For a first time gun owner , what do you recommend ? To carry and for target . ty?

Answer 1

Get a simple revolver. Less expensive than an auto. Get accustomed to shooting before you step up to a more complicated firearm. Many first time shooter find that once they actually own a firearm, they don't know what to do with it. Perhaps your best action is to first, get your target permit, and go to a firing range or gun store, and test fire a variety of guns. Having hands on experience will be your best tool in selecting a good weapon.

My personal favorite for a side arm is the Beretta Model 92-SF Centurion. But a good .40 cal. like the Sig Sauer, or Glock are really good choices. Good stopping power and reliability.

Answer 2

Welcome to the group of people know as firearms owners which make up a great citizenship of the US.

I agree with some of the above comments about finding what feels right in your hand.

If you want something for personal protection something along the lines of a Tauras or S&W revolver, a Glock compact auto.
If you are so inclined step on up to the best a 1911 .45 auto from one of the better companies like Ed Brown, Les Baer, Wilson Combat if you have the money to go with them.
If you want to get something a little more affordable then Kimber, Springfield Armory or Rock River Arms.

If you are wanting something for target practice then I would go with a .22 LR pistol or rifle. I like the Ruger 10/22 for the rifles and a Ruger Mark II or III in a pistol. You can customize a 10/22 almost anyway you want to.

If you are looking for a target rifle with a little more zip then an AR15 might be worth looking into. Although they are contagious so be careful or you will catch it!

Answer 3

I'm making the assumtion this is for personal protection. I've taught gun classes and gun safety for years. People usually want the gun from the latest action movie. Men want big MACHO guns and ladies want a "pretty little piece" that will fit in their purse.
This is what I recommend!

GET THE GUN THAT FEELS GOOD IN YOUR HAND!

It really needs to feel like an extension of your body. It needs to feel 100% natural in your GRIP. When you aim, it should be just like you are pointing your finger.

First question...caliber? Nothing smaller than .38 or 9MM.
For home defense you want something that will eliminate the threat.(kill the intruder). 9MM (very enexpensive ammo) is a popular round but not as much knockdown as .40 or .45 cal. Revolver rounds like the .357magnum, .44magnum, and .45 colt. all have great knockdown power.

Next question...revolver or automatic?
A revolver is just like an autofocus camera...pull, point and shoot!

Automatics usually have a much higher ammo capacity. Magazines that hold 9, 10, 15, 20 etc..
Most automatics have a safety. You have to practice turning off the safety then firing. If you're unfamilar with your weapon you could pull your weapon forget the safety and end up getting shot like a store owner in Florida.(His store video shows an armed man attemping to rob the store. The owner is seen pulling his weapon and trying to fire with no result. He didn't remove the safety. He was shot but recovered.)

Next question...Stainless or Black.(Black being any wepon with a blue, black, or gunmetal finsh). Stainless is great if you're carrying concealed as it does rust from pesperation like others.

I'm asked what I carry. I have two different autos that I carry depending on the occasion. One is a Berretta 92F 9MM with Crimson Trace laser grips, the other it a stainless, Colt Officer's model in .45 cal. with rosewood grips and inlaid silver badges.

If your intent is purely target shooting, then .22 cal is the least expensive ammo around. There are many .22 cal match pistols however the only one I ever had was a Ruger.

Answer 4

Since you want to carry it as well as target shoot you need a medium round. That would be a 38spl or 9mm. If you are going to learn to control the trigger and become a good target shooter you should start with a revolver. Not a 2" barrel either. I recommend a 4" barrel. It will seem heavy but the more weight the less recoil. If the revolver is a 357 mag. you can shoot the 38spl out of it too.

Semi-autos have easier trigger pulls but require a lot of practice to be in a position to use it for carry. If the firearm malfunctions you need to be able to clear it with out thinking about it.

So for now get a revolver and as you learn and grow with your new hobby you can up grade to a semi-auto.

I have been shooting for 28 years and I still keep a revolver in the bedside table and not one of my semi-autos. I dont have to think about what condition the firearm is in all I would have to do if I needed it would be to pull the trigger.

But your the one who will have to decide what feels best to you.

Ruger is the strongest revolver on the market, then S&W and Taurus last.

Answer 5

If you're looking for a handgun then I'd recommend you start with a 22 rimfire to learn and practice. If you're carrying a handgun routinely as the police do, then autoloaders tend to be a better choice for comfort and portability. If you only plan to carry sporadically, a revolver is a much better choice for simplicity and reliability, though they're comparatively a little clunky. Once you are established with the 22, you can decide on how much you're going to shoot and what your specific needs will be, and you'll make a better choice for you. Most find a 38 SPL, 357Mag, 41Mag, 44SPL or 44Mag is their choice for a wheelgun, and 9mm (personal opinion: Ugh!), 40S&W, or 45ACP is best for an autoloader. The specifics of bells and whistles and brand-name should come last before your final purchase. But to repeat first choose revolver vs. auto for your 22.

Answer 6

I'd like to recomend a couple of things you might want to do before you make any purchases.
1) Join the NRA, and Request "American Rifleman" magazine rather than "American Hunter." If you know little about guns and your constitutional rights and obligations as a responsible gun owner, This is not only a great way to begin learning, your membership dues go to supporting your gun rights through lobbying and education.
2) Find out about concealed carry liscensing in your state and take the class and obtain your liscense before attempting to carry a gun. Failure to meet all legal requirements before doing so could make you a felon, with no more gun rights at all.
3) Make some good shooting friends in your area. Visit your local gun shops and or ranges. Tell the owners you are new to the shooting sports and they will likely be more than happy to give you any help you require choosing the right guns for what you wish to do with them. No advice you can get over the internet is as effective as a face to face conversation with a knowlegable individual.

Answer 7

Definetly agree that for personal carry a double-action .38 Spc. revolver (or .357 Mag preferably as it is dual cartridge capable) is your best bet, preferably Ruger or Smith and Wesson, probably a "J" frame, although a "K" or "L" frame with 4" barrel may not be too large to be ruled as even though it may be larger it has the advantage of being able to combat recoil better.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?function=famid&famid=9&variation=Satin%20Stainless&bct=Yes&type=Revolver

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&categoryId=15704&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15703&top_category=15703

If you were to get an auto, which I wouldn't recommend, go for a John Browning design, due to their reliablitity, popularity, and variety. High Point or 1911, probably Hi-Point due to the chambering in 9mm, but you can purchase a .22 LR conversion kit which is basically a slide and barrel replacement and a new magazine to allow you to train and target with both the .45 ACP to learn its ballistics and recoil managment & shoot with the inexpensive .22 and then swap barrels and carry the potent .45 ACP.

Unfortunetly none of these firearms are recommendable for hunting so they will be defense and target use only.

If you are planning on carry be sure to purchase a quality holster.

Answer 8

My first hand gun was a 1911 .45acp with an Essex frame and Colt Slide. It was gift and I still love this gun above all others. The great thing about the 1911 is how versitile it is. There are numerous configurations and manufactures so it's very easy to personalize and if it's to much a compensator can be installed. Best of all this gun will never let you down.

Answer 9

First off join the NRA if you have not already..
My favrotie carry pistol is a Bersa Thunder 380 and a great price. For target get a Ruger MKIII 22/45.

Answer 10

Revolver, Ruger SP101 Stainless .357 caliber

You can never go wrong with a revolver for your first sidearm.

There are no levers or buttons or anything else to learn how to use, so you focus on getting down good shooting skills.

Take care of it and practice a LOT and when you are ready, be it six months or six years from now, you will be assured that you will get at least 80% of your value out of it by either selling it or trading it in on another gun.