Handguns-where to start?

Go to your local gun store and bring a thermos of coffee lol.
Hold as many as you can. Feel the controls. Feel the weight and materials.
Trigger pulls. Actions and design. A hand gun is a very personal weapon and it should be thought out.
It's an exhilarating experience to say the least.

I bounced through the popular calibers, brands and ended up with the love of my life.
Have fun and welcome to the dark side :)
 
I'm not a believer in conversion kits. First get a good .22lr and very soon after a good 9mm and after, you'll be hooked and begin the buying frenzy :)

Gilbert
 
I have a suggestion for you. And some will disagree, I'm sure. Buy a Norinco Sport .45. Then go buy a GSG .22 conversion. prices have changed a lot, but it was such that one could buy the .45 for less than $400.00 and the conversion kit for around $200.00. With a minimum of outlay you have a .22 to learn on and a .45 for later. I have this same combo and have had no issues at all. Good luck.
 
If you have a few gun ranges that allow you to try out different pistols, take the opportunity to get the feel of both different calibres and manufactures.

Some gun shops will allow you to "feel" the pistol is your hand without having your RPAL, some won't; so your pretty much limited to a gun range. You Tube is an excellent source of information, on how to shot, how to clean, to reviews of different pistol brands, so you can get an idea as to what is out there. Remember there is a wide variety to chose from, from the classic 1911 all metal construction to the latest polymer metal hybrids.

I just picked up a Sig Sauer P320 in a 9mm but haven't been able to shoot it yet, but dry firing it, I just like it.

I've included a couple of links to some popular YouTube channels including hickok45, who I think is on of the best in reviewing guns.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbWIEJhkD-k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyBfrf7iitA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQxthaOJ8Dw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOXb9m34CTc
 
edgy said:
the wife and I just wrote our Rpal's and are looking to get into handguns, just punching paper at the range, however other than the 1911 used in our course we have never handled handguns. How does one determine what they like? I was thinking perhaps we could go to a range in the lower mainland that rents handguns and try a few different types? Or would it be better to take a handgun course with a professional, as there is supposed to be a real good instructor in Abbottsford which is fairly local? Or perhaps asking at the local range to see if owners would let us handle their handguns( unloaded of course ) just to see how they feel?
I know we are both interested in semis not revolvers, and I'm thinking 9m with a .22 conversion for a first handgun? All guidance would be appreciated :)
Edgy
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I would suggest going to DVC in Port Coquitlam. They have a wide selection of guns in pretty much every common calibre that you can try. As a general rule I recommend all steel or at least metal frame guns. They are heavier and because of this they are a bit more forgiving when it comes to recoil. Lighter guns are harder to control, especially as a beginner. 22's are the cheapest to shoot and the most forgiving as they have very low recoil BUT most people get tired of 22's quite quickly and like something with a bit more oomph. Can get very addictive. Personally I own most of the major calibres from 22 to 45ACP. All different and all fun. My favourites are 9mm and 45ACP. I find both fun and easy to shoot. 1911's are typically relatively easy to shoot well but I don't recommend them as a first gun. Modern guns are typically easier to strip and clean and are more reliable. Much as I love my 1911 I don't really recommend them to a rookie. Of the major brands I recommend Sig with metal frame, expensive but great quality, CZ shoot really well, don't recommend Glock or other plastic frame guns for a beginner. Good guns but harder to shoot well than a steel frame gun in centre fire cartridges.

Welcome to the addiction and have fun.
 
I'm originally from the Lower Mainland and second DVC in Port Coquitlam. You might also be interested in finding a MFG that offers a similar gun in both .22 and 9mm. Smith & Wesson M&P series has a similar (at least on the outside) .22 and 9mm.
 
Thanks for all the info , much appreciated! There are so many choices available that it can get a bit overwhelming for someone new to handguns,lol, we have had a nice offer extended to us by a CGN'er to meet at our local range and try out a few of his handguns :), so we are quite stoked about that, and we will probably take a trip to DVC in the near future, we have some time before our Rpal's arrive, so I will try to narrow down my likes and dislikes. My wife saw a picture of a GSG 1911 .22 in PINK ffs, and I think she is basing her decision on fashion lol, not function :)
 
edgy said:
Thanks for all the info , much appreciated! There are so many choices available that it can get a bit overwhelming for someone new to handguns,lol, we have had a nice offer extended to us by a CGN'er to meet at our local range and try out a few of his handguns :), so we are quite stoked about that, and we will probably take a trip to DVC in the near future, we have some time before our Rpal's arrive, so I will try to narrow down my likes and dislikes. My wife saw a picture of a GSG 1911 .22 in PINK ffs, and I think she is basing her decision on fashion lol, not function :)
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You'll probably buy a few so don't obsess if you don't find the gun of your dreams at a cost you can afford just go with it and have fun
 
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