Deciding on first handgun

[Yellow Dart]

I'm new to THR and was wondering if anyone has any advice on a good semi-auto handgun. I have a good deal of experience with pistols, but this would be the first one I personally own. I don't plan on using this pistol for concealed carry. I'm looking for more of a home-defense and range pistol so size and weight isn't a factor. I'm also trying to keep it around or under $500, I'd be more than happy to buy one used.

A few I've been looking at are the Steyr M40, 1911 styles, and I really like the Walther p99 but I'm not sure if i can get one at an affordable price. I've also looked at some of the newer Taurus automatics like the 24/7 OSS, it looks like an affordable alternative to the H%K Mk. 23. I'd like to avoid glocks, while I admit they are probably one of the best made semi's on the market, the ones I've fired feel like bricks and don't really point as naturally for me, its just my personal preference.

I'd prefer a .45 ACP but .40 isn't bad either. I might consider a 9mm but I'd really like something larger. I have used a .357 SIG once and it seemed like a really flat shooter, thats a possible choice as well. What are your thoughts?

 

[bensdad]

Welcome to THR. I have no real wisdom. My personal preference for HD is a shotgun. My HD handgun is a Daewoo DP51. It's a 9mm, but mine is 100 % reliable. It also points amazingly naturally for me.

Rent a bunch and see what feels best.

 

[camp_gunner]

Selection of a handgun

As a suggestion, I would look at one of the guns from FEG. These are the same guns as used by the Hungarian army. They are well made, all steel guns. There are two models on the market at this time, a basic Hi-Power clone, and my personal choice, the P9R. The P9R is in 9mm, has both a double action and single action, and holds fifteen in the mag. It is a well made, good handling gun.

If you want something in a larger cartridge, buy the best 1911 clone that you can find.

 

[GLOCK45GUY]

Welcome to the foum.

I own a GLOCK 30 (.45), Taurus PT92, and Colt Sistema 1911, as far as pistols go. All have their form and function, so I agree with ben to rent what you ahve your eye on and see which one takesa liking to you.

Good luck, and post some pics when you get one.

 

[Jason_G]

Yellow Dart, if I were you I would go find a range that rents guns and try several out.

Some .45 ACP pistols that I really enjoy shooting: SiG P220, H&K USP, and 1911's by good manufacturers (I like Colt and S&W).

Some .40 S&W pistols I like: Beretta PX4 (this is my favorite .40 out right now), H&K USP, SiG P226

Some that I personally don't care too much for, and/or would stay away from because of horror stories about quality and/or customer service (this is just my opinion, YMMV): Hi-Point pistols, Jennings, Lorcin, S&W Sigma, and anything made by Taurus.

Hope that helps some.

Jason

 

[Zesty]

I'm biased because it is my newest baby, but I would say a CZ75B in .40 would be worth checking out. I love mine!

 

[JohnnyOrygun]

What about Ruger?

While I don't own a Ruger center fire pistol at this time, I do own a Mk3 22/45 and Ruger makes a very good gun at a very reasonable price. Another good choice would be the FNP, they are available in .40 and 9mm and again at a very reasonable price. If you are willing to try 9mm then I would recommend my newest gun, the Stoeger 8000 Cougar, which is really just a renamed Beretta made in Turkey and available for about $350.00 I really like mine.

When it was time to buy a 9mm I was really tempted to go with a Ruger, but the Stoeger was such a good buy and with the $150.00 left over you can get a decent Holster and enough ammo to get a real feel for the gun.

But that is just my 2 cents.
Good Luck

 

[glockman19]

Yellow Dart,

Welcome.

First off you couldn't find a better place to ask about firearms. Second, Go out and find a local range where you can shoot a lot of different guns pistols and revolvers. My first 3 guns in order were: Remington 870 Express 18", 12 gauge shotgun, Second was a Glock 19 and the third was a S&W 686 4".

If you're interested in a .45 ACP I'd stay with a 1911 style. In a .40 a Sig p229 or HK p2000. If you're really against a glock then get a XD.

 

[Kind of Blued]

First of all, welcome to the forum.

Have you looked into the Springfield Armory XDs?

I've shot a couple models. Point more naturally than Glocks IMO, comes in .45, high capacity, in your budget, has a rail if you're into weapons mounted lights for home defense, and generally, I haven't heard of any unsatisfied customers, just a few who could take it or leave it from a design standpoint.

A pre-owned Sig Sauer P226 can be picked up for $500. In my opinion, probably the finest pistol that $500 can buy.

 

[packarat]

I'm feeling a little chatty tonight so here's my .02 cents...

I was in the same situation almost two years ago. I lurked for almost a year before I even started looking at touching a handgun. Now I grew up shooting rifles and airguns (rifle and pistol) but knew practically nothing of shooting a handgun.

I took the collective advice of this forum and started going to gun shops, no ranges anywhere close to me, and picked up and felt different types of pistols. What I found was at the time a 1911 grip safety felt, well weird. Also every autoloader made my hands shake for some unknown reason.

I decided to be un-tacticool and go for a revolver. Best choice I ever made. Every wheel gun I looked at just felt natural in my hand. I ended up with a 6" GP-100. I couldn't have been happier, for at least a few months. The gotta have another gun feeling just got too unbearable.

I have since purchased a .45 Taurus 24/7 pro, absolutely great gun. Completly different experience from my ruger but I'm pleased with it. What I have learned is that trying to compare revolvers to autos is worse than apples to oranges. More like comparing a vegetable with a mineral. Two different monsters that require two seperate learning curves.

I have also recently bought a CZ 75B that I pick up on presidents day. My .45 is great for what it is but being my first auto it has been a challenge so to speak. I'm looking to refine my skills with 9mm so that I can better utilize the .45.

Well that was a lot for .02 cents from me...I'm going back to lurking for a while.

 

[possum]

welocme to thr.

i will suggest my favorite .45 pistol out there other than the 1911 of course. which is the ruger p345, they are highly accurate, backed by a great company and warranty and they can be had brand new for less than you are wanting to spend.

also check out the xd line, for a double stack .45 with 13+1 rd capacity you can't go wrong.

 

[SigmaKing]

If it helps any i was in the same boat as you. I went with the S&W Sigma SW9VE 16+1. Iv shot many handguns but for some reason i kept coming back to the Sigma. I think its a great range gun and home defense gun it has the Polymer frame which makes it Light, well as light as a 17round pistol can get. Triger is a little strong but i dont think it affects anything. Also Recoil was not an issue for me with this gun. I Recently Bought a Glock 19 and i think the Sigma Does a better job in all departments.

 

[Yellow Dart]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I really like the walter p99 but they seem to be a bit out of my price range. Anyone know how much they tend to go for used. Also, about half of the reviews call the p99 the greatest handgun ever made, and the other half say its plagued with problems. Anyone have any personal experience with it?

 

[NGIB]

You really need to check CDNN as they have both P99s and S&W 99s used and priced well (around $350 for LNIB I think). I have 2 S&W 99s (.40 & .45) and they are great guns and accurate shooters. Not much difference between the Walther and S&W versions...

 

[dispatch]

Yellow Dart- Welcome!!!
Hope you have many years enjoying handguns as I have. My recomendation for a semi auto is any Ruger P Series. They are relatively inexpensive totally reliable, and are easily maintained.
The Rugers may not have the sex appeal of a Kimber, Kahr, etc. But they are very fine guns.
Should you decide to go the revolver route- Ruger or Smith & Wesson (pre -lock).
Good luck to you........

 

[ReadyontheRight]

The P99s are made with a variety of triggers. Make sure you get the one you want.

You can't go wrong with a 1911 as your first handgun. It WILL take diligence on your part to get to know it, but the trigger will spoil you for other pistols.

A .22 Ruger or Browning semi-auto to go along with it will give you something for inexpensive range practice and a great plinker for carrying in the woods and introducing other folks to the sport.

If you already have a shotty or rifle for self-defense, a .22 autoloader might be your best first pistol.

Lots of other great suggestions above. There are an amazing number of pistols out there now in your price range. Especially if you are willing to go used. It's the ammo that gets you.

Just buy something and be sure to shoot safely!

 

[Michael Zeleny]

Given your preferences and constraints, I would look for a recent production Mk III Browning Hi-Power in 9mm.

 

[bestseller92]

Glock 22.

 

[bikerdoc]

welcome, think about CZ all steel, affordable, come in 9mm 40cal and 45
also recommend rock island 45 they are just under 400. dont know where you are but try the gun shows and dont overlook police trade ins- good luck

 

[Feud]

My first hand gun was a 9mm M&P, and it's been nothing but good to me!

Especially handy was the ease in changing out the back straps, made learning how to shoot it a fun and comfortable experience.

 

[NGIB]

The reality of the situation is there is no single handgun that will meet all your needs. My collection has grown significantly in the past 6 months and every one I acquired for for a reason - at least I think so. I really have no favorites among my guns as they each serve a purpose a little differently. I have range guns, compacts for carry, duty size, and .22 revolvers and I enjoy shooting them all. My point is don't stress yourself out. Find a gun that's comfortable to hold and shoot and get it - your sure to get more anyway.

If I could only keep one, it would probably be my Kahr E9. Small enough to carry, heavy enough to shoot comfortably, and all steel for durability. Personally, I'm glad I don't have to limit myself as I'd sure miss my others - especially the Dan Wesson .22s I just picked up as I can shoot these all day for just a few bucks...

 

[Schwebel]

Well you say range and home defense, so I would suggest a Beretta 92fs/M9.
You can buy them brand new under $500 with three mags. Plenty of accesories and cheap mags availible for them. I have a 30 rounder for mine when it is on HD detail. Plus 9mm is cheaper to shoot than a .40 or a .45. They are very accurate and fun to shoot.

 

[Yellow Dart]

Thanks again for all the feedback. I've been to a few gun stores and looked at P99's. I really like the way they feel and point, I'm starting to lean toward that. Anyone have any personal experience with them. I also really liked the 1911, although the single stack magazine is kind of a minus.

Also, Schwebel, I'm glad you mentioned the 92fs. I like the way they feel but the only thing thats stopping me is that I've heard mixed reviews. I've heard they had jamming problems but that may have been fixed. Also, don't they make a .40 version of the 92, I think its a 96 or something.

 

[possum]

the p99 is a great choice, you might have to get one used to get it in your price range, but they are well worth it, i like the way they shoot, point and they look, they look mean, which i like. i know of no roblems with the p99 line.