First Handgun Choices

[Inquirer]

Hey Guys,

Went out to the range the other day to test out a few handguns and narrow down the field of contenders. The range I went to didn't have any kind of flat rate rentals so I didn't get a chance to shoot all my options, but I did get to shoot the Glock 17, the CZ 75, the Baby Eagle/Jericho 941 and the Sig X5.

That said, let me go from worst to best.

The X5 jammed twice in two magazines. FTFs on both counts. Screw that gun.
The Glock felt really solid, but I shot like **** with it.
The CZ75 felt good and I was hitting center mass with rapid mag dumps every time.
The Baby Eagle [i]felt[i] the best in my hand, but I couldn't really tell if I was shooting any better with it than the CZ75.

That said, the guys at the range warned me that the Baby Eagle isn't available anymore (which from what I read isn't entirely true) and that parts are way harder to find for it than the CZ 75. I think I'd be happy with both, but in addition to the aesthetics of the Baby Eagle (best looking gun ever IMO), the ergonomics are outstanding. So is the Baby Eagle feasible in CA, or at all? Or should I just get a CZ? I also felt the EAA Witness (though I didn't shoot it), and liked how much the beavertail extended. Just felt very stable. Any thoughts on those?

Thanks a lot in advance.

--Inq

[Hoot951]

The Baby Eagle and the EAA Witness are not on the roster so the only way to get them is through PPT but the CZ 75 are on the roster so you can easily go buy them at a local gun store. You could keep checking the firearm for sale section and wait til one pops up they usually do. I myself have a Witness for sale but im in So Cal.

[RollingCode3]

CZ or Glock = good choice.... you can't go wrong

By the way, it is called MAGAZINE

[tacticalcity]

Try a 1911 before you buy. Glocks and 1911s are great guns to learn on. You'll find plinking on the range is not always the best way to figure out what gun is best for you when you're new. Because you don't know what you're doing yet. That's not an insult. None of us did at first.

I recommend you take a professional defensive handgun course. See the Competition, Action Shooting and Training Section here on Calguns. Odds are there is school in your backyard. The bigger schools rent guns. The smaller ones don't. All will let you bring your own gun. Besure to read the course description and required gear and and amount of ammo needed.

There is a lot to shooting a handgun you are never going to learn plinking on the range with your buddies. A course will give you a nice foundation to build on. Every range trip there after will be about becoming a better shooter and having fun at the same time. When you get sloppy, you'll know how to diagnose and fix the problem. You'll be safe, accurate, efficient, and an example to others. Mostly though, you'll just enjoy the heck out of the course and leave a better shooter than you thought possible. Most fun you can have with your pants on.

[davbog44]

A lot depends on what your intended use (or uses) for the gun are. The SIG for example, is really designed to be more of a race gun and really isn't in the same category as the other three, which are more duty / carry / home defense type pistols.

Glocks for sure are built to take a lickin' and keep on tickin' but you will need to figure out if the accuracy issues you had are due to unfamiliarity, or the Glock's grip angle. Some people just never learn to like / get along with it.

The CZ's are excellent, and you won't go wrong if you go that route.

BTW, semi automatic pistols use magazines, not clips.

[morrcarr67]

The Baby Eagle and the EAA Witness are not on the roster so the only way to get them is through PPT but the CZ 75 are on the roster so you can easily go buy them at a local gun store. You could keep checking the firearm for sale section and wait til one pops up they usually do. I myself have a Witness for sale but im in So Cal.

Not true. These guns are easily had via the SSE.

Don't know what the SSE is? Read these:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=383692

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=441766

[esartori]

I'd say cz or glock are your best bets. If u like the cz-75, take a look at the sp-01 as well.

[dascoyne]

[Bug Splat]

I say go CZ. Its a solid pistol for a good price.

[Briancnelson]

Of the ones you've named, if you have your heart set on those, I'd choose the CZ.

Might try an XD and an M&P though. There are people who like both of those a lot.

[MrExel17]

From thoughs choices I would pick CZ 75 good solid gun. I agree with (esartori) check out the SPO1 awesome gun. If I can recommend also the Single Action trigger too, the SPO1 does not have them out of the box but the 75B does your choice of .9 or .40 I have the .40 and man I sure love it a lot.

[Head416]

I own a Baby Eagle, and it does feel great in my hand.

I wish I had gotten a CZ-75 instead.

[JoeinLA]

CZ or Glock in 9mm. Or a good 1911.

Though my personal recommendation for a new shooter is a .22 pistol. I went the other route, and wish I had gotten a .22 first. They're cheap, and even cheaper to shoot, and they won't give you "bad habits" that a larger caliber will (i.e., anticipating recoil). And once you're comfortable with the .22, you'll have learned a bunch and will have a much better idea of what you want in your "real" gun.

Or just get a Glock or CZ in 9mm, or a good 1911. You won't go wrong with any of those 3 choices, and no matter what, you'll probably end up with all three eventually.

Also, your tastes and what you think makes a handgun "good" will change and evolve. The CZ, Glock, and 1911 are very, very well respected guns, so at the very least you know you're not buying something that most people wouldn't spend their money on.

Just my $0.02. I'm not firearms expert, just giving my personal, un-expert, opinion.

[goldengate]

I had a CZ75b. Excellent gun, but I have to sell it. Once money start flowing again, I am looking at a Sp-01. Shot one at the range and I like it slightly better than the B model because of the tritium sights and beaver tail.

[NytWolf]

From the list, I would go CZ-75B also. But given more money, I would also go the SP-01. Its ergonomics are better.