First Handgun

[nahpungnome]

Ah, I remember when I thought I'd only have one gun and also when I said I'd be on my last gun...

As much as I enjoy 1911s, I don't know how it would have been for me as a first handgun given how much more complex it is than say a Glock (G19 was my first).

Having had some experience with my 1911s now, I can fully detail strip and reassemble without any issues, but I wouldn't say I would've tried that if it was my first handgun.

My first 1911 (Sig), I put a nice idiot scratch on there, which I had re-bead blasted cuz it bothered me so much. I'm not saying that you'd end up doing the same, but a Glock would have no such issues while cleaning.

However, if you like tinkering, 1911s are a great platform to customize/fit parts to your liking (within reason). I fitted a 10-8 single sided safety and slide stop for my Baer.

Revolvers aren't my thing, so I won't give an opinion one way or the other on the Ruger. Good luck and show us pics when you get your first of many

[Sir Toast]

If its your first handgun, go simple. Get a revolver. Learn to shoot with it. Get a Ruger GP100, 6 shot .357. You will get your money back if you want to sell it.

Being your first handgun, you should never sell it.

Then, I'd get CZ 75 later. Semi auto, good fit, excellent quality, etc. Learn to shoot with a semi auto.

After that, the sky's the limit. glock. Beretta. Kimber. Colt. GE Minigun.

Just my two cents. (I've gone full circle. I enjoy shooting revolvers much more than semi autos now. I'm back to where I started.)

[rm1911]

My first handgun was a smith 686 357. Love it. Revolvers are great first guns, second guns, 37th guns. Can never go wrong with a revolver.

I love all my 1911's. But do I think it should be your first purchase? If you've shot a lot, are familiar with handguns, and have shot 1911's before, then sure. If not, then my second handgun was a colt 1911. Still have it and love it.

As mentioned earlier, you won't buy only one handgun. Oh wait, this is kalifornia. The roster gets smaller every day.

[TMB 1]

My first handgun was a smith 686 357. Love it. Revolvers are great first guns, second guns, 37th guns. Can never go wrong with a revolver.

I love all my 1911's. But do I think it should be your first purchase? If you've shot a lot, are familiar with handguns, and have shot 1911's before, then sure. If not, then my second handgun was a colt 1911. Still have it and love it.

As mentioned earlier, you won't buy only one handgun. Oh wait, this is kalifornia. The roster gets smaller every day.

This probably why it might be a good idea to get 1911 first now days.

[sholling]

Hello guys.
I'm trying to decide which handgun to buy right now...

Without knowing the intended use all you'll get is a list of everyone's favorite guns. That said I'll throw out some reliable and accurate options.

Home Defense and Range Toys under $700:

• Rock Island Tactical 1911
• Ruger GP100 4" or 6"
• Glock 17 or 19
• Springfield Armory XD 4" or 5" in 9mm or .45acp
• Sig SP2022 in 9mm
• Beretta 92FS

Carry Hundguns under $700:

• Smith & Wesson's Shield in 9mm
• Ruger LCR in 38spl
• Glock 19 or 26
• CZ RAMI in 9mm

Now take this list to the nearest renting range and see which ones you shoot best, and plan to take a class or two once you get your choice home.

[tankton]

Ah, I remember when I thought I'd only have one gun and also when I said I'd be on my last gun...

As much as I enjoy 1911s, I don't know how it would have been for me as a first handgun given how much more complex it is than say a Glock (G19 was my first).

Having had some experience with my 1911s now, I can fully detail strip and reassemble without any issues, but I wouldn't say I would've tried that if it was my first handgun.

My first 1911 (Sig), I put a nice idiot scratch on there, which I had re-bead blasted cuz it bothered me so much. I'm not saying that you'd end up doing the same, but a Glock would have no such issues while cleaning.

However, if you like tinkering, 1911s are a great platform to customize/fit parts to your liking (within reason). I fitted a 10-8 single sided safety and slide stop for my Baer.

Revolvers aren't my thing, so I won't give an opinion one way or the other on the Ruger. Good luck and show us pics when you get your first of many

Heh. I remember starting out with a G19 and thinking the same thing.

[Venom.357]

+1 gp100 was my first. Was worried about starting off with a heavy round, but it worked out great. A nice 6" barrel made things easier though for a green horn like me at the time. still my favorite pistol I have.

[usclee]

1911

[hedemark20]

SIG P220. Hard to do much better than that as a first & only gun, in semiauto. Easy to shoot well, easy to field strip, ultra reliable. If you get one, it's almost a certainty not to be your only gun sooner rather than later though

[nismoflip]

1911

[hawaiian.monzta]

I bought my first handgun 8 days ago, picking it up this Monday. Xd40 from turners outdoorsman $429. Check out their sales

[L84CABO]

Hello guys.
I'm trying to decide which handgun to buy right now...
I can't say for sure, but I'm currently 99% positive that this will end up being my only handgun purchase.

Being a Cali resident I want to buy something that's:
1. 10 round or less max capacity.
2. Less than $700

So far, the candidates are:
1. SA 1911
2. Ruger 357 mag
3. Glock 43

Could you guys please give me some inputs as to which you would choose?

I'm sorry but you've got apples, oranges and bananas in that list. If I were you, I would go to the range and rent these guns and spend a little time with them. And if they don't have the exact gun, get as close as you can to it. They're certainly have some type of Glock and some type of revolver and some type of 1911. You need to figure out which functional style you like better.

That said, I'd prob go for the Glock if it were me and a first gun. It simpler than a 1911 and I like semi autos over revolvers. But that's me.

[Brown Rock]

SA 1911

[jsigone]

get any semi auto with a mag that you like while its still on the roster. revolvers will always be there and you will get N+1.....N is not defined....

[RR.44]

I would say, go for the GP100, you won't be sorry.