First handgun

[sinefato]

I'm turning 21 in 4 days and thinking about getting a handgun for myself. The problem is I am a horrible shot with a pistol. I want to get something small(ish), between .22 and 9mil to practice on before moving my way up and was wondering if there was a generally accepted good choice for a first handgun.

I've been looking at and considering H&K USP 9mil, SIG Mosquito/226, Walther P22, Beretta 87/92/PX4 among other things.

Opinions?

[Eroland7]

why dont you get a glock 19. 9mm very dependable, very durable, and very easy to take down and clean.

[sinefato]

I've fired a Glock before and it just wasn't very comfortable in my hands. I don't know if it was the grip angle or the shape but I didn't like it at all

[mykeg11]

I just looked at the Glock 17, Sig 226, and Springfield XD 9mm and decided on the XD becuase of quality, price, and feel. Took me awhile but after weighing all the options thats what I feel is a good 1st gun.

[Cjones38]

I just looked at the Glock 17, Sig 226, and Springfield XD 9mm and decided on the XD becuase of quality, price, and feel. Took me awhile but after weighing all the options thats what I feel is a good 1st gun.

Good choice, I love my XD 45.

[Greg-Dawg]

I'm turning 21 in 4 days and thinking about getting a handgun for myself. The problem is I am a horrible shot with a pistol....
Opinions?

First of all, do yourself a favor and take a Basic Handgun Class. Sign up as a member at your local range and try out different pistols they have for rent.

Decide from there.

[Bigballaizm]

First of all, do yourself a favor and take a Basic Handgun Class. Sign up as a member at your local range and try out different pistols they have for rent.

Decide from there.

Good advice!! My 1st was a 9mm Beretta 92FS which I still have & luv it.
Good luck bro.

[dfens]

I would avoid the Beretta 87 a .380 is not the best training round.

You don't really need a .22 besides most aren't ergonomic or full size so scratch the P-22 and the Mosquito.

The 92, Storm, 226, or USP are all great guns plus most ranges have them to rent.

I started off on a 1911 .45 acp when I was 9-10 years old and shot the bullseye out at 5-7 yards my first time.

Where are you at exactly maybe some fellow cal gunners can give you some pointers.

[bondmid003]

I would go with a Glock in 9mm. It provides the perfect balance of price and quality that you want in a first time gun. The HK USP 9 will be quite a bit more than the Glock

Now I personally am not a fan of 9mm at all but if you want to start small, I'd go with 9mm over .22 or .380

[SCMA-1]

It sounds like you have a ways to go to master fundamental pistol marksmanship; with that in mind, a good 22 semi auto is not a bad idea. It will allow you to practice alot (low cost of ammo) and the low recoil/report will be helpful in your concentration on the basics. When you feel you have a firm grasp of basic marksmanship, you can keep the 22 or sell it if you need to and move up to something more powerful. Best thing to do regardless is to go to a local indoor range that offers rentals and rent a good selection of handguns to try out first; that really is the only way to determine what works/fits the best with you because everyone is different.

Whereabouts do you live so we can offer suggestions?

SCMA-1

[MiguelS]

If you want to go cheaper, perhaps a used P6 9mm, if the grip is too thin, replace it with a Pachmyr grip.

Ask some of the Orange County gunners to meet you at arange if you cannot rent the gun you want.

I enjoy how the sig feels in my hand as well.

[slik556]

No one can tell you what is the right pistol for you, you need to get your hands on a few and give them a feel. What feels good in my hand may not be the same for you. We all can make suggestions that you can take and check out for yourself but in the end go with what feel good to you. Most of the new pistols made now days from the major manufactures are great guns, so it all comes down to the factors you apply, Cost, Feel, Features, Function and so on. On the issue of cost, The FNP9 is a good choice if you are on a some what limited budget, but by no means is it a cheap compromising choice. Give the FNP9 a feel, it comes with a changeable back strap as does the M&P 9 form S&W, another nice pistol, this feature give a little more customization to fit the hand. Good luck and BE SAFE!

[Blue]

My first pistol was a Beretta 96. I bought it on a whim on my birthday, and regret not "playing the field" first. I've had it 5 years, and have hardly shot it.

[FieldsofFire]

IMO, you don't need to start with a small caliber if you think you are a "bad shot" with a pistol. My first handgun after turning 21 was an SA XD-40 Service. Have more confidence in your skills when you're handling that gun at the range and shoot with confidence. I don't think any caliber should be a problem. Heck, some people learn on .45ACP.

That being said, a Glock would be a nice choice for a first gun; or an XD. 9mm or .40S&W would be fine. Glocks are cheap and will last you forever. You can get a used 3rd gen. with decent round count for $450-525.

[eccvets]

rent and shoot all of them and pick the one feels the best/most comfortable for you. They all feel different