First Gun Suggestions
- Thread starter Diablohtr
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doc2rn
Member
I shoot the FNP-9 that you can get here for about $325. American made 9mm and you can change the backstrap if you dont like the grip.
I would second the .22 as a first gun. Cheap so you will shoot it more, and you can really get a deal on a Ruger MKII/Buckmark/S&W.
If this is just a HD weapon I would look at a Ruger .357 like the GP101 or an SP 101.
I would second the .22 as a first gun. Cheap so you will shoot it more, and you can really get a deal on a Ruger MKII/Buckmark/S&W.
If this is just a HD weapon I would look at a Ruger .357 like the GP101 or an SP 101.
After some thought I am thinking a 22 will work just fine for me. Home defense really isn't much concern at the moment as the neighborhood I am in is pretty quite.
Any thoughts on the Ruger Charger?
The 10/22's look like they would be a good time as well.
Any thoughts on the Ruger Charger?
The 10/22's look like they would be a good time as well.
benderx4
Member
CZ 75B in 9mm (Lots of bargains out there since the P-01 and SP-01 came out)
Then save a couple hundred bucks more and buy the Kadet Kit .22 for it.
Works like a charm - two guns in one - dirt cheap ammo for practice - powerful centerfire ammo for home defense
Then save a couple hundred bucks more and buy the Kadet Kit .22 for it.
Works like a charm - two guns in one - dirt cheap ammo for practice - powerful centerfire ammo for home defense
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IMO for your first gun I'd recommend a .22 lr, either a Browning Buckmark or a Ruger MK3 if you want a semi auto or a Ruger Single Six is also a good choice. The .22 is a gun you will shoot for a lifetime, first as a training tool and fun gun for yourself and then for your wife and kids. With a .22 you can learn to shoot with little cost in ammo compared to any center fire. All handguns use the same techniques for accurate shooting but center fire recoil often interferes with developing good technique with new shooters.
brolin_1911a1
Member
Good advice, Steve. I teach the occasional CCW class as a certified instructor on a part time basis. As such, I've seen more than a few first-time students show up with a handgun that they purchase just before the class. Much more often than not this results in them having a less than optimal experience and marksmanship. I've seen several such new shooters demonstrate difficulty in even hitting a piece of copier paper at 7yds., then go on to be top shooter in the class after being given a "loaner" .22LR pistol to shoot instead of their centerfire handgun.
A good .22LR such as the Ruger Mk-series, a Browning Buckmark, S&W 22, or possibly even the Beretta NEOS is a nice, inexpensive lifetime investment that will bring hours of enjoyment on the range as well as helping one perfect shooting form. I'd even go as far as to suggest something like the Walther P-22 with the laser sight. There's nothing like a laser on a .22 rimfire handgun to reveal your trigger control problems.
Get the .22 first. Then, while saving money shooting rimfire instead of centerfire ammo, look around and investigate your options and tastes to choose a centerfire handgun that you'll like.
A good .22LR such as the Ruger Mk-series, a Browning Buckmark, S&W 22, or possibly even the Beretta NEOS is a nice, inexpensive lifetime investment that will bring hours of enjoyment on the range as well as helping one perfect shooting form. I'd even go as far as to suggest something like the Walther P-22 with the laser sight. There's nothing like a laser on a .22 rimfire handgun to reveal your trigger control problems.
Get the .22 first. Then, while saving money shooting rimfire instead of centerfire ammo, look around and investigate your options and tastes to choose a centerfire handgun that you'll like.
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mgkdrgn
Member
First -ever- gun, as in never shot before?
I'd be steering you in the direction of a good used .22 revolver to use as your "trainer". Does all the things a 'big' gun does ... only a lot cheaper.
And they are a hell of a lot of fun to shoot too!
When you have gotten to the point where you can shoot that well, then you can think about "moving up". By that time, you will have learned a lot about guns in general, and what YOU do and don't want, and hence will make a better decision.
You can then sell the 22 if you like ... but ya know, I'll bet you hang on to it!
Good luck
Brett
I'd be steering you in the direction of a good used .22 revolver to use as your "trainer". Does all the things a 'big' gun does ... only a lot cheaper.
And they are a hell of a lot of fun to shoot too!
When you have gotten to the point where you can shoot that well, then you can think about "moving up". By that time, you will have learned a lot about guns in general, and what YOU do and don't want, and hence will make a better decision.
You can then sell the 22 if you like ... but ya know, I'll bet you hang on to it!
Good luck
Brett
My vote is also for a .22.
You can pick up 500 rounds for $12-$16 for a great cheap day shooting. For the same price, you'll be able to buy 50-75 rounds of 9mm, and that is the cheapest centerfire round there is.
Ruger Mk II would make a great auto.
Ruger Single Six or Bearcat a great single action revolver.
S&W Model 17 or 18 is about the best you can go for a double action revolver.
The conversion slides are nice, but you might find buying one is almost as expensive as buying a decent used .22. I've got a buddy with a Ceiner conversion and he has had problems with it (FTF FTE).
Besides, wouldn't you rather own 2 guns than 1 gun with 2 slides?
You can pick up 500 rounds for $12-$16 for a great cheap day shooting. For the same price, you'll be able to buy 50-75 rounds of 9mm, and that is the cheapest centerfire round there is.
Ruger Mk II would make a great auto.
Ruger Single Six or Bearcat a great single action revolver.
S&W Model 17 or 18 is about the best you can go for a double action revolver.
The conversion slides are nice, but you might find buying one is almost as expensive as buying a decent used .22. I've got a buddy with a Ceiner conversion and he has had problems with it (FTF FTE).
Besides, wouldn't you rather own 2 guns than 1 gun with 2 slides?
benderx4
Member
Still shoot my Ruger Mark III ALL THE TIME! Love it! Cleaning it was a learning process, but now is a piece of cake. One thing that Ruger does particularly well is make rim-fired weapons. (Resale is good too!)
lvcat2004
Member
I see that a lot of people are recommending P6, CZ-75B and you are considering an XD.
Well let me tell you because I have all three of them....You can't go wrong with ANY of them.
I am not a big fan of buying used firearms. I mean, you might save $100 or 2, but what's that in a big scheme of things when ammos cost so much these days.
Shooting is like skiing....the intial equipment is NOT the most expensive part if you shoot a lot, so buy a new gun that's not too expensive like XD-9 or CZ75B and take a good care of her. If there is a budget limitation, go for a P6. As much as I like 22LR's, if this is your FIRST and only gun for a while, go ahead with a 9mm.....you can't go wrong with it and it's probably the most versatile. Cheap enough to go plinking and shoot a lot, yet powerful enough for self-defense. If you want to shoot a LOT, then I would just get a second gun, like Sig Mosquito in 22LR.
Well let me tell you because I have all three of them....You can't go wrong with ANY of them.
I am not a big fan of buying used firearms. I mean, you might save $100 or 2, but what's that in a big scheme of things when ammos cost so much these days.
Shooting is like skiing....the intial equipment is NOT the most expensive part if you shoot a lot, so buy a new gun that's not too expensive like XD-9 or CZ75B and take a good care of her. If there is a budget limitation, go for a P6. As much as I like 22LR's, if this is your FIRST and only gun for a while, go ahead with a 9mm.....you can't go wrong with it and it's probably the most versatile. Cheap enough to go plinking and shoot a lot, yet powerful enough for self-defense. If you want to shoot a LOT, then I would just get a second gun, like Sig Mosquito in 22LR.
CountGlockula
Member
Take a class and try before you buy.
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