Buying first handgun

[John Henry]

Other than reading and checking out gun magazines and renting several different guns at the local range, any other pointers for that first handgun purchase. I'm pretty sure I want to stick with a 9mm for the first one. Suggestions?
This first one will be pretty much for defense.

Ok. I've been doing some more research: multi purpose- hammer vs. striker- SA, DA- and on and on. I've at least arrived at a few caveats:
This won't be my only handgun and I can see a 9mm, a .45 ACP 1911, a .357 magnum revolver and at least one .22 LR for fun and plinking.

I won't buy cheap. Not that I have deep pockets but I've learned the hard way that buying cheap, whether for work or play, never pays. I also tend to keep all my "toys" for the long haul, I rarely trade or sell but just buy more instead, so whatever I buy I want it to last for decades.

So, based on all of the above and even though I haven't had a chance to rent various guns at the range, I'm focusing on a Sig 226P MK25 Navy. I'm getting kind of nervous with "OBAMARAMA" and his "executive" decisions so I'd rather buy sooner than later. I can add this to my newly purchased Moss 590A1 12 gauge. I figure worse case scenario is maybe the Sig isn't all that I thought it would be but what the hell, I've still got a quality gun and get on to the next purchase. Any comments?

[dyson]

figure out if you like striker fired, da/sa, or sao in a sd situation first. then shop that category

[diverwcw]

9mm - Great choice!

First handgun - Glock 17 or 19. Then look for some good training. I have some free certificates for Front Sight if you are interested. PM me for further details.

[Snoopy47]

If it's for defense any striker fired 9mm is fine.
Springfield
Glock
S&W
etc..............

If you end up making it a hobby then it wont matter, it wont be your last.

[bug_eyedmonster]

I would be open-minded if I were you. Get your hands on as many options as possible. Try to narrow down based on comfort, ability to modulate the controls/safeties, and put into consideration of anyone else that will potentially be shooting it (wife, kids, roommates, etc). Make sure you/other users are 100% familiar with the pistol, and take a training course to become familiar with it. Shooting is a perishable skill, and if this is for defense, you want to make sure those abilities are at the ready. If this is to carry, go above and beyond the basic requirements in regards to training. Not only will it be your life at stake.

Welcome to the forums!

Jerry

[Garv]

Renting great, give us your thoughts again when you have it to a short list.
Get a Glock 19, and prepare to increase the collection!

[billped]

I have a couple of different perspectives:

* Which has easiest basic disassembly/reassembly? There's nothing quite like starting a hobby and getting frustrated. Sig is *super* easy, Glock a notch harder, some are a complete PITA - I won't call them out or a war will start.

* Fit/finish. Glock is "meh" - it's a tool. Most 1911s are drop-dead gorgeous and you'll spend hours touching every square mm.

* Quality. Don't have your first handgun be $200 or you'll get frustrated.

[NiteQwill]

Pick the gun that FITS and SHOOTS WELL in your hands.

After that, the rest will fall in line.

[j15w]

The Big boys you should check out:

Glock 17 or 19
Springfield Armory XD9
Smiff & Wesson M&P

[kszaid]

Rent a couple and try them out to find what you like. As mundane as it sounds I suggest writing down what you like/don't like about each gun you shoot.

Striker Fired vs. DA/SA vs. SA Only is another thing to consider. Read up on the difference between the three and go from there. There are plenty of choices in the $400-$600 range that will suffice, you can also explore higher price ranges if your budget permits.

Have fun!

[NIKSD]

First handgun for defense /personal opinion/-

Full size /easier to shoot/
All metal /extra weight-less felt recoil/
9 mm /cheap but effective ammo, $ matters when you practice a lot/
No safety /less to remember, less to deal with/
Rail /I like to have light attached to my HD weapons/
Not a cheap one /you will not choose the cheapest parachute to jump with.../

When you consider all of the above- the one that you shoot best is the best tool for the job. Think about "shoot" as a "just woke up, grabbed the gun and had to stop the bad guy". Slow shooting at paper targets is different...

[Jeepergeo]

Take a Firearm Safety Class, then a handgun self defense class. Both should include range time. And get a safe or lock box.

Then shoot a bunch.

IMHO, for a first, a Ruger or Smith and Wesson revolver, 357 Magnum, is the way to go.

There are just too many accidents with striker fired pistols and folks not realizing there's a round in the chamber and the gun is ready to fire. Those mistakes are rare with a revolver.

Guns similar to the Glock are, IMHO, better suited for someone with more experience.

[Sabian722]

Your budget. Don't blow your wad on the gun, and then not have any left for ammo. And be certain what you get is what you want--wait if you have to. Otherwise, you'll always feel like you settled.

[GlockN'Roll]

figure out if you like

striker fired, da/sa, or sao in a sd situation first.

then shop that category

If you have shot pistols before you probably have a favorite type.

Even if you have, go to a range with some more experienced friends and rent the top choices.

If this is for home defense, keep that in mind when you try out the possible candidates.

If it is for legal CCW, then capacity, concealability and dependability should be huge factors.

Yes I may come off as a Glock fan boy, but they are very popular world wide with police, military and CCW for a reason, the are simple, dependable and easy to shoot.

A lot of good choices (in addition to Glocks).

If you would like and can afford more pistols, you can always buy your dream weapon (might I suggest a custom 1911 ) later...

[Germ1]

Glock 19, good pistol in general. Specially good for a beginner, huge aftermarket for it. Easy to maintian and work on, no tools except a punch required. All pins come out by hand with no effort, very few parts. Very accurate and reliable, most issued pistol to police & military world wide. If you don't like something about it, most likely it can be changed.

This is every part in a Glock pistol, not including the slide, barrel and recoil spring. http://i.imgur.com/ML1E4AY.jpg

I would not recommend any SA to a beginner, number one being they have alot of parts, usually contain roll pins, and in my opinion you don't want to learn to shoot on a SA. SA's are easy to shoot, you don't have to have fundementals down to shoot a SA well. with a DAO or DA/SA you have actually be a competent shooter to shoot well with them.