Posted: 2/1/2005 4:30:38 PM EDT
| ...sort of. I have a P22 already, but I mean my first handgun other than a .22. I've got a decent tax return coming back and would like to spend in the area of $400-$500 on a decent handgun. I've always kind of fancied 1911's because of the historic value of them, but I'm not sure if that's what I want to get for my first (and probably only for a while) handgun. I've rented and shot a few 9mm's before at the range, a Walther P99, a Glock, and a Beretta 92. Of the 3 I didn't really like the first 2, but I did like the Beretta. The only thing about a 1911 I'm not sure about is the SA. I dunno how comfortable I'd be with having the thing cocked and locked in order for it to be ready to fire. Any recommendations or opinions you guys can give? I'd like to stick to the 2 more popular cartridges, 9mm and 45ACP, so please try to stick to those. |
hmmm, not a bad idea. I'll have to check out a Sig, haven't done much looking at them yet. Heard many good things about them though. |
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Have to agree with Bob on this. Decent used 38 revolver. Decent used 9mm. Probably can't do both for $500 tho. Revolvers in the $250 range aren't hard to find. Used nines will be closer to $300 for Smiths or Rugers, more for anything else. Whatever you do, DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT, but a .45 1911. As your third or fourth gun maybe. But as your first. never. You will develop a flinch and it will be a bugger to get rid of. Seen it happen to many times. |
Never been all that fond of revolvers. I'd like to get an auto-pistol. I dunno, I've been shooting that P-22 I've got a lot, so hopefully I've already developed good shooting habits with it. Come on guys, only 2 recommendations? I know you can do better than that... |
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CDNN Investments has some good deals on SIG trade-ins. www.cdnninvestments.com |
Another good choice in .45 ACP is the Sig P220. No safeties to worry about, decock and you're in DA mode. Draw and shoot, nothing to forget when you are under pressure. The P220 is a very smooth shooting .45. |
+1. I shot a Sig 45 at the range one day and it is a fantastic pistol. If you like 1911's I suggest you look at the Springfield GI model. You can find them new for $400 or so and it is really nice gun for the money. You may also want to look for a good deal on a used HK USP9 or 45. Excellent pistols. |
I've always drooled over USP's through the glass at the gun stores, but the $1000 price tags kinda keep me away from them. How much are they usually, used? |
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$1,000.00? You need to go to a different gun store! The USP Tactical model (45 cal) normally sells new for around that amount, but the "standard" full size USP's should be closer to $700 new at the upper end. Used you can normally find them in the $500 range, maybe up to $600 for a very nice example. Take a look at www.hkpro.com and you may be able to find some on the for sale board. USP's are great pistols, and IMHO worth every penny. Good luck finding one and I hope this helps out some. |
Wait awhile before you fire the second one. I shot some subsonics out of my S&W model 41 after a hundred rounds or so on my Glock 10mm, and couldn't tell when it fired. It was weird. The holes just appeared on the target like the guy next to me was shooting my target. If you shoot them too close together it might affect your perception, 'tho not to the extent I experienced. I would look into a .358 if interested in .38, if you can fit it into your budget. |
Since I've shot 9mm before, I'll probably start with (and possibly only shoot) 45, just to see what it's like. Seems like CZ 75 and Sig 226 are both coming up alot. I held a 226 in my hand at a gun show once, and it felt good in the hand, never shot one though. I'll have to check those 2 out. As far as the USP's, I think the one's I was trying to drool on were the high end ones in the top of the case, that's probably why they were all around $1000. I'll have to look a little closer next time. |
I must agree with the CZ 75. You can get a new 9mm Polycoat for under $400. I own two of them and they are one of the best handguns on the market, regardless of price. |
Yup the CZ-75 is a great firearm, and very accurate also. Worth way more than what they charge for them in my opinion. Another recommendation for the Springfield Mil-spec 1911. I picked up mine for around $440 and it is a great base 1911 that you can go as far as you want to with in terms of modifications. I recommend the Mil-spec over the GI model because for about 20-30 bucks more over the price of the GI you get alot better sights, a flared ejection port, and a beveled magwell, all of which would cost way more if you had a gunsmith do the same to a GI. Mine has been completely reliable for over a thousand rounds and suprisingly accurate. Good Luck! |
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For your first handgun in a larger caliber you might consider a revolver... a .357 mag would be a nice choice. Practice with .38spl rounds. .... but perhaps you are set on autos. CZs are great guns. I have three of them. You won't go wrong. Browning Hi Powers are great guns. I have more than three of them. I would suggest looking into them. Great platform for a custom gun down the road, if you so desire. They are single action, however. But you are going to have to get used to single action sometime..... Here is a Novak Hi Power: 
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| alright! This is the kinda stuff I've come to expect from you guys. You've given me a good bit of food for thought here. I'm probably gonna stop by a local gun store this evening and handle a few and see what I think. Right now, if I go 9mm I'l leaning towards a Sig 226 or a CZ 75, Possibly a USP9 if I can find a sweet price on one. As far as 45, I'm not really sure about that yet, probably gonna hit a range this weekend and rent one to see what I think. Thanks a bunch guys! Don't let this stop you though, keep those suggestions and opinions coming. |
If you get serious about the Sig220, be sure to handle it in stainless as well. The 220 has been on my "to do list" for awhile. The non-stainless felt good, but I recently ran across one in stainless and REALLY liked the way it felt. I'm trying to find one to shoot (the guy at the gunstore offered to take me to a nearby range, but I would feel an obligation there and I found one on the internet much cheaper). If it shoots as good as it feels, I'm done for. |
I have to tell you it doesn't feel like a .45 when you shoot it, it's so much smoother, even with +P 230 grain it is balanced well enough that it doesn't try to buck out of your hand like some .45s I have shot. I like 1911s, I carried one in the service, but I shoot much tighter groups with my P220 than any 1911 I ever had. I qualified for my Texas Concealed Handgun License with my P220 and shot 249/250. Granted it's an easy qual but I was nervous and the Sig was so easy to handle it made it a piece of cake. And it was it was only the second time I had fired it.  |
| Stopped in at a nearby gunshop during lunch today, and handled a Sig 226 and a CZ 75. They had the CZ 75, brand new, for 499, and a 'demo model' (he said it's basically a police trade in) Sig for 499. The new Sig was up around 700 I believe, I'm not positive though. They both felt good to hold, and pointed well. I liked the layout of the controls of the Sig better than the CZ. the decocker on the CZ felt like it was placed oddly. At this point, just based on handling the 2 guns, I'm leaning towards the Sig. How is 499 for a used one? high? low? I'm planning to stop by another shop that's closer to home to see what kind of deals they've got tonight after work. |
Depends on your area. I can get a new P226 basic model for about $599 here in town, but then again I paid $475 for my P220, it was used but owned by a dealer and well taken care of. They tend to wear well, as long as the dealer will give you his word he guarantees full functionality on first shoot, the Sig "demo model" is probably a better value. Sigs wear very well. Just nicely broken in for you. $499 seems high for a CZ75 IMO. Check out the barrel and see how much slide wear the sig has on it, and also the frame rails. The P226 is an excellent piece, especially now that you can buy new hi-cap mags for it again. Sig does make a 20 round extended mag for it too, saw 2 at my local gun shop. Not cheap though ($50). You can get ex-LEO 15 round factory P226 mags for $19.99 at www.cdnninvestments.com right now. |
I'm gonna run by another gun shop a little later, so I can compare prices there. The "demo model" seemed in good shape mechanically, had some wear around the barrel, and on the outside of the slide. But the slide worked smoothly, and all the movements of the different parts of the gun didn't feel any different than the new one that was sitting next to it. I'll see what the other shop has to offer before I start getting my money together and deciding on one. |
| Those prices all seem pretty high. I know of a place just south of your border that has a USP45 in very nice shape for 499. I've already got one or I'd be putting it on lay away. Sig 226's in good shape seem to run 400 to 450 in the RTP area of NC. Haven't priced CZ's recently but last I looked they were around 400. I'd definitely look for another gun shop. |
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$499 is high for a Cz75. I paid less than $400 a few months ago when I found one on sale. I would go for the CZ as it is a great pistol. Very accurate and durable. I cannot stand the grip profile on Sigs, but the CZ75B Tactical fits my hand like a glove. I still think a first handgun should be a .357magnum revolver. There is nothing on two legs a good full power magnum cant handle and the .38spls are good to practice with. Dont let all the latest fad, hip, mall ninja poofery, gadget equipped nonsense discourage you from a good wheelgun. They are guns that will be useful your whole life. |
| As much as I like USPs and 1911s, I vote for a police trade in or otherwise used Glock 17, a bucket full of magazines, a case of ammo, and a lot of trigger time. 9mm is cheap to shoot and effective enough. The G17 is a nice gun that's easy to get apart, light weight, and super easy to find parts for, plus there are TONS of them out there used. That said, if you feel like spending more money, the USP is worth every cent. And you can never beat the tried and true 1911 - a SA Milspec would be in your price range I believe. |
Well, I considered the Glocks, and rented and shot one at the range a while back, but I just didn't like the feel of shooting it. Just didn't seem to fit me. I'm not sure it'll be the USP, right now it's looking like the Sig P226, or the CZ 75. Probably the 226. |
| Seriously 549, or even 500 can get you a used USP9, if that's what you're interested in. I'd keep checking around. Maybe pop over to the Va forum and see if anyone has a line on good gun prices in your area. I see Sig 226s for around 399 with good regularity. What part of Va are you in? |
| Well, I ordered a Sig 226 from CDNN after playing with one at Degoff's a little more. Talked with Tim (Templar from the boards here) and he recommended CDNN. Got an 'excellent' condition 226, with the K Kote finish, night sights, and two 15 round mags for just over $400 after taxes. Should be here around Wednesday. |
Sounds sweet. Be sure and post some pics! |
Oh, I plan on it... 
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Good choice. I obtained a used p226 (police trade in) from a small shop I have dealt with in GA a year ago, and I love the pistol. Shoots awesome, easy to break down and clean, and far more accurate than I am. My second pistol was the venerable S&W 357 mag revolver. The advice about that was good as well. In fact, I shoot it so much, that it will probably be the round that drags me into re-loading. Enjoy, you chose wisely. Geoff |