Ideas for my first handgun

[SI_GOAT]

Hey I was thinking about taking up shooting as a small hobby. I wanted a good handgun that isn't expensive. Preferable not a revolver, and one that is attractive. Any ideas?

[BFEGTO]

attractive is going to be your opinion. i would say head over to your local range and rent some handguns and see what you like and what fits you best. for cheaper ammo i would say stick with the 9mm, its around $20 for 100 rounds of winchester white box target ammo.

[3liter914-6]

Hey I was thinking about taking up shooting as a small hobby. I wanted a good handgun that isn't expensive. Preferable not a revolver, and one that is attractive. Any ideas?


Check out the Mosquito thread below yours. If you're just looking to plink the .22s are a good place to start. Dirt cheap ammo, cheap entry price, and they basically don't depreciate so you can get your money out and walk away when you're ready. If you've never shot before the low recoil of a .22 is great for helping you to not pick up bad habits like flinching. I personally think the P22 is a very sharp looking weapon.

http://www.weaponryonline.com/images/reviews/guns/ walther-p22/walther-p22.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/tmcveigh/Projects/GunRights/ images/WaltherP22.jpg

Otherwise, I like 9mms for a larger caliber plinking and defense gun. From the major brands it really comes down to your preference in gun feel and styling. I find the Walther P99 pretty attractive, but if you like the fit and looks it's hard to go wrong with a Glock. Your best bet would be to find a range that rents and spend a few bucks renting the guns that catch your fancy. Most shops/ranges are pretty upfront if you ask about the pros/cons of a particular weapon.

[Nick!]

I would say go with 9mm because the amo is relatively inexpensive. For example, 22/23 bucks gets you 100 rounds while 50 rounds of .45, .38, .380 or .32 go for about the same price. My first handgun purchase was a Glock 19 (compact). Some will go with the Glock 26 (sub-compact) but I found it was uncomftorable to shoot because I have big hands; my whole hand didnt fit around the handle. A 19 or 26 should cost a little over $500 bucks. Also check out Sig Saur, Colt, S&W who will also have similar pistols that are priced similar.

Try to bring cash to a shop. They may be able to take care of you a little better.

[3liter914-6]

Minor correction, the 17 is the full-sized Glock 9mm, 19 is as you mentioned the compact, and the 26 is the sub-compact.

[WhatsAHemi]

That's exactly what I said "small hobby" 4 handguns, and several years of training later I'm hooked.

[Nick!]

Minor correction, the 17 is the full-sized Glock 9mm, 19 is as you mentioned the compact, and the 26 is the sub-compact.

Fixed. Thanks.

[2005YellowGTO]

my favorite is the Smith & Wesson M&P40 very accurate and reliable easy tear down for a first time owner.

[djs04GTO]

Definately go with a 9mm. Cheap and easy to find ammo. If you go with a .22 you'll probably want more within a few trips to the range.

[bursty]

Check out the Mosquito thread below yours. If you're just looking to plink the .22s are a good place to start. Dirt cheap ammo, cheap entry price, and they basically don't depreciate so you can get your money out and walk away when you're ready. If you've never shot before the low recoil of a .22 is great for helping you to not pick up bad habits like flinching. I personally think the P22 is a very sharp looking weapon.

http://www.weaponryonline.com/images/reviews/guns/ walther-p22/walther-p22.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/tmcveigh/Projects/GunRights/ images/WaltherP22.jpg

Otherwise, I like 9mms for a larger caliber plinking and defense gun. From the major brands it really comes down to your preference in gun feel and styling. I find the Walther P99 pretty attractive, but if you like the fit and looks it's hard to go wrong with a Glock. Your best bet would be to find a range that rents and spend a few bucks renting the guns that catch your fancy. Most shops/ranges are pretty upfront if you ask about the pros/cons of a particular weapon.
I strongly agree with this post. I love my P99. Great gun and fits my hand like a glove.

[ORYX]

Take a look at the CZ-75 and its variants. Excellent guns that are reasonably priced, usually under $450.

[dkrowner]

springfield xd is what i say to get

[jonfor]

ruger or S&W's seem nice but i agree with the XD response.

[StormSigma]

My first handgun was the S&M M&P in .45. Love it to death. I have shot the nine mil version and loved it as well. You couldn't go wrong with one.

I have since purchased revolvers in both .357 and .22 for range work. My next purchase will most likely be an XD subcompact for concealed carry work.

[SK360]

Springfield XD.. no questions...

[gametech]

Hey I was thinking about taking up shooting as a small hobby. I wanted a good handgun that isn't expensive. Preferable not a revolver, and one that is attractive. Any ideas?

Handguns SUCK as an introduction to shooting. My idea is to purchase a .22 rifle and make your own decisions after toying with that. A proper fit for a firearm is just as personal (or more) than a proper fit for clothing. There is ABSOLUTELY NOT any "one size fits all".

[MrYenko]

Ammo prices are making it so the handgun is the CHEAP part of shooting, in all honesty...

Good info above this post though. :)

[CHEEZY1]

I bought a springfield xd, and love it,I shoot very well with it.

Brian

[Superman]

How small of a hobby is it going to be? If you're going to shoot only a few times a year, you might be better off renting at the range. One benefit is you won't have to clean it.

If you plan on keeping a gun in the house for defense as well, it's better to consider that aspect because you really should be practicing with the gun you'll be using to protect yourself.

You'll be better off that way tactically, because you'll get more used to the handling and workings of that particular model to where shooting it properly becomes second nature.

Understand some people like to get smaller caliber weapons for the range for cost reasons, but I think it makes more sense to master one weapon than to practice on one and fall back on another when it matters.

There are other factors to consider with your living conditions - female living with you who may need to use it? Safety features?

[SI_GOAT]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll keep that in mind

[greg'sgoat]

My first handgun was a fullsize H&K USP .45. It was a bit pricy, but it's still the best handgun I've shot (including my 1911). The only down side to .45 is the price of practice ammo. I shoot my Glock 19 much more now because 9mm is a lot cheaper, and .45 only get's shot once in awhile.

The best thing to do is go to gunstores and ranges that rent, and rent as much as you can. The less common guns will probably not be available, and most likely they'll have a lot of Glocks and maybe a 1911 or two.

The 9mm Glocks (17 & 19) are some of the best all around guns IMO, especially for a starter. The proper 9mm round will but just as effective as stopping a threat, and it's much cheaper to practice with for a begginer. .45 is a close second for a begginer, because the slower moving bullet is not as abusive to a new shooter. I'd personally stay away from .40, just because it's more expensive and more snappy to begin with. Of couse if you're a bigger guy, that won't really matter, just my opinion.

[StormSigma]

How small of a hobby is it going to be? If you're going to shoot only a few times a year, you might be better off renting at the range. One benefit is you won't have to clean it.

If you plan on keeping a gun in the house for defense as well, it's better to consider that aspect because you really should be practicing with the gun you'll be using to protect yourself.

You'll be better off that way tactically, because you'll get more used to the handling and workings of that particular model to where shooting it properly becomes second nature.

Understand some people like to get smaller caliber weapons for the range for cost reasons, but I think it makes more sense to master one weapon than to practice on one and fall back on another when it matters.

There are other factors to consider with your living conditions - female living with you who may need to use it? Safety features?


This is pretty much why I got the M&P for myself in .45 as a first gun. I want to make sure I put the biggest hole possible in an intruder, and didn't want to be learning at the range solely on a .22 only to have to deal with the added recoil and power of a larger round come time to rock'n roll.

[Hot Sauce]

springfield xd is what i say to get

:ftw:

[SI_GOAT]

cool thanks