re: looking to buy my first gun

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A big arse handgun

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.357 magnum ftmfw

Well, probably not, but I'm willing to bet he'll get hooked and want a bigger caliber.

Gotta decide what type of gun you want first. For pistols, I really like my Walther PPQ-M2, and will either get a Sig P226 or M&P Shield next(small gun)

Shotguns, go with an 870 Tactical or a Benelli Nova Tactical. Both are reasonably priced, and are designed for home defense.

Pistol - CZ P01
Rifle - FN SCAR 17

1911

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If you look at a gun and it's less than $400 - $500, it's a POS.

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Fixed it for you.

To the OP:

FIRST, get some training, unless you and your wife are experienced. I'm assuming from your question y'all aren't. This training should include marksmanship PLUS legal issues (when are you allowed//not allowed to use deadly force).

THEN, Get a Glock (Model 17 or 19), HK, or Smith & Wesson (M&P model) in 9mm. Extremely reliable, good for self-defense, limited recoil, outstanding customer service and very simple to operate (just point and shoot).

Do not get anything made by Taurus, Kel-Tec, Diamondback, Rossi, Charter, etc. You might buy one of these and get a "good one." Or it may be of very poor quality. Just because a friend has a "good one" doesn't mean you'll get a reliable one. The QA/QC record for the "cheap" guns is very spotty.

It is almost unheard of for a Glock, HK or M&P to be defective "right out of the box." It can happen (They have sold hundreds of thousands of guns, and no company is perfect), but it's rare.

Kahrs are very reliable but are expensive for what they are, and require several hundred rounds through then for "break-in." And Kahr offers a limited warranty of only 5 years (valid only for the original owner.)

The Glocks, M&P's and HK's are good-to-go right out of the box. They need no break-in. The Glocks and M&P's have unconditional warranties -- not sure about HK.

Ruger GP100.

S&W SD9 VE is a nice inexpensive hand gun. around $319-$330. Gets good reviews for a budget pistol.

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I'm right handed and left eye dominant.

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Are you sure about that?

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kingbob

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Thank you for posting this here on the OB rather than the OT. You will get more realistic responses, although what you ultimately decide should be up to YOU. Someone may say "you should buy this" or "you HAVE to buy that" but the decision is ultimately yours.

You seem to be having some confusion as to what role this handgun will be filling. That can be a bit overwhelming at first and is something every first-time buyer struggles with. Watch my video here to get some insight on WHAT the gun will be used for. You seem to be leaning towards home defense and recreation so a full sized pistol will probably be your category.

First Time Firearm Buyers

I also highly agree with Dawg that you should seek some sort of training, no matter how basic. Growing up as a hunter gives you the fortune of having safety in mind. But with this in mind, handgun safety is also very different. It's easier to keep the muzzle of a rifle or shotgun away from people's faces, whereas a handgun can sweep multiple people without you knowing it. You should always stick to the 4 rules of handgun safety religiously:

1. Every gun is loaded.
2. Keep your gun pointed in a safe direction (muzzle discipline).
3. Keep your finger off the trigger.
4. Know your target and what is beyond it.

I am with Dawg in that sticking with a reputable brand will be a good choice. But then again, there are many respectable manufacturers out there so your choices will be numerous.

I strongly suggest you go to a store and hold as many full sized handguns as you can. I would suggest staying with 9mm as it is very easy to handle and holds a lot of ammo. Plus, it will be the cheapest to shoot at the range. In the most basic terms, 9mm, 40, and 45 all do pretty much the same thing to a human target. If someone uses "45" and "stopping power" in the same sentence, use caution when taking this person's advice.

I have some gun reviews on my channel that you can peruse to see if you like. But then again, the options are numerous. Choose wisely.



EDIT: I forgot to comment about your cross-dominance (left eye, right hand). This is very easy to overcome with all handguns. It is a bit trickier for shotguns and rifles but any handgun can be used with your left eye.