Advice on my first handgun

[tarsier]

Hey all.

Have been wondering about this for a little while now.

Looking into the application process right now. 

I am planning on picking up a new hobby.

Never discharged a gun in my life.  But I want to start.

I have no interest in hunting.  Just want to go to a shooting range and have some target practice.

I work with a few guys I know have fairly extensive gun collections.  But, I am finding it very hard to spark conversation without sounding like a homicidal maniac...

"so, I've been thiking about getting a gun..." long uncomfortable silence....

I don't want to appear to be a "man with a plan".  I just want to start a new hobby that I have zero experience in.

So, my question....   What's a good size, brand, etc of gun to start with.  I don't want to go to the store with no knowledge, when I apply for my license.

Hit me with your opinions and advice...

Preemptive thanks!

[Groovechild]

The only gun that I have ever fired is a shotgun (skeet shooting) which was actually a lot of fun. Never fired a hand gun tho. I've actually been thinking about getting a handgun for some time, but just the sheer terror of one of the offspring 'playing' with it makes me risk life without one.
I think what you might want to do is goto a firing range and specifically ask them what the procedure is. I think it's certainly worth the lesson, whatever it costs, just for the first time!

[butt]

I'll assume you mean a permit to carry?

I was a bit of a gun nut at your age. Well, I was raised w/ them, but did not start buying till my early 20's when I had a little bread to blow. (young, dumb, and you know the rest)

Depends what you want to do with it. Target shooting? Personal protection?  Both?

[tarsier]

Yeah, both.  I have been looking at safes with fast access for the nightstand.

I already read the biometric ones are pretty much crap.  Looking at quick access and simplicity.

I would be doing target shooting to get familiar/comfortable with it.

And a permit to carry would be needed as well.  Just to get it to and from the range.  Already reesearched a bit.  Have to hit up the local sherriffs department for the app.

So far I have seen that the glock 17, glock 19, and beretta px4 storm as recommended highly for home protection and ease of use.

Likely I would add some sort of light to it for home use.  I guess this would be a consideration too.

And, knowing myself, this won't be my only one, just the first...  Hopefully I can get the wife into it too.  She's cool with me getting one.  As long as it's in a safe.

[butt]

ok. lemme give it some thought, and i'll get back to this tomarrow. Trying to get the new server set up for the morning.

[thekitten]

Well, Tarsier, be grateful that you live in Pa., if you want to get into this. My son-in-law, who lives in Jersey went through a long drawn out process to get a permit just to own a firearm. I think that a carry permit is out of the question in NJ. I've been toying w/ the idea of getting my carry permit again, but, haven't even put it on my list of priorities. I have owned a fair amount of handguns since I was 18, from a sub-compact .22 (which I still have) to a S+W mod. 29 .44 mag. w/a 10+" barrel. (I don't recommend that to start) Currently, I still have 2 Taurus handguns. A .22 six inch revolver for target shooting (very inexpensive to shoot) and a 9mm, PT99AF for protection. I have been partial to Taurus (the poor man's Berretta), or was, I should say, because of several reasons. Cost was the biggie. If you've been looking you've seen that these things are not cheap, and the ones that are I would stay away from. Feel and comfort was important (I have always hated S+W and Ruger autos because of how they felt in my hand. Glock wasn't bad, just too expensive) as well as handling ability. If you have smaller hands, a large frame will probably feel awkward. Check different sized guns for comfort. Barrel length will be a factor. The longer the barrel, the more accurite it will be, but you lose easy concealment with larger/longer weapons. Then, revolver or auto? I prefer auto for protection because of magazine capacity and a speedy reload. Some people will argue that they could jam, but, I've never had it happen. As far as power goes, I think that Groove has a good idea. Go to a local range and test out a few different calibers. They usually have a multitude of weapons to shoot. You just pay the ridiculous price per clip or shot. Most places will even have lessons for beginners. Start out with a mid-range caliber, like a .38 revolver or a 380/ 9mm auto. Move up or down depending on how they feel. Once you decide and make the purchase, practice, practice, practice. A gun that you are familiar w/ will be a lot more accurite and deadly than one you first pick up.

Good luck, be safe and I hope you never have to use it.

[tarsier]

Wow, super informative post.  Thanks.

I do like the idea of going to a place and checking out what they have.

Hopefully I can find somewhere that has the ability to let me try out different models.  I guess a shooting range will be my first priority.

Mostly this would be for a hobby, recreationally shooting.  Another thing I want to be able to say I know how to do.  Secondarily for personal protection.

[thekitten]

As I said, most ranges will have guns to shoot. Anywhere from .17 plinkers to AK47s to .50 sniper rifles. Just be careful!!!! I felt pretty "cool" when I got my first and even more so when I started to carry. Boy, was I young and stupid. After awhile the "thrill" wore off and carrying was more of an inconveniance than anything else. And, pretty unnecessary, where I lived. The only reason I have been thinking about getting a new one is because there are a lot of undesirables in the area that I live and I've been thinking about taking up target shooting again. We'll see.

Again...I pray you never need to use it for protection.

[Spec5]

Personaly Tars, I like the Para-ordinance .40cal autos the p16 to be exact sweet rep of the m1911 .45 frame, with larger clip capacity and take down power without all the weight and price.
I also am a big fan of Kimber autos not a revolver guy. I perfer a combat trigger to double action, and I am also a big fan of Sig sauer P226. Couple of linkies for ya to check out, I dont believe that there has ever been anything bad said about these weapons or manufacturers.


http://www.para-usa.com/new/downloads/reviews/GA03-95.pdf

http://www.kimberamerica.com/

http://www.remtek.com/arms/sig/model/226/226.htm

[Groovechild]

Question regarding permit to carry, that is so you can keep it loaded on your person, correct? We were considering getting a permit like bc I have to support a server colo in a shady part of Philly; when things go down at 3AM and I gotta rollout there, I thought it may be a good idea to have one. But if you're going to the range and back, I don't think you need a permit to carry, just have to  keep the gun in the trunk, or the clip separated from the gun in the car, something like that.
Shooter guys, is that right? I remember someone telling me that permit to carry is pretty much if your work security.

[butt]

Ok. Now I've some time for this one.


Ed has given some good advice.

First for a "dual use" gun, do not go below a .380.  If memory serves, a .380 is the smallest caliber allowed for a concealed carry in TX. My suggestion would be a small 9mm semi. I would strongly suggest against a "full size" semi-auto for anyone thinking about a personal carry weapon. I would look for a 9mm compact.  (your wife would be able to shoot this comfortably as well) The problem "most" younger beginners have in choosing a weapon, can be traced to the film industry. We're taught "bigger is better" See Dirty Harry "it'll blow your head clean off" Callihan. Bigger is NOT better... If you can't shoot/control recoil, whats the point? Your buddies at the shooting range may have bigger guns, but this is not about a competition. Its about the comfort of the shooter, and having the confidence in knowing your shot is going to end up where you intended it to go. Being a stupid kid at the time, I went with pistols that are not good for concealed carries. I have a Tarus P-92 9mm (Baretta knock off) and  Glock model 22 in .40 cal.  Both are good guns, that I have no problem shooting w/ accuracy. The 9mm shoots slightly better for me. It has a slightly longer barrel, and not quite the powder charge as the .40 (recoil)

http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=133&category=Pistol

http://www.glock.com/english/glock22.htm

Both of my handguns have "double stacked" clips. meaning the bullets are offest from each other in the clip, not straight - from top to bottom in the clip. This design allows for more bullets per clip, but adds to width (not good for concealment) and weight. Go back to my "youthful bravado" I mentioned earlier. We think "bigger is better" and "more is better". Not true! If an experienced shooter can not handle a self defence situation in 2-3 shots, you'd probably better stay away from firearms all together. 1 or 2 properly placed shots should be more than enough. We've all seen too much TV, and chances of a "wild west" shoot outs, are slim to none. 

[tarsier]

Awesome.  Now I have some stuff to look at.

I am going to get the permit to carry, but will probably just keep it at home and at the shooting range until I am really feeling confident with it.

My wife showed a real interest in getting her own as well.  We'll have to get matching nightstand gun safes.  She grew up with guns as a kid.  She has more experience shooting than I do, actually.

There's a PAFOA (pennsylvania firearms owners association) "group shoot" on July 11th.  Might head up there with the wife to have a look at what's available.  It's about a half hour drive from where we live.  Supposed to be a few experienced people giving talks about safety and general shooting info.

I do like the praise 9mm is getting as a size.  Compact is looking pretty good as well.  My cell phone is too bulky, couldn't imagine anything much bigger attached to me.

I like the offerings from glock as well as the beretta I listed earlier.  I don't mind spending a few bucks to get something of high quality.  Might pick up something used to start out with.

Not sure if it's my exposure inthe media, but I am not looking at getting any type of revolver.  They just look too "old school" to me.
I see the benefit of the simplicity, but the tradeoff in coolness has me looking toward the autos.



Thanks so much for all the advice guys.  I will keep you al updated when I figure out what the wife and I are going with.

[Eric]