Beginner

[FireM16]

I dont know too much about handguns and I have only shot one a few times. I finally convinced my parents to let me pick one out but I dont know which one is good for a beginner shooter like me. I dont want too spend too much, maybe not over $600 or so, but I also want a good reliable gun. Any suggestion would help and maybe if anyone can tell me which handguns they have that are a pretty good shot would help too. :2guns:

[gossman]

For a first timer I suggest that you get .22 long rifle in either a Browning Buckmark
or a Ruger Single Six. These are reliable great pistols that are affordable to shoot, very accurate, and affordably priced. The bigger caliber pistols should be chosen after you have learned what exactly fits you needs. You will always need a .22 anyway might as well get it first. :D

[pahaska]

Like Gossman said, it's hard to beat a good .22 as a first pistol/revolver, although MY first one was a .357 which got traded for a .44 mag. I never could afford enough ammo back then to really shoot as much as neccessary to REALLY learn to shoot.Your budget will allow you to choose from many quality sidearms.A .357 will also shoot .38 special, which is not hard for a beginner to master and the cost is not TOO bad.The ruger single-six is an excellent choice as it also comes with a .22 mag. cylinder giving you more choices in ammo. ALWAYS wear hearing and eye protection.Good luck.

[Carnifex]

My first pistol was a .357 Mag S&W 686 when I was about 8 years old. Not exactly the best beginer gun for me at the time :blink:

My next pistol was a Beretta 92 Vertec. You said you wanted reliability, then this gun is it. I love this gun, especially with the .22 conversion kit. So for about $650 you get a 9mm which is pretty cheap, $10 for 100 rounds at walmart, and a .22lr for practicing. You can also use the same gun for IDPA matches. I found this to be a very cost effective way to getting good with a pistol.
Good luck to ya, and i hear ya about convincing the parents to let you buy a gun. I'm only 17 and hate having to beg to purchase a gun :angry: