Rossi .357/.38. Simple to use and maintain. Affordable at $352 MSRP. Exceptional quality. Rossi bought the Smith and Wesson factory in Brazil and hired all of the employees.
IBTZ
Start with a revolver, a .38 would be fine. They are far simpler and easier to learn to shoot.
I would recommend a .22 or a 9mm gun. My dad has a Beretta 9mm, and my mom and girlfriend both have 9mm Glocks. Personally, I’m looking at a Sig Sauer P226, as Sig offers conversion kits to .22 ammunition (so target practice is cheaper); I don’t know if other companies do that though.
For a complete novice, the usual recommendation is a revolver for simplicity/reliability. On a misfire, you just pull the trigger again instead of clearing like an automatic.
If you want a compact handgun, stay away from the magnums and go .38 special, or if you can handle something bigger, .44 special. Try before you buy (rent at range).
If you’re after something for home defense, I’d recommend a 12-gauge shotgun instead of a pistol for most folks. Use #4 buckshot to limit overpenetration.
Hope it helped...
Forgot one thing, get a quality gun from S&W, Colt or another top-tier company. Don’t cheap out on something on which your life might depend.
A basic revolver (that fits your hand)is hard to beat. A .357 caliber will also shoot .38, so it’s versatile. Smith & Wesson, Ruger and Taurus make some nice stuff. Check out the Ruger SP-101 (small) and GP-100 (medium) models in 3-4 inch barrel lengths.
Welcome to FR.
Can’t recall anyone who wanted to talk about guns on their first post/day.
12 gauge and a revolver
Rossi .357/.38. Simple to use and maintain. Affordable at $352 MSRP. Exceptional quality. Rossi bought the Smith and Wesson factory in Brazil and hired all of the employees.
Forgot to say, I own the Rossi model shown and carry it often.
Proficiency comes with practice, and I would also reccommend training.
Keep it simple to start. Go to a gun shop, look at the firearms there, see what is comfortable for you, before you decide. If possible get to shoot firearms you are considering to get a feel for what is right for you.
The grip should be comfortable, and the pistol should 'point' naturally. Despite reccommendations, do not get hung up on a particular brand (I would avoid ones which are noted for problems), but get what is right for you. I would keep in mind that defensive power increases considerably as the caliber increases, and most consider .38, .357, and 9mm to be the minimum.
“Welcome to FR”.
My wife likes her Glock 19. My son likes his, too. They also enjoy .38 and .357 revolvers. However, for self defense, they prefer the Glocks.
For me, I like the reliability of my 1911A1 .45 cal semi automatics, with simple ball ammo and Chip McCormick 8-shot mags (for the crooks that can count).
The best advice...go to a couple of gun stores, pick up the choices, feel them in your hand. You want one that feels solid in your grip, fills the hand but doesn’t require extraordinary effort to hold or control. I would stick with lighter calibers, initially...probably no larger than 9mm.
Get educated. Ask the folks at the gun stores. I’ve found them to be very willing to spend time with new shooters, answering questions and providing advice. Keep in mind, too, that not everyone agrees on everything in the shooting world.
So, final advice...try out as many different types and sizes of handguns as you can. You will quickly get a ‘feel’ for what fits you and your abilities.
And yes, for home double barrel 12 Gage. We have one (old side by side)and sawed it off, per the legal limit for Texas and wah la, a great gun.
Be sure to visit this web site for buckshot for your shotgun, useful info.
http://www.starsandstripesammo.com/education/about_buckshot.pdf
Get in this order:
1, Lessons at an organized range from someone who will teach you how to shoot right
2, Good defensive ammunition
3, A Glock
Get a Ruger SR9 ( 9mm) semi-auto . Great price , Great grip, Made in America, Lifetime warranty , and built like a tank . Good for carry also .
This is exactly what I was going to post today.
I am going to a gun store this week to buy a handgun.
I already have a Mossberg 20-guage shotgun but want a handgun.
I see most people are recommending revolvers. Yesterday on a reply I mentioned that I was going to get a concealed carry permit and then someone replied to my reply saying don’t do it, that it merely puts me on record with potential gun-grabbers.
However I live in Texas and that is not too likely right now.
Also I see a lot of people are recommending Glocks. I have two women friends who have Glocks.
My brother keeps telling me to get a .38 revolver. Well, whatever is simplest is best for me, I think. I am an amateur at this.
This is what I always tell anyone looking for a gun. FWIW. This is in addition to the excellent comments made previously.
1. Before you plop down any cash, go to a store, and do some research. Buying a gun is like buying a car or a set of golf clubs. *YOU* have to find the BEST fit for YOUR HAND. Pick up a few, heft them, see if it is comfortable in your hand and you like the grip. Can you grip it quickly and easily? Does it have a smooth feel to you?
2. Line up the sights at a target. Be sure you are not pointing it at anyone! Can you get on the target swiftly and compfortably? If the gun is right to you, you should be able to line up on a target quickly, with no fidgeting or excess movement. If you can’t, find another one. After all, your life may depend on this ability.
3. Get something ubiquitous. While the Glock Automatic Pistol is cool, rounds are hard to come by. Find a weapon you can get ammo for in Walmart, and not at a gun shop. Good choices are .45 and .357
4. Make sure you get something that has knockdown power. The 9mm is great, but law enforcement teach you to double tap with this round because it is so small. You want to be able to neutralize, not wound.
5. After you find what you like, PLEASE get training from a licensed firearms instructor. It is like golf again, perfect practice makes perfect shooting.
6. MOLON LABE!:)
Let me know what you get. Always glad to meet another well-armed citizen.:)