Do I need to get a Glock for my first handgun?

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As with any question, the answer is "it depends."

If you're going to put serious work into learning to shoot well, I don't think it much matters what kind of handgun you start with.
They all have their quirks. They're all good in this way or that way. You can learn really good techniques with either one of them. And each style also has things that some people feel are drawbacks or negatives.

If you are leaning towards one or the other there are always positives that you can accentuate about that style.

A double action revolver, by the time you can actually shoot it quickly and accurately, will have developed in you impressive trigger finger strength, and a great deal of trigger control, and how to hold a nice steady sight picture. No trigger will seem too long or heavy to shoot well after that.

A .22 will help you learn the fundamentals without the distraction of any significant recoil. And it's cheap so in theory you could shoot a lot more.

A 1911 is sort of the pistolero's pistol. The utter classic that rewards good technique with fine accuracy and a satisfying thump.

And a Glock is sort of the standard for modern simple utilitarian autos. If you do not shoot well with a Glock it is not the fault of the pistol. A Glock won't teach you the manual of arms for a Sig, for example, but once you have your fundamentals solidly in place learning to deal with a decocker isn't any big deal at all. A Glock won't give you a glass rod trigger break like a finely tuned 1911, but you'll be a better shot if you learn to deal with it, rather than constantly leaning on the crutch of a perfect trigger.

I don't own any Glocks and have never owned any Glocks, but I would not hesitate to recommend one if you think that you like to start there.
 
IShootMemeCalibers said:
[EDIT at the end]
So, the title is a bit of a simplification, but essentially still my main question.

I am looking to get my first (hand)gun. I have shot before, but not since I was a kid - so I don't really have any skills, but no timidness/fear of firearms either, and a good grasp of safe handling.

I am looking for a gun to build universal basic skills, increased comfort in having a gun around/on my person, learn what I like in terms of sights, shooting styles, etc and just generally become more proficient. I have no doubt that I will eventually get more guns down the line, and do plan on getting my CCW (most likely a subcompact version of whatever full-size gun I keep for range practice/HD), but I don't have unlimited funds, and probably won't get anything else for a while.


If not a Ruger mark II for a first pistol I would take a good look at S&W https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/mp-9-m20-compact-tritium-night-sights-nts-le
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I don't know. I'd almost be partial to a DA/SA hammer action with a decocker and/or safety. Something like a cz p01, p07 or maybe sar or witness. If they don't feel good in the hand then they're out.
 
IShootMemeCalibers said:
I'm curious as to your perspective.
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First guns should be what fits YOU and not someone recommending a brand. Learning what fits you isn't difficult, but you need to look at the various videos and TheCorneredCat for instructions. A gun that points naturally for you will be initially more accurate and it will allow you to manage recoil better leading to greater initial enjoyment shooting.
 
hso said:
A gun that points naturally for you will be initially more accurate and it will allow you to manage recoil better leading to greater initial enjoyment shooting.
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How do I determine what "points" well. Just by seeing if it remains level (the barrel) with a two hands fully extended grip, or do I need to shoot paper and compare?
 
Take a look at the S&W M&P 9 M2.0 series. I really like them and they fix all the little annoyances I have with my Glocks. That said, the Glock 19 and 17 are great guns. The Glock 26 is also excellent.

But, there are other guns out there. 1911's can be great (or not), Browning Hi-Power MKIII is amazing (with mods), and S&W revolvers are great when properly modified.

Don't forget various guns in 22 Long Rifle. They're good first guns.
 
As an NRA instructor, I worked with lots of newbies to handguns. A Glock 17 or 19 is not a bad first handgun, but most students I've trained tend to do better with something like a Sig P229: allot frame (heavier so less recoil) and a crisp SA trigger after the first shot. The trigger on the Glock will help you learn to shoot with a crappy trigger.

Stuff smaller than a Glock 17 or SIg P229 is just hard to learn to shoot accurately.
 
I'd also recommend a Glock 17/19 but only after you try one and see if has a good feel in the hand, and you can shoot it fairly well. If you dont, there plenty of options. A Ruger GP-100/SP101 4" 357 would be a great choice, as would a Springfield Range Officer Champion in 9mm. The 357 is a great round and the gun will also shoot 38's, but both are much more expensive than 9mm. The Range Officer is an amazing piece with its steel frame and 10 rounds of 9mm. I have one and it is such a pleasure to shoot, light recoil, very accurate, and carries very well.
 
There's some wisdom in starting with a .22 if you've never shot full power handguns before, or just aren't used to them. However, lots of cops and soldiers all around the world start with full power handguns without ever shooting a .22 in their entire lives, so that's something to think about too. Then again, people who grow up with guns tend to qualify better than people who don't, and most if not all of us started out with a .22, or even a pellet gun.

I think a Glock 19 would be a perfect choice for you for your first "real" handgun. With no safety or decocker, they're the revolver of semi auto pistols, which makes them ideal for new shooters. The price is also right, and they're a known quantity, so you know you're getting what you pay for. For me, though, the reason I choose Glock over other options is the availability of aftermarket accessories. I can set up a Glock with any combination of aftermarket accessories, including threaded barrels, suppressor sights, and lights; and still find an off the shelf Raven holster that fits it perfectly. That kind of cross compatibility is very spotty with most other handguns.
 
+1 to everyone else promoting the .22s.
However, if you don't want to buy more than one gun right now, a Glock isn't a bad choice. Just make sure it points well to you--get in stance, lock your wrist, and look down the sights. If it's way off, it probably doesn't point naturally. I know they don't for me, and they just don't fit the shape of my hand. I have to actively work to get the sights aligned.
Rent it and shoot it if you can.
If they don't like it or it doesn't point well, widen your search. Try any of the well known brands. It doesn't matter what people say, Glock isn't the be-all-end-all for civilian users. Rugers work well for me, and CZs fit me like a glove.
 
Deus Machina

Totally agree with your post. I only have one Glock, a very early G17, mainly for it's unique place in handgun technology and development. But I never have felt all that comfortable with it's grip design and overall ergonomics and feel the same way about most of Glock's line-up. I have a much better fit with my Browning Hi-Power, CZ P01, Steyr M9, and Ruger SR9c.

Got to go with the one that works and feels best to you, not because it's the easy choice or everyone tells you to get one.
 
At the very least, whatever meets your requirements, feels good in your hand, points well for you, and the trigger feels good when you dry-fire it.

Better yet, rent a bunch of handguns so you'll also know which one you shoot the best.

There are dozens of excellent handguns out there. It's just a question of which ones work best for YOU.

My FiL and I have Glocks and CZ75's. We both like the CZ's better, probably because of our enormous hands. When my smaller-handed friend shoots them, he much prefers the Glocks. Most of it has to do with hand size and finger length, IMHO.

And don't discount revolvers. I own many fine semi-automatic pistols, but in the end I still shoot my revolvers better and am more comfortable with them.
 
Welcome to THR, IShootMemeCalibers! Before I respond, I'm going to take a minute and whittle your post down to what I see as the essential points.
IShootMemeCalibers said:
. . . . I am looking to get my first (hand)gun. I have shot before, but not since I was a kid - so I don't really have any skills, but no timidness/fear of firearms either, and a good grasp of safe handling.

I am looking for a gun to build universal basic skills, . . . . plan on getting my CCW . . . .don't have unlimited funds, and probably won't get anything else for a while. . . .

. . . .a good training base for general pistol shooting, but is also a quality piece. . . . . I'm looking into a modern semi-auto in an SD caliber (maybe I'm wrong?). The obvious recommendation is "get a Glock".

. . . .I not a huge fan [of Glocks]. I've tried a number of guns over a good number range trips, and I'm not partial to Glocks. . . . . I'm more partial to the hammer fired guns, . . . .When I said I tried out a number of guns, and some felt better or worse in the hand. I meant that I rented, and shot them, at the range.
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So, here's what I see: You have a pretty limited budget, so you're looking for a jack-of-all-trades gun. You've gone and rented some. Enough to know that you prefer a hammer-fired gun.

For the jack-of-all-trades guns, I always recommend something in a polymer, mid-sized or compact version. They're small enough to conceal, but large enough to shoot comfortably, and have acceptable capacity & caliber. I consider the Glock 19 to be kind of the flagship of that group of pistols. (Yeah, someone out there is going to hate that, but it's merely my opinion.) I have a G19 and love it. BUT, just because I love my G19 doesn't mean you should "suck it up" and buy one. The good news for you is that there are a BOATLOAD of quality competitors to the G19 that you could look at. Most of them are striker-fired (the S&W MP line come to mind, as does the Ruger SR series), but there are also hammer-fired ones (Beretta PX4 & CZ models). You told us that you're not a fan of Glocks, but you didn't tell us which pistols you did like. Tell us that, and I'm sure that someone on this board owns one and will be happy to tell you about it.

Under these circumstances, I'd also suggest a 9mm for caliber. Last time I checked, it was the cheapest centerfire ammo on the market, and in terms of building skills, I don't think there's any substitute for time spent pulling the trigger. (With the caveat that I am not any sort of professional trainer.)
 
Guns are like girls. Date whom you want according to whatever characteristics appeal to you. But date a lot before you marry. I have shot a lot of semi autos in my longish life. The list includes Springfield, Beretta, Sig, S&W, Ruger, Taurus, FN, Rossi, Uberti, Colt, and of course Glock. My "bug out" gun is an FN 5.7x28. With a magazine capacity of up to 30 rounds and a cartridge that can accurately shoot out to 150 yards it is like carrying a rifle on your hip. My EDC is a GLOCK, and in NO WAY is it a compromise. The little 42 sits in my pocket and travels with me everywhere. It is comfortable, has a nice trigger, shoots accurately, is reliable, and I like her figure.
 
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IShootMemeCalibers said:
I'm curious as to your perspective. Did you find any different in skill or quicker learning depending on what people learned their basic skills on? A Glock vs something more complex like a Sig/Beretta, or even rifle vs pistol?
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My perspective is the result of a 23 year career in the military and 4 years as a federal contractor overseas, much of which was in an instructor capacity. The striker fired pistols have many advantages going for them: 1 single trigger squeeze to learn/operate, no need to de-cock before you re-holster, generally lighter weight than comparable all- metal handguns, most all current production strikers come stock with a light rail, and often no manual "off-switch". Regarding basic skills and fundamentals- often these are "learned" in a less than desirable manner, and are just bad habits the shooter brings with him/her, and have to be re-taught. In most cases, advanced training is just getting real good at the basics.
 
My 5 cent opinion is that you should go with a certified firearms instructor, someone who is truly qualified, to a gun store or range which rents various handguns. Have him or her fit your hand to a gun(s). If your finger is not on the right spot, you may have trouble with it. For example, I cannot shoot double stack magazine pistols with accuracy as my finger does not engage the trigger the way it should. When you find guns which fit your hand, then try them at a range. For example, you might not like the trigger pull on DA only pistols.

If all that is too complicated just buy a 1911. A million G.I.s over time cannot all be wrong.
 
IShootMemeCalibers said:
. Only thing is, I not a huge fan. I've tried a number of guns over a good number range trips, and I'm not partial to Glocks. Now, I'm not experienced enough to know what I shoot well (I don't shoot anything well o_O) but I know that Glocks don't sit as well in my hand and the triggers are a little harder for me to use. Judging by the other options I've tried. I'm pretty sure that if I already had good shooting skills, and was looking for my choice weapon I wouldn't get a Glock .
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You've pretty much answerved your own question.
 
If anyone still cares:
Don't overlook the Ruger SR series. Glockish in function but definitely not in feel.
I like the way Glocks function but I also cannot shoot them well. However the SRs are a different story for me.
Both my SRs are full sized but I have shot the compact ones and still shoot those fine.

My wife has told me that if I ever have to shoot past her to get at a bad guy, she hopes I am shooting my SR45.
 
It seems pointless to recommend a specific gun but based on what the OP has stated as his criteria I'd recommend either a S&W model 915 or a CZPCR or a CZ75 Compact.

They meet the OP's criterium of being hammer fired and they're small enough (IMO) to be carried comfortably while being big enough to fight with effectively. I would give a slight edge to the CZ products because they're currently in production where any model 915 you get is going to be 20+ years old
 
Do you need a Glock for your first handgun?

You could certainly do worse. I don’t think you could do any better. If you ask me, I would say the G19 is about as good as it gets. You press trigger, bullet goes out the end with a hole in it. Everything else seems fairly unnecessary.

A good 1911 might sit in your hand better and will most likely have a better trigger but I wouldn’t think a 1911 would be a good choice for a first gun. Reliability seems relative to the owner’s skill and willingness to perform routine maintenance. The fanboys may yell at me about this, but I stand by my comments.

A DA revolver may help you shoot anything better, but it seems like you should just try to shoot whatever you buy, better.

You might be able to shoot a 22 more often but I fail to see how it will help you unlearn bad habits learned from your gun (which if you choose a 22, is a 22).

I don’t see how learning to shoot a DA/SA would build bad habits. Shooting a fast, accurate double tap with a DA/SA is (in my opinion) extremely hard to do. If you can do that, you can darn sure shoot a double tap with a Glock. If you like hammer guns you might want to look at Sig. They make some awesome ones.

I’m not sure what “points naturally” even means. If you pick up a pistol and point it at something it will be pointed at whatever something you pointed it at. OK.

In the end, it’s your money and your choice. My only advise for your first handgun is buy quality and buy new. You are much less likely to have problems and whoever made the thing is much more likely to fix it with less hassle if you buy it new.
 
Some clarification:

A DA revolver may help you shoot anything better, but it seems like you should just try to shoot whatever you buy, better.
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While this is inarguable, it sort of misses the point. If you take the time to learn to be a good shot with a DA revolver, your muscles with be developed to a higher degree of strength and control. If you can confidently roll a DA revolver's trigger back smoothly through its long travel, stout weight, and any staging inherent to that gun's design -- without disturbing your sight picture -- you will find that all other styles of handgun are very easy to fire with great control.

A DA revolver requires you to get all of the fundamentals right to shoot it very well. It is easy to be sloppier and get away with it if you're using an auto with a "really good" trigger.

You might be able to shoot a 22 more often but I fail to see how it will help you unlearn bad habits learned from your gun (which if you choose a 22, is a 22).
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It is too bad that you fail to see how. It certainly can help. So can dry-firing. Removing the loud bang and vigorous recoil impulse of a service handgun round like a .45 or 9mm take away a great deal of the distracting influences which often cause and sometimes mask bad technique. Practicing with a lot of dry-firing and a lot of rimfire shooting is usually "step one" in trying to get rid of a flinch, for example.

I don’t see how learning to shoot a DA/SA would build bad habits. Shooting a fast, accurate double tap with a DA/SA is (in my opinion) extremely hard to do. If you can do that, you can darn sure shoot a double tap with a Glock.
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While I agree with you, this totally contradicts your comments about revolvers. :)

I’m not sure what “points naturally” even means. If you pick up a pistol and point it at something it will be pointed at whatever something you pointed it at. OK.
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Ha ha!

Ok, so in shooting there's a concept called "natural point of aim." It's most often discussed in position rifle shooting, and the idea is that you get into your chosen position with your rifle shouldered, close your eyes, dry-fire, and then open your eyes and see where the rifle is pointing. If you find that your sights are now pointed at a spot 5' to the right and 3' low of the target, shift your feet, butt, knees, etc. to the left, and tuck up firmer to better support the rifle and try again. When you break a dry-fired shot with your eyes closed and your sights don't drift off target, you've aligned your natural point of aim and you'll eliminate many of the position problems which would have sent your live shots off the X-ring.

Same applies to a lesser degree with a handgun. If you get into a good Isosceles or "boxer's" stance like you're going to shoot, close your eyes and bring the pistol out to shooting position (almost, but not quite, full extension. Before your elbows lock.), dryfire and open your eyes. Is the pistol pointing up over the target berm? Down towards the ground? Right at the targets?

If the gun "points naturally" for you, you'll probably be about on target. If you've got to angle your wrists to move the sights on target, maybe it doesn't so much.

Now, handguns, stances, and your own development as a shooter all inform each other and what feels "natural" to you when you first start pistol shooting may not be great once you're an Expert or Master level shooter in your chosen discipline. And what points most comfortably in a Standard Pistol competition stance might not point naturally in a dynamic "run-n-gun"/combat/IDPA/USPSA situation.

Everything's a process and a learning curve.
 
IShootMemeCalibers said:
[EDIT at the end]
So, the title is a bit of a simplification, but essentially still my main question.

I am looking to get my first (hand)gun. I have shot before, but not since I was a kid - so I don't really have any skills, but no timidness/fear of firearms either, and a good grasp of safe handling.

I am looking for a gun to build universal basic skills, increased comfort in having a gun around/on my person, learn what I like in terms of sights, shooting styles, etc and just generally become more proficient. I have no doubt that I will eventually get more guns down the line, and do plan on getting my CCW (most likely a subcompact version of whatever full-size gun I keep for range practice/HD), but I don't have unlimited funds, and probably won't get anything else for a while.

So, I'm looking for a gun that will give me a good training base for general pistol shooting, but is also a quality piece. I've asked a number of people about this, and gotten all kinds of answers from get a 1911, "because it's really easy to shoot", or get a DA revolver "because if you can shoot that well you can shoot anything" to get a 22 "because you can shoot it more often, and the small round will stop you from building bad habits". All those sound legit, but I'm generally getting into this for self-defense reasons, and due to my limited budget, and the fact that none of those seem suitable in that sense for me currently, I'm looking into a modern semi-auto in an SD caliber (maybe I'm wrong?). The obvious recommendation is "get a Glock".

This makes a lot of sense: it's incredibly simple, not too expensive, has a lot of accessories (especially for training practice). Only thing is, I not a huge fan. I've tried a number of guns over a good number range trips, and I'm not partial to Glocks. Now, I'm not experienced enough to know what I shoot well (I don't shoot anything well o_O) but I know that Glocks don't sit as well in my hand and the triggers are a little harder for me to use. Judging by the other options I've tried. I'm pretty sure that if I already had good shooting skills, and was looking for my choice weapon I wouldn't get a Glock - I'm more partial to the hammer fired guns, especially when I consider what I'd safely concealed carry. At the same time, I recognize that it might be important to get something just to learn on, if I want to be a good shooter.

SO what should I get: Just suck it up and get a Glock - is it truly helpful to know how to shoot one, and have experience with the baseline that most handguns are compared to (i.e. does every serious shooter need to own a Glock)? Or should I shop around until I find what specific pistol I like, and then just jump in with that - will learning to shoot on a DA/SA build habits that make it harder to just pick up any gun down the line?

Sorry for the long post, but I'm hoping to get a final answer to this question.

EDIT: I guess it's my fault for not being clearer. When I said I tried out a number of guns, and some felt better or worse in the hand. I meant that I rented, and shot them, at the range.
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I would get G26. With twelve round magazine inserted there is enough room to hold onto the gun and it conceals easily. Anything larger can prove a PIA to conceal and having to dress around larger gun just plain sucks. The 33 round G18 magazines are great for the range. Midway had them on sale of $24.97 not long ago.
 
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