What would be a good beginner hand gun? Brand, caliber, and model?

Question

i'm leaning towards a 9mm or 40 glock or s&w... main purpose is self defense and target practice since i'm also applying to law enforcement. i've heard the 9mm lacks power but has better accuracy.. is this true?

Answer 1

Since you are inquiring about nines n forties you are obviously interested in an auto-loader. Since you mentioned law enforcement your should consider the Glock first. It is very popular in the LE community. It is accurate, dependable, user friendly and available in more calibers than say the Sig or the H & K. The Glock is also less expensive and just as reliable.

If you are not familiar with handguns take your gun safety course first. As to brand, you can't go wrong with a Glock (just keep your finger out of the trigger guard until you're ready to shoot and carry in a holster that covers the trigger). Caliber? Well, I'm partial to the .10mm, but the larger frame size of the Model 20 Glock doesn't fit everyone comfortably. Nine will serve you well with the proper defensive ammo (115 to 127 grain jacketed hollow points). Forties are OK (short n weak son of ten) but I'd prefer the .357 Sig over the forty. Forty-five? Well Glock offers the Model 21 (big frame like the .10mm) or the new .45 GAP which is a .45 on a .9mm frame. If you're just crazy about .45s then this may be the one for you (designated Model 37). The .45 GAP and .45 acp will NOT interchange, although ballistically similar on paper.

Final Note: Many police departments have restrictions on what officer may carry as duty weapons. You could wait to see what your department will require, or just get the nine for personal/home defense and practice. Both the Glock Model 17 n Model 19 .9mms are very user friendly.

Best.

H

Answer 2

My first gun was a Glock Model 22 (.40 cal). I haven't had any issues with this gun and I love it. There are a couple things to consider when purchasing: price of gun, price of ammo, reviews, feel. I had only intended on paying about $350-$400 when I bought my gun. However, I realized that it would probably be worth it in the long run to spend the little bit extra and get a Glock. Glocks are well known, dependable, and used by many police depts. I too was considering being a police officer when I made my purchase and I got the .40 because it was what a lot of the agencies use around here. One nice thing about getting the 9mm is that it generally costs about $4-$5 less per box of ammo for a 9mm than the .40. Don't be in a huge hurry when buying. I am usually one who likes to get something right away so I buy what I like or what I am told is good. Since this was a "big" investment I took a lot of time reading reviews and found that the guns that some had suggested for me weren't that great. Take the time because it will be worth it down the road. Also, I was advised by many people to make sure that the gun fit comfortably in my hand. It makes a huge difference (at least with me) when I am shooting a gun that fits my hand rather than one that is too small or too large.

I don't believe that the difference between the 9mm and .40 has any effect on accuracy. The accuracy depends on you, not the caliber. The .40 may have some more stopping power but that definitely doesn't mean that the 9mm isn't powerful.

Answer 3

Depending on where you live and what access you have to shooting ranges or areas is a big factor. If you are just starting out I take my students to an indoor range or an outdoor range first. I take a target.22 cal semi-auto, a ,38 Special revolver,a 9mm semi-automatic and a .357 Magnum revolver. Each shoots each one of these guns to see and feel what each one is like to fire and handle comfortably and accurately. It's a great way to be introduced to handgun
shooting and an even better way to determine what handgun is suited for you individually. After each has fired all four than we discuss the choices available one on one and then make reccomendations on an individual basis. This makes a lot more sense than just looking at a catalog at pictures or just buying what the latest craziest largest MAGNUM pistol everybody else reccomends for you. If you don't have access to classes and Instructors, find an indoor pistol range. Most every area has one and you can get some basic instruction there as well as "rent" a few different range guns of different calibers by the hour and try each caliber that way.
95% of my students pick either a medium size.38 special like a Smith & Wesson Model 10- 6 shot revolver or a midrange/higher class (price that is) 9mm like a Glock or a Beretta 9mm semi auto. To be honest in the last 10 years trends have gotten past the .38 special snub nose and 4" barrel revolvers to the 9mm semi-auto's like the Smith & Wesson, Glock, Beretta, and Taurus. This applies to both men and women. The next step is simply deciding what amount of money you wish to spend on a handgun. Like cars they have an incredible number of options that can add or reduce cost depending on what you want.. I guess what I 'm trying to tell you is that no-one can answer the question about what's the right handgun for you BUT YOU! You need hands on experience to determine that and reading about them won't cut it. You have to go out there yourself and get educated and at the same time experience shooting these various guns first hand and up close and personal., to decide what is right for you. 96% of ALL larger Police Departments issue the 9MM as their standard issue sidearm. NOTE ****They DO NOT lack stopping power and anyone that knows anything will tell you that the 9MM is excellent in and of itself. The big factor is the individuals ability to shoot it accurately!!! Train with the caliber your department issues !!!

Answer 4

You didn't state the purpose for the gun. The most standard shell for hand guns is 9mm. The government chose the Baretta after exhaustive testing. If you want a revolver, they are usually .38 or .357 magnum, which is the same caliber. Most .357 magnums will shoot .38 so you can practice with the cheaper .38 and when you want "killing" power, you can shoot .357 magnum rounds in it.

For self defense, many pros feel both the .38 and the 9mm are too wimpy for protection. If the assailant is drugged or on an adrenaline high, they might take a few .38 or 9mm rounds and keep coming. The .357 has sufficient knock down strength. The newer .40 that S&W came out with was the more powerful replacement for the .38 and of course you can move up to the .45 which was the gun the military used before they chose to standardize on the Baretta.

Part of the reason for the military to go with the 9mm is it has a more universal/international accessibility to ammo since it is used by every country.

Answer 5

Since you are considering a Glock I recommend you try a Glock model 20. The 10mm round is awesome, and if you start reloading you can shoot it almost as cheap as a .40 s&w after you get your brass.
With my 190 grain reloads using Accurate #7 powder my Glock 20 gets about double the power of a .40 or even a .45. If you have to use a pistol to defend yourself be sure to have enough gun to do the job.
If the Glock 20 is bigger than you like check out the 29. It is smaller and also shoots the 10mm. I have both, and one thing I like is that the 29 comes with 10 round clips that are flush with the bottom of the grip and will also accept the 15 round clips that come with the Glock 20. They stick a little over an inch out of the bottom of the 29's grip.You can get the 15 round clips for about $20. Maybe follow Ted Nugents advise and get both.
Glocks are the most dependable pistols made, and the simplicity of the design helps you avoid mistakes if your life is at stake.

Answer 6

Walther P22, it`s a .22 caliber auto or if you want a revolver try a Ruger Single Six .22 caliber. These are what I started my 12 year old daughter with, she is 13 now and is shooting my Glock .45 auto and my Colt Anaconda .44magnum revolver, be sure and protect your eyes and ears!!
I have both 9mm and 40cal Glocks the 40 is a little bigger with more knockdown but the ammo is more expensive.

Answer 7

Glock 26 chambered in 9x19mm. Glock 27chambered in .40. Glock 29 chambered in 10mm Auto. Glock 39 chambered in .45 G.A.P. Glock 30 chambered in .45 Auto. Glock 33 chambered in .357. And the Glock 36 Slimline which is better for concealed carry,because it's thinner.Chambered in .45 Auto.

Answer 8

Start with a Ruger Single-Six. Learn to shoot with a 22 revolver, and get good with wheelguns before you move to self-loaders. The 40 S&W is a fine round, almost as good as the 38-40 of a century ago, but the pistols are complicated and the loads limited in bullet weight.

Answer 9

it depends on what you are looking for in your gun a .25 22 380 9mm all are good starters look at hi point their inexpensive from 380 to 45 all around 200 bucks good guns a little bulky but all around good guns

Answer 10

Consider this; EAA makes a 45acp semi-auto that can be had in a kit that includes a 22 slide, barrel and clip. In the 500 range you can have two firearms; one in 22 that you can shoot cheaply to your hearts content; and a 45 for serious shooting, hunting, self defense, etc. I have one of the EAA setups like this and the workmanship is fab; made by Tangfolio, who is a nephew to the Beretta family, and his product line comes off a line in one of the Beretta factories. His best idea ever is the reversed rails for a slimmer weapon. Google EAA and look them over.