First Handgun. How small is too small?

[BeardswithoutOperators]

Someone mentioned a Canik TP9. It is pretty much a Glock +1 for only $300. I've heard pretty good things about them and I'd start there for being inexpensive while letting you shoot 9mm quite reliably.

[tseeker]

If it where me, I'd run with your last sentence.

 

The Hi Point 9mm would make a great first handgun. They are really pretty decent, great shooting guns, for the money...And running a piece of sandpaper over a couple of parts, will fix most of the common issues.

 

I have one that I take when fishing, camping, ect...Just because I wouldn't have to worry about dropping it in water, mud, or whatever

 

When you become more informed/proficient and decide what you want to upgrade to...You could keep it, trade it, or even sell it someone else who is new to handguns.

 

 

 

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[BeardswithoutOperators]

Disregard, lol, I thought you said Hi-Power not hi point.

[tseeker]

Disregard, lol, I thought you said Hi-Power not hi point.

I can only imagine how that response must have been laid out LOL

 

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[tkroenlein]

Don't get a Hi-Point.

 

 

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[Bushy223]

You said you're a rifle guy, and I ask you if your first rifle was a .270 or 30.06? Probably not, I suspect it was a .22 and you used it to learn the basics and moved on to other calibers as your skills and desires developed.

 

The same applies to handguns, and, in my opinion, bad habits learned with a handgun have a lot more effect on your skill set and are harder to "unlearn". There's a reason the NRA basic pistol course starts with a .22. I am a fan of all the handgun calibers except the hand cannons, but I would not start a new student on anything but a .22 caliber. Semi or revolver, doesn't matter. Grip, sight picture and trigger control (press) do.

 

There is plenty of time for the bigger calibers.

 

Bushy

[BeardswithoutOperators]

 

Disregard, lol, I thought you said Hi-Power not hi point.

I can only imagine how that response must have been laid out LOL

 

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Yeah I was like, "I'm looking at my first handgun, and I'd love a Hi-Power, except all the inexpensive ones are like $800." But if you had to defend your life with it, it is such a gorgeous gun that the judge would have to level in your favor and make your assailant have to thank you for shooting him with such an amazing firearm.

 

But if you defended yourself with a Nazi engraved one...well that would start a crapstorm of the eleventh magnitude.

[ScopeEye]

Skip the $140 High point....

I'd skip most Taurus models too...

 

If your Cheap... Ruger make some great lower priced guns.

 

If your end game is for CC I'd shy away from Full size pistols, most people don't carry full sized guns.

 

 

 

 

Best thing to do is go to local range and check out the rentals, or if you have any friend's, that own some pistols shoot theirs and see.

 

I'm a big fan of night sights

I prefer non safety models

I'd suggest 9mm nothing smaller in cal.

For CC, Compact or sub compact model's

[DoYouFeelLucky]

You said you're a rifle guy, and I ask you if your first rifle was a .270 or 30.06? Probably not, I suspect it was a .22 and you used it to learn the basics and moved on to other calibers as your skills and desires developed.

 

The same applies to handguns, and, in my opinion, bad habits learned with a handgun have a lot more effect on your skill set and are harder to "unlearn". There's a reason the NRA basic pistol course starts with a .22. I am a fan of all the handgun calibers except the hand cannons, but I would not start a new student on anything but a .22 caliber. Semi or revolver, doesn't matter. Grip, sight picture and trigger control (press) do.

 

There is plenty of time for the bigger calibers.

 

Bushy

This!!!!! I love it when the trainer at the range I shoot at walks over to macho-man with the large caliber boomer and hands him a .22 pistol and tells him to first learn to shoot this well. IMHO you should start every range session with a 100 rounds or so of .22 pistol/revolver. It's the best way to work on the techniques that help you shoot better.

[yyyz]

When I started my daughter I hired a trainer (Dan) and she started with my Ruger 22/45 Lite. It was a perfect starter pistol. She continued using that until she felt comfortable and now uses my Springfield 1911 (9mm) and she does pretty well.

 

I was at the range Thursday - started with my 22, moved to my Bodyguard .380, then to my S&W 9C and finished with my 1911. Fun at the range.

 

As a side note, I purchased some Underwood Xtreme Defender (https://www.underwoodammo.com/380-acp-65-grain-xtreme-defender/) for both my .380 and 9mm. The holes in the target were star shaped and about twice the size of an FMJ round. Next time I go, I plan on saving the target and taking a picture for comparison.

[Joe45]

Another vote for a glock 19 or other similar sized handgun.

[bw200]

this question is only able to be answered by the individual asking.

[Capt_Destro]

Try one of these.

 

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/eaa-sar-b6p-sarsilmaz-semi-automatic-9mm-45-barrel-17-rounds?a=1867048

[tseeker]

this question is only able to be answered by the individual asking.

That's why I chose to just reinforce the OP's own idea and thought process.

 

Contrary to what some folks believe...Most of the state has no need for a local shooting range (complete with gun rentals and instructors)...Nor would starting out with a .22 have any significant benefits to everyone.

 

There is no right or wrong way for the OP to go about this and most advice is nothing more than someone else's personal needs and/or preferences...

 

You're results may vary :-)

 

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[C0untZer0]

Ruger is coming out with a new Mark IV or possibly Mark V ?

 

Might be worth a look.

 

I spend time shooting my Ruger Standard and S&W Model 63 almost every range session.

 

 

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[fnnuguy]

Hey all, I'm looking to get my first handgun. Although I do own a variety of semi-automatic rifles and carbines, I have never actually shot a handgun of any kind before. My hope is to eventually at some point next year get my concealed carry license.

 

I'm sure this question is subjective but should my first handgun be a full size firearm to learn the basics on, or can I save some money in the future by purchasing a firearm that is concealable now and just learning with it? Will I pick up any bad handgun habits learning with a small carry gun instead of a full size?

 

I was looking at something small like a LC9, Glock 43, or LCR. Would I be better served having something larger like an M&P9, a Glock 17/19, or even a full size .357 revolver for a first gun?

 

I guess I could always just get a 140 dollar hipoint to learn with, right?

Find a basic Handgun training class to get the fundamentals down, then try shooting a few different pistols and you will get a better idea of what will work for you rather than asking opinions, no need to rush into buying anything based on what others think, It aint rocket science!