Pistol/Revolver Newbie question...

berger

berger

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
45   0   1
Location
Guess?
Hey Guys.

I am taking my RPAL tomorrow morning, and I was lucky enough to sample a few handguns on Friday evening with fellow Club members that were kind enough to let me try them out. I am REALLY torn now on what to buy for my first....assuming I pass the test...:D. While I have shot a few different pistols and revolvers in the past, from a .44 Mag, .50 Desert Eagle, 9MM Beretta etc. On Friday, I did not do well with the Glock or the 9MM baby eagle, but I did very well with the S&W .357.

Is a revolver a good 1st handgun? I really like the Norinco 1911 I held but did not shoot, but I cannot deny how much I liked the 357.
 
Nothing wrong with a 357, and you can always use .38 ammo too! Revolvers are great fun. You can pick up a norinco m213 for 99.00 as well from Canada Ammo and have a 357 revolver and a 9mm semi.
 
The first time I shot a S&W model 19 using .38Spl I shot tighter groups with it than with my CZ 9mm that I had already practiced with around 500 rounds. Mind you I was thumb cocking the revolver and shooting it single action. But MAN, what a sweetie.

Handguns are like licorice allsorts. It's impossible to settle on just one as a favourite so don't even try. If you liked the revolver then start out with one but plan on getting a semi as well.

You'll likely want to at least start with a 9mm when you buy a semi just due to the ammo costs.

And if you go revolver for your first then by all means by a .357 but plan on shooting a box of .38Spl or .38+P for every cylinder of .357 Magnum you shoot. Once I get a revolver I'll likely shoot a box or two of .38 and only then shoot a cylinder or two at most of .357 at the end of the day just to build up an appetite for rare red meat for dinner.... :D
 
BCRider said:
The first time I shot a S&W model 19 using .38Spl I shot tighter groups with it than with my CZ 9mm that I had already practiced with around 500 rounds. Mind you I was thumb cocking the revolver and shooting it single action. But MAN, what a sweetie.

Handguns are like licorice allsorts. It's impossible to settle on just one as a favourite so don't even try. If you liked the revolver then start out with one but plan on getting a semi as well.

You'll likely want to at least start with a 9mm when you buy a semi just due to the ammo costs.

And if you go revolver for your first then by all means by a .357 but plan on shooting a box of .38Spl or .38+P for every cylinder of .357 Magnum you shoot. Once I get a revolver I'll likely shoot a box or two of .38 and only then shoot a cylinder or two at most of .357 at the end of the day just to build up an appetite for rare red meat for dinner.... :D
Click to expand...

:agree: Very true. I rescently got my first gun, and yes its a revolver. 28-2 Highway Patrolman. I have shot it before, but only in a course. My teacher was changing all his classroom guns to stainless and sold me the 28-2.I too am very new to all this shooting, and as well shot some other handguns. I remember absolutely loving the N frame 357. And yes its true, you will shoot more 38 Spl with it , I know I will. I dunno if I can explain it. the 38Spl. Its just... creamy

:)
 
Wheelgun. The wheelgun was my first gun, a .357 magnum dan wesson 6 inch stainless. It's still my favorite, and probably the last pistol I'd sell, if I did that sort of thing. It's absolutely versatile, and never misfeeds. It feeds everything, including soft lead wadcutters. I feel comfortable shooting everything from subsonic powderpuff rounds for newbies or blazing 2000 FPS 115 grain FMJ pills with accompanying buck and roar and gout of flame.

I've never sold a gun though, so ...... I really should start building a new gun rack, now that you mention it.
 
Last edited:
+1 for .357 Magnum. My first handgun was a 6" Ruger GP100. Love it. Nothing wrong with S&W either, though. I would sell nearly everything else before selling my .357 Magnum revolver.

A lot of people are talking about .38 Special versus .357 Magnum factory ammo but do yourself a favor and start reloading immediately. You'll thank yourself for it almost immediately. It seems intimidating. It's not. You can make the lightest, most accurate target loads right up to stiffer loads than you could ever buy, and everything in between. Cheap. Fun.
 
Semiautomatics, revolvers, new guns, old guns, military guns, antique guns, black powder revolvers, replica flintlocks ..........

Don't worry, you will run out of money long before you run out of interesting guns.
 
Kveldulf said:
Semiautomatics, revolvers, new guns, old guns, military guns, antique guns, black powder revolvers, replica flintlocks ..........

Don't worry, you will run out of money long before you run out of interesting guns.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I started off with a .45 1911, just because I'd loved them since I was young. I figured if I could only have one, that would be it. Thats said, one is not enough! I've got a ruger gp-100, and single six for wheel guns.

Revolvers are a blast to shoot, and are reliable. As mentioned above a revolver will eat whatever you feed it, which is a plus when your starting out. It gets really frustrating trying to clear jams, or having feeding issues when your a newbie..trust me.:redface:
 
Thanks for all the replys guys. I just got back from the RPAL, 98% on the written and 96% on the practical. The wait should give me plenty of time to find something I truly like.

Time to start saving!

Berger
 
Don't Worry!

I'm sure you'll end up with more than one example of each. If you check the EE every day you'll find all kinds of firearms you just got to have!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom