[CatGunChic]

Hello!
I just found this site and decided to sign up hoping I can learn more. Except for a few visits to the gun range over the years with family members, I'm new to firearms. I'm from Connecticut and in the process of getting my permit.

My first question; We were told in class that we should bring a 1st aid kit with us when we go shooting. I'm assuming my tiny one with band aids isn't what he meant. What kind of kit should I get/make?

Secondly; I plan on trying out pistols before buying anything, but there are SO many! Any suggestions as to which I should start with? I'll be looking to buy something small (for a 5' girl to conceal carry) with minimal recoil and relatively inexpensive ammo. I'm open to both revolvers & semi autos.

 

[Mad Scientist]

Hello!
I just found this site and decided to sign up hoping I can learn more. Except for a few visits to the gun range over the years with family members, I'm new to firearms. I'm from Connecticut and in the process of getting my permit.

My first question; We were told in class that we should bring a 1st aid kit with us when we go shooting. I'm assuming my tiny one with band aids isn't what he meant. What kind of kit should I get/make?

Secondly; I plan on trying out pistols before buying anything, but there are SO many! Any suggestions as to which I should start with? I'll be looking to buy something small (for a 5' girl to conceal carry) with minimal recoil and relatively inexpensive ammo. I'm open to both revolvers & semi autos.

Even though its a good idea to carry a first aid kit in your vehicle (BTW, I do.), I never heard a firearms instructor telling anyone to take a kit shooting.

I suggest you look at the following ......

Bersa Thunder 380
Sig Sauer P238
Sig Sauer P938
Walther PPK/S
Colt Mustang
Beretta Nano
Ruger SR9C
Springfield XD Mod 2
Springfield XDS

...... for starters.

 

[CatGunChic]

Awesome, thank you! I'll look into those!

Yeah, he said it was a good idea to have no matter where you're shooting, and gave an example of a guy who gets hurts almost every time he goes to that range, lol.

I just realized I accidentally posted this thread twice, the other not having all the info. That's what I get for going online before coffee. Sorry!

 

[Mad Scientist]

Keep checking back. Other members will be along and also make suggestions.

 

[Christ Reigns]

Glock 42 small reliable soft shooter. 380 caliber. You should try the Glock 43 as well it's 9mm. You are using your head to try the pistols that interest you before dropping the cash on one.

 

[gunzilla]

Greetings from the GREAT WHITE NORTH and welcome to the forum .

 

[larry]

I am not going to make suggestions. This is something personal and takes time and research to figure out. Which is what you are doing. I get that.

This takes you going to a gun shop and touching and feeling to find out for your self. My preferred is likely not yours.

I will say this. Size is very important. Caliber is also important. While I recommend nothing smaller than a 9mm in a semi auto or 38 special in a revolver. If you cannot hit your target it does not matter. This is key. Your instructor should be assisting you with this. Also renting some to shoot would be helpful to you.

Don't get in to big a hurry, you will figure it out with a little research. I will tell you this much. The snub nose 38 revolvers are the most carried gun on planet.

Good luck and God speed

 

[underdog]

I'll be looking to buy something small (for a 5' girl to conceal carry)
with minimal recoil - Nothing more than 9mm and if it is going to be small and probably lite .380 could be rough
and relatively inexpensive ammo. - I cannot think of any, especially for defense
I'm open to both revolvers & semi autos. - Two come to mind
Mousegunner's Kel-Tec P-32 Review and Gallery
Handgun Review: the Ruger LCR | GunGunsGuns.net

 

[larry]

Oh yeah and I have never carried a first aid kit to the range in my life. They always have them there. Sounds like a good idea though.

 

[Kobs]

Welcome from Canada Eh!

My suggestion would be like Larry said, take the time it takes to really try everything that looks good to you. Getting your first gun is not something you do from one day to the next. Research and try try try. In the end one of them will speak to you. It sounds funny but at one point you will say omg! this one is it. Until then, try another. Don't forget that revolvers are NOT like pistols, specially the grip. If you're getting one to carry, make damn sure you get enough practice for when you use it in a stress situation you will instinctively get your fingers out of the way, or you will need that first aid kit :lol:

 

[Popeye]

Greetings and Salutations.

Physical size has nothing to do with it. Leedi is 5" tall and regularly carries a 1911. With the proper holster, most any handgun can be concealed.

Shoot as many different handguns as you can. Hold as many different handguns as you can. DO NOT be in a hurry. The right handgun for you will jump right up and talk to you.

Then... comes choosing a holster.

 

[deputy]

without getting into the caliber wars........i will say this. ...........

the smaller the gun, the easier to conceal carry. However, the smaller the gun, the more difficult to shoot well and the more recoil that is felt.

revolver-wise in a light weight revolver for a novice shooter the 22 magnum might be a consideration......its not a death ray, but it has affordable ammunition and minimal recoil and a few salty loads available. I personally like and own multiple 38's but an airweight snub is flat plain going to kick even in the milder loadings for a novice shooter. Should you go with the 38, get a heavier weight steel version. Thinking the Ruger sp101.

in an auto, am still impressed with the S&W BG380. Big enough to hang on to yet small enough to go in the pocket. useable iron sights and at least for me the recoil is more mild than any airweight 38.

I have encountered way too many misfires and "duds" here as of late with the 22 LR...so much that i can not recommend the caliber for self defense unless its with CCI mini mags only.....good luck finding CCI on demand.

not encountering such "dud" problems with the 22 magnum ammunition.

I have no problems with the 25 acp and the 32 acp if that is what a person likes,have on hand, or for any other choice/consideration that is unique to them......but the available new production guns are far and few as is the ammunition. The 25 and 32 are becoming obsolescent and are no longer mainstream in availability since the 380 would now be king.....

might be best to start her off with a full size handgun.....9mm..............longer sight radius, better sights, easier to shoot, learn the basics, recoil management......

as such, it builds confidence. Once she gets confident and hooked into the concept, she can then look into small and lighter for concealed carry. That way you are getting her foot in the door the right way and she can take it from there.

 

[Rivervalley0311]

Welcome.

 

[fixitfred]

Greetings and Welcome to the Forum

Sometimes new people take everything seriously even if it was said tongue in cheek. Sometime instructors insert their own personal experiences/preferences.

A first aid kit is always a good idea but if I were to start adding things I think are a good idea the list may get pretty long. Bandaids are good and so is a pressure bandage if someone gets a hole blown in them. I wonder if someone gets a hole blown in the do you apply the bandage to the clean entry hole or the raggedy exit hole?

I always recommend a new shooter find a trusted experienced friend locally to help them out. I extend my services to new shooters I know in most cases they just need to supply their own ammo.

Gun choice is personal but you need to be careful. Women tend to pick up a tiny gun and think because it's small and fits their hand better than a big gun that's what they should get. Recoil is greater for a small gun and is harder to shoot so you need to see what you are capable of.

When I start a new shooter they can talk all they want but until we get bullets down range there is no way to judge shooting ability/potential/problems or recoil sensitivity and a number of other factors. I've seen big strong guys limp wrist a pistol and have jams because of it.

 

[BOB/MO]

Welcome from Missouri

 

[Siplace]

When the wife and I go shooting a fist aide kit is about the only thing she does not pack up. Both cars have kits in them though.

Beyond a splinter now and then from the wooden table we set up on I have so far been lucky. The only big injury I ever had at the range was when... Nah... Not a good story for a newbie.

I agree completely with those who have said you have to go and pick up guns you are interested in. It is a very personal tool and how it fits your hand does matter. For example my wife is an excellent shooter. She is accurate and fast with her EDC ( Every Day Carry { weapon }) She hates my EDC because she can not hit the broad side of a barn from inside the barn with it.

Your plan to do that is excellent thinking. If it is at all possible put some rounds down range with the gun you are interested in before you buy. Find a range that allows you to rent guns. This will cost you some money but a little extra spent at this stage could save you hundreds later on. When you pick up the right gun and shoot it.... You will know. It will feel right and comfortable. You will feel... " Damn why did I wait so long to do this?"

Keep us posted on you journey into our addiction.





The fact that you plan to do this picking up shows you have your head on right.

 

[Kobs]

Quote "Sometimes new people take everything seriously even if it was said tongue in cheek. Sometime instructors insert their own personal experiences/preferences. "

Yup, Mine even said that ammo should be locked and stored in a different locker/container than your guns even though the law says it can be stored with the firearm. I wanted to argue that point with him, but i wanted my license more :lol:

 

[RMLamp]

I always carry a RATS tourniquet with me, it can be easily applied with one hand. Good guys bleed too.

 

[PrairieHunt]

As I understand, Conn. has extremely restrictive gun laws? You definitely have to be smart about everything.

If I were a woman. I would definitely consider a Concealed Carry Purse. Using one with your brains can be wickedly deadly for the attacker. Walk down a dark street or parking garage. Have that purse on your shoulder. Hand stuck in through the back of it. Hand on the gun. And nobody can tell you have a gun in your hand. You could shoot through the purse if you had to. If the attack is that surprisingly quick.
Otherwise, Remora has some interesting variants. Not expensive to experiment. Look at the 3in1 holster. Interesting? They'll custom work anything for you. I have custom "thigh strap" coming that is waist length.

You will definitely come across an LCP. They've sold millions. Rightfully so. They're so concealable, you might go to sleep with one without realizing it. They're that easy to carry. But, I think everyone here agrees it shouldn't be your only gun. For sure shouldn't be a persons first gun. It's just not fair to you.

You really should shoot an LCR. In 38 is fine. You may very well be impressed.

9mm seems to be naturally nice to shoot.

Revolvers are simply safe. Even if you have a bad round in the chamber that doesn't fire. Just pull the trigger again. Less to go wrong with a revolver.

 

[LCPtoter]

Awesome, thank you! I'll look into those!

Yeah, he said it was a good idea to have no matter where you're shooting, and gave an example of a guy who gets hurts almost every time he goes to that range, lol.

I just realized I accidentally posted this thread twice, the other not having all the info. That's what I get for going online before coffee. Sorry!

Wow, I have been shooting for decades between civilian life and the Marines, and I only remember one time seeing anyone get hurt, and that was at the qualification range in the Marines. Some clown got a piece of cotton swab stuck in his gas tube, on his M-16. First round, blew the gun all to hell...cut his face pretty good in the process.

I think I would stay away from the range that this instructor goes to...shooting, if done properly, is perfectly safe. Anyways, welcome to the site! :wink: