Kinda OT...Begginer's handgun.

tbarahon

tbarahon

Joined
Mar 10, 2002
Messages
205
Hi there,

I have just decided to learn to shoot. I went to a shooting range near LAX airport in LA and took a beginners course. The first day I fired a Ruger Security Six, a Glock 17, a Beretta 92 and an H&K USP, all in 9mm Parabellum. The instructor recommended me to go back, buy a 200 round bag and tried some more guns. I went today and tried a Sig 226 and again the H&K UPS. I liked the Ruger, but on my first try, bullets went everywhere, though at least stay on the paper. The Glock did not do anything for me, and it shoot low and to the right…though it could be me. The Beretta felt good in my hand, and shoot great. :D That first day I fell in love with the H&K. I want to take it home and have a long and meaningful relation with her, and make her the gun in my life…at least until I tried the Sig 226 today. I loved how it felt, and the sights were very visible. :thumbup:
Now my question, which gun would you recommend? And what about training? I was thinking of getting the intermediate and advance courses in that range, and find a place where there are IDPA courses or something similar.
Thank you for your help.

Tbar

PS: Before I forget, I live in the Socialist Republic of South California… I know, I know, but is where I found a job :o . It is not that bad, just imagine, I was living in NJ before. Gun control there was even worst.
 
It sounds like the beretta suited you the best.
IF it feels good in the hand and shoots the way you want it to, then buy it and dont look back.
Of course, if you're like me, youll buy it, learn to strip it blindfolded, shoot it about 50 times and then trade it for some other gun and start the process all over again...
 
:) Yeah, I was afraid of that. I think that the gun virus, transmited with the smokeless powder is as bad as the Himalayan Import Virus. :D :D
 
The trick is to buy some used, ugly, 40-something magnum revolver and keep it loaded and safe for home defense.
Then for your "love-gun" go out and have fun with the USPs and Cougars, and whatever...
 
That is an option...but if were ever in the position of having to fire a 40 something magnum in my appartment, it would probably go through three or four units before hitting something solid...like a ship or something on the ocean five blocks away. I can hear my neighbour going to the toilet and tell if he used toilet paper or not.
I don't think I want to have a gun for self defense before I know how to use it properly. I do not think the " one shot a second. no holstering or unholstering on range" kinda training I am having now counts. Any recomendations on that?

Tbar
 
What felt the best? What did you shoot best with? Go with that. You will shoot it the best and that's what's important.

The rest of the stuff is academic. A good man with a 9mm scares me far more than a duffer with a .308. Find what fits, learn it well, and practice. The rest will take care of itself.
 
Thanks Satori. I was quite impresed today with the Sig. I am going to try it next week on.40SW and might even try a .45ACP depending on the results. Problably a 1911 at that.

Tbar
 
Tbar, it looks like you've narrowed your choices to the Beretta, H&K, and Sig. For what my advice is worth, I'd go ahead and take at least the intermediate course and see which of the three guns above meet your needs the best.

Nice to see another new handgunner BTW. A couple of months ago I went to a shooting range with my dad and younger bro. Glocks were the main rental offering, so we each rented one. Dad and bro rented 9mms while I opted for the .40 S&W (Satori had recommended the .40 caliber over the 9mm in a past thread). As far as accuracy went, I effectively pwned dad and bro with my .40, an especially sweet feat considering that I had forgotten to bring my glasses with me. The experience sold me on the Glock 22.

Bob
 
Yeah Big Bob, I think I will give a new try to the Glock. I think that the sights on my were wrong. It was easy to shot, but it did not talk to me.
:D I know how you felt. Today I was making ragged wholes at 30 feet with a big smile ear to ear.

Tbar
 
Bob, if you took to the Glock trigger that quickly you're well on your way to being an excellent pistolero - I mean that. It's a difficult trigger to manage. I'm glad that you pwned with it, although honestly, I would've picked a 9mm if I were shooting for record. :) If we can source a range, we may need to have a live fire exercise at the next MWKK...if Nasty's cool with it, of course. (I expect that he would be. ;) )

Tbarahon, my advice stands. Find the pistol that fits you. You want to try it in different calibers? (Excellent thinking.) Go ahead. When you find the one that you can shoot the best - and if you can afford the ammunition to practice with it - run with it. Become an expert. You can get good with the ones that you don't like later.

I will say this - pistol shooting for blood (as opposed to points) is a martial art, pure and simple. It differs from many other martial arts in that it is very simple to learn; a person can be taught to use a pistol competently in a few hours, where learning how to use their hands, or feet, or a sword, or (especially) a knife takes quite a bit longer. There are no belts but it is a martial art nonetheless. You can never have enough training or enough practice. Train and practice as much as you can.

Along the same lines, the dangerous variable in the equation is the person behind the trigger. The equipment is just equipment. Learn the basics (and they are basics), practice, and you'll do well with any firearm.

Think about that for a moment. A man (or woman) who's good with any firearm...could we all be so fortunate? We can. It just takes a little work.
 
Tbar?

Minority opinion here:

Get a Browning Buckmark .22. Shoot the bejasus out of it. Learn to shoot with it.

Then, evaluate the bigger calibers, factoring in price as you do. I think the progression you went through ended up with the most expensive, the Sig.

Also, shoot some wheelguns before you commit. They don't have to be large caliber, even the humble, but ubiquitous, .38 is a fun shoot.

Enjoy, play the field before you get married.
 
I knew I was going to fall in love with the more expensive one of the bunch. I think it is my genes. My paternal grandfather was a policeman for more than 40 years, and his brother was one of the best rifle and shotgun gunsmith there was in Spain. I still remember a .416 rigby rifle he built on a Mauser action for a client to go to Africa for the Big 5 :eek:
Tbar
 
Thanks Satori and Kishmet. I still need to learn a lot. I will continue to play with the rentals before buying one.
Thanks for the recomendation on the wheeelgun. I suppose if I can master that long double action trigger I would learn to shoot better.

Tbar
 
Tbar?

Any time. Satori TRAINS people! There's a bunch of folks with a lot more knowledge and experience than I have who haven't posted yet.

Rusty would have had a bunch to say. :-(

No hurry.

You can always pull a hammer back on a revolver, then fire the gun.

If possible, expunge every thing you have ever seen on TV and in the films about revolvers, pistols, shooting, and the results of gunshots.

Have fun. It is a great hobby. Need not be expensive.
 
tbarahon said:
Thanks Satori and Kishmet. I still need to learn a lot. I will continue to play with the rentals before buying one.
Thanks for the recomendation on the wheeelgun. I suppose if I can master that long double action trigger I would learn to shoot better.

Tbar
Click to expand...
You are on the right track. Take the courses. If you try a 1911, and like it, There kits available for most of them to allow you to shoot .22. You can learn a lot shooting a .22, Less noise and recoil, plus the added benefit of much lower cost ammo. but then I'M a 1911 a holic. :D Most importantly, Practice saftey, and Practice, Practice, Practice
 
Hi Kishmet,

I agree with you on the TV stuff. The first thing through my mind was "Where is the 5 feet long tonge of flame comming from the barrel?" and "This thing has not moved at all. I am not supposed to be now flat in my back? has it fired?"
No, seriously. My grandpa tought me 17 years ago and told me the same: "if you want me to teach you, forget anything you think you know and do what I said".
Noise and recoil has not bothered me yet with the nine or the .38 Special. I suppose that it is because of the mild loads required at this range.

Tbar
 
Hi Raghorn,

That is one I want to try together with the CZ-75. I will problably buy one of each :) . They did not have any at the range though. I will try the 1911. They have a few Springfields.

Tbar
 
Spend your first equipment money on VERY good ear protection.

Hearing doesn't heal.
 
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