First Handgun

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highvelocityshooting

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I am looking to buy a first handgun and am a bit stuck as to what I should buy. I have read lots about what the best first handgun should be and have heard mixed results. I currently own a 9mm carbine which takes Glock mags however, I am not as interesting in the Glock 19 because my brother already owns one and I can shoot it quite often. I am leaning towards a revolver because I think they are pretty cool but I could be persuaded to pick up a semi-auto. Also I do not know if I should get a handgun which is chambered in 9mm or a higher caliber. It's cheaper and I could use the same ammo as my rifle, but I also would like to shoot something bigger. Any suggestions?
 
I would recommend a Smith & Wesson revolver in .357 Magnum. They will also chamber .38 Special which is cheaper and has about the same recoil as 9mm. I prefer a 6" barrel - it seems to balance well, but it's a personal choice. There are many different models, some lighter, some heavier, Check out their website. Rugers aren't as nice but they are O.K. and usually cheaper.
 
Revolvers aren't for everyone. I LOVE revolvers, but I can't shoot them worth a crap. No matter how many I buy or what grips I put on I can't seem to figure them out! The chamber really depends on how much you shoot I suppose. 1911s are by far my favorite "platform" but .45 can be expensive to feed. Other options may be a 1911 is 9mm?
 
Chromeheart said:
I would recommend a Smith & Wesson revolver in .357 Magnum. They will also chamber .38 Special which is cheaper and has about the same recoil as 9mm. I prefer a 6" barrel - it seems to balance well, but it's a personal choice. There are many different models, some lighter, some heavier, Check out their website. Rugers aren't as nice but they are O.K. and usually cheaper.
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Sage advice here. A Smith & Wesson 686 6" would be my suggestion. Several dealers here have them on special for an attractive price between 750-800.
Head over to the Pistols and Handguns forum (listed above Hunting and Sporting arms) for some good reading. Good luck with your search.
 
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My fist hand gun was a walther p1. It's a nice gun but I can't hit the side of a barn with the thing! Next time I go to the range hopefully there is someone there with handgun experience so they can try it out and see if it's the gun or just my crappy shooting lol
I was thinking of a revolver for my next one...
 
I started with a sig 1911 22 shoot all day cheap and get a lot of hand gun practice cheap
next i went 1911 45 lots of fun but pricey to feed
Then i got a Beretta 92fs inox because well i always wanted one since i saw die hard
Picked up a TT33 Also to keep my mosin and sks company and lastly picked up np22 IN 9MM
Little bit of everything , i am now itching for a revolver as well sort of torn the 686 or gp1oo
and still have a peacemaker on the mind from all them great westerns
anyway you will probably by many in the long run have fun and safe shooting
 
For a first handgun all I can suggest is a 22 LR, in a revolver an S&W Model 17 would work. Too many people buy a centerfire and have a hard time learning the basics or worse develop a flinch. A 22 is cheap to feed and will help you train others with a pistol. I know when I started to shoot rifles I was given a 22 LR not a 30-06.
 
If you want a revolver, buy a 22 first. Definitely a different handgun than an auto-loader. You may find you don't like revolvers.
Although if you luck out and find a S&W K22, you won't say that.
 
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