Virgin, here

[Haas]

Thought I'd say hi first. Recently took an interest in handguns. I'm pretty serious about buying one, but have very little experience.

Home defense comes to mind for a reason to buy, but I am mostly excited about buying one for shooting just for fun. Being new at it all, I was thinking along the lines of a 9mm, but it was recently suggested that being new I should consider a 22 because of the cheap ammo, and because of my lack of experience.

What say you?

[Brent05Redfire]

welcome to the forums. I was just like you about 8 months ago. bought a 9mm for home defense and looking forward to a future CCW permit.

sea ya around.

[unpecador]

Welcome!

[BeefyBeefo]

Welcome from Northern Colorado.

[Haas]

Thanks for the welcomes, people. I'm in Wisconsin. One of the few states that won't allow concealed carry.

Hopefully, that will change when we get rid of our idiot governer.

[Todd]

Welcome to the forum!

If you haven't already done so, please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the Forum Guidelines

[Haas]

Welcome to the forum!

If you haven't already done so, please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the Forum Guidelines

Been there, done that. Unless this is a gentle hint that I did something wrong already.

[MauiWowie22]

Welcome!

[TOF]

Been there, done that. Unless this is a gentle hint that I did something wrong already.

That is a standard greeting to newcomers in case they haven't been there done that. I doubt you will not recognize when Todd thinks you did wrong. Untill then:

Welcome from Northern Arizona.

[BeefyBeefo]

That is a standard greeting to newcomers in case they haven't been there done that. I doubt you will not recognize when Todd thinks you did wrong. Untill then:

Welcome from Northern Arizona.

[YFZsandrider]

I think you desire for a 9mm is right on! Its a fairly inexpensive round, not compared to .22, but when compared to others in the self defense bracket(.40, .45ACP, etc). I don't agree with the notion that you should start with something like .22, unless you want it to feel like a pellet gun that ate its Wheaties.

9mm is a substantial caliber for self defense, especially when high pressure hollow points are being used, and it's recoil is very maneagable and easy to shoot. If you got a smaller caliber, I could only see you going through a few boxes of ammo, and wanting something bigger!

But, as someone will undoubtedly recommend, go to the rental range and shoot a whole bunch of guns, in a few different calibers. There is a gun and a caliber that is right for you. What someone else swears by, may not be at all what you need. Good luck!

[banjar]

Welcome from North Carolina.

[twomode]

Welcome to the forum. Take a look over at "New to handguns" you'll get some good ideas about how to choose a weapon. It's not about anything other than what you are comfortable with.

[J D]

Welcome from okc,Oklahoma !

[AirForceShooter]

Florida waving hi.
Virginity is a horrible affliction that should be eliminated as soon as possible.
My suggestion is a .22.
Easy on the budget, lots of training time, fun.

Bigger guns can come later.

AFS

[tekhead1219]

Welcome from southeast Texas.

[tcg]

I'm in the same boat as you. A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to shoot both a 22 and 9mm. I'm planning to start with a Ruger or S&W 22 and use that for a while. At some point I'll move up to a 9mm and let my son use the 22. I figure cheaper ammo at this point will be a good thing for me.

Todd (NC)