Looking to purchase my first handgun!

[offshorebear]

Glock 19. It's the best do-it-all gun.

[lemko]

My first handgun was a used S&W Model 10 .38 Special. I would recommend it.

[300plus]

[QUOTE=lucky-gunner;1409905

As far as your first handgun. There is really no way to gauge what particular model would be best for you. I personally suggest getting a .357 Mag revolver, with a 4 inch barrel. The manufacturer doesn't matter too much (Ruger, S&W (pre-lock prefered), Colt , Taurus) some are better, some are cheaper. Your budget and preference there. Revolvers help in slowing you down when you shoot. I also prefer a Single Action (cocked hammer) trigger pull for beginners. It reinforces that touching the trigger makes it go boom, and you limit the trigger pull error of marksmanship to a degree. Shoot .38 special out of it for training and HD. Then buy a ton of ammo and shoot it until your sick of shooting it. Then shoot twice as much ammo again. By then you'll love it, know it, and be able to use it.

As others have said stopping power isn't near as important as shot placement. The more accurate you are will have a larger effect on stopping power than the size of the bullet. I think most of us would prefer being shot in the leg by a .45 than in the head by a .22. Both will probably kill you but the .22 will turn the lights out with a quickness.[/QUOTE]

I own a wide variety of calibers in pistol and revolver. Have to agree 100% that a 4 inch .357 Mag is the best all around one gun purchase for the novice gunner. Beats a .22 on several counts including the most important one-reliability. 22's can be very ammo sensitive and that can be frustrating to the novice shooter. If used for protection, shot placement with a .22 is critical. The .22 LR deserves a place in any shooters arsenal, but not as the only gun.
The.357 Mag Loaded with .38 Special 148 grain wadcutters allows the shooter to learn marksmanship, trigger control and the other important fundamentals at modest cost and low recoil- reducing flinching. Then, without needing another weapon, learning another trigger, sights, etc. they can step up to standard pressure JHP ammo and eventually some of the superb +P defensive ammo for self defense/home protection. Short range hunting and even sport shooting (steel plates, bowling pins etc.) are quite possible with full power .357 Magnum ammo, all using the same gun.

By the way, I learned to shoot with my dad's only firearm- a S&W Model 36 .38 Special 1 7/8ths in. barrel. When I finally got to shoot a longer barreled revolver, I was stunned at how easy it was to shoot well compared to the snub I'd started with!

[tdyoung58]

I would submit that to get the "best" for each of the stated purposes, you need two pistols.

For practice and fun, you can't beat a .22LR. Browning Buckmarks and Ruger Mark II or Mark III are very popular, accurate, and reliable.

As far as home defense, a .22 is certainly better than no gun at all. There are a variety of calibers that would be well-suited for home defense. It's better to chose a smaller caliber that you can be proficient with than to buy the biggest thing you can find just because it has more "stopping power".

Training and practice (IMO) are far more important than the caliber you ultimately select.

What he said.....

also if you have friends that own guns that would be a good way to try a few to decide which you like. Different guns feel better than others, I hate the feel of Glocks in my hand, yet like the way a Springfield XD or 1911 does.

You can also look into used guns at a local shop as well, most have them and you can save a good chunk of cash on them. As far as cost for a new one they can be from $3-400 to over $1500, all depends on what you want

[tdyoung58]

Kel-Tec PMR-30, great for cheap shooting, inexpensive at $400-500, and for home defense 2-30 round mags of .22 mag, what's there not to like.

that .22 mag costs almost as much as 9mm does, sometimes more since wal-mart now sells cheap Tula ammo

[dkf]

MSRP is $299... I wonder if I'll ever see one for that much? Maybe in ten years... Thanks a bunch Kel Tec.

A guy on here bought one at Shydas for right at the MSRP price. Keltec is trickling them out.

For a good all around gun with some power behind it I'd look at the compact or subcompact Glocks. The Springfield XDs or Ruger Sr9/SR40 may strike your fancy. Go to a shop and look around.

[eXceLon]

I'm perfectly comfortable with 9mm as a defensive caliber, and at least you'll be able to afford to practice with it.

Even though I'm not a Glock shooter, honestly the best suggestion is probably "Just get a Glock". The main reason I don't shoot a Glock is because I didn't start with a Glock, and I've become accustomed to other grip angles. Had I started with a Glock, that wouldn't be a concern.

My personal opinion is to avoid revolvers, and to avoid DA/SA semiautomatics. Either go for a striker-fired gun (Glock, S&W M&P, Springfield XD), or go for something single-action only like a 1911. I bought a DA/SA Beretta for my first gun, and later found out how difficult it was to train for two different trigger pulls in the same gun. I've since sold it.

[Mity2]

Kel-Tec PMR-30, great for cheap shooting, inexpensive at $400-500, and for home defense 2-30 round mags of .22 mag, what's there not to like.

Is PMR-30 out yet? I thought it wasn't out yet...
If its out, I'm having my dealer get me one

[*Klutch*]

that .22 mag costs almost as much as 9mm does, sometimes more since wal-mart now sells cheap Tula ammo

Not really sure where you buy you 22 mag but my store is $7.50 for 50, and 9mm ain't close to that

Is PMR-30 out yet? I thought it wasn't out yet...
If its out, I'm having my dealer get me one

It's out but very limited, the MSRP on Kel-Tecs website is $415, I have not seen one in person yet but I would like to, I'm not sure if I would pay more than $325-350 for it though. If your FFL can order one it would probably take a bit as I don't see alot so KT may be seeing how well it does first...or maybe just upping the $$$

[offshorebear]

$8 for a box of 9mm isn't hard to come by. http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.as...115&groupid=46

22mag out of a handgun is goofy. Get something more mainstream and you will have a much more enjoyable shooting experience.