My First Handgun?

[lioneaglegriffin]

I’m going to buy my first handgun in a year and I would like to know what you calgunners think.
Which do you think is the best of the group?
I wanted all .45's,(the 340 revolver uses .357) barrels shorter than 4" and can be used for carry around the house (unless Heller lets me have a CCW by then (I live in LA)) or I would be used as a HD/SD weapon.

Sig Sauer P220 Carry DAK
XD 45. Compact
S&W MP .45
Glock 30
S&W Model 325 Thunder Ranch Revolver
S&W Model M&P 340 CT Revolver - Centennial
SA 1911 Operator
Kimber Pro TLE/RL II™ .45 ACP

I picked these specific manufacturers because I feel they have long standing reputations in the industry and their name should be synonymous with quality and reliability. It’s a mixed bag a couple Revolvers and 1911's and the rest polymer pistols. I something else what do you suggest along my parameters?

[ryno066]

Get a 9mm. You will need to do a lot of shooting before you become proficient with it. Might as well keep it on the cheap, or cheaper.

[Oldnoob]

If you live in LA(like me) don't put too much hope on ccw. Go with full size Glock, XD, M&P or Sig. From your list though, my vote is on s&w 325.

[Fantasma]

I think you should start with a CZ75B preferably in Single Action only if you wanna do target shooting (it also works in condition 1 like a 1911).

These guns are great! i wish i would have bought it as my first gun...


*** whoops just read you wanted a .45. Get a 1911! nuff' said.

[lioneaglegriffin]

not worried about cheap if i can blow 1000+ on a revolver... and im the kinda guy that likes to learn how to drive with a stick. so starting with an easier caliber is not my concern. My first rifle was 308.

[lioneaglegriffin]

If you live in LA(like me) don't put too much hope on ccw. Go with full size Glock, XD, M&P or Sig. From your list though, my vote is on s&w 325.

im not which is why i put up the face to express my optimism...

[Rover]

im not which is why i put up the face to express my optimism...

Then I would look at a full size handgun. They are just plain more comfortable to shoot, and that's going to lead to much better accuracy no matter what your experience level is. IMHO the only reason to buy a compact gun is for easier concealment, for that reason my vote is either an XD45 service or a full size 1911. If you plan on open carrying I would go for flat black rather than stainless or a bi-tone as it will go "under the radar" better.

[Sobriquet]

You've mentioned some good pieces that aren't cheap. That gives you a lot of options. Firearms are really personal things, so you really need to get to a range and rent as many things as you can to see what fits your hand. They don't clean or maintain those suckers much, so it won't be as smooth as your personal weapon, but it'll give you an idea for grip feel, etc.

The 9mm advice above is solid. You're talking $10-15 difference per box of ammo for 45acp over 9mm. It adds up. Quickly.

That said, a 1911 is a solid way to go, but I wouldn't recommend it for a first handgun. I don't trust their reliability out of the box as much as a Sig or Heckler & Koch, so it wouldn't be my primary handgun. If it's JUST a range toy for you, then YMMV. I still think you ought to decide what you like in a handgun first before moving on to 1911s.

All that said, if you want a .45, get a full size to help handle recoil. You're not concealing the thing anyway, and if you do ever CCW in CA (God willing), you'll want something smaller and more concealable. I would take a look at an HK USP in .45. I'd also consider a regular Sig P220 (why the lighter carry?). For me, the lack of an external safety on Sigs was a deal breaker for me because I keep it loaded in the house (I have no kids).

As for the Glock... forget it. Period. Their reputation exceeds their reliability IMHO. The only one to even CONSIDER is the original Glock 17 in 9mm. NYPD Phase 3 malfunctions and unsupported chambers are bad juju. Do realize my opinion isn't universally shared... but you asked.

Bottom line? You can afford it, so get yourself either an HK or a Sig. Save the 1911 for the 2nd time around.

[lioneaglegriffin]

You've mentioned some good pieces that aren't cheap. That gives you a lot of options. Firearms are really personal things, so you really need to get to a range and rent as many things as you can to see what fits your hand. They don't clean or maintain those suckers much, so it won't be as smooth as your personal weapon, but it'll give you an idea for grip feel, etc.

The 9mm advice above is solid. You're talking $10-15 difference per box of ammo for 45acp over 9mm. It adds up. Quickly.

That said, a 1911 is a solid way to go, but I wouldn't recommend it for a first handgun. I don't trust their reliability out of the box as much as a Sig or Heckler & Koch, so it wouldn't be my primary handgun. If it's JUST a range toy for you, then YMMV. I still think you ought to decide what you like in a handgun first before moving on to 1911s.

All that said, if you want a .45, get a full size to help handle recoil. You're not concealing the thing anyway, and if you do ever CCW in CA (God willing), you'll want something smaller and more concealable. I would take a look at an HK USP in .45. I'd also consider a regular Sig P220 (why the lighter carry?). For me, the lack of an external safety on Sigs was a deal breaker for me because I keep it loaded in the house (I have no kids).

As for the Glock... forget it. Period. Their reputation exceeds their reliability IMHO. The only one to even CONSIDER is the original Glock 17 in 9mm. NYPD Phase 3 malfunctions and unsupported chambers are bad juju. Do realize my opinion isn't universally shared... but you asked.

Bottom line? You can afford it, so get yourself either an HK or a Sig. Save the 1911 for the 2nd time around.

glock on the bottom of the list and your comment is helping it to stay that way.

The reason i chose 4" is because thats the max im my mind for concealed. So its a mix between concealed and open carry gun. if i were to get a 9mm i would go with Glock 17 or 19, XD 9 if i did a have a ccw maybe... a SA EMP. I like guns with big calibers and low(er) recoil due to manufacture's ingenuity do you know which have of these have that?

[lioneaglegriffin]

You've mentioned some good pieces that aren't cheap. That gives you a lot of options. Firearms are really personal things, so you really need to get to a range and rent as many things as you can to see what fits your hand. They don't clean or maintain those suckers much, so it won't be as smooth as your personal weapon, but it'll give you an idea for grip feel, etc.

The 9mm advice above is solid. You're talking $10-15 difference per box of ammo for 45acp over 9mm. It adds up. Quickly.

That said, a 1911 is a solid way to go, but I wouldn't recommend it for a first handgun. I don't trust their reliability out of the box as much as a Sig or Heckler & Koch, so it wouldn't be my primary handgun. If it's JUST a range toy for you, then YMMV. I still think you ought to decide what you like in a handgun first before moving on to 1911s.

All that said, if you want a .45, get a full size to help handle recoil. You're not concealing the thing anyway, and if you do ever CCW in CA (God willing), you'll want something smaller and more concealable. I would take a look at an HK USP in .45. I'd also consider a regular Sig P220 (why the lighter carry?). For me, the lack of an external safety on Sigs was a deal breaker for me because I keep it loaded in the house (I have no kids).

As for the Glock... forget it. Period. Their reputation exceeds their reliability IMHO. The only one to even CONSIDER is the original Glock 17 in 9mm. NYPD Phase 3 malfunctions and unsupported chambers are bad juju. Do realize my opinion isn't universally shared... but you asked.

Bottom line? You can afford it, so get yourself either an HK or a Sig. Save the 1911 for the 2nd time around.

what is wrong with Brand new 1911 aside from the fact that they weren't cast in 1911?

[kalibear]

Glock 19 - Super reliable, cheaper ammo, easy to maintain

[Sobriquet]

Glock 19 - Super reliable, cheaper ammo, easy to maintain

http://www.thegunzone.com/glock/phase3.html

As for what's wrong with a 1911... absolutely nothing at all. I think they're absolutely gorgeous and can be fantastic guns. The problem is that there's a million brands and models and many of them aren't great. Some are unreliable right out of the box. Furthermore, to get the most out of it, it requires money, time, and knowledge.

It's his first handgun. Let him get something that comes stock 100% reliable and will stay that way without effort or thought. That's HK and Sig. Neither are the thoroughbred a 1911 can be, but I trust my HK to go boom each and every time I pull that trigger. It's also a tackdriver.

To the OP - if you want a 9mm polymer framed pistol without a safety, check out a P2000 with the LEM trigger. It's also would make a great CCW gun. A Sig P229 feels good, but the grip feels a LOT thicker to me and just isn't comfortable. It sure does have a nice trigger, though. My friend loves the feel and it may be the cat's meow to you. Worth renting. Take a few months and rent everything you possibly can and see what you like.

[SeANMcBAY]

Get a Sig P6 while you still can on the cheap. I picked it as my first gun and think I made the right choice.

[jakemccoy]

Glock 27

[savs2k]

glock17/19 anything reliable in a 9mm is best for a first gun. You need more range time then you do a bigger caliber. Second gun get something bigger