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Any standard double action will have pretty hard trigger pull really;unless used in single action mode. The pull will also be long in double action. Always take a course ;don't rely on the movies etc.
Good one, texdav. The first move: take a course in gun safety & gun handling, from professionals.
I don't know where you live, but here in Portland there are three sheriff's agencies who offer such courses. In one county there is a public shooting range, which has expert handlers and shooters (some marksmen and sharpshooters) on staff to teach safety and shooting. Probably any large city would have the same available to you.
I have a Glock .40, and am sorry I got rid of my .357 M686. So, more opinions!!! Good Luck
I agree about the training. I took the NRA Basic Pistol course ($125) and it was incredibly informative and useful, including a couple hours at the range with the instructor teaching us how to shoot properly and safely. Highly recommended!
I'd certainly suggest that a person who is unfamiliar with weapons take a lot more than a basic course. Join a shooting club, take courses from certified rangemasters...the basic NRA pistol course can barely cover what a handgun is. It takes time to learn what a weapon's capability is, and more importantly for you to learn what your reaction will be in a stressful situation. I'm not so sure they even teach that.
Like that old joke, how do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice. IMO, a two hour long stint on a shooting range just won't cut it. You're trying to set up muscle memory patterns - that takes months.
EH, I agree! If you can't hit something with five rounds, I think the enire neighborhood shoot hit the deck, because you're not likely to hit your target spraying around 12 more rounds. Yup, I'm still mourning the loss of my .357...
Good one, texdav. The first move: take a course in gun safety & gun handling, from professionals.
I don't know where you live, but here in Portland there are three sheriff's agencies who offer such courses. In one county there is a public shooting range, which has expert handlers and shooters (some marksmen and sharpshooters) on staff to teach safety and shooting. Probably any large city would have the same available to you.
I have a Glock .40, and am sorry I got rid of my .357 M686. So, more opinions!!! Good Luck
You got rid of your "Distiquished Combat Magnum"...?? hehe, I love mine!
You got rid of your "Distiquished Combat Magnum"...?? hehe, I love mine!
Yeah, I've regretted it ever since. We used to carry .357s, and when our department switched to Glocks, they offered us the option of purchasing our .357s for THEIR cost. Oy vey.
I have a hammerless .357 S&W revolver. Pros-It's good because if you want to carry it in your purse/pocket, it won't get snagged on anything and fire. The trigger is also a little harder due to this. It's also pretty small and lightweight as well. Cons-You need to get a speed loader as it will make reloading so much easier. Also, I find it a little uncomfortable to shoot as where it rests in the crook of my hand, it gets sore after some rounds.
However, I like it personally. I would suggest going to a gun range and trying both out and see which one you like.
I'd certainly suggest that a person who is unfamiliar with weapons take a lot more than a basic course. Join a shooting club, take courses from certified rangemasters...the basic NRA pistol course can barely cover what a handgun is. ...
a two hour long stint on a shooting range just won't cut it. You're trying to set up muscle memory patterns - that takes months...
I have to disagree; First, I was speaking to the person who's looking to buy a handgun without knowing anything about them at all (i.e. hammer/hammerless/revolver). Taking the pistol course (you can rent a gun to use) is an excellent first step to become familiar with just that...the basics.
Surely you don't expect someone who doesn't own a handgun to spend months at the range setting up muscle memory patterns?
And incidentally, the NRA basic pistol course was a 10-hour course and covered the basics. I never said it produced experts; it produced "graduates" who are familiar and comfortable with the basics of operation and safety.
One of the other two people who were in the class with me had never even shot a handgun and had invested many hundreds in a .22 pistol that after taking the course he might have chosen differently.
For home defense a .22 is not going to have much stopping power against an armed intruder...but he didn't know that until after he bought the weapon.
In addition, he had bought the gun without ever shooting a gun and was a nervous wreck at the range after class. The instructor spent extra time with him, pounding the safety rules as well as stance and whatnot into his quivering noggin.
I felt that class was an excellent introductory course for basic handgun skills.
Surely you don't expect someone who doesn't own a handgun to spend months at the range setting up muscle memory patterns?
And incidentally, the NRA basic pistol course was a 10-hour course and covered the basics. I never said it produced experts; it produced "graduates" who are familiar and comfortable with the basics of operation and safety.
In addition, he had bought the gun without ever shooting a gun and was a nervous wreck at the range after class. The instructor spent extra time with him, pounding the safety rules as well as stance and whatnot into his quivering noggin.
I felt that class was an excellent introductory course for basic handgun skills.
Well, I never said you said it produced experts. It may be a great intro. But, it's an introduction.
You are inferring a lot with my statement on building muscle memory. I never said that people should practice for months before purchasing a weapon.
A class is a good first step. A good teacher will help you purchase a gun that is appropriate, unlike your poor classmate there.
Building muscle memory is a comment on the realities of properly understanding and respecting a weapon, whether you have the best eye/hand coordinaion on the planet or not.
I would sooner trust a 12 year-old with a weapon, who's been well-trained by their dad,mother or brother, than someone who's entire history of shooting is on a two-hour-long range course. That's been my personal experience, and it is meant in a general sense -nothing personal!!!
I say again, a two-hour stint on a range just ain't enough. Threfore, you were treated to my very original joke about Carnegie Hall. Practice with a friend, practice with an experienced shooter, practice, practice,practice with someone who knows what they are doing.
You don't need to defend a personal opinion. That's all we're offering here. No arguments, just different opinions. Let's just agree to disagree on a few points...
Last edited by Wicked Felina; 06-15-2008 at 12:01 PM..
Reason: spelling...
I didn't mean to argue...I'm just saying an introductory course is helpful, and will allow the user to better select an appropriate weapon and use it safely. At that point, they can practice, practice, practice!
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Don't Tell Me!!
It may be a great intro. But, it's an introduction. 
