California handgun laws? And what's the best handgun for a beginer?

[trigger945]

I highly recommend seeking the help of a qualified instructor from the get-go. Roundeye, a member here and the captain of the Calguns shooting team, is very knowledgeable and nice. I took a 1-on-1 lesson with him and learned a lot. I will highly recommend him. He can then make suggestions on what may fit you best. I am sure other qualified instructors will also be of help to yoy if you are too far from him.

Then practice a lot, including dry firing at home.

Good luck and welcome to CG!

[Whiterabbit]

best? IMO? ruger single 6 or bearcat. Would be terrible for you if you liked semi automatics though.

On the other hand, lots of the recommendations here would be terrible for you if you find out that you like single action revolvers as I do.

Gotta rent a few 22's and see what makes you happy to hold, to load, and to fire.

[FresnoRob]

No one here can tell you what the best handgun for you is.
As others here said get training. Also if you haven't done so yet visit the ladies forum here. Good luck and it's good to have you here.

[Pally]

Hello, I'm interested in possibly getting a small handgun. I've never really fired a gun at all, just my cousin's rifle a couple times.
What's the best handgun for a beginner? If it matters I'm a woman who really doesn't have the best distance sight : P
And do you know any site that sort of breaks down the california gun laws a bit more understandably? The ones I tried had a ton of amendments and laws that are being considered but not necessarily in effect right now.
I am 24 so I'm of legal age, and I fully intend to go to a shooting range to become comfortable with it and learn the required cleaning maintenance. I don't intend to run out and get one with in the next month or anything, but I'd like to get my research started.
Thanks for the help!

Welcome New2047!
Lots of great responses so far! When you get a chance, check out the Ladies Forum. There are many posts there on firearms and their related issues that is by and for women (and others). It is very helpful when you are first starting out!

[Glock19_PL]

I would recommend asking the local gun range if they could put you in touch with a trainer who could then provide you with aome training as well as provide guns so you can test several out. If you are in Sacramento area I know of a good trainer that can do this. I recommend NOT getting a small gun as they recoil more and are harder to shoot. Worry about getting a small one when you are ready to have a conceal carry permit. I would recommend starting your search with full size 9mm which will make going shooting more fun and less expensive. Pretty much anything will do for your first gun. I would stay away from glock 9mm with 10rd magazines as they were not designed to use such a neutered magazine and they frequently have problems. I have not experienced this with the M&P smiths. After you have shot a few you will have a better idea whats out there. A glock 26 with a finger extension until you get comfortable shooting with a 2 finger grip would be a great setup, as would the m&p 9c but that will be harder to get as it fwll off the California handgun roster due to the DOJ saying Smith & Wesson made too many changes.

+1

[dyson]

When you're at home with free time, youtube can brief you to all the different types of pistols out there. Just to get an idea. Check out faliaphotography https://www.youtube.com/user/faliaphotography

[REDdawn6]

You guys got trolled!

[Javi]

Hey, it was a late night post & it's 7:30 in the morning! Give it time for a response

[amtz.zero]

Like everyone has said, get some training. And I would recommend a full-size 9mm. My wife has a Ruger P95 (they don't make it anymore) which is a little smaller than full-size but it's a 9mm and it shoots very good. After you get your gun, practice a lot too.

[rm1911]

Before you get training, I suggest finding a friend that shoots and have him or her take you shooting. Honestly, sometimes the best lessons are informal. Not that formal training isn't important. Because it can be. But if you didn't grow up with guns and shooing, then familiarity might be better achieved with someone you trust and know, and can enjoy spending time with.

I've taken many people shooting and really all I try to do is make is safe and fun. Just get them familiar with and relaxed around guns. Basically remove the aura and what not about them. I know that sounds stupid but it's very important. And usually I start with my 22's and work up from there. That's also how I did it with my kids.

And I'd also try to shoot at an outdoor range first. Indoor ranges are loud and you're under time constraints. And shooting with friends is more informal and you won't worry about not hitting the targets nearly as much and all that. I really believe new shooters should get exposed in a fun environment.

A while back I took a friend of mine and his two boys, 8 and 10. All he had was his 40 and his boys had never shot a gun and the 40 of course was way to much to start.

My boys are 10 and 12 and they helped out a lot. I gave his boys my bearcat, a smaller single action 22 revolver. The kids just kept loading rounds in it and pulling the trigger. They didn't hit much at all but just had a lot of fun just shooting it. From that point on they have been bugging their dad to buy them one. It wasn't about hitting anything just about shooting the thing.

Once you want to shoot because it's fun you'll be in a much better spot to look for something to buy. And once that starts, you'll end up with more guns than shoes

[Tom226]

Before you get training, I suggest finding a friend that shoots and have him or her take you shooting. Honestly, sometimes the best lessons are informal. Not that formal training isn't important. Because it can be. But if you didn't grow up with guns and shooing, then familiarity might be better achieved with someone you trust and know, and can enjoy spending time with.

I've taken many people shooting and really all I try to do is make is safe and fun. Just get them familiar with and relaxed around guns. Basically remove the aura and what not about them. I know that sounds stupid but it's very important. And usually I start with my 22's and work up from there. That's also how I did it with my kids.

And I'd also try to shoot at an outdoor range first. Indoor ranges are loud and you're under time constraints. And shooting with friends is more informal and you won't worry about not hitting the targets nearly as much and all that. I really believe new shooters should get exposed in a fun environment.

A while back I took a friend of mine and his two boys, 8 and 10. All he had was his 40 and his boys had never shot a gun and the 40 of course was way to much to start.

My boys are 10 and 12 and they helped out a lot. I gave his boys my bearcat, a smaller single action 22 revolver. The kids just kept loading rounds in it and pulling the trigger. They didn't hit much at all but just had a lot of fun just shooting it. From that point on they have been bugging their dad to buy them one. It wasn't about hitting anything just about shooting the thing.

Once you want to shoot because it's fun you'll be in a much better spot to look for something to buy. And once that starts, you'll end up with more guns than shoes

+1

Keep it fun and work your way into it. If you have a friend you trust who has a .22 pistol, that will help you ease into it and get solid on your fundamentals as has been mentioned. If a .22 isn't available, try learning on a .38 revolver or 9mm auto. But either way I highly recommend using something that's borrowed or rented to make you more confident in your purchasing decision. Have fun!

[Javi]

+1 on trying to shoot outdoors although they're not known to have much handgun rentals. If they have a friend that shoots than no problem! I still have a flinch I developed a while back from learning indoors with thin muffs =/

[Hamourkiller]

.357 Magnum revolver. Start with .38 ammo that doesn't recoil much. Move up to Magnum ammo as your skill improves.

I'll second this. I like a 4" barreled, pinned and recessed model 19 or 27 or 28 S&W. (Six inch will be great as well.

Start with 38 special wad cutters and work up to 158 gr hpt .357 mag ammo.

This also allows you to get a lever action .357 mag carbine for more bed side comfort.