First gun

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KaceCoyote

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Well I turned 21 just the other day here, which means I can buy a handgun. Now a .22LR of some fashion is without saying, I'll get one soon enough.

Over the endless list of automatics, revolvers and whatever else I want two stand out. CZ-52 and the PM Makarov. Any imput on what seems to be the better of the two for plinking/glove box carry?
 
Congrats buddy. I was just there myself.

My suggestion is start hitting the pawn shops and gun shows. Not all pawn shops will have good deals but every now and then you can find one ready to deal, just know what you're buying and what it's worth, same thing for the gunshows.

My first pistol was a Ruger MKII 22/45. I got it because it's similar in size and function to dad's 1911 and the XD-9 that I just bought. Any of the Ruger .22's would be my personal suggestion although I (personally) would stay with the Mark II series.
 
If it were me, I'd take a Firearms Training class of some type first.

Especially one with all sorts of Handguns, in various platforms and calibers. One that not only taught these various guns in the lecture portion - also allowed one to shoot to see what fits THEM, what platform fits THEM in regard to controls, triggers, etc., and which one THEY shot the best in actual timed shooting. Training, instruction and hands on timed shooting allows an informed educated purchase for a firearm for THEM.

Then again that is the way I / we taught students back when I assisted anyway...

Always hated to see what someone brought to class, or what "daddy" or "hubby" - had bought for or "said" they had to have... or "tacticool gun article of the week" drug in.
 
CZ-52 or Makarov? If you plan to ever carry concealed, definitely get the Makarov. For just the glove box, the CZ-52 would be a good choice. Plinking will be fun with either, but I believe the ammo is cheaper for the Mak.

Personally, I'd save my money for a Glock 9mm and a .22 conversion kit...
 
middy said:
CZ-52 or Makarov? If you plan to ever carry concealed, definitely get the Makarov. For just the glove box, the CZ-52 would be a good choice. Plinking will be fun with either, but I believe the ammo is cheaper for the Mak.

Personally, I'd save my money for a Glock 9mm and a .22 conversion kit...
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I'm sorry but glocks suck. Let me put it another way, what first HANDGUN? I've got a number of rifles and such.
 
My handgun research always starts with the caliber. .380, .40, 9mm, .45? I would consider the 9mm as a first handgun because ammo is cheap, pistols are abundant in all different makes and models and sizes.

That being said, my first handgun was a Sig p220 in .45. I still have it and it is still one of my favorites.
 
KaceCoyote said:
I'm sorry but glocks suck.
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They're really not all that bad. I still think they're unattractive, but have a couple. Both have the 3.5 lb connector, and one has the New York trigger combined with it. The light connector reduces the pull, but leaves it with the stock "spongy" feel, but still not too bad. The light connector with the NY trigger brings it back up to about factory pull, but it stacks up, then breaks much more cleanly.

Depending on how extended your plinking sessions get (few dozen, few hundred, few thousand rounds in an outing), your choice may differ. The longer the session, the more comfortable of a gun you'll want.

As to "glove box carry", I'd recommend against it. If it's legal for you, that's fine. If not, it's asking for trouble. Beyond that, if you need a firearm for defense, it would be nice to actually have the firearm on your person if possible. (Bad to need one and only be able to think, "I know right where it is, but can't get to it." Also, if you forget to remove the firearm when you exit the vehicle, it's easy pickings for theft. It can and will happen at the worst possible time. I had a gun that I was test firing, and considering buying from a friend. Decided against it, but did him the favor of removing the lead build-up it had developed, and packed it in the trunk (cased, hidden away) before leaving for work, planning to return it to him that afternoon. That day, the car was broken into. The thieves had no knowledge of the pistol's presence -- they were after the full-size spare that vehicle carried (guy at the wrecking yard said people were always coming in looking for these wheels as they were always stolen). They ended up getting a nearly new Colt King Cobra as well as the spare tire. :cuss:

Good luck with your choices, and have fun. Shoot straight and shoot safe.
 
Yes and no. They're not truly DAO, but they are sometimes lumped in with DAO because of the feel -- much heavier than SA, and consistent pull from shot to shot. If I remember correctly, it's not DAO because the striker is in fact partially cocked by the action cycling. The trigger stroke cocks it the rest of the way and releases it. This is also why there is no second strike capability on a Glock. If they were true DAO, the trigger stroke would do all the work of cocking the action, and there would probably be second strike capability.
 
MNgoldenbear said:
Yes and no. They're not truly DAO, but they are sometimes lumped in with DAO because of the feel -- much heavier than SA, and consistent pull from shot to shot. If I remember correctly, it's not DAO because the striker is in fact partially cocked by the action cycling. The trigger stroke cocks it the rest of the way and releases it. This is also why there is no second strike capability on a Glock. If they were true DAO, the trigger stroke would do all the work of cocking the action, and there would probably be second strike capability.
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I dislike the feel, I do find the idea of a DAO pistol for a mousegun appealing but for a full size pistol? Nay this is going to be largely for winter carry, range sessions and such. As for the glovebox thing, Its legal here for until I can get my CCW.
 
Whoa, WINTER carry? By this are you meaning needing to have thick gloves on and such? In that case, I'd DEFINITELY recommend a heavier trigger. Very difficult to index a lighter SA trigger with gloves on and not AD. :eek: If you are planning to wear gloves, try handling the firearm extensively (shoot, load, clear, etc. if you have the chance) before deciding on one for carry purposes under those conditions. It will also make a difference WHICH pair of gloves you wear -- try it with the pair you'll actually wear in the winter. If you've never tried this, it may surprise you. If you have, you already know what I'm talking about.
 
MNgoldenbear said:
Whoa, WINTER carry? By this are you meaning needing to have thick gloves on and such? In that case, I'd DEFINITELY recommend a heavier trigger. Very difficult to index a lighter SA trigger with gloves on and not AD. :eek: If you are planning to wear gloves, try handling the firearm extensively (shoot, load, clear, etc. if you have the chance) before deciding on one for carry purposes under those conditions. It will also make a difference WHICH pair of gloves you wear -- try it with the pair you'll actually wear in the winter. If you've never tried this, it may surprise you. If you have, you already know what I'm talking about.
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Have worn gloves whilst shooting, both the glock and some of my father's other pistols. I'm from Missouri so heavy gloves are rarely needed, I usually just wear mechanix gloves come winter. Thin, quite easy to manipulate the controls and warm enough to stave off frostbite.
 
Okay, KaceCoyote, just wanted to be sure. Wasn't sure how cool it gets down there. We have some friends in Belle (home of Kingsford Charcoal), but never really asked about winter weather. (Usually just worried when we see heavy weather in the summer over them on radar.) Up here in winter, you've got to bundle up so that you look like the little brother in "Christmas Story"! Not only do you need to have something you can shoot with heavy gloves on, but something that will penetrate heavy layers of winter clothing. Still, just remember that it's easier to have an AD in a defense situation with gloves than target shooting with gloves. Tend to be a little more stressed. ;) You also lose some sensitivity with fingertips covered. Guess the best solution to that is the standard training of finger off the trigger until you actually begin the trigger stoke -- shouldn't have to try to "stage" a trigger if it's a "normal" defensive situation. Stay safe. Shoot straight.
 
A Mak ain't a bad choice - not too expensive, ammo runs about $125 for a thousand rounds...mail order ...

Also, a visit to makarov.com will lead to all kinds of info including how to detail strip the little rascal which is a nice thing to know how to do when you're starting out with autoloaders. You sort of learn just how this particular handgun operates, what a sear is and does, etc. and some of this can be applied to other guns.

Bulgarian Maks are not too expensive - East German ones are really nice but are getting wicked costly. Either the Bulgie or the E.G. will work just fine.

You will find directions on how to smooth up the trigger on a Mak and how to reduce the trigger pull but I'd recommend that, other than cleaning, you leave the gun alone.
 
I bought a Taurus PT-92 AFS as my first gun at a pawn shop. Normally their prices were about 25-30% over what they should be but I walked in on the day they had a 25% off sale, so they brought it down to a normal asking price :) Fired I dunno how many rounds through it in the last 3 years with not a single malfunction. I carry it too (but I'm a big guy and can hide it ok too).

I bought a CZ-52 recently and LOVE LOVE LOVE that gun. If it wasn't so long I'd probably carry if it I ever got some JHP's for it. Fun to shoot and cheap too. I dunno about having it as a first gun though unless you're trying to save every penny. The Makarov is also a good choice and I was going to get one of those instead of the CZ-52 but ended up getting the CZ because it was going to be about $75 cheaper than the Mak.
 
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