Getting my first gun in a few days - not much experience shooting (however I'm taking a class). I want the gun mainly for going to the range and home protection. The only experience I've had is with a Glock 40 caliber and I hated the kick on it. Also, my hands are on the small side so the Glock didn't sit well in my hands.

I don't want to get a .22 because its probably does not provide enough stopping power for home protection. So I would like some suggestions on what to get - basically my friends who have guns fall into two camps - the friends who are in law enforcement suggest glock or sig semi-automatic 9mm, while my other friends suggest getting a .357 revolver and shooting .38 special loads in it until I am comfortable and then upgrading to .357 loads for home protection. My primary concern is recoil - as I don't want flinching to interfere with developing good solid shooting technique.

Any feedback is appreciated.

A makarov in .380 is a nice gun with plenty of knock down and light recoil. my mother shoots a mac and and has rather bad artiritus my other sugestion would be a .357 S&w 686 or somthing where the weight will help with the recoil.

Take a look at the Springfield XD-9 and XD-40. I have a 4" XD-40 that I love. I carry it everyday in an IWB and take it to the range every chance I get and never had a failure. The passive safeties on it make it good for the beginner. The grip and trigger safeties keep the gun safe until you put your finger on the trigger. You also won't have to worry about a manual in a stressful situation. I don't notice much difference between the recoil from my XD-40 and my 9mm.
But you should handle several guns to find the one that "feels right" to you.

Welcome to the world of shooting. I guess that no single gun will do everything. Those new Beretta Cougar models in 9mm or 380 seem nice in my hands as far as Auto's go. The 40/45 caliber models are probably too much for someone starting out. Another suggestion : try a revolver in 357. S&W model 19/66 or fixed sight model 13/65. There are more different loads available for these two calibers than any other. 38's for practice and +P 38 loads or 357's for defense.
38 wadcutters have nearly zero recoil. The revolver trigger takes a little to get used to, but there is never a chance for a jam/safety/clips/springs/etc. A revolver can sit nearly forever and be picked up and fired. It really comes down to how dedicated you are to the sporting end of gun ownership. A 22 caliber model similar to whatever gun you choose to purchase offers an inexpensive ammunition and a good way to learn and practice. The more practice the better.

MTCW

Dont let the Glock kick scare you away from the larger bore guns! I have shot my Glock .45 and my 1911 gov. model .45 extensively. I had the glock first, and when I started shooting the 1911, I realized that the Glock kick is much harsher because of the lack of weight of the gun, the muzzle flip is much more extreme than a gun that has more weight to it. The recoil on the 1911 is more of a backwards motion than in upward motion and it made all the difference. the 1911 quickly became my carry piece.

Of course you could just shoot a .454 a few rounds, and you would learn to love the .40 glock! ;)

I have to double down on the previous advice...if recoil is a factor...go with a Ruger single action revolver in .357 and shoot the .38's until you are comfortable. They are simple to use yet extremely accurate.

If a auto type pistol is your preferred flavor...you could do a lot worse than the Makarov in .380. Light, accurate, and wont lop your wrist off as was previously stated. I carry a Makarov 90% of the time when I need to carry. I dont feel that it puts me at a disadvantage because I know I can hit what I aim with it. The Makarovs are very easy on the budget...usually around $150 or so. Very well made and I have not had any problems with the two I own. I may even pick up another...

Dont get into a caliber matching mode...pick something you are comfortable with..."it is not what you hit with...it is where you hit!!!"

regards

swede

So who said you can't get a .22 first, learn a lot about pistol shooting, and then get some sort of centerfire, hmm? You will do best with a used, 4" Barreled Buckmark Browning .22, $150, and a Star BM 9mm, also $150, from Aim Surplus or J and G sales. A dealer should charge no more than $20 for sending for it, for you, cause you are paying him up front. $10 shipping, and the spare mag that comes with it is worth $15. Say $10 for sales tax. Presto, $150 9mm. both these guns have good trigger pulls, sights, safety levers that are easy to manipulate. Also look into the Phoenix Arms HP22. It has some foibles, but they are easily fixed. Like epoxying in place the slide mounted firingpin safety and the rear sight (after zeroing it on the target,of course). It takes many thousands of rounds to really learn the pistol, so why pay 10-20c a shot.,instead of 2c a shot, hmm? Walmart has the 550 rd Federal bulk pack, which is normally fine ammo, for $9.

Welcome to our world, jimyata. I agree with not getting into the biggest or the baddest caliber mode. The most important thing in using a gun is NOT the gun but your mind set. And whatever you deside to buy you must, in the words of Paul Horning " PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE " . Good luck and good shooting. :D Also don't sell the little 22 or 22 mag short, in my mind the best learing tool because it's cheap, which lets you practice more and no recoil to speak of. :)

I have to disagree with one earlier comment i would not use a single action revolver for home defence, look at a S&W 627 its a great .357 magnum/.38 special revolver, and if you can find it some of them have 8 shots, which is always fun! not to mention a .38 wadcutter in that sized gun wont kick at all! Great for starting out.

Good advice above, learn to shoot first with cheap/light recoil, then you'll find your recoil tolerance goes up quite a bit and that opens up many possibilities.

A .22 is a 'must have' for any handgunner and a .38/.357 not far behind. After you master those then the sky is the limit.

Good luck.