How to get started with handguns?

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RyanC40

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Hey i am new with handguns but will have to learn them soon enough and am curious what would be a good start for a handgun. I was suggested to look at a .22 ruger or a .22 sig mosquito due to cheep ammo and little recoil to learn to shoot properly before going up in cal. I will eventually be shooting 9mil and had the idea to just tough it out and learn with a 9 mil sig (expensive) or a glock. I am just looking for experienced military (perferably) or even non military to instruct me on what to look at getting. As well curious to know how to get by owning a handgun yet not being part of a gun club.

:slap:Thanks, Ryan
 
.22's are always better to learn on, for rifles and pistols. In most provinces you will have to belong to a club or they will not issue a LTATT. Have you taken the RPAL course yet?
 
Start with a .22, definitely. Used Ruger Mk II's and III's are priced (mostly) very reasonably on the EE, and even new are still reasonable. If you want a revolver, a Ruger Single Six in .22LR is another very good choice.

After you've put 500-1000 rounds through it, you'll have spent < $10 on ammunition. You'll have a pretty good idea of what you like and dislike.

If you buy a 9mm straight off, the investment in the gun will be considerably more, and the cost of 1000 rounds of ammo will be more than the price of a new Ruger .22 pistol. If you don't like pistol shooting, or the gun, or it doesn't fit your hand, or whatever, it's cost you a lot more to find out.
 
If you don't go a gun club, it doesn't matter what cal you want to buy because you will not able to shoot them anywhere. If you want to shoot cheap than nothing better than a .22 but it also take away the fun of reloading. I personal do not think a .22 is a good choice of first handgun but it also come to personal choice. Stay with Ruger or Browning instead of Mosquito.

Trigun
 
I suggest you check out a few handgun clubs, There is usually always someone there willing to let you try out their gun. This will help you decide what kind of gun you wish to get.

My club has a New Shooters night, for people to try out .22's. I am sure you could find a club that does this in your area.
 
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Start with a 9mm if that's where you want to do. A handgun is NOT a difficult tool to operate. Recoil of a 9mm is NOT difficult to master. You want to learn to shoot, well recoil is part of shooting. The only thing you will learn with a 22 is sight picture, do you want to buy a gun just for that?



There. Someone had to say it. Let the flaming begin!:ninja:
 
Ryan
Start by posting where you live (PROFILE), that way someone might be able to point you in the right direction. For example, Alberta has 3 indoor ranges with gun rentals and no licence needed, do you live in Alberta. Or perhaps someone might be willing to take you to there local range (in your area) and let you fire a few rounds ( you buy ammo).
 
RyanC40 said:
Hey i am new with handguns but will have to learn them soon enough........As well curious to know how to get by owning a handgun yet not being part of a gun club.
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You have to learn handguns?? Why?

No Handgun if you don't belong to a club. I believe Military and Law enforcement are exceptions.
 
"...believe Military and Law enforcement are exceptions..." Only when working.
"...looking for experienced military..." The military doesn't use handguns the same way the rest of us do. Go join a club. Got the RPAL?
 
joe-nwt said:
Start with a 9mm if that's where you want to do. A handgun is NOT a difficult tool to operate. Recoil of a 9mm is NOT difficult to master. You want to learn to shoot, well recoil is part of shooting. The only thing you will learn with a 22 is sight picture, do you want to buy a gun just for that?

There. Someone had to say it. Let the flaming begin!:ninja:
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Well, you are correct. A handgun is not difficult to operate, and mastering recoil is not difficult either.

Having acknowledged that, I started out with a .357 magnum/.38 special S&W revolver and a 9mm Browning Hi-Power. My viewpoint, given above, is the result of that experience.

Your mileage may vary.
 
PeteL said:
Untrue, once a military or police member is off duty they are allotted no special privileges.
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He asked about owning / possessing a handgun without being part of a club.
Do / Can Law Enforcement take their weapon home? Can Military?
They might not own it...but they posses one even while off duty.
Seems like a special privilege to me.
 
Assyrian said:
He asked about owning / possessing a handgun without being part of a club.
Do / Can Law Enforcement take their weapon home? Can Military?
They might not own it...but they posses one even while off duty.
Seems like a special privilege to me.
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Wow...no. Police, military, armed security CAN NOT take their firearms home with them. (there are only minor exceptions for certain police duties.)

Any of those individuals who wants their own firearm must go through the same nonsense as everyone else.
 
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*Back on topic* Ryan, like everyone else, I suggest you get your RPAL first, find a nice club, and then worry about finding a gun for yourself. But if you insist on planning ahead, I suggest a ruger mk2 or 3. .22lr is a great little round for learning on.
 
Flying Beaver said:
Well, you are correct. A handgun is not difficult to operate, and mastering recoil is not difficult either.

Having acknowledged that, I started out with a .357 magnum/.38 special S&W revolver and a 9mm Browning Hi-Power. My viewpoint, given above, is the result of that experience.

Your mileage may vary.
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I started of with a 629 in 44magnum. I later bought a Ruger slab-side, put a box through it, and haven't fired a shot out of it in about 12 years. And although I have a myriad of handguns of various cartridges from common, off teh shelf ammo to pistols that shoot rifle cartridges and wildcats, I still have never owned or likely will ever own a 9mm either.

All the while, without putting 500-1000 rounds through a 22, I've managed to avoide shooting myself, other people and range property.

Huh. You were right. My milage did vary.....:);)
 
.22 is fine to start with, no argument from me there, but that's not the route I went. Started shooting 9mm because it's cheap too (not .22 cheap by any stretch though) and you get a closer feel to the larger pistol calibers, which is what I really wanted to shoot anyway.
I still don't own a .22 or 9mm pistol. In fact, due to finding good deals I have exactly what I wanted: a 1911 in .45 ACP and a S&W 686 in .357 and I shoot both very well and LOVE it. I have to reload the ammo to make it affordable, and I am still tempted by the .22s and 9mms, but really just work at learning to shoot what you want to shoot and be happy!
Definitely find and join a club, don't waste time jumping through endless hoops trying to own without being a member. If you want to go that route, go ahead and apply for ATC while you're at it, cuz you have about as much chance of getting that too.
 
Assyrian said:
You have to learn handguns?? Why?

No Handgun if you don't belong to a club. I believe Military and Law enforcement are exceptions.
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hey ya sorry i live in ottawa right now and am in the military i got long 8 month waiting period before being commissioned as an officer and dont want to sit around on my ass waiting for more training. rather jump the gun if you wish to be more comfortable with hand guns, i also need an area in ottawa where i can freely fire off my tikka t3 and my rem 12 gauge, i worked at connaught ranges this summer and found very little time to actually spend shooting myself...####ty life i know
 
You could actually buy both in the way of a CZ75B or a Shadow and get the .22 kit which I understand is very accurate. The 75B or Shadow are also excellent 9mm firearms as well.
 
Seems like I was wrong about my assumptions for military personnel :) (glad I wasn't beaten up too bad about it)

Find the closet club with a reasonable price. You could mention your situation and they could probably hook you up with one of their members for training.

the last of my 2 cents:)
 
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