Good advice about trying out guns before buying!!!

When I bought my G22 I had fired Nate's G17? and liked it fit and operation.

Wanted a 40 cal so I got the G22. Carry it every day, extremely seldom that I am out of arm's reach of it. Even when working out.

What do I tell someone looking to buy a gun?

Get a Glock 19, then I get serious discuss what their perceived uses for the gun will be, etc...
Go over some potential guns with them, tell them to check out the local ranges that have gun rentals, offer to take them to the range with me to try out a couple of guns.

And finish off with "Get a Glock 19"

Depending on who they are I offer to take them to the range and let them shoot a few. BUT first they have to sit down with me and get a gun basics and safety lesson. I always start them on a Walther p22. I own the gun mainly for that reason. Only after the basics and them showing me they can be serious about safety will I let them go bigger. Wish I could do a lot more of this but my health won't let me.

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
When I went through this, I naturally asked my SEAL acquaintences what they had, and ended up with a P226 Navy. Happily, it turned out to be a really good choice, but had I actually handled/shot other makes and models, I might have picked another, better feel, more lefty friendly.

Otoh, if I had just bought the Glock, I might not have encountered Bruce Gray to learn the basics. It all worked out ok.

It is a journey, isn't it?

quote:

Originally posted by Rolan_Kraps:
First, if they don't know anything about guns, I recommend that they this book.
https://www.amazon.com/Guns-10...ywords=guns+101+book

I see what you did there!

Actually, it's a damned good idea. I read gun magazines for quite a few years before I was old enough to buy one, and picked up a lot.

Nowadays, if someone asks for advice like this, it's because they have perceived the need and the urgency to solve the problem. Read the book, of course, but an introductory trip to the range may be the necessary first step.

First, I ask them to figure out what they will use the gun for. This sets the general size and capacity parameters.

Second I ask them to learn and understand the three major firing systems (DAO, DA/SA, Striker). This defines the product lines that they should consider.

Third, I suggest that they select from the major manufacturers with good warranties, generally speaking, Springfield, SIG, S&W, Colt, Walther, Ruger, H&K, Glock, Steyr, Beretta, etc.

Finally, I suggest they rent, or shoot a selection of decent guns that fit their parameters before making a decision.

For caliber, in almost all cases, I suggest 9mm for an initial firearm.

Besides renting first and it must feel good in the hand. Or maybe starting with a 22 if they have never shot a handgun before. I tell them this what I have stated below to many people.

IMHO and $.02 worth
I am old school.

I really believe anyone’s first handgun should be a wheel gun in 357 with a 3 to 4 inch barrel
3 to 4 inch good for the range, packing camping,
and home defense.

Why a wheel gun?
You take so much out of possibilities of error.

1.Very easy to unload when needed

2.A lot easier to clean for the new shooter.

3.Can practice both double action and single trigger pull.

4.A lot less malfunctions to deal with while shooting.

5.When you get old and arthritis kicks in you can still operate a wheel gun when you no longer can rack a slide.

The semi auto issues for new shooter

1.Harder to clean

2.Time to shoot. Magazine in, pull slide back off slide stop and let slide forward to load, tries to shoot. Nothing happens. Slide did not go into full battery. So new shooter thinks ok pistol didn’t strip round from Magazine. Cycles slide to load pistol and finds live round being ejected from pistol. First response usually from new shooter is go pick up live round, Sets loaded pistol on shooting bench while looking for live round. This is a no-no.

3.Range officer calls cease fire, magazines out action locked open. New shooter drops magazine opens action and locks it open. Again there is a live round somewhere on the ground, New shooters first response usually is to find live round. Is it in front of the bench, on the bench, or on the ground? None of which is usually behind safety line away from the bench.

4.What do I do if I have a fail to eject (stove pipe)?

5.What do I do if I have a fail to feed?

6.New handgun shooter’s main concern should
always be the full control of the loaded weapon that is why I feel it is best to start with a wheel gun!!

7.I have seen all of these through my years of shooting.

Why a 357? 38 special wad cutters can be bought pretty cheap. Practice, Practice, Practice. Wide range of loads to try 38 special, 38 special+P 357 Magnum. Get use to shooting a hand gun. Then let’s get through the Semi Auto issues.

Sorry for the long replay.