Anyone here into firearms?

m4a1mustang

Go ahead and look for a 9mm that you like. 9mm is cheap to shoot (about $10-11 per 50 rounds of practice ammo) and is an adequate defensive caliber with quality defensive ammo.

Unfortunately there are gobs of options out there, so you'll have to look around and see what you like the best. It's possible you might be able to sign up for some introductory pistol classes at your local range that will allow you to shoot their stuff. Most ranges will rent pistols too, so you can test some different models before you commit to buy.

Some common models (that I can remember) that I would put on your list to check out include:

Glock 17 (full size frame)
Glock 19 (compact frame -- still allows for a full grip)
Springfield XD (compact and full-size frames)
Walther P99C and P99
HK P2000
HK USP 9mm and USP 9mm Compact

I'm sure others will chime in with some recommendations, but that's where I'd start.

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travisjb

makes sense that the 9mm would be the right middle ground to settle on... based upon the little amount i've read on on gun forums it has stopping power in pistol format and okay accuracy in pistol carbine format

thanks for allowing the noob questions... those sound like familiar models, I'm guessing the local shooting range will have most of them for rent, and i'll give em a try

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BlackZeda

A 9mm Glock would be a perfect first pistol. Can't go wrong there, the ammo is cheap and plentiful.

MacCool

While I think a first-time pistol shooter ought to start with a .22LR and shoot the crap out of it (cheaply) to learn stance/grip/trigger control, my second choice for a new firearms owner would be a 9mm. I say that with the caveat that, especially if you're choosing an autoloader, you should get instruction in how it works, how to field-strip it and clean it, and how to shoot it. A good place to start is a local concealed-carrry course. You don't actually have to get the permit, or carry it if you do, but these kinds of courses are a great introduction into that kind of pistol.

As to rifles, I am much more inclined to recommend a .22LR and in that category, I really like the Ruger 10-22. Savage is also good. Marlin used to make a good rifle, but there have been "problems" lately and I see a lot of customer-service horror stories from that mfgr.

Brands of 9mm pistols...I'm not a big fan of Glocks because I think they're ugly, but there is no denying that they are really excellent handguns...reliable and very cost-effective. They are now at Generation 4, and while that wouldn't be my first choice, it likely means that there are a lot of Gen III versions around and I don't think you could go wrong with a good used Glock 17 or Glock 19 as a first 9mm pistol. I'll bet your local gun shop has at least a few.

BlackZeda

Yep, definitely not as purty as an H&K or a Kimber. I agree about the Ruger 10-22. That was my first rifle, but I was a bit spoiled; my first pistol was a USP .40SW. That is pretty much the reason I didn't sell it.

After thinking about it, the simplicity of the Glock is a big plus for the beginner shooter. There aren't any safety buttons or decocking levers and you will definitely learn from a good instructor to keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.