Beginner hand gun

So I will be turning 21 in a few months and I've been tossing arround the idea of getting a hand gun. I use to be a HUGE gun law proponent until a group of researchers concluded that gun laws had no effect on gun related crimes. Since then, Ive tried to be more open minded about guns and those who own them.

Anyhow, I might buy a hand gun for target practice and self defence. I was thinking of getting a Glock 9mm,beretta 9mm or something similar. I am a novice when it comes to types of hand guns so Im not familiar with the calabers and what each type (ammo and gun) is best for. Im mainly interested in a semi-auto hand gun. I would like to get a gun thats dependable, safe, good for target practice and self defence. Finally, I dont need a gun that will blow a hole through an engine block, just one that has good accuracy, reliability, and stopping power. I have experience with rifles and shotguns, so I do know how to handle a gun proporly and wont shoot myself in the foot *knock on wood*.

Any advice would be appreciated. Also, if you folks could point me in the direction of some informative websites, that would be great too.

Thanks,
BOOSTD :uzi:

A few simple things.

Go to a range that lets you test fire pitsols, and find the one that you are most comfortable with. Stick with a qualtiy name brand, Glock, Sig, Colt, Kimber, H&K, ect..

Then choose the caliber based on the most powerful that you feel comfortable with.

If you have zero experience with hand guns or guns altogether, maybe take a safety course.

Also I would start with a revolver. They are cheaper, simpler, and less dangerous.

Maybe a .38.

when I was in the Marines we got to carry .45 . We went to the hand gun range a few times and I liked it very much. Small hole in BIG hole out.Lots of stoping power

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Originally Posted by BillyT

If you have zero experience with hand guns or guns altogether, maybe take a safety course.

Also I would start with a revolver. They are cheaper, simpler, and less dangerous.

Maybe a .38.

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I have taken a safety course before but I will definatly take another one as a refresher.

As for the revolver, I am fairly experienced with firing semi-auto rifles and shot guns so I think I would be comfertable with a semi-auto hand gun. This will probably be the one and only pistol that I buy, so I dont want to have to buy another one because I find that a revolver does not fit my needs.

The new beretta 90 two seems to be a really good gun. It also has lots of safety features, which is nice. Any opinions?

also, whats the order of power with pistols. .38 < 9mm < .40 < .45 < .357 ????

Ok, then get a 1911 is .45.

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Originally Posted by BillyT

Ok, then get a 1911 is .45.

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That's what I prefer, and I carry a Kimber Pro Carry with the aluminum frame..



But he should go try them all out...

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Originally Posted by jking

But he should go try them all out...

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For sure.

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Originally Posted by BOOSTD

I have taken a safety course before but I will definatly take another one as a refresher.

As for the revolver, I am fairly experienced with firing semi-auto rifles and shot guns so I think I would be comfertable with a semi-auto hand gun. This will probably be the one and only pistol that I buy, so I dont want to have to buy another one because I find that a revolver does not fit my needs.

The new beretta 90 two seems to be a really good gun. It also has lots of safety features, which is nice. Any opinions?

also, whats the order of power with pistols. .38 < 9mm < .40 < .45 < .357 ????

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That power order would be fairly accurate, though I'm not sure how the .38 +P rounds stack up against the 9mm. It may be hotter.

But the most important issue in stopping someone is bullet placement.

I prefer a bigger hole. Less room for error.

1911 guy here too. One of the biggest reasons is ergonomics, and the way a gun "feels" in your hand should be a top priority in how you choose. Everyone is shaped differently so some guns may fit your hand like a glove and others will feel like holding a brick. "Shootability" is what I call this, pick the gun you personally have the most accuracy potential with.

I like the Browning Hi Power too..

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Originally Posted by jking

I like the Browning Hi Power too..

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Haha, me too. The only 9mm I would ever own. The hammer bite is awful though, definitely needs to have a gunsmith install an extended beavertail. People make such a big deal about the Beretta M92 and how it brought Hicap 9s to popularity in the 80s. The Hi Power did that same thing when it was produced in 1935, the world's first double stack high capacity 9mm pistol. Like everything else he made John Browning was ahead of his time, he actually patented the 7.65mm version of that gun in 1925. America didn't want a "sissy low caliber" gun so instead he sold the rights to FN in Belgium.

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Originally Posted by 91Z28

Haha, me too. The only 9mm I would ever own. The hammer bite is awful though, definitely needs to have a gunsmith install an extended beavertail. People make such a big deal about the Beretta M92 and how it brought Hicap 9s to popularity in the 80s. The Hi Power did that same thing when it was produced in 1935, the world's first double stack high capacity 9mm pistol. Like everything else he made John Browning was ahead of his time, he actually patented the 7.65mm version of that gun in 1925. America didn't want a "sissy low caliber" gun so instead he sold the rights to FN in Belgium.

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I wouldn't mind having one in a .40 cal.


My Marine buddy says the Beretta's are piles of garbage.

What did you think?

Total pile of garbage. The M240B gunners in my unit had them as backup guns and they really have no redeeming features. It is very big, very heavy, not particularly accurate, and prone to malfunction. It does have a pretty foolproof safety I guess. I forgot to mention that the Hi Power is like Europe's 1911, the oldie that refuses to go away and still has a huge following. British SAS still uses it to this day.

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Originally Posted by 91Z28

Total pile of garbage. The M240B gunners in my unit had them as backup guns and they really have no redeeming features. It is very big, very heavy, not particularly accurate, and prone to malfunction. It does have a pretty foolproof safety I guess. I forgot to mention that the Hi Power is like Europe's 1911, the oldie that refuses to go away and still has a huge following. British SAS still uses it to this day.

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I never knew that about the SAS. That's pretty cool.

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Originally Posted by jking

I never knew that about the SAS. That's pretty cool.

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Of all the foreign military units I've met or worked with, they were by far and away the coolest/most bad ass.

CZ40P .40 S&W
Para Ordnance P12-45
Sig Sauer P220

I had an Italian beretta,its not heavy and I thought it was very good quality.I also carried a .45 auto in the marines and I'm a colt guy.I would go springfield armory for a good entry level [cost]1911 and step up later to a colt.Always shot for the pelvis,break it and down they go no matter how hopped up or determined.

My first gun was an M-16 lol.

A rubber band and a rock is good for beginners, it just doesent have the range!

9's are for women.... a .40 is a good all around bullet. A old guy at work that lives for guns said a 135 grain Corbon .40 round packs the punch of a .357 because of the high velocity...dunno if it's true though.

Take a bit of advice from Sgt KC, I'm a Tactical Weapons Trainer ;)

+1 on takeing a class on proper handleing and shooting... my wife is a competion shooter and they still start from the basics every time, my tactical shooting has different degrees of involvement and excalation... so we forgot the basics and practice some crazy shit that is off topic to this thread

+1 on going to a range were you can rent and shoot guns, I've done this, ended up not wanting, what I wanted and ended up purchaseing guns that I'm very comfortable with and can shoot with the best of them.

As far as your purchase of a gun; Prepare your home & Go buy a small safe, responsibility is Number 1.

I personally own a Beretta 92FS 9mm & a Kimber TLE/II .45ACP - Both are great guns.

Don't believe the bull shit, people put out about the military 9mm, understand it's not a target shooting hand gun, its a military weapon, fill it full of sand, muck, don't clean it for months just douse it with CLP and pull the trigger. I have 13k plus rounds through my 9mm, when it's clean and new, it's one hell of a gun for $600.

I also own a 22lr conversion kit for my Beretta and it was worth the investment. Shooting 22's may seem like a 'pussy' thing to do, but after you blow through $200 a month on ammo, Cheap practice ammo takes away from anyone looking at you at the range. The 22 conversion also makes you shoot with out flintching or conditions you and your trigger finger to the trigger. All triggers weren't created equal.

My Kimber is acurate, reliable, expensive and the kind of gun you reach for when you hear a disturbing sound at night. +p 230gr Corbon Hollow Points, it isn't the easiest and definetly not a begginers gun, although it's been done before. 1911's are some of the most recognized hand guns next to Glock, a 1911 .45ACP is a great gun to mature to, I don't suggest you start out with one, fire one first and then make up your mind. The 1911 platform is highly modifiable to suit you.

I'd tell any beginner to stay away from Glock, Springfield XD or any pistol that doesn't incorporate an external safety/decocker lever. Untill they've hand a lot of handleing and proper procedure of "finger off the trigger until ready to fire" ground into thier head.

Remember you get what you pay for, Stick with a name brand, for your first few guns I'd stick with buying them new. Practice, Practice, Practice...

I'm looking for a Colt Commander, a Beretta 96G-SD .40, a Glock 20 and maybe a Ruger .454/45LC Super Red Hawk, becareful of the handgun bug, once it bites... still working on an AR-15, plus I want a shot gun... the Colt Commander is expected to be more of a project than a purchase. The smell of gun powder and punching holes in targets has a stress relieveing value to me.

this is just my $0.02 :dunno:

I still say .45. Shoot something once.maybe twice. It stays shot and it dont get up.

well....... im not big on hand guns. i really want a 9mm, cause i love target practice and the ammo is cheap. but heres a ? that sounds completely newbie to ^^^^^^^ probaly. Being a tactical weapons trainer. whjat is the order in ammo for size. i have been told diff. things. 9, 357, 38 what not . thanks.

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Originally Posted by Hi-Po

well....... im not big on hand guns. i really want a 9mm, cause i love target practice and the ammo is cheap. but heres a ? that sounds completely newbie to ^^^^^^^ probaly. Being a tactical weapons trainer. whjat is the order in ammo for size. i have been told diff. things. 9, 357, 38 what not . thanks.

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9mm, .357, and .38 are all actually nearly the same diameter (bullet). .38 Special and .357 Magnum actually use the same bullets, but the .357 case has been elongated a tenth of an inch to hold more powder. That is why .357 mags can fire .38 special. The actual diameter of the bullets are something like .356 or something. 9mm is completely different since it was desgined for an auto pistol but the diameter of the bullet is also around .355.

huh. good info. anything else? im askin because i told thus guy at work that like 7 years ago or so, i saw (what i thought was a 38, and told by cousins) in my grandma's purse. it was after my grandpa dies so she was lonely and scared. but he couldnt beive me that she had one. he said he fired a 357 and it kicked bad. i too have shot a 357 and didnt think much of it. My gandma has fired all kinds of shotguns and rifles so i dont see a problem with it?

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Originally Posted by Hi-Po

huh. good info. anything else? im askin because i told thus guy at work that like 7 years ago or so, i saw (what i thought was a 38, and told by cousins) in my grandma's purse. it was after my grandpa dies so she was lonely and scared. but he couldnt beive me that she had one. he said he fired a 357 and it kicked bad. i too have shot a 357 and didnt think much of it. My gandma has fired all kinds of shotguns and rifles so i dont see a problem with it?

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Loads also vary. Every caliber has milder, more range suited ammunition to full power +p loads and maybe even hunting loads (mostly for .357 and .44 mag). So every caliber has a wide variety of different loads with different ballistic properties like muzzle energy, recoil, etc.

right right, im gonna remember that. gotsta tell him how wrong he is.

Generally, .357 magnum is a revolver round. Few autoloaders shoot it. 357 SIG is a completely different round. And many .357 revolvers shoot .38spl too. The rough hierarchy for the FPE of autoloaders would be: .38 (which due to larger case size, is supposed to be able to be loaded more powerfully than 9's can if you handload), 9mm, .40, .45acp, with the 10mm being top of the heap. Discounting very rare stuff like .44automag. Ballistics are also very different between the rounds.
You'll get general advice, depending on your budget. A lot will reccomend the 1911 or it's clones. There's the CZ's, the glocks which are a somewhat particular taste. Springfield Armory also recently came out with their XD guns, which were very well recieved, winning awards in a number of gun mags.
I wanted a semiauto too, just because I find revolvers to be pretty ugly. But they're usually more accurate, more reliable, shoot more much more powerful calibers, and cost a little less. The trade off is ammo capacity, and range. There's also the lack of interchangability of parts like the semiautos have.

ah... the .357/.38 combo revolvers, I've seen a few knuckle heads shoot 9mm from a .357 revolver, the thing fired but there's an off set to the head space from the cylinder to the barrel that can be damaged, I'd never do it with my own gun. There's also .38 super which is made for the 1911's and has become a popular round for the 1911 crowd.

Ruger also offers a 454 casual / 45 long colt, it's a hunting pistol the 7 1/2" barreled version weighs in at 53oz if I remember, great gun, retail wasn't too bad on it either, 454 is an expensive round if you don't reload, 45 long colt is a lot cheaper, but not cheap.

Another interchageable round... I don't recomend for a first gun, but I've looked into it, is a Glock model 20 10mm, and purchase a Glock model 22 .40 S&W barrel for it. I've shot .40 S&W out of the local gun ranges model 20 w/o a problem, the magazines for the model 20 will feed .40 S&W.

Personaly, I don't like the .357 sig, if you can't walk into the back woods grocery store and buy it, I don't want it. 10mm has caught some popularity lately, but it's still not that common.

9mm is cheap, for 115gr winchester white box I think it's $11.99 for 100 rounds. 124gr ball round is what the military uses (see why nobody likes it, when the standard .45apc is 230gr) That's about as cheap as a decent size pistol round sells for, anything cheaper would be .380 which is about 1/3 the size of 9mm.

.40 S&W is a good round, a decent trade off from the recoil of a .45acp and the lack of stopping power a 9mm has.

I doesn't matter what the caliber of gun is, If you don't hit them, You ain't hurting them. Get out and shoot, try out a few different guns, find what suits, you. Think of it like shoes, there's several different varietys, some look good, but feel bad, some look like shit, but feel natural... can't believe I just compared hand guns to shoes.

I've been shooting Beretta 9mm's since 1999, I wouldn't be able to tell you how many 9mm rounds I've shot, most at the tax payers expense, I've shot them standing, kneeling, running, laying down, upside down, in the sun, in the rain... you get the point. The 9mm is a good gun to fire and get right back on target, so it may take 2 rounds to kill a man do to it being a small round, but after the first round he was pretty much dead already. Which brings back the point that civilians are allowed to load thier guns with hollow points and other crazy rounds that increase the effective ness of the round. So don't listen to the put downs of the 9mm, you can own more than one gun, so start small and work your way up.

I'm looking into the Beretta 96G-SD, which is .40S&W, with a rail, Crimson Trace Grips from the 92fs will fit on it, and aftermarket 20 round magazines are available... I'm thinking it would make a great home defense pistol.

BTW: don't get wrapped up into lights and lasers till you have a good grasp of shooting, the lights and lasers serve a purpose, but they aren't as easy as most think, just screwing them to the gun and turning them on, there's a science to it.

I hate lasers. I don't shoot from the hip. And they're imprecise or a waste of money for regular shooting, either the laser dot has to be too big to pinpoint a specific location on a target, or you can't see it when shooting at something small or far away. If you can sort of see a target with the naked eye, it doesn't have to be crystal clear- but as long as you can see it clearly enough to distinguish it from the background enough to know where it is- you can hit it with iron sights. With targets too small or too far away to see with the naked eye, give me a scope any day.

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Originally Posted by shadegray

I hate lasers. I don't shoot from the hip. And they're imprecise or a waste of money for regular shooting, either the laser dot has to be too big to pinpoint a specific location on a target, or you can't see it when shooting at something small or far away. If you can sort of see a target with the naked eye, it doesn't have to be crystal clear- but as long as you can see it clearly enough to distinguish it from the background enough to know where it is- you can hit it with iron sights. With targets too small or too far away to see with the naked eye, give me a scope any day.

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I hate lasers too (not IR lasers of course :)), tritium 3 dots is all I like on a pistol. Maybe one of the REALLY bright Surefire Tac lights would be nice, but I try not to add a lot of bells and whistles to shit. KISS.

Crimson Trace has made really good progress with thier 'laser grips'. They hold a zero nicely, the dot is sized around an inch from 7-20 yards.

The lasers are intended to shoot at close range; quickly, from the hip or off hand. They're also credited as a deterent when aiming it on a perpetrator.

There's a misconception about strapping shit to your gun and instantly being able to shoot better, you have to learn to use your new gaget and everything has it's place, but also not learn to rely on the gadget cause shit breaks.

I guess I'm the one that took this off topic to the lights and lasers... probly would have been better to bring up Hydrostatic shock instead.

Thanks for all the great replies. It will be a little while before I can consider buying a gun since Im still 20 (21 in June). Im really leaning toward a beretta 90 two 9mm. Its a smaller calaber which is probably what will suit me best since Im not experienced in shooting powerful handguns with lots of kick. Also, like someone said earlier, I like the asthetics of autoloaders over revolvers. Call me crazy but revolvers seem too westerny for my tastes. Im going to try and find a range that will let me try out some guns so I can really get an idea of what type of gun I want before I buy one.

Also, what is "trigger bite?" How much kick does a 9mm/.40/.45 cal have? Like I said earlier, my only experience is with rifles and shotguns. Ive shot an AR-15, Mini-14, .22's 4-10 shotguns, and 12 gauges so Ive experienced a decent variety of guns and Im familiar with how they all shoot.

Thanks again,
BOOSTD

9mm should be more then enough for home defense. The chances of someone walking into your house is remote... the chances hes weaing a level 3 vest is remote, the chances youll even see the man when he heres you get out of bed are remote, the chances he sees you with a gun and doesnt turn tail and run, remoter still... the chances youll have to fire at the person, even less... 9mm with some hp's is all you need if you even think you need anything to begin with. unless you live in a shitty area or you pissed off the wrong people, then you really dont need a defense pistol. imo a shotgun is a far better home defense platform... they are incredible intimidating, very reliable, easy to use, can knock down anything within closed spaces, wont penetrate into your neighbors bedroom when you miss, and you point and shoot a shotgun, you dont have to point, AIM and shoot a shotgun. very important when you wake up suddenly in 3am in complete darkness and someone pops around the corner of your hallway... try firing a pistol at that... then do it with a shotgun... which would you rather rely your skills on? not to mention if it comes down to it, even an unloaded shotgun can be used as a nasty hand to hand weapon, a pistol can be turned on you faster, and its next to useless in hand to hand unless you can get a direct blow to a bone or head.

enough ranting, if you really are set on a pistol (or bypassing all the above) and you just want a pistol for the fun of firing at a range or what not, i suggest you try out a bunch just like others have mentioned. just like cars, some people just dont fit in them or drive them as well as others, no matter what the look like.

personally i'm very interested in the new beratta px4 in .40 (aslo in 9mm), its compact, very adjustable, good looking, and has loads of accessories for whatever you want to work with. and if they are anything like thier police issue designs, they will be reliable as pistols twice thier price.

http://www.berettausa.com/product/sp...pistol_px4.cfm

My fiancee wants this one.

http://media.putfile.com/Xtrema2-Shotgun

But we have a question about chokes. He has a 870 12 guage remington pump. It needs a barrel 28 inch. (Has a rifle barrel on it now.) Looking for a full choke. Been looking for a barrel on Ebay but confused about "remington choke" and a "modified choke". Wants to shoot 2 3/4 to 3" shells. So what's the difference between chokes mentioned. What should we be looking for and why? If it's modified, can it still do full choke? Primarily to be used for target shooting, the occasional turkey shoot, and home defense.

Thanks.

Lori

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Originally Posted by BIGRED Z

My fiancee wants this one.

http://media.putfile.com/Xtrema2-Shotgun

But we have a question about chokes. He has a 870 12 guage remington pump. It needs a barrel 28 inch. (Has a rifle barrel on it now.) Looking for a full choke. Been looking for a barrel on Ebay but confused about "remington choke" and a "modified choke". Wants to shoot 2 3/4 to 3" shells. So what's the difference between chokes mentioned. What should we be looking for and why? If it's modified, can it still do full choke? Primarily to be used for target shooting, the occasional turkey shoot, and home defense.

Thanks.

Lori

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Home defense = No Choke

Turkey Hunting = Extra Full

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Originally Posted by BIGRED Z

My fiancee wants this one.

http://media.putfile.com/Xtrema2-Shotgun

But we have a question about chokes. He has a 870 12 guage remington pump. It needs a barrel 28 inch. (Has a rifle barrel on it now.) Looking for a full choke. Been looking for a barrel on Ebay but confused about "remington choke" and a "modified choke". Wants to shoot 2 3/4 to 3" shells. So what's the difference between chokes mentioned. What should we be looking for and why? If it's modified, can it still do full choke? Primarily to be used for target shooting, the occasional turkey shoot, and home defense.

Thanks.

Lori

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My Remington 870 Express magnum shoots 2 3/4 or 3" magnums and uses removable chokes so I can use any choke I want.

Right now I have full, modified, skeet, and turkey choke.


Choosing The Right Choke For Your Shotgun/

My CCW:
http://www.olive-drab.com/images/firearms_mg_m2_02.jpg

My bed side gun / target is a gock g17 17 round mag, with federal 124gr hydra shocks. My ccw is a Kahr pm9 (6 shoot auto that fits in your pocket)
9 mm cheap to shoot and with a hollow point +p+ round they are up there with a .45 or .40 cal,
PLUSS high capacity

Thanks for the replies guys, and the link will be helpful Billy.

Lori