While you may be correct about ammunition being difficult to find locally, it is readily available on line.

And as for price, the Colt .38 super is a superior pistol and is widely used in competition. I would not put it in a class with Para, or Springfield, and, I would not complain about the satisfaction of "getting what I paid for."

It is a traditional 1911 and is a joy to shoot. It would be a fine choice for a beginner to learn the mechanical function of the 1911 handgun and a fine choice for refining skills needed in the shooting sports.

It's a good first pistol.

Originally Posted by 1911driver

Read my post on "New purchase"....DO NOT buy any of these complicated Semi/Autos...if you are new to handguns. Buy a simple "Point and Shoot" Glock in whatever caliber you are comfortable with. These other weapons are fine quality pieces, but will only confuse the devil out of you. Learn on a simple system first....then buy your "highend blaster"....!!!

What's so confusing about the other firearms. I teach cadets to shoot all of the time on TDA pistols, and it is never an issue.

I don't see what's so hard to learn or confusing about all these guns people talk about. If you practise with them you shouldn't have a problem. I had someone tell me how hard Sigs are to learn to shoot. Why? Get what feels good to you then practise with it and you'll be fine.

Go to a range that rents guns and try a few. I'm sure you'll find one to your liking.

Like everybody else I would recommend trying as many as you can before you purchase (include revolvers). I think if I was a new gun purchaser with little experience I would buy a good quality .22 and practice with it quite a bit. It would get you familiar with guns, it would be cheap to shoot, and much cheaper than buying a larger caliber right off the bat. You would keep the .22 when you decide later what your next gun will be and probably have a better idea of what type fits you best. Good luck and good shooting.

Get a nice 38/357 revolver say a Ruger GP-100 4 inch barrel.you cant go wrong.

Either a .22 or an XD9 tactical.

The 22 is great to learn on and very cheap to shoot.
The XD9 has pretty cheap ammo (half the price of .45 and only a bit more than lowend match .22), very manageable recoil and can do double duty as home defense. Plus it makes a bigger boom, has high-cap magazines and is retardedly easy to tear down. Lifetime warranty as well.


-=Whittey=-

Originally Posted by scoop

Get a nice 38/357 revolver say a Ruger GP-100 4 inch barrel.you cant go wrong.

That should be where you start. But you said no revolver . If your gonna start with a semi auto. A 1911A1 is the perfect pistol. You cant do any better.

A Ruger MKII or III . May be a Browning 22. You need to learn to shoot and a 22 is a good cheap way to start . Then you can move to a larger caliber later. If needed a 22 MKII can put a person in a hurt if used for SD

See, I don't agree that you HAVE to start w/ a 22 - it can help - sure. But if he wants a gun to double for a home defense weapon - and later a CCW - I think 9mm is fine to start on. I have started a few people on 9mm. Heck, that's how I started.

He ought to be planning to get two to four guns. Get a .22 for cheap plinking/practicing, then move up to a 9mm for more of the same and self/home defense, then go to a .45 for home defense (carry the 9 or vice/versa), then...........well, you guys know.........it's addictive. :-D