Buying first handgun...Any Suggestions?

Question

I am going to be purchasing my first handgun and am wondering what people recommend. I really don't want anything under 9mm and really don't want a hand cannon either because I will be getting it along with my concealed weapons permit. And I really don't want my gun to defeat the purpose of getting the permit!!!

Help me make a smart choice that I will still be happy with in in a few years as my first hand gun purchase!!!

Thanks!!

Answer 1

I have a Kel-Tec P-11 9mm because it's the smallest, most affordable (very reasonable cost) and most concealable 9mm in the world.

But even the P-11 is still annoying to carry around, despite being the smallest 9mm there is. So I would recommend the Kel-Tec P-3AT which is a .38 pistol, but VERY, VERY small and VERY concealable, VERY affordable.

In a potential self-defense situation, you will not need to worry about caliber of your bullet as long as it's not like a .22 or something. .38 or 9mm is plenty ample for such reasons. Shot placement means the most. Period. You could have a .45, but if you don't shoot the target IT'S POINTLESS!!! And trust me, it's not as easy as it sounds to shoot the target, especially in such an intense situation.

Don't forget, "stopping power" is measured with one round, and who ONLY shoots one round in a self-defense situation? You shoot to stop the threat, which should definitely be 2 or 3 rounds. You do not shoot to "minimize injury" or try to shoot "in the leg" or that other BS. You shoot to stop the threat, period. So considering you're gonna be shooting more than 1 round into someone's chest area, caliber isn't that important anyways.

CONCEALABILITY IS THE MAIN FACTOR along with shot placement. If your gun isn't perfectly easy to conceal, you will end up with TOO MANY TIMES where you don't carry it because it's too bulky and annoying, and one of those times may just happen to be when you need it most!!!

So having your gun WITH you is the most important thing, because you cant win a gunfight without a gun. So make sure you buy a small gun. Next thing, make sure you educate yourself, take some NRA courses, and practice with your gun and the ammunition you will be using in it to get accurate with it. Shot placement.

But many times, just drawing your weapon will eliminate the threat. So having it with you is a good thing. I'd go Kel-Tec, although I admit it's not the MOST accurate and dependable gun, it's certainly not BAD, and for your purposes it's a VERY GOOD choice for the price.

Answer 2

You need to learn the basics and get some reasonable degree of accuracy before you go thinking about a concealed weapon permit.

I would recommend you get a decent 22 pistol. First decide if you want to go revolver or semi-automatic. Since most people today go with semi-autos, I would recommend the Walther P22.

With a 22 you will be able to shoot all day long with minimal cost. You can pick up a "brick" of 500 rounds for around $10. That is TWO CENTS a round. If you go with any center fire round, you are looking at FIVE to TEN CENTS a round.

Then take some lessons from someone who trains people how to shoot for a living. Do not go out and start plinking away at tin cans. If you teach yourself you WILL learn bad habits that down the road could get someone killed.

Once you get proficient, try out other guns. Gun ranges often have rental guns. That way you can find out what you like. Some guns just do not "feel" right. Better to find that out before you buy. Once you find the right gun, then buy one. Practice with that until you are reasonably accurate.

THEN go after your CWP. IF you can shoot accurately, you will not need a "cannon" to be effective.

(I personally have a CWP and have a variety of guns that I carry depending upon the situation... The list includes.

Walther TPH in 22 long rifle. (very small, just drop it in a pocket. Great in the summer when wearing nothing but shorts and a T-shirt and you have no really good place to hide a bigger gun.)

Walther PPK/S in 380. (works exactly the same as the TPH, fits into a pocket holster. Goes well with dress pants.)

Walther P5 in 9mm. (right hand gun that works great for a left handed person. Needs a belt holster. By the way, if you are going to carry concealed, get a GUN BELT rather than using a regular dress belt from the men's store. The gun belt is thicker leather and will not distort as much with the weight of the gun. This is important even if you use a pocket holster.)

Springfield Armory XD 45 Compact. (Lots of powerful ammo in a relatively small package and very accurate. Belt Holster)

1911... (The standard. Point this at someone and they KNOW you got a cannon pointed at them. The front end is very distinctive. Belt Holster.)

S+W Airlight 357 mag with a Crimson Trace Laser Grip.
(Mainly for my wife but I carry it sometimes also.)

I also have a Ruger Alaskan for the wilderness. Now THAT is a cannon!

Answer 3

The easiest handgun to master and the safest is a revolver. What is nice about a revolver is that you can use different loads in it, with little problem. For instance a .357 revolver can fire standard .357, standard .38, and reduced power .38 "wadcutter" or target loads with reduced recoil and expense. There are many more "accidental discharges" with semi-automatic pistols, like the .45's and 9MM, etc. For concealed in the pants a 2 1/2 inch barrel is preferred, while a bag carry could use a 4 inch barrel, which has a higher velocity. GET ONE WITH ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS. It is important to make sure your revolver fits your hand, also. The three most important things in real estate are 1. Location 2. Location, and 3. Location. In hand gunning the three most important things are 1. Practice 2. Practice and 3. Practice. Harry

Answer 4

I really believe that you should get a 9mm "semi-compact" model gun. Not a small ccw-only gun or a full-size. Something along the size of a SigSauer P225 (discontinued) or Glock 19. I refuse to advocate a brand but will advise you to stick with a 9mm. People who criticize this round don't have a clue. I own a 1911 Kimber and love 45ACP for many reasons, but I really think that 9mm is the true laypersons caliber and is far more controllable. Go with a jack of all trades on this one. Yo can get other calibers (.357/.40/.44/.45) later.

Answer 5

My first recommendation would be to pursue getting your concealed carry permit. You can own the pistol, but there are lots of considerations involved in carrying one. Make sure you find out what the local / state ordinances are concerning weapons, and especially concealed weapons. As far as picking a round, I would choose the .40 S&W over the 9mm, recoil is similar in like pistols, and the .40 has more authority, and less chance of passing through, in the event that you should have the need to deploy it. As far as choosing a pistol, seek out a local firing range, they normally have pistols of various manufacture and frame sizes, so you can try before you buy for the cost of the rental, usually very small, and a few boxes of the appropriate ammunition.

TH

"Running is not a plan, running is what you do when a plan fails!!"

Answer 6

i was in this same situation about a year ago now. i found that i had to go to gun shops handle several different types of guns to see what i liked and what felt the best in my hands. dont worry about what everyone on the internet is saying about what is the best, buy what feels the most comfortable in your hands. i ended up buying a ruger p95 9mm semi auto. it is a little to big to be concealed, but the price was right and i couldnt find anything bad about them. i got a 9mm because it is still cheap to shoot. a 40 or 45 are rather pricey to take out and put 200 rounds through. i am a firm believer that its all about the person shooting the gun and not the guns ability to shoot that will put someone down. so bottom line is find several local shops and go in and talk to the guy behind the counter. the first day in the shop i bought my gun from i was there for about 3 hours just picking the guys head on info and holding different guns. he was great with me and helping me learn. i spent a litle bit more at his shop but i also recived quite a bit of knoledge from him and that has to have a price tag on it. buy the gun that is comfortable for you, you will shoot it the best and in turn you will be beter able to protect yourself.

Answer 7

The GLOCK 19 is a 9mm semi-automatic compact pistol that is idea for both concealed carry, and home-defense. The NYPD, along with many other prominent police forces, carry the G19. The GLOCK, especially in 9mm, is one of the most reliable and durable combat pistols ever produced. The 9mm is the perfect starter caliber. It's power is adequate for self-defense, and the recoil is moderate so shooting the 9mm isn't difficult. Ammunition is cheap and available almost anywhere, so it doesn't cost too much to practice (and therefore become proficient) with it. With it's combination of concealability and it's stopping-power, the GLOCK 19 should be perfect for you.

Answer 8

If you are a new handgunner, you need to start with a .22 LR revolver. An S&W M-617 would be the best.

After you learn sight picture, trigger control, and general weapons handling skills, then get a centerfire handgun.

I've been a gun crank for 40 years. I've never known a really good shot who started his shooting with anything larger than a .22 LR.

Doc

Answer 9

You can't go wrong with a Glock Model 19 (.9mm). From there you can move up, or stay with the .9mm which is not as bad a caliber as some people make it out to be. Just save the ball ammo for practice and use good quality defensive ammo for home/personal defense and remember that the nine is NOT a hunting caliber.

Good luck.

H

Answer 10

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