HANDGUN SELECTION

Handgun Selection handguns1In selecting a Pistol there are a number of different considerations to keep in mind. First and foremost is being aware of the laws concerning the purchase, ownership, possession, use and transport of a firearm in your community or state. The laws can vary greatly from state to state and in some instances from community to community within the state. It is up to YOU to know and obey these laws. As the old saying goes, “Ignorance of the law is not a defense.” Violations of the laws regarding firearms can be severe, so first put some time and effort into knowing what the laws are in your community.

Once you are aware of the laws regarding firearms the next step is to determine what type of pistol is right for you. Just as you would consider the intended use for any tool that you purchase, so you should think about this in selection a firearm. Just what do you intend to use this handgun for? Is it for a sport such as target shooting? Maybe you are looking to use the handgun for hunting as many hunters do. Quite possibly you are looking for personal protection for your home or family. Whatever the purpose, keep this in mind when you are making your selection. Besides its intended use, you must consider the type of ammunition used and whether it is readily available, the amount of recoil produced when the pistol is fired, the ease of operation and of course, the cost.

All things considered, for new shooters learning the fundamentals of shooting a handgun, a .22 caliber target pistol with a 4-6 inch barrel is going to be your best choice. The ammunition is very inexpensive so cost is not prohibitive to practice shooting. The recoil is very slight compared to other, larger calibers, and they are highly accurate pistols. The .22 caliber handgun is available in both revolver and semi-automatic versions and can be used for a variety of tasks from target shooting to just plain old plinking. Some say a .22 caliber is not adequate for home protection. Granted, a larger caliber would be more advantageous in certain circumstances, but a .22 can still be a lethal round. There is an old saying that a hit with a .22 beats a miss with a .44 every time. Walk before you run. If you are a beginning shooter, start with a .22 and after you become proficient then trade up to a larger caliber that may be better suited for specific tasks such as hunting or personal protection.