New shooter looking for first pistol advice

First thing to do is to hold off buying a handgun.

Second find your local ranges and see if they are taking members. Once you found a range you like and are able to join, see how long there probationary period is and what is involved. My range is 3 months and 12 probationary shoots, under an RSO using their firearms. This will give you plenty of time to try out different firearms and see which one you like best.

Third buy the gun you like and can afford to shoot.

Four wait 4-8 weeks for you long term ATT to be issued (as you're in ON).

Buying a handgun and having to wait 1-2 months is bad but buying one and having to wait 1-2 months and a probation period is painful.

Some good advice..at least your shooting while waiting for your own firearms
 
My first two pistols, back in 1990: .22 cal Ruger MK II target with bull barrel, Ruger GP100 .38/.357 with 4" barrel. Still have the GP100, will never get rid of it. .38 for low recoil training, .38+p to move up, .357 to master.

At one point I Traded the MKII for a MKIII with red dot sight on a picatinny rail mount. The red dot really helps in training, because it shows you what you are doing wrong. Trigger control and flinching is what puts you off target. Sight picture is less important - the trap I fell into was concentrating too much on that and then why the hell was I missing? Red dot showed me.

Finished with a Kimber .45 "crimson carry" with crimson trace laser grip, projects a red dot on the target, combined with the kick of a .45, my final learning machine. Now have total mastery of all pistols with and without the aid of a red dot, but red dot was the key to my training.

Favorite dealer - Roger at shooters choice in Applewood Alberta

http://www.shooterschoice.ca/
 
I agree with those saying .22 pistol first. I have many pistols, revolver, and rifles and I still love shooting my .22 pistols.

As far as brand/model: The Ruger's are all awesome, but pricey and hard to find. I picked up a Walther SP22 M2 not long ago and it is phenomenal. The gun will eat any ammo you feed it and with the stock 3 post sights I can hit 3 inch clays at 50m without a problem. My recommendation if you go that route, don't get the match grade barrels (M3 and M4 models), unless you really want to compete or something, any match grade .22 barrel seems to be picky with type of ammo.

Again about the Walther .. one problem is the magazine disconnect, I ended up removing mine because it was interfering with the safety. It took about 1 minute to do.
 
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