Good call, Dave! I'm interested to hear your impressions.
A gun for a first time user?
- Thread starter daves87rs
- Start date
- Status
Any Ruger 9mm. Cheap ammo, cheap handgun. Buy it for around $250. Good stuff.
My vote is for a nice 4in ruger revolver gp100 in .357 mag. Best of both worlds. Cheap .38 special for shooting or wife if need be. Big banging expensive .357 mag for blasting when your more comfortable. Will last for ever and a great value.
Just about any 357 revolver would be a good 1st gun for someone that doesn't want many. Gives you plenty of 38 and 38+p ammo to choose from. Revolvers are easy to learn to shot and super reliable.
I have a GP100 and SP101 and might be slightly biased toward Ruger. Rugers rule!
But, plenty of other brands to choose from: Taurus, Charter, S&W, Rossi....
It also feels good to also have a speed loader handy for whatever revolver you buy. Unlike automatics with 10-20 rounds, in a worse case scenario, you might have to reload that revolver.
I have a GP100 and SP101 and might be slightly biased toward Ruger. Rugers rule!
But, plenty of other brands to choose from: Taurus, Charter, S&W, Rossi....
It also feels good to also have a speed loader handy for whatever revolver you buy. Unlike automatics with 10-20 rounds, in a worse case scenario, you might have to reload that revolver.
Originally Posted By: unDummy
Just about any 357 revolver would be a good 1st gun for someone that doesn't want many. Gives you plenty of 38 and 38+p ammo to choose from. Revolvers are easy to learn to shot and super reliable.
I have a GP100 and SP101 and might be slightly biased toward Ruger. Rugers rule!
But, plenty of other brands to choose from: Taurus, Charter, S&W, Rossi....
It also feels good to also have a speed loader handy for whatever revolver you buy. Unlike automatics with 10-20 rounds, in a worse case scenario, you might have to reload that revolver.
Rugers are great!!
Just about any 357 revolver would be a good 1st gun for someone that doesn't want many. Gives you plenty of 38 and 38+p ammo to choose from. Revolvers are easy to learn to shot and super reliable.
I have a GP100 and SP101 and might be slightly biased toward Ruger. Rugers rule!
But, plenty of other brands to choose from: Taurus, Charter, S&W, Rossi....
It also feels good to also have a speed loader handy for whatever revolver you buy. Unlike automatics with 10-20 rounds, in a worse case scenario, you might have to reload that revolver.
Rugers are great!!
Go to a range that rents and try a few and you will soon learn that what you thought might be too "big" is not and what might be too small is.
The FBI says in numerous reports that lack of penetration is what gets victims killed. So you need a sizable round and one that penetrates well.
My strongest recommendation would to take a hard look at the Glock 19.
15 +1 rounds of 9mm. Use Winchester PDX1 self defense ammo which is bonded and penetrates and expands to .40".
That's big time easy to control protection.
The FBI says in numerous reports that lack of penetration is what gets victims killed. So you need a sizable round and one that penetrates well.
My strongest recommendation would to take a hard look at the Glock 19.
15 +1 rounds of 9mm. Use Winchester PDX1 self defense ammo which is bonded and penetrates and expands to .40".
That's big time easy to control protection.
Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
A good for home and target practice would be an Ruger GP100 or S&W 686 in a 4" barrel. .38+p for the defense ammo.
I started reading this thread and only made it a couple posts down and read this^^. Exactly what I was gonna say.
A good for home and target practice would be an Ruger GP100 or S&W 686 in a 4" barrel. .38+p for the defense ammo.
I started reading this thread and only made it a couple posts down and read this^^. Exactly what I was gonna say.
UPDATE:
Got to spend a little while at the range. (just got to get used to the guns going off...a bit strange at first)
Tried a glock 26 and a 23.
I have to say, I like it! Still have to try more, but I really like the 23 right now. I was worried about the recoil, but there was barely any at all. Quite easy to use too.
Not sure how many rounds I fired off, but I was there for about an hour.
Not as shy as I thought I was going to be around them either. I'm kinda proud of myself!
More as I can...
Got to spend a little while at the range. (just got to get used to the guns going off...a bit strange at first)
Tried a glock 26 and a 23.
I have to say, I like it! Still have to try more, but I really like the 23 right now. I was worried about the recoil, but there was barely any at all. Quite easy to use too.
Not as shy as I thought I was going to be around them either. I'm kinda proud of myself!
More as I can...
Now Try a Glock 19 if you can.
I am going to buck the trend and highly recommend that the very, very first gun for home/family be
Mossberg 500 Super Bantam 20ga OR Remington 870 Youth 20ga
For four important reasons:
1. These guns are very simple to learn to use SAFELY and EFFECTIVELY, more so than ANY handgun or virtually any other type of long gun
2. A 20ga shotgun is EFFECTIVE, more so than virtually any handgun
3. A 20ga youth-size pump gun can be used effectively by virtually anyone over 4'6" tall!
4. Cost to acquire is very low and relatively easy
In my home, we started with a Rem 870 12ga. We will be purchasing a 20ga because the 12ga is just to long and heavy for my 5'6" wife to use comfortably.
LAST but not least, the BONUS:
There are so many fun shotgun sports, out there and accessible, that the barriers to becoming safe, comfortable, and proficient with the 20ga pump gun are about as low as you'll find.
A 20ga youth shotgun can be used at all sorts of trap ranges, gun clubs, etc., usually cheaply and easily, unlike a handgun.
Mossberg 500 Super Bantam 20ga OR Remington 870 Youth 20ga
For four important reasons:
1. These guns are very simple to learn to use SAFELY and EFFECTIVELY, more so than ANY handgun or virtually any other type of long gun
2. A 20ga shotgun is EFFECTIVE, more so than virtually any handgun
3. A 20ga youth-size pump gun can be used effectively by virtually anyone over 4'6" tall!
4. Cost to acquire is very low and relatively easy
In my home, we started with a Rem 870 12ga. We will be purchasing a 20ga because the 12ga is just to long and heavy for my 5'6" wife to use comfortably.
LAST but not least, the BONUS:
There are so many fun shotgun sports, out there and accessible, that the barriers to becoming safe, comfortable, and proficient with the 20ga pump gun are about as low as you'll find.
A 20ga youth shotgun can be used at all sorts of trap ranges, gun clubs, etc., usually cheaply and easily, unlike a handgun.
Kaboomba. . .you forgot one other important advantage. . .that nothings says, "stop what you're doing right now" like the sound of a pump shotgun racking a round into the chamber--I've found that it's effective no matter what language your target speaks!. . amazing, huh?
That's right, Robster.
EFFECTIVE.
EFFECTIVE.
Crashbox
$100 Site Donor 2026
Originally Posted By: Steve S
Originally Posted By: unDummy
Just about any 357 revolver would be a good 1st gun for someone that doesn't want many. Gives you plenty of 38 and 38+p ammo to choose from. Revolvers are easy to learn to shot and super reliable.
I have a GP100 and SP101 and might be slightly biased toward Ruger. Rugers rule!
But, plenty of other brands to choose from: Taurus, Charter, S&W, Rossi....
It also feels good to also have a speed loader handy for whatever revolver you buy. Unlike automatics with 10-20 rounds, in a worse case scenario, you might have to reload that revolver.
Rugers are great!!
+100.
My first handgun was a GP100, .357 Magnum 4" barrel which I bought about a year ago. Truly built like a tank.
Yesterday I ordered a Ruger SP101, .357 Magnum, 3" barrel 'cause the GP100 wanted a smaller-but-stout sibling.
IMO those who suggest a revolver for a first handgun are spot-on. They tend to be more reliable and they have a simple, point-and-click interface. Autoloaders are notably more complex and require more routine maintenance whereas the wheelgun (to quote Massad Ayoob) can sit in a drawer for literally decades without attention.
For the record, I do have a Sig Pro 2022, .40 S&W autoloader which I use for CC (Crossbreed makes a SuperTuck holster for it)- the SP101 will probably share CC duty with it.
Originally Posted By: unDummy
Just about any 357 revolver would be a good 1st gun for someone that doesn't want many. Gives you plenty of 38 and 38+p ammo to choose from. Revolvers are easy to learn to shot and super reliable.
I have a GP100 and SP101 and might be slightly biased toward Ruger. Rugers rule!
But, plenty of other brands to choose from: Taurus, Charter, S&W, Rossi....
It also feels good to also have a speed loader handy for whatever revolver you buy. Unlike automatics with 10-20 rounds, in a worse case scenario, you might have to reload that revolver.
Rugers are great!!
+100.
My first handgun was a GP100, .357 Magnum 4" barrel which I bought about a year ago. Truly built like a tank.
Yesterday I ordered a Ruger SP101, .357 Magnum, 3" barrel 'cause the GP100 wanted a smaller-but-stout sibling.
IMO those who suggest a revolver for a first handgun are spot-on. They tend to be more reliable and they have a simple, point-and-click interface. Autoloaders are notably more complex and require more routine maintenance whereas the wheelgun (to quote Massad Ayoob) can sit in a drawer for literally decades without attention.
For the record, I do have a Sig Pro 2022, .40 S&W autoloader which I use for CC (Crossbreed makes a SuperTuck holster for it)- the SP101 will probably share CC duty with it.
357 mag revolver, shoot 38's out of it, until you are good and comfortable, then move up to the magnums. You can't beat the versatility of a 357 revolver.
Originally Posted By: BobFout
Speaking of .357s, anyone got the new .357 LCR yet?
My .38 is enough. I'd NOT want a .357 one personally. Out of such a short barrel I think the difference between a .38+p and a .357 mag is not going to be as much as the difference for the follow up shot....
Love the .38+P LCR though!
Take care, bill
Speaking of .357s, anyone got the new .357 LCR yet?
My .38 is enough. I'd NOT want a .357 one personally. Out of such a short barrel I think the difference between a .38+p and a .357 mag is not going to be as much as the difference for the follow up shot....
Love the .38+P LCR though!
Take care, bill
Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Originally Posted By: BobFout
Speaking of .357s, anyone got the new .357 LCR yet?
My .38 is enough. I'd NOT want a .357 one personally. Out of such a short barrel I think the difference between a .38+p and a .357 mag is not going to be as much as the difference for the follow up shot....
Love the .38+P LCR though!
Take care, bill
Bill,
I thought of that too, but I'm waiting to see what the consensus is.
Also, from the standpoint of running .38/.38S/.38S+P out of the 357 version...
Originally Posted By: BobFout
Speaking of .357s, anyone got the new .357 LCR yet?
My .38 is enough. I'd NOT want a .357 one personally. Out of such a short barrel I think the difference between a .38+p and a .357 mag is not going to be as much as the difference for the follow up shot....
Love the .38+P LCR though!
Take care, bill
Bill,
I thought of that too, but I'm waiting to see what the consensus is.
Also, from the standpoint of running .38/.38S/.38S+P out of the 357 version...
Originally Posted By: BobFout
Bill,
I thought of that too, but I'm waiting to see what the consensus is.
Also, from the standpoint of running .38/.38S/.38S+P out of the 357 version...
What I found (though I will admit not perfect) is take a reload, same primer, same bullet, same powder load (so in this case a .38+p load) and load it into a .357 mag case vs .38sp+p case.
Load it into the same gun (in this test, Ruger .357mag SP101 2.25 inch) and I found over a string of 10 rounds that the .38sp case had lower velocity than the .357mag case. About 40-50 fps into an chrono IIRC...
I did that about 4 years ago. Makes a little sense since the cyl is a little longer so that means that some of the pressure is lost over the full size .357 case.
Personally IF I had a .357 snub I'd run the reduced .357mag loads out of it. All my snubs are .38sp+p rated. Sold the SP101.
Take care, Bill
Bill,
I thought of that too, but I'm waiting to see what the consensus is.
Also, from the standpoint of running .38/.38S/.38S+P out of the 357 version...
What I found (though I will admit not perfect) is take a reload, same primer, same bullet, same powder load (so in this case a .38+p load) and load it into a .357 mag case vs .38sp+p case.
Load it into the same gun (in this test, Ruger .357mag SP101 2.25 inch) and I found over a string of 10 rounds that the .38sp case had lower velocity than the .357mag case. About 40-50 fps into an chrono IIRC...
I did that about 4 years ago. Makes a little sense since the cyl is a little longer so that means that some of the pressure is lost over the full size .357 case.
Personally IF I had a .357 snub I'd run the reduced .357mag loads out of it. All my snubs are .38sp+p rated. Sold the SP101.
Take care, Bill
Originally Posted By: BobFout
Ah, thanks Bill. Now I can't decide
But remember that with the manufacture of reduced load .357 you can have both worlds. But once you've fired both a .357 and a .38+p snub then make the decision.
I'm happy with the .38+p both in performance and weapon.
Ah, thanks Bill. Now I can't decide
But remember that with the manufacture of reduced load .357 you can have both worlds. But once you've fired both a .357 and a .38+p snub then make the decision.
I'm happy with the .38+p both in performance and weapon.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
