Need help on where to get started ...

[brianmtsinc]

I am ready to buy my first pistol and need some ideas where to begin.  It is primarily to be put next to the night stand for self defense for my wife. I don't really think she will carry it often, although we will be applying for our concealed weapons permits.  I will probably carry it on me during archery season 

What I would like to do is find some place that we could go to get trained, and try out a few different pistols.  I live in the Edgewood area.  Anyone know of any place close?  More importantly, with my wife, it needs to be someplace that has great instructors that will help her to feel comfortable in the presence of a firearm. 

Thanks in advance for any input!!!
Best regards,
Brian

[Rick]

Buy a D/A revolver. You can leave it in the nightstand for 20years and it'll still fire when you pull the trigger. On the off chance it doesn't go bang,just keep pulling the trigger. 

For someone without a lot of experience with handguns,simple is best.

[Huntboy]

The Marksman in Puyallup has some classes< plus you can rent a variety of pistol's to try.

[thinkingman]

Buy a D/A revolver. You can leave it in the nightstand for 20years and it'll still fire when you pull the trigger. On the off chance it doesn't go bang,just keep pulling the trigger. 

For someone without a lot of experience with handguns,simple is best.

Agree.
First, everyone, I don't care who you are, should learn basic shooting skills using a 22lr.
Next, avoid the 'expert' that tries to tell you a medium recoil round like 9mm or 38sp is no good, weak, ineffective, whatever....that's pride talking, not common sense.
Try before you buy.
One more thing...small, lightweight concealed carry guns are nasty to shoot...that's a fact of physics. 
You and your wife need to learn with handguns that reduce recoil and not develop bad habits.
Keep the small, light gun for self defense, not learning.

[chrisb]

Most ranges or local gun shops will offer some sort of Beginners handgun course that will walk you thru safety function use etc.

[Shootmoore]

Good idea on getting structured training.

That being said I always suggest for a first time handgun owner a Double Action Revolver.  I also like if it is going to be a multi use gun to get a .357.  You can carry and shoot the .357 for self defense and hunting situations, and shoot the .38 for practice and for your wife because of less recoil, which will help in not developing a "flinch".  Plus the .38 is some of the cheapest centerfire pistol ammo to shoot.  And will work fine for self defense as well.

Shootmoore

[JackOfAllTrades]

 

My wife carries a Colt Cobra in 38spl. More than enough gun for the nightstand and purse.  Even though I'm a 1911 lover, I personally carry a Ruger SP101 in 357mag most often. Revolvers are great to carry!

Call Dennis. He'll know of courses offered this fall/winter in other places. I suggest that you do NOT attend the same course at the same time that your wife does. There's a women's course offered in Seattle that I hear is great. If you can't get that info out of Dennis, then send me a PM and I'll find someone that has the info.  I suggest that you both go to training before you purchase a handgun as you'll get some hands on in a class, and will form an oppinion as to what you really want for your purpose.

http://pbrsc.org/Training/page2.htm

-Steve

[brianmtsinc]

Thank you all very much for your input!  I greatly appreciate it!   

I will make some calls as suggested, and get this process started.  Feeling safe around the gun and being proficient with one is critical . so I will definitely start with your suggestions as I know that is a consistent theme with this group!

As I progress, I will keep you posted on how things turn out, as I am sure there must be others around considering doing the same!

I have spent a lot of time on the archery and elk forum pages, and will now be putting in some time here as well!

Thanks again! 
Brian

[Shootmoore]

As someone said above those little J frames have a lot of bark and bite and not alot of fun to shoot, which can cause some bad habits to form.

As Jack said above the Ruger SP 101 is a good choice, you can also look at some old police models such as the S&W model 29 or 686.  They are not what I would call concealed carry size, however they are easy to handle, accurate and suck up alot of the recoil which at this stage of the game are more important than concealability.  After the skill in safety and handling improve it gives you a reason to go buy something more concealable.  Also remember down the road if you decide to go into the semi-auto realm that it will be another learning curve on function and safety.

[Gutpile]

Buy a D/A revolver. You can leave it in the nightstand for 20years and it'll still fire when you pull the trigger. On the off chance it doesn't go bang,just keep pulling the trigger. 

For someone without a lot of experience with handguns,simple is best.

I completely agree.

Ruger SP101