Help a beginner - first pistol
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I am going to throw in the CZ Sp01 Shadow as an option. He sounds like he is sold on the 9mm idea, and wants to maybe get a .22 for practice. All one would have to do is purchase the .22 kit for the CZ, it is about the same price as a run of the mill .22 handgun, and he would have the best of both worlds. Although, the CZ doesn't have the history behind it, in comparison to the 1911, it certainly has a good reputation for reliability. And shooting the the 9mm cartridge through a steel framed gun, is a lot more recoil friendly than a Glock, or polymer framed pistol.
Actually I can of like the Scottish duelling pistol idea...that would be a hoot! Fill em up with paint balls or wax....
The poor guy that asked the question must have run for the hills by now.
Reading between the lines he just wanted some assurance that it was alright to buy a cheap 9MM auto like a Glock and go bang. If you are still reading fella, it is, you're the one doing the shooting, just ignore the rest of us dips**ts. Go out there and have fun and enjoy. Just be safeand be happy
For cripes sake folks...recomending single shot T/Cs and $3,000 Les Baers for a beginner....where are your brains!!!
hopefully he took the rest of the decent posters to heart and ignored that one- like saying you MUST have a ROLLS to drive- btw, i've shot a les baer, and it's no better than a wilson, or any of the others that do custom work-it's far more about the smith that performs the work than the gun itself- and a lot of the really good custom smiths are being given a run for their money by the likes of sti and kimber-
This is excellent advice and I agree 100%. However, looking back, if I knew more at that time, I would start with something that will be easy to master and IMHO, the best start is to use accurate and longer barrel pistol at shorter distance, as you mentioned. Once shooter progresses, he/she can go longer distances and use another type of handgun. I started shooting with not so accurate handgun/ammo combo with all frustrations and disappointments, and was thrilled when friend and my shooting mentor let me shoot his 44 Ruger Flattop and ammo he loaded (gun will shoot 2” max at 25 yds). Despite (for me) awkward grip, knocking steel plates regularly with that revolver was tremendous moral buster. As for Contender, with 10” barrel it has same sight radius as any 8-3/8” revolver. I would not call it “short rifle” because you shoot it as any other handgun and I see nothing wrong to start with it as a first handgun. Why Contender should be looked as some sort of “cheating” when compared with nice and accurate S&W 41? As for the fun, I still believe that it’s much more fun for beginner when he starts hitting target with Contender, than missing with some less accurate pistols and revolvers. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t like Contender at the beginning. If somebody told me what I am saying today to others today, I’ll tell him to get lost. Now, I have one with three barrels. Since good 9 mm will cost about the same as S&W 41, I would definitely go for a later one.
As I noted in my previous post, this is “Just my opinion…”. It doesn’t mean that this method will work for everyone. Heck, I had seen 19 years old girl on the range; first time in her life she had revolver in her hand, fired couple dozen rounds from S&W 617 (22LR), dozen rounds of 44 Special level loads from Redhawk and after that she started hitting 4” patch at 25 meters with full power 44 Magnum loads. How many of us ordinary mortals could do that as beginners? Going “bang” with 9mm is one thing, hitting target is another game. I had more fun with later one… Damn it, I am still kicking myself for selling that 41.
I shoot IPSC and started with a 1911, 45 cal. A manly weapon I'm told !!
Now I also shoot a new S&W 40 cal...love it....gonna get into lighter loads now though. I highly recommend the advice of the others - ask a buddy to let you try theirs at the range before buying...plus shop around to different stores.
Now I also shoot a new S&W 40 cal...love it....gonna get into lighter loads now though. I highly recommend the advice of the others - ask a buddy to let you try theirs at the range before buying...plus shop around to different stores.
Thanks for all the replies guys.
I had a chance to try out a Ruger Mark III in .22 LR and a 1911 in .45 ACP at the range over the weekend. I have reconsidered my stance on the .22, I think it is the way to go.
The same guy let me try his CZ 58 and nornico version of the M14. Very nice firearms as well. According to him the CZ isn't even restricted!
I really liked the 1911 though. So I am considering a 1911 with a .22 conversion kit.
Hopefully I will get the chance to try a few more firearms by hanging out at the range.
I had a chance to try out a Ruger Mark III in .22 LR and a 1911 in .45 ACP at the range over the weekend. I have reconsidered my stance on the .22, I think it is the way to go.
The same guy let me try his CZ 58 and nornico version of the M14. Very nice firearms as well. According to him the CZ isn't even restricted!
I really liked the 1911 though. So I am considering a 1911 with a .22 conversion kit.
Hopefully I will get the chance to try a few more firearms by hanging out at the range.
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for the price of the conversion kits, you can get a very close to top of the line 22- the real question is how the gun fits you and how much you like shooting it- a lot of guys have 2 pistols exactly the same , with one wearing the conversion all the time- also be aware that are different manufacturers of these kits, and not all fit every 45/9/whatever frame, and some have feed issues
Keep in mind that the 1911 won't feel the same when it has .22's coming out of it. That is unless you spend the near $1000 for a Kimber 1911 .22 "replica" that is made from aluminium and weighs just over half what a regular 1911 weighs.
Check the rimfire board here and other rimfire forums and learn what's out there. By all means look for the options that have a 1911 style grip and grip angle so your eventual conversion or 45 addition to the family won't feel odd.
As mentioned already the cost of the gun isn't a big deal compared to the cost of the ammo if you shoot a fair amount. But if you feel you can't buy a .22 AND a .45 that close together then consider the less expensive options such as the Norinco's. Or look for the various American made 45's in the $500 to $600 used price range. I've seen a few here in the EE already.
Really we ALL need two or more guns. The sensible one to actually practice with to hone our skills. And then the "BIG NOISE AND FLASH GUN" to make us giggle like a schoolgirl. For you that sounds like the 1911. And it's certainly something that makes you lust for red meat done blue rare after putting a few mags through it. But as you've likely found already it's costly to shoot. But if you do the bulk of your shooting with a nice .22 and just put a couple of mags through the 1911 at the end of the day to satisfy your baser instincts to make lots of noise and flame and feel like you're doing something special then the cost isn't going to be all that prohibitive.
Check the rimfire board here and other rimfire forums and learn what's out there. By all means look for the options that have a 1911 style grip and grip angle so your eventual conversion or 45 addition to the family won't feel odd.
As mentioned already the cost of the gun isn't a big deal compared to the cost of the ammo if you shoot a fair amount. But if you feel you can't buy a .22 AND a .45 that close together then consider the less expensive options such as the Norinco's. Or look for the various American made 45's in the $500 to $600 used price range. I've seen a few here in the EE already.
Really we ALL need two or more guns. The sensible one to actually practice with to hone our skills. And then the "BIG NOISE AND FLASH GUN" to make us giggle like a schoolgirl. For you that sounds like the 1911. And it's certainly something that makes you lust for red meat done blue rare after putting a few mags through it. But as you've likely found already it's costly to shoot. But if you do the bulk of your shooting with a nice .22 and just put a couple of mags through the 1911 at the end of the day to satisfy your baser instincts to make lots of noise and flame and feel like you're doing something special then the cost isn't going to be all that prohibitive.
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