First handgun; Pistol or Revolver

It's a bit like comparing a vintage collectable automobile to a new sports car. Nostalgia aside, a semi-auto is faster, lighter, better ergonomics, and has newer technology. In my opinion, semi-auto is a far better option for shooting. How many police do you see with revolvers?
 
This really isn't an either/or situation, it's really "which one first?" I know that I want both, and for different reasons. The M&P will satisfy my desire for higher capacity, quick loading, relatively cheap shooting action, and the .357... Well, it's tougher to explain. I'm just drawn to them.

So really, I'm leaning towards the 9, as I want to get more time on the trigger right now. Plus, I know the standard M&P9 fits me well, but I'm pretty particular about the grips on the 686. I can spend my time finding the right one.
 
Get the 9. As your first hand gun you'll want to shoot lots and .357 and .38 spec rounds are expensive. I love my GP100 but like a classic car, I only take it out on "Sundays to get it waxed". Plus you'll gain experience with mags, jambs, fte/ftf, stovepiping, racking slides, take-downs and.........shait, sorry I'm getting exited just talking about it.
 
These are my first guns (left to right ) beretta fs 92, ruger mk 3 , s&w 686 7-shot
Were chosen for reliability, and I have had no problems after a year of consistent shooting
Total cost. About 1900-2100$

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Yes, get the semi auto.... but not in 9mm... in .22 lr. Almost everyone has to wait, or spread out their gun purchases. You are a new gun owner, and will want to pull the trigger lots. Anything except .22 LR is expensive to shoot. You can buy a .22 semi auto for $400 on the most basic end of the scale, in a 1911 frame. ie. GSG Buy extra mags, as with .22 cal, you and your friends will be able to shoot as much as you want, and having someone help load up mags... you will appreciate the extra mags.

Then, your second gun can be the 9mm. Long term, I doubt you will shoot the revolver much, if ever.

BUT most importantly, learn how to competently be able to remove the semi auto slide on your gun, and clean it properly. If you don't have a friend or family to assist you with your first semi, there is a plethora of good tear down videos on youtube for just about every gun. Proper assemble / disassemble / lubrication of the gun is key to safe shooting. Respect your firearms, and the care they require.

In your eagerness with your first semi automatic... DO NOT take it to the range, right out of the box.... as the slide likely needs oil. Taking it outside in cold winter temps? A synthetic motor oil like 5w30 doesn't hurt... Yeah, a synthetic motor oil you use in your car is designed for truly extreme conditions, both hot and cold. If you are indoor or summer shooting, don't bother with the synthetic, and don't overdo the oil... or the slide will end up collecting an inordinate amount of gun powder from the fired rounds.

PS What... Me? Push synthetic crude as the ultimate gun oil... Because I earn my living in the oilsands? FYI: Tiny bottles of gun oil are fancy... But they do have more wax in them.... The synthetic motor oil for your vehicle engine is our little secret. ;)
 
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I had the same problem O.P. I wanted both but what one to get first. It was a toss up because using 38 Special is only a dollar more per box of 50 rounds over 9mm. Plus you get the added fun factor of shooting the 357 Magnum rounds when you have a few extra bucks to spend. I opted to get my SIG 226 in 9mm first, but to be honest with you if I had to make the choice over again I would have got the revolver first. I love the feel of the revolver and the trigger just feels so good in DA and even better in SA. In the end its up to you really, but having asked the same questions to myself as you are asking others. I say revolver first and you will enjoy the fact you will be more accurate with the revolver to.

 
First handgun goes like this to "mis-quote" a popular online celebrity and adding my own take.

"All Handguns should be Center-fire,... All Center-fires should be Pistols,... All Pistols should be 9mm,... All 9mms Should be Glocks,... and all Glocks should be G17's." James Yeager says G19's, but what the hell, we don't conceal carry, so the G17 is superior, way cheaper in Canada, and the ammo bountiful and economical.
When you can find something to beat this combo here in Kanuckistan to satisfy your range cravings,.... let me know. When you master it, it will be your go to pistol, you will pound it regularly.

Merry Christmas to all on the board.
 
There are many options out there.
Glock is only one of them.
Not the worst, not the best either.
Closing your eyes on the other choices, just because a clown from the internet told You so?
Well...fine with me, but I much prefer to keep my eyes open.
Merry Christmas.
 
I have owned a few ruger blackhawks one in 45LC one in 44mag one in 22 and a few other 45lc revolvers. i always think when i don't have one that i need and want one, but whenever i have one i don't like shooting it and sell it, so semi auto pistol is my vote for sure but as you stated you are going to own both so who gives a crap which one ya get first by the best deal you can find and go have fun!!!!!
 
Get a pistol, nothing wrong with revolvers but they are alot like a side by side shot gun. Nothing wrong with them, but more of a gentleman's gun. Get a pistol first and a revolver later
 
Nestor said:
There are many options out there.
Glock is only one of them.
Not the worst, not the best either.
Closing your eyes on the other choices, just because a clown from the internet told You so?
Well...fine with me, but I much prefer to keep my eyes open.
Merry Christmas.
Click to expand...

There are humpteen options out there for sure, most not really bad choices and they all fire lead down range at paper targets.

He asked about his very first one,... so I gave him the best choice I've seen so far. For number two and three and four..........get lots of different ones for variety and comparison in style and caliber.

My next will be a S&W 45, I'm very impressed in the short term so far with my son's S&W9 range kit( a very close 2nd choice to the G17 in terms of value) so much I'll pass the G21 Gen4, and will buy the .45ACP S&W45 next.

I've tried in the past to be most tactful and nice and accommodating and show a multitude of choices but after awhile it reads like a Firearms catalog to a new shooter with page after page of manufacturers glistening comments about their wares. I've just tried to cut to the chase lately when someone asks about pistolet numero un. Make it a great benchmark to judge other ones by.

Not sure which one of us or both, you were referring to as the Internet Clown,...but both may have been shooting pistols as long as you and their opinions have some value.
 
Internet clown - I didn't see You making fool out of yourself on the internet, so You are out of that clown pool for me - the gentleman You mention about is trying his best to be seen as one though.
I think that the best advice one can give to a new shooter is: go and try some pistols (revolvers) out there first, before spending your heard earned money.
The one You like the best is the one for You.
If it's going to be the Glock - fine, but let's be honest here - it's not the gun for everyone and IMHO it's not the easiest system to start with either.
 
Nestor said:
Internet clown - I didn't see You making fool out of yourself on the internet, so You are out of that clown pool for me - the gentleman You mention about is trying his best to be seen as one though.
I think that the best advice one can give to a new shooter is: go and try some pistols (revolvers) out there first, before spending your heard earned money.
The one You like the best is the one for You.
If it's going to be the Glock - fine, but let's be honest here - it's not the gun for everyone and IMHO it's not the easiest system to start with either.
Click to expand...

Fair enough,.........I'll concede it may not be the gun for everyone in the beginning, but just looking great or feeling great in the showroom is not always the real deal with mileage on the odometer. For comparison, I've driven motorcycles for over 30 years, and I've seen guys fall right in love with a particular model on the showroom floor because of the ergonomics that feels just right to their inexperienced mind, but will not be what they want to push into a corner,m or take the pressure of their lower back when they gain experience in real world driving. I'm just trying to cut through the growing pains I've seen and make a sound first choice that works, albeit not the only possible one.

To start a new guy out today, a great "second choice" to me, and possibly could be as good in the long run as the G17, is the M&P 9 Range and carry kit. It's a little cheaper than a gen4 17 with 3 mags and as I said I'm liking it so far.
 
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