Absolute beginner question - handgun selection

[reloading]

I'm going to take an Intro to Handguns course this weekend, and then stick around to try a few different handguns owned by the range. I already used the OAG Firearms Safety Certificate study guide to pass that test and get my cert.

Absolute beginner here - I've never even held a loaded gun before, aside from firing an antique flintlock one time as a kid.

As I try different handguns out to decide which should be my first, what are some of the things I should look for? What's likely to vary the most from gun to gun? Anything I should watch out for or avoid?

I understand that 9mm ammo can be among the cheapest, and has minimal kickback. This should make it practical to practice for a long time, so I'm leaning in the direction of a 9mm gun. I also understand that a longer barrel, as with something like a Glock 34, makes it easier to aim. What else should I consider?

[jarhead714]

Try a 1911 first and then compare everything else in terms of grip and most especially, trigger.

[SC1]

There's a lot of great info in a sticky thread on the handgun forum:

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=397489

Depends on what you want to do with the gun, how it fits, how you like the trigger pull, how comfortable you are with it, how well you can aim with it,etc.

[Garv]

I like my Glock 34, so for plinking at the range, that is a good start.

I suggest you go to your local range and rent several that feel good in your hands.

If you have any friends with guns, talk to them and get a tour of their safe.
Offer to pay for the ammo and range fee and help clean if they will go with you.

Most ranges require you to bring a friend if you are renting a gun without bringing your own.

My first 9mm was a Browning High Power.
Nice, but expensive.

Mrs. Garv keeps trying to say my CZ SP-01 is hers, nope.
That would be the next to try out IMO.

The heavier guns such as the CZ will have less recoil, but 9mm is soft once you get used to it after a few mags.

If your purpose is eventual concealed carry, the advice will differ greatly or you will get the Calguns traditional response of "buy both".

Good luck and give us an update when you can.

Welcome.

[tenex]

Get a .22LR and a 5000 rounds case of ammo. Make an effort to go to the range every week and shoot 100 rounds with a purpose in mind each time. The purpose might be: what to do to make my group smaller. After a year move to bigger caliber.

With that in mind a CZ75 with kadett conversion might a good investment 2-in-1 deal.

Have fun

[Tere_Hanges]

The longer barrel makes it more precise, not easier.

[M60A1Rise]

Grab a Buckmark Camper .22lr practice a couple times a month then decide which caliber you'd like to move up to. Also try a few of the offerings at whatever range you end up shooting at.

9mm or .45acp are pretty easy to manage as well as have decent semi-auto choices. If you prefer a revolver .357 is nice and can shoot .38spl from the same handgun.

[Tere_Hanges]

The Sig SP2022 and Beretta Px4 are good affordable beginner 9mms. Rent them and the Glock 19, XD9, and SD9VE.

9mm is an excellent choice for a first semiauto centerfire pistol.

[norcalAF]

An all metal full-size gun is a great for most people to start on, Beretta 92, Sig 226, CZ75 etc. But handle a few before you plunk down cash, and try some at the range if possible. And buy used to save some money. But more than anything else be safe and have fun. If you want a new very beginner type, check out single action revolver .22s, it will be fun to learn on and SA's are just plain cool.

[damon1272]

Check out CZ 75 Sp-01, Glock 17 or 19 or a 1911. Which ever you choose also buy a matching 22 or 22 conversion kit to lower your cost. Personally have moved towards 9mm and away from 45 and 40 due to recoil and kore importantly cost. Really buy what you shoot best. This differs from what feels good as what may feel good may not shoot as well for you so go with what your shoot best.
Cost wise would be Glock then CZ and then 1911 for what you will spend your money on. Good luck.

[Milsurp1]

Which county do you live in?

[Uncivil Engineer]

One safety rule I like to tell beginners. No matter what happens. Put the gun down pointing down range before you leave your shooting stance. Commonly new shooters will have something go wrong as they learn to shoot. They then turn around pointing a loaded gun at everyone behind them. Dont do that.

One issue is that semi auto pistols require you to provide a firm stable grip so recoil will cycle the gun. New shooters can "limp wrist" enough such that your arm absorbs the recoil essentially stealing it from the force needed to cycle the gun.

That isn't the only thing that can cause a jam. As a new shooter you don't really need to worry about them all until you have some more range time under your belt.

As for guns the 1911 is a good choice. So are Glocks. For your first trip you might try something in 22lr like a buckmark or 380. Both are considered under powered for defense or anything but target purposes. But most shooters start on something small learning the basics before they pick up a home defense gun. Don't listen to people talking trash about smaller calibers. They likely shot 22lr before their dad gave them anything bigger and that was for a reason.

[Tarmy]

[Librarian]

As already noted, try several.

You may find that the 'grip angle' of some better suits you than the angle on others. and a discussion here: http://progunleaders.org/Grip/

[bigbearbear]

Very few gun owner will own only 1 handgun, they're relatively cheap and even the most expensive ones aren't really bank breaking like some of the more exotic rifles/shotguns.

With that in mind, when picking up your first handgun, I recommend focusing on one that you feel most comfortable shooting. Everybody is different and as you progress, you will find that your preference change and you will buying additional handguns in the future; so don't worry about the "future proofing" stuff.

Pay attention on the grip and how it fits you, then the trigger; if the trigger feels very nice to pull, you'll want to shoot it more. Recoil is very subjective, some guns with their different action, can feel a little softer to shoot. The Beretta PX4 Storm in 9mm is one such gun with its rotating barrel design, which I recommend you try.

For target shooting, don't discount full sized 1911 too. They are commonly available in .45acp caliber but they feel very soft to shoot because the gun is heavier than more modern polymer ones.