Planning to buy my first handgun

Hickory n steel

Hickory n steel

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The plan is to buy myself a S&W 642 Airweight and eventually some wood grips for my birthday, but I'm not completely apposed to a Ruger LCP if either of the two nearest gun shops to me don't have the 642 in stock or at a reasonable price.
Buds has the best price I've found online, but being my first actual firearms purchase I've obviously never ordered one before and it seems like a nightmare in California with the waiting period plus transfer fees and all that stuff.

I like a lot of things on the traditional side so of course I gravitated towards a snub nose .38, but I did give it some practical thought.
I know limp wristing a small auto can be a problem and if I don't have a lot of time or a convenient place to shoot I figure a revolver might be a good choice as I can at least get myself well aquatinted with it's double action trigger at home using a Lazer trainer.
Nothing beats actual live fire practice but any training is better than none and I think a revolver will let me get the most of limited range time compared to a sub compact auto where you can only train out of limp wristing with actual live fire.

Correct me if I'm way off on this, but that's just my slightly educated idea on small autos vs revolvers.

So what did you guys buy for your first and why ?
 
Both terrible choices for a first handgun...

Have you considered anything larger?

Don't get me wrong, the LCP and J-Frame SW's absolutely have their place (I own both) but really difficult to master either of them.

What's your intended use?


Doesn't matter; Glock 19 is the right one for you!
;)
 
Jarhead Greasemonkey said:
Both terrible choices for a first handgun...
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.... kind of this. But those firearms are niche, is this purely for SD Carry or a more general use ? If you don't have some experience shooting revolvers (or handguns generally) you will probably struggle with a J Frame Smith or Ruger equivalent. Now the revolver v auto argument can go on for another few decades (I still have whole magazines dedicated to the subject from the 80s) but only you can decide what it is you want. In the US you have the advantage of rental ranges where you can go and try before you buy and this is a great idea. Failing that, if you are sold on a revolver (hey I too still like them) I would be looking at something more like a K Frame S&W, slightly larger and it give you one more round, they are also a much MUCH better revolver to shoot with (and in your case perhaps, learn to shoot with). In all honestly you will probably find yourself VERY frustrated with a compact revolver as even people who use them often find them lacking for general use (I have a couple of decades behind J Frames of varying models (M36, M37, M49, M642 all spring to mind over the years) - and yes if you must, get a steel frame version). There are an abundance of Police/LEO trade in revolvers still kicking around if you search a little, these are most often good value and a good start as you learn what you need.

My first handgun was a 4inch HB Square Butt Model 10 S&W.
 
I plan to eventually get a CCW, that's why I wanted something smaller and more concealable.

Also because I don't plan to just jump into buying multiple firearms right now I figured I'd start with the smaller harder to shoot pistol because if I can master it I should have no problem when it comes to larger pistols.

I am starting to think that right now I may want to possibly look into a .22 magnum revolver of the same size.
 
Hickory n steel said:
Also because I don't plan to just jump into buying multiple firearms right now I figured I'd start with the smaller harder to shoot pistol because if I can master it I should have no problem when it comes to larger pistols.
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..... I will be blunt, your thinking is flawed mate. What you need to do is get a handgun that is something you can develop the proper skills and technique with, any J Frame or the like is not that, what you will do is develop bad habits and become frustrated quickly because you can't hit jack with it. Honestly, if your heart is set on a revolver, buy a used S&W Model10 (or 13 or 64 or 65 or 19 or 66 - all K frames in 38/357) and shoot the hell out of it. For very good reason compact and subcompact handguns (both autos and revolvers) are viewed as "second guns". They are not at all good learning tools.
 
I carry a 442 and a 340pd. Both light centennial j frames. I wouldn’t want either as my only gun.

look for a larger stainless .357 magnum. Ruger security six or GP 100 would be good choices. Or an equivalent smith and Wesson.
View attachment 1246595 View attachment 1246596

I would strongly recommend against a .22 magnum and don’t let anyone talk you into a .410 revolver.
 
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eveled said:
I carry a 442 and a 340pd. Both light centennial j frames. I wouldn’t want either as my only gun.

look for a larger stainless .357 magnum. Ruger security six or GP 100 would be good choices. Or an equivalent smith and Wesson.
View attachment 1246595 View attachment 1246596

I would strongly recommend against a .22 magnum and don’t let anyone talk you into a .410 revolver.
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.410 revolvers are stupid for sure.

At 5'6" 120lb with size 7 hands I don't want a huge pistol but I wasn't going to go for a CCW anytime soon anyways, so I'm starting to think I might just go with a Ruger Wrangler to plink with once In a while.

I don't want to spend more than $500 right now and the Wrangler looks like a lot of fun, I've also heard they're better than the heritage rough rider.
 
Andy the Aussie said:
..... I will be blunt, your thinking is flawed mate. What you need to do is get a handgun that is something you can develop the proper skills and technique with, any J Frame or the like is not that, what you will do is develop bad habits and become frustrated quickly because you can't hit jack with it. Honestly, if your heart is set on a revolver, buy a used S&W Model10 (or 13 or 64 or 65 or 19 or 66 - all K frames in 38/357) and shoot the hell out of it. For very good reason compact and subcompact handguns (both autos and revolvers) are viewed as "second guns". They are not at all good learning tools.
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You're probably right.
My fundamental marksmanship is already down, but I'm starting to think about a Ruger Wrangler to plink with once In a while.

My brother started with a 9mm Hi-point and i definitely don't wanna do that.
 
Andy the Aussie Andy the Aussie , I wish I could "like" your comments more than once (I know how much you like the "likes" ;)).

In all seriousness though, my contributions to this thread will only affirm what Andy is saying in regards to compact revolvers. I love revolvers, I love lever actions, I love all things "cowboy" or "traditional". With that being said, I still maintain some level of objectivity when it comes to my firearm choices and a considerable level of pragmatism needs to be employed, especially when picking out one's first handgun. Without getting into the whole revolver versus auto debate, I will echo what others have stated here and mention that a compact revolver isn't a great place to start, especially a lightweight one. There are a lot of shooting fundamentals that one must learn on a more forgiving platform, in my opinion.

All of my professional training was done with Glocks when I worked for my local Sheriff's office. Glocks are ugly, are uncomfortable to the uninitiated, and don't do a lot to appeal to one's inner traditionalist. But they work, they shoot straight, are affordable, and are a great pistol to learn the basics on. (Keep in mind, this is coming from someone who doesn't like safeties and unnecessary gizmos on a gun).

For all of my love for revolvers, I do not care for "snubbies", mostly because I can't shoot worth a damn past 20ish yards. The one that I have (Ruger LCR in .357) stays in my nightstand, it isn't my primary carry piece.
 
Pàdruig said:
Andy the Aussie Andy the Aussie , I wish I could "like" your comments more than once (I know how much you like the "likes" ;)).

In all seriousness though, my contributions to this thread will only affirm what Andy is saying in regards to compact revolvers. I love revolvers, I love lever actions, I love all things "cowboy" or "traditional". With that being said, I still maintain some level of objectivity when it comes to my firearm choices and a considerable level of pragmatism needs to be employed, especially when picking out one's first handgun. Without getting into the whole revolver versus auto debate, I will echo what others have stated here and mention that a compact revolver isn't a great place to start, especially a lightweight one. There are a lot of shooting fundamentals that one must learn on a more forgiving platform, in my opinion.

All of my professional training was done with Glocks when I worked for my local Sheriff's office. Glocks are ugly, are uncomfortable to the uninitiated, and don't do a lot to appeal to one's inner traditionalist. But they work, they shoot straight, are affordable, and are a great pistol to learn the basics on. (Keep in mind, this is coming from someone who doesn't like safeties and unnecessary gizmos on a gun).

For all of my love for revolvers, I do not care for "snubbies", mostly because I can't shoot worth a damn past 20ish yards. The one that I have (Ruger LCR in .357) stays in my nightstand, it isn't my primary carry piece.
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Ruger GP100, one of the best revolvers ever made!
 
Hickory n steel said:
.410 revolvers are stupid for sure.

At 5'6" 120lb with size 7 hands I don't want a huge pistol but I wasn't going to go for a CCW anytime soon anyways, so I'm starting to think I might just go with a Ruger Wrangler to plink with once In a while.

I don't want to spend more than $500 right now and the Wrangler looks like a lot of fun, I've also heard they're better than the heritage rough rider.
Click to expand...

The wrangler looks like a winner. When I got my LTC. I wanted a single six when I got to the store a used Blackhawk .357 called my name so the single six had to wait. View attachment 1246655
It was my only handgun for a long time I never felt under armed.
 
Auto or revolver is personal preference as both have their own challenges ... but as some have said for a first handgun to learn proper techniques a lightweight will most likely cause bad habits ... they can be a lot to handle even for experienced shooters ...

if you want a snubbie a steel frame will be much better than an ultra light ... a 22 isn't a bad handgun to learn to shoot and you can always trade it as you move up ...

a solid revolver at a decent price as 91bravo 91bravo mentioned the Ruger GP100 gives you a good option and you can use .38 Spl. loads to learn ... it will absorb enough recoil to not cause bad habits ...

if you have a range to rent a few handguns first ... it could tell you a lot about what you may want to buy ... I'd offer to meet you and let you try a few options ... but I'm nowhere near California.
 
JJ_Colt45 said:
Auto or revolver is personal preference as both have their own challenges ... but as some have said for a first handgun to learn proper techniques a lightweight will most likely cause bad habits ... they can be a lot to handle even for experienced shooters ...

if you want a snubbie a steel frame will be much better than an ultra light ... a 22 isn't a bad handgun to learn to shoot and you can always trade it as you move up ...

a solid revolver at a decent price as 91bravo 91bravo mentioned the Ruger GP100 gives you a good option and you can use .38 Spl. loads to learn ... it will absorb enough recoil to not cause bad habits ...

if you have a range to rent a few handguns first ... it could tell you a lot about what you may want to buy ... I'd offer to meet you and let you try a few options ... but I'm nowhere near California.
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You're nowhere near Alabama either...:p Or else, we'd be 4 wheelin' it and shootin' it up!
 
I’ve bought guns many times before shooting them.

Sometimes you get one and go to shoot it, and find it just doesn’t feel right.

As stated earlier, if you can rent several different models at a range it’s well worth the experience.

For many people, the one you choose can last a lifetime(s).


Also, register for a gun safety course. This should be a mandatory objective of yours.
 
MolokaiRider said:
Also, register for a gun safety course. This should be a mandatory objective of yours.
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I've got all the basics down, fundamental marksmanship, safety...ect.
I've been shooting my airguns every single day for the past 10 years and very often before than since I got my first at age 7, I know all about trigger discipline muzzle sweeping treating them as if their loaded and all the important things one must know.
There are no children around or anything like that.
 
Hickory n steel said:
I've got all the basics down, fundamental marksmanship, safety...ect.
I've been shooting my airguns every single day for the past 10 years and very often before than since I got my first at age 7, I know all about trigger discipline muzzle sweeping treating them as if their loaded and all the important things one must know.
There are no children around or anything like that.
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Roger that. I’m glad to hear your cognizant of muzzle awareness and Gun safety.

Whatever you decide on have fun and be safe!
 
You know , I somehow forgot the biggest reason I decided now was the right time.

In my small town there's been two bank robberies and a gruesome murder In the past two years, drug activity is rising and just two weeks ago I found a crack pipe on the sidewalk down the street from my house.
My dog is about 14 now and doesn't hear so great anymore.
I want to stay safe so home protection would really be most important for a firearm I choose to buy for more than just fun.
My house is small and the hallway is very marrow so a shotgun is out.

I started thinking maybe a Ruger 10/22 might be a good choice because I can shoot it more, have fun plinking, master it faster, and it wouldn't be a totally useless choice for home defense but this is just a thought.

I'll think on it some more and see if I can find a good practical choice in my price range that's right for me or if I just wanna go with some kind of plinker for now.
 
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