Originally
posted by
BigP:
I put in for my handgun permit last week. Now I need to find something I like. Any advice for a beginner? Ive shot a few guns before, but never owned one.
Any good gun store with a range will allow you to test out a bunch that they sell. Try a bunch, see what you like the best and are comfortable with. The recoil, your build and your hand size can all affect what feels most comfortable to you. Feel free to do it a few times to see what you really like.
What are you goals? self defense? target practice? hunting? each will have a range of options for you. A cheap 22 plinker for practice would be an easy cheaper start. a small 380 for personal carry is a good start too. don't go for a snub nose 44 for a first time carry you'll shoot it once and then probably never want to carry it. so basically anything larger than 380 as a first time owner you'll probably not end up not carrying which defeats the whole purpose of a carry gun. an easy first time 9mm I'd recommend a Glock 17. easy to shoot, easy to hold, not a lot of recoil, bulky to carry though, and not the most elegant looking. more elegant looking aim for a nice 1911, also in a variety of calibers but some people complain about reliability but they have been made for over 100 years so that speaks for something too. Anything larger than 9mm you'd probably want as a 2nd or 3rd gun. So I wouldn't recommend 357/44/ etc for a first. No one really needs a 50 unless you're wanting to carry in an area you're scared of bears? No one generally ends at just buying one in any case so don't stress about it too much and enjoy collecting and be safe! :)