What to get? **After range time**

[zx10r203]

First post here on the sight but have been reading a lot of info listed on here and I have come to the conclusion that our state sucks!!

I have been looking for first handgun. I have a .22 rifle and my neighborhood is getting worse by the minute. Drug deals across the street, attempt break-ins to my home, vehicle broken into... whats next? My family?!?! It ain't going that far!!

I have been looking around and had a good idea of what I wanted after reading a lot of reviews it came down to the Springfield XD(m) in either a 9mm or .40 but after researching on this site turns out that it is not on California list!! So I was disappointed. Then I moved on to the next gun on the list, Beretta 90-two. Again read great reviews on it and decided to look at the CA list and this site and again, not on the list!!

Here is what I am down to:
Kimber 1911 TLE/RL II


Beretta PX4 Storm


Ruger SR9


Smith and Wesson M&P



As you can see the pricing range is all over the place.
But they all have rails which is one thing I am looking for and are in the CA list. Also easy field strip. I have looked at glock but don't really like the looks.

So the question is, what would you guys recommend?

**********UPDATE**********

Well I went to the range today with a friend and we spend about 3 hours there and a good chunk of money. Shot a total of 5 different guns.
Here are my takes on them.

Kimber 1911 .45 - This was my friends gun. Nice crisp trigger pull, felt a little on the heavy side, and the grip felt a little thin. My shots were all over the target. I think that a .45 is a little too much and with a $1200 price tag, it won't leave any funds left for any accessories. Not to mention $28.00 for a box of ammo. OUCH!!! I put 100 rounds through it with one FTE.

S&W M&P9 9mm - This was rented at the range. Shot 200 rounds with no FTF or FTE. The grip and ergonomics felt perfect. Fit like a glove. The sights left a little to be desired of but with the recoil of the 9mm my shots grouped a lot better. Think gun had me smiling after every shot. Since I am left handed this gun fits me better. 2 thumbs up for this one.

Glock 17 9mm - Also rented from the range. Shot 200 rounds with no FTF or FTE. The grip felt ok and I really liked the weight of the gun. The sights were great. A lot better than the M&P. After a few shots I noticed a problem for my since I am left handed. The mag release on the glock was digging into my middle finger (close to the webbing) with every shot fired. Did not feel good. I traded it in for another G17 and it did the same thing. All in all the glock 17 felt petty good. The groupings were decent, about the same as the M&P.

Glock 35 .40 - Also rented at the range. Also shot 100 round but had one FTE but no FTFs. Liked the weight and sights. Like the G17 shots grouped better than the 1911 but not as good as the G17 or M&P. Also with the G35, the mag release was eating my finger raw. But other wise was pretty happy with it.

Sig P226 9mm - Rented at the range and shot 100 rounds. Weight was ok but the ergonomics did not feel too comfortable. Had FTEs and no FTF. The controls felt good and in good locations like the Glock and S&W but my shots were spaced out a lot more than the Glocks and M&P.

So here is my conclusion. My wrists are weak and I got to work them out. So I will go with a 9mm for more control and cheaper ammo there for more range time thus improving my shooting. I am between a Glock 17 or 34 (even though I did not shoot a 34) and the S&W M&P9. These 2 felt the best. The M&P fit like a glove but the glock had better sights out of the box. If I do go with a Glock hopefully I can may be smooth off any sharp edges on the mag release so that it doesn't leave the inside of my finger raw!!

During these test I did not look a the gun's look but the way it felt and performed for me.

Thanks all for the help and suggestions!!

[Greg-Dawg]

Desert Eagle in .44 Mag.

[Black Majik]

Actually, none of the listed. I figure for a first centerfire handgun I'd look at 9mm for the price of ammo.

That rules out the 1911.

The current production SIG is all over the map in terms of quality, I'd skip that too. If you don't mind lightly used, a W. German/German stamped slide P226 or P228 would be an awesome first handgun.

Beretta PX4 isn't all too popular, but I'd probably look into the 92FS instead. I still like Berettas even though they're also going the polymer parts route. Still seems to have good QC from what I've seen.

A few others to consider would be:

CZ75
Smith Wesson M&P
Springfield XD9
Walther P99
HK P2000
HK USP/USPc

Of course, what feels good in the hand may be totally unpleasant at the range. Try before you buy.

[Greenspartan117]

I voted for the Sig P226. I have an older west german mfg. one and I love it. I do love my P220 more though, but both are great guns. Mine originally did not have a rail, but you can add an Insight adaptor to add a rail on and you can pick up the used P226's without a rail for about $500. I personally think that the older ones with the rolled carbon steel slides better than the new stainless steel ones. Alot of people like the new ones too, don't get me wrong, but something about the smooth look of the classic Sigs gets me all happy :-) I hope it helps!

Greenspartan117

[B Strong]

I vote the TLE/RL II.

Mine has run 100% with .45 and in the 99th percentile w/ the .22 conversion kit (mag issues)

[civilsnake]

We need to know your intended purpose for the weapon. Do you just want it for home defense? How much do you plan on practicing? Do you plan to carry it on your property? Are you the only one who would be using it (wife with smaller hands, maybe?)? Do you care about logos/brands/aesthetics?

For newbies concerned about home defense, 9mm is the way to go. There are adequate stopping loads available, and it's cheap to shoot otherwise, so you can get some practice in to bring proficiency up. Later on you can decide if you want to move up in caliber, even though it's not really necessary. Guns don't depreciate much.

For what it's worth, I've had a SIG P226 (with rail) for over a year now, and have no problems with the quality. It shoots straight and doesn't stop shooting. One failure in 2500 shots, and that was the ammo's fault. I recommend it if you want that type of trigger. I also like Glocks very much. Neither of them are great for people with small hands, IMO.

[Jak1]

Don't rule out an XD by PPT.

[damndave]

those are all very different guns. do you want a full size?

if so, i would go with the Kimber no doubt. everyone needs to own a 1911

next xhoice would be the Sig P229 since its compact

[Legasat]

You have selected a wide variety of pistols. Different price ranges, different calibers, different capacities, etc.

The truth is, any of these guns (or many others) will likely suit you just fine (depends on the purpose you are buying it for).

You really need to go rent a few, and see which ones you shoot the best, feel the best, and make a decision based on facts, not on specs or what anyone else thinks.

2 years ago, I bought my first pistol in over 20 years. I have bought 3 since, but used the same methodology. On the first one, I spent 2 months and rented over 20 pistols. I picked the best 3, and shot them again, then bought one.

I ended up with a Smith & Wesson M&P (not what I was expecting to purchase). But I shot it very well, it was the most comfortable, and it was the right pistol for me. How do you really know without shooting it?

I strongly recommend you go shoot a few, then decide.

Just my $0.02.

[trickyvic]

Stamped slide 226 9mm!

[00BuckShot]

I agree with legasat.

Your choices are all over the place and depending on your intended use the choice for you might not be the most popular recomendation. I have 2 1911's and I love them. I just picked up the SR9 because I wanted a hicap 9mm and it fit my hand and reminded me of my other 1911's. I own a sig but it's an older one and their reliability on current production has been questioned a lot around here. The PX4 is also a great fit for me and I have rented one a few times and I liked it...I just liked the SR9 better for my last purchase.

Rent them, touch them, feel them, shoot them and drool on them. Only then will YOU know which one is right for YOU. Don't take our word for it, you'd be just another groupie follower with a gun that you may not like to shoot.

[hawk1]

I voted Kimber 1911 TLE/RL II

[MallNinja]

Man... I love 1911's and SR9's but if this is going to be your primary self defense weapon, I'd recommend something that's as reliable as the sun rises on the east. A Glock or an HK.

[sholling]

Looking at your list and your description of your skills and requirements I say none of the above.

• Kimber: This is a no go and here is why:
  
  1)I'm a huge 1911 fan but IMO it's not a great choice for a beginners unless you have the time and ammo budget to master the Stradivarius of handguns and 45acp ammo has become scarce and expensive and that cuts into practice. On the plus side premium 45acp rounds will stop a fight like no other - but only if you practice enough to become proficient enough to hit what you're aiming at.
  
  2)Kimber does not have a good reputation for quality control. I'm not a basher and own two Kimbers but I've been shooting 1911s for 30 years. If you must have a 1911 then you are far far far better off with an ultra reliable Springfield Armory "loaded".
  
• I don't know enough about the Beretta to judge.
  
• I'd give Ruger one more year to shake out any issues before relying on the SR9.
  
• Sigs are out of the question. Don't get me wrong Sig makes good stuff but their DA/SA trigger is an accidental discharge waiting to happen unless you really have the time to master the transition. The 1st shot is a long heavy (10lb) pull and the 2nd is a shot 4.5lb pull. What happens way too often is that the second shot accidentally goes into the ceiling - not good for anybody in the room above the badguy. Not a good choice for a first self defense pistol unless you have the time and ammo to master that transition. I've been shooting pistols for 45 years and won't depend on a DA/SA pistol for self defense.

My suggestion is a Smith & Wesson M&P in your favorite size and caliber. They handle like a 1911 but are a more modern super reliable design backed by world class service and a lifetime warranty. The trigger is consistent pull to pull, and with superb ergonomics and interchangeable backstraps make for pistol that will fit any hand perfectly. Finally the price is affordable leaving room in the budget to buy enough ammo to get up to speed.

Finally I highly recommend that you invest in training.

[Mister BLASTEE]

Funny that the OP ruled out Glocks for cosmetic reasons! Forget about the reliabilty and ease of maintenence. LOL but my suggestion is to narrow down your selection to about 3 or 4 and try them out at one of the local ranges. Pick the one that is most comfortable to you and not the one that looks badass in the movies