Need help picking out first handgun!

[dasher45]

Hey everyone,
Glad to finally be a part of this forum! I hope to be able to help out the community soon, but in the meantime, I need your help! Ok, so I am getting ready to pick up my first handgun, and I'm really settled for .40s&w or .45ACP. I am looking for a gun with safety and a decocker, not either or (this may be frowned upon by some, but it's something I feel would better suit my situation), and a 10 round capacity.

I really wanted the fnp-45 USG or HK-45, but then I found out that both guns are not on the approved roster list . My next choice was the fnp-40 USG, but it seems as if the USG model is not CA approved either (about to call FNH to check). Now I am left trying to decide over an HK usp 40 or a sig 226. I don't like the proprietary rail for the USP and I wished the 226 had a safety.

So, my question now is, are there any other handguns out there that any of you can suggest that meets the three criterias (safety, decocker, and 10+1 round capacity)? Any help would greatly be appreciated!!

...going to try and call Valkyrie Arms about the fnp-45 or the hk-45...read in the single-shot sticky that they do the conversion for free if bought through them (msrp value) so not sure if they could actually acquire the gun too?...anyone know anything about that (I do apologize that this question would technically would fall in the wrong section)?

Thanks in advance everyone!

[626Tony]

I would do the sig p226 or 229 in 9mm

[zfields]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=397489

Welcome to calguns,

Be very ready to hear "use the search function".

[ElvenSoul]

Do yourself a favor and pick up a CZ...just hold it in your hand...and you will be hooked.

[RRichie09]

A gun that meets your criteria... Beretta 96 It comes in .40 cal and has a decocker/safety.


Having said that. Whats up with the safety and decocker requirement? Are you just trying to be extra careful? You could have all the safety features in the world on a pistol but if you don't use your head you'll still have a ND.

Only YOU can prevent yourself from shooting your own penis.

[thenodnarb]

A gun that meets your criteria... Beretta 96 It comes in .40 cal and has a decocker/safety.


Having said that. Whats up with the safety and decocker requirement? Are you just trying to be extra careful? You could have all the safety features in the world on a pistol but if you don't use your head you'll still have a ND.

Only YOU can prevent yourself from shooting your own penis.

I second the beretta 96 its a sweet shooter and is sexy to boot.

[dasher45]

Only YOU can prevent yourself from shooting your own penis.

ROFL. Thanks to everyone for responding so quick!
Yea the decocker and safety is more for a piece of mind. I know it's a bit overkill, so I'm starting to consider a decoker only gun, but it's just always something that I felt would be another safety measure, just in case.
Thank you zfields for the link! I should have done a better job looking, but just getting so anxious!
ElvenSoul, which CZ would you recommend?I began looking at some as well, but that was when I was still keen on decocker and safety, and it didn't seem as if any of the .40 or .45 models had that.

the Beretta 96 does look pretty darn nice..Is it pretty reliable? I had a buddy (whose a sig guy) say that Berettas have been crap to him, so he highly suggests to stay away from Berettas.

One last thing, I was highly considering the m&p 45, but I really do not like the factory auto-forward "option" (as some people had put it).

[CK_32]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=397489

Welcome to calguns,

Be very ready to hear "use the search function".

Dont use search use google. The search function on here is pretty weak.

Google always seems to find the best answer for me. If this site dosnt have it usually it finds me another that does.

[dasher45]

I've tried googling for 40 or 45 caliber with decoker and safety, but I never found much on it =(, and if I find anything at all, the gun turns out to not be CA approved . Hoping to make a final decision by the end of the week, or the end of next week at the latest, so thought this would be the quickest way =)

thanks for the suggestion though!

[darmog]

CZ P06

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-p06/

[NotEnufGarage]

Make life easy on yourself... Get a Glock 17 or 19 to start. Light, safe, not a lot of moving parts and if you're like me, you can go 15 years between full cleanings.

[thenodnarb]

the Beretta 96 does look pretty darn nice..Is it pretty reliable? I had a buddy (whose a sig guy) say that Berettas have been crap to him, so he highly suggests to stay away from Berettas.

Ask him to be more specific. I find people tend to exaggerate. Personally I've only just got my beretta a few months ago and I only have 400 rounds or so through it. Not even a hint of a problem though. However I keep my guns exceptionally clean. I think Beretta owners who have owned them longer will tell you that they are very reliable. Their reliability reputation isn't that of Glock, but then according to glock fan boys, nothing else matters
Berettas are CERTAINLY NOT known for their unreliability. Afterall, the marines and army use them in Afghanistan. In fact, those would be the guys to ask about berettas. If anyone has worthy opinion about how the beretta works in harsh environments, they do.

[t0kie]

Go to a range that does a rental, try some then decide which one that fits you best.

[RRichie09]

Go to a range that does a rental, try some then decide which one that fits you best.

Best advice so far.

I think you are placing too much emphasis on the safety features. You need to see which pistol fits you best. You are making a decision on which pistol based on an idea that you want a decocker and a manual safety for you pistol. It really isn't necessary. Nothing wrong with cocked and locker or DA/SA or even a glock. Trigger finger discipline is the most important IMO.

[dasher45]

I definitely agree that I need some range time first with different guns. I just wanted to have a narrowed list so I won't be spending all my money testing out 20 different guns (a little exaggerated there, but you get the point).

Thanks for the info about the Beretta, yea I'll ask him again and see what he says haha.