Total Noob...

[BlackWidow]

I'm a total Noob...

I've got a couple questions maybe you guys can help me with:

1) What's the best place in or around the Sugar Land area that does CHL classes for a reasonable price?

2) What would you recommend as a first hand gun for someone:

- will not be hunting
- primarily be used for personal and home protection
- would like to be able to go to the shooting range once a month to shoot it (hence cheap ammo)
- needs to be small so I can carry it on me easily

From doing my reading it seems a 9mm semi-automatic is the best way to go - which ones would that be?

Growing up playing Counter Strike I've always admired the Desert Eagle and Beretta, but I have a feeling those are from "starting" out hand guns.

Any and all advise is welcome... :)

[killerfly128]

I'm a total Noob...

I've got a couple questions maybe you guys can help me with:

1) What's the best place in or around the Sugar Land area that does CHL classes for a reasonable price?

2) What would you recommend as a first hand gun for someone:

- will not be hunting
- primarily be used for personal and home protection
- would like to be able to go to the shooting range once a month to shoot it (hence cheap ammo)
- needs to be small so I can carry it on me easily

From doing my reading it seems a 9mm semi-automatic is the best way to go - which ones would that be?

Growing up playing Counter Strike I've always admired the Desert Eagle and Beretta, but I have a feeling those are from "starting" out hand guns.

Any and all advise is welcome... :)

2.) Just buy whatever feels comfey in your hand. I recomend the 92fs or the m9 due to crazy cheap mag prices. or a glock 19.

[BobCat]

If you want to go to the range (South of Sugar land, near Highway 6 and 521), and try out some different handguns, let me know.

I am not a qualified NRA Instructor - you ought to find one of those and take a Basic Pistol class. Probably at Pearland (PSC).

Just to start out, see what feels good and points well. Do not limit yourself - I've had people who I thought would like a .38 revolver (typically suggested for "newbies') find that the 1911-pattern .45 ACP fit the bill better.

There are probably ranges in Houston that rent guns, but I do not know them. Someone on here will probably post info about that.

There are tradeoffs; a lighter pistol (to carry) will have more "felt" recoil than a heavier one in the same caliber. A good holster and belt makes carrying a heavier pistol more acceptable.

Also - http://www.corneredcat.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is a good read. Aimed at women who are interested in learning about guns, it is actually excellent for anyone new to the subject.

Have fun!

Regards,
Andrew

[seamusTX]

Welcome to the forum.

If you're going to learn to shoot, you can't go wrong with a .22. You will be able to shoot the thousands of rounds (IMHO) that it takes to become proficient and safe, without spending a lot of money. You can get a pistol or revolver. I favor revolvers because you don't have to worry about slide bite, but that's just my personal preference.

Once you start hanging around a range, you can try other people's handguns without paying rental fees. PSC is great for that -- real friendly people. It's quite a hike for you, but a visit would be well worth it.

If you're going to get a CHL, even if you take the class this week, you're going to have a couple of months to make up your mind about a carry piece. You'll have to wade through all the controversy about actions and calibers.

- Jim

[BlackWidow]

Thanks for the welcome guys.

What are some new reliable, easy maintaince hand guns you guys would recommend for someone?

From all the reading it seems I need a DAO Double Stacked 9mm Semi Automatic.

Or should i stick with a .22?

By the way how do these numbers work? .22, .38, .40, .45, what does all that mean?

[atxgun]

By the way how do these numbers work? .22, .38, .40, .45, what does all that mean?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliber" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[seamusTX]

Or should i stick with a .22?

Owning one firearm is like owning one golf club or one set of underwear. You can barely make the situation work, and it's not fun.

A .22 lets you shoot a lot for little money, and it lets you learn to shoot without having to deal with recoil. I think recoil is the biggest challenge in learning to shoot.

The .22 is not a great self-defense round, though you should not dismiss the psychological value of having any weapon. Most armed self-defense situations are resolved by the attacker giving up, not the defender shooting. I know a woman who probably saved her life by scaring off a burglar with a broken shotgun.

You don't know at this point whether you are going to prefer a single or double-action, or even a pistol or revolver. All have their strong points, and IMHO it's all just a matter of personal preference.

To partially answer your question, any pistol made by SIG, Glock, Beretta, and some other big names that escape me is going to work fine for decades. They are service pistols and will not have trouble with rust or sensitivity to dirt.

Some of the less costly models are iffy, IMO. I'm not going to say more, because it will start a flame war.

Oh, and you need a shotgun. Everybody needs a shotgun. They should be issued at birth. Please trust me on this.

- Jim

[Morgan]

I'd like to suggest that if you're TOTALLY new to firearms (WELCOME!) that maybe you should spend some time familiarizing yourself before jumping into a CHL class. It's sort of like, "I don't know how to drive, what's the fest formula 1 car to drive and where can I take classes?"

Many ranges have beginner firearm safety classes. They'll go over stuff like variations of firearms, safe handling procedures and so on...stuff you simply won't get in the CHL class because CHL is intermediate to advanced gun handling and ownership.

Many ranges have deals where you can rent a number of guns for a relatively small about of coin. I'd take the class first, then spend some time shooting various guns. Just my tuppence.

and if the "firearm owning lifestyle" isn't for you but you still want a handgun for self protection, and you want easy of use and maintenance, I'd recommend looking at revolvers...in particular the .357 Magnum.

[seamusTX]

The .357 Magnum revolver is a fine, reliable piece. But, if it's the first gun you fire, it may be the last time you fire a gun.

The recoil and muzzle flash are something to behold.

- Jim

[Liberty]

Thanks for the welcome guys.

What are some new reliable, easy maintaince hand guns you guys would recommend for someone?

From all the reading it seems I need a DAO Double Stacked 9mm Semi Automatic.

Or should i stick with a .22?

By the way how do these numbers work? .22, .38, .40, .45, what does all that mean?

Thats the gauge in inches. the bigger the number generally the more powerful the gun. A .22 is slightly smaller in diameter than a quarter inch.
Whie there isn't anything wrong with a a DAO Double Stacked 9mm Semi Automatic, others prefer single stack for ease of carry, and larger calibers for stopping power, and single action for the light trigger. .22 is great for the range, but it wouldn't be my choice to stop a drugged up charging zombie. I prefer 9mm because of the economy of range ammo, effectiveness of defencive ammo, and the availability of some nice affordable guns. Most 9mm guns will hold more ammo than larger calibers. Many purist will insist on carrying only a .45 cal because they want the maximum amount of power absorbed by who/whatever they are shooting at.. No sense arguing with that logic if you're gonna shoot at something you might as well make the biggest holes possible.

You mentioned Beretta. They make fine guns, and are reasonably priced. I own a 92fs and really like mine, but concealed carry with it is tough. Because of its size it isn't the easiest gun to hide. It's delegated to a car gun or small of the back carry. There are so many choices and every gun has the potential of being someones favorite.