Handguns

Older S&W revolver.

Power, superior workmanship and beauty. All in one package.

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The answer will always be both. I would start with a .22, this will help you build muscle memory and not pick up any flinches the bigger calibers can make you develop if you never shot before. It's a lot cheaper to shoot as well.
 
A .22 self loader like a Ruger can be had fairly cheap if you go used. Then a 38/357 revolver and start out shooting a lot of 38's. Fire a few full power .357's just to get it out of your system. After that you should have had the opportunity to try a lot of other guns and you can go from there.
Just my opinion!
 
Leavenworth said:
Thanks for the replies fellas. Could someone please explain what makes a 1911 a 1911 ? Are not all pistols with slides based on a 1911 ?
Thank You
Leavenworth
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Best way to see the difference between the mechanics of a 1911 and other semi-autos (as you likely know, only called a 1911 as it was when it was adopted by the US Military, sort of like the 30-06 which was 30 caliber from 1906) is to watch disassembly/reassembly videos on you tube (lots out there). You will note that a 1911 is more difficult to field strip than most other semis, not an issue to me but many people hate to do it. Also, take a look at ‘Hickok45’ YouTube’s as he shows and shoots many different kinds of guns and is quite entertaining.
 
My first handgun was a S&W 629. I learned to shoot with it and I consider myself to be reasonably proficient with a handgun.

I have owned 3x 22lr handguns in my life. One was a Ruger Single Six that I gave to a CGN member because he needed one and I wasn't using it. The other 2 I still have; a Ruger Gov't Competition slabside I bought way back when because I thought it looked cool and a Steven's Diamond model 43 that my father-in-law gave me before he passed. Both sit unused for many, many years. I found the novelty of a 22 handgun wore off very fast.

But that's just me.
 
Are you asking what makes the 1911 function mechanically or just generally what makes a 1911 appealing?
 
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geologist said:
Older S&W revolver.

Power, superior workmanship and beauty. All in one package.

jdXIQOel.jpg
Click to expand...

I agree 100%. When I began my search for a revolver for Service Pistol Class, PPC, I knew that a 4.2" barrel on one of these older S & Ws was going to be a bit of a unicorn hunt; even 5" are a bit of rare bird. I also noted that the Ruger GP100 was held in high regard by many shooters, so, I would wait for either a S & W or a GP100; what ever came along first. A new in the box, 4.2" GP100 came along at a great price, and I grabbed it. I have either close to, or just over 1000 rounds with it. All have been home-loads that are very mild, firing 158 gr. lead SWCs. I have yet to fire a full pressure .357 in it. I will at some point, but right now my goal is to get as good as I can for a discipline that I love. The GP100 had a good trigger right out of the box, but after shooting it a bit and dry firing, it is super smooth.

Negatives:

Well, I can't reload as fast yet with speed loaders as I can with mags. Part of the issue is me needing more practice, the other part is the Hogue rubber grips that most come with, not giving enough room to align speed loaders easily. I have a set of the smaller rubber ones, with the Rose Wood inlays coming. Others claim these are better for speed-loaders.

Not really a negative, but the tolerances are tight on this pistol, so if a primer is not quite fully seated, it will bind and lock up the gun. Now that I know this, I clean all of the primer holes, and I pre-inspect my ammo much more closely. My 9 mm, my .40 and my 1911 .45 don't seem to care.

I am pretty good with semi-autos, but I have already noticed that in double action, I can out shoot my groups with the semi autos (which are also minimally loaded).

A good, solid, heavy gun that runs smooth, that will shoot .38 special might be a great starter; reloading costs are similar to 9mm if reloading light, target loads.

Despite the few negatives, I find myself really liking that revolver more and more, and having less desire to shoot my other pistols at this time. The one below is not mine, but it is identical to mine.
IMG_8428-1.jpg
 
Beratna said:
The only thing which makes me want to get a revolver is lessened maintenance. Mechanical simplicity is great for maintenance.
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Having semi autos, I would say no, not less maintenance. Pistols like my Jericho, my NZ, the P226 and many other modern pistols are easier to clean and maintain than a revolver. Their mechanical bits and pieces are no more, and maybe even less complex. Most revolvers you can not strip; my Ruger GP100 is an exception, but you still need a screwdriver and a small pin to do so. A 1911 is a bit harder than modern pistols, but with a bit of practice, not a big deal either.
 
lone ranger said:
1st gun- get a used Ruger mark1 ,or Mark 2, mark3.
They are always in good shape. you will never wear it out.
they are accurate, fun to shoot.
can be bought for $250 to $350 bucks.
you will not regret it.


any one of these will do
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As a starter handgun; this!
Can't wear them out, can be found at good prices, and are a ton of fun!
Get one, get some good lessons from a quality shooting instructor, learn the ins and outs of good, safe handgun practices and learn to shoot a handgun accurately.
I too have one of the Gov't Competition slab sided models; and love it!

Then move on up to a revolver or pistol in a larger cartridge.
Test how they fit your hand, and how they feel when you shoot them. Every persons hands are different, and your wrist strength will play a big part in how large a handgun (size and weight) and what cartridge/caliber you can handle.
Yes, there is a cult like following for the Glocks, but not everyone likes them for their fit to their hands. Only you will be able to determine this.
Me, I prefer the CZ's in the pistols. This design is used by more military and police forces around the world, as they fit the variety of people's hands better than most, they are reliable and accurate. Also hard to beat the classic 1911; whether in the 22, 9mm, 40, 45 or 10mm variations. For me, the Kimber has proven to be top notch.
In a revolver, it is hard not to fall in love with the classic SAA, regardless of whether it is a Colt or a Ruger (whether or not you are a fan of westerns movies or novels by Zane Grey or Louis L'Amour). The Rugers are far less expensive. Love the Blackhawk as I prefer the better sights as opposed to the classic SAA on the Vaquero, but that is just me...I find I am more accurate with it, and to me that is worth more. Ruger's GP-100 is also a great revolver for those who prefer the double action over the single action. S&W's are classic DA revolvers and also hard to beat. Liked mine while I had it. Just prefer the Blackhawks, and I am fine with SA; have two 4 5/8"barreled 41 Rem Mags - would love to find a 3 screw with a 5 1/2" barrel! While the 6 or 7 1/2" barrels have better sighting planes and would be potentially more accurate to shoot because of this, I like the balance of the shorter versions, and velocity means nothing when restricted to paper punching. (I also have a lever action rifle chambered for the same cartridge so that I can hunt with a 41).
 
Meroh said:
Having semi autos, I would say no, not less maintenance. Pistols like my Jericho, my NZ, the P226 and many other modern pistols are easier to clean and maintain than a revolver. Their mechanical bits and pieces are no more, and maybe even less complex. Most revolvers you can not strip; my Ruger GP100 is an exception, but you still need a screwdriver and a small pin to do so. A 1911 is a bit harder than modern pistols, but with a bit of practice, not a big deal either.
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Okay man, fair enough. I appreciate the correction!
 
How 1911 works video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjQrhDKDWFk

Well done except it calls the barrel "bushing", "bearing". It's shows how the 1911 works, in the simplest possible way. It doesn't show the finer points in the 1911s operation.

The 1911 appeals to me because in my old country, it was the most popular pistol. Lets just say I was born into it. American GIs left so many of them as well as thousands were air dropped to guerillas during the Second World War. I was born into it. My uncles owned them. My friends owned them. The average thug had them. Unfortunately, a young man was shot in front of our house with one.

But I feel lucky that the 1911 was naturally my first semi-auto. It was the default semi auto. Turned out it is also, IMO, the best steel semi auto design.
 
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