I Brought Home my First Handgun

Waspinator · July 27, 2013, 08:35 PM

I joined this sight looking for some guidance and suggestions as I researched for my first handgun and I found a great group of people

.

I'm posting in the General section because I asked questions in both the revolver and semi-auto sub-forums and received great help from both areas.I would like to thank everyone here for all their help and insight.

So, here is what I decided on after researching and going to ranges and shooting what I could get my hands on . Sorry for the really bad phone picture. (I put my knife in there after realizing it matched my new gun perfectly, lol).

There was this one CZ semi-auto that I handled and tried that was a close second.......and, you know... maybe sometime in the future I'll have to look into that

Thanks again

BlackDogBrewing · July 27, 2013, 09:33 PM

Congrats! Great choice!. Have fun with it!

towboat-er · July 27, 2013, 09:38 PM

Darned fine choice. Cant go wrong with a Rugher revolver.

Joe_Pike · July 27, 2013, 09:46 PM

Sweet. I've always wanted to try an SP101 but never have.

italianbreadman · July 27, 2013, 09:48 PM

That was my first gun, too!

Now it looks like this:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...%2018%20PM.jpg

Mastrogiacomo · July 27, 2013, 10:12 PM

My favorite gun, congrats.....

Laura

SHE3PDOG · July 27, 2013, 10:13 PM

Good choice! It is especially nice to see a first time handgun owner choosing a revolver.

jglsprings · July 27, 2013, 10:28 PM

I'm not a Ruger fan, but you have a fine gun and made an excellent choice.

Now shoot the snot out of it... That's what it was made to do.

LockedBreech · July 27, 2013, 11:20 PM

I think Ruger makes the best revolvers off the shelf today. They're rugged, comfortable, and well-priced. Due respect to Smith, I'd pick Ruger every time.

Congratulations!

RBid · July 27, 2013, 11:26 PM

I'm not a revolver guy, but that specific one is THE revolver that excites me. So beautiful.

Sevens · July 28, 2013, 12:02 AM

Back before (this most recent) guns & ammo PANIC, my post would have said, "That's terrific! Now, you need to start shopping for a decent semi-auto rimfire for your second handgun!"

See, that was back before Colorado & Newtown. Back when 525 rounds of .22LR was $16-$18. The idea was that you could do a -HEAP- of shooting for very, very low money. That shooting would MAKE you a better handgun shooter, whether or not you ever even considered it or otherwise. Trigger time pays off, always. Doesn't matter if it's not like your "primary", or in your case, your only other handgun.

Right now, the market is upside down. Bulk rimfire is like purple unicorns. (hard to find) Fact continues to remain, even in this whole completely messed up situation that rimfire is STILL likely cheaper than what you're feeding that cool new SP-101 you've got.

Thus...
You need to start shopping for a quality .22LR chambered semi-auto pistol!

Nice SP-101 btw. Great guns.

9mmfan · July 28, 2013, 01:15 AM

Nice. SP-101 is a hella nice gun.

jimbob86 · July 28, 2013, 01:20 AM

A Fine Choice! It will outlast you and likely your many Grandchildren.

Now go get a handloading set up, make a bulk purchase of components, and attempt to wear that thing out!

(Good Luck With That!)

Model12Win · July 28, 2013, 01:56 AM

UBER SWEET! The first handgun I ever purchased for myself was a GP-100 6" stainless in .357 magnum, and that was just last month

Fantastic guns those Ruger revolvers! I think you made one swell choice!

vkeith · July 28, 2013, 02:17 AM

Congratulations, on your first handgun purchase.

Enjoy it, and shoot it often.

Kreyzhorse · July 28, 2013, 08:48 AM

That is a great choice for a hand gun. The SP is also a great gun weather it's your 1st or 10th.

**Spats McGee** · July 28, 2013, 08:58 AM

Congratulations!

Genepix · July 28, 2013, 09:49 AM

Congratulations on acquiring a very well built revolver. I never liked the grips, finally ended up with Hogue monogrips on mine.

PatientWolf · July 28, 2013, 09:53 AM

Congratulations on a great choice. That is on my list, but ideally in a 3" barrel length.

Beautiful grips ItalianBreadMan.

italianbreadman · July 28, 2013, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Genepix

Congratulations on acquiring a very well built revolver. I never liked the grips, finally ended up with Hogue monogrips on mine.

What's you do with those inserts?

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatientWolf

Congratulations on a great choice. That is on my list, but ideally in a 3" barrel length.

Beautiful grips ItalianBreadMan.

Thanks! I love them for the looks and concealability. They're so comfortable to shoot and to carry, and the gun is easy to draw. I would probably prefer a little less steep an angle, though.

Waspinator · July 28, 2013, 11:13 AM

Well, I took it to the range today and put 100 .38 specials (PMC 132 grain) and about 25 .357 magnums (Blazer Brass 158 grain) through the new gun. I stuck to all double action shots for my first time out with it. I shot at the range minimum of 21 feet for my first time out.

Things I learned: I definitely need more practice, that is for sure. I noticed that I tend to shot low and to the right. I'm sure it has to do with my trigger pull. Another thing I learned... .357 magnums are most definitely more "peppy" than the .38 specials, lol. I shot them about midway through the session and afterwards the .38s felt like a dream, lol. They weren't to bad though and didn't hurt, just caused the gun to rotate up into my web of my hand a bit more. I'm probably have to adjust my grip somewhat.

Here is pretty much what all the targets looked like. A few of them got away from me pretty far. They were all on the paper though. (again, really bad phone picture.. I need to get a camera, lol).

The range is new and only 15 minutes from my house. They also had a good supply of ammo at decent (not great) prices (you can bring your own, buy for range use or just buy and walk out with it). So, I don't foresee any problems with getting practice in!

jimbob86 · July 28, 2013, 11:32 AM

The cure for pulling right is lots and lots of dry fire practice. It will strengthen your hand, making your hold steadier.

This will also smooth out the trigger pull.

You may want to clean and lightly lube the lockwork first.

For more live fire practice, I'd recomend a handloading set up. A Lee hand press kit, dies and components will set you back less than $200, and will fit in a couple of shoe boxes.

It does not get any simpler than loading .38 special target loads, and you can make them for as little as $16 per hundred, using plated bullets. Lead bullets are even cheaper, but I don't like the mess, myself.

buck460XVR · July 28, 2013, 11:38 AM

Welcome to the addiction.........

Sevens · July 28, 2013, 11:56 AM

Quote:

The cure for pulling right is lots and lots of dry fire practice.

Another fine technique for improving can be found in post #11.

OP, just for those who like numbers...
.38 Special SAAMI Max is 17,000 PSI
.38 Special+p SAAMI max is 18,500 PSI
.357 Magnum SAAMI max is 35,000 PSI

Yes, "more peppy" is one way to describe it. Another way to describe it would be twice the pressure!

Sounds and looks like you are off to a fine start.
Keep up the good work.

italianbreadman · July 28, 2013, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbob86

For more live fire practice, I'd recomend a handloading set up. A Lee hand press kit, dies and components will set you back less than $200, and will fit in a couple of shoe boxes.

It does not get any simpler than loading .38 special target loads, and you can make them for as little as $16 per hundred, using plated bullets. Lead bullets are even cheaper, but I don't like the mess, myself.

$16 per hundred?!?!?! Oh man, reloading just became much more appealing.

July 27, 2013, 09:46 PM	#4
Joe_Pike Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 1,581	Sweet. I've always wanted to try an SP101 but never have. __________________ Stay Groovy

July 27, 2013, 10:12 PM	#6
Mastrogiacomo Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,297	My favorite gun, congrats..... Laura __________________ "Luctor et Emergo" - Struggle and Emerge

July 27, 2013, 10:13 PM	#7
SHE3PDOG Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2013 Posts: 988	Good choice! It is especially nice to see a first time handgun owner choosing a revolver. __________________ Semper Fi Marine, NRA member, SAF Defender's Club member, and constitutionally protected keeper and bearer of firearms

July 27, 2013, 10:28 PM	#8
jglsprings Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2009 Posts: 1,827	I'm not a Ruger fan, but you have a fine gun and made an excellent choice. Now shoot the snot out of it... That's what it was made to do. __________________ Let's eat Grandma. Let's eat, Grandma. Commas save lives... Last edited by jglsprings; July 27, 2013 at 10:33 PM.

July 27, 2013, 11:20 PM	#9
LockedBreech Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Rocky Mountain West Posts: 3,395	I think Ruger makes the best revolvers off the shelf today. They're rugged, comfortable, and well-priced. Due respect to Smith, I'd pick Ruger every time. Congratulations! __________________ 16 Pistols, 5 Rifles, 1 Shotgun, no time to shoot them

July 27, 2013, 08:35 PM	#1
Waspinator Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2013 Location: Connecticut Posts: 517	I Brought Home my First Handgun I joined this sight looking for some guidance and suggestions as I researched for my first handgun and I found a great group of people . I'm posting in the General section because I asked questions in both the revolver and semi-auto sub-forums and received great help from both areas.I would like to thank everyone here for all their help and insight. So, here is what I decided on after researching and going to ranges and shooting what I could get my hands on . Sorry for the really bad phone picture. (I put my knife in there after realizing it matched my new gun perfectly, lol). There was this one CZ semi-auto that I handled and tried that was a close second.......and, you know... maybe sometime in the future I'll have to look into that Thanks again

July 27, 2013, 09:33 PM	#2
BlackDogBrewing Junior Member Join Date: June 24, 2013 Posts: 8	Congrats! Great choice!. Have fun with it!

July 27, 2013, 09:38 PM	#3
towboat-er Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2011 Posts: 146	Darned fine choice. Cant go wrong with a Rugher revolver.

July 27, 2013, 09:48 PM	#5
italianbreadman Member Join Date: July 23, 2013 Posts: 29	That was my first gun, too! Now it looks like this: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...%2018%20PM.jpg

July 27, 2013, 11:26 PM	#10
RBid Senior Member Join Date: March 10, 2012 Posts: 1,059	I Brought Home my First Handgun I'm not a revolver guy, but that specific one is THE revolver that excites me. So beautiful.

July 28, 2013, 12:02 AM	#11
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	Back before (this most recent) guns & ammo PANIC, my post would have said, "That's terrific! Now, you need to start shopping for a decent semi-auto rimfire for your second handgun!" See, that was back before Colorado & Newtown. Back when 525 rounds of .22LR was $16-$18. The idea was that you could do a -HEAP- of shooting for very, very low money. That shooting would MAKE you a better handgun shooter, whether or not you ever even considered it or otherwise. Trigger time pays off, always. Doesn't matter if it's not like your "primary", or in your case, your only other handgun. Right now, the market is upside down. Bulk rimfire is like purple unicorns. (hard to find) Fact continues to remain, even in this whole completely messed up situation that rimfire is STILL likely cheaper than what you're feeding that cool new SP-101 you've got. Thus... You need to start shopping for a quality .22LR chambered semi-auto pistol! Nice SP-101 btw. Great guns. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

July 28, 2013, 01:15 AM	#12
9mmfan Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2012 Location: Weatherford, TX Posts: 301	Nice. SP-101 is a hella nice gun.

July 28, 2013, 01:20 AM	#13
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	A Fine Choice! It will outlast you and likely your many Grandchildren. Now go get a handloading set up, make a bulk purchase of components, and attempt to wear that thing out! (Good Luck With That!)

July 28, 2013, 01:56 AM	#14
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	UBER SWEET! The first handgun I ever purchased for myself was a GP-100 6" stainless in .357 magnum, and that was just last month Fantastic guns those Ruger revolvers! I think you made one swell choice!

July 28, 2013, 02:17 AM	#15
vkeith Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2012 Posts: 108	Congratulations, on your first handgun purchase. Enjoy it, and shoot it often.

July 28, 2013, 08:48 AM	#16
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	That is a great choice for a hand gun. The SP is also a great gun weather it's your 1st or 10th. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

July 28, 2013, 08:58 AM	#17
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 8,821	Congratulations! __________________ I'm a lawyer, but I'm not your lawyer. If you need some honest-to-goodness legal advice, go buy some.

July 28, 2013, 09:53 AM	#19
PatientWolf Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Location: NC Posts: 947	Congratulations on a great choice. That is on my list, but ideally in a 3" barrel length. Beautiful grips ItalianBreadMan. Last edited by PatientWolf; July 28, 2013 at 10:00 AM.

July 28, 2013, 11:13 AM	#21
Waspinator Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2013 Location: Connecticut Posts: 517	Well, I took it to the range today and put 100 .38 specials (PMC 132 grain) and about 25 .357 magnums (Blazer Brass 158 grain) through the new gun. I stuck to all double action shots for my first time out with it. I shot at the range minimum of 21 feet for my first time out. Things I learned: I definitely need more practice, that is for sure. I noticed that I tend to shot low and to the right. I'm sure it has to do with my trigger pull. Another thing I learned... .357 magnums are most definitely more "peppy" than the .38 specials, lol. I shot them about midway through the session and afterwards the .38s felt like a dream, lol. They weren't to bad though and didn't hurt, just caused the gun to rotate up into my web of my hand a bit more. I'm probably have to adjust my grip somewhat. Here is pretty much what all the targets looked like. A few of them got away from me pretty far. They were all on the paper though. (again, really bad phone picture.. I need to get a camera, lol). The range is new and only 15 minutes from my house. They also had a good supply of ammo at decent (not great) prices (you can bring your own, buy for range use or just buy and walk out with it). So, I don't foresee any problems with getting practice in!

July 28, 2013, 11:32 AM	#22
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	The cure for pulling right is lots and lots of dry fire practice. It will strengthen your hand, making your hold steadier. This will also smooth out the trigger pull. You may want to clean and lightly lube the lockwork first. For more live fire practice, I'd recomend a handloading set up. A Lee hand press kit, dies and components will set you back less than $200, and will fit in a couple of shoe boxes. It does not get any simpler than loading .38 special target loads, and you can make them for as little as $16 per hundred, using plated bullets. Lead bullets are even cheaper, but I don't like the mess, myself.

July 28, 2013, 11:38 AM	#23
buck460XVR Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 4,342	Welcome to the addiction.........