Best pistol for noob under $600

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dumbhunter

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Hi all. One of the young guys that works with me turned 21 years old a few months ago and has saved up $600 (+/- a few bucks) for his first handgun. He asked me what is the best all around handgun for his budget. He's looking for sd/hd and range fun. No plans to carry (yet). I immediately said a Glock 19. He said he rented one at the range and was not a fan. He wants new or very gently used. I'm trying to help him out so any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm thinking stay 9mm to keep ammo cost down.

My short list is the HK VP9, HK P30, CZ p01, CZ p07, maybe a Beretta m9/92. I'm thinking MAYBE, if he looks hard, I've seen Sig p229s/p226s (plain models) right around $600-$650.

So what do you guys think? I know I'm missing a bunch of candidates, but I wouldn't recommend something that I don't have first hand knowledge and experience of.

Thanks!
 
Springfield XD mod 2 compact.

I have many full sized metal hand guns and I love them. I also have many subcompacts that I prefer for carrying. But for all round versatility it is really hard to beat my XD mod 2 compact in 45acp. With the extended high capacity magazine it holds and shoots like a full sized pistol at the range while still making a really nice compact package for slipping into a jacket pocket when taking the garbage out at night.

The trigger on my XD mod 2 never ceases to impress me! It isn't too light for HD like my worked over target 1911's but has the smoothest pull of any striker fired pistol I have ever shot.

I have taken a few newbs out and taught them basic firearm safety and functionality. I let them shoot a dozen pistols of different calibers and the number one gun is always hands down my Browning 1911 380. BUT after telling them the cost and giving them a basic ballistics lesson 2 of them chose an XD mod 2 compact in .45acp and one chose a XD mod 2 compact in 9mm as their first pistol.

Metal guns are great for the range and I far prefer them for plinking but the XD mod 2 is just really hard to beat as an all round do everything gun.

Everyone is going to have a difference preference in pistols and everyone is going to have a different pistol that fits them best. I would definitely put a XD mod 2 compact on the list of pistols to handle, and shoot if possible.

P.S. my gf chose my CZ 75D compact as her favorite so I gave I gave too her. It fit her hands well, she shot it well and I never liked the gun because the trigger was way too close to the grip for my long hands and the trigger always pinched my fat finger.
 
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dumbhunter said:
My short list is the HK VP9, HK P30, CZ p01, CZ p07, maybe a Beretta m9/92. I'm thinking MAYBE, if he looks hard, I've seen Sig p229s/p226s (plain models) right around $600-$650.

So what do you guys think? I know I'm missing a bunch of candidates, but I wouldn't recommend something that I don't have first hand knowledge and experience of.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Threads like this mostly just generate responses where people tell the OP to buy their favorite gun.

All of those — and several others — are reputable guns and brands. You shouldn’t be recommending a single “best” handgun. “Best” depends upon individual fit. You should give him a list of reputable brands and tell him to rent or borrow pistols from those brands and figure out which one fits him best. After he shoots some different pistols, he can determine on his own which type of action he prefers and then which pistol with that action type works best in his hands.
 
Buying what he likes is the most important thing.

Adding to this, if I could start again I would have started with a DAO revolver. Getting half way decent with one has greatly improved how I handle every other gun I shoot. 38 +P with a 2 inch barrel and a long heavy trigger necessitates taking a step back to fundamentals, or for me it did anyway.
 
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Is the “21 YO gun buyer ” a new/unfamiliar pistol shooter or a seasoned shooter who is just now buying his first gun and has shot pistols before with friends/family?

First lesson new shooters who want to get into the sport need to understand is guns aren’t expensive…ammo is. A $600 gun that shoots 20K rounds over 10 years cost little compared to the $4000-5000 in ammo they will shoot. And building shooting skills requires buying ammo and getting good instruction.

If he is new to firearms and especially pistols….my answer to this question in this scenario is where I generally differ from most folks. I think the OP’s initial answer “Glock 19/17” or a similar striker fire 9MM (M&P, Ruger, PDP/PPQ, XDm, P320, APX) is spot on. I think “feel”, assuming the new shooter has hands large enough to manage the firearm, matters little.

Sure, if a PPQ feels better than a G19, buy the Walther. But my point is he should buy a reliable, quality firearm that he can shoot enough to build skills with. Good shooters can pick up most any gun and be effective with it. That may prefer a 1911 or HiPower or a Beretta 92 but if they have good basic skills, they can pick up a striker fired gun and use it with effect.

Quick story that happened to me earlier this week when I took an afternoon off to check zero on a bunch of guns.

I was at the outdoor range and I ended up close to a young guy with an AR and an Sig M17 w/iron sights. We had our own bay so we had time to talk. He ended up being a 2Lt Army Nurse. Nice guy…new shooter. He was a decent rifle shot but weak pistol shot (all over the target at 10 yards). I was 6 feet away shooting red dot equipped Glocks and a XDm.

He compared our targets and mentioned how he was new to shooting. I confirmed that becoming good takes time, proper technique, and practice to build skills. He said he’d wanted a red dot. I told him red dots do help but that you can and should build skills with iron sights. He offered for me to shoot his pistol, and I did, keeping 10 rounds on a 4” target at 10 yards. His groups were pie plate or bigger.

I helped him with his grip (which was poor with loose hands, crossed thumbs, etc.), showed him how to dry fire, and after a few minutes, his groups were improving to look more uniform versus shotgun pattern. I also let him use my Glocks. He said he had tried shooting Glocks and hated them. But after instruction with the Sig, and applying the same techniques using a G19 MOS, he really did well and asked where I bought my Glocks (I had 4 on the table). I explained the Glock was just my platform of choice, no better or worse than the P320 platform, but I did tell him about 1st responder programs and pointed him to the GT Distributors website for Military/LEO pricing. We ended the 2+ hour session exchanging information as he wanted another range visit with me, which I said I’d be glad to.

But the point is he had a very good firearm and no guidance on how to use it. For new shooters, it isn’t the gun…it’s the shooter and quality lessons on shooting basics.
 
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Go back to the range and rent a few more. Only he can make that decision. Does he want to go full size or Compact? Look at Sigs, XDs or M&P. Those P365xls are sweet. Nice range or carry weapon. The cheap pistol crowd will be along in a few but for 600 or a little more some nice pistols can be had...
 
This might not be possible for $600, but if he is new to shooting handguns, he'd be better off with two.

1) A nice semiauto 22 like a Ruger Mark or Browning Buck Mark. Used is fine.

2) Something full-sized hat goes bang in 9mm or 38 special and feels good in his hand. Used is fine.

If you haven't shot handguns much and want to practice and learn, 22lr is the way to go. A nice one like a Mark is great for newer shooters. They will get good results quickly.The little Phoenix HP 22 used to go for about $100 used, and they aren't terrible.

A medium-framed 38 is easy to learn with and very useful. A full-sized steel 9mm would be my second choice. The RIA 1911 in 9mm that I bought used a few years ago has been good for beginners.

If it has to be just one high-capacity semiauto, the steel CZ75 and clones thereof are excellent if they fit your hands well.
 
I agree with JDeere, hes the only one who can decide and hes not going to know, until he shoots as many different guns as he can.

He may also find, he may be saving for a bit more in this market.

Since he doesn't like the Glocks, personally, Id look to things like the police trade in SIG's etc, or used higher end guns over the cheaper new guns.

And unless he's willing to likely have to deal with some aggravation, stay away from the 1911's.

And dont forget the "accessories". Holsters, mags, ammo, etc. Thats a whole other chunk of change.
 
That's a good starting list, @dumbhunter. As others have noted, though, he needs to shoot more pistols if he can. Then he can start narrowing down by things like "polymer or steel," "hammer or striker." The simple fact is that there are a metric ton of good pistols in the $600 price range, assuming that's for the pistol alone. If that has to include things like ammo, holsters, cases, etc., then his actual "gun budget" has to drop accordingly.

Personally, I'd add the M&P/Shield and XD lines to the list. Depending on why he didn't like the G19, I might even add a G48 to the list. Any of those give him options for carry down the road, as well as SD/HD right now.
 
He sure don't need an H&K or Sig if his budget is $600. They seem to think their guns are made of gold by the price they charge. Glocks in 9mm and S&W M&P9 are good reliable guns. I have them. If he wants a super reliable gun that is DA/SA then I would choose a used Beretta 92. It will feed and digest just about any 9mm and parts and holsters are everywhere for them. I have some and they are fantastic. no feed ramp to worry with. just a straight path for the cartridge to follow into the chamber.
 
I would suggest to him looking around for a nice S&W 5906. Should be able to find a good one in his budget that still leaves some cash for ammo.

I have a lot of 9mm pistols. If I could only keep one, that'd be it.

The close seconds in preference after the 3rd Gen Smiths would be the steel frame Baby Eagle and the Beretta 92
 
I think y’all give new shooters way too much credit for knowing what they “like” or “don’t like”…or what’s good or not good. Bringing a new shooter to a range and spending $200 on renting guns for a person who has no clue what they are actually trying to figure out is a waste of money. I can agree some with helping them handle a few to see which have best ergonomics, but again, as long as they can grip the gun securely, it’s really not as big a deal as some make it out to be.

New shooter asks for advice. Lots of advice in this thread, much I can live with and much I think is not great.

US military, law enforcement units, etc. bring in folks who’ve never seen a firearm and make them safe and competent to some degree with orientation, instruction, and practice. Don’t mistake that I said all cops and military folks are great gun handlers, as most are not, mainly because they receive a minimum amount of training and practice, but the ones who will use the weapon on duty and get a lot of training will generally do fine. And they all learn on whatever weapon is issued at that time, be it a Glock, an Sig, a Beretta, a 1911, etc.

What a new shooter needs is a gun that handles reasonably well, is reliable, and is fairly easy to operate. Then they need good instruction on firearms safety and gun handling skills.

I recommend new shooters today learn on a striker fire gun with iron sights.

If/when shooting becomes their “thing”, then they will hopefully gain sufficient experience and understanding to be more discerning when it comes to choosing a firearm they want to embrace.
 
AustinTX said:
Threads like this mostly just generate responses where people tell the OP to buy their favorite gun.

All of those — and several others — are reputable guns and brands. You shouldn’t be recommending a single “best” handgun. “Best” depends upon individual fit. You should give him a list of reputable brands and tell him to rent or borrow pistols from those brands and figure out which one fits him best. After he shoots some different pistols, he can determine on his own which type of action he prefers and then which pistol with that action type works best in his hands.
Click to expand...

Spats McGee said:
That's a good starting list, @dumbhunter. As others have noted, though, he needs to shoot more pistols if he can. Then he can start narrowing down by things like "polymer or steel," "hammer or striker." The simple fact is that there are a metric ton of good pistols in the $600 price range, assuming that's for the pistol alone. If that has to include things like ammo, holsters, cases, etc., then his actual "gun budget" has to drop accordingly.

Personally, I'd add the M&P/Shield and XD lines to the list. Depending on why he didn't like the G19, I might even add a G48 to the list. Any of those give him options for carry down the road, as well as SD/HD right now.
Click to expand...
Put these two together and your friend can't go wrong.

Also, do him a favor and send a link to THR!
 
This probably doesn't apply fully to the OP's situation, but here's my personal introduction to handguns routine:

I like starting a new shooter off using a rimfire revolver for the first few sessions. I'm not saying it's necessarily better, nor is necessarily what he should buy, but it's a simpler to learn shooting basics on. No distractions from limp-wristing or clearing malfs. The ergo is different, but he/she doesn't know that yet.

When he/she is comfortable shooting a rimfire revolver, try a variety of autopistols to see what is a good fit. Go to a rental range if you can't provide from your own collection.

For general/defense use, I'm afraid I much prefer the Glock 19. I have a .22 conversion unit for my Glock, so it can perform double duty. I didn't like the Glock at first either -- took awhile to warm up to it. If he can't stomach the Glock, see what he does like and find out whether there is a .22 conversion unit available. Even at today's prices, rimfire ammo means more shooting time and fun.
 
In some ways you can't know what you want until you've owned some guns, which is how we all end up with full safes.

But I'd recommend he just go to a gun show and fondle everything within his price range. Glock, Sig, H&K, S&W, Springfield Armory, CZ, Beretta. See what he likes the feel of.

I'd recommend starting with a a full-size or compact gun and not a subcompact, though. Starting off, a range and home defense gun is probably the priority. I started carrying with a Kahr P9, which is a nice gun, but I did not shoot it well starting out. The smaller guns just take a little more experience and practice.
 
Buzznrose said:
I recommend new shooters today learn on a striker fire gun with iron sights.
Click to expand...
The above is a fairly standard recommendation, and not wrong, but last year there was an active discussion among NRA instructors about starting newbies out with red dot sights (RDS), and moving them to iron sights later. The concept came from the Liberty Safe blog article TOP TIPS FOR TEACHING NEW SHOOTERS (DO'S AND DON'TS) which covers a lot of good ideas.
At first I was opposed to the idea, but the more I thought about it, I compared starting with RDS to starting little kids with T-Ball before putting live pitchers at the mound. Start with minimum complexity, and add more skills as basic ones are learned.
The new shooter will be target-focused naturally, and will have to concentrate a lot on front sight focus. Why not take advantage of the target focus in early lessons, then as the student becomes comfortable with grip, aim, and trigger press, move to front sight focus?

Here is the entire RDS section from the linked article:
DO USE A NON-MAGNIFIED “RED DOT” OPTICAL SIGHT FOR NEW SHOOTERS
Iron sighted handguns and rifles require 3 focal planes to be managed by the shooter: the rear sight, the front sight, and the target. It’s difficult and complicated to try to manage all three planes while also paying attention to stance, trigger control, safety, and all the other things a new shooter needs to be focusing on.
A 1X red dot optical sight is designed to be largely parallax-free so the shooter can maintain a target focus and the dot will simply appear on the target where the bullet will impact. This is much easier and new shooters will likely see greater success earlier than when started with more complicated iron sights (or telescopic sights).
An additional advantage of red dot sights is they obscure far less of the target and the area below it than iron sights, which improves situational awareness.
Click to expand...
 
Reading this thread reminds me of why there are about ten thousand different guns on the market. Most people don't mention my favorites that I've settled on after 50+ years of shooting and handling every gun that I've had the opportunity for, and quite a few people love guns that I wouldn't give up safe space for if someone gave them to me. I guess that tells me that the new shooter will ultimately need figure it out for himself.

At the least I'd suggest he go to a large gun show or gun store (we have one about 40 miles from here that carries over 7,000 guns in stock), and spend some time finding one that feels good in his hand and that he likes the controls and ergonomics. If an experienced friend such as the OP can accompany him, that could be very helpful. If they can find a range where they can try out some of the resulting candidates, that's be even better.

As far as his first shooting experience, after having introduced different people to shooting in different ways over the years, I've found that giving them the opportunity to be successful at hitting their targets early in their shooting experience is a good way. Some people can do that with iron sights (I've had two women who had never fired a gun before, pay attention to my instructions, the proceed to shoot bullseyes with every shot from their first cylinder of rounds - amazing to me), but for some people a laser or red dot is a better way. These days I start with something like that instead of iron sights because I want to make it fun and get them interested in shooting. And paper targets are very boring, and a good way to kill potential interest in shooting. Some type of reactive target is good, IME.
 
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Craig_VA said:
The above is a fairly standard recommendation, and not wrong, but last year there was an active discussion among NRA instructors about starting newbies out with red dot sights (RDS), and moving them to iron sights later. The concept came from the Liberty Safe blog article TOP TIPS FOR TEACHING NEW SHOOTERS (DO'S AND DON'TS) which covers a lot of good ideas.
At first I was opposed to the idea, but the more I thought about it, I compared starting with RDS to starting little kids with T-Ball before putting live pitchers at the mound. Start with minimum complexity, and add more skills as basic ones are learned.
The new shooter will be target-focused naturally, and will have to concentrate a lot on front sight focus. Why not take advantage of the target focus in early lessons, then as the student becomes comfortable with grip, aim, and trigger press, move to front sight focus?

Here is the entire RDS section from the linked article:
Click to expand...

No real argument from me on this. I do like having new shooters use optics, either RDS or scopes. Much easier for them. And if that is what they bought, I certainly don’t have them remove them.

But as long as iron sights are a common reality, I still think using open sights is a necessary skill.

I actually taught my daughters in 2008 and 2011 to drive on a manual/stick shift car. When we moved on to an automatic transmission, it was easy peasy for them.
 
Since he is a pistol noob, as a first pistol I would recommend one that is very safe to handle, possibly one that can be loaded and unloaded with the safety on. The type of pistol I have in mind is the Beretta 92FS or the Beretta Px4 Storm F or other pistols with similar characteristics (i.e. with decocker/safety on the slide) such as the various Tisas Zigana models or the excellent clones of the Beretta 92FS built by Girsan. As a used pistols, always with the same decocker/safety lever on the slide, I would say a S&W Third Generation or a Ruger P95DC.
 
My consideration list if wanting new:

Strikers:
-CZ P10
-Walther PPQ/PDP
-HK VP9 Button
-S&W M&P 2.0
-Glock Gen5 (I hate gen 1-4)

Hammer:
-anything CZ
-anything Beretta (PX4!)

Wildcard: cheap guns
-PSA Dagger
-Canik TP9
-Girsan Beretta clone
 
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