Just getting started

[Guest Blue Ridge Lady]

Hi all! Another newbie here and another northern transplant to the beautiful South. Lived in Michigan my whole life until 4 years ago. Got here as fast as I could :wave:

Been around guns (mostly long guns) my whole life but didn't want to hunt so was never really interested in shooting any of them. Recently changed my thinking and I told the hubby I wanted to get some handgun training as a Christmas present. I have my all day lesson one on one with a local gal who is qualified and certified to train coming up end of next week. Get my membership to the NRA as a part of the class and we will shoot both handguns and long guns before the day is over.

I am mostly interested in handgun training and learning what I will like so I can start shopping for my own. We have a local range where we can rent guns so I can try some out before I decide. I really like the way the revolvers feel in my hand better than the semi autos but most tell me I will change my mind after I fire a few of them. Did a gun show last weekend and another one coming up this coming weekend but to be honost I am pretty lost since I don't know ANYTHING. Always appreciate opinions and advice. Soaking up all the information I can.

[satalac]

The best thing to do is try out as much as you can. Find what's comfortable and practice, practice practice. A lot of it is just personal preference, with truth mixed in. 

[Jonnin]

Welcome, its good to have you!

 

I am bored at work today so I will give you a bunch of random nonsense in hopes some of it helps without overwhelming.  If it seems like too much, stop reading, you won't hurt my feelings :)

 

First, you have to understand the purpose of the gun you buy.   A .22 target pistol is great for shooting paper at the range, not so good for self defense (usually a bit big and the bullet fired is weak, lacking momentum and energy), while a magnum lightweight snub nosed revolver might be your pick for self defense, its not a lot of fun to shoot 250 times in a row at the range due to fatigue from recoil and ammo price).  I highly recommend that most shooters do get a .22 to practice and play with, for fun, and a different pistol for defense, if possible, though you will still want to practice with both.

 

Next, do not let people dictate what you like or what to buy.  There are pushy salesmen and internet fanboys who will push brand X at you and tell you anything else is garbage.   The second someone tells you they know what you need, put your hand over your wallet, nod and smile, and excuse yourself, make for the door (virtual or real).

 

Revolvers can be awesome, and if you prefer them, go with it.  My wife has moved to revolvers, and now carries a ruger gp100 with a greatly reduced set of springs that make the trigger pull quite light.   Before that she had a high capacity 22 magnum revolver, 8 shots I think.  Just be sure to try a variety of autos before you decide.  While most revolvers are more or less similar, autos have a lot more variation that make big differences.  

 

All handguns are compromises of a set of features that include:

size and weight

capacity

power (relative momentum or energy of the cartridge that is fired)

grip/comfort/ergonomics

cost & ammo cost per round

trigger pull

recoil

 

and maybe a few more.  What you want to do is figure out which of those matter most TO YOU. 

 

And lastly, pull the trigger on the gun you are looking at a few times.  Ask before doing this: some guns do not need to be "dry fired" (trigger tested) and some clerks or stores frown upon it.   But do not buy until you have tested the trigger: make it a deal breaker.    For a semi-automatic, you have to pull the slide back and let go to test the trigger properly, on many models, a few you can just pull it.  Revolvers, unless single action, just pull it.  (Single action, you must pull the hammer back before you can fire it, usually with your thumb or your other hand).    Of all the variables when buying a gun, this one is the most overlooked by new shooters yet one of the most important (its as important as the ergonomics, for sure) to long term enjoyment from the purchase.   As you test it, ask yourself "can I do this 50-100 times in a row without pain or extreme fatigue?".   If not, you will have limited practice sessions, and those are very important if you are considering using and carrying a gun for personal protection.   As with my wife's gp, the trigger can be adjusted on many models, so delay the purchase and research if that is the case --- someone already did it, if it can be done, unless you happened across a model that just came out less than a week ago or something. 

 

Good luck, ask lots of questions, spend once, trust me as someone who did not follow that advice a few times, sadly...

Edited January 9, 2014 by Jonnin

[jtmaze]

This is all good advice the best is shoot as much as possible before purchasing. My favorite gun in the safe my wife won't shoot and her favorite I can't hit a 6 inch target at 20 feet with. JTM We the People of the United States, in order to form a more Perfect Union......

[RED333]

Welcome to the 3rd most free state in the Union.

We have both semi and revolvers, my wife carries a LCR,

she like it a LOT, can hit with it very well. As others have said try a few,

Most women have small hands, and stay away from double stack mag pistols.

My wife is that way, but likes her Glock 23, she just does not carry it, to hard to hide.

Have fun at your training, gona get a carry permit?

[Guest Blue Ridge Lady]

Thanks for the welcome. I plan to do lots more research and rent a lot of guns to try before I settle on one. Getting lots of good info on the corneredcat.com a great site for newbies and women especially. She offers a lot of great exercises for dry fire and live round practice so I intend to use a lot of her advice. At some point after I am proficient with whatever I decide to purchase I do intend to get a carry permit. The instructor I am using says her goal is to get me so comfortable with a handgun that I feel naked without it. I am writing down all the suggestions so that I can try and take a look at them at the gun show coming up in a couple of days. Appreciate ya taking the time!

[whitewolf001]

Welcome cousin. ^_^

Edited January 9, 2014 by whitewolf001

[z90HD]

Welcome young lady