First Handgun: Advice Please!

[chunger]

I've ended up buying Springfield 3x. 9mm 1911, .45 Milspec 1911, and XD9 subcompact. Since starting shooting 3 years ago, it became appearant to me that some companies care about California customers and some do not. Springfield has consistantly updated all or the vaste majority of their guns on the California approved list and have done so on their 1911's without adding series 80 or other firing pin safeties so they have stayed true to the original design.

In the last year, lots of guns have been coming on the list because if companies do not get in now, they never will. Springfield's done it all along, and I remember that when I go to purchase a gun.

my $.02

[phobos512]

My first handgun was a Walther P99 DAO (P990) in 9mm. Was a good decision for me @ the time. Still is.

[rorschach]

Every gun owner who owns more than 3 guns should have at least 1 1911 in their collection.

+1

Every gun owner should have 1 1911 for every 3 other guns.

[leelaw]

Where are you located? If you're in my area I could meet you at the range and you can try out my small collection of Sigs, and a 1911, and help you decide what you want.

[ghideon]

Beretta 92FS in stainless was my first pistol, a b-day gift on my 21st from my father. I also have a 92G Elite II. I have never had a problem with either that wasn't operator error. You may not be able to run over them with a truck and expect them to work (like a Glock), but I don't do that to my babies .

Also, 9mm practice ammo can be had fairly cheap, but if you do go for a 9mm for home defense, don't skimp on the defensive ammo. While 9mm doesn't have the stopping power of .40SW or .45ACP, with good ammo you can get close enough that (hopefully) it shouldn't matter.

[Fjold]

For a first handgun I would recommend a 22 rimfire. Either a Ruger MkII or a double action revolver.

[Maddog5150]

I will tell you what I tell all my customers, "it doesnt matter what I like, it doesnt matter what the guy next to you likes, its all going to be what feels great in your hand. If you were to buy the three thousand dollar wilson combat you will make me very happy but if it just doesnt fit YOUR hand right then your not going to shoot to the best of your ability. So ask away and I will pull everything out to see what you think it most comfortable."
I love my HK45 and I love my Springfield 1911. Hell, they are the reason I broke up with my last two girlfriends. I usually recomend a glock for peoples first hand guns but some people hate the egronomics. Go to a range with your pops and rent some guns and see which one feels best.

[Bishop]

If you have any problems with the Glock ergonomics (or lack thereof) be sure you check out the XD series

[grammaton76]

I love my HK45 and I love my Springfield 1911. Hell, they are the reason I broke up with my last two girlfriends.

This promises to be an interesting story...

[RT13]

I highly recommend a Sig. It depends what your budget is and features you are interested in. Do you want a polymer pistol or steel? For polymer, I highly recommend the HK P2000, XD series, S&W MP series, then Glock. Steel, Sig is the best out of the box everything from reliability to accuracy. They look nice and fells good to hold and shoot as well. Are you looking for compact or fullsize? The P7M8 if you like it is a great gun for collectibility reason. I started with Glock and Berettas as my first pistols. But Sig and HK hooked me, esp Sig. Now I have 6 Sigs and 2 HK's. But I recommend you shoot whatever gun you go for first at a range to see how comofrtable it is afor you. Everyone can recommend you anything and everything, but it all and only comes down to you.

[Richie Rich]

Echoing what many others have said, try out everything you might think you would want before you spend your money.. This is the advice that I got when I asked the staff at the local range the same question.

I spent over a year looking at, pricing and firing handguns until I settled on what I liked the most. I tried out just about every offering from Glock, Springfield, Sig, S&W and Beretta.

My Sig 229R .40 just arrived today, it was what suited me the best and the one I kept coming back to and comparing others to. Not cheap, but since I will never again sell any of my guns, it is a life long purchase. I will probably open up my safe 50 years from now and give it to one of my grandchildren.

Now I am stricken with 1911 lust, I probably have a Kimber in my future.

Good luck with whatever you purchase....

[Maddog5150]

This promises to be an interesting story...

Just got tired of the whining and nagging. "why do you have guns? why cant you keep them in the safe? why does it have to be in the nightstand?" or my all time favorate "you have to make a choice, your guns or me."
Well Im single right now so that should tell you that I made the right choice

[6172crew]

Indeed check that the firearms fit your hand. One of the reasons I couldnt get behind the USP line.

[bu-bye]

Just got tired of the whining and nagging. "why do you have guns? why cant you keep them in the safe? why does it have to be in the nightstand?" or my all time favorate "you have to make a choice, your guns or me."
Well Im single right now so that should tell you that I made the right choice

Let me buy you a beer my friend

[1911_Mitch]

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