Absolute beginner question - handgun selection

[Milsurp1]

[Epaphroditus]

Also, this is why you take kids (yours and others) shooting so they get exposed to the field early and often then can make informed decisions later.

[Stumpfenhammer]

PS - I don't have a basement.

Two best posts on here (after mine of course).

[tomrkba]

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

Absolutely not.

[tomrkba]

A 1911 in 9mm. Ten and done!

Fixed.

[Great Made America]

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.

Glock 23 was my first as well. I had no interest in a .22

There is no one-size-fits-all. And OP, your opinions will change the more you shoot, and train. Find a good instructor, and learn the essentials on safety, handling, building a grip, trigger control, etc.

Try a variety of guns, preferably in the company of someone who can give you a sense of what to look for in each. And revisit those you decide aren't to your liking. Over time, you'll develop a sense of what you like most.

[SC1]

FYI It's not cheap to rent a bunch of guns, does OP have a budget?

[TFA777]

Honestly best recommendation is to get a 22lr, buckmark or Ruger. They're cheap, allow you to be learn good fundamentals with a manual safety and aren't intimidating.
Later when going to a striker or other firearm your basics of safety etc will carry.

[reloading]

All the feedback has been really useful and entertaining (thank God California's short on basements). I'm reading everything. Saturday is the intro class and the first time firing at the range.

I'm taking the 22 LR advice to heart. The point about not wanting to develop a flinch with a more powerful weapon as my intro makes sense. I'll focus on trying some different 22 LR pistols with their featherweight kickback. I don't know if I'll buy one. I may just use range rentals, then buy something bigger when I graduate from that. Or I might fall in love with a 22 LR and make it the start of a larger collection.

It will be a few visits before I can share any kind of initial experiences with Glock vs 1911. From the looks of it, I'll end up estranged from half the forum once I open my mouth. We just don't know which half yet.

Incidentally, Google "Glock vs 1911" for a ton of great stuff on YouTube and image search. So many memes. Rumor has it that y'all have opinions.

The offers - both here and in PM - to come and try guns at members' homes and ranges are really appreciated. You're an incredibly friendly and welcoming bunch. For now, I got a membership at the local range. The membership includes unlimited safety and training classes, as well as unlimited rentals as long as I buy ammo from the range. I checked ammo prices elsewhere and there isn't any significant markup. I'm convinced it's a good deal and a great way to explore options.

Thanks for the pointer on the CRPA as well. I joined the NRA after seeing the tantrums down in San Francisco and reading more about the legislative hijinks involved in trying to circumvent the second amendment. More and more I became convinced that the second amendment is a use-it-or-lose-it proposition, which is why I'm getting started with shooting in the first place. Now that I see the kinds of communities built around firearms and the multitude of cool gear, I really wish I'd grown up with this.

I've joined the CRPA now as well. I also ordered the 2020 version of their book: "California Gun Laws: A Guide to State and Federal Firearm Regulations" to learn more about what's ahead.

Because a few people asked: I don't intend to get into competitive shooting. Or, not unless that includes friends seeing who can knock over cans. For now I want to make sure I can hit a piece of paper consistently. Then I want to keep a gun around for home defense. Concealed carry will be the prize at the far end.

[numpty]

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/

When I went in to make my first purchase I knew nothing and the guy told me this too. He said that Glocks and the SA XD's were the Ford and Chevy of guns. That I couldn't go wrong with either, but would most likely prefer one over the other. He had me hold them both and determined right there that the Glock was not for me based on the angle of the grip. I was looking for cheap too, so those were the obvious choices.

Later on, when I accidentally asked to hold a 1911, I couldn't believe how much better I like them. I don't discriminate, but a 1911 is just enjoyable to hold. I wouldn't have wanted to spend that kind of money on my first purchase though. My XD is definitely the most reliable one I have still. I have put everything through it and never had one single issue. The guy that sold it to me said he had run over 5000 rounds through his without cleaning it just to see, and he hadn't had a single issue either. That one's now for home defense for that reason.

[Preston-CLB]

Reloading: Since you are looking at 22 cal, be sure to try a single action revolver such as the Ruger Single Six Convertible. That gun has two cylinders: one in .22LR, and the other .22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire). The WMR round has much more recoil than .22LR, and will help you in getting used to the recoil of 9mm.

It's really great to see a new shooter such as yourself take our 2nd Amendment to heart, and support the fight for our rights.

Best of luck to you! Be safe out there, and have fun!
-P

[Preston-CLB]

Reloading: Since you are looking at 22 cal, be sure to try a single action revolver such as the Ruger Single Six Convertible. That gun has two cylinders: one in .22LR, and the other .22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire). The WMR round has much more recoil than .22LR, and will help you in getting used to the recoil of 9mm.

It's really great to see a new shooter such as yourself take our 2nd Amendment to heart, and support the fight for our rights.

Best of luck to you! Be safe out there, and have fun!
-P

[reloading]

Today was the class, and I got to try shooting at the end.

The class started with all the same material I had studied for the California Firearms Safety Certificate test. A refresher was okay. Then we went on to gun terminology, the parts of a gun, types of malfunctions, dominant eye, and stance. There were a few surprises. I didn't know all guns didn't have a safety switch - this went against everything from every movie I've seen. And the hang fire malfunction video scared me. We saw a guy about to look down the barrel to investigate why his rifle didn't go off, only to have it shoot his hat off. It also turns out I have a dominant left eye even though I'm right handed.

When it came time for the first time on the range, the instructor advised starting with a 9mm. I explained what I had read about the 22LR pistol here, and he liked that line of thinking. But all of the 22LR rental pistols were very small. The instructor said a bigger 9mm was better for managing kickback than a small 22LR. So my first gun was a giant Glock 34.



I'm going to try that out one more time, then a couple 1911 options. After that, he said a Springfield XD is worth trying for something else in that camp.

We each got a box of 50 cartridges. We shot at 5 yards, then 7, 10, 15, and 20 yards. At each distance we shot 5 times, then we did two or three sets of two rapid shots at the same range. I think I hit the paper with everything. I didn't always hit the body by the time we got to 20 yards. The instructor called me Annie Oakley at 15. I think he'd like to have taken that back after the 20 yard set.



I also kept my first bullet case and the empty ammo box. Souvenir!



This was great fun! I plan to go back soon, but I'll want to shoot a lot more than 50 shots.

This brings me to my next question though: Do any of you have good practice strategies? The instructor suggested that it's good to come up with different challenges each time. It also sounds like practicing consistent groupings is more valuable than always hitting the center of the target.

Anything else to keep in mind? Is there anything else you like to do in order to keep practice fresh and rewarding, keeping in mind that this is at a range? I don't think I can get too weird with what kinds of objects I'm shooting at, so no poking holes in old computer parts or anything.

[Milsurp1]

[Preston-CLB]

Great start! Whatever you are doing...keep doing it that way. You have nice consistency there.

Keep going out and shooting, that way you will ingrain the skills. As mentioned, there are a million training routines (just like cake recipes). Try inventing your won routines; something that will really challenge you.

It looks like you are on your way. Stay safe---always!
-P