Need help picking out first handgun!

[zfields]

My vote is for a Glock 19. One of the best 9mm's ever IMO.
This thread needs porn to sway the OP to get out there and buy something

[CK_32]

Good idea.. Here is some porn OP







Thats all I have that has a pistol in it haha the rest is all AR porn

But seriously any modern fire arm you choose is a great gun. Glock,Ruger, CZ,S&W, Beretta... Everything..
I say because of its reliability and simplicity go Glock 17 or 19. Great first gun to learn on. Its like childs play.

[dasher45]

Stop with all the temptations!!! haha...o yes...AR's.....that will be for the future =).

the range I go to is about $15-$20 an hour per handgun..but yea..it all adds up in the end..lane fees, ammo..targets...But, I hopefully will be going out to the range this thurs. Going to ask to try my friends sig, and see what I can rent...Plus, take my hsc test .

wanted to call FNH about their fnp-40 usg and see if it's CA approved..but apparently they had a big quake over in VA...no call back so far. Hope they are all alright.

[zfields]

just check the roster......whats on there is what is CA approved. Pretty simple.

[dasher45]

I've definitely checked and did some research, but hopefully the following will show why i'm confused and asking..The fnp-40 is listed as approved but i don't know if that encompasses the usg model. On FNHs site, they have something that looks similar to the usg model which is their FNX model, which is not CA approved...but the confusing part is that if you google, fnp-40usg, it shows up on fnh's site, but if you just browse their site, there is no mention of a usg model...So again, I don't know if the FNX fully replaced the fnp-40 usg or what's going on.

[huck]

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!

The FNP-40 is on the approved list. I have one. It's an excellent, American made pistol. You'll like it.

However, if you plan to do competition shooting (USPSA or IDPA), get a Glock 17 or 22 instead.

[dasher45]

Yea, I see that the FNP-40 is approved, but does that include the FNP-40 usg?

Huck, have you had any problems or anything with your FNP-40?

EDIT: NVM, found a forum where they said the fnp-40 usg has been discontinued

[ELIXIR]

Sig P226 all the way!

[Bavaria1990]

What are you guys paying to rent a gun? I rented a 9mm for my girl friend to shoot(since I don't own a 9mm). I did that precisely ONCE. Between range ammo, range time and gun rental, it cost something like $100 for the both of us to shoot 50 rds(and I brought my own gun). I hate ranges and the only reason I went was to rent a gun. I remember thinking "I could have put $100 towards OWNING her first gun for this!"

I went to Knob creek, and they let me shoot a sig for an hour free-ammo cost me $10 but it was cool with me.
Here, they are $10 per weapon-per hour. sometimes they will just charge for one hour depending on how much ammo you buy, or how much concessions you eat
I haven't spent more than $10 yet

NOW-whenever I go there to 'buy' one, they let me test it free.
That's how I wound up with a beretta 92fs police trade in with 6 15rd mags(all factory mags-most italian!) Paid $500 OTD

[Bavaria1990]

I also go there 2-3 times a year-but the guy behind the counter always gives me a good deal because I am one of the good ones he says-customers that is.

[huck]

Huck, have you had any problems or anything with your FNP-40?

No problems at all. Probably > 10K rounds through it. My son uses it for USPSA. Fast firing in all sorts of conditions and never had a failure. We've fed it lots of different ammo (Federal, WWB, RWS, Speer, Aguila, Reloads, etc...). It's a good gun.

...and did I mention that it's made in America?

[luckygunner]

I've had zero issues with my FNP. That would be the way I would go given your criteria. Since it's your first firearm I would take a look at a 9mm. It will be much cheaper to practice with. If money isn't an issue then a 40 or 45 would be fine. CZ makes a great pistol and the Beretta's are solid also.

The only way to tell what will be best with you is to rental a couple handguns and see what works best for you.

__________________
9mm ammo

[Akers]

doesn't matter what HG you buy first, you will end up with a Glock, 1911, and revolver. HGs are better than crack

Agreed, I started with a Para Ordinance P12 and ended up with a glock and a ruger blackhawk.

I say buy what you like and if you dont like it trade or sell it and move on. Sounds like you have shot enough of your friends guns to know what you like/want.

[itsjoe]

I was in the same situation you are, couldn't decide which to get. I went to shooting range in Artesia call Insight, they rent guns for a flat fee of 10 bucks and you can exchange to a different gun with no extra charge. I was planning on getting a Sig SP2022. At the range, I shot a Ruger P95, Sig P2022, Glock 17 and 19, S&W M&P9, Ruger SR9 and Springfield XD9. The one that fits my hand best and felt most comfortable with is the Ruger SR9. So I'll be getting that in a week. Test them out and see which one fits you best, it's like test driving a car before buying one.

[PandaLuv]

manual safety is overrated. Pick yourself up a p226 !