Revolver as a first handgun?

sparq

sparq

Regular
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Location
Ottawa
So before anyone says it, I've done my share of searching - the engine on this site inexplicably omits the word "first" as being too common, so my results are vast and unsortable.

Anyway, I've been bouncing around on what I should get as a first pistol for a couple years, from GSG 1911 in .22LR to S&W M&P 9mm or .40 to Baby Eagle/Jericho, etc. I have never fired a pistol aside from .177 airguns and .22 single shots, and the only other I've handled outside of the relics at the RPAL course was the M&P9 (no one in Ottawa sells handguns any more :( ). As of now, and for an unprecedented time now, my sights have been set on a Ruger GP100. I like the idea of a wheelgun as I've always had a love for the aesthetics of the Colt Python (if not the price), and I like the opportunity to shoot both .357 Magnum and .38 Special with one platform. I'm interested in IDPA in the future, once I have some target experience under my belt - I'm not that competetive, so I don't need to win - but I like "dynamic" shooting.

Can anyone give me any particular reason why I'm making a mistake here? This can include ammo price...I've seen .38 to be almost as cheap as 9mm, but someone with experience might correct me if that's unusual. I have no capacity to reload my own at the moment, but hope to start in the future.

One caveat -I'll not be swayed by any recommendation that I get a Glock or Hi-Standard. They just don't agree with me ;)
 
I like revolvers, a 4" S&W L-frame may suit your needs quite well. Competitive shooting, and the training for, can consume lots of ammo. 9mm will probably be cheaper in the long run, but 38's should run close.

ICORE is also for revolvers.
 
As a first gun, you might consider a Norinco - something popular like their Sig copy - or a 1911. You won't be into for heavy money - if you get something in 9mm its cheap to shoot, and most people I know who own revolvers prefer to shoot them in single action anyhow. I own 2 Norcs, (the ones mentioned above) and I love them. For $350 its easy to see why people do. They are both quality handguns, and a lot better value than many more expensive guns. I have also owned a Dan Wesson in .357, and I got rid of it, as I was always shooting it in single action anyhow - I would like to add an 1873 SAA to my collection in the near future. I always figured I would get rid of my Norincos and upgrade later (and its pretty easy to get your money out of a Norc on the EE). But I keep coming back to these guns,as many friends have bought expensive guns, and I never found them vastly superior to my Norcs.
If you do go for a revolver, the Dan Wessons are nice, as are Smith and Wesson 686s. I would always go with the .357, as you can shoot cheap .38 if you choose, but you will find that the .357 is alot more fun.
 
Good input so far,t hanks guys. I should probably have mentioned that a Norinco 1911 in 9mm was among my many "lusted after" guns during my research - I've not overlooked them, and I own a Norc shotgun already to convice me that they work :)
 
Nothing wrong starting out with a 9mm semi auto. CZ makes some nice ones as does STI. I know you don't want to hear this but the funnest pistol to shoot that I've ever owned was a Glock 17.....:p.
 
Nothing wrong with a revolver to start .38spcl is very tame and being able to shoot 357 magnum is nice. Personally, I much prefer the S&W to the Ruger but they are both great.
The NP 29 would be a good choice from what I have read and the NP22 (Sig 226) clone is excellent. I bought one off the ee for 290 shipped and it functioned flawlessly, not to mention being accurate....sold it to a buddy....:HR:
The Jericho 941/Baby eagle is also a very good choice, also very accurate and reliable, nice ergos too for small to medium hands. Ive owned all but the NP29 but did have the 1911A1 in .45.

I think all of your choices are good ones for a first. And yes, I too would recommend a Glock 17 but I can understand if they do not fit you. My first pistol was a Ruger P89DC and it was trusty but not as accurate as other makes/models......maybe it was me.....

Good luck and welcome to handcannons.....:cheers:
 
for a first pistol? assuming you have no exp. with a hand gun, a 22 auto will give you all you need: grip, sight, trigger control, mag change, etc. they're a great training tool, the price is right, ammo is reasonable, you might not develop a flinch while with a 9 , 40 etc without proper training you will for sure. the ruger 2245 as well as many others, hold 1/2" groups @ 25yds & will do it for 100s of 1000s of rds. however if you feel the need to go big a norc 1911 in 45 will devlop your flinch as good as any.
 
A good .22 revolver would be a good starter gun, either S/A or D/A, some people find that they shoot more accurately with a revolver.
 
Between the Norinco or the Ruger, my vote would go for the Canadian friendly GP100

Ruger%20GP100%204.2%20Inch%20Barrel.jpg
 
A 1911 in 22cal would be great. It feels like a big gun, low recoil, accurate, cheap to shoot. I fired my buddies at the range this summer...I wished that I would of had it for a fiirst gun.
As for "wheel" guns... go for it. Like the others have said,..38 is cheap to shoot and it gives you a little different experience. You will soon find out wich you like better.....I like them both. A 357 has incredible distance and power ...somthing to look at later mabey. Go to the range...try some other hand guns...ya never know what you might like.;)
 
Gonna echo the GP100! Nice, substantial revolver. Tough. Dependable. Great price. And yeah, .38 Special is pretty cheap to shoot. If you ever start reloading ammo it's much nicer just dumping your empties into a bag instead of chasing them all over the floor (a la me shooting .45).
 
thats the route i went with also. bought a Taurus 66 and that step took me to learning how to reload .357 lol and now i am waiting for the NP29. Either way you will probably both types of guns in a near future :D
 
Great choice. A Model 10 S&W 38spl was my first handgun. In your case, a more versatile and likely desirable for resale would be a 357 with adjustable sights. If that's what you think you'd like, go for it. I still have mine, and many more. You will certainly want to budget for both time and money on reloading.
 
My first handgun is a wonderful S&W 66 in .357 Mag purchased at a gun show in Qc for $300. You can find good deals looking for any of the used ones on various websites.

As for the GP-100. For brand new you can find it for around $600 and I recommend it as well. A friend of mine has one.

Also as a note, even with heavy grain .357 loads it still does not have as much "kick/muzzle climb" I find as compared to even a 9mm. Might have something to do with the amount of moving parts in the semi-autos.

If I am wrong with my last comment anyone feel free to correct me.
 
Sparq, if you want a revolver as your first handgun over a semi then go for it. Nothing at all says that your first handgun will be your ONLY or LAST handgun.

Having shot a couple of Ruger GP100's belonging to shooting buddys and having a Super Redhawk in .44Mag as well as a "few" S&W's my own choice would be to go with a used 686 or 586 S&W over the Ruger. Or if you know you'll be shooting 99% .38Spl with a few cylinders of Magnum tossed in here and there for giggles then a nice used Model 19 would be high on my suggestion list. I just find that I prefer the S&W triggers over the Ruger triggers for feel and better control.
 
nada said:
however if you feel the need to go big a norc 1911 in 45 will devlop your flinch as good as any.
Click to expand...

A 1911 in .45 does not have a painful amount of recoil. I started shooting handgun with a .45 (not a 1911 mind you) and never developed a flinch. If it hurts you in any way when shooting, you may develop a flinch. If it doesn't hurt you at all, I wouldn't worry about it. I found the same to be true for rifles. Start with a mild cal and it's no problem. Skip straight to grandpa's .303 sporterized enfield with a brass butt plate, not such a good idea.
 
Hmmm, lots to think about here, thanks for the input everyone (even the Glock guys ;) ). It certainly won't be the last handgun I ever buy, but it'll probably be a while before #2 comes along so versatility and an affordable caliber are both high on the priority list.
 
Try Sport Action on St Laurent. The have handguns in stock. I was looking at an m&p 9 last week .Also Gunco and the shooting range in Stittsville can help.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom