Erica Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 So I have decided that it is time to buy a gun. I am looking to spend about $400-$600 on a handgun (I don't really know what things are going for these days). I would like something that I can learn to shoot with, I'm used to rifle shooting, but I want something that would offer protection if I should ever have to use it. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KillJoy Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Go and handle every single one, to see which feels best. Then shoot all that feel good. Pick the one that does both best. :thumbup: KillJoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Go to a range and rent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erica Posted December 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Go and handle every single one, to see which feels best. Then shoot all that feel good. Pick the one that does both best. :thumbup: KillJoy yes, but where should I start...Brands, caliber? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex L. Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 yes, but where should I start...Brands, caliber? 9mm, .40, and .45 are the most popular magazine-feed options. Shoot each and follow Steve's advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Go and handle every single one, to see which feels best. Then shoot all that feel good. Pick the one that does both best. :thumbup: KillJoy Best advice. Its all personal preference on feel. Example, Glocks are so popular, yet I hated them, the handle was angled too much for me to handle comfortably. Other brands/models too small, other too big, a few just right. Go shoot the regulars, XD, M&P, Glock, LCP, pk380 etc. I found the pk380 to be the best fit in my hand, loved the shoot too. I just sold it because I never used it. I will probably go M&P 9mm when I get my CC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KillJoy Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 yes, but where should I start...Brands, caliber? I would suggest on the Top Left, and go to the Bottom Right. :gabe: KillJoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stangsn95gt Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Glock 17, M&P9, XD9 and SR9 I prefer the Glocks but its hard to go wrong with any of them. They are all full size 9mm with little recoil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 S&W model 3913 ladysmith 9mm. its an old model but still a great gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bruh Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 P22 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sol740 Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Trying out as many as you can and finding out for yourself what you prefer, is definitely the way to go. However, the intended purpose of the firearm is important too. For instance my Ruger LCP is fantastic for comfortable concealment if you plan on doing that. There are many ways to easily hide it whether you IWB, pocket-carry, whatever. I wouldn't want to use the LCP as a home defense handgun. I'd want something with higher capacity, and in pretty much any other larger caliber. Nor is it a firearm I want to shoot often for fun shooting. I put a few mags through it at the range to stay familiar, then it goes back in the bag. Kyle's list is a great start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tractor Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Love the smith and wesson M&P line of hand guns. I had a hard time deciding between the .45 and 9mm. I ended up getting the .45 because I knew I'd want it if I got the 9mm first. Only downside is they are a little big for most people to want to carry concealed. I carry in an outside the waist ban holster and wear cloths that hide it well in cooler weather, but in summer I'll have to figure out some other way or get a pocket gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tractor Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 I decided to get a hand gun because I'd never shot one before and now I love it. So much more fun/challenging than the shotguns and rifles I'd been around growing up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianZ06 Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 S&W Bodyguard 380 or a Walther PK380. Are two that come to mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evan9381 Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 S&W Bodyguard 380. was going to say this after toying with one at powder room saturday evening. i really liked it also check out a Kahr PM9...its in the higher end of your range, but a smooth gun...im gonna buy one soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbospec29 Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 I got my fiance a Ruger SR9c for her first hand gun and she loves it. fit and feel is nice and it has some additional safeties that most other don't have. Twas about 450 new. http://www.ruger.com/products/sr9c/models.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copperhead Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 1911 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjjxlr8 Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 This. http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98062 Go rent one first, though, just to make sure you like the ergonomics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty2Hotty Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Educate yourself. Learn your weapon. Practice, practice, and practice. Keep the end with the hole pointed downrange and away from people. Don't buy something because it's "cute". Name your firearm and love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaewsky1 Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Name your firearm. This is one thing I have never done. Now I need to come up with a name for my Glock 19. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87GT Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 You should have came to NASR with Brittney and I last time we talked about it Rent everything. Start small if but you don't have to. If my ex can shoot .500 S&W Magnum rounds without any issue so can you. For protection I would assume you are not talking about carrying since you are just starting out. I would buy a shotgun just for protecting your house. The caliber doesn't matter. Get a shotgun that you can hold comfortably without extending your arm until the elbow locks. If you have to get a smaller youth shotgun then so be it. Guns are tools make sure to get one that works best for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erica Posted December 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Educate yourself. Learn your weapon. Practice, practice, and practice. Keep the end with the hole pointed downrange and away from people. Don't buy something because it's "cute". Name your firearm and love it. Grandfather was a gun dealer...I know gun handeling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patterson Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Buy a big one. Test on pet cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjrsplat Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Buy a big one. Test on pet cat. http://www.imgspark.com/icache/0012/29c833a179cd51b542b5119e54c87725_l.gif Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty2Hotty Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Grandfather was a gun dealer...I know gun handeling You're ahead of the learning curve in a way. If you have smaller hands like my GF, check the subcompact market, IE M&P, Glock, Beretta, Sig (maybe out of range in price), Ruger etc... I guess a good way to start is if you prefer an automatic or a revolver. Start there, and head to the range for some palming and shooting. Most ranges are pretty empty during the weekdays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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