Posted: 12/7/2004 9:37:05 AM EDT
| I finally got my pistol permit and I am looking into purchasing a handgun. I would like to know what is a good first pistol to get. I like a few of the sig models and a couple of glocks. Any suggestions? I want something tactical but yet concealable. |
|
first off, don't listen to anyone who says "you should definately get this gun." Try a bunch of different guns and go with the one you like. Secondly. Don't let people tell you "you have to get a (insert cartridge here)." Any major service caliber using a quality defensive load will do just fine. If you are going to pick one for any reason, go with 9/40/45 due to the availability of ammunition. Speaking of the availability of ammunition, practice, a lot. Even better: get training. a tactical pistol course with a reputable organization will go a long way as far as making you a better shooter and giving you more confidence in your ability to defend yourself. Don't skimp out on accessories, get the night sights, buy a good belt, buy a good holster. It goes a long way as far as comfort an practicality. That being said, here is what I carry: I carry a glock 26 w/ meprolight night sights. I find it to be concealable and supprisingly accurate for such a small gun. I carry a flush fit mag in the gun (10+1) and full size glock 17 mags as spares. I find having a shitload of ammo is a comfort factor in my neighborhood. Once again, go with what you feel comfortable with. There are lots of quality manufactures that make lots of quality guns. I use winchester ranger T 127gr +P+ as defensive ammunition. It cycles flawlessly in my gun and i find it to have excellent terminal ballistics. Quality loadings from the likes of speer and federal are just fine. Make sure you fire a good 200 rounds of whatever you intend to carry to make sure it works in your gun (worth $70 to know your gun won't jam when you need it). I carry in a comptac C-tac holster. The gun dissappers completely on me and it's very comfortable. Other manufacturers to look at include threat solutions, sidearmor, bladetech, etc. A good belt is any one that wont flex under the weight of a handgun. I'm also a training junkie. these are the guys who i have trained with and they are top notch. Also, i think they are one of the best deals going www.warriormindset.com There are tons of training options available, that is just one. |
|
Go to a range that has a good selection of rentals. Try out the major brands and see what you like in terms of feel. Then try out several calibers. See what you can handle and shoot well. Then see how much money you have to spend and buy what you want. I love SIGs and shoot them well. I love Glocks and shoot them well. I own more SIGs then Glocks, but for CCW nothing beats the size of the Glock 26,27,33. They are a small compact package that comes in a variety of calibers. CCW Factors: Is the gun to big, bulky or heavy for all day carry? If yes then you will not want to carry. Is it comfortable and easily accessable? If yes, then you will feel more at home with it on you. Training: Once you decide on your weapon, get training. There are many good schools out there, take a course specializing in CCW (The Sigarms academy offers a course.) Hope that helps |
If you have any friends who own handguns, ask them if you shoot a variety of their guns. Most of the guns I have purchased have not been guns that I just so happen to see at the gun shop and think were attractive pieces of hardware, but rather they were models which other friends of mine or relatives let me fire. YOU have to fall head over heels for the weapon you choose to carry. RELIABILITY, ACCURACY, and then comfort. Love your gun, like a spouse or lover, it would more likely save your life than the others.
|
Times one million. FWIW, go buy a box of several different calibers: 9mm, .45acp, etc. Most folks will appreciate it when you supply your own factory made ammo when you try their guns. It'll probably take more than one mag to really know a gun, IMO. Good luck! |
|
Recommend trying and finding what feels best to ya. If you don't shoot handguns, maybe get a full size to start , then later get a compact model. Reason being compacts are harder to learn fundamendals in my opinion. As previously posted there is not 1 good caliber/brand/model. Lots to choose from . Good luck and be safe.
|
|
I'd agree, get a full size model first up, to learn with. From my observations, They are easier to learn with, Less likely to pick up poor habits. Normally much nicer to shoot, which means you don't get put off shooting it. Example : Amongst my firearms I have a 357Mag revolver and a 44Mag revolver. I shoot the 357 much better, not for any reason of better accuracy of the gun [in theory my 44 is better than my 357], but the 357 is more pleasant to shoot, so I end up shooting much more often. IF it hold bullets and goes bang, that's the important part. The rest is suitability to task and personal preferences. |
|
I don't think that's neccecarily true about full size guns. The last couple people i taught did better with my glock 26 than with my HK USP or beretta 92. The most important factor in learning the basics is a good instructor. No need to go out and buy multiple guns (unless you have the money )
|
|
IMHO the first handgun for a beginner should be in .22LR for cheap practice. Upgrade to a center fire handgun later. DA revolver simplest and best for beginner. No safeties, no magazine feeding problems, just pull trigger "bang" - if it doesn't go bang, pull trigger again. If you insist on semi-auto, get quality semi-auto in .22LR for a first handgun. (Ruger makes several good options, but so do some others. One nice feature for a beginner is that they are safe to dry-fire.) Another possibility is to get a center fire semi-auto and purchase a .22LR conversion kit for it. Not the cheapest and may not be an option with the SIG's, but an option if you have the money. Whatever you get, practice, practice, practice.... |
Best advice so far... If you insist on getting a centerfire handgun for your first I would recommend nothing larger than .357/.38 special (used with .38 specials) or a 9mm. This way you will be able to overcome your tendancy to flinch much more quickly than if you had a heavier recoiling handgun. Kent |