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a little plinkeing and consealed protection
For a first gun I recommend a LOT of plinking. Try to wear out the first one while developing good habits in both safety and shooting.
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a little plinkeing and consealed protection
If there's a place nearby that rents handguns, I'd spend some time & money there trying different ones. It's a good investment to find out what you like.
If you don't have a place like this & have to buy w/o trying, then I think a used Glock 19 (as others have recommended) isn't a bad choice. Pretty straight-forward & not a lot that can go wrong with one, so buying used isn't much of a risk. 9mm is also relatively cheap. There are good deals on other "plastic pistols" by S&W, Ruger, etc. - but I'm not as familiar with those guns, so can't make a recommendation.
A medium-frame .357 revolver (S&W or Ruger) might be another choice - also pretty intuitive for a first-time handgun owner, easy & cheap to shoot with .38's. However, used revolvers can sometimes have "issues" & you may not pick-up on these when buying.
There's also merit in buying a .22lr handgun for a first gun. You should be able to find one by Browning, Ruger or S&W in your price range. If you don't buy one for your first gun, then definitely make it your second gun. Cheap and easy to shoot; great way to build confidence. Also good for introducing new shooters to the sport. Only downside is that if SHTF & you only have one handgun, you may wish you had a larger caliber.
Whatever you decide, let us know - so many folks ask this question & then disappear...
im saveing up $400 and i was wondering whats the best handgun to buy thats in my price range???
I don't think it exists HA HA.
If there's a place nearby that rents handguns, I'd spend some time & money there trying different ones. It's a good investment to find out what you like.
Whatever you decide, let us know - so many folks ask this question & then disappear...
Good advise all around. I've try to shoot a model of a handgun prior to purchase. I'd rather complain about spending $10 for a gun rental than having to sell a used $500 gun after shooting it once because I don't like something. Holding a gun doesn't give you important info like am I somewhat accurate, how easy and accurate can I get fire successive shots, etc.
Spend some time in the handgun classifieds section and wait for a Glock 19 to pop up. It's a great handgun.