What's your hand gun of choice?
- Thread starter Tyguy35
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- your wife knows...
First, spend time at the range and ask there (this will normally result in everyone claiming the gun they brought is the best and they let you shoot it to prove it).
Beyond that look for something simple to shoot (so you can master the basics), lower recoil (goes to mastering the basics, you don't need a flinch) and inexpensive to shoot.
So look for a .22, a 9mm or a .38 revolver. Yep, a .22 isn't ###y. 9mm is the cheapest of the main calibres and is pretty good with the recoil. The .38 ammo is about the same price as the 9mm, but you can buy a .357 (now that is ###y) and do your early shooting with .38 ammo and then add in some .357 rounds later for some spice.
For the 9mm I would suggest the glock 17 or the S&W M&P9.
For a revolver the Ruger GP100 or S&W 686. Both are available with a 4.2" barrel which will work in most holsters for a 4" barrel, the wider holster selection for the 4" barrels (compared to any of the longer barrels) will help if you end up in any of the holster base shooting sports (IPSG or IDPA).
Double action pistols and the single action pistols are a little more complex in use, stay with a double action only or a striker fired action (such as the M&P or glock).
Whatever you think you want try and find at your range and see if the owner will let you put a couple of rounds down range (you wouldn't buy a car without a test drive) or handle it at a gun store (not as good as actually firing one, it like buying a car based on just sitting in the drivers seat).
Beyond that look for something simple to shoot (so you can master the basics), lower recoil (goes to mastering the basics, you don't need a flinch) and inexpensive to shoot.
So look for a .22, a 9mm or a .38 revolver. Yep, a .22 isn't ###y. 9mm is the cheapest of the main calibres and is pretty good with the recoil. The .38 ammo is about the same price as the 9mm, but you can buy a .357 (now that is ###y) and do your early shooting with .38 ammo and then add in some .357 rounds later for some spice.
For the 9mm I would suggest the glock 17 or the S&W M&P9.
For a revolver the Ruger GP100 or S&W 686. Both are available with a 4.2" barrel which will work in most holsters for a 4" barrel, the wider holster selection for the 4" barrels (compared to any of the longer barrels) will help if you end up in any of the holster base shooting sports (IPSG or IDPA).
Double action pistols and the single action pistols are a little more complex in use, stay with a double action only or a striker fired action (such as the M&P or glock).
Whatever you think you want try and find at your range and see if the owner will let you put a couple of rounds down range (you wouldn't buy a car without a test drive) or handle it at a gun store (not as good as actually firing one, it like buying a car based on just sitting in the drivers seat).
I'm another who has several "first choice" pistols. I like the full size 1911 pattern, N Frame Smiths, SAA-type, and a G21 managed to weasel its way into the rotation. Used to own a 9mm BHP, but it slipped away unfortunately.
