First Hangun?
- Thread starter Garsher
- Start date
Hee hee...the question that comes up multiple times per week. The search function will give you lots of threads to pursue, but the general consensus is:
-.22 LR
-Ruger or Browning semi-auto ($300 and up new, less used)
-Buy lots of bulk ammo (bricks of 500 are about $16 and up)
-Shoot the crap out of it, learn the basics of sight picture and grip
-You won't flinch with a .22
-Once you have the addiction, start looking for a 9mm (huge variety of styles and prices, from $200 (Norinco Tokarev) to $600 (Glock and S&W) and up to a grand for the fancier ones.
-Report back here for further instructions
Carry on.
-.22 LR
-Ruger or Browning semi-auto ($300 and up new, less used)
-Buy lots of bulk ammo (bricks of 500 are about $16 and up)
-Shoot the crap out of it, learn the basics of sight picture and grip
-You won't flinch with a .22
-Once you have the addiction, start looking for a 9mm (huge variety of styles and prices, from $200 (Norinco Tokarev) to $600 (Glock and S&W) and up to a grand for the fancier ones.
-Report back here for further instructions
Carry on.
- Location
- Maple Ridge, BC
I just got my first handgun, I went with a Glock17. I love it but I plan on getting a .22 very soon.
Don't listen to those guys!Get a centrefire, 9mm Glock or CZ or S&W M&P! Those guns are inexpensive and well made. 9mm is cheap and available.
We need a "first gun" section.
Save yourself a lot of money by buying a .22 first. You will shoot the Sh*t out of it for next to nothing. Once you have the itch for something more powerful you will have learned how to shoot properly and have saved enough money to pay for the second gun.
Or you can go buy a 9 mm right now and move your target real close because that is the only way you are going to hit it. Once you get frustrated enough you can listen to those who have done this before and go buy a .22 and learn how to shoot as we told you to.
I hear that the Lada was cheap also.
Don't buy the Tokarev that shoots the 7.62 x 25. It is close to the worst choice for someone new to pistol shooting unless all you want is a lot of recoil and noise. And a lot of ranges will not let you shoot it indoors, or near other people. 
Whatever you do make sure you buy a good quality gun. I have nothing specific against the Norincos but they are not unnecessarily a good choice for a first gun. Some will need some work in order for them to shoot right. Best left until you have more experience. Certain models are better than others also.
Rudy is right, my first handgun was a Buckmark .22, a nice shooter and I was able to hit the target at 25yards pretty good, next was a 9mm and i couldn't hit sh^t it took a quite a few rounds to get use to it and start to hit the target.
Of course you want recoil and noise! Best blast for the buck - I kept mine until my supply of 7.62x25 ran out. Lever Arms sells 7.62 by the crate (2280 rounds) for $249.95. But the trigger is gritty and the grip at an odd angle for some. Have a close look at the S&W M&P 9mm, it's at the low end of the price range for quality 9mm's.
No. It does take some training and skill to shoot well though. I am not a 25 yard guy. I like to shoot at ten yards at multiple targets and get hits every time if possible.
A handgun is a close up, last resort firearm for self defence AFIK and that's how I like to practice.
All opinions here are valid for different disciplines. Just remember you will be disappointed and frustrated if you don't get some formal training and practice, practice, practice!
Having NO fun is not an option.
Not really, to shoot a gun is damn easy, but to master your safty handleing skill is way more important. It always come up how active that you learn and how much you can understand, how many range hour that you put into this hobby. There are two different way to start. some will say a .22 is a good starter but some(including myself) will say buy a 9mm which is 2nd cheapest cost to shoot. if you are looking for a Norinco, nothing wrong with them but try get a NZ85, a very nice copy of CZ 85 and shoot very good. Or buy a good revolver, a .38spl is a very good cal to boot.
Trigun
I hear you and that 's why .22 is only good for the last gun. Go get a 9mm or something can blast, by the way, which gun club you are at?
Trigun
Yes it does. Pistol shooting is a lot harder than rifle shooting. There are a lot more things that you have to do right. Sight alignment, not as easy as with a rifle. You have to keep your focus on the front sight, not the back sight. Because they are close it makes it difficult. You have to have a consistent hold on the gun. Same hold every time. Not all good guns are good for all shooters. What works for me may not work for you. The balance of the gun is important also. Your stance (actually change of stance) will move around your shot also. Are you keeping your head positioned the same as you are shooting off the mag? Trigger control, are you pulling straight back or are you pulling the gun off target because of side pull on the trigger, bad if inconsistent. If you are shooting like a sissy with two hands
(I recently have been), are you keeping your hold consistent with the same pressure with each hand. Two handed shooting is not as easy as some people think. Are you reacting to the noise and recoil of the gun? Most guys will start off OK but after a while they have to adjust their sights because the gun is pulling down and to the left (right handed shooters) because they have developed a flinch because of the noise and recoil.Hey but you can always move the target up close and forget about getting good. The problem comes when you want to shoot against other guys in competition. Most of these guys will blow you away when there are targets that need some accuracy. Shooting under pressure amplifies your faults. Guys (and gals) who have learned proper shooting technique have trained their bodies to do the right thing automatically. You will be only as good as you have trained you body to be. Once you have that you can concentrate on not making mistakes in a match.
Just one opinion.
