i'm a first time gun buyer and i want to buy a handgun. what kind should i get?

Answer 1

Your question is difficult to answer without more information. What is the purpose for your handgun? Plinking, target practice, hunting, personal defense, home defense or other? What is your preference, revolver or semi automatic?

For plinking/target practice the .22 Long Rifle either in revolver or semi auto is great. Low cost ammo makes for lots of practice.

For personal n home defense a .38/.357 Magnum revolver is hard to beat. If you prefer a semi auto then defensive calibers start at .380 acp and go up to .10mm (or as big as you want). But practically you'd want to stay within the .380, .9mm, .40 S & W or .45 acp or .45 GAP range.

Makes: .22 Ruger, Browning, Smith are all good. Defensive revolvers: Colt, S & W, Ruger, Taurus. Pistols (auto loaders): Glock, H & P, Sig, Beretta, Browning, Colt 1911 (n 1911 clones) Rugers, Taurus n others...

Final Note: If you are an apartment dweller or have loved ones living with you, consider the Glazier type, pre-fragmented ammo for your home defense gun, as these won't shoot through dry wall as regular bullet do.

Hope that helped.

H

Answer 2

This is the most difficult question I am ever going to attempt to answer. First of All....Do you want a revolver or a semi-auto? Personally I own both and carry both as I am a concealed weapons permit holder. I like revolvers because they are very simple to operate. Semi-Autos are however more practical for self defense, and are quick on the reload. If self defense isn't an issue, well I'd buy a 22. If you want to feel more manly, and a 22 is too weak, I would buy a 357 Magnum(Revolver), which you can shoot less powerful 38's out of and later graduate to 357's. If you want a semi-auto, I would recommend a 9mm. I would recommend these on the basis that you aren't familiar with recoil. These rounds are cost effective, and the recoil is manageable, and you should have zero problem finding a great gun as these calibers are very popular.

Answer 3

Ah, the first handgun. What to buy? Since you don't give any criteria, I recommend a Medium or large framed .357 revolver with a 6" barrel.

Why? Revolvers are easy to understand, and reliable. A .357 allows you to shoot .38 special rounds, which don't have much recoil. .38 ammo is cheap. Even .357 ammo is pretty cheap. A 6" barrel is long enough to be accurate for target shooting.

Plus a .357 revolver is a good home defense weapon should you wish to use it as such.

A revolver doesn't have to be disassembled to be cleaned. No empty shells being spat out at you when shooting.

Answer 4

If you are brand knew to shooting I suggest a .22 revolver to learn on. Any brand that is a national brand, like Taurus. Ruger or Smith and Wesson is fine.

The reason for a .22 is that it will keep you from developing a flinch. Combat calibers can cause new shooter to imprint a flinch reflex. After you shoot about 500 rounds with the .22 and get used to handling a pistol safely then I would move to a .38 revolver like a Taurus for a while or you can make the inevitable jump to the autoloader.

If you keep shooting you will eventually end up shooting double action autoloaders. The best of those are Glock, Sig, Berretta, and HK. Expect to $500 plus.

Answer 5

There are a few things you will have to do. First go online and check out different manufactures, models, prices, calibers, etc. Do your homework. Next go to a gun shop and get a feel for some of the guns you looked up online and see what fits your hand, and eye (sights).
Second, if you have an opportunity to shoot them, take it. If you buy a gun that you cannot shoot comfortably, you will not like it and take it back and get next to nothing for a trade in.

First time shooters 9mm or .22 caliber. Easier to shoot and learn on.
In home defense go with .40 caliber or .45ACP... .357 mag for revolvers.

I shoot Springfield XDs in 9mm and .45acp and love them. I also have a Beretta Px4 Storm in 9.
I have shot S&W Sigmas (big mistake...jams), Walter P99 QA in 40, Ruger p89 in 9, Sig Sauer Mosquito .22, Taurus 1911; which are great firearms.
Best thing you can do is your homework, get a few magazines with some reviews on them, look at the manufactors websites, and do not choose Glock just because you see them on TV or because people tell you they are great. I know too many people that did that and brought them back.

Answer 6

For first time handgun owners, I always recommend a medium to large frame stainless revolver in .38special or, preferably .357.

Brands to consider are S&W, Taurus, Colt and Ruger.

If you only want to have a handgun for the home, do not want to spend much money and do not plan to practice often then many would suggest a 4 inch quality used revolver in 357 Magnum or 38 special. (You can shoot a 38 special in a 357 Magnum but not the reverse. The bullets are the same size but the 357 case is slightly longer and more powerful and therefore slightly harder to shoot because of the additional recoil.)

With a revolver, there is one button (or rod) that opens the cylinder. That is all you need to know about loading, unloading and maintaining a revolver. In a semi auto pistol, there is a removable magazine, slide and possibly safety levers and maybe more.

The simplicity and lack of mechanical components of a revolver allow new shooters to approach with confidence what they really need to be paying attention to and that is shooting and safety practices.

Also, in a crisis situation, where you may find yourself two years down the road, there is absolutely nothing to remember about operating a revolver. You grab it from the drawer you shoved it in and you are ready for business.

You can't go wrong with a revolver as a fist handgun. You gun dealer will give you most of your investment back when you decide, if ever, to graduate to a semi auto pistol.

Answer 7

You don't say whether you have some specific and urgent need, but if you're interested in learning to shoot and don't have some pressing reason to choose otherwise, I'd suggest a Ruger Single-Six. It's a 22 rimfire, so it'll be dirt cheap to feed, and there will be no issue with recoil, so it's perfect to drill in those good shooting habits. It's a revolver, so it's simple, intuitive in operation, and almost without the possibility of mechanical screw-ups. It's a single-action, so it'll take deliberation, and the grip is most natural. Once you've drilled yourself to the point that its use is as natural as breathing, then you can move on to something that'll fit other needs.

Answer 8

First you need to ask yourself why you want one...self defense? Target practice? Etc.

Then you need to decide on your budget (This includes taking necessary classes, handgun price, ammo price, cleaning supplies, range fees, licenses, etc.)

- If you don't plan on going to the range that much and don't want to clean it regularly, I would look into a revolver as your first choice (some nice inexpensive ones are made by Ruger and Taurus; I own a Ruger SP101), then look into low maintenance semi-autos like a Glock.

Next, go to your local gunshop and take a look around...see what you like based on looks and feel. Hold them, dry fire, talk to the staff, etc. After you take a class go ahead and rent a couple, and fire them (if this is an option).

Do some research on the web based on the ones you liked:
- what's their primary purpose?
- what caliber?
- cost?
- reliability?
- etc.

Once you've done this you should be able to make an educated decision on what you want and what will meet your needs.

My first handgun was a Glock 19...I chose it because I wanted a low maintenance, reliable semi-auto with moderately priced ammo (9mm) and the option to conceal if necessary...then I bought a .357 magnum revolver and then a .45 ACP semi-auto, but I still have my 19.

Answer 9

That's going to be hard. Maybe if you buy Hornady's FTP ammo meant for 44 lever actions, or point out that your buying hunting ammo not SD ammo. But now days everyone is so paranoid it might be impossible. I don't know who told you a 44 mag was a little too light deer. None of the deer I've killed with a 44 mag (three with a pistol) ever complained.

Answer 10

depends on how much you want to spend and it's use.

For a first timer don't over spend. get a Taurus Millenium Pro or one of the S&W models under $500.

I am not a big fan of Glock, some guys are Glock nutz. I have to find a gun that fits my hand. The Taurus and Smith have a good feel "for me"