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Posted: 3/22/2006 3:43:01 PM EDT
[#1]
The Glock 19 is an excellent first handgun. I started with a Glock.
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Posted: 3/22/2006 3:55:18 PM EDT
[#2]
I'm of the opinion that nothing beats a .45 for self defense. But nothing beats a 9mm for cheap ammo. Also, a 9mm in a pair of trained hands can be just as deadly as a .45 for your self defense concern.
I have shot a Glock 17, HK USP .45, and various .22 pistols. I have had significant time behind a Beretta 92fs and a Sig 226. I love both the Beretta and the Sig, but I seem to shoot better with the 92. The Glock I think is a love or hate gun. It can't be beat for reliability and simplicity, but the grip is uncomfortable for me. |
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Posted: 3/22/2006 6:13:01 PM EDT
[#3]
Glock 17 was my first.
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Posted: 3/22/2006 6:17:38 PM EDT
[#4]
I was quite pleased with the Walther P99QA .40 as my first. Ridiculously easy to break down and operate, decocker is an awesome feature, well made, ergonomic, accurate. Definitely worth a look for your first. Also avail in 9mm.
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Posted: 3/22/2006 11:48:48 PM EDT
[#5]
Sound like you have been getting good advice. For the price a CZ75 can't be beat, and the quality is excellent. I have owned all the weapons you mentioned and find the CZ the most affordable and comfortable weapon to handle and shoot. You might also want to look at a nice .357 revolver, if you start buying guns, obtaining a .357 is inevitable. It is a full power multi purpose round.
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Posted: 3/23/2006 1:02:57 AM EDT
[#6]
Here ya go:
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Posted: 3/23/2006 2:22:38 AM EDT
[#7]
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Posted: 3/23/2006 2:58:46 AM EDT
[#8]
+1. i love mine. also look a the ruger pistols. they run generally no higher than $375 for the 9mm varieties. and 9mm is probably the way to go for a first pistol. i was talking to a guy at the gun store/range i shoot at about these issues. and he agreed with me that for first pistols, a decocker or manual safety is a must. the passive safety of a glock is not a good idea for noobies. while i know you have some experience, all of that knowledge might just go out the window when you get your own gun in your hands. i am sure you are safe but i strongly suggest a pistol with either decocker or safety. |
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Posted: 3/23/2006 4:53:49 AM EDT
[#9]
For your very first gun, I recommend a revolver. In order to save money, how about a used S&W gun, I would say a L-frame model 586/686 or a K-frame model 19/66. Or a new Ruger GP100, the Rugers have the most comfortable factory I've ever felt. Or a Taurus medium frame revolver. Some of the older Taurus revolvers faintly resemble S&W guns, that is because years ago the Brazilian company was owned by the same holding company that owned S&W . Get either with 4-6" barrel. 38spl ammo is really cheap, and you can shoot the more powerful 357Rem Mag round.
Practice with your new revolver and practice some more. When you get good and comfortable, the step up to an auto-pistol. |
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Posted: 3/23/2006 4:59:44 AM EDT
[#10]
.22
My new baby is a Ruger 22/45. I wish I'd bought it years ago. Good for practice. |
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Posted: 3/23/2006 5:35:46 AM EDT
[#11]
I'll give you the best advice, that nobody else has given you.
Go to that range down the street and RENT the pistols you would like to have. Shoot tham all and see what one "fits" you best. Buy it, shoot the piss out of it! Now, once you get this pistol, you're screwed..... they are like lays potato chips, you can't just have one! enjoy, and welcome to the loonie farm 
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Posted: 3/23/2006 7:36:31 AM EDT
[#12]
I'm of two minds.
First, you cannot go wrong with a good revolver in .357. You will have a nice powerful cartrige and a cheaper less powerful plinking option all in one gun. S&W's 686+ models with the 7 shot cylinder are nice, as are Ruger's GP100 offerings. I'd go for a 4 to 6 inch barreled model. Second, however, if you believe a semi-auto is better suited for you, one of the best starter guns, in my view, is the venerable Makarov. The bulgarian ones on the market are pretty good, and still inexpensive. The 9x18 mak round is found in plentiful loadings from wolf and others (Barnaul makes an amazingly good performing hollowpoint). The Makarov is the "SKS of handguns" -- its a simple, robust, no nonsense design with a good feature set, fine accuracy, and lots of durability at a reasonable cost. In fact, it is my view that these guns are built like a brick shithouse. If you're new to handguns, please please PLEASE, be mindful of your muzzle control. I've been swept by the muzzle of loaded hanguns far more often at the range than rifles, as its easy to be careless with a handgun. If you go for a "safetyless" gun like a Glock, please be mindful of the rule about the finger on the trigger, as there is no room for error. You should follow all the safety rules all the time, but some designs are less forgiving. (A Glock, for example, requires that you pull the trigger to strip the gun, making religous inspection of the chamber a MUST). |
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Posted: 3/23/2006 8:40:41 AM EDT
[#13]
Not interested in a gold Desert Eagle at this time.
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Posted: 3/23/2006 8:43:27 AM EDT
[#14]
Thanks for the suggestions everyone! How much is a CZ75 or a 9mm Glock going to set me back? I think I will go and try everything out but I'm just curious what ball park I'm going to be in. My FBI friend suggested I get a Ruger .22 and then move up. I have shot a Ruger .22 before and I thought it was fun. My only concern is getting money tied up in a .22 and then wanting something more in the near future.
Thanks |
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Posted: 3/23/2006 7:56:33 PM EDT
[#15]
Glock 17 or 19...
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Posted: 3/23/2006 10:00:10 PM EDT
[#16]
You need a 9MM or better. Don't count on a .22 for self defense, except as a last resort.
9MM is the best bang for your buck to me, if you consider performance versus cost. 100 bullets for 10-12 bucks. .40 bullets cost 8 for 50. .45 bullets cost 10 bucks for 50. I recommend the Springfield XD. But you really should go with a friend who knows a lot about guns and try them all out. That is the BEST thing to do. |
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Posted: 3/24/2006 4:26:37 AM EDT
[#17]
in my area a cz75 will start around $450 and go up from there. but i just saw a cz85 for $400. the only difference is that the 85 is ambidextrous. i started with .45acp and 9mm when i started shooting. i finally got a ruger .22lr pistol for the sole reason that i wanted to be able to plink and practice for real cheap. |
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Posted: 3/24/2006 4:42:52 AM EDT
[#18]
I agree, you can then buy a .22 conversion kit for cheap practice. |
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Posted: 3/24/2006 6:13:44 AM EDT
[#19]
IMHO. Smith and Wesson 686 6" is a great first handgun for someone in your situation. Start out with .38 specials and move up to .357mag when you're comfortable with the firearm.
Good luck.
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Posted: 3/24/2006 6:18:33 AM EDT
[#20]
Sig 226 9mm. Glocks and XDs are good too. I just prefer Sigs.
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Posted: 3/24/2006 6:22:59 AM EDT
[#21]
Thanks again for the help. 1 question. I have heard alot of suggestions about practicing with a 22 and then moving up. But how is shooting a 22 anything like a 9 40 45 etc. I have shot a couple of hand guns in those different calibers and I remember thinking the 22 was like a toy compared to firing those?
Right now I think I'm considering a Ruger Mark III 22/45. Or a Glock 19 if I decide to go bigger then a 22 for my first gun. What is the Glock 19 market like $500 + ?
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Posted: 3/24/2006 6:39:24 AM EDT
[#22]
"Going cheap" on a first pistol is more often than not a big mistake. For self defense 9mm is an excellent place to start and is affordable.
Don't forget the price of additional magazines...you'll want at least 3 OEM mags. This is where owning a more mainstream firearm is important. Quality ammo for self defense ---> Will cost more than plinking ammo regadless of caliber choice. No sense skimping out now. How much is your life worth? Other hidden costs ---> Holsters? Gunsafe? Range membership? Whatever you decide on, PRACTICE! PRACTICE!! PRACTICE!!! You have to learn to crawl before you can walk, learn to walk before you can run. EDITED TO ADD - I use 9mm for LEO duty, enjoy 38special and view that as a suitable self defense option as well, and can't get enough 45ACP or 10mm to satisfy my pistol shooting appetite. |
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Posted: 3/24/2006 6:51:07 AM EDT
[#23]
+1 for all above statements. |
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Posted: 3/24/2006 7:05:44 AM EDT
[#24]
Starting on a .22 is going to help you learn basic shooting skills easier because you don't have to deal with recoil. As an example, my first handgun was an HK USP 45 Compact. I shot over 500 rounds before I was finally able to hit where I was aiming (I had no prior experience with handguns). I was on my own. In your case, however, it sounds like you have an FBI friend who may be able to help you learn the basics. In that case you would be better off starting with a 9mm because your friend could help you learn, the recoil would be relatively low, and you could still use it for a carry gun if you choose. Also, you might get bored quickly with the .22 because it's just a plinking gun. The first handgun I ever shot was a .44 magnum S&W with an 8" barrel. I recommend you not get one of these as your first handgun.  ETA: The CZ has a great reputation as a great handgun and will run you about $400-450. The SIG P226 also has a great reputation as a great handgun and will be around $675-725. Or you could go with some of the others mentioned - Ruger, S&W, etc. |
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Posted: 3/24/2006 7:49:13 AM EDT
[#25]
I usually don't respond to these questions cause most replies are personal preference but then you worded your needs pretty well.
For a gun that you can both use for range and self defense, your better off with a midsize frame. For the range, you want something to fit comfortably in your hand while enough barrel length to be fairly acurate and for self defense as small as you can go for concealability. Your criteria for low cost amunition and good availablity as others has posted puts you right in the 9mm catagory. Its also has a moderate recoil so easier to adjust to than the larger calibers. Much smaller and you lose on the self defense aspect as far as effectiveness goes. From your description, you are fairly new at shooting but have been around it enough you probably won't be happy with a revolver so that puts you into the semi-automatics. Being new, safety should be a major concern as well as ease to use for self defense. Needing a gun and forgetting to take off the safety while under stress for example is not a good idea but then neither is all you have to do is pull the trigger. Same goes for is it chambered/cocked or not. Sounds like to me, you are an ideal canidate for a Springfield XD9. The XD9 combines the trigger safety (drop the gun on the ground safety) of the Glock with the back of the handle safety of the tried and true 1911 .45. That means pretty much your hand has to be on the gun properly and finger on the trigger for it to go off. This is important for holstering as well as not much thought is required to pull and use while maintaining a higher degree of safety. The round in chamber and cocked indicators are both visible and can be checked by touch in the dark. The 4" barrel is a decent size for both conceal carry as well as decent range groupings. The polymer body is sturdy but reduces weight which is important for conceal carry. The handgrip is at a good angle and size that is more comfortable to the average or beginning shooter which reduces your learning curve. The lever tear down is simple to use which makes cleaning easier. This is important to beginners cause a complicated system creates a natural hesitancy to both cleaning and eventually shooting. Here's a link to the SA site for the XD. www.springfield-armory.com/prod-xdpstl-service.shtml Hope this helps. Tj |
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Posted: 3/24/2006 8:09:18 AM EDT
[#26]
Thank you all very much for your suggestions. I really appreciate the feedback and am feeling better about making a decision in the near future!
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Posted: 3/24/2006 10:35:55 AM EDT
[#27]
That xd9 gets some great reviews. Thanks for the suggestion. I didn't have that on my list.
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Posted: 3/24/2006 11:05:58 AM EDT
[#28]
Start with a GLOCK 19 GLOCKS are EXstremly durable, and last foreever, they are easy to take apart (2 seconds) and therefore you can keep it clean, also ammo is cheap and you can shoot this firearm alot more then you are gonna shoot a .45 Auto, buy one you will love it
one note, GLOCKS are the best gun, but they also lack a few safety features, as long as you are cafeful and treat it like it was loaded anytime you touch it you will be fine, good luck |
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Posted: 3/24/2006 11:48:49 AM EDT
[#29]
+1 Or a 229 9mm. |
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Posted: 3/24/2006 1:06:36 PM EDT
[#30]
I've enjoyed my SigSauer P228 quite a bit!
I would rent a 228 or a 226 if you get the chance. |
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Posted: 3/24/2006 10:16:29 PM EDT
[#31]
I still say spend $300 and get yourself a .22. After that, you can move up to whatever handgun you like, and continue to practice fundamentals. My .22 has done me so much good in the last few weeks I can't even explain it. I am totally sold on .22 pistols after buying one!
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Posted: 3/25/2006 1:16:57 AM EDT
[#32]
Sigs are by far my favorite pistols; my Sig 229 is my currently the pistol I spend the most time with. I also have spent a lot of time recently with a 9mm XD, and I have been very impressed by that, too. |
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Posted: 4/4/2006 11:49:50 AM EDT
[#33]
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Posted: 4/4/2006 12:22:35 PM EDT
[#34]
Welcome to ARFCOM! |
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Posted: 4/4/2006 12:42:06 PM EDT
[#35]
+1 to the XD. I bought my first pistol the day I turned 21, it was an XD40 4inch from gander Mountain when they were going for $399. I didn't do the best job of shopping around/shooting other guns, for what reason i dont know, I knew I didnt want a glock. Being a first time gun owner, I wanted a gun that would go bang by pulling the trigger and not worrying about manual safeties. The XD just seemed to make sense. Mags weren't too bad at the time. It was in 40SW, so ammo wasn't as bad as .45acp/.357/10mm 2 years later, and probably 4000 rounds through it, i haven't had any problems other than user error
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Posted: 4/4/2006 12:51:43 PM EDT
[#36]
+2 mixed w/ cheap, easy to get mags/parts/stuff, the Glock is the best to start with |
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Posted: 4/4/2006 2:19:30 PM EDT
[#37]
a .38 revolver might be a good idea for a first gun. Simple, cheap (Taurus, Rossi) you can leave it loaded for ages, no need to worry about magazine spring compressing etc etc. Ideal "under the bed" gun.
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Posted: 4/4/2006 4:49:23 PM EDT
[#38]
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Posted: 4/6/2006 3:03:02 PM EDT
[#39]
+1 Dont understimate the lowly 22LR. Otherwise, "Ruger P. Low cost (Buy lots of ammo w savings). Reliable. Ugly. Loved by owners. Hated by non owners. Backed by Ruger customer service and reliability. The A-10 warthog of handguns. No pilot wants it. Once they fly it you cant pry them away. They always come home no matter how many shots they take." P95 Thread |
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