Yall, I been wantin a handgun. My dad agreed to buy me one (I’m 7 years too young). He and I want one that I can use in the woods, carry while huntin, shoot at the range, and keep it loaded for home defense. And get my CWP eventually. Who knows what gun regs will be like in 7 years? He has a .38 snub nose that’s fun and all but I want somethin else. I believe I’m looking at a .357 .45 or something of the sort. He says a 9mm is a good one? Just trying to get some opinions and pros and cons, ya know? Thanks!
Hunter P. Hames
11’ Tarpon 100
19’ Sea Fox 125 merc
My 12 yo is my regular sidekick at the range and he shoots everything from a 22 cal, 9mm, 38 snub, to a smith 686 L frame 357 mag. His favorite is to shoot the smith loaded with 38s. Make sure you learn ALL of the basic safety rules and always wear proper eye and hearing protection. I would recommend the revolver as your first handgun mainly due to the simplicity of operation. You’re never too young to learn proper shooting techniques not to mention quality time with your Dad.
Get a revolver first and learn the basics. A .357 is a great gun because like CD said, you can shoot .38’s in it and switch over the full house rounds for other things. I’d start with a 4 or 6" barreled gun and go from there. Tons of options to choose from. I started with a S&W Model 57 Nickel Plated in .41Mag with an 8 3/8" barrel my dad got me at 15, still have my pimp gun too. Good luck.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
I agree with Salty. 357 is a great gun. It’ll take 38’s which are a bit cheaper to practice with and the magnum rounds pack a whallop. Ive got a Ruger security 6 and wouldnt trade it for the world.
If I’m doing this right, this puts you at 14 years old? No offence and everyone has there own opinion on this, but here’s mine. I gave my son an old High point .22 revolver when he turned 16 but kept it in the safe until he wanted to shoot it. When he turned 18 I purchased a .357 s&w for him but would not let him travel with it. When he made it to 21 he got his cwp and full control of his pistols.
If your worried about home defense a scatter gun will provide all you need until your legal for the pistol. While I know nothing of you I don’t think pistols belong in youthful hands unless strictly supervised on a range or suitable shooting area.
All that said, at your age I would imagine money would be an issue for ammunition in which case a .22 is a good starter pistol and cheap to fire many times over.
Don’t get mad at me for the above, just how I was raised and raised my own. I had a .410 at 8 years old, but was 16 before Dad even let me use his rifle. I would have never admitted to this years ago, but youthful emotions can cloud a good persons judgement
I’ve got a Taurus 9mm and love it. Wouldn’t trade it for the world. My wife also likes to shoot it. She won’t shoot a .40 or .45 though due to the kick. You’ll hear guys talking about .40 and .45’s have more stopping power yada yada yada. Fact is they do. BUT…the 9mm is alot cheaper to shoot and if a 9mm cannot stop an intruder with 17 shots of gold dot hollow points then you should start throwing grenades because neither would a .40 or .45. Just my 2 cents.
PS…I second what Fred said…strongly. In reference to age. Shooting guns is a great way to spend time with your old man or mentor that is properly trained and disciplined.
“Immature is a word boring people use to describe fun people.”
Will Ferrell
Dude the Taurus has a .22LR revolver that comes with a 22mag cylinder as well. That would be great to learn on, can kill anything. You could carry it bowhunting as well or at least I think, because it is rimfire. Just my 2cents.
Thanks yall. Fred I didn’t offend me at all. I for sure wouldn’t travel with the weapon. I want something on my hip when I’m in the woods hunting, or shooting at the range. I do keep my 870 with a open box of ammo at all timed in my house for defense. I just would like something else. You honestly can’t be too careful. And I want a good gun to have when I can get my CWP. Thanks again yall!
Hunter P. Hames
11’ Tarpon 100
19’ Sea Fox 125 merc
glock makes a conversion kit in .22 cal for selct models. if you want a pistol to have fun with and also carry later this may be an option. our 14 yr old daughter shoots a glock 19 9mm at youth IDPA matches and handles it well. just .02
i have a 9mm kel tec i got for concealed carry and a 50ish year old sentinel .22 snubnose revolver that used to belong to my grandpa. for home defense id grab the 870 and shuck deer slugs or 15 00 every time over the handgun, however handguns do have their use. others already mentioned safety so ill just get down to the guns themselves. 9mm would work fine for concealed carry and ammo is much cheaper than say .45, however because it is a popular caliber given the current political mess involving the words “right of the people” and “shall not be infringed” used in the same sentence in the country its no suprise that 9mm disappears as soon as it hits the shelves. ive also shot a friends .357 revolver before and definately liked that one! a .22 would also be a great starting handgun to get used to how a handgun shoots as compared to a rifle/shotgun and isnt expensive to shoot a couple hundred rounds through it. revolver or semi auto is your choice, however just me i can shoot even a snubnose revolver more accurately than the 9mm, but at concealed carry range i still hit the target just fine with the 9mm.