Why do so many looking for their first handgun look right past the revolvers? I would never recommend that anyone start with an autoloader. Start with a revolver, learn the fundamentals of shooting, then graduate to an autoloader. Revolvers are much simpler and far safer for the beginner. Ammo costs are similar, identical if you start with a .22 (which is what I would recommend). .38 Special is about the same cost as 9mm.

David ... you rock ;)

I've been shooting for 55+ years, but am always gonna be a novice. My point was when ya find something that "fits" ... you'll know it.

What's a range :D?

I started with M27 .357 back in '78 ...

Not a particularly good choich as a first... but I still have it ;)

My Diamondback (.22) is still my favorite revolver and .45 ACP still rules ...

All mine for over 4 decades...

Cost. What new 22 revolver is out there that can compete with a Ruger Mk* or Buckmark on both price and quality?

38spl runs about 50% more than 9mm 115gr ball ammo ...

He was asking about the Walther or the H&K, both significantly more expensive than the two you suggest, so I'm assuming something in that price range. And, like I said, .22 ammo costs the same regardless whether it's shot from a revolver or autoloader. That leaves ammo costs. +50% of pretty damn cheap is still pretty damn cheap. To me, the advantages of learning on a revolver outweigh that.

I really enjoy this guy's video reviews. Here is one for each OP spoon ideas. He has more videos for new variants of each spoon:

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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aDke3Zc0NPo?si=YDpRXnR6lMe_RT46" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Excellent point. I was told to memorize them before my mentor would take me out to shoot for the first time:
Firearms Safety by Col. Jeff Cooper
1. All guns are always loaded. Even if they are not, treat them as if they are.
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. (For those who insist that this particular gun is unloaded, see Rule 1.)
3. Keep your finger off the trigger till your sights are on the target. This is the Golden Rule. Its violation is directly responsible for about 60 percent of inadvertent discharges.
4. Identify your target, and what is behind it. Never shoot at anything that you have not positively identified.

I just got back from the Phoenix Gun Show. Overwhelming choices of spoons to say the least.

I'd been looking for a 22 wheelgun to train with the Granddaughters and was searching for an old Ruger Bearcat.

Ended up walking away with one of these for half the price and it also comes with a 22WM cylinder....

https://heritagemfg.com/product/349-6-5-rough-rider-22-lr-22-wmr-black-standard-white-pearl/

Has there ever been a .22 DA revolver that's better than a Colt Diamondback? When I was 20, I knew I needed something "cheaper" to shoot than any others. Not cheap for a college student either....

If $ were not an issue even today....

A Colt Diamondback :)

You will NEVER regret it ... trust me.

I have no experience with VP9’s. I do own a PDP which I used in competition. If you go with a PDP, the only one you should look at should be the Steel Frame. The “Plastic Fantastic” model is quite snappy. The steel frame has the weight needed to significantly reduce muzzle flip. This will help you stay on target for follow up shots. It also makes for a much more enjoyable shooting experience.

I strongly agree that you need to hold a lot of guns. The best one for you will be the one that naturally fits your hand. It will still be a crap shoot as to how it will feel when you actually shoot it.

I do think it wise to go to the indoor pistol range and see what people are shooting. Ask them about their pistol. They might let you shoot a few rounds through it. You never know.

Please strictly follow the rules for safe gun handling at all times..even when dry firing. As a competitor and National range officer, I have seen people do some stupid sh**.

I wish you the best of luck in your search.

There are some real pros on here ... and Higgins earns as much as a PPOT mod ... mebbe more :)!

I started reading Col. Jeff Cooper about 1970ish .... I had already been "taught" ... out in the woods ... by then.

Oh yeah .... German air spoons don't suck either .... LOL ... ;)

For a range gun I would go with something hammer fired and metal framed. For carry I like the 365 but that is a much different purpose vs just fun shooting.

My preference for hammer guns is Sig. 9mm for sure for cheaper ammo. Would like to try some of the compact and full size hk and cz options as well. Not a big 1911 fan.

Hmmm... like my baby LC9S ... and tho' it was the first true pocket spoon ... front pocket in jeans or shorts, I held/shot ... I looked at all of 'em. It checked "my boxes" ... a 365 .380 (new to me) would be ... nah ... it can't be ...

I just hate these threads :D

I don't carry ... off of my own property.

Then I'll just open carry a Remington 870 w/ Fiocchi Defensive load buckshot :) ... shot my first 12 ga on Thanksgiving Day ... but not in the woods ... back in '69 as a kid ... uncle was serving ... from a different farm too :).

Ranges ... deer ranges :D

Shoot a good revolver before you buy anything

The revolver I grew up on was a Ruger Single Six, stainless with the bicentennial stamp on it. My dad won it as a door prize at his gun club when I was six. You can't go wrong with something like that. They just work.

Hard to argue with that. Even though I'm a dyed in the wool Colt guy, I somehow find myself at present without one. Traded mine off long ago for something I "needed" more. That was a mistake.

Assuming its position in my modest collection today is an old S&W K frame .22, from the early '50's, back before they were assigned model numbers. It's been a suitable substitute, but I do miss having a Colt.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1765044221.jpg

The first handgun I purchased for myself, on the day I turned 21. It would make an outstanding first handgun for anyone.

One of the seldom mentioned positives in favor of the revolver over the autoloader for the beginning hand gunner is the slow, deliberate nature with which they are operated. Their very nature of operation makes us slow down and take our time, putting more effort into making every shot count. I see this with beginners at my range all of the time. Autoloader shooters seem more prone to try to make up for a lack of skill, inherent in the beginner, with volume of fire. The simple fact of the matter is that one cannot miss fast enough to win. Revolvers just seem to encourage new shooters to take a little more time with every shot, thereby better learning the fundamentals of grip, sight picture, trigger control, and follow through. As a result they learn more while expending less ammo. A win-win in my book.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1765044221.jpg

.22 pistols are great. And you can shoot all day without it costing much and easy on the body. A brilliant gun is the Smith & Wesson model 41.

The fact that you don't want to carry the gun I'd recommend getting a steel framed gun. If you want a 9mm, like most people do, I'd recommend something like a CZ75.

seriously. Staccato

revolvers are fine. I do remember being admonished to keep my pink soft hand (I was 10) away from the side blast squeezing by the cylinder gap.

No doubt the best advice is go to the gun range - gun store combo store. They will let you go try your picks, and you can buy what works best for you.

I recently did some lead therapy and took my Sig 9mm and old 38 revolver for some exercise. I was surprised to re-remember that the 38 had more kick that the 9mm.

Thanks for the advice and I’ve added revolvers to my list of things to try.