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Just relocated to Nevada and would like to purchase a hand gun.
I've read up on all of the requirements and have no problem with meeting them.
I've fired a pistol at the range a few years ago, and that's the extent of my knowledge of guns.
Before I go to the gun store I'd like some opinions on what handgun would be a decent first gun to carry around.
I would like to get started on my CCW process as soon as possible.
Thanks in advance
Go to a range that rents guns and shoot as many as your budget allows. Make some gun owing friends and shoot theirs. Start off with some type of Glock. You wont be disappointed. I started off all my girls shooting glocks because of their relatively cheap price and variety. The when you get good and ready you can move on to a real mans gun like this:
I've had a CHL for many years now, and have a couple of good friends who are approved CHL instructors. I shoot often, and even in competition and I know quite a bit about handguns. I firmly believe in the stopping power of large caliber handguns, but realistically, many will simply choose not to carry, or become tired of carrying large or heavy guns. And a large caliber handgun will usually fall in the "heavy" category, even with high quality smaller guns like the Kimber ultra carry .45 or various small revolvers in .357.
For this reason, I choose to carry a Kel-Tec .380, however I think I may be acquiring a Ruger LCP soon. These are very small and lightweight guns that you can simply slip into your jeans pocket or pocket of your shots, without really be conscious that they are there, and without imprinting. Their stopping power is pretty good, but of course not as good as a larger caliber weapon. But it's always with me, and my larger caliber handguns are just too uncomfortable and bulky for me to carry comfortably. And I'm a big guy at 6'3" and 230 pounds. Even the Kimber ultra carry, which I dearly love but won't carry unless it's winter time and I'm wearing a fairly heavy jacket anyway. Just my 2 cents, I'm sure I'll get flamed for this.
Glock is a good first gun...not expensive and there's lots of holster choices out there. It's not very likely to rust when you sweat either.
I wasn't a fan of the glock when my husband got it. I like guns with more character to them. But the sights are really easy to see and it's pretty darn tough. My husband fell off the back of a truck and landed on his glock and it was fine (he had a glock-shaped bruise for about three weeks on his hip and thigh though) except for one round jamming the next time we took it to the range.
Guns are like cars,some are good and some are bad....(depending on the person you are talking to).
I do not like a Glock, why you ask, to me.....the sight picture, and alignment when you draw the pistol...again to me... It's like I have to force the front of the barrel down to gain an accurate sight picture..the 1911 I draw it, and it's like an extension of my hand....everything is aligned...
I would never recommend a .45 as a starter pistol, like the 1911....it's a great pistol...and some 1911 .45's can be found found for less than $500. Just not a great starter pistol...
I love the weird pistols.....F.E.G. is the name of a pistol I love......an older pistol.....very well made, and still going strong for over 20+ years....very accurate....9x19..standard 9mm
I also like the Makrov style pistols...older, and 9x18mm, just a little smaller than 9mm...very nice and very affordable little CCW...
Not a conceal pistol, but Hi-Point is a great pistol, VERY cheap, and will shoot every time you pull the trigger..has a life time warranty....no matter if you are the 26th buyer of the pistol.....BUT it's a big ugly looking pistol....
Go back to a local gun store...ask to see a pistol you like, if they will let you fire it DO IT....
Then think about that pistol being hidden..on you...it's very HARD to hide full size 1911...I love the 1911 style, and maybe if you are a bigger person....it would work....but the commander (series) 1911 is still a little hard for a big person to conceal....
The LCP is a great CCW but I wouldn't recommend one as a first gun. You want your first to be something that's comfortable to shoot so you can practice, practice, practice. The LCP is small and very easy to conceal, but it's not comfortable to shoot and the sights are poor to say the least.
As others recommended try to rent some and see what you like, there are plenty of options, Glock, Sig, Ruger, Bersa, etc. Find one that feels good, I would recommend a 9mm, not to expensive to run 3 or 4 hundred rounds through it at a range visit, and there are plenty of good self defense loads available.
I second the LCP. Just saw them advertised somewhere for $260. Also check out their wallet-holsters.
I just went to the Ruger site as well as Youtube.
Although a beautiful firearm, I think it might be way to small for my gorilla sized hands.
When I go to the gun shop I will however 100% ask them if I can fire it.
Thanks again.
I'll take any and all suggestions.
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