New shooter from 22lr to ???

James Howlett

James Howlett

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So, I've tried to read what I can get a good impression but I need to ask a (or a few) question(s)

My only pistol is a 22lr, I've been looking at 9mm or possibly 40s&w, even jumping to the 45acp. At this point no others are considered.
My reasoning is the 9mm or 45 is very popular as standard rounds, 40 is close to 9 but slightly more obscure although less than say 10mm or 357sig, that's why their out.

9mm pistols are usually available for decent prices, those sometimes switch with .40 so similar ballpark, 45 is a much larger caliber therefore costs more to shoot. I'd go 9 but I've found many 1911s (SAM, Norinco, others) for decent prices so makes me consider the 45


Now to my question, as a new shooter who has only shot a 22lr (Sig 1911) should I look for 9s alone, or consider the 45 (in 1911) or 40s&w if it pops up for a good price? We're not talking concealed carry here in Canuck Land so just good shot placement for new shooter and decent price (if possible, this isn't the only thing to consider)
 
You'd be better off moving to a 9mm than .40 or .45acp. Ammo price and recoil are the main issues. Beretta 92, Glock 17 or CZ75 would all be good choices.
 
Of all the center fire ammo out there 9mm is by far the cheapest. Next up is .40S&W. Then .38Special for revolvers. Then .45ACP.

Let that be your guide. So first up is likely 9mm simply based on cost and the fact that you can use a 9mm pistol in just about any form of competitive shooting.
 
Can you try other types of firearms and calibers at your club? My club is great for this, if you want to buy something someone brings in what you want to try. This way you know before you buy the firearm if it is something that fits you or is what you want for that purpose.
You say you’re after good shot placement then why not a Smith & Wesson Model K-38 Target Masterpiece Revolver Model 14. It is not very much to purchase one and the 38 Special ammo is inexpensive and everywhere. The 38 Special is way more accurate than 9mm and I find the 9mm firearms are more for other completive shooting besides Bullseye.
 
For a revolver the .38Special/.357 Mag is hard to beat. If you get a Ruger Convertable than 9mm is on the menu as well. This is a single action revolver though. The 9mm and .38S are a mild round and the .357 has some bark for when you want that. The reloading die for .38 will work for .357 as well. In the winter you won't loose your brass in the snow as a bonus. To me a revolver is way WAY more accurate than a semi, most people will admit to this. The trigger pull on a S/A is so light that is one issue you don't have to worry about. Now if your cool or want to be cool, than a revolver isn't cool, just practical! The Rugers brand new are about $550-$650 and can be had in blue or stainless for about the same $$ the convertable is about $100 more than a normal revolver. Site sponsor EPPS has a good selection usually for a fair price in my experience.

If your getting into this you might as well get into reloading as well. Makes the calibre decision less of an issue regards to cost.

Regards to calibre my favorite is the .45ACP, the .40S&W is almost the same as the 9mm to shoot, the .38 Special is about the same as the 9/.40. If you go with a 1911 style then you need to choose you ammo carefully figure out what works and keep with that combo. The 1911 (which I love x10) is a 100 year old design and allowances have to be made, or that kept in mind. Personally I like a heavy, steel pistol with a longer bbl. don't have any tupperware and don't want any!

Good luck, enjoy the hobby.
 
A few things I should have mentioned, or can mention.

First thing I can't try anything at my range, there's just nothing like that available, I could try another range if I'm in the area but that's very unlikely too.

Revolvers are super cool, they are on my shopping list, but for now I think its semi first. I want to get used to shooting a semi but maybe I should try a revolver, its all center fire right?

TT-33, never really considered this I will have to look into that.

Even holding anything before I buy it is very difficult, I've looked for ruger sr-9s can't find one to get my hands on. I did hold a cz-75, felt good but that's another thing.

The 9-40-45 is pretty much what I expected, I'll stick with searching for 9s, consider the TT-33 somewhere, and work up from there.

A 9mm 1911 is iffy, the 1911 is able to handle the recoil of 45 very well due to its weight, a 9 version (to me) might just seem like cheating. Using a heavy gun that takes more recoil then putting a smaller bullet inside. That said, I have considered them, and they fall into a reasonable price and shoot the cheaper rounds.

How about this for a follow-up second question. How close to learning center fire is a revolver compared to a semi? I haven't shot any center fire handguns so I need to start somewhere but I'd like to end up with pistols at some point. If a revolver is "close enough" then thats good, if its a matter of all guns are slightly different so while you can be a decent shot with all but better with other or need practice with new ones than that works.
 
i started with a .38 revolver but i have shot every thing since. if you wanna go right to a .45 then i would do it. the only thing is you will be surprized at how inaccurate the bigger cal guns are compair to a .22 untill u get used to them.
buy what ever you want. just make sure you like the gun looks and stuff. dont buy it just baised on cal alone. you can worrie about stuff like that later when you get more experiance.
 
JTF# said:
if you wanna go right to a .45 then i would do it. the only thing is you will be surprized at how inaccurate the bigger cal guns are compair to a .22 untill u get used to them..
Click to expand...

if you want a .45, yes just go for it, however, I am not agree with you, my Remington R1 was extremely accurate out of the box, and first time for me with .45acp.

My two revolvers (.357 and .44 magnum) are very accurate, easy bulleye with both, very fun to shoot.

The Tokarev are very fun to shoot and easy to take apart.

and here is, two videos that 've made for Tokarev TT3, just this morning on youtube ;

Disassemble : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUAPnQD2pHw

Reassemble : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_pfqaK6odY
 
Just from an ammo cost standpoint the only sensible option is to stick with 9mm. Unless you enjoy enough disposable hobby money that this aspect doesn't bother you? If so then it's not a big deal which center fire gun you opt for as a first time deal.

It is most certainly not the ammo or even the guns which are more or less accurate. It's almost always the shooter. Unless you're one of those rare ones which never develops a flinch and instinctively supports the gun in a stable manner while managing to ONLY move their trigger finger. And such folks are VERY rare.

Tokarevs can be fun but the lack of a proper safety on them means that they are not useable in any of the draw and shoot style competitions. That is something to consider.

One way to get to try other guns is to buy some ammo in the caliber you're considering and then attend some of the local matches as an observer. Introduce yourself and explain your newbieness and ask if you can join one of the squads for the day and observe and help out with taping and tear down. At lunch or the end of the day you'll have all manner of offers to try the other guys' guns. And quite likely before all the stages are torn down you'll be offered the chance to shoot a stage as a bit of a "thankyou" from the guys and to encourage your intrest in the event. The reason you bring your own ammo is so you can offer to replace what you use. Likely as not they'll wave it off and tell you to save it. Or if you and a few others carry on with some regular practice afterwards you might get to use it.

But either way it'll kill two birds with one bullet. You'll get a great introduction to both some other shooters in the area AND you'll get to see one of the handgun sporting events that will likely get your intrest up. And you'll get the chance to shoot a variety of handguns and come away with a better idea of what fits you.

On revolvers? I was all about the semis when I first started shooting. Then I got to try one of those "odd looking" revolvers. Well.... it seemed to mold into my hand and I bettered my best groups shot with a semi up to that time. I became an instant revolver fan. And at this point thanks to getting into the cowboy event and having a few black powder cap&ball guns as well as modern revolvers I've easily got more wheelguns than semis. So by all means try one when you get the chance. It might just be that it clicks with you as well. Or, like some folks, they may simply not match up for whatever reason and they just feel odd.

I can tell you one thing for sure though. If you can get good at shooting a DA revolver with the long double action trigger pull then you can shoot any trigger well from there on. Shooting double action with revolvers really makes you learn to pull a trigger correctly in a hurry.
 
BCRider said:
but the lack of a proper safety on them means that they are not useable in any of the draw and shoot style competitions
Click to expand...

Hmm, does that mean my M&P Pro is out as far as IPSC and IDPA is concerned? I was considering removing the thumb safety on my M&P22. Would doing so make it illegal for Steel Challenge use?

Sorry, don't meant to hi-jack here.

M
 
You guys have made some great points and things to consider.
Clearly caliber isn't everything so maybe that shouldn't be the first choice to make when I'm shopping.

Revolvers may be back in a higher place now because of a few lines
"I can tell you one thing for sure though. If you can get good at shooting a DA revolver with the long double action trigger pull then you can shoot any trigger well from there on. Shooting double action with revolvers really makes you learn to pull a trigger correctly in a hurry. "
trigger will be the most consistent thing regardless of caliber, type (semi/revolver/sa-da), plastic vs metal etc etc So if I can find something with a good or decent trigger I'll be working on a fundamental that will carry over to everything else.

As far as options offered I have more rather than less to consider now, which is good the Tokarev and ruger convertable were never really considered or looked at, the 1911 (which may still be cheating, but will teach trigger/flinch control) is now back on the list. I do like the sa 1911 style so this is good for me, I should 'learn' double action but that can come with time.

I don't have an unlimited budget but would start reloading immediately if I was going for a 45, I might still with the 9, and probably for sure if I have a wheel gun no brass hunting is a plus! Side tracked, anyhow I'm thinking one handgun now, who knows when for the next and factoring in ammo or reloading is a good thing to think about from now.

I'll be watching all those videos this afternoon for sure, thanks.

bcrider/gnmonty, other than in competitions I don't care about safeties, I don't compete (yet?) we can't carry (yet?? :p) so at this point they don't matter. Currently I only safety my guns when loaded and not used immediately ie loading more mags, new targets, handing it to someone else etc. This will change as my shooting needs styles evolve but for how our laws are and when you can shoot us Canadians don't really need safeties, at least not on restricted guns. imho

Long post that doesn't really say much. I need to be more concise...
 
A revolver is heavy and steel to start with, most have longer bbls. 6 inch is common. The revolver just kicks up and down in relation to the guns weight and the punch of the bullet. A semi, lighter is worse, kicks up and down but also in a arc like a semi circle. This is the brass ejection. There is the slide going back and forth that makes the kick worse. I have had no issues being accurate with a pistol but some semis I just cannot shot accurate. Not even close. It is me not the gun.
 
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