First handgun help

[Nick1236]

So I'm looking to get my first handgun. I've already gotten my permit and everything I jsut need to pick one out and stash some money away. My FFL guy I have bought a couple rifles through has some bulgarian makarovs instock fresh from being rearsenalled for $350. They come with 2 mags and a case. Its in my price range and just wondering if they are pretty good hanguns. I'd like to get something a little bigger but funds are holding me back a little. Is the makarov round a little more powerfull then the 9mm? I know they are basically the same except case lengths are different. Ammo is fairly cheap which is another plus to me.

any thoughts from people who currently have/had own(ed) one?

thanks.

[oghl888]

So I'm looking to get my first handgun. I've already gotten my permit and everything I jsut need to pick one out and stash some money away. My FFL guy I have bought a couple rifles through has some bulgarian makarovs instock fresh from being rearsenalled for $350. They come with 2 mags and a case. Its in my price range and just wondering if they are pretty good hanguns. I'd like to get something a little bigger but funds are holding me back a little. Is the makarov round a little more powerfull then the 9mm? I know they are basically the same except case lengths are different. Ammo is fairly cheap which is another plus to me.

any thoughts from people who currently have/had own(ed) one?

thanks.

If funds are tight, hold off buying a piece. Ammo cost will out-strip gun cost very quickly. Get a big enough budget to buy a quality piece and some good training. Preferrably something with a .22 conversion kit available so you can practice inexpensively.

[r3plica]

If funds are tight, hold off buying a piece. Ammo cost will out-strip gun cost very quickly. Get a big enough budget to buy a quality piece and some good training. Preferrably something with a .22 conversion kit available so you can practice inexpensively.

Exactly what I just did for my first handgun, a RIA Tactical + Kimber .22 conversion.

5 more days till my 10 is up!

[sigfan91]

Makarovs are nice. Reliable and built like tanks. They are fairly accurate. The surplus rounds are not too expensive. However, here's the big "but," they are blowback operated and I did not enjoy shooting my friend's Mak.

The 9mm Mak rounds sit in between 380 Auto (9mm Kurz) and 9mm Luger (Parabellum). The bullet's actual diameter is bigger than both 380 and 9mm Luger, but very short.

Bulgarian Mak is not a bad choice of a gun. I suggest you try a few other types before deciding to buy. You may find one that fits your hand perfectly and bullseye on ever shot.

[Nick1236]

the other handgun I was thinking about, seriously now dont laugh, was the hi-point C9. Its under $200 OTD and is cheap to shoot. I know its not made of metal (the barrel and a few other parts are) and many consider it a cheap firearm (I say inexpensive). But for $200 I can get the gun, a box of ammo and a round at the shooting range. Lifetime warrantly doesn't sounds that bad either...

[sigfan91]

the other handgun I was thinking about, seriously now dont laugh, was the hi-point C9. Its under $200 OTD and is cheap to shoot. I know its not made of metal (the barrel and a few other parts are) and many consider it a cheap firearm (I say inexpensive). But for $200 I can get the gun, a box of ammo and a round at the shooting range. Lifetime warrantly doesn't sounds that bad either...

Inexpensive out the door is good. But you also have to look at the operating cost. A cheap handgun that doesn't function correctly is just an expensive paper weight. Of course an expensive handgun that doesn't function correctly is just a very expensive paper weight.

How accurate and how comfortable are you at shooting said pistol? An accurate cheap pistol beats an expensive but inaccurate pistol any day. But the accepted wisdom is an expensive pistol is most likely to be more accurate than a cheap pistol.

The cost of parts is also important. You want to make sure there are plenty of after market parts and reliable magazine sources. Auto pistols will need to have springs replaced. Auto pistols will require reliable magazines. An auto pistol without reliable magazines is just a paper weight. A $300 pistol that requires rare (re: expensive) magazines is probably more expensive to own than a $500 pistol with cheap and easy to find magazines with plenty of after market parts.

If you must know what I recommend for a first auto pistol, I would say a Glock 17/19. The parts are plentiful. The pistols themselves are more reliable than the legendary AK. They are very accurate. Magazines are cheap. They are not temperamental like 1911. The operation is about as simple as it can be on an auto pistol.

Of course, I still recommend you to try it at the range before dropping good money on a Glock, or any pistol.

[Nick1236]

Inexpensive out the door is good. But you also have to look at the operating cost. A cheap handgun that doesn't function correctly is just an expensive paper weight. Of course an expensive handgun that doesn't function correctly is just a very expensive paper weight.

How accurate and how comfortable are you at shooting said pistol? An accurate cheap pistol beats an expensive but inaccurate pistol any day. But the accepted wisdom is an expensive pistol is most likely to be more accurate than a cheap pistol.

The cost of parts is also important. You want to make sure there are plenty of after market parts and reliable magazine sources. Auto pistols will need to have springs replaced. Auto pistols will require reliable magazines. An auto pistol without reliable magazines is just a paper weight. A $300 pistol that requires rare (re: expensive) magazines is probably more expensive to own than a $500 pistol with cheap and easy to find magazines with plenty of after market parts.

If you must know what I recommend for a first auto pistol, I would say a Glock 17/19. The parts are plentiful. The pistols themselves are more reliable than the legendary AK. They are very accurate. Magazines are cheap. They are not temperamental like 1911. The operation is about as simple as it can be on an auto pistol.

Of course, I still recommend you to try it at the range before dropping good money on a Glock, or any pistol.

Very true, I do need to get some range time with different pistols.

However, about the parts needing replacement, thats where the lifetime warranty comes in handy with the Hi-points. Send it in, they fix it no questions asked and you get it back within a couple days good as new. I'm not a competition shooter and probably never will be. I'm just a weekend plinker

And there will be more pistols in the future, but for now I'm looking for something to mess around with. I wouldn't put my life into a $160 handgun, but for shooting soda cans, why not.

[CrashMan]

If you must know what I recommend for a first auto pistol, I would say a Glock 17/19. The parts are plentiful. The pistols themselves are more reliable than the legendary AK. They are very accurate. Magazines are cheap. They are not temperamental like 1911. The operation is about as simple as it can be on an auto pistol.

How about parts and mags for the 21?

[tbhracing]

OP- First handgun? Four important words- Do not go cheap.

You will want to trade up eventually and spend more in the long run. Save, lay-away or use a credit card- a firearm is an investment.

[Swoop]

Buy a used Sig 226/228/229 you won't be sorry and they don't really lose much value especially if you are buying used... Or if you have to buy new try a Springfield XD or Glock depending on what feels better in your hand...

[Nick1236]

Buy a used Sig 226/228/229 you won't be sorry and they don't really lose much value especially if you are buying used... Or if you have to buy new try a Springfield XD or Glock depending on what feels better in your hand...

I have shot my friends p226. its a very nice gun indeed.

[sigfan91]

How about parts and mags for the 21?

They are about as abundant as Glock 17/19.

The problem with Glock 21 is the size. It is one big handgun. Not that big for a double stack 45, but bigger than the 9mm counter part. I have shot my friend's Glock 21 and Glock 30. They are very nice and accurate. But I enjoy my Glock 19 better. For one thing, ammo is cheaper.

I prefer single stack 45s over double stacks. They are easier to hold on to. But that's all personal preference. Some may prefer the larger grip of a double stack 45.

[Redeyejedi]

looking at the 226 also. w/ .22 kit.
also considering a usp/p2000.

[Nick1236]

I actually have that shirt Redeyejedi Lol...

[sigfan91]

I have shot my friends p226. its a very nice gun indeed.

Sigs are great. They are nearly as reliable as Glocks, but are more maintenance intensive. The magazines are more expensive too. In the case of P225/P6, nearly double the price, if you can even find one.

I would suggest the surplus P225EU and P6 flooding the market now if not for the availability of spare mags.