First handgun suggestions

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Freshgrease

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I am new to this forum, but I am turning the magic age of 21 in a few months allowing me to buy booze and firearms (though I'm not much of a drinker.) I've been around firearms all my life and I range shoot intown with rental guns, but I am a bit confused on what I want to get as my first pistol.

I am a bit biased since I like to shoot my fathers cheap Italian copy of a Beretta M92FS. the range I shoot at doesn't carry Berettas for rental guns, but they carry Sigs and Glocks. When I shoot I shoot a P226, but I don't like the feel of it as much as dad's handgun.

I am curious to know what most people here like and why. I'd prefer not to go Glock as I have known several people to have them blow up in their hands, and they look fugly.

I intend my gun to be able to CCW, but it is not necessary. It will be more for range and home-defense. If I lean toward a Beretta 92FS Inox (Stainless) is there customization options such as grips? What kind of reliability and ease of field stripping can I look forward to in it?
 
Well, there are lots of different types of pistols out there, but it looks like you've narrowed it down judging by what ive read. I wouldn't really worry about a Glock blowing up in your hands. As others have pointed out, it could happen to any gun. I also hear the 9mm glocks are not prone the kB'ing. I own a glock 30 in .45 and although i have heard of a few .45 glocks kB'ing, im not worried about it because i dont reload and follow the manufacturers recommendations to not shoot bare lead through it.

I am not pushing a glock as the choice, though. Just pointing out mechanically they aren't that bad. Remember, there are millions upon millions of glocks world wide that dont have problems.

Actually, what i was getting at is, if you think the glocks are ugly and dont really like them, and you dont like the sig in your hands, but you shoot and like your dads beretta copy, then maybe get a beretta.
 
Welcome to the boards. A few thoughts for you:

1) Get your own Beretta 92FS/M9. Since you are familiar with your Dad's knockoff, you'd be getting a similar gun. Not something you really could use for CCW thought. For grips you can get wood panels or Hogue wraparound fingergrooves - at least I've seen those.

2) You mentioned you don't like the Sig P226, so will rule that out. Since you may plan to carry, check out the P229 as it is slightly smaller, but still a decent sized gun for the range.

3) Look at the CZ's - they also make a full-sized (CZ75) and compact (P01 is one example) models.

4) My suggestions were all in 9MM - I think this is a good caliber for new people to shoot, and has enough stopping power using the right loads. And it's relatively cheap compared to other calibers.

5) Search the forums here and spend some time reading about guns you are interested in, as well as those you are not (like Glocks). You'll get a lot of good information here.
 
I would caution you not to mention buying guns and drinking to your folks in the same breath. As to your comment about several friends KB'ing there Glock's I'll take that with a grain of salt. I'm not aware of any cheap italian knock offs of the 92fs, perhaps you mean tauras? I would urge you to start out with an revolver from S&W or Ruger, or perhaps Tauras. After mastering that then move up the ladder to an auto..........
 
anything h&k is good to go, i have 2 xd's and i love both of em and i would buy more in a heartbeat. check out ruger, smith and wesson m&p, don't take the "glock blows up" stuff they can and they have before. but glocks are not the only ones that have done it. there have been other guns that have as well.
 
The Beretta and CZ75 series have a good .22LR top end. I would not get any first gun that didn't take a .22LR conversion slide.
 
Freshgrease,

Welcome to THR!

What is a "cheap Italian copy of a Beretta M92FS"? Beretta is an Italian gun company and the 92-series of pistols were designed there. Their firearms are manufactured in Italy as well as USA.

I'd suggest that you say away from making any changes to your gun before you have shot several thousand rounds thru it so that you can truly understand the performance of the gun. As for reliability, check out Beretta's website for testing data:
http://berettausa.com/product/product_pistols_main.htm
 
If you go Beretta then get the 92fs and not the 96 and espically not the vertec if you have med-large hands. If you prefer a beretta knock off to a Sig then the sids that you shot must have been in bad shape or something. You cant go wrong with a 1911 either. See if you can find one to shoot before you buy. Have fun and welcome to an expensive hobby.
 
"...I'd prefer not to go Glock as I have known several people to have them blow up in their hands, and they look fugly."

Sorry, I just don't buy it. That's like telling me Subaru's drive poorly in the snow... Your friends are shooting hand loads with OEM barrels, or not maintaining their guns properly. :scrutiny:

Fugly? Okay, got me there! No beauty prizes! ;)

Beretta, Sig Sauer, S&W M&P, XD, CZ--hell, H&K's new P30 is impressive! :D

Good luck!

--Ray
 
Darth, just because you have to take out a loan to purchase a handgun does not mean it's going to feel right in your hand. Regardless of how much a Sig costs or how it shoots it just didn't fit his hand right.

OP, I just bought my first handgun a week ago. I too got a Beretta 92FS and have not regretted it. The only problem with it is I can't get out and shoot it enough.
 
1st off, welcome to THR ;)

Now, IMO, get the Beretta, it's a great gun and should keep you shooting and learning about shooting for a long time to come. But, it will also give you a base to build from and if you decide you like/want or need something else, at least you'll have had your beretta to base that decision on ;)

PS...caught that crack about the "cheap" Italian copies :rolleyes: :neener: Ask around, the Italian made versions are the ones to have! ;)
 
If you like the Beretta, also consider Taurus PT92. Essentially identical but less expensive, no problem with magazines, and also has some features which I like more, e.g. the frame-mounted safety and the utility rail. Also, Taurus has a lifetime warranty like Ruger, while I don't know if Beretta does as well.
 
I think I am leaning to a 92FS Inox, but I can't seem to find them at any of the dealers around here. Of two pistol ranges, Academy, and Gander Mountain...all they have is the black version. Any suggestions on how to get a new Inox?
 
Freshgrease,

I'd suggest you NOT get a CZ-75 as a first handgun or it may be the only type you want!

I'm glad I purchased my Kimbers, HK's, BHP, etc. before my CZ's because I might not have gotten them if I bought the CZ first. :)
 
Glock 19 isn't a bad choice for a first purchase. They are relatively easy to conceal, holds 15 rounds, and they are very easy to clean and maintain and, perhaps most important, very reliable. When I conceal carry my Glock 19, I know when I pull the trigger it is going to fire.

Suggest using JHP +P ammo for personal defense.

I was at a gun store a while back and I overheard the salesman referring to 9 mm as little more than a plinking gun, not recommended for personal defense, to a young couple wanting to purchase their first pistol.

It was a day after the Virginia Tech incident.
 
Yep, go here

Quote: think I am leaning to a 92FS Inox, but I can't seem to find them at any of the dealers around here. Of two pistol ranges, Academy, and Gander Mountain...all they have is the black version. Any suggestions on how to get a new Inox?
--------
...

Cost nothing to join, then post your above question and you'll get directions to many of them.. :)

Beretta Forum:

http://www.berettaforum.net/vb/index.php?


Ls
 
If it will be your only pistol for a while, consider getting something that has available a .22 conversion. Shooting .22 is cheap, usually more accurate, and helps you develop good shooting habits. Having a .22 conversion for your pistol gives you a lot more versatility. It is also nice to have if you want to take a new shooter to the range.

I don't know if Beretta has a .22 conversion kit for their pistols.
The CZ 75 does. You can also get them for any 1911 (the Marvel Precision .22 upper is match grade).
 
Sorry, I just don't buy it. That's like telling me Subaru's drive poorly in the snow...
Click to expand...

Hahaha. Subaru's are great in the snow. They're just not so great on the pocket book after ~100-120K miles.

Anyway, Freshgrease, for a pistol that can pull duty as both range/HD and CCW, I'd look into midsize/semi-compact stuff. FS can be a pITA to CCW and may result in your leaving it at home more often. In the reverse, truly concealable pieces tend to not be as much fun on the firing line.

Something like a S&W 5906 (9mm, 15+1) or 4006 (.40 S&W, 11+1) might fit the bill quite well. With a 4" barrel and slightly slimmer profile, they are a more concealable than a 92FS, but plenty weighty and accurate for fun on the range. The controls are identical to the 92, other than takedown. Best part is you can get one used in good condition all day long for $300-$400 (a gun that retailed new for over $700). I paid $299 for each (functional night sights on the 4006, too). They are the bottom two in the pic. The top two are a 1006 and 4506, which are rather large for CCW.

Smith3rd.jpg
 
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