First handgun. Big or Small?

[Ninong99]

[CSACANNONEER]

I would suggest buying a .22lr Browning or Ruger first. It'll save you a lot of money on ammo and provide you years of enjoyment. If you shoot 200 rounds twice a month, in less than 6 months you'll be able to buy a centerfire handgun with the money you've saved on ammo.

I also suggest a full sized centerfire handgun for your first centerfire handgun. It'll be easier to control. The smaller the gun, the harder it is to shoot.

[iareConfusE]

I would just get a full sized handgun to start with. If CCW becomes more and more easily attainable, you can always purchase a smaller gun later on. Or, you could buy something like a Glock 19, which to me isn't really a full sized pistol or a compact, but somewhere in between. The full sized guns work as both an HD gun and for weekly range use. You could do the same with the smaller framed pistols, but you may have even less than 10 rounds in your magazine depending on what model you buy, and that means less capacity for HD situations and whatnot.

[jptopz]

I would go with a pistol that fits your hands right. Big or small go with what is most comfortable. I started with a compact years ago, but enjoy shooting my full size pistols the most.

[chesterthehero]

get whatever you like and can afford.. nothing says you can only get one chance to pick the perfect firearm..

as to what you should get for HD... every single person on this site will tell you something different for a different reason.. theres a thousand threads about this and no matter how many times it comes up they all end the same way.. without a "this is the finaly answer for this question forever"

i vote for a revolver with a shrouded hammer and/or a pump action shotgun with #7 birdshot... its what fits my needs and what i am comfortable with..
other will tell you a revolver is suicide, #7 shot will only tick someone off and using anything less than claymores and attack bears just simply will not do..

[HCz]

I would suggest buying a .22lr Browning or Ruger first. It'll save you a lot of money on ammo and provide you years of enjoyment. If you shoot 200 rounds twice a month, in less than 6 months you'll be able to buy a centerfire handgun with the money you've saved on ammo.

I also suggest a full sized centerfire handgun for your first centerfire handgun. It'll be easier to control. The smaller the gun, the harder it is to shoot.

+10000

[ruchik]

My vote? Go with what feels best in your hand. The one that you can manipulate the trigger properly. It really doesn't do you any good to have say, a Beretta 92FS, if you can't reach the trigger right or work the controls right. At the same time, you could be much deadlier with something like a Kahr MK9, simply because you can work the gun properly. If like the feel, you'll like it more, which means you'll practice with it more.

[RollingCode3]

Glock 19 for the win. NOT TOO BIG ... not too small. perfect size

[incredablehefey]

+10000

+ one hundred bazillian, no not really i just agree with the 22 idea

[Ninong99]

Thanks for the feedback

Wow! The feedback comes fast on this message board. Thanks for your suggestions.

I would suggest buying a .22lr Browning or Ruger first.

I am experienced with .22, .38 spl, 9mm and .357 magnum ammo, and for my purposes am looking for better defensive loads than a 22--.380 and up.

i vote for a revolver with a shrouded hammer and/or a pump action shotgun with #7 birdshot...

I do like the S&W 642 (but the Taurus 650 is cheaper). #7 birdshot? Never heard that recommendation. Since you brought up shotguns, what's yer opinion about a 20 gauge?

And even though I'm more familiar with Springfield XDs, no one suggests an XD before suggesting a GLOCK, it seems, huh? Fine, I'll try one 'o those ugly 19's.

N99

[foxtrotuniformlima]

I would suggest buying a .22lr Browning or Ruger first. It'll save you a lot of money on ammo and provide you years of enjoyment. If you shoot 200 rounds twice a month, in less than 6 months you'll be able to buy a centerfire handgun with the money you've saved on ammo.

I also suggest a full sized centerfire handgun for your first centerfire handgun. It'll be easier to control. The smaller the gun, the harder it is to shoot.

I could not agree more. Not to mention that it is way more fun to brn through 500 rds of 22LR for about $ 20 instead of 100 rds of 9mm for $ 25.

[lugar]

I would suggest buying a .22lr Browning or Ruger first. It'll save you a lot of money on ammo and provide you years of enjoyment. If you shoot 200 rounds twice a month, in less than 6 months you'll be able to buy a centerfire handgun with the money you've saved on ammo.

I also suggest a full sized centerfire handgun for your first centerfire handgun. It'll be easier to control. The smaller the gun, the harder it is to shoot.

Smart man.
In my opinion there are three must have hand guns.
A .22, a 357 and a semi auto of the caliber you like best. I like 9mm.

[ZX-10R]

Get what feels good in your hands. After going rifles for so long I finally broke down and got a handgun. I decided on a M&P 45. Fit great in my hands, I have shot and own enough large caliber rounds that recoil is not a concern, and I have shot handguns enough not to start small and regret it a few months later.

Your call but you will do what you feel is right for YOU.

[chesterthehero]

Wow! The feedback comes fast on this message board. Thanks for your suggestions.

I do like the S&W 642 (but the Taurus 650 is cheaper). #7 birdshot? Never heard that recommendation. Since you brought up shotguns, what's yer opinion about a 20 gauge?

i have a taurus 851 (38 spl) with the shrouded hammer.. the 357 is/was not available with the shrouded hammer when i got mine im not worried about it..

as for #7... i live in a small 900 square foot house with a child and several very large fishtanks.. i also have neighbors with children all of my windows face their windows.. my walls face their walls.. over penetration is a concern.. there are only two places in my house where someone can be in a line of sight and more than 15 feet away.. so given the distances i have to work with i am more than comfortable with what #7 will do to a grown man..
that said the shotgun is not my "go to gun" when it comes to HD.. my 38 is.. i dont have room to do anything in my house with a shotgun.. even with a pistolgrip it is too big to move quickly with.. theres no doubt in my mind that in the event that i use a firearm in my home to defend myself/my family it will be very up close and personal.. which is why i wanted #1 a revolver and #2 a shrouded hammer..
1- a semi auto will not fire/work if someone else grabs hold of it and manages to get the slide back 1/4 of an inch..
2- in my small house every noise is heard.. cocking of a handgun/racking of a pumpaction both make a very clear and crisp sound.. i consider that to be the start of a chain of events that will all happen very very quickly (i do not consider it a warning).. with my hadgun i am going to need to be accurate and in control.. if i have time to line up a shot my 8lb trigger is not going to cut it.. however single action it drops to something much much less (i have no idea what im going to guess somewhere around 2lb with 1/8" travel).. if someone else has their hands on my weapon i need it to fire when i pull the trigger..

this is what works for me with the house i live in... put my in a bigger house and what i have will change

[Bill Steele]

God forbid you ever have to shoot someone, but...

...#7 birdshot? Never heard that recommendation. Since you brought up shotguns, what's yer opinion about a 20 gauge?

You can buy a new Remington 870 Express in 20 Ga with an 18" barrel for under $350. It will hold 6+1, weigh under 7 lbs, has managable recoil for a lighter frame and provide excellent home defense. I would recommend buckshot loads, lots of choices in 2, 3, 4 Buck in 20. You still have to aim, but stopping a threat will be a lot easier when the adrenalin is flowing.