Posted on 06/19/2016 9:44:45 PM PDT by Silly
Hi, all, very excited I joined NRA with their EasyPayLife plan on Friday. Now I'm want to move forward.
As I select a handgun, I do plan to try different models at gun ranges and talk with close friends who shoot. I know in time I will find something that I really connect with.
And before I purchase, I will have lots of solid training and hopefully some sort of certification(s) under my belt (suggest a few if you think of them).
Meanwhile, I would appreciate suggestions. I want a model that is classic, easy to care for, good power, and doesn't cost a fortune. It is a one-time purchase, so I won't buy the cheapest thing out there, but I have to watch my money. I will be putting away money each month to build up my firearm savings account so when I'm ready to buy I can do so. And I'd like a model that doesn't require high-priced ammo.
(FYI, I will likely not be able to keep the firearm in my apartment (still checking laws), as I live in Manhattan. So I will find a safe place for the gun outside the city limits to store it (Westchester, Long Island, New Jersey) where I can travel to easily and quickly to train. Just thought I should throw that piece of info in there.)
Mostly now, I'd like suggestions on models and why they should be considered. I'll Google them and really appreciate your help.
Thanks to all who are jumping in with good advice. I need to sleep so will say goodnight and check in tomorrow night.
Sorry if I ranted at the one person but I didn’t appreciate the implication.
You all are great, which is why I’m coming here for advice. Lots to learn and I look forward to doing that with you all.
Good night from NYC,
Silly
CZs are great, as are Sigs and HKs. Those are my serious pistols which are are DA/SA. My range toys are 1911s.
Not just for target practice; will start that way, but I want self-defense in real-life situations.
If/when I live in a place where ccw is legal, I would definitely want that.
I have little time behind a handgun. I want to change that. At first, since I live in Manhattan, I will need to do my training out of the City (but very accessible, greater metro area). Long term, I want every level of training, licensing, and even certification I can get, all in the pursuit of the most responsible ownership I can achieve.
I own one and I love it. Bought mine about a year ago and can’t say enough good things about it. Mine was Romanian army surplus.
C
I think for a first timer a revolver like a Smith and Wesson J Frame(short barrel two inch) or a Ruger LCR in 38 special(adequate power) would be a good start if you intend to conceal carry. Otherwise a three or four inch barrel in 38 special would be fine for home self defense. You can shoot soft recoiling loads and up the power later. Revolvers are 99.9% dependable. You can put them in a dry cool desk drawer for twenty years, never touch them, pick them up and fire them.
A 22lr revolver(same brands) would be good choice to learn with to develop good habits and shooting techniques. Buy both if you can. Go out and shoot regularly.
Eventually when you become more savvy about handling handguns, semi automatic pistols like Glocks(my first choice because of dependability), Smith and Wesson, Ruger, Beretta, Colt and Kahr all have good models to offer. The most popular pistol caliber is 9mm and 380 for self defense in conceal carry. The larger the caliber and brass shell casing the more knockdown power, and recoil.
Now if you have good help from a shooter whether it is a friend or shooting instructor, you could master a semi-automatic pistol with a bit of effort.
You might end up like me and wish you had eight arms like a octopus so you could shoot that many pistols or revolvers at one time. It is a lot of fun.
I really am learning a lot, thank you very much!
So many to choose from.
I’d recommend one of each.
I’d also recommend starting with a Glock 9mm. It is perhaps the single most common, and popular with law enforcement and the military, for good reasons and after long analysis.
I have friends who join the NRA because they are conservative and believe in the Second Amendment. They don’t own guns. Beats me.
Nah, I still think you’re a troll.
I just can’t figure out what your goal is - you don’t add up at all. Of course, you don’t realize that, but that’s typical too.
Whatever.
By the way, learning safe shooting and safe handling of firearms is the most important thing. Good luck.
A revolver is not your normal CCW gun unless you go with a 5 shot snub nose small frame which is okay for close encounters but that’s about all. As you explore and experiment you might find that one gun does not fit all occasions. that is why many gun owners own several for different occasions and applications. Guns are like tools to a mechanic, one wrench does not fit all unless you only have one nut to turn in the same location. Take your time and explore all the possibilities.
“...as are Sigs and HKs.”
Yes! Either of those are my primary. Lately I’ve been preferring the HK.
“Or a Ruger LCR in 38 special”
That’s my backup or if I want to go light. Excellent trigger on that pistol! The Crimson Trace addition helps while laying on one’s side or for longer distances.
Ruger GP-100 (.357 mag). You won’t regret it.
“Ruger GP-100 (.357 mag). You won’t regret it.”
Absolutely true statement! The thing is bomb proof! Handles very hot loads. Not easy to CC though.
.”357 is an excellent caliber and you can use .38 special for practice”
Good advice.
The S&W model 66 with a 4-1/4” barrel or if a smaller size is wanted a Ruger SP101 3”.
A good quality double action revolver (Smith & Wesson, Ruger) in .357 is the very best choice anyone new to firearms can make. Stainless steel is icing on the cake.
I know semi autos are all the rage right now, but a revolver is much easier to learn with, more trouble free, and much more safe to handle until you have a fair amount of range time under your belt.
You will achieve proficiency much sooner, and if you can’t get all the range time in you would like, you will be both safer and a better shot.
The army and the police have moved to semi-autos, but you are not army and are not police. You have to pay for your own ammunition, and training is done on your own time and at your own cost.
* * * * *
The greatest virtue any gun can have is that it will go bang! every time I want it to. All other attributes are lower in priority. In handguns, a revolver is that weapon.
Keltec makes some of the most innovative designs available in modern firearms.
That said, I wouldn’t go to war with one, but for the occasional shooter they’re plenty good enough up to and including CCW applications.
Bear in mind, all their firearms are only rated for 6k rounds of service by the manufacturer. They might go longer with acceptable dependability, but they might not.
Signed Sauer for the win. Not cheap, but you can bet your life on one. As for caliber, it’s the biggest one you handle with accuracy. Shot placement counts. Train.
Oops! forgot those two.
Lasers do give you the option of firing from a position that gives you good cover. Got to get some more.
LCRs have a nice long smooth double action trigger and should be helpful in preventing an accidental firing under a stressful situation.
As you know stress changes everything and only a lot of practice and good training can overcome that.
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