Why did you purchase your pistol(s)?

[Function]

hk rules

[Spoilerv2]

I bought a Sig 1911 GSR when it first came out for $800 (went to the store for a Glock 35). Just because it looked cool and it was new model. My Kimber TLE II R/L out shoot it consistenly, so I sold it to a friend for $600 and lunch. Ended up buying a Glock 35 with the money (which I still own and has the highest round count of all my pistols).

[MountainMike]

7 years ago I bought my first and thus far only handgun. A 1911. Haven't regretted it for a second. As far as reasons go... pretty much everything you mentioned.

[-hanko]

I purchased my handguns simply because they conceal well. Plus they're far easier to use on horseback...long guns work but no where near as handy.

-hanko

[zum]

i have no idea why i ever bought my first gun... it was a total impulse buy while at a gun show with my dad, funny cause we had side tracked to the gun show while on the way meet up with family at marine world in Vallejo

guess i liked the Ruger p89th two tone design and rogue grips because my father is a all Colt 1911 all the time kind of guy with no interest in modern pistols
had i known about the long trigger pull i doubt i would have bought it then but now i own a LC9 with its all day trigger go figure

BUT it will forever be my FIRST

[dave silva]

I just bought a SA 1911 Compact because I wanted to have a gun I can conceal. I bought an SA for the pure relablity and quality.

I dont have any current threats or reason but I like knowning I have something to protect myself/family in todays world. We have less LEO each year and response times are too long.

The other reason is guns are fun to shoot, I really enjoy target shooting and really want a long rifle to do some long range technical shooting. Not looking to be a sniper but like seeing how acurate I can be. We ahve a local range with 100-300yd ranges and even 1000yd, which would be fun, but doubt I will ever get to have a gun to shoot it.

My son (8) has really start to have an interest and we have found it to be a great family activity. I am tired of all the negitive people out there about guns. Guns are safe when properly used and I think gun safety should be taught in school, just like sex ed. A few bad people give guns a bad name, but I know more responsible gun owners than irresponsible ones.

I have bought a 1022 for my son recently too and now looking to get him a SR22. I have been teaching him how to shoot hand guns with a 1911 Airsoft (and dam they are really real looking). THe wife who has been scared of guns for all her life has now learned they are not as scary as she thought and are really fun to shoot, she is now asking for one for herself (maybe a 38 or 9).

[Cactus_Tim]

I bought my first gun just to see if I could.
You know, past events, were they really cleared up?
Did the PFEC first which gave the all clear and off I went.
Bought a Springfield XD45 service model 4" barrel.
Haven't regretted it yet.
I love shooting it and so do my friends.
Now have several pistols in various calibers. 22, 40, & 45

[Gnome]

I bought my first gun just to see if I could.
You know, past events, were they really cleared up?...

That is hilarious..!

We actually bought the same 1st gun. SA XD .45 4" Service Model

I always wanted to own a handgun (protection/recreation/because I can), but never had the expendable cash for the gun and training. Then I hired on with LASD, and they gave me (long term loan) my 1st gun (Beretta 92fs), and provided instruction on shooting fundamentals.

I now had a solid foundation, and expendable income for gun purchases. Six years and several firearms later, I still love the sport.

[j.hors]

Let's see: first gun springfield XD40 job requirement that fell thru, .38spl snubby for my wife while I'm not home (she likes revolvers and wanted one that is small so if she can ever get a ltc she can carry it), third xdm 9mm wanted one since they came out, beretta neos because it's the gun I rent for my son arty the range (that and I like the star trek look)

[TheThousands]

I bought my first handgun, a 9mm XD 5", because it felt good in my hand and I liked that 9mm was cheap enough to practice a lot but I could still get some good self defense rounds for it. It's still my nightstand gun and eats up a few hundred rounds a month.

[mag360]

I bought my first gun, a glock 19 because it is the perfect mix of everything. Small enough to conceal, light, big enough to be a "duty" piece, ammo is cheap, simple to clean and use.

I knew that I would get a cary license so I then bought a glock 26. It uses the 19 and 17 mags essentially making it a mini glock 19. I actually shoot it more than any other gun I own.

I then wanted a lightweight 1911 so I got a Smith & Wesson 1911pd with a rail.

[the_t0ny]

My first handgun was a .357mag gp100 4in stainless. I bought it because I always thought revolvers were really cool and it would be a perfect first handgun even though I really wanted a glock 17(guess what my next handgun purchase was). I bought t a few days after my 21st birthday. I still have it and shoot it almost every range trip. I also figured that the .357mag/.38special round is perfect for personal defense(although the gun is not easily concealable) and worse comes to worse I can hunt almost any animal around here with it and take it down.

My other handgun purchase after those two was a mark3 22/45. I wanted a 22 pistol that wasn't too picky on ammo and I had been looking at 22 pistols/revolvers for a while. I still want a revolver but can't decide between a smith and Wesson kit gun or a 617.....