Recommendations, or what is available?

[imadude1134]

I am looking to purchase my first pistol (yay me!), and am looking for some recommendations. I have shot before many years in the past, but don't remember what I shot. I went to a range last weekend with my wife and mother-in-law (both brand new shooters) and we tried a few rentals, and was hoping to use what we discovered there to hopefully get some recommendations from those wiser than me.

What we rented:
Browning Buckmark .22
Sig P238 .380
Springfield XD9 9mm
Glock 17 9mm

What we discovered:
-We were all quite accurate with the .22, but felt that it would not be a good purchase as a primary weapon
-We all shot quite accurately with the Sig P238, but none of us liked the feel of the pocket pistol size. Felt awkward handling, but the SAO trigger was a favorite among all of us
-We all hated the Springfield XD9, feel, no accuracy or consistency in placement
-I was quite accurate with the Glock 17 and handled it well, but the recoil was intimidating to the new shooters. The trigger felt too squishy to me, but was otherwise comfy.

Based on this, my thought was look for a full-sized (or at least larger sized) .380, but doesn't seem there are any on the roster. So it will end up being a 9mm that we get. Here is where the recommendations come in:

-Since we liked the SAO of the Sig, and were only mildly ok with the striker Glock and hated the Springfield, are there any SAO semi-auto 9mm on the roster?
-Is there, in fact, a non pocket pistol .380?
-What other considerations should I take into account before moving forward?

Thanks in advance!

[naz]

If you want a pistol right now, availability will be a key consideration.

[imadude1134]

I'd rather wait for the right one, than hate what I got because it was what was available

[Gat Man]

-Since we liked the SAO of the Sig, and were only mildly ok with the striker Glock and hated the Springfield, are there any SAO semi-auto 9mm on the roster?
-Is there, in fact, a non pocket pistol .380?
-What other considerations should I take into account before moving forward?

Thanks in advance!

The Ruger LC380CA and Bersa Firestorm are compact sized 380 pistols that are both on roster. Neither are a pocket pistol or a full size. There are probably others, just need to comb through the roster. The challenging part will be for you to actually find one. Something to keep in mind, 380 ammo is typically more expensive and harder to find than 9mm.

https://www.oag.ca.gov/firearms/certified-handguns/search

[5.56Geo]

I would go to the range one or more time(s) and try other guns. You'll find something that fits and feels just right. You might have some difficulties finding a gun that the three of you agree on. I'm not sure you are trying to that anyways. If the wifey is having issues with the recoil a heavier gun will lessen the perceived recoil.


Good luck with your search.

[Maulerrr]

I second the idea going back and trying more guns. Handguns are extremely hard to find right now. Sometimes my LGS has XD's in stock. Other days it's just a few shields. Availability is tough, so you'd might as well just try more handguns out before you buy something since odds are it'll take you a while to find and buy the gun you want.

[9Cal_OC]

I second the idea going back and trying more guns. Handguns are extremely hard to find right now. Sometimes my LGS has XD's in stock. Other days it's just a few shields. Availability is tough, so you'd might as well just try more handguns out before you buy something since odds are it'll take you a while to find and buy the gun you want.

This.

Also availability and budget.

[boopiejones]

[imadude1134]

The Ruger LC380CA and Bersa Firestorm are compact sized 380 pistols that are both on roster. Neither are a pocket pistol or a full size. There are probably others, just need to comb through the roster. The challenging part will be for you to actually find one. Something to keep in mind, 380 ammo is typically more expensive and harder to find than 9mm.

https://www.oag.ca.gov/firearms/cert...andguns/search

Thanks for the link! Will definitely check that out.

I would go to the range one or more time(s) and try other guns. You'll find something that fits and feels just right. You might have some difficulties finding a gun that the three of you agree on. I'm not sure you are trying to that anyways. If the wifey is having issues with the recoil a heavier gun will lessen the perceived recoil.


Good luck with your search.

I am trying to get another trip this weekend to try out some more for sure. I know that there won't be a "one size fits all" out there, and multiple will be needed because everyone will like different things.


As for the first part, I see there are a lot of SAO in .45, but are there any in 9mm? I would then go to the range and try one of those for sure

[ghilligan]

If you want a pistol right now, availability will be a key consideration.

Good luck finding any semi-auto pistol in stock these days!

You might as well look into revolvers, in .357/38 Special. There are plenty in stock, and .38 Special is mild shooting, relatively cheap, and widely available. When you're ready for a "real" gun, just load it with .357 Magnum.

If you're set on getting a semi-auto, rent and try out a full-size CZ 75. They have fantastic ergonomics, and are relatively heavy, so they absorb recoil and don't feel as jumpy. Good luck finding one, though.

Or, of course, you can buy a $1,000 Glock 17...

[boopiejones]

...
As for the first part, I see there are a lot of SAO in .45, but are there any in 9mm? I would then go to the range and try one of those for sure

As far as I know, there are only two 9mm 1911s on the roster.

Not sure what other SAO are on roster, but there are quite a few double/single actions.

[ThortheDog]

You may also want to consider some training. Help developing fundamental shooting skills may change how you feel about various pistols. A good instructor can also help you sort through the options.

ETA: Oh, and welcome to CalGuns.

[357manny]

Good luck finding any semi-auto pistol in stock these days!

You might as well look into revolvers, in .357/38 Special. There are plenty in stock, and .38 Special is mild shooting, relatively cheap, and widely available. When you're ready for a "real" gun, just load it with .357 Magnum.

If you're set on getting a semi-auto, rent and try out a full-size CZ 75. They have fantastic ergonomics, and are relatively heavy, so they absorb recoil and don't feel as jumpy. Good luck finding one, though.
...

^^^This is some great advice! ^^^
First of all, OP, congratulations on you and your wife's decision to get self-protection for yourselves! It's a big and can be an unpopular decision, but everyone should be able to defend themselves.


If you want a smooth/soft shooter, go with a revolver: 357/.38 special. My wife and I attended our first shooting class together, and she did fantastic with the S&W 686 revolver. She's 5'3" and a buck thirty, so not large. The heft of the full size revolver soaks up recoil, even if the trigger isn't SAO, it's controlled and predictable. If you want more "stopping power", put in .357 magnum and go to town. Big difference. You only get 6 shots, but have 3-4 moonclips or whatever those are called, and you're set.

CZ 75 is also good advice. Ergos on an out of the box CZ 75 is excellent, nice big rubber grip, and steel frame soaks up recoil.

Ammo type advice: .22 is easy to shoot accurately by just about anyone. Does it have stopping power? Well, in the hands of trained shooters, .22 is just as deadly. 10 rounds of .22lr headshots will put any perp down. There are some nice full-sized .22s out there:
Browning Buckmark, Browning 1911 with a SAO.

.380ACP is good, but there are not many full-sized .380 pistols made. .380 pistols are really targeted for concealed carry/backup guns, so much smaller sized. Sig P238 has a good trigger, and shoots really well IF you put a nice big hogue grip on it.

9mm is one of the most ubiquitous caliber ammo, but they require training and practice to shoot. Aforementioned CZ 75 is great example of smooth shooter.



Most importantly--you probably won't have a lot of selection if/when you get into a gun store. Your approach is sorta--johnny-come-lately .

The gunstores have been picked over, so be prepared to come up empty-handed if you are too selective. Or be willing to drive out to the LGS's that are in the middle of nowhere to find what you're looking for. It's possible you won't get the perfect "great trigger, low recoil, easy shooter" for everyone in your family.

Good luck

[speedydave]

[Jeepergeo]

Consider taking a Handgun Safety Class taught by an NRA Certified instructor. If due to COVID you can't find a class, consider seeking out an NRA Certified Instructor that will do a private class for the three of you. It will be far less expensive than buying the wrong gun and the lessons will last a lifetime.

Perhaps it is time to go back to the range and rent a couple of .357 Magnum revolvers. With that caliber, you can usually run the much lighter shooting .38 Special ammunition. Rent something with a 4" barrel and give it a whirl.

Revolvers make great first purchases for home and range handguns. They are simple to operate, ammo is easy to find, and the 4" revolver's weight tames the 357 Magnum recoil and reduces 38 Special recoil to a minimum.

Unless you want a small pocket pistol, I would avoid 380 as it can be expensive and is too much of a compromise round between the 22LR and the 9mm or 38 SPL.

It also sounds like you need to clearly identify what you want to accomplish with the handgun given the range of what you tried. It sounds like basic home defense, and the above opinions are based on that.