Vanity - Advice on which handgun to buy

[PAR35]

Lessons first, then buy.

See if the place where you take your lessons will let you try with a variety of revolvers and semis.

Figure out what you want it for - plinking, rodent control, home defense, self defense?

Ignore anyone who will recommend a specific tool without knowing what you need it for, what you look like, etc.

[Pollster1]

I doubt that you’ll get much handgun advice here on FR. Hardly any people have opinions on that question. Still, those with experience will need more information.

Why do you want a pistol, and what’s your budget like? The right handgun for concealed carry is different from the right handgun for plinking, for target practice, for competition shooting, or for living out your Dirty Harry fantasies.

How big/old are you? I like shooting a .45, but some people find that to be too much gun. I like knowing that if it’s not enough gun, nothing would be.

How comfortable are you with your attention to detail. Along with many other people, I like a Glock - it shoots when you pull the trigger. A whole lot of people are uneasy about the Glock - it shoots when you pull the trigger. If you might get careless or clumsy, a Glock is a shockingly terrible choice. If someone careless might handle it. with or without your permission, get something with a good safety. I’m happy with the Glock safety, which is mostly safe handling.

The 9 mm Glock 17 is excellent if you want something reliable and don’t have safety concerns.

The .50 cal S&W500 is excellent if you don’t mind a whole lot of weight, a whole lot of kick, a whole lot of noise, and a major overpenetration risk. “Dirty Harry” Callahan would love one.

The Super Carry .45 ACP Kimber 1911 is an excellent fairly large pistol for daily carry, while their Solo Carry is a great, very small 9mm.

The 22LR Smith & Wesson 41 is an excellent introductory target pistol.

[Travis McGee]

If you are set upon a semi-auto pistol as your first handgun, consider a Springfield XD 9mm. It's my carry gun. Pretty much runs like a Glock with a few improvements (IMHO).

Look at the back of the grip, it has a grip safety like a Colt 1911. This means it won't go bang unless it's being gripped. Glocks sometimes go BANG by surprise.

Also, it has a cocked-striker indicator (the little protruding pin on the back of the slide) that tells you if the striker is cocked or not. If the pin is not back, the gun cannot be loaded. You can both feel (in pitch dark) and see this cocked striker indicator, even when it's holster. The Xd also has a loaded chamber indicator.

Not being sure of the chamber status is a big bugaboo with pistols, especially the Glock, because if the trigger is pushed back, even by a loose pen in a gym bag etc, it WILL go BANG. An Xd will not. There are far more negligent discharges with a Glock than almost any other gun. ESPECIALLY for newbies.

Like I said up thread, a GLOCK for a first gun is like learning to drive on a stick shift sportscar. At least the Xd has some features that are lacking on a GLOCK.

Now Glock fans will dismiss all I just said, but they are coming at it as experienced pistol shooters, like somebody who has already mastered driving a hot sports car. But that is not you at this point.

Me, I'd buy a good revolver first. But if you do buy a pistol, check out the Xds.

[QBFimi]

>> Buy at least a .40 cal...if not a .45cal ...

This is sometimes called the “mine is bigger than yours” syndrome. If you follow that path, and don’t like shooting it, you may end up trading it in for something more comfortable to shoot. .380 auto or 9mm is fine. (Or 38 special in a revolver.) In a defensive situation, placement of the first shot is far more important than caliber. This only comes from practice. Lotsa practice.

I’ve seen women walk out of gunstores (and bring to classes) firearms that they couldn’t even rack the slide.

[Travis McGee]

Amen. There is no better way to make a newbie hate shooting than to start them on too much caliber. With today’s modern defensive bullets, 9mm is plenty. It’s what I carry, and one reason is I know my wife can also pick it up and shoot it effectively without flinching or being afraid to pull the trigger.

[Ken H]

I like the simplicity and effectiveness of a 357.

[Delta 21]

Get more ammo that you ever think you will need .

[MileHi]

You should listen to TMs advice

[BCW]

That’s why you train - and train often...in the state police academy we were all issued the same handgun...they learned to rack it — same can be said for the 45 cal...you have to impress in the shooter to get it to work...training...being a flower doesn’t mess well with the idea of buying and using a handgun for protection...it’s one or the other...same idea was told by me when training female solders on both the rifle and pistol ranges...very few at the beginning limp wristed the weapon and all made the mental note to get with the program....there has to be a minimal limit on caliber...then all other elements can be adjusted...like single stack vs double - length of barrel - ect...my initial speech to females or anyone for that matter is about surviving the initial engagement - and placing a round center mass may be harder on the first shot...where again , like you said...training and practice — is the only solution...

[Flintlock]

Get a .38 revolver.
Then learn how to shoot.

[WayneS]

If you want a nice large caliber semi-auto handgun to learn and practice with, you cannot go wrong with the venerable 1911 .45

It is stone-reliable, easy to disassemble and clean, relatively accurate, ammunition for it is easy to obtain and relatively inexpensive, and its ergonomics are excellent to perfect for about 95% of the human hands on the planet. Also, in my opinion, it is one of the most visually appealing firearms ever made.

It is a fine weapon. It’s potential downsides are that it doesn’t hold as many rounds as modern semi-autos, it’s a bit heavy for some people’s taste, and it can be a challenge to conceal carry one (they are fairly large).

Another excellent semi-auto for learning and practicing is the Ruger 22/45. It’s based on their “Mark” series of .22 long rifle pistols. It is less expensive to buy and way less expensive to shoot. Its small caliber makes it less than ideal as a carry weapon, though.

Of course, you could always get the Ruger first, just to “make sure” you really do enjoy shooting (don;t worry, there’s a 99.9% chance you will) and THEN buy a 1911 as a reward for learning to shoot safely.

That way you end up with two guns - and owning two guns is twice as good as only owning one.

;-)

[Travis McGee]

Get a .38 revolver. Then learn how to shoot.

Great advice.

[Scutter]

I agree with the advice here about taking the lessons first, renting and trying out a number of models, etc. Please ignore the people telling you that you have to buy a ,40 caliber or 45ACP. The prevailing wisdom these days is that no caliber is a guaranteed single-shot “man-stopper”, and that it is more important that you are accurate and able to control the weapon and place multiple shots on target. As a result, some police departments are abandoning their 40’cal weapons and switching to 9mm.

Personally I like 9mm, and 45ACP is ok in a larger (heavier) pistol. But again, try different weapons and caibers at the range, as that is a factor in felt recoil.

regarding the models you listed, I would lean more towards a compact (ie Glock G19) over a subcompact like the G26. I’ve owned both, and the G19 is my everyday carry weapon, I don’t find a significant benefit in concealability of the G26, and you have the downsides of ackward grip, more felt recoil, and lower magazine capacity. A single-stack 9mm is another story, however. I have a S&W Shield that I love and that I carry when I can’t conceal the Glock.

[central_va]

If you do not currently own any weapons now your first purchase should be a shotgun. That is the best defensive weapon ever invented.

[BCW]

“newbie hate shooting than to start them on too much caliber”

I don’t approach that way - I approach it by asking if they want to survive. It’s not about a few grains of powder and scaring them - it’s about controlling the weapon and having the confidence in killing the target. I’ve trained 100’s of people - and lot of women for combat...and they all succeeded and didn’t cry about one bullet being too damn big and they were just going to quit shooting form that point on...you and the other poster make alot of assumption here...it’s about telling them what to expect - preparing them - and let them make the decision to get with the program or be a victim...so - yes, start off with a minimum of .40 cal and go from there...9mm or 380 cal is waste! They have been proven over and over not to be human stoppers...compared to the .45! Anyone I’ve trained I’ve impressed that into them - all else follows suit. Maybe you should re-evaluate how you approach “newbies” and their hate for shooting...

[samtheman]

Get a .38 revolver. Then learn how to shoot.

I agree.

It's a great gun to learn on.

[WayneS]

Or ask a trusted friend who is a responsible ‘gun nut’ to take you shooting with several weapons. Offer to buy a couple of boxes of ammo and I doubt you will be turned down.

No gun owner I know would pass up a chance to introduce someone to the sport (and of course ‘show off’ their own collection).

Although, if you do visit a range and rent a couple of different weapons, I will bet than when the other folks at the range find out you are interested in learning you will get several offers to try out their weapons right then and there. Gun nuts tend towards enthusiasm for their sport as well as generosity and gregariousness. Yo ight find it hard to get away.

[buffaloguy]

A .38 revolver would work quite well for you.

Most pistols never see their 1000th round. People shoot a few rounds and think that’s good enough.

.38 revolvers are one of the well known fun guns. You can do a lot with them that cannot be done with a semi.

[circlecity]

What is the primary purpose you intend with the handgun? As others have noted above, this is the major factor to consider in which to purchase. If concealed carry is your intent then I personally prefer a snub nose revolver loaded with .38 +p rounds. For a semi-auto I like 9mm. (but for CC I just prefer the reliability of a revolver.) I find I am more accurate with these in a sub compact size than the larger calibers, especially with regard to reacquiring a target after a previous shot. If I were carring as a sidearm without concern for concealment then I would go for a .357 revolver or .45 semi in a larger frame model. You can’t beat the extra stopping power. With regard to brands, Springfield, Sig-Saur, Ruger, Glock, S&W are all fine brands and each has its devotees. You really can’t go wrong and spending plenty of time at the range is more important than whatever pros or cons anyone may have with the brands. What I mean is, if you practice regularly then any of these brands will serve you well. Colt is a fine firearm but tend to be quite pricey and I personally don’t think the name is worth the extra cost.

[WayneS]

On second thought, I’m going to agree with Travis and MileHi.

There are many fine revolvers out there and learning to shoot on one of them would be a good idea.