[laxjedi1]

Hey, just wondering what a good first pistol would be. I hear a .22 is the way to go, so I was leaning toward the CZ Kadet. What are your thoughts, or if you could point me in the direction of a thred with the same topic that would work great too. Thanks a lot for your help, take it easy.

[Trebor]

The CZ is a great choice, but don't get the Kadet pistol. Instead, buy the 9mm CZ 75 and then get a .22 Kadet conversion kit. That why you have two pistols in one and aren't limited to just .22. If you bought the Kadet complete pistol first, I think you'd have a hard time getting a 9mm upper for it, if it would even work on that frame.

[Skunkabilly]

If you prefer Berettas over CZs (personal preference, IMO neither is better), a Beretta 92 with a .22LR upper. You can do this with 1911s too but .45 is more expensive if you don't reload, and 1911s generally cost more.

Either way, I'm a big advocate of .22LR conversions for your defense gun.

[RustyHammer]

I agree with Trebor ... if you're so inclined to go that route. There are also several fine .22 revolvers out there by Smith & Wesson and Ruger that are worth looking at.

9mm's wouldn't be a bad first handgun, depending upon age, training, etc. either. Ammo is cheap enough, recoil isn't bad, and is a good self-defense round as well.

Guess it depends upon reason for purchasing it. (Target vs. self-defense).

Must my 2-cents, YMMV

Rusty

[Richard]

laxjedi1, I am an echo. Why? The Kadet unit on my CZ75B is my favorite 22 to shoot and the CZ75 isn't too shaby either. It is a great combination. Regards, Richard:D

[greyhound]

A .22 is a good choice too, but I started on a 4" S&W Model 64 in .38 Special and didn't feel overwhelmed. I practiced a lot and soon moved on to .357s and .45s. I do wish I had taken the gun shop's advice and gotten the .357 (which can shoot both types of ammo) but I'm a cheap SOB and didn't want top part with the extra $100!:D

[blue86buick]

My first pistol was a Ruger 22/45, and it's great. I'm sure i'm going to hold onto it for quite a while. Plus, if you plan to shoot a lot, you can get the Ultimate Clip Loader (http://www.arms-ordnance.com/ultimatecliploader.html) to load the magazines in seconds, thereby getting back the fun that much quicker. :) I don't have one yet...only because I haven't put aside money for it yet.

OTOH, the Beretta 92 and .22LR conversion would be a great idea. 9mm can be had for quite cheap, and .22LR is dirt cheap. Plus, you have a great gun in both calibers, not just *a* great gun.

[10-Ring]

Based on everything I've seen & read, the CZ75 & 22 conv. kit is a very nice set up...as a first gun or just to add to the collection. High quality, low price!

[keithernTN]

Best advice is get a 9mm and get an additional conversion kit you can't go wrong.

[greyhound]

I hear this question a lot and I think its also good advice to shoot as many different guns as you can. Renting them at the range can prevent a regretted purchase. I bought a 2" S&W .357 snubbie cause I thought it looked good. Hated it! Was able to trade for a Ruger 97 but of course I didn't get near what I paid. Wish I'd have tried it first!

[Mastrogiacomo]

My choice and purchase for the first pistol -- Beretta 92FS
If I could get any .22 in this state -- Ruger Mark II

[4v50 Gary]

What Trebor says makes good sense. It's a two'fer. :D

[Justin]

If you bought the Kadet complete pistol first, I think you'd have a hard time getting a 9mm upper for it, if it would even work on that frame. :confused: I would assume that the Kadet pistol uses the same frame as the standard CZ75. After all, it would stand to reason that if the Kadet kit will fit the 9mm CZ frame that the the 9mm CZ upper would fit the Kadet frame. Getting the 9mm upper would probably be a matter of calling up CZ USA and ordering one from them, or ordering one from one of the CZ distributors. Of course, there's nothing wrong with calling up CZ USA to confirm this. They're generally very helpful over the phone.

[Sprout]

I've heard people mention that, for some reason, CZUSA won't do this. Don't know why, would seem easy enough.

[Richard]

I hope this photo comes through as it emphasizes what I am saying about how hard it is to carry a full sized pistol on a belt. Further, it shows why IWB holsters are a better carry solution. Remember, I have never said I don't carry a 1911A1 just that I don't most of the time. My favorite pistols are in fact the 1911 and BHP. Regards, Richard:D

PS the holster is by Eric Larson

[Chugach]

Depends on what your budget is.

.22 ammo is really cheap. Even up here, with added transportation costs, I can get bulk pack 550 rounds for $9.99. That translates to hours and hours of good shooting, pretty much limited to how many magazines I have with me and how long it takes me to refill them.

Others have pointed out the "try before you buy approach". If you can, rent or borrow the pistol you think you want. You may actually change your mind...

In short, if you want plenty of range time and you have limited funds, go .22. Buy several extra magazines, and have fun!

[Bainx]

Welcome aboard lax!

Yup, you can't beat a .22 for bangs per buck. Consider the Ruger MKII.

[Nick96]

You know, my eldest son has been asking about a good first handgun too. He likes the cheap .22 ammo aspect (which I tend to agree with since I'm ultimatly going to be paying the freight) - but he really likes the feel & looks of my CZ 9MM clone (probably more looks than anything else I expect). He really like the boxy 1911 look. Of course, when I was his age, Dirty Harry's .44 Magnum was all the rage. Fortunatly common sence (and limited funds) led me to a Ruger .22 Standard Model .22 Auto (which I still have and continues to be the most "fun" gun I have).

I, of course, would lean to a .22 DA revolver or Ruger 22/45 - but who listens to dumb old Dad? I'd be willing to just give him an old "Elliot Ness" looking .38 I have - but of course that's just too "dumpy". Perhaps the CZ 9MM with a .22 conversion would be the way to go? Will be looking on with interest at further replys. What's a package like this cost? I'm guessing around $500 in "fly over" country.

[taoshooter]

My first gun was a little Beretta and I hated it. Got a .22 Buckmark and had a lot of fun with it and wanted to move on...
Agree with Greyhound - if its available in your area - go to a range that rents guns and try them ALL. Really helped me - thought I'd go with a revolver or a Glock.... but - then I picked up my first 1911.......:)

[Amegatek]

My first was a Ruger KP-89 (9MM). Primary reason for purchase was home defense. However, I grew up shooting several of my buddies "arsenals" so I was no stranger to guns. I agree with other posters in that you should rent several guns in different calibers at the range and make your decision that way. My $.02 :)

[caz223]

With some good shopping you can find a CZ75B for $375, and a kadet kit for $250.
Cheaper if you're patient.
A little over $600 gives you some good shooting.
If you're squeamish about filing on your new kadet adaptor, factor in the cost of fitting the slide, prolly about $40.
Another reason to get the Kadet adaptor, not the whole gun.
The 75b comes with fixed sights.
It will almost always shoot to point of aim.
The kadet adaptor comes with adjustables.
If you get a the kadet gun, and a 9mm upper, you might have to upgrade the sights on the 9mm.
Keep in mind that you could buy a good .22 for less than $300, but not one that feels EXACTLY like your 9mm.
If a local shop would give you a package deal, that would be cool, too.
A word of warning.
If you're gonna use the 9mm for a kadet, don't have a trigger job done on the nine, or you might have light strikes, and may have to buy a new sprinig.

[Majic]

If this first pistol also means first time learning how to shoot handguns I recommend a good .22lr revolver. If not then the other combinations mentioned should suit you just fine.

[Newton]

Get a full sized 9mm - Beretta 92, Taurus PT92, CZ75, Glock 17, Ruger P89 - all depending on what your budget is.

Everyone should have a .22 pistol, but if it's your only gun, you'll get bored shooting it after a short time and will find yourslef wishing you had something more challenging.

I have seen this with several new shooters, sometimes they even get tired of the .22 during their first range session.

9mm covers all the bases, challenging to shoot for a newbie, it's a recognized self defence caliber, cheap to shoot at $11 per hundred from Wallyworld, and very controllable in a full size.

Go 9mm, you'll be glad you did.

Newton

[blue86buick]

Everyone should have a .22 pistol, but if it's your only gun, you'll get bored shooting it after a short time and will find yourslef wishing you had something more challenging.
Give this man a cookie, he made an excellent point! This is very true...I sometimes find myself wishing I had saved the money from my 22/45, and gotten a decent 9mm instead. Sure, I could've gotten a <$200 9mm, and had that fun...but then I'm sure I would've still been wanting a decent 9mm. HOWEVER (IMHO), it's cheaper to get a tackdriver .22 than a tackdrive 9mm/.40/.45, so if not having extreme accuracy is going to bug you, maybe start out with a .22 so you know you can shoot well. :)

If you have the money, the patience, or (best) both..the best thing to do is save, wait, and get a decent 9mm. Especially if you get one that can take a .22 conversion...because there are times when you need to dump 500 rounds downrange, and don't want to make your wallet bleed. (like when you take friends out ;))

[Majic]

Alot of new shooters have foregone the .22 route and went straight to the mid and big bores. Their very first shot caused a flinch which will take many hours of training to remove. Some never know this and still wonder why they can't shoot as well as others.
High performance cartridges are fine after you have mastered the basics. To start new shooters out with 9mm is an invitation to future frustration. It is alot easier learning to shoot with a .22, then move up.

[coldshot03/04]

I have always been taught that a 1st handgun should be a revolver. I would recommend any thing from 22lr up to a 357mag double action revolver for your 1st.

;)

[blue86buick]

well...ok, half a cookie. I forgot about that angle...he does have a good point, but so do you. Everyone should get started on a .22LR, but that doesn't mean they need to buy one as their first pistol. Ideally, everyone who starts with guns, gets started with someone guiding them, loaning/renting them guns, and helping them develop good habits, at least for the first session out. After that, hopefully they've learned enough to stick with centerfire pistols from then on (until they buy their own .22 :))

Personally, my first pistol experience was a T/C with a .38, then a .357 shell, then a couple mags in a 1911 .45, THEN i shot a .22LR (all pistols, same session) :) Maybe that's why I flinch a bit.

[j.wise]

From 5 yrs old to 14, I was primarily trained on airguns. My dad and I shot his air rifle and then moved on to an air pistol. At 14, I shot his Marlin Model 60 (22lr), then a buddy's Ruger MkII (22lr). Interspersed in there were other handguns: Glock 17, Ruger GP100, Ruger SP101, etc...

My first handgun I bought was a 9mm. I never owned a 22lr pistol until just a year ago. I figured I needed to stop borrowing my dad's when I took a newbie out shooting.

So- I concur that a 22lr (or air) pistol is a GREAT one to start out on, but it doesn't have to be the first one "you" buy. If you're trained on a friend's/dad's/uncle's, you don't necessarily have to go out and buy your own. Go get what you want.

All this talk has reminded me that I've always wanted a full-size CZ 75 and a Kadet conversion to go with it. I'll see you guys later, I'm going to the gun store...

[BHPshooter]

If it were me, I'd get either a CZ-75 or Beretta 92 in 9mm, and get a .22 conversion for whichever you get. That way, you can learn the handling characteristics of your pistol at a dirt-cheap cost. Then, you can move up when you're ready, and you'll have a legitimate defense caliber too. Either should be a great pistol.

Yes, my first pistol was/is a 9mm Browning. BUT the only pistol I ever shot for years, was my mom's .22 revolver... so no, I'm not trying to be inconsistent. ;)

Wes