What to buy...

[DJMittens]

Well, I'll start off by saying that I'm from Canada, so my choice of firearm is a little more limited than the neighbor's to the south.

I'm going to be getting my FAC (FireArms Certificate), which will then allow me to legally purchase and own and operate firearms. Now I need help deciding what I want.

For a rifle, I'm going to choose that at a later date. Probably a Browning 30.06 (to go deer hunting). My first purchase, however, will be a hand gun.

I've spent a lot of time searching, and am getting more lost with each new gun. I can't for the life of me decide. I like the look of the Beretta Inox series, a lot. I'm envious of the reliability of Glocks (I'd like to get a 21 or 22). I've heard and seen good things from other brands like Springfield Armory (if it's good enough for the FBI, it's probably good enough for me), Heckler and Koch, Magnum (love those Desert Eagles!), Browning, Ruger, Colt, and others.

What I need is some advice. I've never even held a real gun, let alone fired one. I know all the po-pos around here use Glock 22s, so I know they've got to be reliable. I just want something that's good to handle, comfortable, easy to aim and fire, really something to learn on. As I get more accustomed to firing and do more research, I'll look into upgrading, unless of course I'm satisfied with what I've got.

So, it comes to this. I'm just using it for plinking and target practice, not self defence (concealed weapons are illegal in Canada, so it's all I can use it for anyway). What do you suggest? Ask me any questions that I haven't answered here.

*edit* I guess I should post a budget. I don't really want to spend more than $1,000 US (my friend got a Beretta 96FS Inox for $1,000 Cdn including a little ammo, and as I recall it retails for $800 US, so I'd be willing to spend around $1,300-$1,400 Cdn, closer to the high-end if it's a really frigging good gun, like insanely reliable, cheap to use, etc...)

["DoubleAction"]

DJ; Welcome to the forum. For what your looking for in a handgun, and your need to get into some training and safety issues prior to handling live ammunition; The perfect place to start is a certified range instruction course, whether it be at a N.R.A. sanctioned facility, or one that might have those who teaches private instruction. The Handgun to start with, and it would be economical in ammunition, while learning the basic marksmanship skills, would be a .22 rimfire. S&W makes a very nice double action revolver, built on the K- Frame, called the Model 617. There are many semi-auto versions chambered for the .22 LR, in various barrel lengths. First, and foremost, is to seek assistance with someone who is experienced in the safe and correct use of handling firearms.

[BlackDog]

I was going to recommend starting with a .22 also.
DJ, a .22 is so inexpensive (the gun itself AND the ammo) that you can hardly go wrong. Then, once you've learned good habits, you can pick up a more expensive centerfire and you're not out too much because you didn't break the bank with that rimfire.
Oh yeah, and then you already have TWO guns. ;D ;D

[Ricochet]

Even though carrying is not an option in Canada, I assume having one in your house (and using one) for self defense is legitimate. If so, I would suggest going for a handgun that can serve a home defense function right off.

Even though the others are recommending starting with a .22, I would vote for a .38 revolver or perhaps even a 9mm semi-auto. Learning on either of these is not that hard for a newbie. Time at the gun range is of course a must. I assume this is something available to you in Canada. If not, forget the handgun, and get a shotgun and/or a sawed-off lead-plugged baseball bat.

[Flipper]

DJ, It sounds like you were perusing semi-autos. May I suggest you check out a Ruger Mark II. It comes in a variety of configurations....blued, stainless, different barrel lengths etc. is rugged, reliable, shoots just about any brand of 22 ammo and is reasonably priced. I paid $320 US for my 5.5" bull barrel stainless (KMK512). IMHO ya can't go wrong with a Ruger.

What are po-pos?

[DJMittens]

Okay, I'll attach this all in order, sort of.

DA and BlackDog:

That's what comes with the FAC. You have to take a course, but it isn't exactly intensive. I think one of the harder questions is a T/F question: "Which is a bigger shell, 12-gauge or 20-gauge?". So I won't exactly get a lot of training, however I'm going to join a club and learn through them

I like the idea of a .22 to learn on, but I really would like a semi-auto. I'll get some prices on .22s though, and in any case they'd be fun to go hunting rabbits/gophers/etc...

Ricochet:

Yep, we have ranges and all that jazz. The only problems with something like a .38 is that the smaller the gun, the harder to get a license for it (this country is messed up). The main reason I'm getting a gun is to build my concentration. I'm going to start with a handgun to build practice and knowledge, then go onto a rifle to build accuracy. My goal right now is to be able to cluster my shots within 2" at 500 yards using a rifle (obviously). It's not for defense. Unlike the US, no one has guns here, and robberies rarely take place with a gun.

Flipper:

You hit the nail on the head. BTW, po-pos = Po-lice.

[Mikolev]

I don't see the need to go with something as small as a .22 caliber gun. You mentioned you like Glocks. I think a Glock 17 would suit your needs well. 9mm is really an easy round to learn with. I know children who shoot them with no problem what so ever. It's no .22, but as far as ease of shooting, and recoil, it's very comfortable. If you ever did want to use it for self / home defense in the future, it would be able to serve in that role as well. I'm not a fan of .22's myself. I'de prefer buying a pellet gun and playing with it in my basement before buying a .22, but that's just me. I know countless people who have had lifetimes of fun with them. Still, I'de reccomend a 9mm for someone who wants to learn, and still have a gun with a little umphhhh.

[NButler]

DJMittens said:

It's not for defense. Unlike the US, no one has guns here, and robberies rarely take place with a gun.

according to mike moore, Canada has as many or more guns per capita then the US. (if you want to listen to that guy at all). And contrary to what some may believe, robberies in the US do not always result in a shoot out. I live in a rural state (maine), and if there was ever a shootout in this state, it would be on the front pages of every paper. they don't happen very often (i can't remember any). As with most crimes, all it takes is someone to pull out a gun, and the Perp runs away. that won't make the front page, but it will be in the police log. that doesn't mean it will never happen though. Many of the guys on this forum come from what seem to be, fairly urban settings, where these problems may be more common.

i would also suggest a .22 (they are very cheap and allow you to adjust to the physics of shooting). next up would probobly be a .38 or 9mm. if you start on a large caliber, you may form the habbit of flinching.

[DJMittens]

Okay, consensus seems to be to start smaller. I think I can handle that, and work my way up.

nastybutler, there's no need for self defense mainly because as I said, concealed weapons are illegal. In fact, I have to call a 1-800# to notify the police that I'm moving my pistol (again, rifles are different, you can go hunting whenever and not tell anyone, as long as it's in season). I mean, in my city (of around 750,000 people), there were only 21 homicides. That doesn't include guns or anything. Considering there were 1,498 robberies, and there were only 393 firearms offenses in total (obviously not all robberies), there weren't a whole lot.

I can appreciate that one never knows when these things can happen, and it's good to be prepared, but these things just don't happen enough.

[MLB]

Welcome to the forum DJ.

For plinking, target shooting, and maybe very small game hunting, I'd go with a .22. The cost of ammo alone might just justify this. You can get 500 rounds of .22lr for about $8 US. The same amount of ammo for my .40 would cost about $70. For punching holes in paper and knocking around tin cans, I don't see how a larger caliber handgun gives you any additional benefit (aside from the big smile of a bigger bang ;D ).

As regards the home defense issue, no handgun is the best choice IMO, hard to beat a shotgun for that role. That doesn't seem to be your application anyway though.

I'll leave the revolver suggestions to those more knowledgable on them, but I've done a fair bit of research on .22 semi-automatics:

The Ruger Mark II and the Browning Buckmark are two of the most popular for good reason. Both are affordable (around $250), time tested, and accurate. The Ruger is a solid handgun with plenty of options for customizing, but a bit more challenging to field strip(although not rocket science, I think people make more of it than it deserves.) The Buckmark is slightly more affordable (not by much though), and the styling appeals to more I think.

The SIG Trailside is a newer offering from a respected handgun manufacturer. Accurate, but in a different price range at around $400. Styling is more functional than attractive IMO.

The venerable S&W Model 41 is the choice of many competition shooters. The one I shot has a light and crisp trigger, and shoots nice tight groups. Styling is similar to the Buckmark (or the other way around?) The price on this one is a bit steep though, about $750 last time I checked.

Can't go wrong with any of these I think. Others to look at and evaluate for yourself are the S&W 21, Walther P22, and the Beretta Neos off of the top of my head.

Shoot as many as you can, see which one feels best to you, be safe, and have fun! Let us know what you come up with BTW!

[ronbwolf]

DJMittens,

Let me offer you another option. You mention the Glock 22 in your post. This is, IMHO, the finest defensive firearm extant. As you have noticed, they run under nearly all conditions, I am forced to induce malfunctions so students can learn clearance drills. And the guns design makes these drills simpler. Anyway, you can get the Glock 22, (around $500.00)and buy a .22 cal. conversion kit,(around $300.00) and you will have the best of both worlds. Excellent plinking, target shooting, small game hunting, and even defense if necessary. With the left over money in your stated budget you can buy extra ammunition, and magazines.

[XavierBreath]

For a target pistol/plinker, it's hard to beat a Ruger MKII.
Cheap, accurate, rugged, reliable, customizable on those cold winter nights. The great variation in barrel lengths may help pacify some of CA's restrictions as well.


If you want a large caliber, the Beretta 92FS is also relatively inexpensive, rugged, reliable, and parts will be plentiful for decades due to military use. Try to find a used one and save $200. The Beretta may be a hard gun to learn on due to the heavy trigger, and big grip.


A 1911 in a Springfield or Colt is also a great choice, but may be harder to learn on due to the caliber and ammo costs. It is rugged, reliable, will have parts into the next century, and you can customize it on cold winter nights. Stick with a Government or Commander length.


Do not rule out a Smith & Wesson revolver. They are great guns, give you a choice of barrel lengths, and in .357magnum give you two calibers. They are very affordable used, tough as nails, and high quality.


As a novice shooter's target gun, the Ruger MKII is the natural choice. If you desire something bigger, the other coices will just about do you. To help you pick, first determine your use. Your use should help you determine caliber, and caliber should narrow down your choices to where you can factor in fit of the gun to your hand, price, and other variables. Just saying i want a handgun is not enough. You must know why you want it to help you choose the right one.

If you have access to a rental range, I recommend you rent every gun you can and put some lead down range. That will help you choose as well.

Oh, and welcome to the forum.

[Seraph]

M1911 in .45ACP
Browning Hi-Power in 9mmP

[TA]

I have a couple of suggestions. If you are not ruling out polymer framed semi-auto's such as Glock, check out the Springfield XD series. Real nice feel, very accurate out of the box, inexpensive and they come in 3 sizes. The Service Model (4" barrel) and the Tactical Model (5" barrel) come in 9mm, .40 S&W or .357 Sig. The compact Model comes in 9mm and just recently .40 .

Also, it sounds as though handguns are typically higher priced in Canada, so maybe you should check out Para-Ordinance. They make a fine 1911 style handgun in different varieties and are made in Toronto, so you may do better because they are not imported. It would be worth checking out.