I’ve never been able to hit things with a handgun. I actually have two, I’ve only shot them a couple dozen times total many years ago; they’re in storage. But my son had some of those “air soft” pistols and I’m a pretty dead shot with those within 20-30 ft. I realized I don’t really try aiming them, at least not with the sights. I just line up the gun and look down my arm, really more like the TV baddies that hold their gun sideways. If I ever get my guns out of storage and try to shoot I’m going to use that method and see how it goes.

I'm not trying for tight groups but I can hit man size targets in the chest and torso area consistently up to ranges no greater then 7 yards. I don't practice shooting beyond that as I don't foresee myself every using the gun in self defense outside the home.

At that range there is not sufficient time to site. May feeling is that is the range most probable in a home invasion scenario. I was surprised at the results.

I also found that it's quite easy to score hits. I won't win any awards for marksmanship but I'm quite confident I'll put lead into a bad guy if need be.

And I bought a .41 magnum revolver. A friend of mine at work had a .44 magnum. Neither of us had ever shot our guns so we got some gallon milk jugs and went out on a back road to practice. We both fired 12 rounds starting at about 30 ft, then kept moving them closer. Neither one of us hit a milk jug. That was bad enough but when I went to alaska and some some brown bears (at McNeal river) I realized Id just piss one off with that .41.

I often advise people to start out with a .22 caliber handgun and learn how to shoot it accurately. The money you save on ammo will allow you to purchase your next more powerful handgun.

The most powerful revolver I would start off with is a medium to full sized 38/.357 Magnum. .38 Special ammo has some recoil but a beginner can usually handle it without big issues. Once he/she becomes proficient with .38 then the same weapon will handle the far more powerful .357 Magnum round. Note the smaller snub nosed revolvers being lighter have significant recoil and are not the best choice for a beginner.

If I was headed for Alaska and wanted some protection from bears I would likely chose a Smith & Wesson 460V. Of course 30 years ago this handgun was not available so back then I would have chosen the .44 Magnum.

Best 6 Handguns for Bear Country
https://blog.cheaperthandirt.com/best-6-handguns-bear-country/

Starting out with one of the big magnum handguns is a sure way to develop a flinch that will be nearly impossible to get rid of.

handgun a .44 magnum without giving her the slightest instruction, and then laugh as she almost breaks her wrist from the recoil and falls down.