First Handgun Purchase

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Gates67

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Im looking to purchase my first handgun.
Im mainly buying one to spend time with the old man (he doesnt hunt anymore and he just bought a new Rock Island Armory Tactical 1911).
We dont see each other that often and getting together and having a trip to the range is highly enjoyable.I plan on making the trips more frequent.

I want a .45 (but maybe you can convince me of a 9mm) so I can go halves with dad and buy ammo in bulk, and so I can shoot in monthly bowling pin match (I read 9mm is too weak?).

I cant decide on what I want.
I may be buying online, 6-700$
Range only gun


Im torn between STI Spartan - FNP45 - XD45 - Trojan - P90

how much better will a spartan (or trojan) shoot than the RIA tactical in my hands(im a bad shot).Also does the jump from spartan to trojan justify the money? I am looking for a range beater so parkerized really doesnt bother me.

Have anything to say about fnp45 vs xd45?
There is a guy at work who raves about his p90 so ill throw that one in there aswell.

Ive felt the fnp xd and p90 and they all felt comfortable enough for me to put them on list, no sti dealers are around here so id have to order an sti blindly.

One day ill be dead set on the FNP but then wake up next day and be looking up the STIs again.
I usually dont have expendable money to throw around at guns so thats why im kind of stressing over this.I dont want to purchase a gun that im unhappy with and be stuck with it or sell for a loss,

Im in over my head a bit so any help is appreciated.
 
If you really want to spend time at the range and you do not reload, I suggest you seriously consider buying a .22. You'll be able to make more frequent and longer trips if you have one. Something like a Ruger 22/45 would work for somewone who likes the 1911 grip angle.

You can pick up a .45 too, but the cost you will save in ammo alone will make the .22 worth while. I always bring a .22 to the range with me - I usually shoot it first and then switch to a center fire gun to finish my range session.
 
I'll put in a good word for the S&W Model 22A as a .22 training pistol. I am getting one as my practice/training gun while I will get an M&P for home defense. I shot 100 rounds on a range the other day and really enjoyed it. I did a lot of pistol shooting in college but that was 46-48 years ago. Having not fired a gun of any kind in 46 years, I did all right - 10% in the bullseye and 31% inside 2 1/4" circle. It is 9.5 inches long and weighs about the same as one of the new light pistols (M&P) so it is adequate for training on the use of heavy caliber pistols except for the kick. You mentioned "(im a bad shot)". When I was young, I went up the ladder in handgun calibers too fast, from .22 ("kid's gun") to .357 Magnum and .45 Long Colt (more kick than a .45 ACP). I developed a flinch. The other day with the .22 target pistol, I had no flinch and shot well enough that I felt good about it. (I was a bit nervous on the range with all those experienced shooters around.)

You don't need a big caliber to punch paper.
 
The Trojan is going to be out of your $600 to $700 price range. They're selling for about $1000 from what I've seen.

There's the new Springfield Range Officer at around $750. And there's the American Classic II which I've never shot, but handled several and I prefer them to RIA pistols.
 
While there are certainly some advantages to sharing a caliber I think there are even more advantages to having guns at your disposal in two or three of the more popular calibers. I own the FNP-45 and I love it, but I also have a couple of 9mm handguns that see more range time. Since your dad has the 1911 I think both of you might enjoy having a second handgun in a different caliber. Heck, maybe even a revolver! But if you're set on a semi-auto then you have a world of choices in 9mm and .40.
 
I'll throw my thoughts out.
You say "Range Only" gun so get a 22. Easy, cheap ammo and FUN to shoot!!!
If you are truly looking at a gun that is just for fun and target shooting then don't try and reason yourself into buying any bigger gun that even going halves on bulk ammo will lighten your wallet. I've got 4 of the little guys and they can't be beat for going out and punching holes in targets, having fun and building a bond between Father and Son, Husband and Wife, Mother and Daughter, you name it, the 22 is for you. Good luck and have some fun with "the old Man".
Mike
 
tough choice....so many factors.

if you look to the 9mm I highly suggest getting a .40 that can be converted into a 9mm. (glock, m&p, FN, Sig, XDM, CZ -- just to name a few)

the ammo costs of a .45acp will dwarf whatever gun you do decide to buy.
 
What ? Glock not even a consideration ?? seriously though if your just punching paper i wouldnt go any bigger than 9-mm,, if it's renegade bowling-pins your hunting then yes, a .45 is "more better" (i like that word) but if you had the .45 with a .22 conversion, you could get "better " at shooting to build confidence,then switch to your .45,,, and why buy on-line ?? support your local business's !! (most) of them will thank you for your purchase with a handshake and eye-contact/smile and will probaly be there to help with any future purchases/questions,,
 
Yes a 22 will afford you more range time and you can share the cost of the 45 ammo making it cheaper for both you. If you want a center fire for yourself than I would go with the XD 45. An excellent gun and an easy gun to operate for someone just starting.
 
Saw the XDM 45 the other day... 13+1, 4.5" barrel. Looked like a very nice package.

I should add, if you are just going for maximum wow factor, the FNP Tactical is kind of cool. Putting a red-dot that co-witnesses your regular sites, just by removing a couple of screws... that's waaaay cool.
 
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S&w m&p .45

I bought this gun and it is fantastic its nevered FFTF or failed to eject a spent round you'll love this gun but if your going to look for another stick to American made guns thanks for letting me throw my two cents in. and i agree with everyone elese a .22 or 9mm is great for just range time bc ammo is so much cheaper
 
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Get whatever you want.

If you want a 1911 to hang out with your dad, then get one. But don't overlook some of the better 1911's. A Colt is a great place to start. Custom features? Look towards a 2010 DW Heritage.

A .22lr is no fun. I got rid of mine. .22 is boring and too easy. A 9mm is usually a good round for a new gun owner, but thousands of soldiers started out with a 1911 so I wouldn't worry about that.
 
Trying them all in your hand before buying is an absolute must. If your local range has rentals, actually shooting them is better.

You said you are a bad shot... I think the FNP or S&W might be good for curing some of your problems, but without knowing what your problems are, I can't say for certain.
 
Alright I just got back from the gun store.
I felt the FNP 45 and 9, a few different Sigs, a bunch of glocks/m&p/xds, 1911s random others.

I ended up buying a CZ 75B with the omega trigger. It felt better to me than most of the others and I did kinda feel the need to support the local gunstore.

As for bowling pins I guess ill just use my fathers 1911, and Im probably going to buy a 22 pistol within a few weeks.

Thanks everyone
 
Gates67, having lost my dad in 2006, I can attest to the fact that if you go shootin' a .22, he might not take you too seriously. I really could care less about the caliber of my pistol and the size of my johnson... that's not what this is about. If you want to go in halvsies with the Dad's ammo, then get a .45. Secondly, don't out-do him with the pistol you buy, in other words, don't go out and buy a high-end .45 that outshines his. His RI 1911 I've heard is a very nice gun. Get a Springfield Armory GI Champion 4", all steel, or a Para Ordnance GI Expert 5" Govn't model, both can be had retail (in Apopka Florida) for about $530 ea. Then you two can compare/contrast your pistols, talk shop, shoot the same ammo, trade and try each other's. Most importantly, spend the time afterward your time on the range with your dad, good times. Frankly, I'd stay away from the combat tupperware; your dad's selection of pistol is a clear indicator of where his head's at. Don't be a "young whipper-snapper".
Bob
 
Congrats on the 75B. I picked one up myself about a month ago, and love it. Well balanced, outstanding grip, and reasonable trigger, all for a fair price. Great choice.
 
how much better will a spartan (or trojan) shoot than the RIA tactical in my hands(im a bad shot)
Click to expand...

A bad shot can make any gun shoot like crap.

I'd say get the previously mentioned .22 and learn how to be a GOOD shot.
 
Gates67 said:
Alright I just got back from the gun store.
I felt the FNP 45 and 9, a few different Sigs, a bunch of glocks/m&p/xds, 1911s random others.

I ended up buying a CZ 75B with the omega trigger. It felt better to me than most of the others and I did kinda feel the need to support the local gunstore.

As for bowling pins I guess ill just use my fathers 1911, and Im probably going to buy a 22 pistol within a few weeks.

Thanks everyone
Click to expand...
The CZ 75B is one of the finest handguns available today. Deadly accurate, extremely reliable & will last forever. You couldn't have made a better choice. That trigger will smooth out quite nicely after 500-1000rds.
 
Well I shot bowling pins with a .380, they'd weeble and wobble but they wouldn't fall down. Being a fine show with a .22 is peachy, but buck up buttercup, get a .45 so you and dad can share ammo costs and when you hit a bowling pin with a .45, it's gonna fall down, hard.

Bob
 
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