first handgun?

[bethann006]

I'm recently 21 and looking to purchase my first handgun. I know I would like a revolver and hammerless if possible. I'm also looking for something that would be easy to carry on my person (thus the hammerless option).
Does anyone have any suggestions for first time buyer/carrier?
Thanks,
Beth

::edit:: I do have experiance. I've been shooting since I was very young. Don't have as much experiance with handguns as longguns, but I'm also looking for some training locally. Before I consider actually making my purchase, I want to have the training. I'm just looking for some suggestions, opinions, etc. for type/caliber/etc. Thanks again.

 

[P95Carry]

Welcome bethann ... there are many, many options. May I suggest tho you do a bit of search in THR -- enter in things like ... ''first gun'' ... ''first revolver'' ... ''first carry gun''. This should bring up some info for you - reason I say this is - understandably this is a popular question, and whilst there are many here who can offer great advise ... it has already probably been posted!!!

So - take a peek by search - and come back and say whether you have anything useful - or not. Sounds like you have a carry piece in mind. ... oops .. you mentioned that - duh!

Later

 

[R.H. Lee]

Hi, bethann Do you have any experience at all with firearms and specifically handguns? If not, do you have friends who can take you to a local range and let you try various handguns? Have you handled any firearms in gunshops? I'm sure others will be along soon with lots of suggestions. You mentioned a hammerless revolver. Smith and Wesson makes several.

 

[P95Carry]

Good point Riley - I should have thought to ask that. Be useful to know the answers to that bethann.

 

[bethann006]

edit

Yeah, I do have some experiance. See my edit above.

Maybe I'm not looking in the right places...but I haven't found anything in search...still looking...but not as of yet.
beth

 

[PinnedAndRecessed]

.......somebody corrected the title............

........my post was hilarious till then.........

 

[R.H. Lee]

Here's one under a search for 'ladysmith'
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=108965&highlight=ladysmith

And here's a bunch under a search for "first handgun" in the revolver section only:
http://www.thehighroad.org/search.php?searchid=80321

Here's another on hammerless revolvers:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=114640

HTH

 

[P95Carry]

Good work Riley - I was just gonna go take a search peek myself.

 

[phorvick]

In the inexpensive yet nice shooting category are the Taurus 85 models. You can buy excellent used models for about $150.

 

[Dienekes]

By the bye, the trade-in M10 .38 Spl. 3" slim barrel revolvers are good pieces to start--and possibly end with. My daughter bought one and the more we shoot it the more we like it. At present it has the original square butt but that could be changed. At present it has a set of Butler Creek boot style stocks on it which aren't half bad. I ground and polished the trigger face smooth and installed a reduced power rebound spring, and it is shaping up nicely. May or may not dehorn it depending on what she wants.

I think it is going to replace a Glock M26 that is colicky.

SGN shows these from J&G @ about $200. I should have latched onto a couple extras just on principle.

 

[SASS#23149]

Do you have a range nearby that rents handguns?i'd suggest you rent a .357 snubby and shoot .38's in it for a while,then try some full house...as in 110 grain hollopoint....in it.but HANG ON on the first shot.I suggest this because if you're only comfortable with the .38's,no sense packing the exra size,albit a small diffeence.of a snubby made for .357's.I had the first model Smith and Wesson j-frame in .357 a while back,and with the 'factory suggested' 110 grain ammo,it was a thumper on both ends.
Glad to have ya on the Board,and hope ya keep shooting.

 

[MrMurphy]

Smith and Wesson 642, loaded with .38's (the new Speer 135 grain Gold Dot load).

 

[eagle45]

Welcome Bethann. As others have mentioned, training and safety are of the utmost importance. Having said that, the link to a thread I started about favorite hammerless revolvers last week has already been provided in another post here. There are lots of fine concealed hammer revolvers out there. I am partial to the Taurus myself and really like the 851BUL I recently purchased. You can find lots of info on the manufacturer's web sites.

Light weight is nice, but that can also mean lots of recoil. Doesn't do any good to carry one if you can't control it when you shoot. If you can rent and try one, or maybe try some different models of some of your friends, you'll be able to make a more informed decision.

At a gun show this past weekend, I was able to compare several models at one dealer's stand. It helps to compare how they fit your hand at one time too. Another thing you may want to consider is how you'll be carrying, that can help determine what model and weight you want. Good luck and let us know what you decide on.