Choice for first centerfire handgun

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Goochman270

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I am starting to look for a pistol. It will be my first centerfire, I have shot a few including a .40 S&W Sigma and .45 Kimber Custom II. I hated the Sigma and was quite fond of the the 1911. I am looking for a gun I can use for USPSA competition, side arm for hunting and running around the woods, and later non-concealed carry defense. The guns I am looking at are the Sig P226, Springfield XDM, Taurus PT1911AR, and Taurus PT92/99. I want something that can be used for all the above, reliable, ability for use with light bearing holster(blackhawk serpa lv2 preferably), and a big factor is price. I also cant decide as to caliber, i'm used to the big .45 but would prefer either the 9mm or .40S&W. I'm wary to the 9mm stopping power but like price and capacity. At this point I'm leaning to the Sig P226 in .40...
 
For a first centerfire I'd go with a 9mm for ammo affordability. While a .45 may be better in some respects, it costs at least 50% more to shoot and I think you'd be better served by getting more trigger time. .40 is a little cheaper than .45, but not by much, and it has even more recoil IMO.

Don't worry about 9mm stopping power. If you buy high quality defensive ammo it will work fine for that purpose. I'm not going to argue whether it's better or worse than other calibers because that discussion never goes anywhere. Suffice to say, it's good enough to get the job done. As a new shooter, getting trigger time is going to have a bigger impact on your ability to defend yourself than ballistic differences between the common calibers will. With 9mm you can afford to shoot 50%, meaning 50% more training and 50% more fun.

As for the actual gun, I don't own a P226 personally but I have a P220 and am very fond of SIG pistols. I'm planning to pick up a P229 SAS 9mm in the near future. If it were me, I'd go with the P226 in 9mm if you don't mind the price tag. Enjoy!
 
side arm for [strike]hunting[/strike] and running around the woods, and later non-concealed carry defense.
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Those are the reasons I started carrying a glock 19. I had a 17 at first, but the 19 just fits. It can be used for competition, home defense or concealed carry (I carry it just fine with a good IWB holster in jeans/shorts and a tshirt). I no longer hunt, but I spend a good bit of time walking and hiking trails with my young sons. I carry it for defense from 2 legged creatures...we have bear in my area but I don't worry about run ins with them. If I did, I'd carry a 10mm glock. I don't worry about the finish, I don't have to clean it right away if it gets wet or dirty and I can generally treat it like I hate it. I tried an XDM for about 800 rounds and sold it, I just like the glock better by far. Of course, had I started with the XDM first, maybe it would be the other way around.

Of the one you mentioned, I prefer the Sig...but that is just it...a preference. You want know until you shoot it.

As far as 9mm vs 40 vs 45, well I could care less honestly. I've carried all 3 at one point. In my honest opinion, I don't feel any of them give you enough advantage to fret over. You don't get any real stopping power unless you pick up a rifle, shotgun or a large bore revolver. 9mm, 40 and 45 are all underpowered handgun rounds, so shot placement and your ability to run the gun is the most important aspect. 9mm is cheaper and allows me to practice more, so that is what I carry.

If I ever start reloading, I may switch back to 45. I feel fine packing 9mm, so I'd probably just start reloading that.
 
I like the idea of a 9MM as a first centerfire, and would recommend the Browning Hi Power or CZ-75 variant. That being said, if you reload or don't care about ammo cost, a nice 1911 in .45 ACP is also a good choice.
 
CZ-75 is a great recommendation if concealed carry isn't an issue. Pick up a used one and you won't lose any money if you decide it isn't for you and you need to sell it.
 
There are a lot of great autos on the market. As long as you do your research to make sure you understand the features, I say go with whatever turns you on and is within your budget. For me the SIG was love at first sight so I went with that. That's not to say there's anything wrong with choosing a Glock, CZ, Beretta, XD(m), M&P, Hi-Power, etc. I'd recommend against just "settling" for something that doesn't really appeal to you because other people said it's good though. Get something you'll be proud to own and shoot.
 
19 + 1 rounds with the XDm. Match grade barrel and interchangeable back-straps to fit the pistol to your hand. Fantastic pistol. ;)
 
Best deal going

Get a CZ 82. Cheap, well made. common, easy to use, reliable,hi-cap with easily available ammo which hits almost as hard as a standard 9mm with it's best loads but cheap enough for practice.(9x18) The only drawback is the style of the safety, but the rest of the gun's features more than make up for this. Wholesale around 200.00; I have no idea what the shops try to get.
 
Get something you'll be [strike]proud[/strike] to own and shoot.
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Fixed that for you. :)

Some of my guns that are the most fun to shoot aren't exactly something I'd be proud about per say. Whatever keeps you wanting to continue shooting is great...doesn't matter if it is a lowly glock or a $6000 custom 1911....what's important is that you are happy and shooting often!


I'm starting understand the logic behind the 9mm. I've been kinda worried about 9mm stopping power but 9mm would probably be sufficient for an occasional coyote or two legged attacker and you can get more practice and capacity with the 9.
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Yeah, you need to know what your intended use is. I'm merely worried about potential two legged predators. None of the animals in my area are going to eat me, save perhaps the occasional bear. They are so few and far between in my area that I'm really not worried. I've encountered about 3 in the woods(probably the same on 3 times) over the course of 30 years in my area and we each kept our distance. We have coyotes and bobcats, too...but I'd be more worried about a rabid domestic dog roaming around hungry.

The 9mm has been proven time and time against two legged varmints, so long as you do your job. 40 and 45 are bigger and more effective, but in my mind the difference isn't so much that I want to run out and convert. I've read all the tests out there, and the "huge" differences some claim aren't all that "huge." Check out some of the caliber war threads for more info...or even the polls and you'll see that there are a huge number of people that carry the 9mm daily.
 
ForumSurfer said:
Some of my guns that are the most fun to shoot aren't exactly something I'd be proud about per say. Whatever keeps you wanting to continue shooting is great...doesn't matter if it is a lowly glock or a $6000 custom 1911....what's important is that you are happy and shooting often!
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I know what you mean. Definitely get a gun you want to shoot and can afford to shoot. Part of it (at least for me) is appreciating the gun itself though. You'll want to use and take care of the gun more if you really like it.
 
CZ82. You can still buy something more modern later and retain a good pistol that will only increase in value. Plus, they are already chipped up so you don't have to worry about handling. The strange polygonal? barrels increase bullet velocity but tend to wander after fifty feet or so, but if you just want to shoot dog-like animals at that range you have twelve rounds and a button mag release. Also an oversized trigger guard that fits gloves. Why not get both?
 
Thanks guys! I have always heard alot of hype about the Glock platform, especially in 9mm, but haven't shot one, nor does anyone in my family own one. Are they as good as people say, the 17 in particular? And what about the trigger? A S&W Sigma is my only experience with a double action pistol, and it was horrible, but i hear they have some of the worst triggers.
 
Thanks guys! I have always heard alot of hype about the Glock platform, especially in 9mm, but haven't shot one, nor does anyone in my family own one. Are they as good as people say, the 17 in particular? And what about the trigger? A S&W Sigma is my only experience with a double action pistol, and it was horrible, but i hear they have some of the worst triggers.
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My initial thoughts were that the glock trigger was the worst I had ever felt. But once I spent time with it actually running it (instead of sitting at home, dry firing and complaining)....it never really was a factor.

Glocks are weird, you either love it or you absolutely hate it. Once I ran a few hundred rounds through it, the 19 became one of my all time favorites...right beside a plain jane 1911 government model. I recently ran a couple hundred rounds through a cz-75. I've shot many different pistols, the only ones to ever really stand out to me and call my name were 1911s, Browning hi powers, cz 75's and the glock 19. But it is all pretty subjective in the end. You like what you like. Go out, rent them all and buy whichever calls your name.
 
Your best bet is the Taurus PT92. Much nicer than the typical Taurus, since it is Beretta-based.

Longer sight radius will give you more practical accuracy than the 226, and of course a lot lower price. The trigger is in a higher league than that of the Sigma.

The Kimber is probably nicer yet, bit that 45 ammo cost is going to kill you if you don't roll your own ammo. Not to mention that the gun itself costs double.

I've owned a PT92 and regret selling it. I've shot similar 1911s to the Kimber. I've shot P226s.

The PT92 is the runaway best value in thus group. Some even prefer them to the Beretta 92s, for their frame-mounted safety.

Beretta's finish is a little better, so if you don't mind used, consider a used 92FS or M9. Probably the same price as a new Taurus.


-Jeremy
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My first was a CZ-75B 9mm. Not really much of a ccw. But i have carried it on my hip around the farm, and in the woods. Very good home self defense pistol, and fun range pistol. Very reliable, ammo is cheap, and price for one new is all most unbearable, they can be had for around $400. I would highly recommend it.
 
I personelly have no experience with any of the ones you have mentioned in your post, except I do ahve a Sig P229 in .40 and I would opt for the 226 because I have been completely satisfied with the 229.JMHO
 
I have a few suggestions:

Glock 19, if you may only own one handgun: cheap ammo, plentiful magazine capacity, decent size for carry and home defense.

S&W 5906 (9mm) if you want an inexpensive, reliable range gun with decent capacity, kind of heavy for carry but if you use a decent belt & holster you'll be fine.

Rock Island Armory 1911 if you're into the .45/1911 format: inexpensive starter gun that I have heard a lot of good about and very little bad.

Dark horse option: you're talking about hunting backup and home defense, will probably want to target shoot...how about considering a .357 revolver with a 4" barrel? You get two calibers in one gun: fire .38 for target practice and load with +P .38 or .357 for home defense and carry a heavy cast bullet .357 hunting load when out in the woods.
 
I just don't think of bottom feeders when I think of hunting. I think revolver, something in .357 would probably suit although I don't know if it would work for you in the competition shooting. Although jerry miculak doesn't seem to have a problem :)
 
S&W M&P .40. Great pistol with an effective round (over 500 ft/lbs in +P).

Practice ammo is not expensive.
 
I want something that can be used for all the above, reliable, ability for use with light bearing holster(blackhawk serpa lv2 preferably), and a big factor is price. I also cant decide as to caliber, i'm used to the big .45 but would prefer either the 9mm or .40S&W. I'm wary to the 9mm stopping power but like price and capacity. At this point I'm leaning to the Sig P226 in .40...
Click to expand...

I think its best for everyone's first centerfire to be 9mm. The recoil is so easy to manage, but it is still plenty powerful for SD. Ammo is cheaper than .40 and .45. Don't be discouraged by anti-9mm myths. It gets the job done if your placement is on target.

I recommend the S&W M&P9. Great gun, stupid easy to shoot, very reliable and accurate.
 
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I agree with other who think that 9mm is the right caliber to start. As stated, it's cheap and allows a lot of trigger time. If I was to make a short list of guns to recommend this would be a few off the top of my head.

CZ 75B

Beretta 92FS / M9

S&W 5906

If you want a 1911, but still want to stay with 9mm then I have heard really good things about the STI Spartan.


Obviously it's just my opinion, but I think an all metal gun is a good place to start. I have nothing against polymer guns. I own them, use them, and carry them, but for someone just starting out with a centerfire pistol I believe a metal gun is the way to go.

Best of luck.
Shawn
 
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