Author Topic: Help a beginer choose a good starting firearm (Read 3056 times)

Animal · « **on:** April 01, 2003, 11:22:52 PM »

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First, let me say that I KNOW this thread will end in a flame war, I dont care AS LONG AS I GET THE INFORMATION I SEEK. So please start your pro/con guns debate after I'm finished.
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In a few months I will have my gun license (finally)

As the date approaches I have been reading, asking questions, and getting informed on several types of handguns.
I figured I'd post about it here, since most of you are proud redneck sons of a gun who had Magnums instead of pacifiers

I know the best way to decide what firearm to choose is to test them, but sadly due to our restrictive laws there are not many legal gun owners here (but MANY illegal owners) so not a big variety of guns I can ask people to let me use.

What caliber round should I use? Should I go for a bigger gun for stability? Or for a smaller one so that I can later use it once I have a license to conceal?

What I'm leaning most so far, is the Glock 22 ( .40 ). The only downside it seems is that its too expensive.

I have never done target shooting with a handgun, only with rifles and shotguns, so I need all the help I can get.

funkedup · « **Reply #1 on:** April 01, 2003, 11:27:46 PM »

Ruger 22 pistol.

Hangtime · « **Reply #2 on:** April 01, 2003, 11:28:14 PM »

the point of a pistol is close defense.

that ain't a dinky lil cap gun situation.

i happen to prefer the 1911 colt .45 ACP.

says 'stop' with authority.. before and after you squeeze the trigger.

Animal · « **Reply #3 on:** April 01, 2003, 11:31:03 PM »

Yeah but I was thinking of something for target practice, and if I ever need to use it for self defense, then I would like to disable my assilant, not blow an arm off with a .45

Funked,

I googled and its a .22
Very funny, you scoundrel.

-Edit-
I realized maybe you mean to use it for target practice until I'm proficient, but I rather have a real gun from the start.

Hangtime · « **Reply #4 on:** April 01, 2003, 11:33:39 PM »

animal, try 'em both.

seriously.

believe me, a .45 will not break your wrist. there's a reason that pistol has been in production since 1911.

Quote

I would like to disable my assilant, not blow an arm off with a .45

what.. so the pinhead can sue yah? If yah need to pull it and squeeze, you'd better kill him.

Swoop · « **Reply #5 on:** April 01, 2003, 11:34:57 PM »

Why stop at one?

I like 92Fs, fine weapon, but shooting that .45 with the big grain ammo at the con last year was a blast.

Animal · « **Reply #6 on:** April 01, 2003, 11:36:28 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Hangtime
animal, try 'em both.

seriously.

believe me, a .45 will not break your wrist. there's a reason that pistol has been in production since 1911.

what.. so the pinhead can sue yah? If yah need to pull it and squeeze, you'd better kill him.

Good point, I guess I'll try the .45 then.

Swoop, can you tell me more about the 92F?
(Googling it right now)

-Edit-
Good info on the Beretta 92F:
http://www.alpharubicon.com/leo/beretta92f.htm

Toad · « **Reply #7 on:** April 01, 2003, 11:42:19 PM »

I think there have been some reports of Berettas cracking if shot extensively, like 20k rounds+.

FWIW.

Animal · « **Reply #8 on:** April 01, 2003, 11:43:14 PM »

Anyone here has extensive experience with diferent Glocks of different calibers?

Hangtime · « **Reply #9 on:** April 01, 2003, 11:44:46 PM »

another good reason to work out regularly with a .45... after your completely familiar with it, when you try out smaller caliber stuff you'll zero twice as fast and be a bit more accurate from the git-go.

.45's are pretty cheap for a good used one.. and like I say.. it's an excellent piece to 'qualify' with before you move on to more expensive 9mm's and such.

but you will always have a soft spot for the .45

Swoop · « **Reply #10 on:** April 01, 2003, 11:44:51 PM »

Yup, Beretta 92F.

lovely little weapon. Fires like a pop gun but there's almost no recoil, it's accurate as hell and carries a 15 round clip.

Puck still has the targets from the con, I was real pleased with my 15rds all in the black considering I'd never fired a pistol before, shows just how easy to use a 92F is. Although 14 of Curval's 15rds musta got beamed up by the USS Enterprise cos they didnt reach the paper (heh, sorry Curv, but it was classic). Anyway, there's plenty of clones of the 92F available if you dont wanna spend the $ on the real thing, I think I saw one in the Bass Pro shop for under $200.

Gotta tell ya the Udie story again as well: Udie worked in a gun store, father and son come in to buy a pistol for the boy, the son wants a 9mm, the father says "Son, I never had to shoot a man twice with a .45.". They bought the .45.

N1kPaz · « **Reply #11 on:** April 01, 2003, 11:45:03 PM »

smith and wesson .44 magnum revolver...cheap..deadly...an d it doesnt spit out the spent cartridges and leave your fingerprints laying everywhere to be found by CSI.

Mini D · « **Reply #12 on:** April 01, 2003, 11:45:58 PM »

The 92F is a Beretta 9mm. I have a .40 cal version of one. They're good guns, but kinda spendy. Dunno if they're worth the bang for the buck. I'd recommend a Taurus over a Beretta if budget was a major concern.

I like the .45 round in automatic pistols. The recoil isn't bad at all and no prolific automatic beats its stopping power. If You feel that may be a bit much, I'd recommend a .40 instead. Its halfway between the 9mm (which I feel is too small) and the .45.

The Ruger Mark II (and newer) series of pistols are excellent for target shooting (.22 cal). But that is all.

If you get to looking at revolvers, I like the .357 magnum stuff. Once again, the kick is not what you'd expect. And it is really a magnicent round.

MiniD

Swoop · « **Reply #13 on:** April 01, 2003, 11:47:45 PM »

mmmmmm

If they'd let me in Europe: Desert Eagle .50

Not half mate!

Dune · « **Reply #14 on:** April 01, 2003, 11:48:34 PM »

Hmm...not a flame, just making sure I'm reading you right on what you want:

1. Something easy to shoot for target practice. Should be easy to handle and use inexpensive ammunition. And accurate.

2. Second use would be self-defense. Trust me, worrying about winging someone will get you hurt. Shoot to kill or don't even pull the gun out.

3. You don't have much experience. So you probably need something simple.

To me, this adds up to one of two guns. A Smith and Wesson .357 revolver or a Glock (whichever style you prefer) in 9mm. Why?

The Smith is a revolver. I.e., it is dirt simple. Put the ammo in the cylender and pull the trigger. A .357 isn't a .45Auto, but it will do the job. They can be bought from $400 to 600. And the ammo is cheap and easy to find (I guess. I've never been down there) I have a S&W Model 66 for home defense. I know my wife can shoot it well and she can operate it under a stressful situation.

The Glock is also dirt simple and easy to use. It is the most common sidearm used by Arizona peace officers by far. Like the revolver, you load it, rack the action and pull the trigger. They are also supposed to be very reliable. I am not a fan of the 9mm, I prefer the .45auto. But, if you're learning, try a 9mm. They don't kick as much and they will perform as a stopper with the right ammo. Speaking of ammo, 9mm should be easier to find. Which is good for target shooting.

Now, if I was going to tell a person what gun to get without any special consideration what would it be? One of two weapons. My favorite is a Colt .45 1911. Second place would be a CZ 75. But Colt's take much practice to really learn how to be proficeint with it and the CZ's are pricey. But they are the best 9mm on the market.