beginner handguns?

[}{arlequin]

I've decided to learn how to fire a weapon. Now I'm looking at different types of handguns. I've heard of all the great guns out there, and have seen the "glamorous" looking ones on film. What's the reality of it?

I know I am not looking for a revolver. Not yet. I know that most beginners are told to start w/ simpler guns, such as revolvers. I'm interested in an automatic.

I don't have super huge hands so I'm not looking for a really wide grip. I guess that rules out some of the high capacity clips/guns, right? Does the caliber play a big role in the gun's size? I am probably going to go w/ a 9mm due to low cost of the bullets. It may not be the most powerful but it's fairly universal and I am using it to learn to aim etc.

I've been given several suggestions:
Beretta (Cheetah model, due to its size, not quite full frame)
Sig 228
1911

I know that Glocks are user friendly but I'd like to stick to the "traditional" gun design to better acquaint myself with them. From all the 1911s out there, how do you decide which one? For cost reasons I'd like to keep out of the lineup all the "special" models that have been massaged by a gunsmith etc.

Do same models of guns have different sights? Fixed vs. adjustable? What's the benefit? Tritium finish? Any suggestions welcome.

[RickM]

Many 9mm semi-autos stagger the rounds in the magazine which widens the grip. It's too big for my hand. The Colt .45 is much better.
.45 caliber ammo is also easy to get and relatively inexpensive, with excellent stopping power.

All these factors weighed heavily in my decision process.

[Teutonics]

What's the purpose for owning? Target practice, home defense, concealed carry, etc? Or some combination thereof? My recommendation would be to decide how you intend to use it, and then let that decide the model/type.

For a beginner, I would say no larger than a 9mm (work your way up if you want), longer barrel (more accurate, safer because it's easier to know where it's pointed), manual safety (i.e. non-glock), loaded/cocked indicators (new Ruger has some nice features).

Personally I would recommend starting with a .22 and shoot the heck out of it in a controlled environment (1000's of rounds). Cheap and easy to shoot, great way to learn the basics.

I'm sure others will add more detailed recommendations.

[concentric]

CZ-75
H&K Compact 9
SIG 239

[araine901]

the 1911 is my favorite. it fits my hand just right and is darn fun to shoot. I have a few, The problem is they are like old Porsches and need to be loved and treated with care to allways work well. When I take a newbie shooting I let them shoot my Ruger MKII .22 pistol to get used to shooting without having to manage a kick or muzzle flash. and for $200 its just a darn good deal. Fun to shoot and cheap.

If you are looking for pure simplicity Glock is the way to go. No safites to worry about just point and shoot. I personly hated my glock and sold it. I could never come to grips with that damn trigger system. Others love it, and I did grow up in 1911's and the feel is much different. My favorite of the plastic guns is a HK USP .40 Pleasant to shoot and super acurate. It groups just as nice as my $1500 1911. The other good thing about the glock is it is nearly indusructable.

Sigs are also a fine weapon. I cant think of any thing bad about them. Berrettas are fine but I have small hands and have a hard time fitting it to my hand. So I stick with Berrtta shotguns instead.

If you do a glock you may want to stick with .40 or less. I had a 21 (I love .45) and the grip was huge. I had it reduced by a pro and it was much better, but that trigger.

The best thing to do is go to a range that has rentals and try a few out. Find out what caliber you want and go from there. .40 is hard to beat. Both 9mm and .45 were desinged a long time ago and have served well. But the .40 was desinged to be a hollow point round in defencive shooting from the outset.

That was my 2 cents.

As far as 1911's

Kimber and Springfield are the two that make really nice guns for a great price. You will need to feel them in your hand to know what you want. THe Kimber 30LPI checkering was just too "soft" for what I was looking for so I went with Springfield beucase they do 20LPI. Its tough to beat a "loaded" springfiled. But Some of those Kimbers are damn nice.

[tabs]

Ruger MarkII in 22LR is my choich for a beginner...very cheap to shoot $1.50 or so for 50 rounds. Cost is in the $200.00 range. Get the Bull Barrel...and go have fun...

I like one of the 1911 variations in 45 ACP the best....My neighbor has a real nice Springfield Tactical pistol in which he paid less than $800, and it's his "Baby" He previously was in love with the Glock 22...in 40 S&W.

As for a Revolver...Colt Python Elite ...it will shoot either 38 spl or 357 mag...I saw a like new used one 4 inch barrel in SS for $875.00. I told my neighbor to buy that gun, but did he...nope! It is the Cadilliac of wheel guns...only thing nicer is the Korth made in Deutschlund.

And BOYZ the ULTIMATE 9mm auto is the SIG P-210-6....there is nothing else like it!

[lendaddy]

I love my Kimber 1911. I chose the .45 based on my father and brother's (both veterans) advice. It is a thrill to shoot and never gets old. I chose the Kimber based on feel. Of all the quality guns I was advised to look at, it was the only one that "felt good" in my hand. My second choice was a SIG, though I cannot recall which. Perhaps P23 if that makes sense. Anyway, the guys on here will steer you right. I say do what I did. Ask for maybe 8-10 recommendations from these guys than go handle them, the choice will be clear. Good luck.

[SteveStromberg]

A 22 revolver would be good at theaching the basics.Cheap to shoot and no recoil. get at least a 6 inch barrel.Contact you local NRA chapter and attend a Gun Safety class
Here is a good sight to check out.
http://www.shootersexchange.com/ruger_pistols_revolvers.cfm

http://www.davidsonsinc.com/consumers/subsites/inven_sql.asp?dealer_id=15&preview=&dealer_id=retail&manufact_combo=Ruger&category_combo=None&price_range=None&mod_ser_combo=None&g_type=None&finish_type=None&calib_combo=None&sight_class_combo=None&num_rec=50&instock=all&offset_rec=0&b1.x=41&b1.y=5

[tabs]

Smith and Wesson Model 17's aka K22..is a great choich for a 22 LR Wheel Gun....they can be had very cheap....$250 range....almost all the younger shooters want the High Capacity Auto's and have forgotten the Revolver...

Smiths are very accurate, and well made guns especially the older ones from before the 1970's.

A companion gun to the Smith mdl 17 is the mdl 14 aka K38 in 38 Spl.... both are the same gun except for the caliber difference...again in the $250 range...

[SteveStromberg]

For close range this is more suited than a 9mm. Just make sure you dont put any 0 buck 3in Mag loads in.LOL

[SteveStromberg]

My first pistol when I was 12 was a Italian copy of a Colt Navy .36 Revolver.I learn alot from shooting black powder.
I still have Grand dads 30-40 Krag Sporter. I would like to another one if anyone has one they would lik eto sell.
Your right Tabs the young guys want to blast away with those Auto pistols.

[tabs]

I prefer Black Powder to everything else.. Ever shoot a 11 MM Mauser...71/84...

[KevinG]

IMHO - go to a competently stocked shop and check them out. You need to feel comfortable holding the pistol to shoot it with any degree of confidence and accuracy. Once you find a few that feel right to you, find some way to test them out before making a final selection.

I too prefer the 1911 in .45, but it is very close with the Browning HiPower in 9mm. The Colt has much more power, but the Browning is exquisitly made and a very elegant weapon. I have large palms and relatively short fingers and both of these fit my hand well.

I have never owned or fired a Sig or H&K, but I have heard of nothing but praise for the quality and accuracy of both. I did try a glock 9 and was totally unimpressed.

Half the fun is in the looking - so look well.

[tabs]

Hmmmm I wonder why the Browning Hp and Colt 1911 have similar feels...could it be that they were both designed by the same guy...John Browning....

[KevinG]

The prophet says....

Hmmmm I wonder why the Browning Hp and Colt 1911 have similar feels...could it be that they were both designed by the same guy...John Browning....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To which I reply..

No doubt, although there are differences. I think it has more to do with blue steel and walnut vs. composites and polymers.

Dam! I'm letting my age show through again....

[tabs]

I am currently looking for a couple of guns as well

1. Sharps Model 1877 Long Range....45/100 caliber...98 produced in 1877...

2. George Gibbs Muzzleloading 1000 yard tgt Rifle in .451 circa 1865

3. Griffin & Howe 22 Hornet Full conversion of a Springfield M1922..

4. Colt Officers Model Target 22 LR (Pre WW2 only) with a Colt King Super Conversion..any reasonable price

A. Any unusal pre WW2 Colt Officer Model Target revolvers...especially 4, 41/2 or 5 inch barrel lengths

B. Colt or S&W Revolvers with King Sights..

5. Colt 7 1/2 Cavalry Single action Army...gotta be cheap

A. Colt 5 1/2 Artillery Single Action Army...gotta be cheap

6. Colt pre WW2 38 Super Match...gotta be cheap

7. Colt 1911 with a serial number under 4500...

[BlueSkyJaunte]

1) Take a beginner class at your local range. The one here offers a 4-hour basic gun handling course, + 50 rounds, + gun, + lane, for a mere $50. Lots of good info.

2) Once you've gotten basic handling skills down, rent a lane and rent a bunch of guns. Put a lot of rounds thru them.

3) Decide what you want to buy, and for what purpose.

IMHO, you can't beat a Glock for reliability, safety, and utility. Not pretty, not sexy, but dead-nuts reliable.

[SquireSCA]

Originally posted by }{arlequin
I've decided to learn how to fire a weapon. Now I'm looking at different types of handguns. I've heard of all the great guns out there, and have seen the "glamorous" looking ones on film. What's the reality of it?

I know I am not looking for a revolver. Not yet. I know that most beginners are told to start w/ simpler guns, such as revolvers. I'm interested in an automatic.

I don't have super huge hands so I'm not looking for a really wide grip. I guess that rules out some of the high capacity clips/guns, right? Does the caliber play a big role in the gun's size? I am probably going to go w/ a 9mm due to low cost of the bullets. It may not be the most powerful but it's fairly universal and I am using it to learn to aim etc.

I've been given several suggestions:
Beretta (Cheetah model, due to its size, not quite full frame)
Sig 228
1911

I know that Glocks are user friendly but I'd like to stick to the "traditional" gun design to better acquaint myself with them. From all the 1911s out there, how do you decide which one? For cost reasons I'd like to keep out of the lineup all the "special" models that have been massaged by a gunsmith etc.

Do same models of guns have different sights? Fixed vs. adjustable? What's the benefit? Tritium finish? Any suggestions welcome.

Well, I have some experience with this topic. :-)

First of all, what is the intended purpose of the weapon?

Second, how much are you willing to spend?

If all you want to do is target practice, I would just get a .22 or 9mm. The .22 is a lot of fun, accurate, and you can shoot all day long for $10. My fav is the Ruger Mark II you go with a .22

For a 9mm, there are so many choices. Personally, I like Glocks, but I like the Springfield XD9 better. The CZ75b is also a great gun. There really are a lot of choices out there.

Will you be carrying this gun(concealed)? If so, don't count out the revolver. It is the least prone to failure and easy to conceal.

I guess that you need to narrow down the scope a bit and give us some more details. Your question is like asking what kind of vehicle you should buy... Without knowing if you want a sedan or SUV, or if you can afford a Lexus or a Honda, our recommendations will be all over the place.

Give us some more details, as well as what state you live in, and I am sure we can give some good advice.

I personally favor my 1911 for a home protection gun, and I carry a slim pocket pistol in .32ACP.

If the **** were to ever hit the fan, I have an AK47 and an AR15 carbine as well. :-)

[SteveStromberg]

Here is a good site for info.
http://forums.officer.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=18

www.AK47.com just in case you might want a long arm

[}{arlequin]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll make sure to check out all the models mentioned. You are right, with so many brands, and so many models, asking such a question is like shooting in the dark. I just figured there would be some landmark basic models that one should get acquainted with.

As for my plans, I will not be carrying it, nor is it really for home defense, unless someone happens to walk in w/ bad intentions. Primarily it is for me to learn and practice. As for the price, I know I'm not looking for a custom 1911. Some basic off the shelf models are in the $700 range which is where I'd like to stay. Other guns are lower, which is even better. After all, it is my first one. Maybe I'd get a .22 as well.

As for the local laws, I'm still looking into it. I'm in DC but I am pretty sure I checked and there are no ranges in DC, other than the FBI but it's just for them. So I'd probably be going to Virginia ranges. Not sure if that necessitates DC and VA permits or just VA. After all, I will be transporting it through DC.

One question about sights. Are there any advantages to adjustable sights? What are those advantages? Aren't fixed sights accurate? Or do certain people aim "differently"? Is it for longer distances? thanks.