Your best bet is to visit a gun store, although it can be a bit overwhelming and you'll no doubt be horrified by the prices of any brand you recognize.

As a starting point, I'd suggest checking out the Bersa Thunder 380. My first gun was an older version of that. It's reasonably priced as far as semi-automatics go and very comfortable to shoot. It's certainly not high quality, but it's not crap either. It's a decent gun and I enjoyed shooting it.

Right now my Bersa is sidelined because of a broken spring, but it's like 15 years old, so I don't think a small easy-to-replace spring breaking after all that time to be a big mark against the quality of the gun. Which reminds me, I need to order that part.

I would avoid big chain stores like Bass Pro Shops or Dick's unless you already know exactly what you want. Otherwise, those places suck. Find an independent gun shop or two and go browse. You'll get a lot more information and help. One thing about gun shops - they like to talk about guns and they are generally very friendly. Don't be afraid to look like an newbie and don't be intimidated when you see some other shopper in there who knows EVERYTHING about every gun ever made (there's always one of them).

Another thing to keep in mind is that ammo is very expensive. A box of 50 rounds of 9mm or .380, for example is like $20. A box of .22 ammo I think only runs about $12. For target shooting, a .22 can be a lot less expensive for the gun and the ammo, but you're not going to get the same thrill from shooting it (not much stronger than a bb gun really). So it depends on how much of a lure the power of the gun is whether to go bigger or smaller. I personally think anything bigger than 9mm is overkill though (and very hard to shoot and the concussion you'll feel in your chest isn't fun).

Let me know what you end up looking at if you go shopping.

Edited at 2008-08-01 09:08 pm (UTC)

Or you could be like me and have enough guns and ammo on hand to halt any armed invasion yet since yet since it's all locked up, you wouldn't be able to stop anyone from doing anything. ;)

BTW, I just reread what I wrote you earlier and I had those ammo prices wrong - that's how much it costs to buy 100 rounds, not 50 (although you can buy BIG boxes of .22 for even cheaper).

I had a very enjoyable hour at the range. I've never wanted to go shooting this much before. That Glock is one sweet gun. I don't even care about any other guns now. We brought the .22 with us and didn't even use it. It was Glocks all the way tonight.

Well, it is fun :)

He never shot mine before he got his, so I'll ask him what it was like. Also, I haven't tried his yet, so maybe I'll try it tonight and see if it feels different. Although, same caliber just a bigger gun. I'll probably just feel more awkward to me.

Oh yes, the zombie apocalypse... must be ready!!

Things I learned tonight:

1) I'm a better shot than my husband (we shared a lane so we alternated and I could watch him shoot).

2) I tried his gun and it's even more awesome than mine for accuracy because of the longer barrel.

3) I'm getting much more comfortable with mine and as it's getting broken in it's getting easier to shoot.

Oh, I asked hubby about the first time he shot his gun and he said "it was nice." I pressed for more and got "I'm not very cognizant of such things." <--[very true]

Things I remember from the first time I shot mine:
- The handle wasn't cold when you first pick it up since it's not metal.
- The slide pulled very easily compared to other guns.
- The trigger felt weird because of that extra safety piece embedded in it.*
- It feels very balanced, not top-heavy like you'd expect.

And I noticed all those same things about his 17 tonight when I shot it.

* He told me he never really noticed the little piece in the trigger, so my noticing it might because of shorter fingers (I'm pulling more towards the end of my finger than him) or because he's "not very cognizant of such things".

And if you have any interest in the disassembly or cleaning, it's super simple compared to other guns - comes apart and goes back together very easily.

You know, I've never been a bad influence before.

I think I like it :)

Well you can't be Sarah when I'm Sarah. Duh.

How do you feel about mute Chola?

Goode point.

Maybe Sarah has an evil twin. You could be her. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLz

I just watched IMAY for like the 10th time 2 days ago and WTF it made me cry.

Luce: Don't forget me.
Rachel: I won't remember anything else
Me: *sniffle*

Must be PMS. And I don't have an icon for that.


I will write that fic some day, I really will

Fic would be nice.

No way. That would be so, so, I don't know - what's the word?