I just got my RPAL and i'm sort of on a budget for my first handgun (going into university so I need to save my money). I was leaning towards the Norinco Tokarev series because they are incredibly cheap. I was wondering if anyone has actually shot these guns and what they thought of them. There really isn't much info on the internet in regards to these guns and I really don't want my first gun to be a piece of crap that is dangerous to myself. Any thoughts?
First pistol
- Thread starter KRASHED
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Ruger MKIII 22/45. $320-ish at wholesale sports. 22LR 500 round bulk packs are around $17. A lot of shooting for cheap; tons more shooting in than opting for a center fire cartridge.
I'd have to totally agree with the .22 as a great first handgun. I just got mine and I went to the range and shot about 450 rounds off yesterday. The cost of the gun is irrelevant in comparison to how much ammo is gonna cost. You can blow through a couple of boxes of 9mm or .40 cal pretty quick and those cost a BUNCH more. You'll end up coming back from the range in a half hour, instead of 3 like me. Its just a suggestion, as if you have your heart set on a centerfire pistol, no one is probably gonna change your mind, But I had a ton of fun with the .22 and it can be just as challenging to shoot well as any pistol of centerfire caliber.
I have to agree with sgt.rock. The gun itself is not the expensive part, it's feeding said gun enough to get decent range time. Stick with something in .22LR if you're on a budget. I bought an M&P 9mm in February because it was (and still is) a pretty good deal, but I just bought a 22/45 because ammo prices keep going up. Hold off on buying larger calibres until you can afford to feed them or they'll end up spending all their time in your safe instead of at the range.
I have four Tokarevs so far. Three Norinco's and one Soviet 1942 TT-33. They are strong pistols shooting a hot round. If it was good enough for the NKVD then it is good enough for me.
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I spent about 12 hours at the range over the last 2 days, and my ammo cost me a total of 30 bucks. I shot 2 bricks of .22 and had the TIME OF MY LIFE.
How much do you think 12 hours of shooting would cost with a 9mm or .40 or pretty much ANY centerfire caliber?
And I didn't take many breaks except for main vein draining, and resetting targets and walking downrange to score. I have a job making 42 bucks an hour (plus I do a decent amount of overtime making double) and I still cant fathom spending the money needed for that much shooting.
But hey, its only school....... I personally wouldn't want a gun that would suck the life out of my social funds. School is 1 part class- 1 part study - 1 part party. (I didn't see many chicks at the range this weekend) just a couple of butchy policewomen
How much do you think 12 hours of shooting would cost with a 9mm or .40 or pretty much ANY centerfire caliber?
And I didn't take many breaks except for main vein draining, and resetting targets and walking downrange to score. I have a job making 42 bucks an hour (plus I do a decent amount of overtime making double) and I still cant fathom spending the money needed for that much shooting.
But hey, its only school....... I personally wouldn't want a gun that would suck the life out of my social funds. School is 1 part class- 1 part study - 1 part party. (I didn't see many chicks at the range this weekend) just a couple of butchy policewomen
First handgun must be ACCURATE, and have EXCELLENT sights and trigger. Period! There is nothing worse than learning how to shoot and getting hits all over the paper, just to discover that ammo/handgun combination alone shoots 6” on 25 yds. With addition of blurry sights and jerky trigger, shooting could be so frustrating that it might ruin any further desire to continue with this sport. Been there, done that! Big mistake on my side because I did not listen others who went through all this before. I went el-cheapo route, just to waste one year and enough money to start with appropriate handgun at the beginning.
In that respect, when purchasing first handgun, I would suggest to look for a good used one and make sure that you test it before making final move. Try as many different handguns as possible. As for testing, if you find handgun you like, get somebody who is a good shooter, preferably with same handgun. Something that shoots OK for one person might not be best for another one. As others suggested, look for a good 22 first, and stay away from single action unless you can afford Freedom Arms. Look for one of those that have all sights fixed on barrel/receiver. Ruger 22 is a very good one, see also Margolin http://www.militarygunsupply.com/images/firearms/22mar.jpg . Later one could be on the market under other names but is a very good one and affordable. Also, some of earlier S&W 22 revolvers are also excellent shooters and not so expensive as later fancy models like 617. The advantage of revolver is usually excellent trigger, no take-up as on semiauto pistols. If you ask for my opinion, get as a first handgun 22 TC Contender. It goes for about $400, it has rifle’s accuracy and excellent trigger. Once you do not need it anymore, you can always sell it for the same money.
In that respect, when purchasing first handgun, I would suggest to look for a good used one and make sure that you test it before making final move. Try as many different handguns as possible. As for testing, if you find handgun you like, get somebody who is a good shooter, preferably with same handgun. Something that shoots OK for one person might not be best for another one. As others suggested, look for a good 22 first, and stay away from single action unless you can afford Freedom Arms. Look for one of those that have all sights fixed on barrel/receiver. Ruger 22 is a very good one, see also Margolin http://www.militarygunsupply.com/images/firearms/22mar.jpg . Later one could be on the market under other names but is a very good one and affordable. Also, some of earlier S&W 22 revolvers are also excellent shooters and not so expensive as later fancy models like 617. The advantage of revolver is usually excellent trigger, no take-up as on semiauto pistols. If you ask for my opinion, get as a first handgun 22 TC Contender. It goes for about $400, it has rifle’s accuracy and excellent trigger. Once you do not need it anymore, you can always sell it for the same money.
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