Newly Addicted Need Advice

[doodoostain]

My wife took me to the shooting range for the fist time last Tuesday for my birthday. I had never shot a firearm before and I am now officially addicted. I've been 4 times since Tuesday and have not gotten any work done since. I spend my entire work day trolling this forum and the firing line to get educated on handguns and concerns for gun owners in CA.

So here is a list of the guns I've tried shooting:

Glock 17, 19, 22 and 30
M&P 9mm and .40
Ruger 9mm
HK USP .40 and .45

Obviously, I have a long way to go but so far I've found that I have an easier time controlling the Glocks than any of the other guns. Everything I'd read seemed to indicate that the lighter guns would have a harsher recoil but for some reason, I liked the feel of the trigger better than the others and that lead to more accurate shooting.

I am probably most accurate with the G19 but surprisingly to me, between the G22 and the G30, I had an easier time with the G30. Is that normal? The range I joined does not have a G23, so I can't really compare between similarly sized Glocks of those two calibers. I had been planning on getting the G23 so that in an emergency my wife would be able to handle it. But after last night, I'm thinking I should get the G30. What do you gents think? Would my wife be able to handle the G30? Thanks in advance.

[Greg-Dawg]

Neither. Sign up for a class, sign up for a membership at a rental range and decide from there.

...Go get a Glock Fo-tay.

[doodoostain]

i did take a class and signed up for membership at a range. been trying to rent and try as many guns as i can. i guess i'll just have to get my wife to try the guns out too and see what she likes. thanks.

[CSACANNONEER]

If you are going to buy a first handgun, why not get a good .22lr? They are fun and much cheaper to shoot. After you learn proper shooting techniques, you can get a centerfire handgun as well. You'll save a lot of money doing it this way. Or, do you feel the need to own a big gun right away? If you don't need a centerfire handgun for SD, hunting, or some form of competitive shooting, a .22lr is fine unless you need to compinsate for something. Besides, I hate Glocks, I'd rather see you get a higher end 1911, Sig or HK.

[zman]

So here is a list of the guns I've tried shooting:

Glock 17, 19, 22 and 30
M&P 9mm and .40
Ruger 9mm
HK USP .40 and .45

You owe it to yourself to at least try a 1911 like a Springfield, Kimber, or S&W if your range has them.

Oh and have tried/seen the AR-15s?

[doodoostain]

not compensating for anything. we just moved to hollyweird and every time we leave the house at night, we realize what a weird place we live in. we discussed getting a gun to protect ourselves, just in case. i told my wife that if we get a gun, i want her to be proficient at using as well, so we made a hobby out of it.

i haven't shot a sig yet bc they were always already rented out, which intrigues me. but i did shoot the glock better than i shot the hk, so far.

[Purple K]

Let your wife decide what she can handle

[doodoostain]

You owe it to yourself to at least try a 1911 like a Springfield, Kimber, or S&W if your range has them.

Oh and have tried/seen the AR-15s?

I've only read about the AR-15's. They look amazing. I'd like to try one. I started looking into the legality of it, being an attorney, didn't want to risk it. Seems like a great gun for when the SHTF.

[doodoostain]

Let your wife decide what she can handle

In the end, it will be up to her to decide, but convincing her to even try a .45 is going to take some work.

[CSACANNONEER]

I'm in the mist of moving right now. When I'm done, I am more than willing to meet you and your wife at Angeles and let you both shoot a variety of different handguns and/or rifles. I'd rather see you make an informed and educated decission than one that turns either of you off to shooting. BTW, the cost of a decent .22lr and +5000 rounds of ammo is cheaper than a Glock and 50 rounds of ammo. So, even if you get a centerfire handgun, I'd still suggest a .22lr too.

In the end, it will be up to her to decide, but convincing her to even try a .45 is going to take some work.

I'm confident that she'll like my 1911s with my reloads. It won't take any work at all to get her to try it.

[doodoostain]

I'm in the mist of moving right now. When I'm done, I am more than willing to meet you and your wife at Angeles and let you both shoot a variety of different handguns and/or rifles. I'd rather see you make an informed and educated decission than one that turns either of you off to shooting. BTW, the cost of a decent .22lr and +5000 rounds of ammo is cheaper than a Glock and 50 rounds of ammo. So, even if you get a centerfire handgun, I'd still suggest a .22lr too.


I'm confident that she'll like my 1911s with my reloads. It won't take any work at all to get her to try it.

thanks for the great advice. i'll have to also look at some .22lr's. it'd be cool to meet at Angeles when you're free, if for nothing else to watch you shoot and try to learn.

[Spyder]

Hehe, why the name, just out of curiousity?

I'd say .22 for sure. Cheap, fun. And definitely get something that both you and the wife like and can become familiar with...that's way important than what it actually is and what other people think of it.

Welcome aboard! Lots of good people on here and I'm sure you'll learn a lot! I still learn new gun stuff every day!

[locosway]

My first Glock was a 20 because I love the 10mm round. However, after renting a Glock 19 at several ranges I had to have one!!!

My Glock 19 is so much fun to shoot, but my Glock 20 is my main sidearm when size is not a concern.

[bigcalidave]

Dude don't buy a 10mm now. Have you seen 10mm ammo... anywhere? If not a .22, go with the 9mm and order a few thousand rounds online when it's still cheap. You want to shoot a lot right? I'd join in and say I love shooting my kimber most of all, but .45 is expensive and pretty hard to find.

[doodoostain]

Hehe, why the name, just out of curiousity?

well, poopoostinky wasn't available. jk. its an alias i started using a long time ago online. its just funny to me.