some advice for a newbie

[easyg]

Sorry, but I'll skip the romanticism when it comes to tools.

I'm the weapon, not the hunk of metal.

To each his own, but I don't buy in to the notion that a handgun is just another "tool".

Yes, even an unarmed determined human is certainly nothing to be taken lightly, but since the birth of mankind humans quickly discovered that those who used weapons fared much better than those who did not.

"I'm the weapon, not the hunk of metal." is a neat little catch phrase, but it's just too simplistic for reality.

The original poster wants a handgun, and no matter how nice the rifle or shotgun, it just isn't going to scratch that itch.

 

[easyg]

I just bought a p95 (RUGER) for just over $300 Its my second p series and for the money its a great firearm. I'll take it anyday over a glock .

The P95 is a fine handgun too.
But a used Glock can be found for around $300.00 dollars, and Glock does offer some advantages over the P95....

Height:
P95 = 5.75"
G17 = 5.43"
G19 = 5"

Weight (empty):
P95 = 27 oz.
G17 = 22.04 oz.
G19 = 20.99 oz.

Width:
P95 = 1.20"
G17 = 1.18"
G19 = 1.18"

Capacity:
P95 = 10+1
G17 = 17+1
G19 = 15+1

 

[NinjaFeint]

I have a Glock 17 but there are some great deals on Rugers. You can get a new P95 for 299.95 around here regularly and on sale for 269.95 if you catch them at the right time. Thats a hell of a value. You can also get a SR9 for 369.99. I'll list the specs below. Also, I think the P95 is 15+1.

Length: 7.55"
Height: 5.52"
Width: 1.27"
Barrel Length: 4.14"
Cap:17+1

 

[jad0110]

But for a young guy just starting out revolvers are downright boring.

Huh?

I'm 30 and my sister is 26. We are both wheel gun nuts. Actually, I find most autos to be boring. They are like Camrys (especially Glocks and XDs), everybody's got one . Not that there is anything at all wrong with that.

In all seriousness, I have fun shooting all guns. Though I still prefer revolvers because chasing spent brass gets old.

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

I carry a 1911, but I agree, there's something magic about a wheelgun.

 

[golden]

Rent a gun first

Before you go an buy something you may not like or use, try renting the same gun at a range.

If you have been trained on a certain type of gun in the military or police, go with what you know.

I recommend a mid sized 4 inch barreled .38 Special or .357 magnum like the COLT Official Police or S&W model 10, model 13 (both discontinued, but still available) or the RUGER GP 100 model.

A .357 model is better as it gives you a serious power upgrade option just by buying different ammo.

.38 Special wadcutter loads are very easy to shoot and accurate. With +P .38 Special you have adequate power and they are not that expensive. If you get a .357, you can upgrade to 110 grain hollow points from WINCHESTER for the same price as most .38 ammo.

Good luck,

Jim

 

[Big Bill]

Buy a S&W Sigma in 9mm. They have a $50 factory rebate or two extra magazines if you buy before Dec. 31, 2009.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...atalogId=10001&content=753501&sectionId=10002

 

[Lonestar49]

Less is more

Sorry, but I'll skip the romanticism when it comes to tools.

*I'm the weapon, not the hunk of metal.

...

*Refreshing, intelligent, perspective.. indeed

Actually, a handgun of any type, other than just a range gun, per say, is a means of utilizing a safer SD distance than, say, a knife, one's hands, a bat/stick, etc., for the purpose of SD a/o HD vs human or animal.

OMMV,


Ls

 

[Ichiro]

I recommend a used S&W or Ruger 4" .38 or .357 revolver.

Since you'll be learning safe gun-handling and trigger control, you will appreciate the convenience of regular dry-fire practice in the comfort of your own home. I learned gun-handling and shooting with a Ruger GP-100, and I estimate that I dry-fired it about 10 times more than I actually shot it. At 7,000 rounds of live ammo, that's a lot of dry-firing, and it really paid off. You must have good trigger control to shoot well, and if you learn it with a double-action revolver first, all other handguns will be easier.

You can dry-fire semiautos as well, but it's usually rack the slide, aim, click, rack the slide, aim, click, rack the slide, aim, click. With a DA revolver, it's aim, click, click, click, click, click, click.

Buy some snap-caps to practice loading and unloading, and always be safe.

 

[Black Knight]

I would like to recommend a 3 - 4 inch 357 Magnum. If you get one go with Ruger, K frame stainless S&W or larger frame (usually cheaper than Colts). You in essence get 2 guns for the price of one. You could start out with 38 Specials and when you feel ready for a bit more umph go to the Magnum load. If you choose a medium frame magnum try to stay away from the light weight bullets in magnum loads. They have a way of eroding the forcing cone at the back end of the barrel. You can shoot all the light weight 38 Specials you want but stick with the heavier weight bullets in magnum loadings. The K and L frame sized revolvers can also be carried concealed if you have the right holster and clothing with little problems. I carry a 3" S&W 65, 4" Colt Python or S&W 686 under a nylon fight type jacket with no problems.

 

[DNS]

I'd suggest looking at the price of ammo and then make a decision in regards to its affordability in your situation, then choose a handgun.
It's hard to beat the price of 22lr bulk compared to say .45acp or even .38 special nowadays. And yeah, I'd suggest a .22 for any beginner.

Heck, most of my stuff is 22lr after twenty some years of shooting and I could care less if anyone thinks its girly since they don't buy my ammo
Mike

 

[Impureclient]

With what you describe I think 9mm autoloader is right on the money.

I searched for exactly what you are and found a Kahr CW9 fit the bill prefectly.

handgun - check
user friendly - check
low recoil - check
not boring - check
not peashooter - 500 ft. lbs of energy, check
low budget - check
chick gun/it doesn't shoot out marshmallows - check j/k
low cost ammo - check, .20 cents a round

Also add to check list:

small enough to conceal in any clothing - check
quality manufacturer - check
easy to field strip/maintain - check
zero malfunctions so far in about 1000 rds - check

Mine was $350 right before O took office. I would pay MSRP after my experience with it so far whatever they are asking now.

 

[EMT40SW]

I would suggest a $250 Mossberg 500 in 12 ga or 20 ga. The other option is a Glock. If you are not a First Responder then join the Glock Sport Shooting Foundation for $30. That will allow you to buy one Glock annually at cost. That is $399 for a NEW 9mm, .40 S/W, & .357SIG and $459 for a NEW .45 ACP, .45 GAP, or 10mm. Check it out:

http://www.gssfonline.com/