Advice on first handgun

Thanks for the advice Karl. I'm currently looking for a Ruger SP 101 or GP 100 in .357. Great prices, especially on the used market, and from what I've heard they take a licking and keep on ticking.

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"A sharp mind is just as important as a sharp knife."
 
Ooooo, Rugers!

LOVE the GP100. Not so crazy about the SP101, but it ought to be great in .357. Try the DA stroke on it before buying, as I've heard it tends to "short stroke" if you aren't used to it. Make sure it is to your liking.

My favorite Ruger was the Speed Six.

I'd love to have a custom 5" Redhawk in .45 Colt with an ACP extra cylinder. Maybe someday...

Karl
 
Amen to Joe Talmadge! Excellent advice! That's almost exactly what I was going to say. It's all about progression - get VERY good with a .22, move up to a .357 and get good with that (with .38 loads of course), THEN if you still want to, move up to a larger caliber combat auto.

Here are my recommendations:
for the revolver - Taurus or Ruger
for the auto - glock, sig, H&K

I have a Taurus .357 with a 4" barrel that I just love. I also have a H&K .40 usp. that is a sweet shooter.

Good luck! Whatever you choose - practice is the key.
 
The Ruger SP 101 in .357 is the revolver which I got for my daughter to carry concealed. Two things to remember: first, it is designed for the 125 gr. bullet (heavier bullets may tend to pull out of the case due to the recoil of the gun). Second, these kick like crazy with full power .357 loads. I had my daughter's Mag-Na-Ported to reduce muzzle flip. Use shooting gloves.

Another choice is the S&W M 625. It takes the economical .45 ACP, and is the only box stock .45 ACP revolver able to shoot the .45 Super (exterior dimensions the same as .45 ACP, but higher working pressure), which would be a good self defense load. It is the N framed S&W, however, and is somewhat difficult to conceal.

Walt
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Safety Guy:
I would steer away from the lightweight frame materials and the porting. Unless you are experienced, the lightweights might be too much and the porting will probably increase the noise a little bit.</font>
Click to expand...

Let me respectfully offer a differing opinion about porting.

With good ear protection the noise shouldn't be an issue. On the other hand, porting makes an enormous difference to recoil and muzzle flip. Beginners are those who benefit most from porting, although I think it's good for experienced shooters as well.

Lighter guns, such as the titanium models, do generate harsher recoil and muzzle flip. That is why I think good porting is most important on those models. Taurus has put a lot of effort into refining their factory porting to the point where even my wife's titanium snubbie Taurus 617T, which weighs only 19 oz, is easy to control with full .357 magnum loads.

--Bob Q
 
Having professional experience as a firearms instructor for over 13 years, I would advise towards a Glock 19 (9mm) or a Glock 23 (.40 S&W). The Glocks are easy to learn to shoot and easy to shoot well. They are easy to maintain and to repair if ever they should fail. They are light and easy to carry, meaning that you will most likely carry and have it with you when the chips are down. They are accurate and reliable above all else.

I have reservations about recommending any other handgun. Starting with a lesser caliber or different operating / trigger system will almost always make transition to anything else difficult at best.

A new shooter should be trained with that which he/she is intending to carry routinely. Learn the proper techniques for the weapons use and the characteristics of the weapon system right off the bat. Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. Train with someone who is qualified to teach and assess / correct your errors.

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It's not the pace of life that concerns me, It's the sudden stop at the end.
 
Find a firing range that rents guns hourly, and try out all the ones you are thinking of, maybe even some you aren't. Take a safety course, and practice!
 
CAN'T GO WRONG W/GLOCKS. I ALSO PREFER MY HK USP .45 AND MY SIG PRO (.40 S&W) SHOOTS GREAT! I UNDERSTAND YOUR FINANCIAL LIMITS BUT, WHEN IT COMES TO FIREARMS LIKE GOOD SHOES YOU CAN'T GO CHEAP.

AS AN "OPERATOR" YOU ALSO HAVE TO REALIZE GUNS ARE TOOLS, YOU HAVE TO SELECT THE RIGHT TOOLS TO COMPLETE YOR MISSION.

AS FOR ME I FOLLOW THE "RULE OF TWO" AND TRY CARRY TWO GUNS AND AT LEAST TWO KNIVES. BEEN A COP FOR OVER 16 YEARS...JUST MY 2CENTS WORTH, J.T.

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"THAT WHICH DOES NOT KILL YOU, MAKES YOU STRONGER!!!" -NIETZSCHE
"MY BRAND OF JUSTICE DOES NOT COME FROM A BOOK OF LAW. IT'S ALWAYS RIGHT, SOMETIMES IT'S LEGAL." -VIGILANTE
 
I just wanted to thank everyone for the advice. I know what you mean when you say that you get what you pay for Punisher. I also agree that Glocks are easy to use sgtmike. I've used a few models before, and like I said before, the only one I didn't like was a subcompact model. I'm just going to keep looking for that right gun(s), and for someone that could teach me how to use it correctly.

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"A sharp mind is just as important as a sharp knife."
 
I would have to tell you to go to an indoor range and maybe rent a couple, just to see how comfortable you are with them. The GLOCK 17, 22, or 21 would be my preference. The Sig P220 is a very reliable, and accurate gun. If you have found one for $400 in good condition, get it.
 
I would have to admit the Glocks are great guns. I have the G19, and (of course) want more. It wouldn't be a bad choice.

Bob Quinlan had an excellent counterpoint to my previous post about porting and ltwt. frames. I have to admit I've never tried any of the ported guns in any form. My advice was based mainly on "keeping it simple," which generally serves well, especially in an environment filled with new and sometimes unproven products.

For example, amongst all the exotic and hi-performance ammo available in 9mm, I "simply" use Federal 9BP, which ain't the "top rated" stuff from Marshall/Sanow and who knows who else, but has been on the market for a long time and has a pretty good rep. It is also cheap enough for a poor guy like me to shoot in a new gun and keep in practice with my G19 and my Browning HP.

Since extremefishin has had previous handgun and long gun experience, he might be a little more able to judge the advantages that better technology could give him.

Someday I'll probably get a ported gun, but close retention position shooting practice might be a little tricky! (It might work okay with an outside cant, which I do anyway to clear autos' slides from hitting body or catching clothing and revolvers' hammers from the same.)

Anyone do close combat style shooting with ported guns? Your experiences?

Karl
 
Well,

if it was me I would go for the Glock 17. I´ve tried a .22 but it was too boring. I had no trouble hitting the A-zone with the Glock.

But then I´ve been shooting long guns since I was six years old (started with a russian Daisy type of gun). Trigger control is imperative.

Other than that my experience it that you have to find the inner room within yourself. You will not flinch if you find it. I don´t know how to explain it but I´m sure some people here know what I mean. Go for the 9mm or .45 from the start.

I have to agree with sgtmike88, you shouldn´t switch guns. It might get you confused in a stressful situation.

/Colinz
 
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