First Handgun

V

VPELT

Member
Rating - 100%
7   0   0
Location
Interior BC
Hey all, buying the first hand gun is something I want to do properly. In order to get accurate and to build proper control I am starting with a .22 and plan on building my way up from there. Question is revolver or semi-auto? If revolver do I go single action or double action? Is it all about personal preference or do some find one is better to start with than the other?
Cheers
:cheers:
 
Congratulations on starting the right way.
Personally, I would get a gun built up as a .22. Meaning not a .22 version of a bigger pistol like a 1911 or SIG etc.
Whether you get a pistol or revolver is entirely up to you.
If you get a pistol, a Browning Buckmark or a Ruger Mk. II or III would get my vote. Their trigger and grip angle is good for target practice.
If you get a revolver, a S&W M-17 if you can find one, would be my first choice. I would not bother with a single action only revolver as your first gun. The DA revolver can also be fired in SA mode.
Read up on proper sight picture and trigger control,then practice lots!
 
I would go revolver. The reason is that .22LR ammo can be not so good and the semi-autos sometimes have issues with this cheap ammo. Also the cheap ammo is or can be dirty and the semis have issues with that. There has been a great shortage of .22LR ammo so it has been hard to get. Now good ammo is good but expensive and there is a big difference between the good stuff and the cheap stuff.

I would suggest spending more money on the gun. There is a difference in quality depending on price. The cost of the gun, over years isn't material and a good gun holds it's value. The ammo cost adds up fast, not so much in .22LR (cheap ammo) but for sure in other calibers or with quality ammo. The dual action vs. the single action debate is valid to a point. Biggest issue in S/A is the gun is slow to load/unload but the guns are a little cheaper to purchase. In S/A the cheapest I would go is Ruger. The D/A guns the cheapest I would go would be Ruger or Smith and Wesson and your pushing $1000 hard for these. The older S&W 17 models are great but costly and some are wore out, beat up etc. In D/A the class of the group would be S&W I think over Ruger.
 
In a semi I would go with a ruger MK 11 or 111....in a DA I would go with a SW 617. It all depends what your budget is.I wouldn't go with a SA as my first handgun.Even better yet I would go with a 38spl/357 mag. Preferably in a SW model.Light 38 special loads will recoil the same as a .22...an since you will want to upgrade later as we all do..its a double duty hand gun.Just my .02 worth..
 
my first time shooting a handgun was a ruger 22 pistol. there was next to no kickback and hitting the bullseye at 10 yds was a no-brainer, totally unsatisfying for me. my first purchase was 45acp (started reloading to cut the ammo cost in half) and I love shooting it. no pop gun for me.
 
a single action takes longer to load and reload, to me thats the only difference, because i almost always #### the hammer before i shoot any revolver, if you go single action i would go ruger single six because you get 22lr and 22mag, there is actually 2 on the EE. If you can try a single and a double action before you purchase it would make your decision a lot easier.

Now if you go semi i would go with a buckmark and a second choice would be the ruger mk II or III, as stated about i would go with a gun that is built as a .22.

welcome to the wonderful world of handguns!! Good luck on your decision.
 
rustynut1 said:
I would go revolver. The reason is that .22LR ammo can be not so good and the semi-autos sometimes have issues with this cheap ammo. Also the cheap ammo is or can be dirty and the semis have issues with that. There has been a great shortage of .22LR ammo so it has been hard to get. Now good ammo is good but expensive and there is a big difference between the good stuff and the cheap stuff.

I would suggest spending more money on the gun. There is a difference in quality depending on price. The cost of the gun, over years isn't material and a good gun holds it's value. The ammo cost adds up fast, not so much in .22LR (cheap ammo) but for sure in other calibers or with quality ammo. The dual action vs. the single action debate is valid to a point. Biggest issue in S/A is the gun is slow to load/unload but the guns are a little cheaper to purchase. In S/A the cheapest I would go is Ruger. The D/A guns the cheapest I would go would be Ruger or Smith and Wesson and your pushing $1000 hard for these. The older S&W 17 models are great but costly and some are wore out, beat up etc. In D/A the class of the group would be S&W I think over Ruger.
Click to expand...

^^^^ Nailed it.. Smith & Wesson 617 would be perfect
 
VPELT said:
Hey all, buying the first hand gun is something I want to do properly. In order to get accurate and to build proper control I am starting with a .22 and plan on building my way up from there. Question is revolver or semi-auto? If revolver do I go single action or double action? Is it all about personal preference or do some find one is better to start with than the other?
Cheers
:cheers:
Click to expand...

Smart move. Browning Buckmark gets my vote for a reliable .22. S&W 22A-1 is a tack driver for around $350 +/- a few $$.
 
JerShadow said:
Gsg 1911
Click to expand...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, don't start out with a pot-metal jam-o-matic. Get a dedicated pistol for .22lr if possible. Revolvers are a lot more accurate than semi's in general due to the fixed barrel (although lots of .22 semi's have fixed barrels too)
The DA/SA revolvers are fun but I like revolvers to be of larger caliber than .22lr just because of the slow speed of reloading.
I am going to recommend you look for a Smith & Wesson model 422 or 622 or if you can find the all steel version called 2206. They are light, pretty cheap, have a really nice and low bore axis which helps with recoil and balance), and are super accurate. I've owned 5 now over the years, and just got another. They are, in my opinion, one of the nicest .22lr pistols out there for the money. I had one shoot 25000 rounds without a hiccup. They are super easy to take apart and clean (unlike the ruger mk III's!!)
Here is a pic of a model 622 I picked up last year. These are alloy frame with stainless steel slide. My first cousin has had his since 1989 and shoots in EVERY WEEKEND.
Can you see where the barrel comes out the front of the gun? Quite low compared to other pistols.
 
I picked up a Surplus Beretta model 71 a while back and it's a blast. Yeah it doesn't have the kick or boom of my 9mm or 45acp but I can shoot all afternoon for cheap. Last month I grabbed a Ruger SP101 for a .22 revolver, double action is gritty but single action is crisp.
 
Still alive said:
Congratulations on starting the right way.
Personally, I would get a gun built up as a .22. Meaning not a .22 version of a bigger pistol like a 1911 or SIG etc.
Whether you get a pistol or revolver is entirely up to you.
If you get a pistol, a Browning Buckmark or a Ruger Mk. II or III would get my vote. Their trigger and grip angle is good for target practice.
If you get a revolver, a S&W M-17 if you can find one, would be my first choice. I would not bother with a single action only revolver as your first gun. The DA revolver can also be fired in SA mode.

Read up on proper sight picture and trigger control,then practice lots!
Click to expand...


+1. Good advice.
For me, I have a S&W model 17 revolver and a Ruger MKII auto, both of which I would highly recommend. The Buckmark has a loyal following as well. For another auto option, I would add the Beretta 71. You can find them inexpensively (300-350 range), and they are surprisingly accurate and fun to shot.
 
OP...... this post will not help you, you will read it, will read all the replies and be as confused or more confused than before you asked. A question like this only encourages the people posting to tell you their opinion. Everyone is right,, it's what works for them, but that may not be what works for you. Unfortunately there is no correct answer, you have to buy what feels right for you, and like most of us, unfortunately your first gun may be replaced rather quickly. Once you start regular shooting you will come across another that seems more suitable or perhaps that first gun isn't what you thought it was once you start using it.
Some love their striker fired polymer pistols, some prefer all steel firearms, a lot of what you buy has to do with your budget. Some say to start with a 22, some will say that's a waste of money........ and so it goes.
If you can spend time at the range with buddies, try their guns, most shooters love to have someone show interest in their choice of guns, kind of like a proud parent ! lol
Only thing for certain, one won't be enough ! lol
 
Last edited:
First handgun.....DO NOT buy a .22lr (unless NIB Ruger Mk111 Target)

I HIGHLY recommend a 9mm Luger. Relatively cheap ammo, very plentiful, accurate, fun to shoot, light recoil, and still a Real pistol caliber.

Most accurate pistol I've ever owned was my NIB Glock 17 3rd gen with standard sights. They're cheap too.....like $699 NIB. A Glock 9mm is a staple and a classic. If you have money and good taste, Maybe a Sig P226 / Sig MK25 Navy model / Sig M11-A1 Compact or whatever your taste is....HK USP 9mm, Beretta 92FS/M9/M9A1, etc.


9mm Luger is a staple and an absolute must. Second caliber to compliment your 9X19 is the legendary .45 ACP :) ...lobbing out those massive 230 grain hard ball slugs in a 1911 platform is such a pleasure.
 
S&W Model 19. Grow from there. A nice 17 next and maybe a 29 there after. If you want to go auto, consider CZ in 9mm and GSG for 22.

M
 
Last edited:
Double action. aimed dry firing with a revolver and snap caps is a great way to strengthen and train your trigger finger.

What's your budget? Do you want new or is used ok?
 
aragorn1 said:
OP...... this post will not help you, you will read it, will read all the replies and be as confused or more confused than before you asked. A question like this only encourages the people posting to tell you their opinion. Everyone is right,, it's what works for them, but that may not be what works for you. Unfortunately there is no correct answer, you have to buy what feels right for you, and like most of us, unfortunately your first gun may be replaced rather quickly. Once you start regular shooting you will come across another that seems more suitable or perhaps that first gun isn't what you thought it was once you start using it.
Some love their striker fired polymer pistols, some prefer all steel firearms, a lot of what you buy has to do with your budget. Some say to start with a 22, some will say that's a waste of money........ and so it goes.
If you can spend time at the range with buddies, try their guns, most shooters love to have someone show interest in their choice of guns, kind of like a proud parent ! lol
Only thing for certain, one won't be enough ! lol
Click to expand...

Ya. Isn't that the truth^

But I like all the advice that I can get. Interesting to see every persons point of view.
Thanks for all the different suggestions. It is now down to the hunt to find which one fits me best.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom