Though I don't want to start a handgun forum area, here are a few points that may help pistoleros. I actually got started in competitive shooting 35 years ago with pistol, first IDPA then 3-gun. I have probably loaded and shot over 30,000 pistol rounds (both rimfire and centerfire).
1. Get a 10-shot .22 LR Revolver, S&W or Colt. A rimfire revolver is great for initial training, indoor shooting, close-range steel. They are fun, and have superb triggers in single-action mode. And this is a very good choice for training first-time, new shooters. Do slow-fire, single action. And I can tell you the S&W 617 will last a lifetime...
2. For slow-fire bulls-eye shooting get a good 1911. The larger .45-caliber bullet holes are much easier to see on target, and the 1911 trigger is truly superb. I recommend lead bullets that have an external coating -- the teflon-type coating reduces fouling dramatically, and the lead bullets shoot great at relatively low, subsonic velocities and don't cost a lot. I had best luck with Vihtavuori N320 powder. The photo below shows 5 shots at 10 yards with 200gr wadcutter bullets in my 5"-barrel 1911 with N320.
3. For a carry pistol, 9mm makes sense -- moderate recoil, vastly lower cost for FMJ practice rounds, and wide selection of pistol types. If you are considering a 9mm pistol purchase, try a variety of choices at a range. And be sure to test on carry belt with a couple different holster types. Glocks are reliable, but 8 out of 10 people I trained shot better with a SIG. Bottom line -- Glock ergonomics don't work well for most people.
There are some advantages to a gun with a conventional hammer, such as a SIG P228.
4. Secure your pistol at home very well. I personally know 4 people who had guns stolen from their vehicles or their residence -- in one case with the entire pistol safe being taken from a home.
5. Before you spend big bucks on a Red Dot optic for a pistol, TEST the optic with YOUR own eyes at the range. I have cataracts and another vision axis issue and I actually see two dots, so the red dot optics just did not work for me.
6. Be careful with commercial reloads made with used brass. Commercial reloads can be a bargain, but I've personally seen people who had an overcharge that created significant damage. Better to spend the money for NEW ammo or load your own. You can get NEW CCI 9mm ammo for 22 cents per round.
7. Pistol skills degrade pretty quickly. If you compete or carry, I recommend you shoot your pistol at least twice a month. Do slow-fire AND rapid fire (but first check with range-master to see if rapid fire is allowed).
8. If you hand-load pistol cartridges, pick a powder that will OVER-flow the case mouth if you double charge. Double charging is, sadly, common with progressive presses that do not auto-advance. The over-flow alerts you that something is really wrong. If you shoot a double-charged cartridge it can blow up your pistol and possibly cause very serious injury.
8. FINAL BONUS Tip -- If you are right-handed but
left-eye dominant (like me), practice aligning the gun sights with your left eye. It is also feasible to slightly tilt the gun a few degrees to the left (counter-clockwise from bore axis), but the preferred method is to train with left-eye straight alignment. See video:
