Handgun Tips for beginners

[AITG]

1. For the love of God, turn your brain on before handling a weapon so the paramedics don’t have put yours or some one else’s back in!
2. Don’t buy a gun if you don’t plan on using it.
3. Practice, practice, practice!
4. Practice some more.
5. Learn to maintain it so it will work reliably.

+1meg. I really like these five rules added to the basic four.

[SilverWolf]

Shipwreck and others are giving good advice. Been shooting for 60+ years and learn something new many times. Tips: Like Ship said, find a range that allows you to try out different guns. For the new shooter, and a lot of us who know what to look for, get a weapon that is Reliable, Accurate out of the box, Simple to disassemble, clean/lube, and reassemble. Join the NRA, get your CW permit(if you can), take training from well qualified instructors, invest in good instructional DVDs, and practice, always with safety paramount. You are investing in real life insurance, IMHO.

[ELLIOTT436]

Try several guns before deciding on your first one.
No the 9mm vs .45ACP debate will never end. Both are good rounds and serve their purpose.
Learn how to clear jams safely.
Russian/Eastern Bloc ammo works best in Russian/Easter Bloc designed guns.
Not all polymer guns are created equal, don't mind the haters who have no experience since the first generation polymer frames came to market.
Practice (at least occasionally) with the ammo you plan to use for self defense.

Those are really good points.

[multigun]

#1 before you even think about buying a gun

TAKE AN NRA CERTIFED SAFETY COURSE!

I find most NRA instructors barely know which end the bullets come out of. Also if you are a woman most are condescending and keep pushing revolvers due to a misguided belief that semi-autos are too complicated for women to use. When properly trained women can use semi-autos much better then DA revolvers with long heavy pull, which is why I never recommend them for women. But, I digress. I agree take a safety course, preferably from a major academy in your locale. There are excellent private training academies in most states that allow CCW. I suggest these over the bargain basement NRA classes if you can afford them.

BUT DO TAKE A SAFETY CLASS BEFORE GOING TO A RANGE. It will make you safer and less likely to raise the ire of those around you. Remember, it is not like in the movies or your favorite video game.

[multigun]

Plus 1 on taking a certified safety course.

The Four Rules of Firearms Handling
by Jeff Cooper

Rule 1:
ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED
The only exception to this occurs when you have a firearm in your hands and you have personally unloaded it for checking. As soon as you put it down, Rule 1 applies again.

There is no exception to this rule. The moment you make an exception is the day your world caves in around you. Not speaking from personal experience just from all the examples one hears of and sees in the media. The moment you forget this rule you are on the road to a ND.

[AD2CRL]

#1 before you even think about buying a gun

TAKE AN NRA CERTIFED SAFETY COURSE!

If I wasn't in the military, I surely would take a course. All these safety rules listed are embedded into our heads, let alone range officers will snatch your A$$ right up with the slightest foul up with gun safety violations. I will someday pass gun training to my children at theappropriate age and maturity level, I cant wait to do so either.

[Shooter410]

IMO after you are comfortable with the weapon you chose, and get used to ALWAYS treating it as if it were loaded, mu biggest suggestion is PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!!

The damn thing ain't no good to you if you can't hit the broad side of a barn with it. Hell, I was a noob (and still pretty much am) and thought I was a bad ass when I bought my FNX, until I realized that I was not consistent at all. Then my Maryland State Police friend (who is a pistol marksman for our state) brought that point up.