What would be the best handgun for a beginner to buy?

Question

I'm a novice marksman, and I am looking into buying a handgun. Nothing to powerful, and good to start with. I have shot a small range of guns before (handgun, shotgun, small rifle. Nothing to big, and sorry I can't remember the types I shot.) and I remember my aim was not very good. Are 9mm bad hand guns to start out with? I'd appreciate a current model as well that you would advise, nothing to expensive. I'm trying to keep it under 400 dollars (if that is too cheap, let me know so I can up my budget for this project a little.)

Answer 1

Look at Ruger Single-Six, a .22LR single action six-shooter revolver. NO safety needed as you need to pull the hammer back before you can shoot it.

For semi-auto, try Browning Buckmark in .22lr.

I like the .22LR cal rimfire ammo as it is the cheapest to shoot, about 15bucks for 500 rounds. THis cal is great for target practice, plinking and small game hunting. You can shoot it all day long with out getting sore from the strong recoil of larger calibers.

Answer 2

glock 19

Answer 3

A Ruger Mark III 22/45 Target Model... Or a Smith & Wesson revolver with a 4 or 6 inch barrel in 357 Magnum.* Buy new or used.*You can also shoot 38 caliber ammo in a 357 Magnum, so you get two (2*) handguns for the price of one.*

Answer 4

Also alot of people will tell you to get a 22 since youre a novice shooter n what not but I jumped into shooting with a 357magnum...I dont recommend doing that, but try the 9mm first until you get used to shooting then move up in caliber. Try to find a shooting range that rents pistols.

Answer 5

400 is an acceptable budget, especially if you are willing to look at slightly used guns.

Now, it is probably best for a beginner to start out with a .22LR handgun, but sometimes that just isn't possible, for budget reasons.  Still, it is best if you can borrow or maybe buy an inexpensive used gun of some sort, even a rifle, in .22LR, as the fundimentals you can learn with it will apply to everything.

that being said, probably the two best starting chamberings are going to be

#1 9mm, or more properly 9x19mm aka 9mm parabellum, aka 9mm luger (because while that is the most common '9mm' there are some other ones)

#2 the 38 special.  Note getting a 357 revolver is smart, because it can also shoot 38 specials, so you get a good novice gun and a good expert gun combined.

Both rounds are moderately powerful, so they will get the job done, and both rounds recoil lightly.  Further, both rounds are less expensive than many altertatives.

The sig is definately a nice gun, however, it is a bit higher in price than a lot of other makers.  Glock, Springfield XD, Smith&Wesson M&P, Ruger, Browning, Walther, Beretta, CZ, Taurus, Kahr, FN-Herstal, kel-tec, etc, are all good guns.  

Taurus is probably the least expensive gun that is still good quality.  Ruger is probably the 2nd least expensive, and is generally considered to be built like a tank.  Of course, they both make a wide variety of models, so I am painting with a wide brush when I say that.

I take that back, Kel-Tec is probably the least expensive, but they produce a very specific product lihe,

Remember, the power comes from the ammo used, not the gun itself.  Every action has and equal and opposite reaction, when the gunpowder ignites and explodes, it pushes the bullet out, but also pushes the gun back. This is where kick comes from.  The bigger and heavier the gun, the less harsh the kick is, simply because it takes more force to push it back.

This would be a reasonably good choice, but I'd worry maybe it is too light for a beginner, plus the ammo capacity is low, and often the grips are short for ease of conceal, which can make it harder to shoot.

http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/7...

A Ruger p95 would probably make a very good handgun for you, it is solid and reliable and hefty and controllable

http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/5...

http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/5...

Ruger recently moved to this new design

http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/7...

Here are a couple taurus for consideration

http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/4...

http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/5...

http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/5...

and taurus has a very close copy of the beretta

http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/4...

FN-Herstal has made assault type rifles for a long time, in fact they currently make M-16s for our military. They recently got into the domestic handgun market with this gun

http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/7...

CZ was once hard to get as it was behind the 'iron curtain' but now these good guns are readily available

http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/7...

Classic Smith and Wesson

http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/7...

Note, be cautious about buying S&W Sigma series, they feel nice, but they tend to be not very accurate, the design was quickly retired because of that problem and some reliability issues, and has since been replaced by the M&P model, so a lot of inexpensive new sigmas are still floating around.  The model above is even older than the sigma, but it is still a great design that has stood the test of time. Ofen you can get good prices because everyone wants the newest lastest polymer gun, but stainless steel or blue stee is still real good.

If you step up to $500 you get into the probably top 4 current sellers, all great guns, the Smith and Wesson MP, Springfield XD, Glock, and Sig's new 2022

http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/5...

http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/5...

http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/4...

http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/7...

Let me quickly hit revolvers.  A medium frame 357 revolver (meaning a 6 or 7 shot design) with a 4-6 inch barrel and adjustable sights is a great starting gun, they are quite easy to be accurate with, expecially if you manually c**k the hammer, they are VERY potent, and simple to understand. Plus, as mentioned, you can shoot 38 specials for low end inexpensive practice as your skills develop, and go for mid-powered 357 loads, like 110 jhps, and then finally step up to full power 125jhps when you are ready for it

Taurus is right at your price range.  The other two revolver makers of fame, Ruger is about $100 above your mark, and Smith&Wesson about $200 over

http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/9...

http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/9...

http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/7...

http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/7...

Of course, you can save a lot of money buying slightly used.  If you are warry of this due to lack of knowledge, check out

http://www.gunshopfinder.com/articles/re...

Note, I am not advocating this sight, just using it for quick links and pictures.  Online sights like these must ship the gun to a federally licenced gun dealer in your area (www.FFLfinder.com will help you find them if you decide to go this route) so that means about +$25 shipping fee. Plus, these dealers will need to do a bunch of paperwork as well as running the legally required background check on you, so they generally charge about $30 for transfer fees.  So feel free to mentally add about 50 bucks onto that price and then shop locally.

Answer 6

I think a Ruger Mark II or III .22lr would be a great handgun to get started with.  There's very little recoil in a .22, and the bullets are only a few cents each if you buy a big box of 500 or so at a time - dramatically cheaper than 9mm.

Answer 7

listen to what AkLouis had to say about getting a 22 or a 357 mag,I would say it would be a good move for you to get a revolver.

Answer 8

AH the .22 choice of most hit men.

Yes even a .22 cal will kill you dead. It also works on paper to and is allot cheaper to shot.

You should look at one of these if you can find one. I have one and it is fun to shoot.

Makarov pistol is acknowledged to be one of the best 20th century pistols in the world, along side with Browning, Walter, Beretta, and Astra. Mak’s serial production has been going on for over 50 years on mechanical factory in the city of Izhevsk, Russia.

Answer 9

don't start with a 9mm. start with a 22 . either automatic or revolver, depending on what you prefer. the light recoil and cheap ammo will let you practice alot, which is sure to improve your aim. when you become proficient with the 22, then move up to a larger caliber, like the 38 spec in a revolver, or 9mm in an automatic.

ruger makes good reliable reasonably priced 22s in auto and revolver. browning has an excelent pistol in the buckmark.

Answer 10

Most people will recommend a .22 pistol to start...and they're right.  A .22 will allow you to focus on sight picture and trigger squeeze without being concerned about the recoil. This way you develop good habits.

Answer 11

Baretta Neos  .22lr

S&W Sigma 9mm

I topped my Neos with a holographic sight, total cost was around $300.00.

Answer 12

Ruger P-series, SR9 are some of the best quality low price handguns on the market today. I paid 440 including tax for my SR9.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/F...

Sigs are great firearms but are quite heavier on the wallet.

http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/ShowCat...

http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/ShowCat...

They do have a .22 caliber (great starter pistol) for about 350 or so. Very Cheap ammo for plinking and range time.

http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/ShowCat...

My personal favorites. The Springfield Armory XDs. They are about 550 or so depending on model.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/xd.php

9mm is a good starter round. Easy recoil, cheaper on the wallet for practice ammo. And acceptable for home defense or Conceal Carry is so desired.

Answer 13

9mm was my first handgun. I love it.

Answer 14

I would suggest a .22 caliber Ruger -

Answer 15

I would suggest a S&W model 19 with a four inch barrel or something similiar. Inexpensive, easy to operate and versatile while still being enough gun for just about anything or anyone. Once you are familiar with the Smith you can buy an autoloader. My first "real" pistol was a Smith model 28, still got it too. The four inch revolver is fun to shoot, you can punch paper with .38 special rounds and use .357 or .38 plus P for defense and you can even get snakeshot shells if you are traveling in far West Texas or some other place where snakes are an issue.