Handgun questions

[duragezic]

I would really like to have an assortment of guns to rent/try out at a range, then make a purchase, but I haven't found any range like that. I have only one friend here with a handgun (a Steyr .40) which I'm sure I could try out but more than likely I'd have to buy one without using it first. Is that okay? I haven't had enough experience with guns or with many models of them to know beforehand.

I'm looking at getting a 9mm to start with, maybe soon get a .22 just to have something I can fire a ton without a lot of cost. This would be for just shooting at a range. I don't think concealed carry is very easy to get in NY state and I don't think I'd be comfortable doing it anyway.

So any suggestions? I've checked out on the internet various H&K, Sig, Glock, Springfield, etc, but really I'm not sure how much of a difference I would notice. Any decent brand gun in good shape should be fine for me right? Price isn't a huge concern, mostly I want to find a good deal. Ideas on where to look online? So although I could afford something like a fairly high end H&K or Sig (Jack Bauer is my hero), it may be a bit overkill.

Also, I've wanted a AR-15 since I shot my friend's a long time ago. I read they are quite easy to build with no experience as long as you buy the preassembled upper receiver. Is that true and would it save a good amount of coin?

No I'm not angry and loading up on guns. I've been interested in them for the past couple of years but didn't have any money till now.

 

[JohnCU]

my first handgun is/was a smith and wesson SW9VE, 9mm. took me a while to figure out how to shoot it accurately but it wasn't that expensive and i've never had it jam.

 

[biggestmuff]

You can't find a range that rents guns? That's weird. Just keep trying. Go through the phone book, call and ask them.

 

[spaceman]

the local gun shop advised me for my 1st handgun, and recommended a revolver
i ended up getting a rossi .38, the revolvers require less maitenance and are very easy to tell whether or not its loaded etc.etc.

 

[richardycc]

I am going to the Smith and Wesson shooting sports center tomorrow, they have a $25 try a gun special...should be fun.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
You can't find a range that rents guns? That's weird. Just keep trying. Go through the phone book, call and ask them.

Yup. Where I lived in Florida, a local pawn shop doubled as a range with rentals. So you might just have to look in other categories.

 

[Elstupido]

Can't get much better that a Sig 220 .45 cal. Lots of stopping power in a quality handgun, I've had 4 Sigs in .40, .45, 357Sig. A 9mm S&W, a 9mm Beretta, and others.

I'll stick with the Sig 220 .45, very much worth the extra money over say a Glock or S&W. HK is also a very fine handgun, but I prefer the Sig.

A nice semi auto .22 is also a very good idea for target practice fun, and very cheep ammo. Get both, the .22 can help perfect your shooting skills because of the no recoil factor.

 

[JasonSix78]

My first handgun was a Springfield XD9. I purchased it new without testing it beforehand and I was/am really happy with it. It's easy to clean, reliable, safe, fun to shoot......definitely look into one.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I've got an Springfield XD9 Subcompact and a Beretta NEOS 22.

I recommend both of them. The subcompact is good to either carry or shoot at hte range... I have big hands and almost always shoot with the 16 round mag in. My only gripes are that it doesn't have a thumb safety and, for that reason, can be dangerous if you ever put one in the chamber when you're not ready to fire the gun.

Look around and see what designs you like and most-importantly how the guns feel in your hands. If you don't feel like you have total control when holding it, you don't want to know what it feels like to shoot magnums.

The NEOS is a good value and is a good starter. You could always get it and shoot through a few thousand rounds before moving up to something bigger. I wouldn't get much more than a 9mm simply because of ammo costs, but that's just my opinion.

 

[pstylesss]

You're going to want to at least hold it before purchasing. Gun shops should let you hold them... but there should be ranges somewhere that let you rent.

 

[Zenmervolt]

If it's strictly for use at the range and will not ever be used for carry or home defense, there's no compelling reason to go with anything other than a .22 unless you really want to start collecting for the sake of collecting. You can buy a box of 550 rounds of .22 for $15. Can't beat that.

I'm a fan of the S&W .22 revolvers, they're a lot of fun to shoot.

ZV

 

[Elstupido]

I agree with Zenmervolt, if you don't intend to carry, a nice .22 will fit the bill for cheap fun, either S&W or Ruger. Both have good revolvers and semi autos. However home defense is quite another matter. .45 in a handgun, or better yet a 12 gauge pump shotgun with an 18" barrel.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
If it's strictly for use at the range and will not ever be used for carry or home defense, there's no compelling reason to go with anything other than a .22 unless you really want to start collecting for the sake of collecting. You can buy a box of 550 rounds of .22 for $15. Can't beat that.

I'm a fan of the S&W .22 revolvers, they're a lot of fun to shoot.

ZV

I like revolvers for their simplicity, ease of use, lack of jamming issues, etc...

I'm not a big fan of them for range shooting becuse you have to reload a lot more frequently. I like being able to put 16 rounds in the mag and have 2-3 extras loaded and ready to go. The XDs come with a speedloader that makes loading a lot easier. The Beretta 22s have a knob on the side that allows you to compress the spring as you drop cartridges in the mag.

In Knoxville, TN there's a gun shop that allows you to walk in, pay for a box of ammo and shoot any gun they have for sale of that calibur. You could go in and buy 2 or 3 boxes of ammo and find out real quick which guns shoot smooth and steady and which ones kick & jam. If you can find somewhere within a few hundred miles of where you're at, you could always figure out what you want and have them ship it to a local gun shop...or buy it locally if you don't want to deal with it. (otherwise, make a trip to knoxville)

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
If it's strictly for use at the range and will not ever be used for carry or home defense, there's no compelling reason to go with anything other than a .22 unless you really want to start collecting for the sake of collecting. You can buy a box of 550 rounds of .22 for $15. Can't beat that.

I'm a fan of the S&W .22 revolvers, they're a lot of fun to shoot.

ZV

.22's are economical but they're boring to shoot in my opinion. Sometimes it's worth the extra cost to use something you enjoy using.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
If it's strictly for use at the range and will not ever be used for carry or home defense, there's no compelling reason to go with anything other than a .22 unless you really want to start collecting for the sake of collecting. You can buy a box of 550 rounds of .22 for $15. Can't beat that.

I'm a fan of the S&W .22 revolvers, they're a lot of fun to shoot.

ZV

I like revolvers for their simplicity, ease of use, lack of jamming issues, etc...

I'm not a big fan of them for range shooting becuse you have to reload a lot more frequently. I like being able to put 16 rounds in the mag and have 2-3 extras loaded and ready to go. The XDs come with a speedloader that makes loading a lot easier. The Beretta 22s have a knob on the side that allows you to compress the spring as you drop cartridges in the mag.

In Knoxville, TN there's a gun shop that allows you to walk in, pay for a box of ammo and shoot any gun they have for sale of that calibur. You could go in and buy 2 or 3 boxes of ammo and find out real quick which guns shoot smooth and steady and which ones kick & jam. If you can find somewhere within a few hundred miles of where you're at, you could always figure out what you want and have them ship it to a local gun shop...or buy it locally if you don't want to deal with it. (otherwise, make a trip to knoxville)

Meh, I can load a revolver about as fast as I can load a magazine. If you have a speedloader for the magazine, then it might be a little faster, but you still have to load the magazines at some point. The S&W 617 holds 10 rounds of .22LR, which is as many as a Ruger MkIII's clip.

ZV

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
You can't find a range that rents guns? That's weird. Just keep trying. Go through the phone book, call and ask them.

i don't know of any ranges that rent guns within an hour of where I live. hell most of the ranges here are run by sportsmen's clubs with like 1-2 benches. They don't even have any kind of store or sales at all.

i believe there are some near Philly, which is like a 2 hour drive.

if you can't rent one first, at least go to a shop and hold a few.

 

[JDMnAR1]

Like others have alluded to, if your primary goal is to do a lot of plinking at the range, you should consider the cost of ammunition when deciding what handgun to purchase. Unless you are going to invest in reloading gear, you don't want to find yourself regretting buying that .50AE because it costs $1+ every time you pull the trigger. Since CCW isn't one of your concerns don't get all wrapped up in the 'stopping power' discussions - find something that feels good to you, is from a reputable manufacturer and fits your budget. And yes, I consider a .22 handgun a good choice for anyone to have in their arsenal - check out the Browning Buckmark.

 

[xeno2060]

MY fist handgun was a Model 19 S&W .357mag 6" If you learn to shoot with a Double action revolver, it will be alot easier to transition to other firearms.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
If it's strictly for use at the range and will not ever be used for carry or home defense, there's no compelling reason to go with anything other than a .22 unless you really want to start collecting for the sake of collecting. You can buy a box of 550 rounds of .22 for $15. Can't beat that.

I'm a fan of the S&W .22 revolvers, they're a lot of fun to shoot.

ZV

I like revolvers for their simplicity, ease of use, lack of jamming issues, etc...

I'm not a big fan of them for range shooting becuse you have to reload a lot more frequently. I like being able to put 16 rounds in the mag and have 2-3 extras loaded and ready to go. The XDs come with a speedloader that makes loading a lot easier. The Beretta 22s have a knob on the side that allows you to compress the spring as you drop cartridges in the mag.

In Knoxville, TN there's a gun shop that allows you to walk in, pay for a box of ammo and shoot any gun they have for sale of that calibur. You could go in and buy 2 or 3 boxes of ammo and find out real quick which guns shoot smooth and steady and which ones kick & jam. If you can find somewhere within a few hundred miles of where you're at, you could always figure out what you want and have them ship it to a local gun shop...or buy it locally if you don't want to deal with it. (otherwise, make a trip to knoxville)

Cold Creek Armory. I love shooting the MP5 they have.

 

[lozina]

My first handgun was an XD45 ACP. Yeah a bit hefty for a first gun but I was in love. A decision I do not regret.

I live in Westchester county NY and it was difficult just to get the necessary permit to own a handgun in your home - forget about concealed carry if you are down here it's impossible unless you are a former cop or you can prove your life is in imminent danger.

 

[KB]

Every indoor range in Maryland that I have been to allows you to rent a gun for $5 for use at their range as long as you purchase their ammo for use in that gun.
Perhaps you should wait for your next vacation and then go looking at ranges out of state. Definitely try before you buy.
I guess this is one more reason I don't like New York.

XD9 owner

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
You can't find a range that rents guns? That's weird. Just keep trying. Go through the phone book, call and ask them.

QFMFT, what did you try one?

I have yet to go to a range that didn't want to try and rent/sell you all sorts of crap.