• There has been a recent cluster of spammers accessing BARFer accounts and posting spam. To safeguard your account, please consider changing your password. It would be even better to take the additional step of enabling 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) on your BARF account. Read more here.

Good choice for first handgun?

S

smallfry

Stirrer of the Pot
Joined
Aug 23, 2006
Location
San Francisco
Moto(s)
2010 Honda CBR1000RR, 2001 SV650S, 1981 CM400C
Name
Jay
Can someone recommend a good first handgun?

Most of my experience is with rifles and such, I don't know a whole lot about handguns. Don't want to spend a ton or get anything too complicated or powerful. Just something nice to learn some more with.

And no "My First Gun" by Fisher-Price is not an option. :twofinger
 
What do you want to do with it? What experience do you have with handguns?
 
54324.jpg
 
RRR70 said:
What do you want to do with it? What experience do you have with handguns?
Click to expand...

This is the real question. Are you interested in just learning to shoot or do you want a home defense weapon? In either case I’d recommend a revolver, since they’re lower maintenance than an automatic. For pure target fun, a cheap .22 is ideal to spend hours at the range or in the field plinking away at targets for dirt cheap prices. It also works a damn sight better than a kitchen knife for home defense. If you want a real home defensive weapon, a .38 special from Smith & Wesson or one of its knock offs is an ideal revolver that you can own cheap, run cheap and have it be a reliable friend with minimal maintenance for the duration of your life. It’s not a premier man stopper, but you have a reasonably high chance of a single hit fatality with a shot to center of mass. If you want to really get into the nitty gritty of becoming a firearms owner and deal with field stripping your weapon to clean it and all that junk, I’d strongly recommend a mid-size Glock like the .40S&W Glock 23. Glock is a reasonably priced firearm known for it’s ruggedness and simple hard working design. I think of it as the Kalashnikov (the ultimate battle rifle) of pistols.
 
Glocks aren't that hard to clean, I can do it in about 10 min, a few more times at it and I'll probably get it down to 5.
 
My first handgun was a Taurus Tracker 627. It's a .357 (will shoot .38 special, too), has stock comfy grips, 7-round cylinder and a ported barrel. It's really simple, versatile and not as pricy as a S&W. I'd recommend it, or something similar, to anyone. The full underlug and porting of the barrel makes shooting even hot .357 rounds a breeze.

Otherwise, I also agree with Glocks as the Kalashnikov of pistols. You really can't go wrong with one of those, either.
 
I think a .22 autoloader is the Ninja 250 of handguns. Cheap and fun to operate, you will be punching out small groups with minimal flinch much more quickly than ANY other handgun. If you just want a gun to stick in a drawer and pull out when you hear a noise in the night, a revolver, .38/.357.

IMHO, if you have ANY interest in shooting as a hobby, and no prior experience, start with a used .22, the big stuff will follow soon enough. I had a Ruger Mark II, ridiculously easy, fun and accurate.
 
smallfry said:
Can someone recommend a good first handgun?

Most of my experience is with rifles and such, I don't know a whole lot about handguns. Don't want to spend a ton or get anything too complicated or powerful. Just something nice to learn some more with.

And no "My First Gun" by Fisher-Price is not an option. :twofinger
Click to expand...
As others have said - go with a revolver, a .38 would be best. I would stay away from autos (especially those w/out a safety) until you gain some experience.
 
Sig 226 is super easy to field strip and clean, accurate, and will always work. I've had a good experience with mine. Find something that fits your hand and you like.

Come out and shoot with us some time, most people are totally okay with letting you shoot their gun and it's the best way to find what you like.
 
SteelerFanatic said:
Do Rod and Gun clubs host these? Where would one take a class like this?
Click to expand...

honestly i don't know. I imagine a quick google search will bring something up, if not, a quick convo with your local firearms dealer.

But one of the reasons i didn't buy a gun was i could not afford the cost defensive shooting classes. I figure owning a gun can only do so much for peace of mind.
 
A saw-ed off shotgun with at a least 9 shot magazine, that you can put in a cod piece holster in your pant leg, is a Win Win choice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top