Help choosing my first pistol.

[possum]

Springfield XD Ported (.40)

There is my vote!
welcome to THR !

though you are gonna get many opinions from many different people you should really get the one that fits you best and the one that is gonna be the most comfortable for you to shoot. I have never shot the px4 storm only fondled one in indiana last year at thanksgiving while visiting, and i really liked it, it felt good in my hand and had the three dot sights that i like so much. now the berreta 92's i have alot of experience with, rom shoooting them as a kid to shooting them in the army, didn't like them then and i don't like them now! no experience with the walther p99, but they look mean! lots of experience with the xd and i am a very, very happy customer, they win my vote everytime! and good caliber choice .40 is awesome, don't listen to what everyone says, you don't have to shoot .45 to be cool! good luck and let us know what you decide!

 

[atblis]

I wouldn't rule out a revolver

I used to be a member of the revolvers are ugly, old, and stupid club. I obtained a SW K38. 2.5lb trigger, and can put a full cylinder into litterally one hole at 25 yards. What's not to like? Are you buying a gun to look cool to your friends, or are you buying one to shoot?

Seriously, a nice 357 mag revolver would be an excellent choice, and ultimately would be more amusing. If you can't hit it with 6 shots, 15 ain't gonna help you.

Also, there really aren't that many bad auto pistols. All the ones you mentioned are good. People are just going to recommend that you buy what they have because in some way it validates them.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy (if I actually liked it) a

CZ
Sig
Blonde
Glork
HK
Burnette
Walther
Browning
Redhead
S&W
Ruger
Insert brand you like here

 

[BamBam-31]

Missed you out at the range today, hyphen.

I brought out:

Glock 17
Springfield TRP Operator
CZ SP-01
Sig 220 ST
S&W 686P
Sig Trailside Comp w/ Ultradot

Off the top of my head, my buddies brought out:

Les Baer 1911's
Sig 226's
Sig 225
CZ 75b
HK P2000

I haven't even mentioned the EBR's, either. It was an off-list lower fest, boy!

Don't worry, we go out every Sunday.

Oh, and btw, Sig 226's don't cost $1000 (unless you're getting an Elite, an ST, or some other fancy variant). Go to www.gunbroker.com or www.gunsamerica.com to get a feel for how much this or that usually runs.

 

[BrainOnSigs]

i have considered the sig p226, but it seems a bit pricey. i'm not sure how the prices convert, but the sig arms website quotes the prices at an average of about $1000+.

Not sure what web sites that you are visiting but a standard, railed P226 should run in the $750 range from most on-line dealers. You can also buy a CPO for sub $600 most of the time.

I wouldn't buy a Sig.....after buying my first.......I bought 5 more in the same year.

It is an ugly addiction.......


FYI: The Walther P99 is a very nice handgun. I own 2. This gun really shines in 9mm with the AS trigger. The QA trigger doesn't allow for the very short, fast reset of the AS.

 

[hyphen]

wow, awesome replies. thanks for all of your input everyone and thanks for the warm welcome. yeah bam, i gave you a ring but you didn't pick up. unfortunately, after i called you i fell right back asleep. had a long night. this sunday i cant make it but possibly the next. i'm also going to check out la guns for sure. again, thanks for all of the advice.