First Handgun

[Nick Adams]

Another vote for a Glock 19. And I am a die hard 1911 and revolver guy.

[Harry Ono]

I'm looking for my first hand gun. I found out that CA has very limited handguns on the roster. I'm thinking of getting 3Gen Glock 17 or 19. Are they good choice for my fist handgun?

Buy a cheap 22cal. Than go to several rental ranges and test fire all the models from
Glocks, CZ, HKs an other brands. You will find your gun much easier. It will all depend on your hand grip. For some its the G19 while others its the G17. I shot better with G19 than G17. Only going to a range can you figure which works best for you.


If there is a range near you with rentals that dont require you have a gun, than skip the 22cal purchase.

[Calif Hunter]

Have you shot handguns much? If not, I would go with a Browning Buckmark or Ruger .22 semiauto. If so, I also suggest going to a range and renting a few handguns to see what you like.

[plumbum]

Glock 19
XD 9
Beretta PX4
SIG 2022

Try out those 4, most people like Glock because of the oodles of aftermarket support. Any service sized 9mm will have what you need to get started.

[mwr]

You are looking for your "first" handgun, by that statement, I assume you own other firearms and are familiar with safely handling firearms.

My first handgun, which I still own, is a Ruger single action .22. While not the most glamours gun at the range, it will be a great teaching tool. Certainly does have not the cool factor of the before mentioned guns, but, it will allow you to practice, practice and get more practice relatively cheaply. If you buy the gun right, you will be able to resale with a creatively small loss of purchase funds and them move up the ladder to some of the other guns mentioned, or, hang on to it and hand it off to your children.

[Litespeeds]

If you have larger hands and will never conceal carry, I would highly recommend getting a Glock 17 over the Glock 19. If it's a range toy, I would recommend the Glock 34 over the other 2.

If you don't want an ugly plastic gun, then go check out a CZ SP-01. Better yet, go rent and shoot a Glock and CZ and see how accurately they shoot for you as well as how they feel in your hand while shooting before deciding which first handgun that you should buy.

[walterSOBCHAK]

Ditto what Litespeeds said, if you're not going to carry it, get the full size model. I was never a glock fan until I fired the 34, and now it's the only glock I own. I'm an even bigger fan of the cz. The ergonomics are so good, it feels like the pistol was custom designed for my hands. Which for me translates to much more accuracy and speed in practice.

[caliberetta]

I wish I could by Gen5's.

You...me... and a million other depraved Californians


1) you actually CAN lawfully buy a Glock Gen5 in California. You just can't buy it as a brand new gun. Go to the Calguns marketplace right here on this website, where Gen5 Glocks and a lot of other off-roster pistols are bought and sold everyday and all day long. Gen5's cost twice as much as Gen3.



2) Glock generations are unlike iPhones. One can still win a world championship or defend the country with a Gen3 Glock. An old iPhone is a worthless paperweight.


3) a G19 is an awesome handgun no matter what Gen it is. It is one of the greatest of all time.


4) whichever you choose, choose well. Once you've made that decision, don't ever sell your first handgun until hell freezes over because you'll regret it. Guess how I know.


Good luck!

[OCEquestrian]

Glock 17/19 is a good choice for a first handgun. Try them both and buy the one that fits your hand better.

Im a HK / SiG guy but I do one one Glock... a G19 which I think is the ideal Glock; a midsize concealable combat gun with 15+1 capacity, and its enough gun / sight radius to an effective combat handgun in any situation and in a 10 round environment for a new gun owner, its a far more effective way to carry 10+1 versus 10+1 limitation inte much larger G17.

[eternoplacer]

I like CZ's, the SP01 would be a good starter, I really like them for their hefty feel and accuracy, My first CZ was a PCR-D since than I have bought half a dozen of their variants.
I only have one Glock a G34.

Gutpile66 mentions a Glock as a Single Action pistol, S/A . Glocks are Double Action, D/A meaning that pulling the trigger cocks and releases the firing pin every time it is pulled.
Some CZ's are double action on first pull and single action on consecutive pulls, or they offer Single action only or you can convert them to Single Action.
The design of the Glock does not permit single action, how ever you can buy a ton of after market accessories that improve trigger "comfort."

[Che762x39]

I'm looking for my first hand gun. I found out that CA has very limited handguns on the roster. I'm thinking of getting 3Gen Glock 17 or 19. Are they good choice for my fist handgun?

I have both and sometimes I prefer the G19 and other times the G17. I have been shooting handguns for 50 years or so and Glock is the best thing since sliced bread.

[Che762x39]

I wish I could by Gen5's.

I was in Idaho for the holidays and I got to check out the Gen 5. I was not impressed so I am sticking with the Gen 3.

[tsmithson]

[thomasanelson]

Great choice for either. I prefer the size of the 19, but the 17 fits my hand better. Can't go wrong with either one.

[aspenvalley]