First Handgun; 9mm vs .22

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CBeats3

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Hey all,

I'll have my RPAL soon enough, so I'm looking into getting my first handgun.
I've been looking at 9mm and .22's for the past couple weeks. I have a far more interest with 9mm's, but with ammo being at least triple than .22's, I'm having a hard time justifying one for my first.
Any advice/tips for one looking into getting their first, and not last, handgun?

Cheers,
Chris
 
CBeats3 said:
Hey all,

I'll have my RPAL soon enough, so I'm looking into getting my first handgun.
I've been looking at 9mm and .22's for the past couple weeks. I have a far more interest with 9mm's, but with ammo being at least triple than .22's, I'm having a hard time justifying one for my first.
Any advice/tips for one looking into getting their first, and not last, handgun?

Cheers,
Chris
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I would get a 9mm. Ammo is not that terribly expensive when compared to other calibers. As for which model to get, I'd try to shoot before buying. At least most common makes and models. It also depends on your budget. If you don't mind spending a bit extra, than I'd look at CZ line or single stack 1991 platform, if you are on a tight budget than Glock, M&P or Springfield XD can be your option. I probably shot 12-15 different pistols before getting my first 9mm. For example, a friend has FN and a Glock. Glock is a Glock, most people who pick up a handgun for the first time do ok, including myself but that FN is just something I cannot shoot and enjoy, I've shot it probably 200-250 times and it's just not my cup of tea, while my buddy really likes it.
Here's the list of pistols I was considering for my main 9mm. It's not in the order of preference, just a list of models I really looked at.
G 17/17L
G 34
Cz Shadow
1911 single stack, Kimber, Springfield, Tanfoglio etc.
Sig P226
 
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Ruger Mark series, Buckmark would be my goto for reliable guns that shoot well in 22 let the 9mm rest till you are accurate with the 22's
 
CBeats3 said:
Hey all,

I'll have my RPAL soon enough, so I'm looking into getting my first handgun.
I've been looking at 9mm and .22's for the past couple weeks. I have a far more interest with 9mm's, but with ammo being at least triple than .22's, I'm having a hard time justifying one for my first.
Any advice/tips for one looking into getting their first, and not last, handgun?

Cheers,
Chris
Click to expand...

Go with a .22 first, it will cost you less (both for the gun and ammo). Additionally, if you decide that shooting isn't for you then you didn't break the bank and could re-sell the gun without much financial loss. Also, a .22 is better for a new shooter to practice precision shooting while becoming more familiar with the parts, cleaning and use of said firearm.
 
silverfoxdj said:
Ruger Mark series, Buckmark would be my goto for reliable guns that shoot well in 22 let the 9mm rest till you are accurate with the 22's
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It’s not always everyone cup of tea . I have caliber ranging from 22 to 50 and I’m inaccurate with all of them . I enjoy sending lead down range without caring to much how tight my groups are .

IMO I would get the 9 first as 22 gets boring really really fast . Again imo it’s fun to have a 22 as it is cheap to shoot but would hate only having the 22
 
Go with a used 9mm. Going from rimfire to centerfire restarts the learning process and introduces/exaggerates "the flinch". Also, 9mm allows you to participate in most of the gun games.

P.S. What range(s) are you considering?
 
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silverfoxdj said:
Ruger Mark series, Buckmark would be my goto for reliable guns that shoot well in 22 let the 9mm rest till you are accurate with the 22's
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x2. This. Buy a good .22, practice until you can make a nice, ragged hole in the center of the target at 10m, THEN buy a 9mm. You can work on grip, sight picture, and stance with the .22, and then move up to something with recoil. Most (not all, but a lot) of what you learn with the .22 will transfer to other handguns.
 
CBeats3 said:
I'll have my RPAL soon enough, so I'm looking into getting my first handgun. I've been looking at 9mm and .22's for the past couple weeks. I have a far more interest with 9mm's, but with ammo being at least triple than .22's, I'm having a hard time justifying one for my first. Any advice/tips for one looking into getting their first, and not last, handgun?
Click to expand...

What do you see yourself doing with it? What do you want it to do well?

If you can answer those questions, you'll know which chambering you'll need (to do it).
 
A new shooter showed up at my local range with his brand new 9mm - and ended up spending most of his time there with the 22 I lent him because the 9mm was too hot for him to handle.

If you have the opportunity, try before you buy at a rental range - whatever way you go, you’ll be confident with the choice.
 
Always a .22 first, get an auto and don't ever sell it... Ruger MKIII/MKIV or Browning Buck Mark... shoot lots, move up later.
 
22 all the way, never got boring for me.22 pistols are a lot of fun. Browning buckmark and Smith and Wesson victory would be great choices . you asked for opinions that's mine.
 
Like others have said, .22 gets really boring quickly when it comes to pistol shooting and 9mm isn’t that expensive.
In my experience, when I used to be a big P226 guy, I had and shot the 9mm a ton, then I bought the .22 conversion kit and I had it less than a week before I lost money on it and sold it.

At the end of the day, I’d buy the 9mm you want and run with it.
 
Had a buckmark. Good 22 pistol. Did i mention, that it was pre C68....pre Ltatt?

I have done the course, need to send in my paperwork, the pal expires in Nov anyways.

My "1st" will be a Cz75.../shadow. Have a pistol carbine, so already set for reloading. My next choice would be 10mm.
 
Rye_one said:
A new shooter showed up at my local range with his brand new 9mm - and ended up spending most of his time there with the 22 I lent him because the 9mm was too hot for him to handle.

If you have the opportunity, try before you buy at a rental range - whatever way you go, you’ll be confident with the choice.
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Happened to someone I know just recently. I also know two guys who rush purchased used pistols because price was good and than sold it after 200-300 rounds because it just didn't feel right in their hands. I started off with WW2 handguns only because I had experience with it and knew that I'd buy it anyways, just for collection. When time came to get modern handgun for serious range use and eventually competition shooting I spent about 6 months trying things out before I found two pistols which "had my name on it".
P.S. The two I picked are completely different animals, only thing they have in common is caliber and barrel length but I do equally well with both, so you never know.
 
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