Your first handgun...

[ianS]

My first was almost a Taurus 85 .38 snub. Wisely I canceled the lay-away and changed it to a BHP MK III 9mm. A better choice for a newbie than a snub .38. That was back in 1992. Before the internet and before decent info and advice was readily available.

Best: .22 pistol of some kind.

Good: Any decent 9mm semi-auto from Glock, S&W M&P, XD, HK with LEM trigger, SIG with DAK or DA revolver by Ruger or S&W loaded with .38 or +P ammo. No manual safeties or decockers to fumble with or forget. No DA/SA transition which the vast majority of new and even slightly more experienced shooters practice SA exclusively.

I think its easy to say get a .22 but a lot of people can't afford two guns and they want or need a defensive handgun in a fighting caliber. So even though a .22 is the "best" choice for a beginner I understand the need to get a 9mm or .38 revolver as their first.

[bayboydray408]

**** yeah

lol its really not as bad as everyone says it is, until you move up to the big loads. I have only fired the hornady 350 grain xtp through mine and its not bad but it still hurts my hand more than any other pistol I have ever fired.

I think im ready to try the 440 grain corbon, Ive been told not to shoot it because its a lil to punishing so im kinda nervous and I dont think ill ever try the crazy 700 grain rounds.

[ZX-10R]

In the not to distant future it is either the S&W 9 or M9.

[beauregard]

My first pistol was a Ruger Blackhawk .44 that I took from a patron coming into the nightclub I worked at.... in NYC. A freaking single-action in Manhattan.

[gti_20ae]

My first is a Hi-Point CF380, its a fun reliable little gun, got it for $139. The downside to that gun is that it is really ugly and ammo is expensive, so I sold it (for $129) and get a XD9 compact a month later.

[762.DEFENSE]

Glock 23 was my first, recommend possibly a Glock 19 for both price, reliability and size.

[bayboydray408]

For those that dont believe me when I say it was my first pistol, well it was lol its not like I went and bought it without ever firing a gun, Ive fired a ****load of different guns all my life so I just said what the hell why not just go all out and get the biggest thing out there right now when its available to me? because I knew I would be gettin one later on anyway, so I got it and love it. Oh and I dont recommend it to first time shooters at all, Ive experienced that to lol

[map]

Glock 22 because I thought it would be my only hand gun. Not the case.

[Bigtwin]

Really depends on the age and ability of the new shooter. First pistol I ever shot was a .22lr revolver, later in the day I shot a .38spcl out of a S&W 5in. bbl(not sure of the model#) I was 11yrs old then.
First handgun I purchased, Springfield XD40 in the service model...still have it ....still love it! Even more so now that I reload!

[Cuda440]

lol its really not as bad as everyone says it is, until you move up to the big loads. I have only fired the hornady 350 grain xtp through mine and its not bad but it still hurts my hand more than any other pistol I have ever fired.

I think im ready to try the 440 grain corbon, Ive been told not to shoot it because its a lil to punishing so im kinda nervous and I dont think ill ever try the crazy 700 grain rounds.

I rented one of those sw500's at the range, they sold me 650 gr. rounds to shoot out of it (they said they want everybody who shoots it to know what its capable of)
Long story short... the fourth shot dislocated my shoulder
I'll stick to 44mag and under, please.

My first handgun was a cheap Heritage rough rider, 22lr, with the extra 22mag cyl. My only other handgun so far is my Glock 31, 357sig for home defense.

[Greg-Dawg]

After taking a basic handgun course, signing up for membership at my local gun rental range, trying out all types of pistols...I've decided on this: G35...HIGHLY recommended!



It's my competition, bad guy deterrent and training pistol.

[jimsgotthedeal]

Thank you again for the input everyone...The first gun is always a memorable one, the good and the bad! Most of our students buy their first gun from us and we take alot into consideration when we make recommendations. 22's do have some advantages, it can always be used at the coyote point gun range and does have cheap ammo. Personally I want to buy them all!

Angie

[Capita159]

My first handgun was a 6 inch blued Python, because what other handgun is there that should be your first?

The first time should be special.

You must be a giant........from the bay area.......

[RMorenoUSA]

My first was a Sig p226r but found i had trouble with the size of the grip so I traded that for my one true love a Triple serial p225 from the 09 production. I f-ing love that gun. Shes feels good real good.

[Bota2112]

I'm gonna admit, I'm more a rifle man myself and my 1st handgun is in the 10 day jail rite now....a Romanian Draco pistol!
I do love the 1911's though, I think will be my next purchase!