Best thing to do is go out and physically check out the weapons. Then narrow it down to what you would like in terms of specs. Then get a feel of the weapon (weight and size etc) then make your choice.

 

My first firearm was a single shot .22

 

Buy a Ak-74. 5.45x39 ammo is cheap so you can shoot more. Waffen Werks 74 at Atlantic Firearms is $900. You just have to wash out the barrel with hot water to clean the corrosive ammo.

 

I have a limited budget and looking for something that won't be hard on the wallet. So... it will be one or the other for now.

 

Like I said, go to Targetmasters, it is just outside of Fremont. See what's in your range and rent something (see the range rules about renting first). You'll find out what your tolerance for price vs what you want to do real quick.

Start with something like the Ruger SR22. .22 is dirt cheap to shoot, just no big "boom" when you pull the trigger. Every bit as fun though. I have four .22s and I shoot them more than anything else because it is like $7 for 100rds.

 

Been there and been to a few places around Davis. Shot the Glock 17, Glock 19, M&P40, XD9, and one other. Forget which it was. Obviously all Polymer guns, but seemed to like the Glock more than the other two. What I didn't like about the XD9 and the M&P40... I didn't like the trigger.

 

Glock 22 is the full size .40S&W version (4.5" barrel?). G23 is the Compact version (4" barrel?)

The main quesiton, are you just looking to get comfortable with a firearm and practice or do you also want stopping power (i.e. home defense)? If it is just the former, consider a .22LR handgun. Triger time is triger time and ammo prices won't kill you. 9mm currently runs about ~$0.35/round and 40S&W ~$0.41...at least that's what pay in my area. I currently don't have a .22LR so no idea what that runs.

Just like with cars, different guns fit different people; size, sights, weight, materials, safety placement (or lack of), caliber, trigger weight etc.

For example, I prefer Mossberg 500 series shotguns, 590A1 20" in my case, primarily because of the ambidextrous tang safety placement, dual shell extractors and receiver already tapped for sights or rail mounting.

If you just looking to get into it; Remington (and I am sure others) sell combination shotgun kits where you get 2 barrels, shorter tactical and longer hunting. So that can accomodate variety of activities.

I suggest nadling and/or shooting as many as you can to at least get an idea what works for you. Also, I would suggest getting something with a proven realibility/service track record.

Anyway my $0.02.

 

Neither cause you'd lose against Walter either way.

 

Oh schnapssssss.

 

I shot Glocks, XDs and the M&P. I liked the M&P the best so that's what I bought. I do like the others too, but the M&P at the time was configurable (can change grip sizes easily) and cost slightly less. They are all more or less as reliable as one could want, but I didn't like the XD grips or the Glock trigger and though the M&P trigger is not perfect, I liked it better. Now the new model Glocks and XDs have configrable grips too. I was all set to buy a XD until I shot the M&P. I am on a list for the M&P Shield right now

 

I'll have to give those a try tomorrow. Have the day off and planning on going to the range.

 

Don't go alone. Some ranges will not rent a gun to people who come by themselves.

 

I know TargetMasters does that. The one in Vacaville doesn't seem to mind, but I will be going with a friend who also wanted to go.

 

Good point. Jackson Arms only rents to groups of 2 or more.

 

Reeds too.