The time has finally come...in only 5 more days i'll be 21 and am readily looking forward to purchasing my first handgun. Mainly i'm just looking to see if anybody has any suggestions for a good reliable carry piece. I've found a used Kimber Compact with an alluminum slide that's only been shot once with a ticket price of $599 and from what I understand that's a pretty good deal, but i dont' know a whole lot about kimber. My next step is getting a concelment license, but i've gotta get the gun and get used to it first. Any ideas?

Hi Mike,
If you can go to a gun range and rent the Sig, Beretta, "1911's", and Glocks and shoot them before plunking down the cash, I would.

Don't overlook snub revolvers for carry use, they are very easy to carry and typically don't malfunction on the level a auto can. These come in lots of flavors, so you can get pretty much anything you might want.

If you're sold on an auto for carry, the advice on the previous post is a very good idea. I'm a big 1911 fan, and can tell you that Kimber makes excellent pistols, but I carry a snubby .38 with good ammo.

That is a complex question. Do you want to get a handgun to learn proper technique? Or, do you just want to buy a gun to carry and hope for the best? To make it simple, I would consider a revolver first. Learn the basics, i.e., stance, trigger squeeze, sight alignment, breathing, etc. Practice to where you can become consitant with shot placement. I hope you don't buy the first auto you see and just shoot away like in the movies. Auto's are fine. I have two. But, I was taught on revolvers and actually enjoy them more than my autos. One last thing. Since this is your first handgun purchase, you might want someone with handgun knowledge to help in your selection. Bigger and shining is not always better.

The time has finally come...in only 5 more days i'll be 21 and am readily looking forward to purchasing my first handgun. Mainly i'm just looking to see if anybody has any suggestions for a good reliable carry piece. I've found a used Kimber Compact with an alluminum slide that's only been shot once with a ticket price of $599 and from what I understand that's a pretty good deal, but i dont' know a whole lot about kimber. My next step is getting a concelment license, but i've gotta get the gun and get used to it first. Any ideas?

:eek: GET THE KIMBER!!!!!!! YOU WILL HATE YOURSELF LATER IF YOU DON'T!!! They are excellent. You can not go wrong wit a Kimber at that price. My dad carrys one every day, and he swears by it. Good and accurate. I have only seen them that cheap twice at gun shows. BTW: Early congrats on turning 21. I've still got a little over a month to go myself.


Walter30-06

IMO your better off with a Wheel gun. Less to go wrong with them and all, look into a S&W Airlight they are wonderful guns.

That is a complex question. Do you want to get a handgun to learn proper technique? Or, do you just want to buy a gun to carry and hope for the best? To make it simple, I would consider a revolver first. Learn the basics, i.e., stance, trigger squeeze, sight alignment, breathing, etc. Practice to where you can become consitant with shot placement. I hope you don't buy the first auto you see and just shoot away like in the movies. Auto's are fine. I have two. But, I was taught on revolvers and actually enjoy them more than my autos. One last thing. Since this is your first handgun purchase, you might want someone with handgun knowledge to help in your selection. Bigger and shining is not always better.


Don't get the wrong idea, I've shot a decent amount of handguns, this is just the first one i'm buying for myself. The first handgun I ever shot was my dad's old 22 revolver. I believe its a H&R, but don't hold me to it as it's been a good while since i've shot. I've also shot glocks, a taurus auto, berettas, a hi-point (before i knew any better) ruger revolvers and smith & wesson revolvers of all different calibers. (again, couldn't tell ya the models) The autos just seem to stick with me better. Also, even though i've yet to shoot the kimber or any other 1911 model, i have held a few, and they seem to fit my hand better than any other i've tried. On top of that i've got smaller sized hands, so the single stack clip is definately a plus. Finally, thanks to this website i've discovered something that has made me very interested in the kimber. The fact that for about $250 more I can order a 22 conversion kit that slips right onto the frame without the need for tools. I'd have a handgun with plenty of stopping power if the need ever arose, and something to use shooting turtles out of my grandfathers pond, all in one. :D Alright, I'm done now. Thanks for your imput.

Mikesull415,

You don't sound like a novice handgun shooter after all. I don't know how accurate you shoot, but you've had your hands on a lot of handguns. Seems the auto is to your liking. Go for it. I have small hands as well, and my auto of choice is the Walther P99. It comes with three adjustable grip inserts. You'll either like the feel immediately or you won't. It looks and feels alittle different from your everyday auto pistol.

MIKE -

My own approach is that one needs to take a side arm very seriously, especially if it evolves into a carry gun. You need to shoot it A LOT, and more from 7 yards than you might think.

When I went through what you are about to go through an FBI friend adviced me to get a 40 S&W with a bbl over 4 inches and a 22 adapter kit. This advice was solid gold, as i got a CZ 75 with 4.7 inch bbl and the CZ 22 adapter.

It is nothing for me to shoot a brick of 22 LR in an afternoon, over a variety of distances at a variety of targets from different positions. The gun has the exact same weight, balance and appearence with the 22 adapter as with the 40 S&W slide in place, and the training with the 22 absolutely transfers over to the 40.

I can now do anything with the 40 that I can do with the 22...pretty good for a semi that makes major. Go with the 45 if you want, but get an adapter!!

i always like a revolver as a starter gun. yes, semiauto is very nice to tinkle with, but it may not be safe to have so early. i always think everyone should have an ak47. now, this is a gun that can be fun to take apart. it is simple to clean and operater. it will give shooter a great chance to be around guns and guns parts. it is a great gun filled with excitement. it is also a gun that i will grab for that helly event. if 2 shot of .357 magnum isn't enough, i'll go for a ak47 and worry about the lawsuit later.

a .22 caliber gun is a must for everyone also. i have a rifle in that caliber and am looking forward to buy a good used handgun as well. however, i want to get another revolver that is small enough to carry. a taurus titanium gun is very tempting.

what did u buy? u better not hog all the enjoyment for yourself, dude. we know your login name. j/k

congratulation on being a real american. now, if you don't drink and smoke, you'll have more money for this addictive sport.