Looking to buy first pistol...?

Question

Moving to Philadelphia, would like to buy a handgun to keep in the house, probably get carry & conceal license.

I am planning on going to the shooting range, taking the classes, etc.

What would your suggestions be for a first time buyer?

Protection.

I am going to the range for practice... Just want something to use in case someone gets crazy and comes in my house... Gotta stay safe. :)

Not worried about the price, but would like to know how much your suggestion costs. Thanks guys!

Answer 1

Ally maybe this sight can help you maked a decision.
http://www.corneredcat.com/TOC.aspx#FirstGun

Answer 2

Guns are like cars, everyone is going to have advice on what is the best. The truth is that there are a lot of great guns out there. I have worked at a shooting range for a few years now and I get to see what happens to a gun when it gets fired every day, all day. The guns that have held up the best in semi-autos are the Glocks and Sig's. For revolvers the Rugers seem to out last S&Ws. These are range guns though, so they get pretty beat up and not cleaned as often as they should. My recommendation would be to go to a local range that has a variety of firearms for rent and try them all. Find what you do and don't like about each and ask questions. I would probably take my questions to a few different shops as some are on commission and some have quotas for different makes and models. The gun that you are most comfortable with is the one that is for you. As far as stopping power is concerned for home and personal defense I wouldn't go with anything less than a 9mm or .38 Special. Concealed carry and home defense are generally 2 different ball games as far as what you need, you want something light and compact for carry and something that you can shoot very well for the home. Also make sure you check the local laws and regulations before you buy something and take it into a new state/city.

Answer 3

For your purposes you don't need anything bigger than a 9mm or .38/.357 Magnum. If you think you'd like a semi-auto then consider a nine. Glocks are good just keep your finger out of the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot and carry in a holster that covers the trigger. The one I recommend to beginners is the Glock Model 19. Cost is five to six hundred depending on whether you want night sights or not.

In .38/.357 Magnum revolvers a Ruger, Taurus or Smith & Wesson will serve you well. Prices will run from four to five or six hundred depending on the make and model. The Smith and Colts will carry the premium price here but are excellent choices. It is hard to beat a S & W Model 19, 66 or 686. Remember, .357 Magnums can be loaded with .38 Specials for less bark (and bit) and for practice. If you'd rather just have a .38 Special then consider a good used S & W Model 10 w/4" barrel. Load quality defensive ammo in these and you're good to go. In fact, when buying ammo for either the 9mm or .38 Special just spend a little more for the quality defensive ammo (115 to 127 grain hollow points in nine and 110 to 125 grains jacketed hollow points in the .38 Special or .357 Mag.). For home defense consider Glazier type pre-fragments slugs which won't go through dry wall to protect others sleeping in the next bedroom.

Best.

H

Answer 4

Where ever ya live right now look in the phonebook for indoor ranges that rent pistols / revolvers and offer Safety / training classes in firearms. If I were you (and them too0 start with a .22 handgun and then work your way up thru the different calibers offered. For home proection ya want something in the 30 cal range for stopping power. A .357 revolver can shoot .38 target loads upto the high vel .357 bullet. One thing about a revolver is it won't jam but takes a few seconds to load if ya can't keep it loaded. A pistol(semi-auto ) is easy to load with the clip but make one mistake with loading the clip, forgetting to pull back on the slide to cycle in a shell into the chamber. If ya o decide on a semi-auto get a single action where ya have to pull the hammer back first to shoot it which is a good safety feature if ya keep it loaded. As opposed to a double action pistol cause they have a long trigger pull whereas the single action's trigger is right there at the top and after the first trigger pull ( after pulling back the slide to chamber the bullet the hammer is ****** and ready. Myself , I have a .357 revolver for my wife along with a .45 long colt single action revolver ( got to pull the hammer back each time ya fire it and its my favorite along with a double barrelled shotgun with short barrells (20") and fast to load and only has to be pointed in the general direction instead of aimed and I keep 3"triple 000 shells near it for fast loading and is most deadly . Oh yea, I also have a dog, weighs about 30-35 Lbs but is the best burglar alarm I got and since he is part hound has a bark that makes him sound like he's a big as a rottweiller

Answer 5

I have carried a gun all my adult life. My duty guns, off duty guns, and concealed carry guns have, for the most part, been semi auto handguns. But my "house gun" is a revolver.

I prefer the simplicity of the revolver. I do not want to be slowed by slide releases, magazine buttons, and safety levers when awakened by the boogey man. I want to point and shoot.

Recently my Sister-In-Law took a job as a caretaker at an isolated home and was concerned about two and four legged uninvited critters. She has never owned or fired a gun in her life.

I got her a Smith & Wesson Model 10, Heavy Barrel. This is a double action .38 cal. revolver with fixed sights. S&W has been making this gun for 100 years. It is a proven, rock solid design. Up until the .357 Mag. became popular, this was THE police gun. Loaded with 125 gr. jacketed hollow points, it is still a formidible man stopper. Yet the recoil will not beat you to death.

A good used Model 10 might cost you $300. It is a good choice for a first gun. Easy to learn, ammo is inexpensive and plentiful, reliable, and a fun old gun. After learning the basics with this gun you will be well equipped to handle a more powerful weapon if you so choose.

Answer 6

It depends:
Pistol - Semi-Automatic 9MM, .40SW, maybe .357SIG.

Revolver - 5 or 6 Shot - .38/.357mag. Stay away from .38 only revolvers. .357s can shoot cheaper .38 ammo and also more powerful/expensive .357 ammo.

Choose guns with barrels around 4" long. No need to go with a snubbie(2") unless you will be carrying on the street. Longer barrel will be more accurate and retain more power.

Maybe consider for home/hunting a pistol caliber carbine (ie. RugerPC9-9MM, RugerP4-.40SW, or Winchester 94 lever action in .357 or .44mag), for accuracy, capacity and political correctness.

Read the long article. Visit shops. Try before you buy, and get training!

Answer 7

You have to look at two categories. A good range/home defense handgun is very utilitarian with a 4-6" barrel. A good ccw gun will be a sub-compact with a 2-3" barrel. I would opt for the former and worry about ccw later after you have some experience with shooting. Don't be jumping in the lake before you know how to swim. Note how I did not tell you to buy the "Acme X caliber" gun.

Answer 8

For your purpose you need nothing less than a 357 Magnum with a four (4)* inch barrel, either a Smith & Wesson or Colt Brand Revolver.* You get two guns in one when you buy a 357 Magnum because you can also shoot 38 caliber ammo in it.* Great value, Great Handgun.* A real man stopper.** Buy used an save $$$$.* A new one doesn't shoot any better than a used one.*

Answer 9

What you should do is go to a local gun shop and tell the shop salesperson you are looking for your first gun and would like to take a look at several models. Ask about the XDs, Glocks, Sig Sauer,Taurus, revolvers, etc. As many as you can possibly check out and see which one feels better in your hand, best sights for your eyes, what feels good on your hip or is best for carry daily. Owning a gun is only as good as liking it. If you buy a gun that someone else tells you to buy and you end up not liking it, you will not shoot well and be out some money... If you can find a range that rents firearms go there and try some out.
As for what I would get is a Springfield Armory XD. I would get the sub-compact for conceal carry in .45acp, I would get a 4"inch Service model for in home protection. If you want only one gun they do make a compact that fits both uses.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/xd.php

Answer 10

For a first gun, I would have to recommend the Walther P22. I know it is only a .22 but it is such a beauty to shoot and handle. After using that for a while and getting used to shooting, I would have to recommend a .40. It is both practical and powerful enough to let a lot of light in and a lot of blood out on a determined intruder.

Answer 11

I'd suggest you buy a single-action revolver in 22 rimfire like the Ruger Single-Six to learn with, and for inexpensive practice. Once you've begun shooting and talking to shooters, you'll be in a better position to see what you want for a home and possible carry gun, which could be anything from a used Smith model 10 (38 Special revolver) to a new double-stack autoloader in 45 ACP.