Are you looking for a first handgun for self-defense, target shooting or self-defense? Winchester Blog offers a useful article for handgun purchasers. This article, “Things to Know When Purchasing your First Pistol”, offers many tips that will help you select the right handgun and save money. The article also explains how you can safely handle your new pistol. READ the full article. You should try out different pistols to find the one that works best for you. Check the controls, the controls, the ergonomics and the sight picture. If possible, try the pistols out with live fire at a range that rents out samples. How can you tell if the pistol you choose is right for you or not? After you’ve narrowed your choices down, spend some time shooting the pistols you are considering. Commercial ranges usually rent out guns. NSSF offers a list of shooting ranges where you can “try before buying”. A good plan is to do an online search, then call the range to confirm that they rent firearms. Ask friends and family members who own the model you’re interested in if they would be willing to go with you to the range so you can test it. Test drive pistols
Dry-fire the pistol and then manipulate it. Can you lock the slide easily? Are the sights suitable for your vision? Then, fire one or two magazines of ammo (in a range facility under supervision). Winchester Blog This Winchester Blog article lists some techniques that will help you “feel” a firearm. Follow the 4 Rules of Firearm Safety, and make sure that the gun is empty. 2. [After verifying the gun is empty] operate the slide, safety and magazine release. 3. Change the magazine if it is empty or dry. Make sure you can reload and hit the release button easily. 4. Draw your pistol, or, if that’s not allowed at the range, just pick it up and bring it to eye level. Align the sights. Repeat this process a few more times. Can you quickly acquire the sights? 5. How does the backstrap feel on your hand? Can you grip the gun well with both hands? This article was written by Becky Yackley. Becky Yackley has been competing in 3-Gun, Bianchi Pistol, Service Rifle and NCAA air rifle events, as well as smallbore, air pistol, and NCAA air rifle events, around the world, since 1989.
