[andy]

should be their ultimate defensive pistol? Hell, have to start with .22 belt gun, then 9mm belt gun, then probably a .45, then a lw .45, to get used to significant recoil, then a pocket .22, to get used to the limitations of the pocket gun, at low cost,and then FINALLY the lw, powerful pocket gun, (if they are truly serioius enough about HAVING a sidearm, to ever GET that far.. In 4 years on the net, I"ve never seen anyone but me explain all this to a newbie. You progress FASTER(to true ability) if you start with a .22. It's NOT just an "in between". A FEW can start with a full size and wt 9mm, and proceed on to do well, but no faster and no cheaper than if they'd used the .22 in the interim. Many have been screwed up by trying to START with a lw, compact 9mm, or a .45. They never get past the initial difficulty, and go on to really master any handgun.

 

[andy]

Mastering the realistic ccw costs 1000's of $, face it.

anything less is just a lame "wannabe" hope, forlorn as it is.

 

[Garand]

If the person doesn't want to start with a .22, an most don't (maybe its not macho, I don't know), I recommend a Stainless .357 with adjustable sights. Ammo is cheap, light loads for newbies are available, the gun holds its value if they get bored with it, the stainless finish is more forgiving when the firearm is neglected, its "gunkid" proof, no levers and switches to confuse them and if they practice its a fairly dependable defence gun when used with speedloaders. I like the S&W M66 or the GP-100 myself.

 

[DJetAce]

They 'think' that for the same reason gunkid 'thinks' a CAR is a real rifle. We now know it's velocity is pitiful and so is it's reliablity. It's a pos losers gun. Only people like gunkid 'think' it's some wonder weapon.

 

[41mag]

should be their ultimate defensive pistol?

I believe that a goodly amount of the people who have been empowered to [legally] start carrying a handgun aren't"gun people".Some are gunnies,some are scared,some are poseurs.I think I read that something like 80% of the CHL holders in Mi DON'T carry regularly.IOW,the CHL is almost like a fad to most of the people who have them.Most WON'T put in the effort to train w/the carry gun so they certainly won't put forth both time & $$$ on a practice platform.

 

[Half elf]

I have taught several people how to shoot, and almost always start out with the .22lr. I have found that it doesn't scare a newbie, suppressing the urge to flinch, its cheap enough that the cost doen't scare them away, it's easier to train someone on the basics when they aren't so nervous, and it's just so damn fun. If they show inclination to move up then I will help them decide what is best for them. I have bought several almost new magnums(.357 and .44) with most of the original box of ammo, on consignment at the pawn shops over the years.

 

[TODD 3465]

If I was in full bore economy mode I'd go with a .357 revolver and work up from .38 wadcutters to full magnums.

Now if I wanted a pistol over a revolver I'd get a Glock 17 police trade in and a Advantage Arms .22 conversion kit.