Please forgive me for not responding to everyone, and for responding to quotes out of order.
3)Always know what is behind your target.
4) Handle every gun as if it were loaded, and be sure by checking the chamber whether it is or isn't.
Just remember the 4 rules of gun safety:
1. Treat every gun as if it were loaded.
2. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire.
3. Don't cover (point at) anything with your muzzle that you're not willing to destroy/pay for.
4. Be sure of your target and what's beyond it.
Pretty self explanatory if all else fails see rule #1
Cheers for this. I do believe in practicing safety. Sometimes one mistake is all it takes to bring upon something that cannot be undone, and I would rather much avoid this.
Beyond that, you really need to get to the range and try a few different firearms to see which suits you better.
Since you have no experience I would recommend looking around for a local firearms safety and training class. Besides the obvious safety training you receive you will be taught how to shoot and hopefully allowed to shoot various calibers and firearms, which may help you in your choice of firearm.
Go and learn to shoot properly first. Seriously. Then decide what is best for you in terms of practicality, preference, size, caliber, price. That will narrow down your options to the point that the choice will be obvious.
Oh, and take lessons at a place you can rent guns, where in the class you get to shoot all of the other guns from the other students. That helps get your feet wet with different platforms.
Find an NRA instructor that teaches the Basic Pistol class. They will have lots of guns in the class. You will learn what fits your hand and not just what looks cool or what someone else recommends. The instructor will be able to show you all the workings of each.... pros and cons.... advice is what you pay for it. Nothing beats experience.
After reading these suggestions, I do feel this would be the best thing to do at this moment in time. This is not something I want to rush through. When I was in the gunshop a while back, it was in my mind that I could start the process in purchasing my first firearm..but then I thought why? I've no experience and didn't want to make the mistake of purchasing something I wouldn't like.
A training class sounds just like what I need. I can go into to the class at least with the key safety points mentioned here in the thread, as well as a first hand learning experience. I'll see if I can find some listings (found one earlier today) and make some calls tomorrow to inquire about these classes.
Do you know anyone who shoots and has some guns they can shoot with/teach you about? I mean, you are in Texas, right? There may also be a local internet shooter's forum you could check out for resources.
Texas...doesn't everyone there own guns?!
Ask your neighbor.
The only person in my family that owns a gun is my cousin that said he'd take me shooting sometime later. Before he passed, my grandfather was the only other person that I knew of in my family with a small collection. His was of revolvers and rifles. He was a big John Wayne fan. As far as I could remember he never went shooting with his firearms, he always had them displayed.
I tried talking to a Texas Highway Patrol Trooper who I know for some advice. He told me to go to a local gunshop and ask them and they'd help me out.
My standard suggestion for a first handgun is a .38 Special revolver with a 4" barrel. Completely adequate for target, plinking and self defense and you'd be hard pressed to find a safer, simpler platform on which to learn and practice the fundmentals of fireams handling and use.
Revolvers are slow to reload and hard to shoot accurately in DA for inexperienced shooters. I would not suggest one to a new shooter that may only want one handgun that needs to do everything. While a defensive shooting scenario in the streets is usually 2 rounds and less than 5 seconds, home invasion scenarios are much different. An auto that is quick to load and holds 16 rounds of an proven caliber with night sights is (IMHO) a better idea than a 5 or 6 shot wheelgun. It takes a lot of practice to get over the trigger jerk when you're scared. A heavy DA trigger will only compound this problem for a new shooter.
While I cannot say I dislike revolvers or will not like the way they shoot (I've never fired one), I would prefer a semi-auto at the very least for reloading. Of course, there's only one way to truly know and I'll give it a chance if I'm able in the training class or at the range.
I suggest a Glock 19. It's small enough to conceal with a good holster, yet is still in the arena of a fullsized combat handgun.
All of the guns you mentioned are terrible choices for your first/only pistol. The only even acceptable choice would be the 26 with a pinkie extension.
I would look at a Glock 17/19 or a full size Springfield XD/XDM. You really need to get a full size gun and get experienced with it before you get a small carry gun... ...that's my opinion anyway. You should be able to find a used 17, 19 or XD for around $400.
There is a method to the madness (right or wrong that it may be) in looking at the subcompacts and .380 choices. To be honest I'm not that big of a guy. On a lucky day I might reach 5'5" and am medium build. I felt that a smaller arm would be better for concealment. But this is also something I believe I can try when I do go to training and hopefully range, or shooting with my cousin.
I do want to thank you all. :thumbup: I'm really surprised, and very appreciative, at all of the responses. There is so much to take in but I'm looking forward to learning.
