Absolute beginner question - handgun selection

[Epaphroditus]

Of course, everyone's first handgun should be a revolver.

[Tango_Down]

Like others have said, get a .22 cal. You will have more fun and become a much better shooter than if you start with a 9mm. Make your 2nd gun a 9mm down the road.

[tuna quesadilla]

Your first gun should be a 22lr.

You can practice everything you need to practice, even dry firing, if you get snap caps for it. I always use a 22 lr for warming up when I hit the range. You will always use a 22 so get it first and learn from it what you want next.

This is the correct answer.

When teaching new shooters, I used to put them on a .22 for the fundamentals and then have them run a few mags through a 9mm to close the session out. I always got a lot of comments about how much kick the 9mm has in comparison, and I always kinda rolled my eyes. I've since dropped the 9mm from the first session and just have them shoot .22 only. And in doing so, I've found that they're much more enthusiastic about shooting and more likely to ask me to take them out again.

Most of us on this forum have so much experience and practice shooting pistols that we've all but forgotten what it was like when we, too, were beginners. OP said that he has never held a loaded pistol before--He doesn't have the benefit of years of training and forearm development like we have.

OP's first pistol must be a .22. He can buy a 9mm later.

[tuna quesadilla]

Of course, everyone's first handgun should be a revolver.

A K-frame .22 revolver like a Smith 617 would be an excellent first handgun for teaching accuracy and fine trigger control. I do say that there's also nothing wrong with getting a .22 pistol like a Buckmark or a P22. All equally good options.

[Tere_Hanges]

I guess Im the only one in this thread whose first gun WASN'T a .22lr. I didnt have any issues learning to shoot with my first guns: a Glock 23, Mossberg 500 12ga, and Tikka T3 in .30-06. I never considered learning to shoot with a .22lr. I didnt pick up a .22lr until over a decade of shooting and its the gun I shoot the least.

I did have a lot of experience with airguns. So as far as Im concerned, an air pistol will teach you basic marksmanship just as well as a .22lr. .22lr will not teach you anything about recoil. You have to shoot a gun with recoil to be able to manage recoil. No shortcuts there.

[sigstroker]

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.

Hey, you're ahead of me. I've never fired a flintlock.

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?

Well, it's minimal as far as an effective defense cartridge. It's not minimal in an absolute sense at all. What do you want the handgun for? If you just want to make holes in paper, a .22 recoils a lot less, and will cost less to buy and shoot.

[AlienHobo]

This is the correct answer.

When teaching new shooters, I used to put them on a .22 for the fundamentals and then have them run a few mags through a 9mm to close the session out. I always got a lot of comments about how much kick the 9mm has in comparison, and I always kinda rolled my eyes. I've since dropped the 9mm from the first session and just have them shoot .22 only. And in doing so, I've found that they're much more enthusiastic about shooting and more likely to ask me to take them out again.

Most of us on this forum have so much experience and practice shooting pistols that we've all but forgotten what it was like when we, too, were beginners. OP said that he has never held a loaded pistol before--He doesn't have the benefit of years of training and forearm development like we have.

OP's first pistol must be a .22. He can buy a 9mm later.

Interesting point. I do have to say, my first handgun was a Ruger Mk1 that I bought at a pawn shop for $100 (still have it). It was the only gun I had for 5 years and I shot the hell out of it. Back then, a brick cost $5 (except for that one time I bought 20 bricks for 50 cents each) and I would go to the range 2-3 times per week. I also xeroxed a target and used those copies for almost free targets (didn't have laser printers then). Got a lot of cheap and easy practice in.

[Jeepergeo]

What is your plan as a soon to be gun owner?

.22 Long Rifle is a great starting round. It lets you develop shooting skills without high costs or kick.

Since it sounds like you are an adult, you might want to start with a bit more in terms of caliber with the trade off of minor recoil.

I'd suggest you start with a quality revolver from Smith and Wesson or Ruger or Colt. Consider a .357 Magnum, which usually allows you to shoot the much less potent .38 Special. You can even go with .22 Long Rifle in a revolver.

Revolvers are very simple and allow you to work ON sighting and trigger skills rather than the skills required to run a semi-auto pistol. Plus with the revolver, your ammo costs will be cut in half or to a third simply because you'll shoot slower.

A good training range will have a variety of guns to try...so try several and find what works for you.

Make sure you take a Hunters Safety or NRA approved safety course, get a home safe or lockbox for your purchase, get eye protection, get ear protection, and a cleaning kit.

Have fun and be safe.

[sigstroker]

I guess Im the only one in this thread whose first gun WASN'T a .22lr. I didnt have any issues learning to shoot with my first guns: a Glock 23, Mossberg 500 12ga, and Tikka T3 in .30-06. I never considered learning to shoot with a .22lr. I didnt pick up a .22lr until over a decade of shooting and its the gun I shoot the least.

My first rifle was a .22 Magnum (it was on sale). My first handgun was a .45, second one was a .357 Magnum, third one was a .44 Magnum. Didn't get a .22 lr until years later. Guess I did it wrong. I sure wouldn't recommend anyone else do it that way.

[tuna quesadilla]

Interesting point. I do have to say, my first handgun was a Ruger Mk1 that I bought at a pawn shop for $100 (still have it). It was the only gun I had for 5 years and I shot the hell out of it. Back then, a brick cost $5 (except for that one time I bought 20 bricks for 50 cents each) and I would go to the range 2-3 times per week. I also xeroxed a target and used those copies for almost free targets (didn't have laser printers then). Got a lot of cheap and easy practice in.

Yup, I had a very similar experience as you. I remember the GOOD stuff being about $12 a brick and thinking that was expensive. Used to hit the range every Saturday morning and just burn through ammo for the sake of shooting. I never got no 20 bricks for 50 cents each, though.

For the OP's situation, there's a lot to be said about being able to just buy a brick of .22 ammo and go punch paper for hours on end without breaking the bank. If you buy a bulk pack of 500 .22 that'll cost you about $20; the same 500 rounds of factory loaded 9mm will run you about $100. That's the kind of thing that can really add up and discourage a new shooter from going to the range and having fun.

[tuna quesadilla]

What is your plan as a soon to be gun owner?

.22 Long Rifle is a great starting round. It lets you develop shooting skills without high costs or kick.

Since it sounds like you are an adult, you might want to start with a bit more in terms of caliber with the trade off of minor recoil.

I'd suggest you start with a quality revolver from Smith and Wesson or Ruger or Colt. Consider a .357 Magnum, which usually allows you to shoot the much less potent .38 Special. You can even go with .22 Long Rifle in a revolver.

Revolvers are very simple and allow you to work ON sighting and trigger skills rather than the skills required to run a semi-auto pistol. Plus with the revolver, your ammo costs will be cut in half or to a third simply because you'll shoot slower.

A good training range will have a variety of guns to try...so try several and find what works for you.

Make sure you take a Hunters Safety or NRA approved safety course, get a home safe or lockbox for your purchase, get eye protection, get ear protection, and a cleaning kit.

Have fun and be safe.

Good post; .38 Special out of a heavy steel revolver is an excellent choice for learning the mechanics of handgun shooting before adding a semi-auto.

[Tere_Hanges]

Good post; .38 Special out of a heavy steel revolver is an excellent choice for learning the mechanics of handgun shooting before adding a semi-auto.

Its apples to oranges. I dont think shooting a revolver or pistol first prepares you for the other. They are just so different you cant really compare them at all. And .38spl is more expensive than 9mm. And it recoils just as "hard" as 9mm IMO. In fact I think my S&W model 10, 4" in .38 recoils way more than my Glock 19 or any of my 9mms. Personally, I think shooting a revolver well takes a lot more practice and skill than a pistol. Learning to shoot a 9mm pistol is fairly easy. Theres no trick or secret to it. Just take a class and start shooting.

OP, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a 9mm pistol as your first gun. As usual in typical Calguns fashion, people are way over reacting. You can always add a .22lr or revolver later.

[Barang]

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.

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?

yep! try all available 9mm they have and forget about the brands. just concentrate shooting them and see what fits your hand comfortably. full size and compact size are just fine and don't over think it. you'll have plenty of time to get your second, third, fourth and more to your liking for whatever reason.

have fun and a safe shooting.

[rodralig]

also understand that a longer barrel, as with something like a Glock 34, makes it easier to aim. What else should I consider?

Sight radius will not give you any significant advantage as you still need to build up your fundamentals. You may get the perception of more precise aiming, but unless you are able to get good control of your trigger finger (and other fundamentals) out the gate, you won't be getting good groups.

In particular for the distances you need to be starting with - 3-yards to 7-yards.


My suggestion is to first try out the striker-fired full size pistols out there - Glock 19, Glock 17, XDs, etc. This will simplify your learning - no DA/SA, no thumb safety, etc, to worry about. You can then focus on sight alignment/picture, grip, stance, trigger control and follow through. If you then feel that handguns are for you - then you can diversify.

I am confident as you begin building your skills, your preference for pistols will change. You will begin to realize what fits you best - your first handgun will not necessarily be your favorite going forward.


_

[Milsurp1]

Get C&R and COE, order ammo online. Go buy C&Rs in Arizona.