Need help trying to decide

DE55

Hi all;
I'm looking to buy my first handgun and I'm pretty overwhelmed by all the choices out there. I'm afraid of guns but I feel it's time to get over it.
I work for our local sheriff's dept and have asked some of the deputies advice but frankly, I think that most of their suggestions are biased to their own preferences and are more high tech than I need. Whatever I decide on, one of the deputies has told me he will show me how to use it and how to take care of it.
This is what I would like... small in size, VERY reasonably priced, no hammer on the outside, a trigger that is not too sensitive. This gun would be for personal protection only and probably never used often (hopefully).
Any suggestions?
Thanks!

nmyers

It sounds like you have a sensible approach to the problem.

I suggest you start by talking to the folks at your local gun shop, preferably one with an indoor range. They will generally be glad to get you started, especially since you represent "new business". My local shop (with a range) offers courses, some for women only, that are meant for the novice. They have a case full of rental guns, so that you get a chance to fire anything that you are interested in. They will teach you the basics of shooting safety, plus the importance of storing your gun in a locked box/safe.

You may regret making any decision now, before you have had a chance to fire a number of guns. Once you do that, you will be able to make a better choice.

Neal

v35

The former Eastern Bloc Makarov comes to mind.

HandgunHTR52

I will second what Neal said. Most shops with an indoor range will let you rent handguns to use at the range. Look them all over and pick the ones that suit you. Shoot them and then pick the one that you feel most comfortable with. You may be surprised.
When I first got my wife started in shooting she really wanted a Walther PPK in .380. I was good friends with a gentleman who owned a gunshop and he let us take a bunch of used handguns to the range to let her test them out. She ended up shooting best with a Smith & Wesson Model 60. From that day on, she refuses to carry anything but revolvers.

DE55

Thank you for your replies. I didn't realise that gun shops would let you rent guns to try out. There is no gun shop in my town but I am sure the neighboring larger towns have shops with ranges. What a good idea. As a matter of fact, I think I will call around right now.

toolsforfools

38 s&w feather weight.Look them up on gun broker.Nice gun for a first.

Wolf.

--
You say you are "afraid of guns". Just remember that a gun is an inanimate object. It won't do anything that you do not tell it to do, directly or indirectly (i.e. pulling the trigger or dropping it with the hammer down on a live bullet).

I URGE you to take a gun familiarization/training course. The deputies you work with will generally approach teaching you how to use the gun with the unconcious perception that you already know something about guns. Someone who is a firearms instructor will not approach teaching with this bias. So, see if there is a firearms instructor amongst the cadre of deputies where you work. I advise you to not seek instruction from just any deputy.

Also, where I live, there are darn few gun shops or indoor ranges. One does rent firearms, but offers no training. I hope you are not in that boat. I imagine the Sheriff's Department does have a range that they use or share with a local Police Department and perhaps that is where you need to go, if they will allow you to.

Now, as for guns. You need to get a revolver. Don't let anyone talk you into a semi-auto pistol. The reason I say this is because you are a first-timer and revolvers are 300% less complicated concerning operation and safety. With a revolver, especially for those who do not shoot all the time, there are fewer problems for you, less chance of an accident due to forgetting how to handle a semi-auto and less chance of fumbling and confusion when the adrenalin is pumping if you find that you must use your weapon. You won't be sorry.

I suggest you get a J-frame Smith $ Wesson revolver or something very similar. These are generally small, snub-nosed self-defense type guns. The usually will be in .38S&W Special or .357 Magnum caliber with a cylinder capacity of either 5 bullets (rounds) or 6 rounds. The nice small ones hold 5 rounds. The .357 Magnum-chambered revolver will also fire the .38S&W Special cartridge. Whichever you get (if you get a revolver), you always want to load one round less than the cylinder capacity and keep the hammer down on the empty cylinder chamber. NOTE: Do not buy a Taurus brand gun. They are cheaper but there are too many reliability issues related to these guns for you to trust your life to one.

JdpriceJr

i agree with all that has been said i just want to add that you are going about this the right way and researching first, learn all you can about the one you deside to buy and learn the right way to handle it and be safe.

Saying that guns kill people is the same as saying that...

pencils misspell words ....
cars drive drunk ....
and spoons made rosie o'donnell fat ..

Herschel

You have gotten some good advice here. The idea of an empty chamber under the hammer goes back to the single action army Colt's and three screw Rugers. Modern designed revolvers have a hammer block safety that eliminates the risk of a blow to the hammer firing the cartridge. Since you don't want an external hammer that limits you. Smith and Wesson makes a hammerless (actually internal hammer) revolver and one with an extended frame that keeps the hammer from protruding. I would suggest one of the J frame S & W revolvers.

coledigger4

I also would suggest a revolver for your first handgun. I have watched beginners with semi-autos at the range and have told more than one to point down range after shooting because the next shot is ready and waiting.

dcs shooters

+1 on revolvers. A S&W 640 or 442 would be what to look at.