[cgiorgio]

:cuss: Have a price range of $400 to $600. I am looking for something easy to shoot, not to big and something thats not gonna break. Any advice is good advice. Thinking of getting ccw, maybe something easy to conceal. Thanks alot:evil:

[shermacman]

First of all: Welcome!
You are going to get the gauntlet of answers, rightfully so.

[SpookyPistolero]

Howdy! Welcome to The High Road.

Not that you aren't going to get plenty of good answers within this thread, but if you use the 'search' function above you will find volumes of threads discussing exactly this topic. It will give you a lot of information and well based opinions to help you make a better decision.

[rero360]

heres my .02 cents. Springfield 1911 GI or milspec, or if you can get one priced low enough go for the loaded. while it may seem like a big gun, they are actually extremely easy to conceal. even with the 5 inch barrel. they are extremely slender so that helps, I have the lightweight bitone loaded full size model. I'm 5' 10'' about 150 pounds, I'm a skinny guy, but when I put the gun in the waistband of my pants it disappears. with the gi and milspec and depending on where you live you'll be looking at somewheres between 300 and 600 brand new, I got mine for just over 700 including tax.they're very fun to shoot, naturally points good and just feels good in the hand. theres my 2 cents on the matter

[dk-corriveau]

For what it is worth, I would go with an FN HiPower in 9mm. It will be about $450-$500, but it will give you a medium sized caliber and a platform that is second only to the 1911. Much like the 1911, it should conceal very easily due to its thin profile. I am yet to get one, but it is on the top of my list! In my opinion, it is a must have!

[donkee]

FN Hi-Power from CDNN (399.99 9mm), CZ75 from anywhere (about 400.00), S&W revolver (any, but I like k-Frames 200.00 and up) Ruger GP-100 .357 (250 ish). Does that help? :)

[Shipwreck]

It's my understanding that the stock trigger on many hi powers needs some smithing to make them smoother.

For the $400-$600 range.

I would recommend the:

Beretta 92FS - very great gun. Very accurate. Has a saftey - good for someone just getting into guns and doesn't feel comfortable w/o one.

Taurus 92 - A clone of the Beretta. It is typically $100 or more cheaper. Almost as good as the Beretta. I think I would rely on one for my life. But the fit and finish isn't quite as good as a Beretta in most that I have held up close. Still, they are good guns.

Ruger - They make several 9mm, .40 cal and .45 models. Heck, I plan to buy a Ruger 345 soon. It's their newest 45 model.

Glock - a reall work horse that is reliable. But, despite what diehard glock lovers say, the lack of a manual safety and a light trigger does make some people nervous. The Glock 34 is my fav. SOme people take a long time to get used to Glock triggers. I ALWAYS shot low and to the left no matter how much I practiced. I have had a Glock 17, G19 and G26 previously. I LOVE the Glock 34. It has a lighter trigger pull stock, and it is the only Glock I have ever shot accurately.

1911 - Springfield and Smith & Wesson make really good 1911s. While you could get the base model military spec 1911 with in your price range, it doesn't have all of the slight customizations that people love. I would say you that you have to spend close to $700 for a good 1911.

Taurus makes several other semi-auto models. Some swear by them, and some people talk endlessly about problems. I personally would only buy the Taurus 92 or a Taurus 22 caliber gun. I would not buy any other Taurus semi-autos.

I LOVE the Walther P99. S&W makes a clone of the P99. I own one. I like it a lot. I got an awesome deal on it for $437. I've seen them for $450-$499 at other places.

I hear that CZ handguns are a very big bargain and are very reliable. Never owned one before, and visually, they do not appeal to me. But, they are supposedly a HUGE bargain.

Sig Sauer - Never got into them myself, and they are very expensive IMHO. But, they do have a great reputation. But, from what I have heard, one must do meticulous regular maintenance on the gun for reliability.

H&K - make great guns, but you pay a premium for the H&K name.

[Ala Dan]

But, for a first gun I strongly recommend a revolver. You mentioned
possibly using as a CCW piece, so that leads to the 15 oz Smith & Wesson
model 642 in .38 Special. Its not only light in weight, but very compact
and holds 5 rounds of .38 Special's. I recommend this gun because of the
revolvers reliability, when conditions go south.

For example, if an attacker grasp one of your arms and is dragging you
away to his escape vechile and you are armed with a self-loader; just
suppose after the first shot (assuming you have a round up the pipe),
that the gun has a malfunction; more commonly known as a stovepipe.
Then, what are you going too do? I have the other hand, and your
one shot has missed me~!:uhoh: Remember, it takes two hands to clear a jam.

With the revolver, all you have too do is keep pulling the trigger
until the threat stops, or the weapon runs dry.

[SJshooter]

You sound like a new shooter. You need a revolver.

You probably want it for the range AND for a little home protection. You should get a .357 magnum (they can also chamber .38 special but not the other way around).

You want something that will last, buy a Smith and Wesson.

You want the 686 in either a 4" or 6" barrel, depending on whether you want it more for home use or target shooting.

You will LOVE THIS GUN. I promise.

Edited: Didn't see the part about you wanting to conceal. You can do a 686 in a 2.5" barrel, but they're bulky. Consider the model 60.

[Shipwreck]

I know that a lot of older shooters recommend a revolver, but I started with a Glock 17. You don't HAVE to start w/ a revolver. I have never been attracted to revolvers in the 13 years I have been old enough to purchase my own handguns. If he prefers a semi-auto, he should start w/ that. Nothing wrong w/ that.

Now, if he likes revolvers, then yes, you will find that you may be a bit more accurate with them w/ less prectice as you are first getting started...

[svtruth]

Get something nice, and never get rid of it. It seems everyone here who has gotten rid of a first gun regrets it.
The three least expensive ammos seem to be .22lr, 9mm, and .45acp
Eventually you will have put more $ through the gun than into it.
Good luck.

[Universal]

For a first gun I would also recommend a S&W revolver. I generally would say any K frame but since you are thinking concealed carry, I say take a look at the model 60. If you really want to go the semi-auto route, I suggest a GLOCK in 9mm. The 17 would be my choice but the 19 might serve your purposes better i.e. concealed carry.

Good luck and welcome to the High Road!

[EddieCoyle]

Welcome! For right around $600, you can get two "first" guns. I'd recommend a S&W 642 revolver and a Ruger Mk III .22LR auto.

The 642 is an ultra-small, ultra-light revolver that is excellent for concealed carry. You can load it with .38 SPL +P so it can pack quite a bit of punch in a small package. A .357 (like the 340PD) is more versatile (can shoot both .38 and .357) but if you're thinking of spending the extra dough to get a .357 snubbie, I suggest you shoot it first. I did, and began to wonder which end of the gun inflicted more pain.

The MK III is a fun and reliable autoloader. You can shoot until your finger is tired and you won't break the bank buying ammo.

[ruger357]

Revolver- S&W K-frame .357
Semi- 1911
Welcome.

[TMM]

Revolver or auto?

go to teh range and shoot both, find out what you like. then choose what caliber you like. bigger the better. 9mm easy to handle, but 45acp ok? then try somthing in that. a used HK USP or 1911 is good. Glocks and SA (springfield armory) XD series...

revolver? S&W 686, ruger GP100 are common starter guns. the GP, i've heard, are built like a tank.

~TMM

[MachIVshooter]

:cuss: Have a price range of $400 to $600. I am looking for something easy to shoot, not to big and something thats not gonna break. Any advice is good advice. Thinking of getting ccw, maybe something easy to conceal. Thanks alot:evil:

Although I typically recommend revolvers to new shooters, your criteria has led me to a very simple solution:

Magnum Research semi-compact Baby Eagle 9mm (http://www.magnumresearch.com/Expand.asp?ProductCode=MR9900RS). It is a traditional double action autoloader with a deckocker safety, 16+1 capacity and is extremely comfortable. The semi-compact model has a full length grip but a 1" shorter barrel (3.7"). I have a full size version, a friend has the semi-compact and another friend has the compact (though his is a .40). All have been reliable to a fault and very accurate. The semi-compact will be nicer on the range than the compact, but easier to conceal than the full size model. Why 9mm? It is an effective round that is very economical to practice with. You will find yourself shooting a whole lot less with .40 or .45 (though these calibers are also available in the semi-compact Baby. Good looking pistols that fit the hand extrememly well. Best part: They can be had for right around $400 brand new.

Of course, a Ruger or S&W .357 is always an excellent choice.

[Seven High]

I usually recommend a medium frame Smith and Wesson revolver when someone inquires about a first pistol. The manual of arms is pretty simple when compared to a semi auto. They are safer for a new shooter to use and to dry fire with. Dry fire is very important in learning to shoot well. Pick up a Smith Model 10 or 15 for under $200.00. They can be concealed on your person if you want to.

[BozemanMT]

Glock 19
with night sights should be right around 500.
ugly as sin, will not lose value, will never go bad. will always shoot, easy to take care of and shoots 9mm (which is cheap as you can get)
small enough to conceal, big enough to hold on to.
I used to hate Glocks, now all of a sudden I have 5 of them. (in like 2 months, how did this happen?:p )

[22-rimfire]

I think a gun that's concealable and a gun that is fun to shoot are two different animals. I like revolvers. I have a S&W 442 (38sp+) revolver which is pretty concealable if I choose to. (This gun has approximately a 2" barrel.) It is not much to distance shooting or having fun shooting.

For pleasant shooting outdoors or at an indoor range, again I suggest a revolver. I think a 4" Colt Mark III (357 mag or 38spl-also available in 22 chamberings) would be ideal for this purpose. Very smooth action and shoots very well out of the box. They are available used in very good condition for $350-$450. The S&W 686 (357) also is a good choice, just not a Colt.

For a true starter gun, I would suggest a 22LR; proabably a Ruger Mark II pistol with a bull barrel (4.5"). They shoot great and are very reliable. But they are not conceable. You can learn to shoot with this. 22 Revolvers are good too,; just stick with either a Colt or S&W in 22 and you can't go wrong. Barrel length is your choice, usually a 4 or 6" choice.

Home defense; Ruger GP100 3" (357 mag) revolver. Good all purpose gun in the $350-$400 range with barrels up to 6" long depending on your preferences. It is not a bad starter gun overall either. I like revolvers for many reasons (have autos and revolvers) but primarily for the reliability factor. It you have a misfire or a round is "not in the chamber", you can just press the trigger again to rotate the cylinder to the next spot and fire. Simple and very effective!

[Dave R]

I agree with 22. A good concealable gun should be small and light. That means more recoil, and less gun to fill your hand. Which means its less pleasant to shoot.

My favorite pistol to shoot is my 9mm High-Power. It it also pretty concealable for a full-size pistol.

But my favorite gun to carry is a P-3AT, which is not "fun" to shoot.

Mmmm, mebbe a 3" revolver, like a Ruger SP-101, or the equivalent Smith & Wesson (Model 60?) would be a good compromise. After market grips will make it feel a whole lot better, in my experience.

[Justang]

Combat tupperware is always a good first gun. Takes very little to maintain, they rarely break, and are pretty simple. Glock, Sig, HK, ect.

[lyricsdad]

a .357 revolver.
i just picked up a model 60
holds 5 rounds, .357 or .38
can handle the +p .38 loads since it handles the .357 it probably can handle +p+ .38 loads..

its in your price range..
looks nice...
here a pic of mine

with the money you save you can probably get a pocket holster, a nice iwb or high ride leather holster, and a few speed loaders..http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=31161&d=1131853878

[EghtySx]

You will get lots of good advice here as there are many very intelligent people here with loads of experience. All I would like to add is, don't get in a hurry. Take your time and get what you really like and shoot well. If you can't afford it now wait until you can. Don't buy something you don't really want and/or will not keep/use much. Waiting is hard but well worth it to get what you really want.