Posted: 10/20/2007 10:37:00 AM EDT
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Well I turn 21 in about a month and a week and plan on purchasing a handgun when I can. I have little gun experience shooting handguns, only a Magnum Research .22 and an older Glock 17. I did not like the feel of the Glock much. Other than that I have plenty of rifle experience if that matters(ie. owning an AR15, Mosin, 12 guage, 44 mag lever action, AK build in process, and few more). I do plan on purchasing a membership at the handgun range and want to test fire and fit them. But I would like to get an idea of what you guys think would be good choices so I can hunt those guns down knowing where I can purchase them at. Here are some of the factors pertaining to my gun choices: -I live in CA, restricting magazine capacity to 10 rounds. -I have very long hands, not wide but able to palm a basketball while bouncing in air. -I *think* I want a 9mm as it will only be my first handgun. Primary use will be to learn the handgun well with relatively cheap ammo being a range gun. I guess it could be a self-defense but I do have a shotgun for that. -I was thinking of CCW more as a vehicle gun for extended safety (my county is shall issue and I know a higher up in the Sheriff's department to help me with good reasons) -Used will not be a problem, as I was thinking Sig CPO, used USP, XD, 1911, all depending on the ergonomics to my hand and how the overall feel while shooting. -Budget is ~$700. The less I spend the better but I want a great first handgun to teach me the basics and last me forever. I hope I gave enough details, and sorry about the long post. Much appreciated in advance, Mark. |
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Ok so I went to a local gunshop yesterday and talked with the owner for about an hour. I held a 1911 in single stack form and it felt way too small for me. I held a 226 which I liked, but I liked the trigger placement better in DA over SA. When it was cocked, my middle knuckle was over the trigger, but I can get used to pulling out my finger more. When I extend my finger it passes well across the trigger guard. How does the USP9 compare? I still have to hold one of those. Currently I am debating between four handguns, all very different. I am considering the Sig 226 stil, the USP9, M&P 9, and the XD 9. I also went to the local pistol shooting range and they will not let anyone under 21 test their rentals so I still have to wait another month until I get the shooting feel of these or at least of what they have. Do you guys really think it the SIG and H&K are worth it over the XD and M&P? Again, this will only be a range gun that I want to be very reliable and accurate. I know the gun will outshoot me for a logn time but I plan to keep shooting and sometime try the competitions for fun. |
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So I have pretty much been set on the Sig as it is basically what I have been researching the most causing me to fall in love with it (as does almost everything I research). After talking to one of the guys in my town today who is hosting an AK build party I am attending, he says he has a USP9 he would sell to me for cheap. This has definitely got me thinking on handgun choice again. Which do you prefer? I have been looking at a stamped slide West German P226 at one of my local dealers but is charging $650 with one magazine. What are your thoughts on a handgun that will be used primarily for a range/accuracy gun? Which of the two are known to be better? Are these worth the price over the other handguns like the XD/M&P9/P99? Thanks again. |
I think you would be best served with the SIG IMHO. A USP is a great weapon don't get me wrong by any means. I think that SIG's are the best FACTORY PRODUCTION handgun on the market. I have a USP Tactical it's a great gun in every respect , but SIG's just fit me better, and I can shoot them ten times better than any other pistol. These are my thoughts, but just do yourself a favor and shoot a SIG and you'll be hooked forever like i was. I have 4 SIG's and 1 HK if that tells you anything.Good luck with you decision.
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With the 10 round limit the 9mm has no advantages. Good ammo almost cost the same. As for the gun itself, rent some at the range to see what suits you best. My first was a 1911 in .45, I never regretted it, my current favorite is a HK USP full size in .40 S&W, my second favorite is a Glock 31 .357 SIG. 9mm is sure easier to shoot, and with the modern ammo it sure gets the job done, however heavier and bigger bullets do a "better" job. Recoil is equal to the force on the other side, so a heavier punch always has more recoil, getting used to it is fairly easy. A handgun is a fighting machine, and fighting requires some strength. |
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Well I have already fully convinced myself on a 9mm as it is almost strictly a range gun, little possibility as CCW vehicle gun. Will not be carried and have a shotgun for HD. Well the local used Sig 226 9mm with stamped slide is $650 at my dealer before tax. The USP9 (supposedly less than 100 rounds) is $550 PPT with no tax. That is $730 after dealer fees and tax vs. $585 for the USP after fees. I am at a loss for a decision. I will shoot the same USP9 on the 17th and have no found a range with a 9mm 226 for rent. Both firearms fit great in the hand, especially the USP. Is the 226 more accurate than the USP? |
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All of the sigs with exception of the .357sig are stamped slides(like you yourself posted) Even well worn they are good pistols,but don't confuse them with all steel forged pistols(ones that the fireing block assembly is not just pinned into the reciever). I would even take a Browning BDM over a sig 226. And definatly a 1911 over both! YMMV. Bob 
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| my P226 was my first handgun, and its still my favorite, i would say look local, i placed a wanted add and picked up mine for $450 with 8 factory mags with no noticeable wear, If it fits your hand than i say you will love it. Not to mention i have put 4000 rounds without one FTF or FTE, and i use cheapo ammo. |
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I went through sleepless night trying to decide for a pistol, reading here didn't help much either, but learning what I know now if I could go back (and save thousands) it truely is only worth looking at H&K, USP 45 Sig 220,228/9, 226 Glock 17,19,21,23,26,27,30 XD, 9,40,45 1911 anything else and you may be happy for awhile but +/- $100-300 difference could make all the difference in your overall happyness I spent thousands of dollars trying out all sorts of pistols, Beretta,Taurus,ruger,S&W which are fine guns but the 5 mentioned above are what you should be looking at, I know they are expensive but there is a reason they cost what they do and thats because they give a certain level of satisfaction. for your handgun choice please don't look at cost, sticker shock will prevent you from getting what you really want in the first place. 
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the way I decided on my first pistol was: -what caliber? (I like .40, for the power and capacity) -SAO, DA/SA or striker fired? (I wanted a striker) -safety, de-cocker, or neither? (I wanted a safety) -full size, compact, or sub compact? (I wanted a compact) -any other features that you absolutely do not want? (I hate grip safeties, accesorry rails, and creepy triggers) -any other features that you really like? (.22 conversions, cheap magazines, plentiful accesories) this led me to the Steyr S40. ask yourself these questions, and you can narrow down your choice considerably. on the ones you mentioned, the XD and 1911 have grip safeties, which I dont like. maybe you prefer/dont mind them. the USP has a safety (optional) which I prefer. |
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For a first handgun, buy a Ruger MKII or Browning Buckmark for about $250. Spend the next couple months shooting the hell out of it. The .22 ammo is practically free, and you'll be a much much more capable shooter when you buy a centerfire pistol. As far as 9mms, I would look at the Sig 225 and the Walther P1. Both are very nice West German [high quality] service pistols. Both are very accurate, have decent sights, and are availabe for $250-$350. Both are 8shot single stacks, but given the 10rd limit in CA, that shouldn't be too much of a problem. |
They never listen. Everyone has to be a he-man and get a "real" handgun first, screw themselves by learning a nice flinch, then needing lessons or tons of practice to correct. I bought a Dan Wesson .22 first, I learned how to shoot, then moved up to other "real" handguns. Guess what caliber I shoot the most still? .22, because it is $.02 a round and it puts holes in paper real nice. |
since when is a 9mm a he-man gun? |
P226 was my first handgun because i wanted something sufficient enough for self defense, i shot many guns before so i think i can safely say i never had a flinch, its not like im intimidated or lack capacity to handle the 9mm. But I did decide to get training anyways about a two years and 5 handguns later just for safe sakes and incase i decided to move to a state that required it for concealed carry licenses. But for the record, i love my .22 handguns as much as my .45s. |
Alright, I exaggerated a little. I've still seen many people learn bad trigger discipline by jumping into too much gun. Heck I still fight like hell to not flinch when I shoot my slug gun. He said it was a range toy. Why not start with something you can shoot six times as often for the same money? Besides, you can shoot 5000 rounds through a MKII and sell it for almost what you paid for it. |
and for the amount he said he wants to spend, he could get the ruger and a used glock or xd. Not a bunch of used M&P's on the market yet, I bought mine new for $475 total. |