Good first handgun?

[JR18]

I’d recommend a Glock as a first time gun but if you’re gonna go off the ones listed the USP is an awesome gun.

[jbh8063]

Not any recommendation, but here is my experience:

In my early 20's, I wanted a gun but couldn't afford it. In my 30's I could afford it, but married, the wife said "no." Last year around my 47th birthday, separated, I went down to buy a gun, because I could

I'd been to one or two shops, but didn't really get good input. Next shop, there was a helpful younger guy who had an affinity for the Springfield XD and lead me down the path; I got the 4" XD9, put night sights on it and also got a light for it. I was perfectly content with this pistol. A couple months in, I was looking at sub compact models, and not liking the M&P Shield, perferred the XD sub compact and bought it. Later bought a .22 just so my kids would have somehting less intimidated to shoot.

I've taken several training courses now, including CCW, Low Light / Advanced, etc. and have now dabbled a little in IDPA. Not that I'm real competative, but I like the brain excercise, as opposed to only shooting at a static paper target 90 degrees down range with no movement. It's just more fun than the standard range.

8 months later, I gifted my GF a basic pistol course, and even though I sent her to the class with my XD, they let her use their G19, and she much perferred it over my XD. I rented one, and it was different, but I was open to it.

Two months later, I puchased a G45. After shooting it exclusively for a couple of moths, then going back to the XD, I was really soured on the XD. The trigger just felt "spongy" compared to the XD. It's still a fine firearm, but whatever it was about the trigger feel that I thought I preferred before making my first purchase, no longer seems to hold true.

I haven't tried a lot of other pistols, so I don't have a lot to compare to. I thin the only other one I've personally shot was the Sig P226 Scorpion, and I didn't really like the SA/DA feel, compared to the striker of the XD or Glock.

Like someone said above, what you want now - or THINK you want now - is more likely to change than not. Mine did.

Pick one. Buy it. Spend the rest of your budget on ammo & training. If you get a Glock, plan on a sight upgrade. Noticibly differnt target aquisiation using stock sights vs. say the Trijicon XD's, even for this novice. Other expneses that will easily take up the rest of your dough include a range bag, holsters, extra mags, gun belt, mag loader (like Up Lula), snap caps, cleaning supplies... I'm sure the list can be added to ad-infinitum.

[jimmykan]

Answering the question, I got oversized hands (gloves are XXL sometimes XXXL) with long fingers. I weight 195lbs and 6ft2 height.

Concerning the use, it is mostly for the range practice.
:-)

With hands as big as yours, you might want to try a Desert Eagle in 357 or 44.

[crufflers]

With hands as big as yours, you might want to try a Desert Eagle in 357 or 44.

Do those revolver carts really feed perfectly in those things?

[jimmykan]

My uncle has one in 357. The rim of the top cartridge must stay in front of the rim of the cartridge below it in the magazine stack.

The forward angle of the magazine usually takes care of this, kinda like in 22LR pistols and 1911's in 38 Super.

But if the cartridge COL were short enough, that there was enough wiggle room in the magazine for the rim of the top cartridge to get behind the rim of the cartridge underneath, then I suppose it could get stuck. Like if you were to load 38 or 44 Specials into the magazine.

[crufflers]

I'd opt for 44 mag... but if I was paying for 44 mag... might as well buy 50AE. Here you might have to buy both to get to 50AE... 44 Mag with a 50AE barrel. Can't recall. I checked one out and it wasn't for me - at least didn't make the top 5 list of things to buy. I do like IMI.

[Dvrjon]

Sorry to nitpick your post especially since you're new, but did you just link the FSC to a forum of gun owners? Which everyone who's bought a gun in the last four and a half years has had to take to buy a gun?

[Erion929]

What is the purpose of the handgun? Range fun only? Competition? Home defense? CCW? Some combination of the above?

Buying new limits your options severely in California, due to the roster. Most modern handguns by reputable manufacturers, as long as they are not messed with, are pretty much indestructible, so you should not be worried about buying used, as long as you do your due diligence and buy from a reputable seller.

I would suggest the following without knowing your specific needs.

Sig P365. A $500 gun that will run you around $1200. Make sure you do not buy ones manufactured prior to July 2018, when they revamped them for added reliability. You get 10 rounds in a tiny package with nightsights and a decent trigger. There's nothing else like it on the market if you plan on CCW.

TP9SF Elite. It's a $370 gun that goes for about double in California on the second-hand market because it is not on the roster. It can be used for carry, although I think it's a little too big for the purpose. The real beauty of this gun is the amazing trigger out of the box.

Gen 3 Glock 19. Will run you slightly north of $500 OTD, less used. Extremely reliable, easy to get, Magpul Pmags are like $10.

I'd stick with 9mm for your first gun. It's a good all-around caliber with cheap ammo.

Wow.....horrible first choices for a new handgun shooter with budgetary concerns. Pay 2x to 2.5x normal prices for a first handgun with no idea what he wants?

.

[G_FNH57]

Its like stocks. Start with a few blue chips. S&W 686, Sig 220, Glock 17. Then get fancy as you get more comfortable. My first 5 after much research

686
Sig 220
SR 22
Glock 17
Walther PPQ

Still have them all but I mainly shoot my Tac Sport now

[SnWnMe]

None of the mentioned firearms shoot the correct round.

Which is the 10mm.

[crufflers]

would make more sense to get 2 guns (a 9mm and a higher caliber?) to get started.

Buckmark and a Glock... or a Buckmark and a HK USP Expert 45 ?

[c95118]

Any S&W Revolver for .22 LR. A CZ 75B for semi.

[SemperInExcretiaSumus]

This was my first handgun. But, sadly it is not on the CA DOJ Roster.

Honestly, any 9mm will do. If you're really new to shooting, I wouldn't personally recommend anything bigger, but 9mm was also my first handgun experience, so I might be biased. I also think that 9mm has a lot to offer, with HPs it offers good defensive capabilities, FMJs can be had cheaply for range practice, and the fire arms themselves are significantly cheaper, widely available and offered in a huge variety compared to other calibers (with the exception of .22LR being cheaper and also having huge variety).

[BL0ODYHAMSTER]

I say pick whatever you like the most. As long as you like what your shooting then you are more willing to go to the range and practice what you have.

The HK may have been pretty poor in accuracy for you but if you really like it then you will eventually shoot it better because you are more willing to spend time using it.

My first was a PX4 9mm, great recoil management and easily modable to get a better trigger and decocker on it.

When you like what you have you are more willing to get better at using it.

[ccwnewbie]

080C1846-C093-4197-A0AF-419D933A0FC6.jpg