Caliber to start with?

[ocbruin]

I'm pretty new to shooting, and looking to acquire my first handgun soon. I know that eventually I plan on using a .45 as my primary weapon. I have heard, however, that it might be good to start with a 9mm, as they are a bit easier to shoot and promote fewer bad habits early on. Someone else mentioned, however, that if I know that I'm heading towards a .45, I might as well start there.

Of course, the ammo cost issues alos occur to me, but are secondary concerns.

[Knight]

Just get a .45, then. That's what I started with. No regrets.

[SanSacto]

I started with .40, everybody has a 9mm.

[CSACANNONEER]

I don't find shooting a .45acp any harder then shooting a comparable gun chambered in 9mm Luger. But, I would suggest getting a .22lr as your first handgun. They are much cheaper to shoot so, you will be able to practice more and become proficient faster than if you only shoot centerfire guns. I'm not saying not to get a .45acp but, a .22lr is far better to start with and keep for plinking and practice even after you get a .45acp.

[glockman19]

I started with a .22 as a child. My progression went much like this:
.22-.38-.357-.9mm-.45-.44mag.

Depending on where you are in your shooting experience, I'd start with a .22 or 9mm. Why? Because the ammo is less expensive.

[Greg-Dawg]

I'd first recommend taking an NRA basic handgun class. Most courses allow you to try out different guns in different calibers. Once you're proficient, it'll help out with your decision.

It's not on your poll, but my first is in .40S&W caliber. I love the recoil on that thing...and big bore is nice....and they cost a few dollars less than a box of .45ACP.

[Paul]

C) .22 LR

Both 9mm and .45 ACP costs a bunch to run which will limit your ability to practice with them. If you have $20 that's either 500 rounds though a .22 LR or 40 rounds though a .45 ACP. It takes lots of practice to become proficient. Your .22 LR pistol won't go bad and practice with it will carry on to your .45 ACP.

I have a bunch of .22 LR pistols that are just fun to plink (informal target shooting) with. My high level of pistol marksmenship came from the hours of practice with a .22 LR.

[taloft]

Just get a .45 acp and pick up a barrel conversion in .22lr. Then you can practice on the cheap and still have a .45 acp. Plus, it has the added benefit of having all the controls in the same place making proper training much easier.

[Synergy]

Go to a range that has a variety of rentals. The staff will show you how to use each weapon and try before you buy.

I vote for .45, if its what you ultimately want. After a couple hundred rounds you will be used to it.

Saw this sig line somewhere
"To everyone shot with a 9mm, please get up and walk away, you were shot with a useless round."

[maxicon]

9mm is substantially cheaper, and that adds up over time if you practice much (which you need to do). Recoil is a lot lighter, which helps you get back on target easier. There's a wider range of ammo types available, too, not that .45 is any slouch there. You can fit more 9mm into a typical handgun, not that that'll matter for your first gun since you probably don't have a lot of pre-ban mags around.

I shoot 9mm lots more than .45, largely because of the cost.

[HCz]

Given two choice, I'd go with 9mm as it is cheaper and in case of self defense it is still good.

But as others said, start with .22 if possible, and take a NRA class. It's not how big caliber is, but how shot placement is.

[hybridatsun350]

I say get a 1911 in .45 and buy a .22lr conversion slide/barrel. That is a win-win situation!

[1911su16b870]

I recommend a 9-mm only due to less expensive ammo. The cheaper the ammo, the more you'll shoot considering other shooting related prices. Once you've put a couple thousand rounds down range, taken a class or two, learned markmanship and trigger control, the 45 is a good step to take. By then you'll be a full fledged gunny and have a reloader etc. Good luck and enjoy your first firearm!

[ZOMBIEHUNTER]

go for the 45 my first pistol was glock 21 and it was easy to learn with also 9mm is the cheapest thing going

[Coffee]

Just get a .45 acp and pick up a barrel conversion in .22lr. Then you can practice on the cheap and still have a .45 acp. Plus, it has the added benefit of having all the controls in the same place making proper training much easier.

I say get a 1911 in .45 and buy a .22lr conversion slide/barrel. That is a win-win situation!

After studying and testing guns for months this was my choice, and for me it was the right choice.