better gun for beginners

WickedKlown · 01-14-2008, 10:55 AM

im gonig to be turning 21 hear in a couple months and have started looking into a concealed weapons permit and a gun to carry. i can eather use my fathers hk tactical or his rossi .38 but what i would like to do is come that time i would like to have my own so i can get a feel for mine and not one of his. i think i have narrowed it down to eather a smith & wesson 686 .357 mag with a 4in barrel or the hk usp 45. i no the s&w would be easier to concel but i like the design and the caliber of the hk. does anyone have any suggestions or comments about starting out with eather of these two and suggestions about starting out with a revolver or a automatic.

NRAJOE · 01-14-2008, 10:57 AM

Start out with the wheel gun (686) then later on a good semi....

eddiedeverell · 01-14-2008, 11:18 AM

I think either of the two would be excellent guns for ccw, I like semi automatics for the incresed capacity you get to carry, but if the revolver is what you like go for it! I'm probably not being too much of a help to you but I think you should carry what feels most comfortable to you!

SwedeSteve · 01-14-2008, 11:20 AM

Revolver to start.

two-70 · 01-14-2008, 12:21 PM

the 2" 686 or or 3inch model 60 would fit the bill nicely

Jimbo Indy · 01-14-2008, 02:38 PM

Had a 686 once, best revolver I ever shot. Totally reliable, extremely accurate, good trigger. There is something for a real steel gun over the plastic. Also, remember the revolver can use all types of ammo without changes. With the 686 you can use 38 spl for practice...even wadcutters and then switch to magnums for defense. Remember, a revolver does not care what the bullit shape is hollowpoint wadcutter roundnose or whatever. Autos tend to be fussy with hollowpoints. Above all get what fits your hand and what you are comfortable with. Shot placement is more important than capacity or bore size.

neophyte · 01-14-2008, 02:49 PM

WickedKlown: a suggestion. Instead of buying the 'pig in a poke' : find at your local ranges that rent and shoot some of them. Most of the Major manufacturers are good to better with quality.
My thinking: there isn't a newbe weapon or beginners. Any and all are designed to propel lead.
We all have 'favorites' biases. Revolver being mine.
That is not to suggest that these G models don't get out. It takes time and patience.
Follow up when you can.

ArkansasHunter · 01-14-2008, 02:54 PM

In most States if you qualifiy with a revolver your limited to carrying only a revolver.
ON the other hand if you qualifiy with a semi-auto you can carry either one when you want to.
Make sure when you do get your concealed carry permit that you take the semi-auto and take something bigger than say a KelTec 32 or 380 you want something you can hit the target better with.
If your State is like Arkansas you want get a chance to aim, you'll be holding the pistol like your instructor shows you to hold it.
And when he/she says fire you'll be shooting center mass as fast as you can pull the trigger.
So you want to carry a pistol that can keep you in the center mass zone.
The Instructors here count the bullet holes and document it.
Just trien to hep...A.H

knightRider · 01-14-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbo Indy

Had a 686 once, best revolver I ever shot. Totally reliable, extremely accurate, good trigger. There is something for a real steel gun over the plastic. Also, remember the revolver can use all types of ammo without changes. With the 686 you can use 38 spl for practice...even wadcutters and then switch to magnums for defense. Remember, a revolver does not care what the bullit shape is hollowpoint wadcutter roundnose or whatever. Autos tend to be fussy with hollowpoints. Above all get what fits your hand and what you are comfortable with. Shot placement is more important than capacity or bore size.

While i agree with everything stated above .

I personly like the HK usp compact for a carry weapon way better then a 686 , Hk put the usp through 20,000 rounds without a single stop or ftf, now i know a wheel gun cant go wrong and ftf is rare , but in my case i also want a safty and the usp offers that as a 686 does not . But i own a 686 and a small 38 sp both S&W and i own 2 HK one usp compact and one usp 45 expert , you need to shoot them both.

WickedKlown · 01-14-2008, 05:12 PM

thinks for the advice guys knight that was a concern of mine also with the 686 not having a safty and the usp does. neophyte i also dident think about it until you brung it up but the range im going to take the class at rents if you do not have your own. i was in their saturday and only seen a couple revolvers but i do think i will go and rent a few different models and go from their. hunter i will ask them about the qualifying with the semi and revolvers the next time im in that neck of the woods but if i need to i will get the semi to qualify then deside of my ccw after that

mym1a · 01-14-2008, 06:08 PM

I have to agree with the others! my first was a model 19 s&w 357 nothing wrong with a good double action revolver.As for a semi auto I presonaly like the m1911springfield
45 acp.

neophyte · 01-14-2008, 07:28 PM

WickedKlown: Sir; do follow up.
These fine folks advice is quality.

Sir; I left off the vital for me. I read a lot. Exploring many many different venues.
It has allowed me ?knowledge? information and the lot. Sir; explore and think, ask, filter, and consider the moment of learning as the adventure.

WickedKlown · 01-15-2008, 10:53 AM

after reading through some different posts last night i think i might consider a 9mm also. from what i have read the 9mm costs about half as much to shoot then the .45 and is also cheaper then the .357 and if i cant hit anything then it doesent matter what caliper the round is so im going to also keep that in mind. after reading alot of people use hidrashocks for ccw and the whitebox ammo from walmart to shoot at the range so that might also be a good start so i cna get some practice in hitting the paper

SCGirl · 01-15-2008, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neophyte

WickedKlown: a suggestion. Instead of buying the 'pig in a poke' : find at your local ranges that rent and shoot some of them. Most of the Major manufacturers are good to better with quality.
My thinking: there isn't a newbe weapon or beginners. Any and all are designed to propel lead.
We all have 'favorites' biases. Revolver being mine.
That is not to suggest that these G models don't get out. It takes time and patience.
Follow up when you can.

excellent advice..find what fits your hand, and one you are comfortable with

Quote:

Originally Posted by WickedKlown

after reading through some different posts last night i think i might consider a 9mm also. from what i have read the 9mm costs about half as much to shoot then the .45 and is also cheaper then the .357 and if i cant hit anything then it doesent matter what caliper the round is so im going to also keep that in mind. after reading alot of people use hidrashocks for ccw and the whitebox ammo from walmart to shoot at the range so that might also be a good start so i cna get some practice in hitting the paper

look into Taurus..they have a PT111 pro that I used for my first CCW

DWARREN123 · 01-16-2008, 06:39 AM

Whatever you like but practice, practice and practice some more with your carry choice.
Good luck.

neophyte · 01-16-2008, 10:05 AM

And "If"
you don't listen to DWARREN123; Sir, there will be a "kick" butt session

Sir; many and most do not shoot enough to find 'that comfort zone' Handling the firearm, feeling, touching, cleaning, take apart, put together is a major moment of "Familiarity"
9mm for the reasons you mentioned. Additional thought, 9mm will serve you well in that moment of defense. Do not consider a 9mm as a beginner model.
It is a formidable weapon

Follow up as you go along this new adventure

WickedKlown · 01-16-2008, 10:27 AM

not sure i follow neophyte are you saying that a 9mm is not a good beginner weapon

neophyte · 01-16-2008, 11:01 AM

It is a perfect firearm for a new or advanced shooter

Bravo · 01-16-2008, 11:14 AM

If you're going semi-auto and are new to handguns, the 9mm is definitely the way to go. Plenty powerful enough to defend yourself, accurate, low recoil, cheap practice ammo.

mym1a · 01-16-2008, 12:10 PM

Friends of mine who are retired police tell me that the 9mm realy doesn't have the stopping power and prefer 10mm , 40 cal and 45acp.many police agencies are now carrying these calibers.for what ever its worth and i'm sure many will disagree. I would go with the m1911 45acp with a 22Lr conversion kit or 357 revolver.

01-14-2008, 10:55 AM	#1
WickedKlown Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: portsmouth Posts: 10	better gun for beginners im gonig to be turning 21 hear in a couple months and have started looking into a concealed weapons permit and a gun to carry. i can eather use my fathers hk tactical or his rossi .38 but what i would like to do is come that time i would like to have my own so i can get a feel for mine and not one of his. i think i have narrowed it down to eather a smith & wesson 686 .357 mag with a 4in barrel or the hk usp 45. i no the s&w would be easier to concel but i like the design and the caliber of the hk. does anyone have any suggestions or comments about starting out with eather of these two and suggestions about starting out with a revolver or a automatic.

01-14-2008, 10:57 AM	#2
NRAJOE Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 19,043 Images: 3	Start out with the wheel gun (686) then later on a good semi.... __________________ U.S. Army 1976-1979 237th Combat Engineers Heilbronn, Germany

01-14-2008, 11:20 AM	#4
SwedeSteve Bullet Maintenance !! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The anchor point, Alaska Posts: 10,255 Images: 1	Revolver to start. __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

01-14-2008, 12:21 PM	#5
two-70 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ponca city, oklahoma Posts: 1,778	the 2" 686 or or 3inch model 60 would fit the bill nicely __________________ What Would Jesus Do ????? Just Ask Him.

01-14-2008, 02:49 PM	#7
neophyte Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 3,489 Blog Entries: 2	patience WickedKlown: a suggestion. Instead of buying the 'pig in a poke' : find at your local ranges that rent and shoot some of them. Most of the Major manufacturers are good to better with quality. My thinking: there isn't a newbe weapon or beginners. Any and all are designed to propel lead. We all have 'favorites' biases. Revolver being mine. That is not to suggest that these G models don't get out. It takes time and patience. Follow up when you can. __________________ Craig By the standards of most

01-14-2008, 11:18 AM	#3
eddiedeverell Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Aurora, CO. Posts: 241	I think either of the two would be excellent guns for ccw, I like semi automatics for the incresed capacity you get to carry, but if the revolver is what you like go for it! I'm probably not being too much of a help to you but I think you should carry what feels most comfortable to you!

01-14-2008, 02:38 PM	#6
Jimbo Indy Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 69	Had a 686 once, best revolver I ever shot. Totally reliable, extremely accurate, good trigger. There is something for a real steel gun over the plastic. Also, remember the revolver can use all types of ammo without changes. With the 686 you can use 38 spl for practice...even wadcutters and then switch to magnums for defense. Remember, a revolver does not care what the bullit shape is hollowpoint wadcutter roundnose or whatever. Autos tend to be fussy with hollowpoints. Above all get what fits your hand and what you are comfortable with. Shot placement is more important than capacity or bore size.

01-14-2008, 02:54 PM	#8
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,675	In most States if you qualifiy with a revolver your limited to carrying only a revolver. ON the other hand if you qualifiy with a semi-auto you can carry either one when you want to. Make sure when you do get your concealed carry permit that you take the semi-auto and take something bigger than say a KelTec 32 or 380 you want something you can hit the target better with. If your State is like Arkansas you want get a chance to aim, you'll be holding the pistol like your instructor shows you to hold it. And when he/she says fire you'll be shooting center mass as fast as you can pull the trigger. So you want to carry a pistol that can keep you in the center mass zone. The Instructors here count the bullet holes and document it. Just trien to hep...A.H Last edited by ArkansasHunter; 01-14-2008 at 07:44 PM.

01-14-2008, 05:12 PM	#10
WickedKlown Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: portsmouth Posts: 10	thinks for the advice guys knight that was a concern of mine also with the 686 not having a safty and the usp does. neophyte i also dident think about it until you brung it up but the range im going to take the class at rents if you do not have your own. i was in their saturday and only seen a couple revolvers but i do think i will go and rent a few different models and go from their. hunter i will ask them about the qualifying with the semi and revolvers the next time im in that neck of the woods but if i need to i will get the semi to qualify then deside of my ccw after that

01-14-2008, 06:08 PM	#11
mym1a Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,313	I have to agree with the others! my first was a model 19 s&w 357 nothing wrong with a good double action revolver.As for a semi auto I presonaly like the m1911springfield 45 acp.

01-14-2008, 07:28 PM	#12
neophyte Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 3,489 Blog Entries: 2	follow up WickedKlown: Sir; do follow up. These fine folks advice is quality. Sir; I left off the vital for me. I read a lot. Exploring many many different venues. It has allowed me ?knowledge? information and the lot. Sir; explore and think, ask, filter, and consider the moment of learning as the adventure. __________________ Craig By the standards of most Last edited by neophyte; 01-14-2008 at 07:33 PM. Reason: left out my thought

01-15-2008, 10:53 AM	#13
WickedKlown Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: portsmouth Posts: 10	after reading through some different posts last night i think i might consider a 9mm also. from what i have read the 9mm costs about half as much to shoot then the .45 and is also cheaper then the .357 and if i cant hit anything then it doesent matter what caliper the round is so im going to also keep that in mind. after reading alot of people use hidrashocks for ccw and the whitebox ammo from walmart to shoot at the range so that might also be a good start so i cna get some practice in hitting the paper

01-16-2008, 06:39 AM	#15
DWARREN123 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: BETWEEN TN & KY Posts: 773	Whatever you like but practice, practice and practice some more with your carry choice. Good luck. __________________ Have a nice day!

01-16-2008, 10:05 AM	#16
neophyte Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 3,489 Blog Entries: 2	listen And "If" you don't listen to DWARREN123; Sir, there will be a "kick" butt session Sir; many and most do not shoot enough to find 'that comfort zone' Handling the firearm, feeling, touching, cleaning, take apart, put together is a major moment of "Familiarity" 9mm for the reasons you mentioned. Additional thought, 9mm will serve you well in that moment of defense. Do not consider a 9mm as a beginner model. It is a formidable weapon Follow up as you go along this new adventure __________________ Craig By the standards of most

01-16-2008, 10:27 AM	#17
WickedKlown Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: portsmouth Posts: 10	not sure i follow neophyte are you saying that a 9mm is not a good beginner weapon

01-16-2008, 11:01 AM	#18
neophyte Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 3,489 Blog Entries: 2	perfect It is a perfect firearm for a new or advanced shooter __________________ Craig By the standards of most

01-16-2008, 11:14 AM	#19
Bravo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 1,878	If you're going semi-auto and are new to handguns, the 9mm is definitely the way to go. Plenty powerful enough to defend yourself, accurate, low recoil, cheap practice ammo.

01-16-2008, 12:10 PM	#20
mym1a Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,313	9mm Friends of mine who are retired police tell me that the 9mm realy doesn't have the stopping power and prefer 10mm , 40 cal and 45acp.many police agencies are now carrying these calibers.for what ever its worth and i'm sure many will disagree. I would go with the m1911 45acp with a 22Lr conversion kit or 357 revolver. Last edited by mym1a; 01-16-2008 at 12:16 PM.