Buying a First Handgun — The Rational Wheelgun Option
In recent years, the ranks of first-time handgun buyers have grown dramatically. Thousands upon thousands of Americans are purchasing their first-ever pistol. With so many handgun options available these days (from derringers to Desert Eagles) many first-time buyers have trouble making a choice.
A close relative recently contacted this Editor. Wanting to get started in handgunning, he sought my advice on purchasing his first handgun. “Should I get a Glock?”, he asked. “No” was my response. “Well how about an M&P?” he inquired. “Better ergos” I said, “but ‘No’ is still my reply.” “OK, how about a KelTec, they’re cheap…” “Absolutely not”, I replied.
I could tell he was getting annoyed, when he said “OK, Mr. know-it-all, so what handgun should I get?” Calmly, I replied: “Get a .22-caliber rimfire revolver. You will never out-grow it. You will learn sight alignment and trigger control. You can practice with inexpensive ammunition. A good .22 revolver will be considerably more accurate than 90% of the self-loading pistols you could buy. If you get a Smith & Wesson, you will keep the gun for the rest of your life and pass it on to your kids. If you or your heirs ever wear out the barrel or cylinder, Smith & Wesson will replace the parts for free, forever.”
First Handgun Choice — A very good choice for a first handgun is a Smith & Wesson .22 LR revolver, such as the S&W model 617. The model 617 is extremely accurate, with a very crisp trigger (in single-action mode), and good sights.
You can learn all the fundamentals with this ultra-reliable handgun, shooting inexpensive .22 LR ammo. The model 617 is rugged, durable, and can give you a lifetime of shooting fun. Once you have mastered the basics of shooting with a .22 LR, you can move on to larger caliber handguns suitable for self-defense. Below is a slide-show illustrating a S&W model 617 ten-shot, with 6″ barrel. S&W also makes a 4″-barrel version of this revolver. (See: Shooting Demo Video with 4″ model 617.)
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Tags: .22 LR S&W, Model 617, Model 63, Rimfire Revolver, Smith Wesson
I refuse to purchase an item which requires a consumable for use, when said consumable is not produced in sufficient quantity for me to purchase readily.
Editor: Thou dost protest too much, methinks. If you spent 30 seconds on Ammoseek.com you would find plenty of .22 LR Rimfire ammo to purchase, with many varieties under $6.00 per box of 50. Yes, you won’t find rimfire ammo so easily at local big box stores these days. But if you use the power of the internet, you can buy all the .22 LR you reasonably need. For example, Cabela’s has CCI 40gr .22LR for $4.99 per 50-count box.
I’ve been asked the same question – always by a shooting neophite. My response is to take lessons from a certified instructor, then we’ll talk hardware.
That said, I can’t image a better first pistol than a S&W wheelgun. Good job!
Just came from my local Mom & Pop local gunsmith/ gunshop and they have an excellent supply of 22 rimfire ammo.
And I’m talking CCI Mini-Mag also.
Southwest Pa.