Contrary to popular belief, you don’t just walk into a pawn shop or firearms dealer and buy the first handgun that looks cool. You literally have to “try it on”, just as if you were buying a pair of shoes. However, since shoes are not deadly in ignorant hands, it is even more imperative that the novice shooter seeks the advice of experts far more qualified than myself. Hopefully, this guide will help you learn what to do, where to go, and who to ask about the basics in buying your first pistol.
First point: LEARN TO HANDLE FIREARMS PROPRELY!!!! I don’t mean to sound condescending about this, but far too many people buy firearms without even knowing the basic safety and operating rules, and that usually ends up in tragedy, giving the anti-gun crowd more propaganda for their confiscatory agenda. I suggest you either find a responsible, trustworthy friend or family member to teach you proper shooting and safety procedures or, if one cannot be found, then save the money and take a firearms training course. Most police departments and shooting ranges offer them; for more information, contact the NRA for training programs in your area.
Your next step should be deciding what your weapon will be used for. For instance, if you are just planning on plinking soda cans off fence posts in your South 40 for target shooting, a large caliber Dirty Harry special is probably a little too much. By the same token, a .22 caliber revolver probably isn’t the best choice for home protection. Also, please keep in mind that a large Colt Python isn’t exactly what the average 5 foot 2 inch 110 pound woman can easily carry in her purse, let alone control.
Handguns are just like any other implement; beneficial when used properly, yet dangerous when misused. You wouldn’t use a 6-ounce ball-peen hammer to break up concrete, nor would you use a sledge hammer to drive 16 penny nails. You must carefully and thoughtfully choose the proper tool for the job!
Once you’ve decided your sidearm’s purpose, go to a LICENSED firearms dealer and buy a brand new gun, rather than buy a used pistol at a pawn shop, swap meet, or gun show. There are two reasons for this: First, it would be better for a beginner to purchase a new weapon so that you can be sure it will operate safely and properly.
Second, firearms dealers tend to give more personal attention to each customer, and most will happily answer questions courteously and professionally. If you in any way feel uncomfortable with the staff in a particular gun shop, leave immediately and find one staffed with patient, knowledgeable folks who realize that this NOT like shopping for a new car.
The clerk will help you decide whether you need a revolver or a semi-automatic. Semi-automatics (like the Glock 9 and Smith and Wesson Sigma Series pistols) make better home protection than revolvers, where ease and speed of loading is imperative in emergency situations. Also, keeping a loaded pistol in your home is stupid, so a semi-automatic can be kept unloaded in your home, because loading a clip full of rounds takes less than a second.
After the clerk suggests a few models in your price range, let him or her guide you through the “fitting” process. The pistol must fit your hand properly, the grip must feel natural. If it feels too big or small for your hand, move on to the next model. Don’t get a handgun that is too heavy, either. To use it properly, you must handle it with two hands, but you may be in a situation where you must fire it quickly one-handed, and a pistol that is heavier than you can handle will be dangerously useless to you.
Barrel sizes are another important factor in choosing a pistol. Shorter barrels (like snub-nose .38’s) are easier to conceal, but aren’t very easy to aim, and have a short range, therefore are better suited for personal protection. Long barrel pistols (like the 12 inch Colt Buntline .45) have remarkably accurate aim and long range, but aren’t easy to hide at all, which makes them better for hitting far-off targets than for close-range use.
Next, the clerk will help you choose a caliber that actually fits the intended purpose of the handgun. Large bore pistols (e.g., .45 cal, .40 cal, 9mm) are preferable for home protection, whereas small calibers (like .22 and .25) are better for target shooting, and medium bores (like .32 and .38) are more suited for concealed carry for personal protection (BUT ONLY WITH A LEGAL PERMIT!).
With pistol calibers, size does matter, because too much gun can be every bit as dangerous as too little gun; not everyone can handle the recoil of a .45 caliber revolver. Once again, it is so important that you take the advice of knowledgeable firearms professionals in choosing the right weapon for your hand size, physical strength, stature, and the tasks you will want it to perform.
After you make your purchase, you must take your new pistol out to an approved shooting range and practice with it at least once a week. Don’t just start out shooting cans in your back yard, because you have to learn the nuances of your pistol; how it handles, and how to properly aim it.
Think about it; you weren’t ready for the highway after a few driving lessons, and it doesn’t take a genius to understand that handguns are much more dangerous than cars! So practice with it in an approved range with qualified instructors every chance you get until you can handle it with confidence and authority.
There are indoor and outdoor shooting ranges with qualified rangemasters to help you remember and improve the rudiments you learned in firearms training, such as grip, breathing, and stance. Be sure to follow all safety and etiquette rules, wear hearing protection at all times, and obey the rangemaster unconditionally!
Remember that this article is only a primer outlining simple steps to buying and using a pistol for the novice, and that each step requires the personal attention of a professional firearms expert. Any firearms use should be taken seriously, because they are very dangerous tools, and any misuse or negligence involved with them can have gravely tragic consequences!
