The begginers' handgun.......??

[IamJEEP]

What's a good "beginners" handgun to use? I've been wanting to get my girlfriend and myself some concieled weapon permits and buy our first handguns. Purchased a couple of magazines for reviews but, there are so many makes out there, I don't know where to begin.

[LWM]

The best thing to do is find a local indoor range that rents weapons for use on the property and try out a few handguns. I personally like the Glock and would recommend she try one starting with the 9mm and move up in caliber until there is too much recoil for her (I like the 357).

[NeilSmith]

X2 on a range with rentals. She will prob want to stay with a 9mm, but she will have to hold and feel some different one to find one that fits her hands. Glocks are good but they dont feel right in my hand ( I have small hands ). I carry a Springfield XD .45. It has a 4" barrel and I carry it in a Crossbreed Supertuck holster. Even with my small framed body of 125 lbs wet, you would never know I had a full frame pistol under my shirt.

[Adondo]

A very simple beginners gun would be most double action revolvers. They're simple and safe, especially when compared to semi-autos. Most people who get accidentally shot are from someone who thinks an auto is empty, when it actually has a round ''up the pipe.'' (A chambered round, which stays even with the magazine removed)

A DA revolver fires by just pulling the trigger, with a hard pull for the most part, (For short range self defense mode) or you cock the hammer first then have a light trigger pull. (For better accuracy) No magazine to load up, no pulling a slide back to chamber a round first, no worrying about releasing the safety(s) etc.

A good conceal weapon is a Charter Arms Bulldog. The five shot .44 is a hand cannon. They're a short barrel that you'd expect Mickey Spillane P.I. to pack. The .38 or .357 might be better for your girlfriend to handle, as the light .44 kicks like a mule.

[brendon]

x3 on the rental. But beware, that's how I got hooked on 1911's...

I just got my wife a Taurus PT138 - it's a small frame semi-auto in .380ACP. She never even held a gun before this one. She likes it. A .380 is about the same size as a 9mm round but less recoil; though arguably not a good defensive round. I am helping my neighbor's aunt select a gun as well and we are leaning towards the Taurus 709 Slim. Also a light, small semi-auto in 9mm. It is hard to go wrong with a decent revolver though.

How about a Thompson .445 Supermag? Single shot, but that's all you need!

[IamJEEP]

The best thing to do is find a local indoor range that rents weapons for use on the property and try out a few handguns. I personally like the Glock and would recommend she try one starting with the 9mm and move up in caliber until there is too much recoil for her (I like the 357).

That's a good idea Knappster, I'll have to look around and find the nearest one to me. I've heard good things about the Glocks, I will deffinately look into those. Thanks

X2 on a range with rentals. She will prob want to stay with a 9mm, but she will have to hold and feel some different one to find one that fits her hands. Glocks are good but they dont feel right in my hand ( I have small hands ). I carry a Springfield XD .45. It has a 4" barrel and I carry it in a Crossbreed Supertuck holster. Even with my small framed body of 125 lbs wet, you would never know I had a full frame pistol under my shirt.

Good to know, thanks NeilSmith.

A very simple beginners gun would be most double action revolvers. They're simple and safe, especially when compared to semi-autos. Most people who get accidentally shot are from someone who thinks an auto is empty, when it actually has a round ''up the pipe.'' (A chambered round, which stays even with the magazine removed)

A DA revolver fires by just pulling the trigger, with a hard pull for the most part, (For short range self defense mode) or you cock the hammer first then have a light trigger pull. (For better accuracy) No magazine to load up, no pulling a slide back to chamber a round first, no worrying about releasing the safety(s) etc.

A good conceal weapon is a Charter Arms Bulldog. The five shot .44 is a hand cannon. They're a short barrel that you'd expect Mickey Spillane P.I. to pack. The .38 or .357 might be better for your girlfriend to handle, as the light .44 kicks like a mule.

I agree, I was leaning towards a DA revolver till my girl said she wants a semi-auto. She said she wanted a pink one...................LOL........I just shook my head. Thanks adondo

x3 on the rental. But beware, that's how I got hooked on 1911's...

I just got my wife a Taurus PT138 - it's a small frame semi-auto in .380ACP. She never even held a gun before this one. She likes it. A .380 is about the same size as a 9mm round but less recoil; though arguably not a good defensive round. I am helping my neighbor's aunt select a gun as well and we are leaning towards the Taurus 709 Slim. Also a light, small semi-auto in 9mm. It is hard to go wrong with a decent revolver though.

How about a Thompson .445 Supermag? Single shot, but that's all you need!

I'll have to look those up and do some research. I deffinately want her to have a light "pocket" sized gun that she can conciel easily. Thanks brendon
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Do you guys have pics of your weapons? If so, please post a pic on here.....