[ARCHIVED THREAD] - First handgun: suggestions please (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 3/11/2007 1:20:28 PM EDT
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Hello AR15.com, I plan to purchase my first handgun in the coming month and would love some suggestions from this community. This pistol would be for sport/hobby shooting as well as possible home defense. I do not intend to carry at this time. I am torn between revovlers and semi-autos. I definately find semi-autos easier to keep aimed as I pull the trigger, but I like the aesthetic of the revolver and I'll need a lot of practice in either case. Money is not a serious issue, but the less expensive the better, obviously. I appreciate any and all input. Thanks, BGA |
Howdy.  If you have enough pistol shooting experience to be safe on a range , and can handle a bit of recoil , get whatever you want. If you're not very experienced - get a nice .22 semiauto and a pile of AMMO  A nice Ruger or Browning .22 is only about $300. AND, If you don't already belong to a shooting club - Find one and join. 
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I have been renting guns. I took a beginner's training course and we fired a CCW-style .357 as well as a S&W XD. I've been back to the range once so far and I tried a fuller-sized .357 as well as a Baretta 9mm. The shop is having a show at the end of the month and I'll likely be able to get something on sale, and that's a perfect amount of time to rent a few different guns. I like 1911s; I find that the S&W 1911s are insanely overpriced. A couple of other Q's: Is it usually a safe bet to purchase a used firearm? It seems like they don't come down in price much from the new models. What is this 'internal lock' on newer model S&W revolvers, and why is it frowned upon? |
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If you'll be shooting the pistol at the range often enough or think that there's even a chance that you might be, you might want to first settle into what caliber of pistol that you want. .22LR is the cheapest by far but do you really want to rely on .22LR for home defense? I'll take .22LR over nothing but I don't want to rely on it for home defense unless I had no other option. 9mm can get the job done just fine and is probably next on the rung as far as ammo prices go. Some folk here feel under-gunned with 9mm. I'm not one of them. The 9mm is a very common fairly cheap round. .40 S&W ... Personally, why bother? If you want a bigger round, go with .45 ACP. You'll have fewer rounds available in a magazine but it's a great home defense round. Price is going to be on the high end. Of course, if you reload, you might be able to find a nice combination of components that will result in a cheap range round in any caliber. I don't know. I don't reload yet. Again, I'd first ask myself what caliber I wanted to go with and then start exploring my options. |
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Two guns that are fun to shoot, won't break the bank, and will give good reliability: Glock 17 Ruger GP-100 Either is good for home defense or as a range plinker for lots of high volume shooting (load .38 specials in the GP-100 and it's like shooting a cap gun), neither will likely let you down. Aside from a .22LR (which I did not start out with, either), these are both ideal guns for a beginner in the auto and revolver categories, respectively. Unlike .22LR, you can also use either for home defense and not be too under-gunned. |
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My suggestion for a first timer's handgun is a Smith & Wesson K frame revolver. There are several models in the K frame family (10, 13, 19, 65, 64, etc.) They are very accurate, dead simple to use, powerful (especially in 357 Magnum), and afforable. A 357 Magnum K frame (such as the Model 65 shown here) allows you the ability to practice with affordable (and mild recoiling) 38 S&W Special ammo, while giving you the ability to load up the man-stopper-par-excellence 357 Magnum for when the feces impact the air circulation device.  Do not get a snub-nose (3" or less barrel) revolver, particularly the very light ones. They are definitely guns for experienced shooters because they are not easy to shoot effectively. |
Generally speaking, yes, it's a way to save $$$ by buying used. A few web sites to check for prices are CDNN, KY Imports, etc. Buying from a dealer will usually ensure some sort of warranty, 90 days or 90 shots if nothing else. Buying from BillyJoe JimBob won't give you squat. Take along an experienced shooter, if you're uncertain of what to look for, IMO. Good luck!!! 
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Just use basic common sense and disassemble prior to buying. Most used handguns in my experience have less than 500 rounds shot through them...good as new! The beauty of buying a used gun at a fair price is that you can usually shoot the hell out of it and sell it for about the same or more (gun show) than you paid. Welcome to the board Flushdraw |
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An older S&W Model 19 shouldn't cost you more than $400 and will be relatively cheap to shoot (.38spl) with .357 magnum for home defense. A Ruger MKII/III, while "only" a .22LR, will kill just as well as anything else, and for you, probably better than most because of its low learning curve and lack of recoil. As far as semi-autos, the CZ 75 is probably the most under-acknowledged firearm among new gunners. A full size CZ 75B 9mm with night sights can be found NEW for under $400, holds 16+1, and is one of, if not the, most ergonomic and accurate pistols on the market today. CZ is also the only major firearms manufacturer that I know of that simply does NOT get any bad press, whether on internet forums or at the range. |
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I'm a big semi-auto fan myself. With how reliable they are, provided you buy the right brand, there is nothing to worry about in that regard. Suggested brands: SIG Glock HK S&W (anything BUT the Sigma) Ruger Beretta Springfield Kahr Revolvers are nice too. They're just not my bag personally. Hold them, operate them, shoot them, figure out what's best for you. |
If you're not a wuss and you can get past the 50# trigger pull , then they're great! My first handgun was a SW9VE and I have shot approx. 3000 rounds through it in 2 months without a single problem and I've only cleaned it twice! Stick that in your pipe and smoke it! 
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for your purposes, i'd start w/ a 9mm auto or .357mag revolver (begin w/ .38spl loads) revolvers are easier and simplier to learn on--just load and pull autos require a tad more training to get use to, but imo are a tad more versitle and fitting for autos, i'd look at: HK, SIG, quality 1911s (kimber, SW, SA, etc), Glock, and CZ try a few and good luck |
The reason I suggest to steer clear of sigmas is due to the very mixed reviews. Some people have great reliability and good accuracy where I've shot several that jam every 3-5 rounds and you can't hit shit standing 5 feet away. I know that every manufacturer produces lemons...EVERY manufacturer...the numbers just seemed too high with the Sigmas as far as decent:lemon ratio. If you have a Sigma that works and is decent accuracy...I'm glad for you. |
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Make sure you try revolvers as well as autos. I am a wheelgun man because I have not found an auto pistol (not even vaunted M1911) that points as naturally as a good revolver. My S&W Model 65 was good with the stock grips that you see in the pic. Now it wears a set of these:  And is now like an extension of my finger. It is much easier to radically alter the grip shape of a revolver than it is with a semi-auto. |
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My first handgun was a Browning Hi Power MkIII in 9mm. I like it, except for the magazine safety, which is easily removed. The best advice is to go to a range, and rent a wide variety of handguns. I thought I would like SIGs, and I hated them - I shot very poorly. I thought I would hate Glocks, and I loved them - I shot very well. |
I think you're referring to the old generation sigma's. The new one's are problem free!
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| Thanks for all of the advice. I have been to the range a couple of times now, and I fired a revolver and a semi-auto each, each time that I went. I'm leaning heavily towards a semi-auto because I am simply a better shot with them. Provided that I enjoy shooting, I'll buy a revolver as a second handgun. I do love the aesthetic of the revolver. I was at the range yesterday and went up into the shop for a look around. There is one used P226 for $550 and another for $650 - the latter comes with full manufacturers warranty. I would have bought either of them but I did not have my permit to purchase yet. I should have that within a week; I hope either of those two sigs are still available! |
Have you seen a Sig P226 misfire? Can anyone give me some tips on what to look for as far as damage in a used auto pistol? |
This may not have been the gun's fault, but the ammo.
The biggie *I* look for is slide slop, bore cleanliness & scratch marks on the outside of the gun. If the gun isn't clean, oiled & somewhat scratch free, I would think the previous owner didn't care enough to clean it or take care of it properly. Homemaking gunsmithing is a HUGE no-no for me, personally. Some folks will tell you to ignore slide to frame fit & focus on tightness of the barrel lock-up. Generally speaking, this may be good advice, IMO. However, for me, the bore is like looking at a horse's teeth or a woman's hands: it's the end-all, be-all, IMO. My .o2
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You sound like you're starting exactly as I did... sport and home defense. Do yourself a favor try to find a place to rent a CZ. A 75 is fine, but an SP-01 would be ideal, if you can rent one. If you're seriously not planning to carry this first pistol a good cost/performance model is the CZ85 Combat. But, the SP-01 is an awesome gun for USPSA! Good hunting! Bill |
Neither of those Sig P226 prices sound good. CDNN has new ones for $599. Gander Mountain lately has had a lot of used P225s and P226s, so you might want to check them out. The P225 goes for $370 -400. Another option is a Beretta 92FS. Cabelas sells new them for $450, and Gander Mountain will price match. Call the Cabelas gun department and have them look up the least expensive Beretta 92. Very nice pistol for the money, but somewhat bulky. Finally, if you have small hands, the Browning/FN Hi-Power is an awesome pistol. Very slim and compact but with a full length barrel and decent magazine capacity. Normally, used ones are around $450-500, but occasionally you can find a deal. The CZ-75 is another option, somewhat similar in design to the Hi-Power but with a DA/SA trigger. The CZ should only run $400 new. |
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For starters I'd reccomend (like many others) a 9mm, simply for the fact that you can shoot more for less money. Most here are good suggestions, but go fondle a few yourself and see what feels comfortable in your hand. My first suggestions to try would be a Sig 226, Glock 17, or Glock 19. |
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Seems like you have developed an interest in handguns so I see your future will have several so it doesn't really matter what you get first.Keep away from the really weird stuff at first and you can't really go wrong. I would recomend a medium sized S&W 357 revolver. I like the S&W because of the great triggers ,the 357 is the way to go because it allows you to shoot everything from light 38 target loads to full house heavy .357 loads. I like the med to larger guns as the have better grips and sights. My fav S&W is the 686 In a .22 I would recomend a semi-auto .I own and shoot single and double action revolvers but the semi's see ten times as much use in the rimfires |
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If you do decide to buy a revolver, buy used. Current production S&Ws are overpriced, poorly made, and have the annoying lock. A beautiful polish blued, pinned barrel, barely used Model 10 can be had for $200-300. I would also point out that rather than spending $600-700 on a high end pistol, you would be better served by spending $250 on a Ruger MKII or Buckmark .22 auto and $300-450 on a basic CZ-75, Beretta 92, or Glock 17. You can use the .22 pistol for basic marksmanship training, plinking and even hunting. It will also make your 9mm shooting far more effective and efficient. |
| Go get some professional instruction. You'll be amazed at how much you'll learn in even just a weekend course. When you're done, you'll have a far better idea of what's right for you, plus you'll have a solid foundation on which to begin building your habit patterns. |
Poor surface finish, use of MIM parts, heavier, rougher triggers, and lack of hand fitting. I've had personnel experience with coarse cylinders that inhibit ejection, large cylinder gaps, and lead spitting. Just pick up a current production M10 and compare it to a 1960s M10 that can be bought for half the price. No comparison. You must be the last man on earth to think that S&W quality hasn't gone down the tubes in the last 10 years. Like several other manufactures that come to mind, they have sacrificed fit, finish and forgings and substituted "bling". |
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Here's my $0.02 go with the one that feels most natural as to grip among the following: CZ-75B-9mm Glock 19 I like the grip better on the CZ, it has been 100% reliable for me. The Glock feels less natural, however it seems a bit more versatile, more compact, and ready for just about anything that might happen. I also like Smith and Wesson .357s, the big advantage of the wheel gun is that my wife has trouble racking the slide on a pistol, she has no problems operating a revolver, and is a dead on shot too. 1911s are good too, but I would not start with that unless you have fired a couple and have your heart set on a classic. |
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Check out http://www.summitgunbroker.com/ . They have pretty good prices on used and new pistols and many are Police trade-ins with night sights, 3 mags, etc. S/H is $15/1st handgun and $20/up to 3. You'll have to have it shipped to a local gun store which will probably cost another $10-25 or so. They have the P226 like new LE package with Trijicon night sights & 3 mags for $515. |
What is CDNN? Anyone have a link? I got my permit to purchase yesterday, and I think I'll wait until next weekend to purchase as my local shop is having a show, and every piece is either going to be on sale or come with some goodies. However, I like the sounds of getting a NEW P226 for $599... |
www.cdnnsports.com
You should live in a FREE state, IMO.............. 
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