New to pistols

[j.trevor123]

Hello guys I have always enjoyed hunting and shooting rifles. I have never owned a pistol because I just no turned 21 and had no reason getting involved I could not shoot one. But now that I am 21 I am interested in owning one. So i have a few questions, first off do I have to own a handgun liscense to only own one and shoot? Also what are the "good" pistol companies out there? If i want a very accurate smaller caliber pistol that is moderately inexpensive then what should I look at? I was thinking of getting a smaller caliber first because they seem cheaper.. thnks for all the info.

[BlkHawk73]

  You local laws will dictate if any handgun permit is required for purchase.  You local shop will know that.  As for what to buy... As you said this is your first handgun and by having the forethought to start small is very smart.  You'll learn proper useage and control without inflicting any bad habits due to recoil.  So...start with a .22lr chambered single action revolver and by far the best for the buck is the Ruger Single Six.  They also come with a extra cylinder chambered for the .22 magnum so you can shoot either cartridge.  Available in blued steel or stainless in 4 5/8", 5 1/2", 6 1/2",  7 1/2" and 9 1/2" bbl lengths. 
  A real benefit with these is they're a great start if you ever decide to move onto using a larger caliber revolver since the larger, centerfire Ruger single actions use thesame gripframe so the feel will be more natural than starting anew with a compeltely different feel.  You don't need to buy brand new since there's usually plenty of used ones on dealer's shelves but new is nice when it's your first. 
 Good luck!

[OLDHandgunner]

Every state has different laws. Check with your local police dept or gun shop. As for a starter pistol you didn't say what type of gun you were looking for revolver or semi auto in a .22. I agree with BlkHawk73 the .22 is a good choice for a starter gun. Learn the basics first, then you can move up to a bigger caliber if you choose. The .22 pistols are the most fun to shoot and you can shoot for hours for only a few dollars and no reloading.
You said you wanted a good company, accurate gun, and moderate priced gun then go with Ruger. The best bang for your buck.
GOOD  LUCK and keep us posted.

[Skunk]

I'd also have to go with a single action .22 revolver as a perfect starter handgun.

And the best choice in my opinion is the Ruger, Single Six, .22LR/.22Mag that Blkhawk73 described in his post. The only thing I'd add to his description is that the weight of the Single Six is around 35 ounces, depending on barrel length, so the gun feels like a real gun in your hand rather than a toy. And even a brand new model can be purchased for a very fair price.

The Single Six is a hoot to shoot and will start you out on the path to being a great hand-gunner.

Good luck and the best of wishes to you on whatever you decide.

Skunk

[jpsmith1]

Another vote for the Single Six.  I put off buying one because I thought that I was too tough.  The little .22 was very patient with me while I beat my flinch.

The Ruger is not the cheapest gun on the market.  You can and will find cheaper guns.  In the long run, however, you will look long and hard to find a better value.  Ruger makes a god gun and is a reputable company that will stand behind their gun.  Spend a couple extra bucks and get the good one.

[Lloyd Smale]

another vote for a single six.

[Will_C]

Another vote for a .22. My personal preference is a Smith and Wesson K-22, but the Ruger is a fine choice as well. After you shoot 5,000 rounds through your .22, then consider a centerfire.
Will

[crabo]

One of the things I would recommend is to find a local gun club at one of the outdoor shooting ranges.  Many will have some sort of competition that you can participate in.  One club I shoot at has a 22 fun match once a month.  They also have several other matches which are for .22s.  Don't let anyone tell you .22s are just for kids.  They are the most fun for the buck that you can have.  They also can have  unbelievable acuracy.  Check out rimfirecentral.com  Check out what they are doing with Ruger 10/22s.

You can start hanging out with a lot of experienced folks who can teach you a lot.  One of the things you will learn is gun safety.  Even though you are not new to guns, competition stresses safety and that is something you can't have too much of.

Another benefit of competition is that you learn to shoot under pressure.  It helps you to learn to pay attention to your fundamentals, or your score suffers.  Let us know what you decide to do.

[corbanzo]

Another one for the single six.  Great pistol to learn on, plus with the .22 mag, you have a good range of small game which you can hunt.

[j.trevor123]

Are they very accurate? what would be the main difference (as far as accuracy goes) from a revolver and compact, I guess they call them??

[Old Griz]

Most young guys want a semi-automatic, thanks to TV and movies. Yes, they shoot faster. Most experienced shooters here have suggested a revolver (Ruger Single Six). That's because most guys grow up and realize:
  A) There is really no need to shoot that fast - it just wastes ammo.
  B) Automatics jam, they are finicky sometimes about what ammo they like. (I had a Ruger Mk.II that would only shoot CCI Blazers without problems.)
  C) You can shoot any kind of ammo in a revolver (shorts, longs, and long rifles), and any brand. They don't jam.
  D) They are easy to clean. ESPECIALLY a single action revolver like the Single Six.

Automatics can be a lot of fun. Just get a good one like a Ruger, or a Browning Buckmark. These have been the two most popular over the years and there is a lot of aftermarket stuff for them, especially cheap and easy to get extra magazines. They both come in a lot of different barrel lengths and configurations.

Believe it or not, the revolvers will usually cost more, but I think they are worth it.
Ruger use to make the SP101 in .22LR. It's a great plinking gun built on their 5 shot .357 frame. It's really a solid gun.
Smith & Wesson has the 617, and it's a fantastic firearm, but it is expensive. Worth every penny, but the price of two automatics.
The Ruger Bisley .22 is basically a Single Six with a longer grip (you can get all 3 fingers on it - even your pinkey), and a longer 6.5" barrel. Accurate and fun.

If you save up and get a good .22, it will last you your entire life and you will never get tired of shooting it. The Good Lord gave us .22s so we could all have fun shootin'. It's a great place to start . . . and finish for that matter!

Good luck. Let us know what you get.