Advice on first semi-auto(s)

[rbuck82]

Hey, everybody. Glad to be back from TFL. I somehow didn't manage to find my way over here until about a week ago. Go figure. Anyway, I'm trying to make a decision and I want some good input. Thought this would be a good place to start. I turned 21 a few months ago. I have been shooting rifles for awhile, but I never really got into handguns until the law said I could. I got started with lots of tips from TFL so I could figure out what I liked best.

I started with .22 because I got a brick at Wally World for $10 and I wanted to get accustomed to shooting handguns for cheap. I tried a Walther P22 first, but it was way too small for my hands and it jammed like you wouldn't believe. (It had the old mags, but still the grip was uncomfortably small.) I switched over to a Ruger 22/45 and that was way better.

I eventually got kinda bored with the .22's, so at the next range visit I tried a P99 in 9mm and I loved it! The grip was great and I thought it pointed very naturally for me. I was impressed with it, and I went through a couple boxes of ammo with it. But, a shooting buddy of mine has a friend who's a deputy sheriff, and he insisted that I try his Glocks. The G19 was kinda small for my hands, but I liked the feel of the G17. I did ok with both Glocks, but neither as well as the P99. But, I thought I should throw in another (less expensive) option, so I tried a Ruger P95. The grip was kinda chunky and the gun overall seemed a bit rougher, but I shot about the same with it as I did the G17 and the price tag was a lot less!

So here's my problem: I want to buy a .22 and a 9mm for range time, but there are lots of combinations to pick from. I figure I can either buy the Ruger .22 and the P95 or P99, or I can buy the G17 and get the Advantage Arms conversion kit. Ruger 22/45 + Ruger P95 is probably the cheapest combo. I guess the P99 + 22/45 would cost about the same as a G17 and AA .22 kit.

What does everyone else think? After a number of range visits, I don't really like any of the 9's more than the others. Should I just go with the cheapest combo and get a Ruger in .22 and 9mm? Should I get a P99 and Ruger .22? Should I get a G17 and a conversion kit? Price differences are fairly clear, so I guess what I want to know is what you would do based on experience with any or all of these guns. Bottom line - I want to spend no more than $600-$700 and be able to shoot .22 and 9mm either out of 2 separate guns or by swapping the uppers on the Glock frame.

(Just so you know, I expect someone's going to tell me to get a revolver, and I want to, but not just yet. Also, I am planning on trying a CZ-75 in case that's running through your mind. The Kadet kit is an option as well, but I haven't tried it yet.)

Thanks for your input and suggestions, all!

 

[gudel]

i have the P95 in stainless. the ergonomic is better than the G17 I checked out at the store. while you're at it, try holding the HK USP 45. I think you will like the way it handles. the G17 is selling for $600 while the stainless P95 is about $389. Cheaper, better ergonomics, that's a no brainer.

 

[OneShot]

Have you shot a Springfield XD series 9mm yet? I have the subcompact model and it is truly an exceptional piece. I have also had one of the original Ruger P85's and it was also a very good gun.

The XD's are getting some great reviews right now, very Glock like performance at a bargain price $400 give or take. I paid $440 for mine. Way better ergos then the Glocks also. Mine is super comfortable for such a small gun. They of couse make full sized versions also.

I have about 800 rounds through mine with no misfires or feed problems at all. Just some food for thought--OneShot

 

[LiquidTension]

There are a load of excellent 9mm autos out there. You really like the P99, but you may like some of the others even more. Try Sig, HK, CZ, FN HiPower before you buy. All of these other than the CZ are in the same price range as the P99 (~$600) with the CZ being several hundred dollars cheaper. I was really impressed with HK's products and I would have bought one...if I hadn't gotten the chance to shoot a 1911 first

Seriously though, the Walther is a fine weapon. I'm just trying to say that you should try as many as possible before buying your first. I tried at least a dozen before I picked my first pistol, and I've never regretted the purchase I made.

The Ruger MkII (and 22/45) is an excellent weapon, but try a Browning Buckmark before you buy. I don't know much about that new Beretta .22, but maybe try one of those as well.

I'm sure some THRers near you would be willing to let you try out a few of their weapons if you can't find any to rent, especially if you let them shoot some of your stuff

 

[Pico]

CZ 75 and Kadet

You can do this for less than $600 and shoot 9 and .22 with the same platform. I've heard very good things about the Kadet kit.

Pico

 

[243_shooter]

I was recently in the same position as you..

I wound up with a Ruger KP89..

Being my first centerfire handgun I wanted a safety, and visible hammer. So far it's happily eaten anything that I've fed it, and is suprisingly accurate. I think the gun has good fit/finish (although I'm far from an expert on the matter). Takedown for cleaning is EASY (which I was worried considering how much fun my MK II is ) Price wasn't that bad either.

FWIW I didn't really buy it for concealed carry, or anything like that.. It's more of a range / truck pistol. I have smallish hands, and personally I like the big grip. I guess that's a personal preference thing.

I even managed to attend an IPSC new shooters clinic and did quite well with my new toy. I find it a very easy gun to shoot accurately.

YMMV

Leo

[edit]

I read your post wrong.. I was under the intial impression that you already had a .22 If you don't grab one up first (I did a MK II) I really believe that it helped my shooting 1000%.. Nothing like a couple bricks practice to get you in the zone. I admit to never having seen any of the conversion kits.. I do know I managed to pick up my MKII (6 in. bull barrel, used) and KP89 (NIB) for under $600 total.

 

[mattk]

I would certainly suggest the CZ cadet/75b package.

I like CZ's much better than Rugers. CZs have a better ergonomic feel to me.

I think to consider with the Ruger .22s is that they are difficult to disassemble and reassemble.

 

[mini14jac]

I don't think you will be at all disappointed with a Ruger .22 and a P95.
I've got a stainless MKII .22, and a P95.
The P95 is incredibly fun to shoot.
Original capacity mags, (15rd) can be found.
I've averaged around $22 each for my factory mags.

If you buy those two guns, compared to the Glock w/conversion:
1. You'll actually have two guns.
2. With the money you'll save, you can buy more ammo for both guns.
(If you enjoy shooting as much as I do, ammo cost will quickly become and issue.)

With both of the Ruger guns, you will get:
1. Quality guns that will last several lifetimes.
2. Guns that are accurate, durable, and reliable.
3. American made guns from a company that has excellent customer service.
4. Guns that are some of the best values on the market today.

 

[Berg01]

Ditto here on the 9mm CZ 75 with the .22LR Kadet conversion package

 

[NEtracker]

I have a P99 9mm. It eats everything that I have tried, FMJ, LRN, JHP, from various manufacturers.
I highly recommend it, and since you have tried it & liked it, that helps in your decision process.

I also like the BHP, but it is a bit larger.

(Since you are in Ohio, you have plenty of options. We in MA cannot buy most of what posters are recommending!)

 

[Sprout]

I think that you owe it to yourself to find a nine you really like, not just shoot ok with. I rented about ten different 9mms--4 Sigs, a Ruger, a Beretta 92, 2 Glocks, a BHP, and a CZ 75--over the course of a year, and three of them just clicked: the Sig P225, BHP, and CZ 75.

All the guns a tried were ok, but I'm really glad I kept looking until I found a couple that were perfect, for me. Don't settle. Trying out a bunch of guns is fun!

Do the same for .22s. Ergonomics are a personal thing. The nice thing about conversion kits is that if you find the perfect gun in 9, now you have it in 22 as well. Most 22s don't feel as good to me as centerfires do. YMMV.

Good luck, and have fun.

 

[rbuck82]

Thanks for the replies, everybody. I agree, I should probably try as many as I can before I go tossing my money around. I'll give the Sigs and HK's a whirl, but I guess I thought they were too expensive for me and I kinda left them in the "when I'm older, richer and more experienced category". Definitely need to try CZ's too. I knew about the XD9, but for some reason, I never thought about renting it. So now that's on the list. Maybe I should just keep renting and shooting until beams of light shine down from heaven during that half inch grouping.

FWIW, I'm trying to spend a somewhat low amount of money on the guns so I can spend the rest on ammo, range time, and one or two NRA handgun courses.

Of those I mentioned, I'm inclined toward the Ruger(s) because that is the cheapest option, and none of the others are calling me saying, "Spend more money on me!"

Anyone have comments on advantages/disadvantages likes/dislikes or good/bad experiences with the Glock conversion kit versus having 2 separate guns?

 

[NEtracker]

training & practice

I like what you're saying. It is good to hear. You can never have too much practice or training!

"range time, and one or two NRA handgun courses"

RE: SIGs...Very nice handguns & accurate/easy to shoot in my hands. I use my friend's P226 at the range, as these are a bit pricy for me.