First post, first time buyer

[nosewitdot]

I have no knowledge of handguns nor do i have any experience...but i have always wanted to collect and fire various handguns. now that i'm old enough, i would like to know what pistols are around $500 and good beginner guns. i have been reading around here for months and know it's all about preference. i am very interested in the beretta's 92 series, MR's Baby Eagle, Sig 226, and various others. what do you guys reccomend for my first gun? thanks!

[Harbinger]

From personal experience, I will tell you GLOCK is your best bet for under $500 (for any caliber!), but you REALLY need to get out there and start test firing some pistols. Whatever you do, don't just buy a pistol because someone says it's the best... myself included! Each mfg has a different way of doing grips, safeties, hammers, sights and controls. You're bound to like one company's methods/designs over another, but you won't know until you've held and shot each of them.

There are a ton of indoor ranges that rent by the hour. Where are you located?? Target Masters in Milpitas is a great place to start.

Mike

I have no knowledge of handguns nor do i have any experience...but i have always wanted to collect and fire various handguns. now that i'm old enough, i would like to know what pistols are around $500 and good beginner guns. i have been reading around here for months and know it's all about preference. i am very interested in the beretta's 92 series, MR's Baby Eagle, Sig 226, and various others. what do you guys reccomend for my first gun? thanks!

[Henry47]

I can give you a very simple generic answer: "Go out and shoot them all and decide for yourself. See what shoots best, what feels best in your hand and select a caliber that you believe is sufficient for your needs."

No one here is going to tell you what to get and what not to get, like you said it's all about preference. GO SHOOT THEM ALLLLL

[pilotimb]

Where are you located? That'll let the wise ones here point you to some local ranges that will let you rent guns that you can handle and shoot and see what you like.

[nosewitdot]

i'm located in socal...in the riverside/OC area. i have not recieved my HSC yet...how would i go about getting one and what do i need to go rent at ranges? Thanks guys!

[sned45]

To get a HSC card you just need to take a simple test. You can download the HSC study guideh from http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/hsc.htm or you can go to a gun store and pick on up.

The only thing you need to rent a gun is a DL and someone to shoot with, as most places will not rent you a fire arm unless your with someone. Plus haveing someone with you who knows how to shoot and can show you how a gun works would be helpful.

[saki302]

Since you're just getting started and didn't stock up on Hi-cap mags in 2000 (I assume), if you can hanndle a .45, go with that. 10 rounds of .45 beat 10 rounds of 9mm anyday.

I would suggest a Sig 220, or maybe a good 1911A1. If you like 9mm's and can find one, a Sig 220 in 9mm is one sweet shooting gun with hardly any kick.
Glocks are nice too, but require more mental discipline to use (no manual safety + lighter trigger). If you don't mind an odd caliber, I particularly liek the GLock 38 as a defensive gun, though I have yet to pick one up. I like my Glock 19's, but I have a TON of hi-caps for them I bought a long time ago. It may be time to refurb some of my 1st gen non-drop-free Glock mags

-Dave

[brassburns]

Take a handgun safety/shooting class. Our local range (Burbank) has classes on Saturday mornings. Students spend time in a classroom and time on the range. They get to shoot revolvers and semi-auto pistols. I think the price is $50.

Check around to see if there's a range near you that does something similar. After you've shot a few different types of guns, maybe you can narrow your choices down and some of us can help you with suggestions.

Randy

I have no knowledge of handguns nor do i have any experience...but i have always wanted to collect and fire various handguns. now that i'm old enough, i would like to know what pistols are around $500 and good beginner guns. i have been reading around here for months and know it's all about preference. i am very interested in the beretta's 92 series, MR's Baby Eagle, Sig 226, and various others. what do you guys reccomend for my first gun? thanks!

[mblat]

cz75B.

It isn't sexy, but it is best beginner gun (short of .22 cals ) I ever saw. Me and my body often take new people to shoot with us to a range. ( trying to add to gun owners army!)

We have range of guns - HK, Glocks, Ruger, XD.
Mine cz75b always gets highest praise for being "easiest to shoot" with XD being close second.

In any case - I can only join advice you've been given already - take a class, go to a range and shoot **** out of all kind of pistols - untill you find out what fits you best!

[BigAL]

If you truly have no experience with guns the first thing you need to learn are the 4 rules of safety.

RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED

RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY

RULE III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET

RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS BEHIND IT

[CriticalError]

If you truly have no experience with guns the first thing you need to learn are the 4 rules of safety.

RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED

RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY

RULE III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET

RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS BEHIND IT

Ditto!!!!!

[nosewitdot]

thanks for all of the helpful info thus far guys! i'm gonna go check out my local shops and ranges for more info.

[shopkeep]

My advice is to get a credit card and max it out buying as many semi-auto handguns as possible. Semi-automatic handguns have been targeted by the PRK legislature as the next item to ban. Expect a complete ban within the next year or two. Get what you can while you still can! Remember, you can only buy one handgun a month so there may only be time to buy 12 or 20 of them!

[nosewitdot]

does that mean we can only choose from revolvers after that passes?

[ghostrider4evr]

Haha, I think he's being sarcastic. But living in Kali, you never know. Like everyone says here practice firearms safety and only you'll be able to determine which gun is right for you. Me personally, I love my 1911's and my Sig P226.