Rossi .357/.38. Simple to use and maintain. Affordable at $352 MSRP. Exceptional quality. Rossi bought the Smith and Wesson factory in Brazil and hired all of the employees.
Posted on 03/09/2009 4:50:02 AM PDT by masterbeaver
I want to buy a handgun and would like some opinions on to what I should be looking out for and what kind would be best for me.
I do not know much about the features of most handguns and what would best fit me.
I like to go to shooting ranges and would like to use my own gun. I would also like to have one in my house just in case.
I want a basic pistol that is easy for novice shooters. I don't need anything overpowering or too flashy.
What kind of mm do I need and what is the best type of gun to buy for recreational/protection purposes?
Thanks for your help.
IBTZ
Start with a revolver, a .38 would be fine. They are far simpler and easier to learn to shoot.
I would recommend a .22 or a 9mm gun. My dad has a Beretta 9mm, and my mom and girlfriend both have 9mm Glocks. Personally, I’m looking at a Sig Sauer P226, as Sig offers conversion kits to .22 ammunition (so target practice is cheaper); I don’t know if other companies do that though.
For a complete novice, the usual recommendation is a revolver for simplicity/reliability. On a misfire, you just pull the trigger again instead of clearing like an automatic.
If you want a compact handgun, stay away from the magnums and go .38 special, or if you can handle something bigger, .44 special. Try before you buy (rent at range).
If you’re after something for home defense, I’d recommend a 12-gauge shotgun instead of a pistol for most folks. Use #4 buckshot to limit overpenetration.
Hope it helped...
Forgot one thing, get a quality gun from S&W, Colt or another top-tier company. Don’t cheap out on something on which your life might depend.
A basic revolver (that fits your hand)is hard to beat. A .357 caliber will also shoot .38, so it’s versatile. Smith & Wesson, Ruger and Taurus make some nice stuff. Check out the Ruger SP-101 (small) and GP-100 (medium) models in 3-4 inch barrel lengths.
Welcome to FR.
Can’t recall anyone who wanted to talk about guns on their first post/day.
12 gauge and a revolver
masterbeaver, Vanity Posts since Mar 9, 2009. Not a good way to kick off your FR career, my FRiend. You will catch grief.
For the sake of argument, I'll post my opinions on your question.
1) Buy what you can afford and what you feel comfortable with (no matter what the caliber/size)
2) Practice, practice, practice. Doesn't matter what you buy, if you can't hit the target.
3) Once you buy it, you must be willing to use it. Doesn't do you an ounce of good to have a gun you are comfortable and proficient with for self defense, if you are not willing to shoot another person with it; should the circumstances arise.
All the rest is white noise, as you will get as many opinions over what to buy as there are makes of pistols out there.
IMHO stick with the .38.
.22 target practice is fun, but useless.
If you’re not anticipating and experiencing recoil and getting back on target for the 2nd shot, the “practice” isn’t worth much.
It is the control which requires practice.
And there’s not much control required with a .22.
Rossi .357/.38. Simple to use and maintain. Affordable at $352 MSRP. Exceptional quality. Rossi bought the Smith and Wesson factory in Brazil and hired all of the employees.
Forgot to say, I own the Rossi model shown and carry it often.
Proficiency comes with practice, and I would also reccommend training.
Keep it simple to start. Go to a gun shop, look at the firearms there, see what is comfortable for you, before you decide. If possible get to shoot firearms you are considering to get a feel for what is right for you.
The grip should be comfortable, and the pistol should 'point' naturally. Despite reccommendations, do not get hung up on a particular brand (I would avoid ones which are noted for problems), but get what is right for you. I would keep in mind that defensive power increases considerably as the caliber increases, and most consider .38, .357, and 9mm to be the minimum.
“Welcome to FR”.
My wife likes her Glock 19. My son likes his, too. They also enjoy .38 and .357 revolvers. However, for self defense, they prefer the Glocks.
For me, I like the reliability of my 1911A1 .45 cal semi automatics, with simple ball ammo and Chip McCormick 8-shot mags (for the crooks that can count).
The best advice...go to a couple of gun stores, pick up the choices, feel them in your hand. You want one that feels solid in your grip, fills the hand but doesn’t require extraordinary effort to hold or control. I would stick with lighter calibers, initially...probably no larger than 9mm.
Get educated. Ask the folks at the gun stores. I’ve found them to be very willing to spend time with new shooters, answering questions and providing advice. Keep in mind, too, that not everyone agrees on everything in the shooting world.
So, final advice...try out as many different types and sizes of handguns as you can. You will quickly get a ‘feel’ for what fits you and your abilities.
And yes, for home double barrel 12 Gage. We have one (old side by side)and sawed it off, per the legal limit for Texas and wah la, a great gun.
Be sure to visit this web site for buckshot for your shotgun, useful info.
http://www.starsandstripesammo.com/education/about_buckshot.pdf
The sig p226 is a good weapon and I may get one but if I were you, I'd pass on the conversion kit. For the same cost(roughly $300), you can get a good .22 pistol.
you have to say....He knows where to get good info
Get in this order:
1, Lessons at an organized range from someone who will teach you how to shoot right
2, Good defensive ammunition
3, A Glock
True but, fishy.
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