Terry G
Member
I'm prejudiced. I would choose a CZ P-01 or a P-01 Omega. I don't think you will find one in your price range though.
Best pistol for noob under $600
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sigarms228
Member
What experience does your friend have shooting? Without some basic instruction on stance, grip, trigger control, and sight picture it is very difficult to choose a good pistol for one.
I went through this with my wife. She took a couple inexpensive basic classes first and during the second class they had a lot of different pistols to try out. After that we went to the range and tried a bunch of different pistols until she found the one that fit her hands well and she could consistently shoot the best.
There are a bunch of terrific pistols available but just being a terrific pistol does not mean it will be one that an individual can naturally shoot well.
If he has very little pistol time I agree with those that say he should start shooting a 22 pistol so he can work on the basics without being distracted by lots of recoil and muzzle blast. My wife had zero interest in shooting until I bought a new Browning Buckmark and let her try that and she just loved shooting when she learned she could consistently hit the bullseye and after that she moved up to 9MM starting with my larger ones like my SIG P226 and CZ SP01 which she could shoot well but only in SA but she couldn't reach the DA trigger. Eventually she bought herself an EZ Shield 9MM as her own first 9MM pistol.
I went through this with my wife. She took a couple inexpensive basic classes first and during the second class they had a lot of different pistols to try out. After that we went to the range and tried a bunch of different pistols until she found the one that fit her hands well and she could consistently shoot the best.
There are a bunch of terrific pistols available but just being a terrific pistol does not mean it will be one that an individual can naturally shoot well.
If he has very little pistol time I agree with those that say he should start shooting a 22 pistol so he can work on the basics without being distracted by lots of recoil and muzzle blast. My wife had zero interest in shooting until I bought a new Browning Buckmark and let her try that and she just loved shooting when she learned she could consistently hit the bullseye and after that she moved up to 9MM starting with my larger ones like my SIG P226 and CZ SP01 which she could shoot well but only in SA but she couldn't reach the DA trigger. Eventually she bought herself an EZ Shield 9MM as her own first 9MM pistol.
sevt_chevelle
Member
PSA is clearing out CZ p01 omega for around 520.
No one should have to settle for Glock.
No one should have to settle for Glock.
Terry G
Member
No kidding???? I paid just over $800.00 for mine. I'm living up to my reputation of always paying too much!
sevt_chevelle
Member
^^^^^
Bought the regular P01 about 2 months ago, 530 shipped.
Bought the regular P01 about 2 months ago, 530 shipped.
Mark_Mark
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really????
sevt_chevelle
Member
Yes really.....there is more to life than glock.
Buzznrose
Member
Maybe so, but there aren’t many things in life more reliable.
Mark_Mark
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Buzznrose
Member
Hate? Why does anyone hate an inanimate object?
He needs to rent what's in the case at the range and find out what is naturally comfortable for him to shoot and then let you know so you can find something in that type grip angle he can afford instead of just naming off handguns. His first gun may be his last gun so it needs to fit him and not us.
Mark_Mark
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not hate, just don’t prefer to shoot! got a few, and they are BORING
Mosin77
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If the new shooter doesn’t like Glock (they’re ugly/don’t fit his hand he thinks/whatever) then starting him off with one is a bad move, because he’s an adult not a kid who can be compelled by parental will to practice whether he likes it or not. If the gun doesn’t appeal, in the dresser it will stay.
Beyond that there’s no right answer except to ask which models/makes appeal to him and which ones fit his hand well based on spending a few hours at a gunshow trying them. IMO he’d be best served by accompanying an instructor or mentor and getting some trigger time on your favorite gun so he can actually start to form some opinions about what he likes or dislikes.
My personal preference right now would be a Hi Power or PX4. Most people would not share my opinion, which means it’s objectively not too useful for guiding a newb we know almost nothing about.
Beyond that there’s no right answer except to ask which models/makes appeal to him and which ones fit his hand well based on spending a few hours at a gunshow trying them. IMO he’d be best served by accompanying an instructor or mentor and getting some trigger time on your favorite gun so he can actually start to form some opinions about what he likes or dislikes.
My personal preference right now would be a Hi Power or PX4. Most people would not share my opinion, which means it’s objectively not too useful for guiding a newb we know almost nothing about.
JR24
Member
Id rather have a Glock 19. Fits me better
trackskippy
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I seem to remember back in the 90's, talking to someone enamored with a 1911, was just as tiresome. Oh, wait....
JR24
Member
Dunno if you’re talking to me, but I carry a Sig 365xl.
Zaydok Allen
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Haven’t looked at prices for some time but I’d look at CZ.
Palladan44
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Anything striker fired from a respectable brand.
Single stacked, slim profile. If and when they decide to carry this on their person, will be glad they didn't get a fat double-stacked weapon.......they can get that as their second gun next month.
Single stacked, slim profile. If and when they decide to carry this on their person, will be glad they didn't get a fat double-stacked weapon.......they can get that as their second gun next month.
dumbhunter
Member
Thank you all for the replies and advice!
So, yesterday after work my friend and I took my coworker to the range. We took all our pistols! 1911s in 45 and 9mm, Browning HP, Glock 19 and 17, Sig p229 and p226, HK USP9 and USP9c, HK P30, Beretta PX4, and FNX9.
New guy liked alot of the pistols, but really liked the HK USP9 and Sig p229, but really took to the P30. By the third mag he was drilling out the 10 ring. This morning he found one gently used for $575.
Thank you all once again for the replies.
So, yesterday after work my friend and I took my coworker to the range. We took all our pistols! 1911s in 45 and 9mm, Browning HP, Glock 19 and 17, Sig p229 and p226, HK USP9 and USP9c, HK P30, Beretta PX4, and FNX9.
New guy liked alot of the pistols, but really liked the HK USP9 and Sig p229, but really took to the P30. By the third mag he was drilling out the 10 ring. This morning he found one gently used for $575.
Thank you all once again for the replies.
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