My first handgun suggestions?

[Charliegone]

In a few months I will be getting a handgun, but my knowledge about them is limited. Can anyone suggest a fairly reasonable priced, good quality, and reliable handgun?

So far I have been thinking..

1911
Glock 9mm or 40s&w
Walther p99
Springfield XD 45acp

[WRENCHHEAD]

i'd say bring a friend to an indoor range and try different models. you'd get a better sence of what you'd prefer.

[EvolutionGSR]

I'd look into HK and Sig also. I've been able to handle everything on your list, and my personal preference would be to removed the walther from the list, but thats just because I didn't like the way it felt in my hand.

[kevykev707]

i'd say bring a friend to an indoor range and try different models. you'd get a better sence of what you'd prefer.

This is actually a great idea, you will get the chance to try out different handguns in different chamberings and get a sense of what you like and don't like.

IMO i LOVE Sig 226's and 229's and I don't think that you could go wrong with a 1911.

[slick_711]

Any of the guns on your list there would be a good start. If price isn't an issue add HK & Sig to the list, then try to get your hands on and handle/shoot as many of them as you can, and pick the one that fits you best.


(Note: If the one that fits you best isn't a 1911, you're wrong.)

[Glock22Fan]

Agree with Wrenchhead, but

In a few months I will be getting a handgun, but my knowledge about them is limited. Can anyone suggest a fairly reasonable priced, good quality, and reliable handgun?

So far I have been thinking..

1911
Glock 9mm or 40s&w
Walther p99
Springfield XD 45acp

All of those are reasonable choices IF you have a reasonable amount of handgun experience (apparently not, from what you say). Personally, I think that the 9mm is a little on the light side, and the .40, while excellent, kicks more than the .45. (think Ferrari rather than Mac Truck.)

Amongst others, I have a Glock .40 S&W (G22) and a full sized S&W1911PD (scandium frame, saves a few ounces.) The 1911 is my favorite, but I'm not a beginner, and the 1911 is a gun for someone with plenty of time to practice - it isn't just point and shoot. I saved over $200 on list prices by shopping around and finding a dealer willing to work with me.

If your experience is somewhat limited, probably the Glock in .40 or even .45ACP. Glocks are point and shoot, but watch the trigger (there are stories, which I believe, of Glocks going off in the holster, for example when a drawstring toggle got caught up).

For complete beginners, I recommend a 4" barrel .357 magnum, which can hold up to 8 rounds and can be fired with .38spl for practice. Simple to operate, little to go wrong. Plenty of "oomph,", but a ***** cat with the .38 rounds. Makes to look for here are Ruger, Taurus or (if you can afford a little more) S&W. Avoid snubbies - their bark and bite are not worth it, unless concealment is paramount and you will be rarely shooting it.

As said above, try some out at the range, get some training, and enjoy.

[slick_711]

Huh? How is one pistol point & shoot and another (with a notoriously better trigger) not? Please elaborate friend, I want to understand.

I'm fond of Glocks but I don't see how they'd be easier to shoot than a 1911, unless you're talking about draw & safety manipulation? And the revolver is a great suggestion none of us mentioned. That's always the best place to begin.

[PistolPete75]

out of those four, i would go with a glock 19 in 9mm for my first pistol. it's a very easy 9mm pistol to handle. very accurate, very light, and 9mm is also cheap to shoot. once you get good with it, move your way up to a 1911 in .45 acp

plus a glock 19 in very inexpensive to start with.

[Glock22Fan]

I'm fond of Glocks but I don't see how they'd be easier to shoot than a 1911, unless you're talking about draw & safety manipulation?

Seen quite a few folks under pressure forget to operate the verdammt safety . . . Also, SOME people feel uncomfortable cocked and locked (me, I feel uncomfortable with a Glock in condition 1, unless it has a SAF-T-Block. )

And the revolver is a great suggestion none of us mentioned. That's always the best place to begin.

Yep, thanks.

[slick_711]

Ahh I started on 1911s and that's all I currently own (although I shoot everything because the range rentals are all "mine" ) so the safety is second nature for me. I guess I could see how it would hinder a new shooter though. As to cocked & locked... only people who don't know anything about a 1911 are uncomfortable about that. But who's to blame them.

[Glock22Fan]

As to cocked & locked... only people who don't know anything about a 1911 are uncomfortable about that. But who's to blame them.

Unfortunately there's a lot of them around. Indeed, I asked another NRA instructor recently to please avoid telling his students that 1911 cocked and locked was dangerous. He said he thought it was.

[Charliegone]

Ahh I started on 1911s and that's all I currently own (although I shoot everything because the range rentals are all "mine" ) so the safety is second nature for me. I guess I could see how it would hinder a new shooter though. As to cocked & locked... only people who don't know anything about a 1911 are uncomfortable about that. But who's to blame them.

I've actually shot a 1911 and it was kind of weird at first with the safety, but I got used to it. I also shot a beretta cougar, which ok (but it just didn't feel right in my hands for some reason.) I've handled a a FNP9 and a Glock as well, but haven't shot any one of these. Thanks a lot for the suggestions guys.

[slick_711]

Unfortunately there's a lot of them around. Indeed, I asked another NRA instructor recently to please avoid telling his students that 1911 cocked and locked was dangerous. He said he thought it was.

Yeah I guess it's a common misconception. But a properly functioning 1911 has the thumb safety, the grip safety, the half-cock notch, and the trigger all standing in the way of an AD, just as safe as anything else really. It does look intimidating to someone unfamiliar with it's function/inner workings though. I say this more for the benefit of others than you, since you seem to be aware of all this.

Charlie the find a range and shoot some rentals thought was a good one, get your hands on multiple types/calibers of pistols and shoot them. The most important thing is to find a pistol from a reputable manufacturer that fits in your hand comfortably and you are comfortable handling and manipulating/shooting.


(Note: If you're comfortable with anything other than a 1911 you're wrong.)


Ok I jest, it doesn't have to be a 1911.

[SigAlert]

Save up to buy the best.....

Guns are cheap...ammo and range fees are expensive!

[brassburnz]

If I were making a recommendation to a friend about a first handgun, I would tell them to get a .22 rimfire. Why a .22? Because that's the gun you are going to learn to shoot with.

Lots of people go out and buy centerfire semi-autos as a first handgun for a variety of reasons, but they usually aren't thinking about learning how to shoot. They just want TO shoot. Sure they want to learn how to hit what they're aiming for, but too many things are happening with that centerfire for a new shooter to deal with.

You're going to end up buying a .22 rimfire pistol anyway, so why not make it your first one. Less noise. No recoil. Cheaper to shoot. Usually more accurate out of the box than a centerfire pistol. Usually the triggers are better out of the box than a centerfire pistol.

And you can use it to learn how to shoot.
500 rounds of .22 rimfire= $15 to $20. 500 rounds of Winchester White Box 9mm at Wal-Mart = $80 to $90 including tax. Learn all the basics with the .22. Proper grip, trigger control, sight alignment, stance, breathing. That will all transfer over when you change to a centerfire.

If you must get a 1911 or a Glock, buy a .22 conversion kit.

In a few months I will be getting a handgun, but my knowledge about them is limited. Can anyone suggest a fairly reasonable priced, good quality, and reliable handgun?

So far I have been thinking..

1911
Glock 9mm or 40s&w
Walther p99
Springfield XD 45acp