Kel Tec

The PF9 is a great pistol, it gets more carry time than my other 5 combined. But I would not recommend it as a first pistol.

Just get a G27 or G26 with NS.

A G26 or G27 is a great choice. I could never get used to the Kel Tec triggers, I dearly tried, they are a good bargain. Ended up with a Taurus .380, a great deal, decent trigger and function..Just my opinion, it works when I want something small.

If you get a new one, be sure and polish the feed ramp, barrel lug and other critical parts with either 1500 grit wet sandpaper and/or 0000 steel wool and/or polishing compound BEFORE you shoot the thing.

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I never polished or fluffed or buffed. I just took mine out of the box and started shooting it. It worked fine, no jams, 100 percent. It doesn't like 147 grain stuff, but then, i don't either. 15 years and 11K+ rounds and I'm still shootin' it, not as much as I used to, but still shootin' and hittin'.

And, mine locks open every time on the last round. Hmmm.....

I carry a PF9 every day. It took a little getting used to at first due to the felt recoil (Imagine a firecracker going off in your hand), but mine has been ultra reliable. It certainly isn't a range gun. If you want a cheap gun to shoot that will probably hold together pretty well and won't break the bank, look at the lowly High Point handguns. Inexpensive, but evidently well made.

I really like the Kel Tecs (love my P3AT). I've owned (own) the PF9, P11, P3AT and the Sub 2000 carbine. KT pistols aren't range guns (a box of ammo is the most you'll want to shoot in one range trip). If you want to shoot much, you'll want either a 22LR or a bigger pistol-that will cost a little more $$.

I also own and enjoy a Phoenix Arms 22LR, with both barrells. I bought mine new for $120and added the 5 in barrel and extra mag for $40. If you keep good recoil springs in them, they run very well and are surprisingly accurate and are much fun to shoot. The good thing is Phoenix Arms will send you recoil springs on their dime. I wouldn't pay $150 for a used one though.

You could pick up a Hi-Point 9mm and Phoenix Arms 22LR for about $250 and have something for HD and plinking. Or spend it on a nice Ruger Mark II/III 22LR pistol that you can give to your kids. Or save a few more $$ and pick up a full size 9mm that will be fun to shoot, but less concealable. A Bersa Thunder CC .380 is about $275 new. That's a nice pistol that you can conceal and is comfortable to shoot all day long.

I like keltecs, carry one every day, but I agree that they are not that refined. For the money they are good value, so if you want it, get it. It will serve you well, just know that there are pistols for not much more money with better triggers and better ergonomics.

take a look at ruger's sr9c, pick it up and feel it. I don't have one, but I really want one and I just have to convince my better half that I need another 9mm.

Again, KTs are good guns, and for a first pistol they can be fine as long as you know that there are better things out there.

I never polished or fluffed or buffed.

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Mine wouldn't even chamber a round when I first bought it. Polished it until it racked/chambered like every other good functioning semi-auto I own does, then I went out and shot it. Worked great. Keltec may not have quite the consistency from gun to gun that the pricier brands do, but they're worth putting the effort into IMO.

I have 5 kelTec PF-9 in pocked at present. But if just starting I would get a older model 10 S&W revolver in 38spl. their all around in good shape .Bluing may be worn but the pistol will work. 38 spl ammo is reasonable and a revolver is relieable and safe for beginners .

I have a PF-9, and it's great for what it it, which is an affordable service-caliber pistol that is very easy to carry concealed. I wouldn't recommend it as a first and/or only pistol, because it really isn't that easy or fun to shoot. It has a long trigger pull that can pinch your finger if you have big hands, and, as somebody said, shooting 9mm in a pistol that light is kind of like having a firecracker go off in your hand.

I agree with Michael T on the S&W .38, or, if you really want a semi-auto, a Glock 26 or 19.

I should also mention, when I got back into guns, the first 9mm I got was a P95 Ruger. Never regreted it, and it felt sort of like like shooting a .22 after shooting my Keltec P11. With the mods I mentioned, the P11 feels much better now, but the cost of the mods puts you about in the price range of a P95. I'm thinking a P95 might be a better place to start. I've never had to do anything to it. As I said, the P11's a good gun, but I'm thinking there may be better places to start.

but I agree that they are not that refined

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That kinda depends on what you consider "refined". They are plain-jane, utilitarian pistols that definitely fall in the tool category, rather than functional art. However, the fit and finish/machine work is generally quite good.

At the risk of not answering the OP's question....I'd say that if you buy any gun that's unpleasant to shoot it's unlikely that your wife (and maybe you) will stay interested in shooting at the hobby level. Further, if you don't spend enough range time with your guns (say, if you don't like the recoil, etc.), you are at a disadvantage if you ever need to use one to defend yourself. I'd also say that if you haven't spent much time around guns you are better off with a revolver or DA only pistol. The advantage of the S&W Model 10s people are talking about is that they are built like tanks, fun to shoot, and with 38SPL +P ammo, will be an effective man stopper if need be. You can also buy one for less than $300.

My first gun was a Ruger MKII semi-auto 22 and it was great for me as I burned lots of ammo and got comfortable with the weapon. I wasn't as budget-limited as you are, so my next was a S&W Model 66 which was great. They are 357 magnum revolvers (they all shoot 38SPL also, but 38s don't shoot 357 mags) that let me switch between easier to shoot inexpensive range ammo and high-powered magnum ammo.

I would go for a S&W, Ruger, Glock, or other higher-end brand of gun so that you will happily own it forever. I own several Taurus pistols and revolvers too. They are less expensive and well-made, although I've had to return my latest for repairs that reflected poor QC. They are also harder to sell for what you have in them than the others.

No matter what you decide, get some training to keep yourself safe and welcome aboard! This is a great bunch of people on THR and you will also find many helpful people at your local range.

JJ

To be honest kel tecs are hit and miss, fortunately for me I've had great luck. I can't say one bad thing about my two pf9's. I can only speak posititive about the brand, because mine run 100%. On the other hand my shooting buddy has had terrible luck with his pf9. It's been sent back to kel tec and still has failures to eject.
Imho its a great buy for the price. You could however ask 5 different people and get 5 completely different opinions. Good luck with your purchase.