it's time to learn about guns

[MetalSlug]

Some of you might be surprised that I’ve never owned a gun. A friend let me try one once, but that was about ten years ago.

It’s similar to when I got into motorcycles. I wanted to learn properly, so I signed up for the MSF course, passed it, got my license, bought full riding gear, and then purchased my first motorcycle — a 2025 Honda Rebel 300.

Now I’m ready to learn about firearms. I want to take a course to understand safety, proper handling, and operation before buying my first gun. My main goal is to have something for home protection.

In the next week or so, I plan to sign up for a gun safety class and start looking for my first handgun. I’m interested in something light, small, beginner‑friendly, and I only want one gun.

What would you recommend for a first handgun and a safe storage case?

Here in Texas, you don’t need a license to buy a gun, but I want to follow the full process from A to Z.

 

[GON]

Kudos to you!!

Only thing I would recommend is you take two-three firearm courses from separate organizations. Not all instructors are competent, and a firearm is a tough thing to find out you received flawed instruction.

Years ago, I was a licensed by the state of Arizona as an armed guard instructor. This is where I discovered a lot of poor instruction for the use of a tool with irreversible consequences.

 

[dogememe]

Yeah, I too want to learn how to use one safely and get one. I’m thinking a 9mm. So many choices though and they are like everything else in the world where everyone has a preference and nobody agrees on what is best.

 

[JavierH19]

Is it for carry?

 

[GON]

Yeah, I too want to learn how to use one safely and get one. I’m thinking a 9mm. So many choices though and they are like everything else in the world where everyone has a preference and nobody agrees on what is best.

I don't own 9mm handguns, but without a doubt they are universally a good choice for someone new to handguns. The alternate of course is a revolver, which is significantly safer than a 9mm.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

You're not there yet.

Take the course(s), shoot a few different pistols, then decide what you might want to actually own.

 

[BHopkins]

Now I’m ready to learn about firearms. I want to take a course to understand safety, proper handling, and operation before buying my first gun. My main goal is to have something for home protection.

Congratulations on making the right decision on how to go about gun ownership for a beginner. This will definitely get you on the right track.

 

[Ranger83]

The Army Marksmanship Unit’s Pistol Shooter’s Guide covers all the mechanics. Online at a number of sites.

https://www.bullseyepistol.com/amucover.htm

 

[shortyb]

@MetalSlug, good for you going "the right way" approach to learning about firearms. The recommendation to take several different courses is a very sound one as you will pick up something from each. Fundamentals are pretty straight forward, but there are some that "teach" some wacky stuff. Bigger gun shops or the NRA should be able to direct you to locate good instruction. Go rent several different type firearms and see what "fits" for YOU. Once you settle on a type/caliber of a firearm, learn everything about it that you can and PRACTICE!. Good shooting is a perishable skill and you MUST practice to stay proficient. RPNB (rpnbsafe.com) make good, solid, safe firearm storage systems. Happy shooting.

 

[AZjeff]

Not a .380 pocket pistol or small compact 9mm. Smaller than Glock 19 is hard to control. Not recommending the 19, just the size.

@MetalSlug what do you want to do with the pistol? Target shoot? Home Defense? Carry?

 

[Hall]

My main goal is to have something for home protection.

Get a shotgun

If you do stick to a handgun and it will stay at home, look at full-size handguns. Don't look at anything that's small thinking it's easy to hide, not as heavy, etc. They aren't as enjoyable (comfortable) to shoot (if you're not going to practice, don't bother getting a gun), aren't as accurate (the longer the barrel, the more accurate it will be).

 

[E150GT]

I would suggest highly a project appleseed course. It seems so simple but it's not

https://appleseedinfo.org/

 

[samven]

Pick a good instructor that will provide range time. Sometimes thats easier said than done. As an NRA pistol instructor myself the course does not provide enough live fire time and they try to cover every conceivable gun available without spending enough time on any one to be really useful. Take an online gun safety course and then go to an indoor range that rents guns. Talk to the management about learning to shoot. They usually have people that offer courses and that may be associated with the range so you can get your training there and talk to the instructor about which guns he recommends you rent to train with. He will know which ones new shooters have the most trouble with and which people seem to pick up faster. Before buying anything check the price of ammo for any gun you are considering. If practice ammo is $40/box you may not practice as much as you should. Larger is always better to start with but if its going to be a carry gun you will have to decide just how large a gun you can conceal. Some say any gun can be concealed but you have to have special cloths and dress around the gun which leads to leaving it home. What ever way you go I think you are starting right, the desire to learn before doing is becoming a lost art.

 

[WeyounDS9]

As a lifelong shooter boht int he military and in civilain life, I concur with your choice of 9mm, however especialy as a new shooter I urge you to consider only fire arms with an extrenal safety.

Many people say "my trigger finger is my safety", but Murphy's law is real.
if you are not deployed in uniform or dont have a badge, an accidental discharge in public might have the most severe consequences.
When I carry, I use firearms with extrenal safety only , unless they are revolvers (which I dont carry unless it sopen carry as a trail gun, the ammo capacity for the weight just does not make sense for me even though I find them a lot of fun.

This means you are excluding some popular and well reocmmended handguns such a Glocks and the vast majoriry of M&P 9s that are not external safety.
So be it, I say

 

[CleanSump]

Well, you've gotten good advice about taking a new firearms owners class. I grew up with them, was a Marine, and took NRA Range Safety Officer and Instructor classes and always learned something new.
Safety is the first thing to learn, then worry about getting better.
Don't feel embarrassed that you aren't John Wayne. You're not alone and the instructors won't look down on you for it - they're there because people are new or want some more instruction.

 

[Astro14]

Take the classes. Rent several different guns. Determine what your needs are in a gun - carry, target, home, or a combination. Then, with an understanding of the requirements, and what you can shoot well, choose your first gun.

I used to recommend a .357 Magnum revolver as a first gun - easy manual of arms. Very effective with full power hollow points. Easy to shoot with .38 special loads. But they are expensive to buy and expensive to feed these days.

A good 9mm pistol is cheaper to own, cheaper to shoot, has higher capacity and the modern 9mm ammo is very effective.

I support the 9mm as a first gun. I have several Glock 19s - a great all purpose gun. Worth considering. But an even better gun these days is the Springfield Echelon. Optics ready. Nice trigger. Adjustable grip size. A very good gun.

I am not a fan of safeties on defensive hand guns. Under stress, I have seen experienced shooters forget the safety, leading to an inability to use it in the stress of the moment. Not good. My department went with the Glock 19 Gen 5. No safety. The previous issued firearm was the H&K USP compact - LEM trigger - no safety.

 

[AZjeff]

I would suggest highly a project appleseed course. It seems so simple but it's not

Have you been to one? I have and it's not the place to learn home defense and he doesn't need the history lesson. If he wants to learn long range rifle it's a start.

 

[AZjeff]

Get a shotgun

If you do stick to a handgun and it will stay at home, look at full-size handguns. Don't look at anything that's small thinking it's easy to hide, not as heavy, etc. They aren't as enjoyable (comfortable) to shoot, aren't as accurate (the longer the barrel, the more accurate it will be).

Agree with both. Home defense only; shotgun with light and red dot, or full size handgun with red dot and light.

 

[kballowe]

Get yourself a nice .22 with a long enough barrel to provide a good sight picture and then go shoot it shoot it shoot it. .22 ammo is relatively cheap and so you can shoot it a lot without breaking the bank.

It's good experience and good practice - for cheap.

After that, you will have a much better idea of what you want.

 

[E150GT]

Have you been to one? I have and it's not the place to learn home defense and he doesn't need the history lesson. If he wants to learn long range rifle it's a start.

I have. It's not geared for home defense but it's about marksmanship. A key component of learning about firearms. They also have pistol courses. It's pretty important to know the fundamentals of marksmanship when using guns.