what type of gun

[fieldking#1]

For a first pistol, what type should I get? A 9mm or a 38.

[Smossy]

For a first pistol, what type should I get? A 9mm or a 38.

If It was ME, Id choose a .38 special +P
But again, that's me.. I like revolvers. They're fairly simple.

[madmack76]

that's hard both are great calibers

[Biggerhammer]

Get them both, it really isn't going to matter. With the 38 your pretty much restricted to a revoler, which there is nothing wrong with. They are light in some models and easy to conceal and go bang pretty much every time you pull the trigger. 9mm is fine, you can get it in on auto in any size or capacity you like. Bottom line, do you want to pack a revolver or a auto?

Next question to yourself, if your going to carry it concealed is.

Which cartridge would I least enjoy taking a center mass hit from? Choose that one and your good to go.

A +P load from a .38 Special is bad medicine, so is a sexy double tap from a 9mm.

[jrebel]

For a firstl, I like the revolver. Way more reliable and very easy to shoot.  It will never fail you.

[Worldhunter]

Both.... You will end up with both eventually.

[bobcat]

To me a revolver is tough to shoot accurately in double action mode. So for that reason I'd take a 9mm semi auto over the 38 special.

[sled]

To me a revolver is tough to shoot accurately in double action mode. So for that reason I'd take a 9mm semi auto over the 38 special.

[brush hunter]

For a first pistol, what type should I get? A 9mm or a 38.
[/quote

For a first pistol, what type should I get? A 9mm or a 38.

What do you want to do with it?

[Widgeondeke]

I prefer revolvers for reliability and bigger boom, but if goin to daily conceal. A compact autoloader is easier to hide.   

[Bofire]

357

[SeaRun1]

I can't think of a more do everything practical gun then a .38/.357.  Revolvers are very reliable and solid.  Practice with .38 specials and carry .357 Mag rounds.  Maybe a 4-6" barrel?

Then move on to a 9mm later.  Or just go straight to a good quality 1911 in .45 acp and be done with it!

I don't think you can go wrong with whatever choice you make as they should be fun to shoot.

SR1

[PolarBear]

 
A .357 is a perfect starter gun.  You can start out with really light .38 loads like wadcutters then up to +P then once you get comfortable up to .357.
I started shooting competitively at age 10 with  .38 and .357 revolvers and they were great guns to shoot and even easier to master.  A .357 is a slightly heavier than the standard .38 in most cases.   An added bonus is the .38 rounds are usually fairly cheap to shoot, especially wadcutters. 

[KFhunter]

hammerless revolver in .38/.357 with short barrel.


In a personal defence gun you don't need long range, you need something you can jam in someones ribs and have it go bang through your coat, clothing whatever.   

An auto won't go bang if it's jammed into someones ribs; it'll come out of battery and fabric will get in there and your hosed.

[HighlandLofts]

For a pocket carry gun I have a Smith & Wesson 642 Airweight 38 + P, you can carry it in your coat pocket and it will fire eery time. Smith & Wesson make nice quality guns. The 642is hammerless so it will not get jamed up shooting from your pocket if you have to. I also have aKahr PM9 - 9mm auto that I use as a pocket carry gun, nice & compact and decent quality.
 For a biger carry gun I have a Colt Combat Commander 1911 - 45acp and a Rossi 971 - 357 mag.
 I have others for different reasons, for a open carry handgun a nice Ruger GP100 with a six inch barrel isa good one. The Ruger SP101s are a nice choice also.
 Most of my handguns are stainless, I don't like the blue guns. There are a lot of places that have nice used guns that you can put on lay - a - way with 25% down and three months to pay.
 Before you buy you should shoot what ever you think you might want. Some handguns are not suited for some people. If youget in the Arlington Area I have a few handguns you can try out. I go shooting out near OSO.