before this stupid covid shit happened i was trying to go to a gun range with friends and shoot my first gun

Personally speaking I have 2 carry guns, an M&P Shield 9 and a Sig P238 (two different calibers and manufactures( but good guns for me

my wife carries an M&P EZ 380, it's what fits her.

My favorite suggestion for someone looking to get into handguns is the Smith M&P 9mm.

i always thought revolvers were cool but i should probably focus more on how well it functions and works instead of how it looks

Home defence is a Mossberg 500 Tactical

what about a colt 1911?

aren't those good handguns?

Do you plan to conseal carry?

open and conceal carry

i hate that i need a stupid license for it tho RIP

Ehhh, remember it's a hundred year old design. They're fun range toys IMO, but not great practical pistols.

you don't want to conceal carry a 1911, it's like trying to haul around a pack howitzer on your belt

LOL

so preferably look for a newer gun with a better design?

I would, yes.

understood

best thing to do, go visit your locally owned LGS's and talk to the folks there about what you want the firearm to do and (the good ones) will invest the time to help find the best fit for you

I mean, I do know people who carry 1911s, and what I carry isn't really that much smaller/lighter (P226) but at least I'm not putting up with the weight for a measly 7 or 8 rounds...

stay away from the big box stores, they will simply try to sell you what they've been told to move to get bonuses

so look for smaller gun shops?

and research what different guns are used for and stuff so i know what to look for?

Visit more than one. Gun store guys have their personal biases and aren't always knowledgeable.

not smaller, your local gun sellers. not Bass Pro or Cabellas of Academy

or academy

understood

so local shops and not big shops

here in Florida I recommend places like Shoot Straight and Shooters World.

Honestly, if you can find a local pistol trainer that does classes for new gun owners or, "intro" class kind of things, I'd go sign up for one.

i wish i had a gun when two guys in florida beat the shit outta me and robbed me

understood classes do seem like a good idea

The independant shops will also, usually, give you great service but may have a smaller selection

It can help you pick out your first pistol, too. Trainers generally have an idea what you need.

SCA, where are you in this world?

i'm in VA, NOVA to be exact

practically right outside D.C

Oh hell, you're fucked!

Just like if I decided I wanted to start sword fighting, I'd probably stop by an SCA meet first to find out what to do and what to avoid.

not the most gun friendly part of my state RIP

i've been trying to get into S.C.A more cause i collect medieval weapons

also i've been wanting to get my hands on Crusader knight armor for over 2 years now lol