First semi-auto pistol

[RedFord150]

Do not buy anything yet.
Instead, go to a range and take a beginner class. Even if you have already done some shooting, take a beginner class.
Indoor ranges are great for this. They usually have rental guns and those guns are usually available to the students. Try Glock, Springfield, Ruger, HK, Sig, S&W, etc.
After you shoot a bunch of semi-autos, shoot some revolvers. Preferably Ruger and S&W.
Once you have taken a lesson and fired a dozen or more handguns, come back and tell us what you like.
Once you know what you like, you will have your answer.

[big blaze]

I suggest a Glock in what ever caliber you prefer. They are affordable, reliable & lightweight.

[DrewTheBrave]

Do not buy anything yet.
Instead, go to a range and take a beginner class. Even if you have already done some shooting, take a beginner class.
Indoor ranges are great for this. They usually have rental guns and those guns are usually available to the students. Try Glock, Springfield, Ruger, HK, Sig, S&W, etc.
After you shoot a bunch of semi-autos, shoot some revolvers. Preferably Ruger and S&W.
Once you have taken a lesson and fired a dozen or more handguns, come back and tell us what you like.
Once you know what you like, you will have your answer.

Agree 100%
Shoot everything you can, learn as much as you can, and after you have a clear idea of what features, action, and ergonomics you prefer, then you buy something.

And don't stress too much. It's not your only gun, it's your FIRST. [emoji6]

With that said, I love the Beretta 92G, all Sig P-series, and the CZ75.

[yellow748]

First handgun, I'd agree with those that say rent what you can. To me, it matters most how it feels in your hand. I have wanted a 92FS/M9 for years. For some reason it just seems like an iconic handgun. Do I have one? Not yet. I do have a HK USP45c and an XD9 because I liked how they felt in my hand and how they shot. Even though I had the HK first, I think I like shooting the XD more. Fit and trigger pull just feels right to me. I think that's what you should focus on. One day I will have the 92FS or M9, but probably not after I get a GP100.

[nikki#2]

I am definitely looking for a 9mm. Anyone like the S&W Shield? I like the idea of a single stack for possible cc.

Yeah.... I like my S&W Shield. In fact, I like the whole M&P lineup.

But when you say, "I like the idea of a single stack for possible cc." unless you're sure you can get a CCW license in the Bay Area
(ok, I won't say it's impossible to get one), the Shield wouldn't be my first choice, for my first gun... for reasons already stated by others.

[Euphoria526]

I suggest a Glock in what ever caliber you prefer. They are affordable, reliable & lightweight.

So are hi points but you don't see me pushing them down people's throats...
Op just do what feels right for you. Just be safe and have fun in your adventures into firearms. Don't be afraid to ask questions especially about something like firearms. Lots of good knowledgeable people on here. Don't forget there is a private message option too if you want to ask something out of the public eye.

[TMB 1]

So are hi points but you don't see me pushing them down people's throats...
Op just do what feels right for you. Just be safe and have fun in your adventures into firearms. Don't be afraid to ask questions especially about something like firearms. Lots of good knowledgeable people on here. Don't forget there is a private message option too if you want to ask something out of the public eye.

Hi Point would be good for someone to get while they make up their mind what they really want.

[SoberClurichaun]

My first pistol was a Smith & Wesson M&P9. It had great ergos it was great, it did have a squishy trigger though bit they make a kit that fixes that. I ended up trading it in for a Springfield XD45. I love both and if I could get the M&P back I'd probably opt for the 45 version. Both great handguns in my opinion, I prefer those over Glocks. That's just me though if you could handle the .45 and can shoot it good then I'd say go that way on caliber, since we are limited to 10 rounds here in CA anyway. Then again 9mm is cheaper to plink. That said I love 9mm also, not to fond of .40..

[tanks]

For a first, I'd recommend a semi-auto that's DA/SA with a safety. ...
Why? Because this is perhaps the most complex common configuration on handguns. There are two different trigger pull weights. There is a safety to deal with. ...

The above is the exact reason why you might want to go with a striker fired gun. I had just recently read a blog, that I agree with, which said:

" ...becoming a master at these guns (DA/SA) requires a heck of a lot more work, and if practice is done incorrectly you can develop negative training scars that are hard to break.
Striker fire guns allow for a greater degree of focus on fundamentals.. proper trigger press, sight alignment and trigger resets, all while allowing for a building of muscle memory around sound safety protocols."

The full blog that discusses this is here:

http://www.artemisdefenseinstitute.com/Blog

[beerman]

having been in the shooting game many decades, My recommendation would be a 9mm. I prefer all metal, hammer fired with either a manual safety or decocker. My 1st auto was a 1911..but back then ammo was under $10 a box. I say 9mm because you develop good shooting skills by shooting. Due to the trigger (un)safety,I personally don't feel a Glock is a good choice for a newbie. Just my opinion.

[SoCalEnthusiast]

WIth all the thoughts above, maybe he should consider a Beretta fashioned with 9mm. Beretta PX4 is the first man cannon I purchased. I still love the thing. And that one definitely teaches you fundamentals required to become a professional.

[huntndog]

WIth all the thoughts above, maybe he should consider a Beretta fashioned with 9mm. Beretta PX4 is the first man cannon I purchased. I still love the thing. And that one definitely teaches you fundamentals required to become a professional.

[BigPimping]

First gun i shot .38spl Colt Detective Special Snubbie (my father's)

First gun I bought Glock19 (cheap, good size for CCW, great reputation for reliability, great all-around gun)

38Spl Colt Detective????? Wow. I just love those. Hell of a way to break yourself in to handguns!!

[SoCalEnthusiast]

38Spl Colt Detective????? Wow. I just love those. Hell of a way to break yourself in to handguns!!

I agree with you, that's pretty bad *ss!

[nikki#2]

I agree with you, that's pretty bad *ss!

Uh.... SCI........ How would you know?

I remember you claimed to own 'a couple' of revolvers... But that turned out to be BS, didn't it?