Complete Total Newb at firearms... halp...

[Mustangmatt]

Oh hi!

So I have been looking to get a handgun for sometime now. I'm not exactly picky but been looking at 1911's. I don't know jack shit about guns and very open to any brands and or models. I do not plan on carrying one in public or at least not anytime soon. Want something up to the $500 dollar range and not the most expensive thing to shoot either. I guess just something to go to the range with occasionally and to have at home. Also looking to buy sometype of rifle/shotgun too also in the same price range. Again please be nice I'm a complete novice to this stuff and have had no to really edumacate me on all these sorts of things..

[mnstang]

A rifle and shotgun are very different things. You might want to think what you will use it for and decide which one to buy then.

For the handgun I'd consider getting one small enough so you can carry it in a pinch if you feel the need. Besides that, I'd go to a store with many guns so you can look at them and hold them in your hand. Different guns fit your hand very differently.

[Biff Tannen]

$500 for a decent 1911 isn't going to be easy, or legal . Most that I (personally) seen in that price range are the Phillipino made 9mm/.45's like Rock Island or Armscor or the like.

Have you been to Bills? Would be good to go there, and actually put your hands on some steel, and fire a couple clips before you purchase something. That's just my .02 though.

Opinions of mine for a beginner;

Shotgun - Remington 870 12ga
Rifle - Ruger 10/22
Handgun - Walther p99, Springfiel XD9, Ruger SR9

[Scorpner]

If you can find a friend with a collection of hand guns I'd recommend offering to buy ammo and go shooting with them so you can also see how they load shoot etc.
You want smaller for carry but heavier guns tend to shoot nicer so many people end up with more than one.
You might also want to consider price and availability of ammo as well.

I would suggest either a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870 for a first basic shotgun.

[Turbohwagon]

I have a 5" rock island armory 1911. I polished the feed ramp and smoothed it out a bit and since then i've never had an issue with it. I picked it up used from a friend for $400. It can be concealed, but it will be noticed from time to time depending on holster. The only thing I don't like about it is the lack of rail for a laser/light, and getting night sights put on it is costly. (Quoted $350 for sights and machining at bills).

I second the mossberg 500, I have one of those too, it works great, and they can be found pretty cheap used.

[sinSStr]

$500 for a decent 1911 isn't going to be easy, or legal . Most that I (personally) seen in that price range are the Phillipino made 9mm/.45's like Rock Island or Armscor or the like.

Have you been to Bills? Would be good to go there, and actually put your hands on some steel, and fire a couple clips before you purchase something. That's just my .02 though.

Opinions of mine for a beginner;

Shotgun - Remington 870 12ga
Rifle - Ruger 10/22
Handgun - Walther p99, Springfield XD9, Ruger SR9

I will second that. Badass gun.

[Chris-Supra]

Go to Bills or Cabelas or ... anywhere that you can handle different guns. For your first gun stick with something simple and reliable. Don't get a 1911, not really a great beginner handgun.

Get a 9mm. It's WAY cheaper to shoot, and way way way easier and more comfortable for new people to learn to shoot with. There's no practical difference in 9mm/.40/.45 for defensive purposes once you factor in good modern ammo anyway.

Stick with a normal full-size gun, small guns are fine for carry but suck to shoot. They beat up your hands, they are hard to hold onto, they have lots more recoil, hold fewer rounds, shorter sight radius=more difficult to shoot accurately, they just suck to shoot in all ways if what you want is something fun to go to the range with and keep at home.

IMO go with a striker fired gun first. A striker fired gun has a consistent trigger pull. A hammer fired single action/double action gun has a very long, heavy, difficult first trigger pull, followed by a very different, lighter trigger pull for the rest of the magazine. Strikers are easier and more straight forward for beginners. For example a Glock is a striker fired gun (no external hammer) and a Sig 226 is a hammer fired SA/DA gun.

Beside that get your hands on a bunch (shoot them if you can) and pick the one you think feels the best and looks the coolest (guns are cool: fact)

The big 3 to try:

Glock (19 or a 17, the 19 is only a little smaller- it's still a pleasant gun to shoot)
M&P 9 full-size or the longer 5" Pro
XD9 or XDM9


Of those I recommend the M&P, I think it has the best ergos by far, very reliable guns (I've got probably 15k rounds combined through all the different M&Ps I've owned) and the trigger can be modded very easily and cheaply to be quite good, better than the glock or XD by far.

[Fernanernie]

You'll shoot your eye out kid

[Exjay]

Go to Bills or Cabelas or ... anywhere that you can handle different guns. For your first gun stick with something simple and reliable. Don't get a 1911, not really a great beginner handgun.

Get a 9mm. It's WAY cheaper to shoot, and way way way easier and more comfortable for new people to learn to shoot with. There's no practical difference in 9mm/.40/.45 for defensive purposes once you factor in good modern ammo anyway.

Stick with a normal full-size gun, small guns are fine for carry but suck to shoot. They beat up your hands, they are hard to hold onto, they have lots more recoil, hold fewer rounds, shorter sight radius=more difficult to shoot accurately, they just suck to shoot in all ways if what you want is something fun to go to the range with and keep at home.

IMO go with a striker fired gun first. A striker fired gun has a consistent trigger pull. A hammer fired single action/double action gun has a very long, heavy, difficult first trigger pull, followed by a very different, lighter trigger pull for the rest of the magazine. Strikers are easier and more straight forward for beginners. For example a Glock is a striker fired gun (no external hammer) and a Sig 226 is a hammer fired SA/DA gun.

Beside that get your hands on a bunch (shoot them if you can) and pick the one you think feels the best and looks the coolest (guns are cool: fact)

The big 3 to try:

Glock (19 or a 17, the 19 is only a little smaller- it's still a pleasant gun to shoot)
M&P 9 full-size or the longer 5" Pro
XD9 or XDM9


Of those I recommend the M&P, I think it has the best ergos by far, very reliable guns (I've got probably 15k rounds combined through all the different M&Ps I've owned) and the trigger can be modded very easily and cheaply to be quite good, better than the glock or XD by far.

^ that stuff, although im fond of subcompacts.

[Meegs]

Single stack glock g42? Or a 1911 41?
My opinion is not high on .380 but it works for many others.

If you look for extras, look into Chrimson Trace.

Also just go to streichers and see what they have for used guns. Also buy your new gun from them, or at a minimum get a quote from them.
Sure, go to the big box stores and try them out. Even rent a few randoms at bills.

When you go to the range, let me know. I'll go with ya if I can. Might even bring a couple fun guns to try out.

[mnstang]

Go to Bills or Cabelas or ... anywhere that you can handle different guns. For your first gun stick with something simple and reliable. Don't get a 1911, not really a great beginner handgun.

Get a 9mm. It's WAY cheaper to shoot, and way way way easier and more comfortable for new people to learn to shoot with. There's no practical difference in 9mm/.40/.45 for defensive purposes once you factor in good modern ammo anyway.

Stick with a normal full-size gun, small guns are fine for carry but suck to shoot. They beat up your hands, they are hard to hold onto, they have lots more recoil, hold fewer rounds, shorter sight radius=more difficult to shoot accurately, they just suck to shoot in all ways if what you want is something fun to go to the range with and keep at home.

IMO go with a striker fired gun first. A striker fired gun has a consistent trigger pull. A hammer fired single action/double action gun has a very long, heavy, difficult first trigger pull, followed by a very different, lighter trigger pull for the rest of the magazine. Strikers are easier and more straight forward for beginners. For example a Glock is a striker fired gun (no external hammer) and a Sig 226 is a hammer fired SA/DA gun.

Beside that get your hands on a bunch (shoot them if you can) and pick the one you think feels the best and looks the coolest (guns are cool: fact)

The big 3 to try:

Glock (19 or a 17, the 19 is only a little smaller- it's still a pleasant gun to shoot)
M&P 9 full-size or the longer 5" Pro
XD9 or XDM9


Of those I recommend the M&P, I think it has the best ergos by far, very reliable guns (I've got probably 15k rounds combined through all the different M&Ps I've owned) and the trigger can be modded very easily and cheaply to be quite good, better than the glock or XD by far.

The first trigger pull on the sa da is only difficult if the hammer is not cocked, I don't see this being an issue at least not for me. For a carry gun I could see this being a consideration though.

[Chris-Supra]

I agree it's not a big issue, but if he's going to keep it loaded at home for self defense, most SA/DA guns are designed to be kept de-cocked/hammer down when loaded, which would require a lot of practice to overcome under stress.

[Fernanernie]

I agree it's not a big issue, but if he's going to keep it loaded at home for self defense, most SA/DA guns are designed to be kept de-cocked/hammer down when loaded, which would require a lot of practice to overcome under stress.

This is why I prefer striker fired. Under stress, I'd hate for that follow up to be off target because I am expecting another long pull. Or worse yet, the first being off because of a long pull. I mainly own striker fired, so that's what I practice with, and often.

But, I carry, which is different than OP's situation.

Matt: Bill's in Robbinsdale is having a Shooters Show March 27-29th. Try out a bunch of guns for free, just buy the ammo. Of course since you don't have your permit, you'll have to go with someone else as they don't allow singles rentals to non-permitted.

[mnstang]

"under stress" you might just as easily forget to click the safety off on the striker fired gun.

[Chris-Supra]

"under stress" you might just as easily forget to click the safety off on the striker fired gun.

Most striker fired guns dont have a traditional safety switch. ex: glocks, m&p, XDs none of the standard models have a safety lever. They do have safety features but they are all passive.