Better for first timer - duty-size 9mm or .38?

[Skribs]

I don't own or plan on owning a .22. I know the old adage is "start them off with a single-shot .22 rifle", and frankly I think that's like walking on eggshells. My first time shooting was with a 9mm, a .40, and a .357, and I've started plenty of people without a .22. But I'm curious what you think would be a better pistol for someone to use their first time at the range, that isn't a .22:

1) A duty-size 9mm, be it a 9mm 1911, a Glock 17/19, a CZ-75, or one of the more expensive European brands.

2) A 6-shot .357 revolver (i.e. GP-100, because I don't see myself buying a non-Ruger revolver) using .38 special rounds.

Something tells me my Ruger LCR or LCP, or my XDm .40 compact are not great choices. My M&P compact would be okay, but I think a bigger pistol would absorb the recoil better.

If you have ideas on which 9mm would be the best option, I'm curious to hear as well.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

There is a slight advantage to the .38 Special for the beginner. That is, revolvers are not load sensitive, so you can learn to shoot with powder-puff loads, without all the muzzle blast and recoil to distract you.

 

[badkarmamib]

I voted for 9mm, due to cheap target loads, and lower bore axis on most models to reduce muzzle flip. The first pistol I ever shot was a Stallard JS9 (predecessor to Hi-Point). The first modern handgun I bought was a Beretta 92FS. I think a full-size auto is easier for most new shooters to learn hand placement, but that is just my experience, certainly not a rule.

 

[Teachu2]

In non-.22, I'd go with a 9mm 1911 5" with good sights. My wife thought her M&P 9c was great, until she tried one of my RIA Tactical 9mms - now it's hers.

It's a balancing act with newbies - especially female ones. My wife has some arthritis in her hands and a bone spur in her elbow, so weight becomes an issue. Yet heavier guns give less felt recoil. The wide grip of a double-stack spreads the recoil over a larger area, but too wide doesn't work with small hands. A CZ75 is both wide and heavy, the M&P is wide but not too heavy, the Glocks are too squared, the S&W Airweight .38 has too much recoil, the 686 weighs too much, the .45 1911s have too much recoil after 20ish rounds, same with the Shield....but the 9mm 1911 is just right. Keep in mind that she can shoot all the guns mentioned and shoot them well - but she enjoys the 9mm 1911 far more than the others.

When she gets her hands on the 22/45 that's set up with VQ trigger parts and a scope, she'll shoot it until she runs out of ammo. She'd shoot a whole brick at one sitting if I let her.

 

[Skribs]

What would you recommend as a smaller-sized double-stack 9?

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Duty Sized 9mm.

Pretty much any full size Glock (19/17), Sig (2022/226/229), CZ(75/variants) would do the trick.

Most of my students appreciate the single action on the Sig and CZ, but many that the Glock is lighter for similar recoil.
Trigger styles (DA/SA vs Striker) have been split pretty evenly.

Its all about preference.

I don't usually move to people to Revolvers unless they request or have questions about them. Most people struggle with double actions and most 38 revolvers will be double action if you need them in a hurry.
Reloading a revolver may require better dexterity.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

What would you recommend as a smaller-sized double-stack 9?

Glock 19
M&P (C?)
Springfield XD 9
Sig 2022
Sig 229
CZ 75 Compact or PCR.

Just a short list.

 

[Skribs]

I meant full-size double-stack 9s with a thinner grip.

 

[FL-NC]

IMO, the best choice for new or less experienced pistol shooters is a striker fired 9mm, in whatever size fits their wants and needs. These pistols have a good balance of minimum recoil, reliability, sufficient power for defense, and cheaper practice ammo. Not to mention a consistent trigger squeeze- no matter if its the first round or the 17th round in the mag. I prefer the Glock, but guns like the M&P, Ruger SR series, S&W SD or sigmas are all more than up to the job. Some of them offer a manual safety, if that's desired.

 

[topazguy]

Totally agree with FL-NC. My wife had never shot a pistol until I bought her a Sig P320 9mm. She didn't flinch a bit and loves that gun so much she'll hardly let me shoot it. Of course I'm the one who gets to clean it.

 

[F-111 John]

If it's a full sized 4" barrel, I'd start a beginner off with the .357 shooting .38 special wadcutters or similar low power target loads.

Double action only, concentrate on the fundamentals of sight picture and smooth trigger press, can easily load just one round, and no worry about limp wristing.

(Actually, I'd start a beginner off with a .22LR semi-auto like the Ruger Mark series or Ruger SR22P, but you've already ruled that out.)

 

[danez71]

What would you recommend as a smaller-sized double-stack 9?

The MP9C you have.

 

[danez71]

I meant full-size double-stack 9s with a thinner grip.

A BHP or the fullsize MP9

 

[MutinousDoug]

My vote is for the revolver but it depends on the goals and commitment of the new shooter. The manual of arms on a double action revolver is much more intuitive than an auto.
My wife, who has no interest in sport shooting likes her model 66 S&W and has confidence in it and it's operation. She is familiar with my 380, 9mm and .45 autos but is not confident racking or releasing the slide and manipulating the safetys. The double action/single action trigger on the Bersa Thunder confounds her and I have to remind her every time we go to the club to keep her finger out of the trigger bow when racking the slide on the 1911.
All this is trivial if I could get her out shooting regularly but she has none of these issues with her 66 and no real interest in learning the MoA of every different auto I have in the safe (and lets be realistic: every auto design requires another learning curve).

 

[Teachu2]

I meant full-size double-stack 9s with a thinner grip.

Double-stack and thinner grip don't go together very well, but the M&P 9 or Sig SP2022 come to mind. I have a 2022, the wife has a M&P 9C compact (her second-favorite to shoot).

Realize that a 9mm 1911 is 9-10+1, which is the limit in CA anyway.

 

[Skribs]

Double-stack and thinner grip don't go together very well, but the M&P 9 or Sig SP2022 come to mind. I have a 2022, the wife has a M&P 9C compact (her second-favorite to shoot).

I realize that, but I also know that some do it better than others.

 

[ugaarguy]

The Ruger SR9 is one of the thinnest double stack 9mm pistols available. The trigger isn't the best out there, but it isn't horrendous either. It's worth a look.

 

[RugerBob]

I think it would depend on age of person. My grandkids learned on a 22 rifle bolt then semi auto. Then to the 22 semi auto pistol. (had no revolver in 22).

Took newbie adults to range with 38 revolver and 9mm semi auto.
Had 45 acp on hand so they could try it if wanted afterwards.

Took my daughter in law to range after 22 session and she was scared of a shot gun in any caliber. Heard all kinds of horror stories. She shot the 12ga pump and was surprised and laughed at the stories she had been told. I did tell her some kick more such as a single shot etc... But the fear was broken.

Age and size are a key factor.

Not to mention every person who takes a 'new' shooter to the range has a preference. As do I. I don't care for a hand gun that the 1st pull of trigger is long. Like the Glock- pulling and pulling and pulling etc... then bang.
I explain that to them also.
Then you have double actions only. lol on that for a 1st time 'new' shooter.

 

[Panzerschwein]

A GP100 with light .38s is a PUSSYCAT.

I think a novice shooter would be much better of with it for beginning use than a service 9.

 

[GRIZ22]

GP100 gets my vote. A 4" 357 is the best do it all handgun there is. Variety of power levels with ammunition is just one factor. DA revolver shooting is a bit harder to master but once you do everything else is easy. If you never buy another handgun you have one you can use for anything.

 

[bluestarlizzard]

Either way works, but each is going to have it's pro's and con's and each is going to have a different focus in terms of technique.

I scoff at the "Not the revolver" because it's a longer, harder trigger nonsense. There are very few people out there that absolutely cannot physically manipulate that trigger. I have absurdly small hands and I do find on double action big revolvers. Yes, it's more work. No, it is not impossible. If that trigger is so much hard work that they "can't" do it, tell them to leave, since clearly, they don't actually want to learn to shoot. They just want a lark.

I also DON'T recommend any pistol that has a tendency to jam due to limp wristing, like Glocks. Especially for someone with weaker arms (like children) and wrists. I got to the point were I hated them and wouldn't touch them before I was 13. After years of shooting other guns and finishing growing, my Dad finally convinced me to try again. No problems.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I don't own or plan on owning a .22. I know the old adage is "start them off with a single-shot .22 rifle", and frankly I think that's like walking on eggshells.

I agree. The first handgun I shot was a 44 magnum with Remington hunting ammo. Not a light load by any means. I found cost of ammo to be a great motivator to learn the fundamentals.

I think a S&W 686, Ruger GP100, P30, 92 variant, full size Glock or XD, CZ, M&P, and a bunch of others would all be great starter guns. Just as long as there's enough weight to absorb the recoil you should be alright.

When I taught my sister to shoot, she liked my 1911 best.

 

[M1key]

CZ P07 9mm (Gen 2)

Very soft shooting. Single action trigger is very good and makes it easy to hit small targets.


M

 

[C0untZer0]

The solution is obvious, get a 9mm revolver:

 

[WestKentucky]

Revolver...with autoloaders you can get some bad issues for first timers. Limp writing can be frustrating and take the fun out of the outing, but not nearly as quick as slide-bite will. I would go with a 32 long or 38 spl wad cutters out of a duty sized revolver like a model 10 smith or a police positive 32.