Best choice for first handgun?

fulci lives · Post by **fulci lives** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 8:39 am

Im thinking about buying a handgun hopefully in the near future. I was wondering what the best choice would be for a target shooter. Something just to take out on the range. I want something simple that wont take alot of maintnence. A good gun to learn the ins and outs with. I really like the look and feel of .38 snubnose revolvers. Would that make a nice starter piece or would it be better to get something smaller like a Ruger Mark 3. I would also like it to be under $500.

Any insight would be apreciated
Thanx!
Russ

Dances with Emus · Post by **Dances with Emus** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 9:24 am

I would recommend a Ruger .22 Cal Revolver for the learning phase and for simplicity. I reckon that the real fun lies in an Israili Arms Desert Eagle .44 Magnum for later on though

.

butch · Post by **butch** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:06 pm

my first and only hand gun at the moment is a .40 caliber semi auto,the recoil isnt bad at all and its very accurate,I only pay $10 for a box of 50 rounds for it too so its an affordable target gun,but if youre looking for just a plinker a 22. will do fine.this is my .40 caliber it was $150 new

Milu · Post by **Milu** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:15 pm

I would start with a good quality 22 semi auto. When you feel you've outgrown it (in reality we never outgrow good 22 pistols or rifles) I would look for either a 357 revolver or a 9mm or bigger semi auto.

butch · Post by **butch** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 2:07 pm

good advice milu,I bought the .40 for personal protection after an incident that happened on my street but Im in the market for a .357 or .44 mag revolver for target and hunting,I have 4 .22 caliber rifles and youre right.....you "never" out grow them theyre great plinkers...lots of fun.

JerrBear · Post by **JerrBear** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 4:50 pm

Mr fulci,

A "snubby" is not a target pistol!

Are you looking for a revolver or an auto?
Either way, I can't see how you could go wrong with a Ruger .22 - Good quality at a decent price.

I would start with a revolver for simplicity and easy maintenance...

Post by **whippersnapper** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 5:02 pm

I agree with the Ruger guys... A single six wih a extra .22 mag cylinder if you like that style, or a Ruger Mark III if you like an auto. 7-10 bucks for 500 rounds of cheap ammo, and a ton of reliable fun!

After that, buy something bigger if you like.

Vagrant · Post by **Vagrant** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 5:14 pm

The options are almost endlesss

But, starting with a .22 makes a lot of sense. Semi-auto or revolver ? Whichever feels best to you. A full size makes more sense than a pocket pistol, unless you plan to carry a lot and shoot only a little [and at close range]. Best choices ?
Semi-auto - Ruger, Browning, S&W.
Double action revolver - Taurus, S&W
Single action revolver - Ruger

McGyver · Post by **McGyver** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 3:28 am

If your looking for a Semi-auto 22, go with the Browning Buckmark. My dad has two, and his 6" target model is literally a tack driver. I personally stay away from Ruger, but purely on principle.

Bonzo · Post by **Bonzo** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 3:14 pm

Mr. Fulci,

I'm the kinda guy who hates to pussyfoot around. Get a nice .44 mag revolver and jump right into things with both feet. Most everything will be easier after that.

Best regards,

Bonz

butch · Post by **butch** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 3:45 pm

thats how I started with a .357 magnum when I was 15 years old ,it was a shock at first but everything afterward seemed like a toy.

Dances with Emus · Post by **Dances with Emus** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:24 am

I don't recommend starting off on a heavier caliber as it can form bad habits. To see if you have formed the main bad habit have a gun savvy friend load for you and place a spent cartridge or two into the chamber/Mag somewhere. If when the hammer falls on that spent case and you have pushed/pulled/twisted the firearm, you will know you need to lose a bad habit. Keep doing this little exercise until you can hit that spent case and not budge off the target.
Carry out your I.A (Immediate Action) drill to get past the stoppage and continue firing.

Claudester · Post by **Claudester** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:13 am

McGyver wrote:If your looking for a Semi-auto 22, go with the Browning Buckmark. My dad has two, and his 6" target model is literally a tack driver. I personally stay away from Ruger, but purely on principle.

My first pistol was a Buckmark camper and I think it is a perfect starter also. Great gun to shoot and the wives or girlfriends will have a good time too.

Vagrant · Post by **Vagrant** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 4:13 pm

The Colt Woodsman would be a great choice BUT, they haven't made it since the mid 70s

Most of the Brownings are very similar since John Browning designed the Woodsman around 1915

Vagrant · Post by **Vagrant** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 7:37 am

I don't recommed a pocket pistol for target shooting or a first gun but with a good rest, on a good day, I've rolled tin cans at 50 meters with this S&W 2213