Beginner looking into handguns

[Darth_Uno]

I love 1911's. They've often been compared to classic muscle cars, and with good reason. Outstanding design, but not something you'd want in 2020 as your first or only car.

The default answer is "Glock 19" and there's several others that are comparable in function and price.

One thing to consider, which is the opposite of the "little gun for a little lady" advice often heard in gun stores, is that the lighter a gun is the more it recoils. Making it that much more difficult (and less enjoyable) to shoot.

I would strongly suggest taking a 101 class if a nearby range offers it, and trying out as many models as you can before buying.

[Zincwarrior]

One thing to consider, which is the opposite of the "little gun for a little lady" advice often heard in gun stores, is that the lighter a gun is the more it recoils. Making it that much more difficult (and less enjoyable) to shoot.

This, so much. Also that locked breeches tend to recoil less then blowback breeches (a lot of the small .380s are blowback).

[TicTacticalTimmy]

Hi Kryptec, a few things:

Which gun you get is FAR LESS important than this question: how much will you practice?

By practice I am talking about both range trips where your goal is to attain skill with the handgun and, more importantly because its easiet to neglect, dry fire sessions where you spend 5-30 minutes at home dry firing the gun and building skill.

One factor in how much you dry practice, particularly if you are not really dedicated, will be the emotional connection you have with the gun. If you like the gun and the idea of it you will be more likely to want to practice vs a gun that you look at as merely a sterile tool.

For that last reason buying a 1911 could be a good way to go, if it gets you motivated to practice more than a modern design by way of its emotional appeal/connection.

Objectively a 1911, especially in .45 Auto, is definitely a less practical choice compared to other options. It has more recoil, less capacity, is more expensive, requires more maintenance, and if you intend on concealing it, it is just plain inneficient. On the other hand the trigger is easier to learn proficiently compared to many other designs.

If you dont have a special love for the .45 Auto cartridge I would definitely suggest something in 9mm instead. With modern bullet designs 9mm is just as deadly as .45 and you will get more capacity and less recoil which means faster follow up shots and a lower likelihood of developing a bad habit of flinching. Most importantly, 9mm practice ammo is significantly cheaper than .45 Auto.

If that whole emotional connection thing is a non factor for you I would start with which trigger system you prefer and go from there. The main trigger systems are Single Action Only like the 1911, Traditional Double Action, and Striker Fired. There are myriad threads on this board discussing the pros and cons of each.

[Trooper224]

You and your wife are better off choosing one of the many polymer framed, striker fired pistols currently on the market. Try several designs and brands if you can in order to find your preference. The guns manual of arms will be easier for you to learn and the gun will be more reliable. Many of us started with the 1911 because our choices in a fighting handgun were far more limited back in the bronze age. Today, we live with an embarrassment of riches in handgun choices and there are a plethora of better options. A 1911 can turn into a real rabbit hole, especially with a mid-tier gun like that Springfield. You wan to learn how to shoot safely. You don't need a gun that's a potential project on top of it.

[JonInWA]

Both of you should take a class from a knowledgeable, qualified instructor.

Good starting point default guns are a Glock 19 or a HK VP or P30-but there are definite pros and cons for each, and you really need to establish a basic knowledge and experience framework before plunging into the pool.

Best, Jon

[Half Moon]

I'll go counter the trend and recommend a medium frame revolver in 38 Special or 357 Magnum (which can also fire 38 Special). Simpler manual of arms, simpler administrative handling, and higher reliability than a semi-auto.

Still before picking any particular handgun your best bet is to get some basic training and try out different handguns if your local range has a rental counter. Fit and feel of handguns is as, or more, varied as fit and feel of clothing or automobiles. Go and try things and find out what works for you and the wife before investing a few hundred dollars.

[JohnO]

This may sound flippant but I'll say it anyway. You don't know what you don't know! This is why training is so very important. Please if you have completed a NRA safety class or something similar you have not even scratched the surface. Seek out training. If not for both then one of you with the student passing along what was learned.

For a new shooter the answer is almost always a 9mm and the lion share of the folks get pointed to Glock. A revolver is the way to go. It is easier to verify empty cylinders vs. a safe and empty pistol due to mistakes people make clearing a pistol.

Do not purchase some overpowered behemoth your wife can't hold or tolerate it's recoil. Again 9mm becomes the answer.

P.S. I'm a hardcore 1911 guy. I would never tell you to go 1911 as your first handgun. That's for much later down the road when you have learned a bunch.

[Matt C.]

For a beginner, 3" K frame.

[Trooper224]

I'll go counter the trend and recommend a medium frame revolver in 38 Special or 357 Magnum (which can also fire 38 Special). Simpler manual of arms, simpler administrative handling, and higher reliability than a semi-auto.

Still before picking any particular handgun your best bet is to get some basic training and try out different handguns if your local range has a rental counter. Fit and feel of handguns is as, or more, varied as fit and feel of clothing or automobiles. Go and try things and find out what works for you and the wife before investing a few hundred dollars.

This is also a very viable and sensible choice.

[Clusterfrack]

When the question is what handgun, the default answer is Glock.

EDIT: how the gun feels in your hand in the store is a poor indicator of whether it is a good choice. Eg. a more "ergonomic" feeling gun can be more difficult to grip consistently. You really can't effectively evaluate any particular gun until you shoot it, and probably after you have significant experience shooting handguns in general.