mark_pistols.html

The Rugers and Brownings are going to be the best overall of the .22lr pistols. Ruger revolvers are also great .22lr pistols. As you can see, the cheapest you'll pay for a new pistol will be around $200. For a used .22lr pistol you're looking at paying around $100-150 at the cheapest.
 
Thanks to all the poeple who helped,and seeing that nearly everyone suggested a .22 rimfire,thats what I'll go with. -Marcus L. crebralfix JImbothefiveth ZeBool and .38 special,thanks guys,I appreciate the help.

Oh and one more thing,it's not like i dont like the other advice i got,but i just thought i made it clear i wasnt gonna go out and start shooting,and i got the username from a relatively new old-western movie.sorry if i seem to repeat the same things in my posts.
 
you'll shoot your eye out kid.... ho ho ho ho ho. Seriously a .22 cal. rifle was my first gun. You can't go wrong having a .22 rifle for your first gun.
 
You get like 500 honesty points in my book man. It's great getting young people into shooting. I too suggest starting with a .22. Keep hanging around this board, and you will learn a lot about enjoying firearms responsibly.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Welcome to THR! And looking at 22s handguns first (given that you have a BB gun and rifle experience already) is the absolute best first step. Building proper technique on a light recoiling caliber is far preferrable to developing hard to un-learn bad habits on a more potent cartridge.

And BTW, since you are underaged, your guardian (presumably your father) will have to purchase and keep possession of the gun, allowing you to use it. Not sure if your state requires adult supervision or not while shooting it, might want check into that.

The cheapest 22LR I know of is the Heritage Manufacturing Rough Rider (http://www.heritagemfg.com/site/ind...37d8536e6-0F5162D4-B03B-A557-BE7E1DA55646F775), a single action revolver which in "combo" form also includes a second cylinder for shooting 22 Magnum. I bought one brand new a few years ago for $150, used ones can be found for as little as $75 if you keep your eyes open. $100 for a good used one is still a great deal. I really wish I hadn't sold it :banghead:. Ranks as one of the stoopidest gun decisions I've ever made. Yes, it was rather crudely finished (they called it a blued finish, but it was more like cheap black spray paint) and the screw holding the ejector rod housing had to be tightened every few hundred rounds, but it was great fun to shoot and remarkably accurate.

I really miss that crappy looking six shooter :( .

Most importantly, ALWAYS remember and follow the 4 rules religiously:

1. Treat all firearms as if they were loaded
2. Do not point the muzzle at anything you do not intend to destroy (true, the muzzle is always pointed at something, just make sure it isn't a person, valued possession etc. That goes for people that may be in other rooms that you can't see)
3. Keep your booger hook off the bang switch until you are on target and ready to fire
4. ID your target and what is around/beyond it

And a 5th rule: no the safety devices on your firearm if it has any, but do not rely upon them solely. Like any mechanical device, a safety can break at the worst possible moment.
 
Change your moniker kid, I got the point that it's from a movie but it still sounds bad to us that are trying to show a sane face to the rest of the world. Does your dad approve of your being here? Even though you are probably an intelligent young man, I highly suggest that you don't allow movies or video games to influence you in any manner. Also, understand that your age is a liability to this site so if you intend on being part of this group, you carefully read everything you can about gun safety and gun handling and that you involve your parents in the subject.
My dad was the one that taught me guns and shooting and especially safety. These are things the internet can not do as well as a parent or custodian.
Bullets cannot be flung or sideswiped as seen in that movie. Handgun bullets can kill out to a range of 2 miles.
Movies ARE NOT REALITY!!!
Once again, it would be appreciated if you didn't sign in with your current Name.
 
TWBB...It's illegal in all 50 states and US territories for a 12 year-old to be in possession of a firearm without direct adult supervision. Sorry. That's just the way it is.

Get involved with a shooting group that also involves your mother or father, or a legal guardian...and shoot...and be patient. 18 will roll around faster than you realize. Until then, hang around. Ask questions. Read. In 6 years, you'll know a lot.

Guys...condescendingly referring to our junior member as "kid" isn't the way to win him over and instill a love for shooting sports and 2A.
 
Here are some books to read:

Read ALL of Colonel Jeff Cooper's work. I like particularly liked To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth.



Boston's Gun Bible
Tactical Reality
Guns, Bullets, and Gunfights
Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting
Shooting to Live (online PDF available)

ABC's of Reloading
The Gun Digest Book of Combat Handgunnery
Practical Shooting: Beyond Fundamentals
Surgical Speed Shooting

 
at 12, you are going to have to start with a bb, or pelet gun, unless you can talk your father or mother into a 22, and only shoot it under their direct supervision. and realisticly, you need that even with a bb gun.
i am not saying you are incapable of shooting by yourself, but if something bad does happen, and your parents were not there, it could be a very ugly mess.
anyway, back to your question, a nice co2 powered bb gun (pistol) would be right up your alley.
the first thing you need to do is memorize the firearm safety rules. http://www.nrahq.org/education/guide.asp
you should be able to say them backwards, in your sleep. then, get mom or dad to take you bb gun shopping. get a nice big bottle of bb's, and as many co2 cartridges as you can afford. it is to bad somebody does not make refillable ones, so they could be filled with compressed air. then set up a SAFE shooting range (by the way, your parents will have to check local zoning laws, some places you can not shoot bb guns in your own back yard) and have some one help you get started. preferably, someone with firearm experience. if you can not shoot at your home, you will have to take a trip to the woods, or a range in order to shoot. it will be one of the best experiences you have had to date, as long as it is done safely. if there is no one with firearm experience in your family, a trip to the range would be a GREAT idea. someone there would be very happy to introduce you the the sport. i have no idea where you live, but if it is near west michigan, i would volunteer. once you get, say, 10,000 safe rounds through your bb gun, then, you can bug mom and dad for a 22 pistol, or rifle. be safe/ good luck, and have fun!
 
Save your pennies and get your parents to get you a C02 pellet gun.
I had a Crosman Python knock off when I was around 13 and I wore that thing out shooting at stuff. But by the time I finally broke it, man was I ever a good shot with that thing!
I'd suggest the exact same model I had.
 
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