looking for my first gun.

[wurger]

Some of the advice here is a little out there. For someone who is new to handguns, why would you start out with such a powerful gun like a 357 magnum? 99% of the time new shooters will be going to the range and shooting paper. You want to purchase a gun that is softer shooting so they don't develop as many bad habits. After they get proficient, then they can figure out what they want for other purposes.

Definitely go to the range and try and rent a few of the popular guns within your budget. I highly recommend getting a 9mm and the CZ SP-01 is one of the easiest ones to shoot. You will thank me later.

An empty G19 weighs 24 oz (rounded up). An empty S&W 686 .357 weighs 39 oz.

The extra weight more than counters the increased energy from the .357 round. The muzzle on my G17 rises more than the muzzle of my GP100, even when shooting hot .357 loads.

The ported S&W 500 6" doesn't recoil any more than the .357. That monster weighs almost 61 oz. Flame, smoke, and blast...different story.

[Wordupmybrotha]

An empty G19 weighs 24 oz (rounded up). An empty S&W 686 .357 weighs 39 oz.

The extra weight more than counters the increased energy from the .357 round. The muzzle on my G17 rises more than the muzzle of my GP100, even when shooting hot .357 loads.

The ported S&W 500 6" doesn't recoil any more than the .357. That monster weighs almost 61 oz. Flame, smoke, and blast...different story.

I'd have to disagree with you there. The blast of .357 from my GP100 4" is WAY more beastly than my G17. .38SPL on the other hand is very tame.

[hambam105]

Oh....I want a pistol but I can't decide...Ohhhh.

When teenage daughter asks, 'Should I....', the answer is always, "No".

Want to shoot a gun, want to own a gun, want to own a pistol?
Want to own and shoot a pistol responsibly and proficiently, want to exercise your 2nd Rights?
Cool. You are in the right spot. But there comes a time when you show up wearing your decision making big-boy pants.

No, 'Group-Think', on this end of my keyboard.

[daniel93guns]

you make a very strong argument. I like the way you think.

[Garv]

Hey everyone thank you for all the feedback. Since last on here I have been going to the different shooting ranges around my area and have been renting a variety or guns at least once a week. I think I have narrowed it down to two models that I feel most comfortable with. The HK VP9 and the Ruger GP100. Now it is just deciding which one I want first.

The correct Calguns answer is to buy both!

Have fun and welcome.

Keep in mind that the VP9 is off the CA roster so you will have to buy it via PPT assuming you are in Mommiefornia.
The GP100 is off the shelf if your LGS has one. (Blued or Stainless?)

[sonofeugene]

I faced the same question as you a few years back. I had my father's 32acp, his .380, and a 9mm. (A WWI Spanish Izarra, a 1934 model Beretta, and a Luger.) But I'd not purchased my own handgun to that point. I chose 9mm because it's so popular and so easy to get ammo. (And it's a NATO round.) I went with Glock, simply of their reputation for reliability. ('Wanted it for HD.) And I chose the 34 because if fit me well, and I liked the additional length between the sights. Plus I had no intention of using it for concealed carry.

I'm still happy with my choice. The only changes I made to the gun were the addtion of Trijicon HD night sights (in yellow) and a 500 lumen Surefire light.

[Click Boom]

Glock 17.

Get a 9mm, ammo is much cheaper than anything but 22lr.

[softmentor]

there are lots of good options and some bad ones
there is lots of good advice, and some bad
but the most important thing is almost never mentioned
what do you shoot the best?
try out a lot, shoot a lot of rounds, and buy what you hit the 10 ring with.
or just do like most of us and join the gun of the month club, get a new one ever 30 days, and sell the ones you find you don't like as much.
but its cheaper to buy the one you shoot the best.

[SDDAVE56]

All good recommendations. Don't forget about the CZ 75 SAO, and the Browning High Power. Go to the gun store, hold them in your hands.

[Guapoh]

Wilson Combat Supergrade. It's a nice starter pistol.

[nothingextra]

Some of the advice here is a little out there. For someone who is new to handguns, why would you start out with such a powerful gun like a 357 magnum? 99% of the time new shooters will be going to the range and shooting paper. You want to purchase a gun that is softer shooting so they don't develop as many bad habits. After they get proficient, then they can figure out what they want for other purposes.

Definitely go to the range and try and rent a few of the popular guns within your budget. I highly recommend getting a 9mm and the CZ SP-01 is one of the easiest ones to shoot. You will thank me later.

I hand new shooters a 686 with Privi 158 lrn's.
Shoot it in single action, the grip isn't complex, thumbs down.
This is after they struggle with my buddies Glocks or my Sigs.

I'm actually shocked if the group doesn't tighten up.
As long as they focus on a single spot 6 times, they totally get it.
Kids, women, small statured guys, everyone can handle a medium framed revolver.

Most of the above struggle with a Glock their 1st time out.
Look at a fist sized group at 10-15yds vs all over the place.
An option that builds confidence early is good.

I usually hand them one of my revolvers after hours of watching them get frustrated. I'm not the one bringing friends, family, coworkers, randoms, wtf ever. It just pains me when there are so many shoes and they all don't fit all of us.

I also like 22 pistols for that reason.

[gsparesa]

For many many reason, a first gun should be a .22 rifle.

That was my first firearm. A Ruger 10/22. I grew up in a time and place where kids, less than 18 years old, could own and fire .22 rifles. Today, many American youth have lost this special link to firearms. Today, kids shoot all sorts of automatic weapons on PlayStation and public schools.

Wouldn't an air rifle afford a newbie the same firearm fundamentals? Like a Crosman 1077.

[Musubi1000]

looking for my first gun.

If you're gonna try and get a HK VP9 may as well look for Sig P320, FN9, XDM, CZ P-07, S&W M&P, and all the others we can't get here in Cali. Lol.

But seriously, I would second what some of the more experienced shooters have already said. If you're new to shooting a smaller caliber would be a better starting point. 90% of pistol shooters at the range on any given day can't keep shots in the black at 7yrds. Good pistol shooting require quite a bit of training. I would start a new shooter on .22. Then move up to 9 after basic skills were mastered.

[L84CABO]

Take yourself to a range with a good rental counter. You'll sort more out in an afternoon than anything any of us can tell you. Plus it will be a lot of fun.

Shoot the following:

1 Revolver - All revolvers work basically the same way. We're not trying to pick a revolver yet, just get exposure to the platform. Rent a mid to full sized Smith and Wesson

1-2 SA/DA or SA Only steel guns. They've probably got a Sig P226 and/or a Beretta 92. They're pretty common at rental counters

1-2 polymer striker fired guns. Either a Glock 17 or 19 (just one of those) and a M&P

1 1911...Whatever they have in the case. Many people consider a 1911 more of an "experts" gun as they tend to require more maintenance than the others. It's not rocket science and if you really like the platform and are committed to maintenance and learning, it's nothing a newbie can't handle.

Mix up the calibers a bit so you can see what 9mm, .40, and .45 feel like. But with that said, there's a lot of wisdom for going with 9mm as your first gun (assuming you want an auto) due to it being lower recoil while you learn and cheaper...which means you can afford to practice more. If you already know you want a specific caliber then stick with that caliber for all the rentals...except the revolver which will be 38/357 and the 1911 will likely be .45

Anyway, that should give you some basic exposure to the platforms. You're first goal is to try and figure out what platform you want. Once you lock into a platform you can go back a different day and rent several of that specific platform to try and lock into a specific brand/model.

[El Trollo Mejor]

The Ruger GP100 is damm near indestructible and is a laser beam in terms of accuracy. Gp 100 with 38 special ammo for the newbie is my vote. Then step into the semiautomatic territory.