Handguns

Any .22 to start with and the Norinco Woodsman copies are good economical buy.

A revolver means you do have to chase and pick up your brass for reloading
 
Leavenworth;16207219#1 Would you buy a pistol or a revolver and why ? #2 What caliber would you buy in a pistol and what caliber in a revolver ? Thanks [/QUOTE said:
Answer #1: It's a completely different shooting experience and it's quite fun. I had my RPAL for about 5 years before acquiring any handguns and then I came into an early inheritance from my wife's grandfather at the same time as C-71 was announced, joined the local gun club, and it's been a blast. I now shoot handguns much more frequently than long guns.

Answer #2: Get one of each in 22LR, and then get a revolver in 357 magnum. I didn't get into semi-auto handguns until recently and I know most people would say a 9mm for cost (hell, I bought one myself) but having shot something in 45 ACP I'd probably buy that instead (and do plan on buying one within the next year).
 
.22 you can start from Ruger Mark series, 9mm Glock, 357 mag S&W/Ruger revolver, you can't go wrong with these ones. I've been recently reloading 357 mag/38 spl, coz both of my lever and revolver are using this caliber, and it can keep the expense much lower than the factory ammo
 
If you know any pistol guys, Try to shoot some different ones.
A 44 mag is a stupid first gun.
a 22 I shoot semi auto more than revolvers, a good used Ruger can be had for 300-400.oo for a MK2 or 3
I shoot a K frame smith, 19 or 14 more than semi auto, thought I have lots of 9mm and 45's
9mm is the cheapest to shoot in centerfire, 45 is expensive, unless you hand load.
9mm is hardly worth reloading for unless you have to shot lead at some steel.
I have never liked Glocks, maybe because I have not used them much, the grips I don't like.
The Sigs or CZ's are great, but more money, lost of good ones for sale these days.
 
You're right - the 617 is a bit pricey, but it's a really solid piece, with a nice trigger. Mine has a 6" barrel, which I think is pretty common for these. I would start out with a .22 - for all the reasons that have been mentioned. It won't likely give you the adrenalin rush of some of the larger bore centre fire guns, but if that is something you decide you want, you can always pick something up later - I don't know anyone who just has one pistol or revolver. It's nice to have a gun that is not intimidating, if you are introducing a new shooter to the sport. I have pistols and revolvers in most of the calibres they're offered in and I enjoy all of them - some, obviously cost more to feed than others - but I don't run my SuperMag anywhere near as much as my .22's - and I can be as crappy or good with any of them, depending on the day - and the .22 doesn't P off the guys in the adjacent booths, like the SuperMag does. That's a grainy photo of it, going off in the small pic on the left.
Get the 617 - I seriously doubt that you would ever regret it - and if at some point you do, you won't loose much, if any money on it, by selling it - but I bet you will have it for a long time. Mines worth double what I paid for it, 15-20 years ago. One of the reasons I use to justify, spending a substantial amount of coin on guns I want - you can pick up lots of really nice, well looked after pieces, for a decent price - and if you take care of them, you can "liquidate" down the road and loose nothing - maybe even make a couple of bucks. Not a lot of hobbies/passions that you can do that with.
 
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Personally I agree with the .22 pistol (get more shots in the pistol vs. a revolver). Picked up a ruger mark iv and they're beautiful, accurate and CHEAP to feed. Can have lots of fun, practicing, improving while not breaking the bank. I've seen online lots of additions/mods to the mark iv's (if you like customization) like sights, lasers, halo bolt handles and flashlights. Some of them come with rails and threaded barrels right out of the box. Also .22s are great for guest/friends or kids who don't have experience shooting to try due to almost no recoil and easier to hit your targets. The mark iv's also have an extremely easy tear down for cleaning, literally just push a button and it opens up and the bolt can be taken out. If you don't mind spending more on ammunition I'd get a 9mm pistol, they're just reliable and fun to shoot with an incredible amount of options to pick from as well. Or just get both for double the fun.

Hope this helped
 
Leavenworth, no better reason to buy a handgun then the fact that you can. Doesn't have to make any sense. Just look at all the junk we buy and don't really even need. Life is too short, so just bite the bullet and buy one already.

Now if you are unsure of the type and calibre, you could hedge your bets by choosing either .22lr which is the most common calibre and it is the one with the lowest recoil. Even Walmart sells .22lrs because they don't see them as a handgun round. Or the next most popular, the 9mm. I can tell you that I might not find any .38 specials at the 3 Canadian Tire stores near my house but I can always find 9mm. Saves you a lot of stress and frustration if you are going to the range and you have to quickly running into town before hand because you realize that you are out of ammo. Try finding 7.62x25 last minute... I don't think so. And BTW .22 and 9mm are the cheapest ammo (in that order).

As for revolver vs pistol... Personal choice. Go out with a friend who has both and decide which one you like. Revolvers in general are a little more expensive than pistol because they are a little more expensive to make and for many shooters, they are a bit antiquated. Personally, I see value in revolvers but that is just me. As for pistols, you could get great deal on used if you know what you are looking for or looking at but if you are unsure, you could always buy new. With a new pistol, you have more of a chance in avoiding a problem pistol that the previous owner is trying to pawn off on an unsuspecting noob. New pistols don't have to be expensive either.

Gun snobs are going to jump on my case for saying this but if you truly have a tight budget or you don't want to invest a lot of money into a firearm then you should look at a company such as Norinco. Norinco has brand new .22 pistols that start at $200. I have a few Norinco products and I am presently surprized. For example, I bought a two tone NP34 which is a Sig p228 clone from SFRC for $279... That's with free delivery and taxes in, during one of their monthly 18% off sales and even though it's finish is a little rough, it kept up with my real $1000 Sig p228 bullet for bullet. I was so impressed with the value vs performance of the gun that, it is the pistol I take out most often to the range. To give you an idea of much I like that particular gun, the gun that I normally take to the range is my $1800 Wilson Combat 92fs. It's much more accurate than the np34 but it didn't cost $279!

So there you go. Haters may hate my Norinco suggestion but if it gets a gun in your hands and you begin shooting resonsibly than I have done my job. And it is really a great alternative to your Glocks, Sigs, Colts, etc. Don't worry what other people say or thing, just look at your situation, do your research and look at your budget and if you are the type who still thinks you don't need a handgun than you might be the type who might never want to know how to change your own engine oil or understand where your food comes from which is ok too because some people just don't want to know but I believe you do. Why else would you be asking.
 
Ultimately any of the big name manufacturers wares will shoot well and in the beginning will shoot more accurately than you can, the choice between revolver and semi auto is really a personal choice. If I were you I would drop into your local gun shop and handle a few of both and see what fits and feels good in your hands.

That said I prefer a semi auto and I bought a 9mm for my first, easy to find ammo and won’t break the bank, I took some classes after a year of trying to learn some fundamentals on my own lol. Should’ve took the class earlier, find a class or mentor if you can and have them show you the fundamentals.
 
I prefer shooting revolvers on the range so I have three of them, only one semi-auto (a Browning HiPower, for sentimental reasons,) and if I ever convince myself to devote more money, storage space, and shooting time to more handguns, the next two I can think of are also revolvers.

To anyone starting out I suggest try both, your preferences will be revealed and you should follow them. And either way, start with a .22 rimfire and shoot it a lot, until you can shoot it well before you get anything bigger.
 
So Thanks Again for the replies fellas !
I have been You Tubing and reading reviews concerning 4 pistols in 9mm but I need to handle them !
#1. Sig Sauer P320 M17
#2. Walther PPQ M2 In OD Colour
#3. FN 509
#4 HK VP 9 or VP9B
Leavenworth
 
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First handgun should be the 22lr for semi auto or revolver. This will train you to shoot without flinching. The longer and heavier the barrel ... the better. I would suggest the Ruger Mk IV Target.
 
First gun of any type should be a .22 LR . With it's ; low cost ammo. , low recoil , low noise ,,,, you can concentrate on learning
how to shoot it well & safely . I would suggest a revolver 1st. as less opportunity to BLAST away your ammo. . Again pay attention
to learning how to shoot well . 2nd. choice would be a good quality target .22 auto . Good Used is better than Cheap New .
 
I don't own a handgun but thinking about it . #1 Would you buy a pistol or a revolver and why ? #2 What caliber would you buy in a pistol and what caliber in a revolver ?
Thanks
Leavenworth

I don't have to struggle to come up with reasons for owning a handgun; for me, the reasons are obvious.

If, however, I was "thinking about it", and wondering about which one, I'd start with a question that only I could answer. The #1 question is :"What do I want this handgun to do well?"

Answer that, honestly, and then we'll be able to tell you the names of the Usual Suspects (to narrow it down from there).
 
It’s not the first time I have heard the .22 LR reply in this thread . Let’s just say I buy a new Roger M1V that’s quite a bit of money on a 22 if I want to hopefully own a 9mm . I guess I could sell it later. Or as mentioned I could buy a used quality 22 .

Wendall I would want this gun to be reliable , shoot straight , parts availability , cheaper ammo even if it is good stuff . I would want to shoot targets hopefully get into some sort of a shooting sport with it and finally it would be a SHTF gun IF needed
Leavenworth
 
OP, since you live in the Lower Mainland, why not visit either DVC or The Range in Langley. I think they might have the 4 guns you listed or at least, very similar.

You’ve done good research. Nothing wrong with any of them. It comes down to personal preference, availability and cost now. And as to your reply to Wendell for your needs; all 4 will work just fine. The PPQ may have the nod for competition use, simply due to it having the best polymer trigger of the group.
 
I have always heard the name Glock when pistols are talked about they must be good,are they ? What about this new pistol the USA Army has coming the Sig Sauer P320 M17 9mm . They make it in a civilian model.
Leavenworth

They are cheap, there are lots of them, and they work. Are there better guns? That's a personal thing, but there are way prettier guns out there for sure, that are not made of tupperware.
 
Over 50 years ago, I got a High Standard .22, about the same time I got a .38 revolver. I still have, and shoot the High Standard (have a target version now also), I have had many other pistols, and revolvers, and still have a bunch. I love shootiing them all, but lately I have been gravitating towards my Ruger GP100 and am shooting it as much as I do my .22. Love it! No need to chase brass, and it is very comfortable to shoot, and very accurate.

If you have to have a cool service pistol, get a .22 as well, and you will be able to shoot your other one better when you get a bit more serious about shooting and accuracy; and tired of expensive mag-dumps.
 
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