Best first gun to own? Need advice!

[bonillamktg]

I am ashamed to say that I am 30 years old and do not own a gun. I grew up in a house without guns and never really thought about it until recently (as I started a drastic shift from being politically agnostic to a staunch conservative Constitutionalist) and now I am a new homeowner and new father and every day I think about needing to get multiple firearms. I need to start somewhere but, other than getting recommendations from a few friends I respect, I am a bit lost, having never fired a handgun before (I've shot several rifles and shotguns before).

My question is: What recommendation would you give me as the first gun I should own? I want this first gun to be easily carried concealed (I plan on getting my concealed carry permit ASAP), a good weapon for protection of my home, easily usable by my wife (who has never shot a gun in her life), and ideally, I'd like to get armed for $300-400.

[Who is John Galt?]

best suggestion is to go to your local gun range/ shop, and put your hands around a bunch of them, find out what’s comfortable in your hands, then rent those and find out what’s comfortable and not over complicated or expensive to shoot.

Bingo!

;>)

[Red in Blue PA]

One other thought I heard expressed is that a lot of people don’t really know what they want and maybe go through the process of buying one and trying it out and then reselling it and getting something else.

Agree 100%. My first gun, a Ruger P-95, now sits under my bed. Good gun, but not outstanding in any way. Live and learn.

[Red in Blue PA]

But I would look at the Kimber Carry’s...nice variety and well designed. They have a real small 45 which will drop most in their tracks but it will kick.

The recoil is not that bad on the Ultra. I have one and honestly have felt much worse recoil on much smaller calibers.

[Red in Blue PA]

1911s arent reliable enough for me in terms of function.

Unless you shoot 2000 rounds between cleanings, I highly doubt your statement could be true for any quality 1911.

[SkyPilot]

This one is pretty good.

Watch out for snipers though, and run a lot.

[HiramQuick]

I can carry a 1911 in a smart carry ... in a pair of shorts and tucked in golf shirt. No one has the slightes idea.

I did ... until I lost a few pounds around the gut. The beavertail/hammer (I carry cond 1) has a tendencey to poke into a roll of fat .. once that was gone, no problem

[HiramQuick]

That is the FIRST time I have ever heard anybody say that.

I have been shooting 1911’s for 35 years ... own 9 of them from original issue to a of pair matched set accurized competition pieces. 8 of them colts, one a Taurus. I shoot almost every week, every year. Never had a reliabiltiy problem

Incidentally the Taurus shot as accutately out of the box brand new, as my matched set.

[surfer]

Great weapon...the Ultra II has some kick to it.

[glock rocks]

Get a used SIG P2009. Double action on first shot, easy clean, very accurate, double stack mags hold 10 rounds of 9mm (cheap/common ammo), reliable, safe, did I mention very accurate.

[karnage]

Buy any good gun.
Then buy some more.

[Shooter 2.5]

Go to a International Defensive Pistol Asssociation shooting match first. They will set you up with concealable choices, training and where to buy.

idpa.com

[glock rocks]

Go to a International Defensive Pistol Asssociation shooting match first. They will set you up with concealable choices, training and where to buy.

Couldn't agree more, Shooter!

Click!

[BillyA]

I always liked to recommend the AMX_13 French tank.

[Uri’el-2012]

Beginners should start with NRA Certified training

I would recommend training
from an NRA Certified Instructor in

Refuse to be a victim
NRA training for women
Basic pistol
Personal protection in the home
and the newly released
Personal protection outside the home

NRA Gun Safety Rules

Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction

Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot

Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use

[JillValentine]

I helped my boyfriend pick out his first gun a few months ago. He got a Smith & Wesson .38 revolver. There is no “perfect gun” for everyone, or even a “perfect first gun.” I prefer semi-autos over revolvers any day of the week, but my boyfriend found that he liked revolvers better. Try it out before buying. Find something both you and your wife are comfortable with.

[Armedanddangerous]

I shot the qualifier course laid out by the county sheriffs office here.

I was carrying a Kimber Gold Match and brought along a Colt Gold Cup. Both are expensive target pistols.

I shot four different types of ball over a 150 round course and both guns choked on all the ammo at different points.

The Kimber quit totally and I finished the course with the series 70 Gold Cup.

I investigated the problem like a detective, knocking off what the problems could be. I changed the recoil springs in both, but couldnt clear up the occasional problems with the $1,100 Gold Match.

The Colt works fine now, but really only with Wilson mags and remington ball.

I cant trust a gun to save my life that I cant rely on all the time. The worst time for a failure to go into battery is when youve just shot a goblin trying to climb into your bedroom window.

Neither my Glock 19, nor my P-99 has ever experienced any malfunction whatsoever.

Dont get me wrong, I was raised on Gunsite and Jeff Cooper. My second centerfire handgun was a remington rand ww2 1911. If I could get a Colt LW Commander to run well dont you believe I wouldnt carry it now instead of Uncle Gaston’s greatest invention or a five shot snubby.

Because I would.

[EveningStar]

As far as semi-autos go, do you have any specific recommendations?

[Clinging Bitterly]

I haven't read the thread and I'm sure you have plenty to digest among perhaps a flame or two, and lots of pretty pictures. Herewith are my thoughts to add, should you wish to draw some kind of consensus:

Disclaimer, I'm no guru, just an old guy who has seen some things and had some experiences.

I like things simple and that's a plus because it also usually means relatively inexpensive. But the budget numbers you put in the OP means you're gonna have to prioritize - because you want "home defense" and an easy to use and concealable handgun. IMO to meet those demands you need at minimum two pieces. With careful shopping you might be able to get both but it would surely be a challenge.

Your budget could afford a nice Mossberg 12Ga. pump gun new or an even better used one and that's a good choice for home defense plus some other purposes (you've read plenty about that by now I'm sure). Buckshot is often less than lethal but it's still almost always a good stopper.

For the handgun I think everyone should start with and always have a revolver of some kind. You'll have to decide the features you want and I wouldn't be afraid of any Ruger, S&W, or Taurus that came in the configuration you wanted. There should be lots of good used choices in your price range. I'd stick with something less than 25-30 years old to be sure it had the latest in safety features or, if an older model, research the model before purchase for correctable or uncorrectable deficiencies. With proper care (which is not at all difficult) a good revolver can give trouble free service for generations.

If you want to also use a revolver for defense inside the home, remember any magnum caliber will easily penetrate your walls and your neighbors. I personally knew a cop (and I have to believe ex-cop by now) and his neighbors who know about that first hand. When you come inside, reload with whichever non-mag caliber is appropriate for the piece.

And buy lots of ammo and have fun!

[Clinging Bitterly]

I haven't read the thread and I'm sure you have plenty to digest among perhaps a flame or two, and lots of pretty pictures. Herewith are my thoughts to add, should you wish to draw some kind of consensus:

Disclaimer, I'm no guru, just an old guy who has seen some things and had some experiences.

I like things simple and that's a plus because it also usually means relatively inexpensive. But the budget numbers you put in the OP means you're gonna have to prioritize - because you want "home defense" and an easy to use and concealable handgun. IMO to meet those demands you need at minimum two pieces. With careful shopping you might be able to get both but it would surely be a challenge.

Your budget could afford a nice Mossberg 12Ga. pump gun new or an even better used one and that's a good choice for home defense plus some other purposes (you've read plenty about that by now I'm sure). Buckshot is often less than lethal but it's still almost always a good stopper.

For the handgun I think everyone should start with and always have a revolver of some kind. You'll have to decide the features you want and I wouldn't be afraid of any Ruger, S&W, or Taurus that came in the configuration you wanted. There should be lots of good used choices in your price range. I'd stick with something less than 25-30 years old to be sure it had the latest in safety features or, if an older model, research the model before purchase for correctable or uncorrectable deficiencies. With proper care (which is not at all difficult) a good revolver can give trouble free service for generations.

If you want to also use a revolver for defense inside the home, remember any magnum caliber will easily penetrate your walls and your neighbors. I personally knew a cop (and I have to believe ex-cop by now) and his neighbors who know about that first hand. When you come inside, reload with whichever non-mag caliber is appropriate for the piece.

And buy lots of ammo and have fun!

[Clinging Bitterly]

...this is precisely how Glocks are carried.

Yep. Don't squeeze the trigger unless you want it to discharge in the general direction the muzzle is pointed.

Same rule applies with any other gun, it seems to me.

That said I must admit a Glock would be a poor choice for a pocket gun. Especially if you were drunk.