First Handgun

[greenscape]

Looking for some advice for a first Handgun. I've had my permit now for several months but have yet to purchase a gun. Having some trouble deciding on a first piece. Local Gunshop here is selling the new M&P Smith and Wesson 9mm or 40 for $399. Seems lile a great deal and I think its a good handgun. This is a DA only handgun and not sure thats what I want. Also like the looks and reviews of the CZ P01. That gun has a SA/DA with a decocker. Not sure how to make this decision on my first gun as I'm not sure at this point which one I would prefer. As a CCW which would be preferable and perhaps safer??

 

[GoRon]

I would avoid getting a 40 for your first gun.

Look into getting a Glock in 9 millimeter.

If you are going to carry it is even more important that you get further training.

 

[Hutch]

Greenscape, what are you planning to use the handgun for? Is this going to be the first of several or many?

If all you plan to do is plink targets of opporunity and the odd squirrel or rabbit, then a medium-sized .22LR would be a great choice, something on the order of a Smith 617 or Ruger Mark III. Cheap to shoot, great accuracy, not much recoil. What's not to love?

If this is going to be a dedicated CCW, then it's an entirely different proposition. How do you plan to tote it? How do you usually dress? A short .38 Special, like a Smith J-frame (642, yeah baby!) is very handy, very easy to conceal, and about as reliable as the sunrise. For belt carry, either a 3-inch barrel .357 or something on the order of a Glock 19 or Colt Commander sized auto would be hard to improve on, but these are harder to keep concealed.

If it's to be a big-game hunting gun, then big-ol' revolvers are the ticket. Here in the Southeast, a .44Mag is plenty for this. I don't recommend you buy your first handgun with the intention of taking it big-game hunting, however.

Give more input, you'll get better recommendations.

 

[svtruth]

Suggest

you sit down and list what you want for second, third,...nth guns. Then see what logically is the starting point.
OTOH, .22 is a good start.
good luck.

 

[NailGun]

greenscape, First - Welcome to The High Road.

If you have not checked this sight out, http://www.corneredcat.com/ I would suggest spending some time there. This sight may answer a few questions you have about hand gun selection, and may raise other questions that you are not yet aware of.

There are lots of good firearms available, for lots of different purposes. (like tools) You need to identify what the primary intended use for your hand gun will be, identify what features you want or need, then select one that fits YOU.

You will probably discover that one handgun does not fit all your shooting needs. I'm betting that most of us here have found that out.....so, realize that you will probably acquire more hand guns as time goes on.

Good luck, and welcome aboard. NailGun

 

[Hugo]

We should make this a sticky. This must be the one millionth "What should be my first handgun?" thread. Combine a bunch of them together to make a archive of good suggestions. This makes the search easier and gets common sense out there faster.

 

[Baba Louie]

First handgun Rule(s) of Thumb...
.22 lr., either revolver or semi. Reasons, lack of recoil, cheap ammunition means you practice more, some are VERY accurate (and that's always gratifying). e.g. Ruger MkII, Browning Buckmark, Ruger Single Six

Followed by... either a 9mm semi or .38/.357 revolver. Reasons, good first centerfire, power level can range from easy to pretty snappy, ammo weights & speeds from small to large, slow to fast. Ammunition prices range accordingly low to high. Some are VERY accurate. Some choices are good for self defense, either at home or carry. e.g. Ruger GP-100, S&W M10/64, 65/66, 36, 60,etc., Glock 17/19, Browning HiPower, S&W 39/59/69 series, Beretta 92, etc.

From there, it's your choice based on your wallet.

Go rent some at a local range. See what feels right in your hand. See what works for ya and what doesn't. Single action, DA/SA, SA Only or DA Only, blue or stainless, short barrel or longer, revolver or semi, fixed or adjustable sights... the combinations are endless.

Snub nose revolvers are, or should be considered, experts firearms, but will do in a pinch (all it takes is a few thousand rounds downrange and some serious dedication).

Have fun deciding.
My route went... Ruger MkII (.22), Dan Wesson 15-2 (.357, tho I shot mostly .38's in the beginning), Colt Gov't (.45 acp) Taurus 99 (Beretta 92 type) in 9mm, Ruger Bisley in .45Colt. But I knew I wanted a .22 first so both my wife and I would enjoy plinking together. It was the right choice... for me.
YMMV

 

[Michigunner]

greenscape,

The Glock is a wonderful pistol, but I feel the light trigger makes it dangerous for someone new to the sport.

It is most important the new handgun be utterly reliable. It should also be powerful and concealable.

My three choices are a Sig P239 9mm, an HK USP .45 Compact, and the S&W 642 38 Special +P revolver.

My first choice is the HP USP .45 Compact.

You will never go wrong buying that.

Bill

 

[doubleg]

Go to a local range and rent all the pistols that catch your eye. Compare them and find out your perferd qualitys of a pistol. You might like a different action and buy a pistol you hate. So calm down and figure out what you want before you buy one.

 

[10-Ring]

Get a nice gun that will get you to the range as often as possible. I would recommend something in 9mm for the inexpensive ammo and potentially more trigger time. Maybe something you can get a 22lr conversion kit for even more trigger time...one the same trigger!

 

[greenscape]

Its not like I am new to Guns

I have had guns for years. Have done a lot of upland game and water fowling in the northeast here where I live. (my dog is really old now so I haven't done that in a while) . I like to shoot. As far as what I would use the pistol for ? Some Concealed carry but not much. I live in a very rural area and quite frankly, if I need a gun for protection in my home, I would grab my 12 gauge auto loader and a handful of 2 3/4 inch magnum # 4's before I went down the stairs. I just think a Shot gun for the home is prefered. This gun would be used primarily for the range. The only time I really would like to carry it is when my wife and I are in the woods hiking during the winter. I do not like being in the woods without a gun. Don't like that one bit. Every time I pass someone in the woods I am sizing them up and trying to predict their intentions.


I think a 9mm would be fine for that. Some range fire and some intemittent carrying. I am guessing that carrying it a little will make you comfortable to carry it more..

 

[RustyShackelford]

first handgun....

If you are new to firearms/shooting, I would buy a simple basic .38spl or .38/.357 DA revolver. A DA only Ruger SP-101 .357magnum or a S&W L frame .357magnum. Semi auto pistols are good but for a first time shooter I say go with a DA or DA only revolver.

If you really want a semi auto pistol look into the HK P-2000 LEM or SIG DAK models or the S&W Sigma DA only pistol.

Rusty


PS: Good protection/CC/duty ammo for the 9mmNATO is the Golder Saber 124gr JHP +P/bonded, Speer Gold dot 124gr +P JHP, or the hard to get W-W Ranger 127gr +P+ JHP load.

 

[tinygnat219]

Greenscape,

Try as many guns as you can, ask around, and see how they fit YOU. Rent as many different ones as you can in different calibers such as these:
.22 LR
.32 ACP / H&R
.38 SPL
.380 ACP
.357 Magnum
9MM
40 S&W
45 ACP

My recommendation would probably be the 9MM automatic simply because recoil is low, ammuition is cheap, and there are probably more 9MM options than anything else on the market. A 38 SPL / .357 Revolver is also another good choice simply because there are probably more ammo types in .38 SPL than just about anything else outside of 9MM. It's also got low recoil (.38 SPL), is available anywhere, and is fairly inexpensive. A .357 revolver will shoot .38 SPL ammo, the bullets are the same diameter, but the .357 Magnum round is a lot more powerful and is a longer cartridge. So, for the price of one gun, you can shoot two calibers.

Some key brands to look at: Glock, Springfield Armory, Taurus, Smith and Wesson, and Ruger. These are all priced around the same levels with Taurus and Ruger being in the lower realm, with Smith and Wesson being the higher realm (at least in VA). Glock and SA tend to be among "the favored" these days for reliability. For higher end pistols, SIGArms and H&K are nice as well (but they are PRICEY). Each of these has some unique features that you need to compare prior to buying, as a first handgun is not a light, inexpensive purchase to make.

Good luck and let us know what you pick!

TJ

 

[ugaarguy]

Greenscape, first, welcome to THR. I see that you've done a good bit of upland bird hunting, so you're no doubt familiar with gun fit. Think of you favorite shotgun, how it fits you properly, shoulders and points naturally for you. Now apply that to looking for a handgun. Go to the closeest store with a large selection and hangle each gun that catches your eye. Does it fit your hand well? Does it point naturally and easily for you? Try to get to a range and fire examples of your top choices. Try out DAO, DA/SA, and SAO pistols. See which trigger mechanism you're comfortable with.

You sound like you're quite experienced with shooting a 12 Ga with heavy loads, so I don't think you'll have a problem with anything 9mm and up. For winter hiking carry a larger diameter bullet, like a .40 or .45, is nice insurance should a hollow point clog going thru winter clothing and not expand. Then again the old .38 special (9mm diameter) with plain old lead round nose and semi wadcutter bullets has been doing the job just fine for over 100 years. 9mm is nice because it's cheap to practice with, and the recoil is relatively mild. Try several calibers when you go to the range and see how they feel to you.

Don't rule out a revolver either. .38 Specials and .357 Magnums like S&W's K & L (medium) frame models, Ruger's SP-101 and GP-100, and like offering from Taurus are classic woods walking guns. Many folks also like the 45 Colt or a 44 Mag loaded loaded with 44 Specials in a larger frame softer shooting big bore. The larger guns will conceal easily under a jacket outside the waistband or in a shoulder holster in the winter, but don't offer quite the same versatility as medium frame pistol for carry in warmer weather.

Look around, handle, shoot friends' guns, go to a range and rent some guns to shoot, and see what suits your tastes. You'll find something (or several somethings) thats right for you. Please ask more questions and folks here can help you narrow it down once you get a firmed up idea of guns you like more than others. Hopefully that was all helpful.

 

[SecondAmend]

I'm relatively new to firearms, so this thread has been helpful to me as well. Good input from everyone.

 

[ta4]

greenscape, I'd avoid a gun with a decocker. I've taken a few handgun courses & the guys with the decocker pistols were amongst the last to qualify. They were fiddling with the decockers while everyone else was shooting. That's the last thing you want when you need your gun the most. Go with your favorite da. jmho

 

[CountGlockula]

Rent a Glock 17, 19, 22 and 35...and call me in the morning.

What really helped on my decision to purchase my first handgun is to try different ones and look for comfort, accuracy and affordability.

Glocks have convinced me and my friends of quality firearms at an affordable price. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

9mm

For some carry, I would recommend the Glock 19. For a lot of carry, I would go with the Glock 26. Great 9mms. Rent those along with a few others and see for yourself.

 

[joneb]

Hi Greenscape, If I were getting a 9mm or .40 S&W I'd check this one out, http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=238327
http://www.fnhusa.com/contents/hg_fnp_series.htm

 

[Outlaws]

CZ P01

 

[greenscape]

So the SA/DA or DA only are really just preferences

that come to be desired after some experience ? I got that. But the bigger question I have is, in the interest of safety for a first firearm, are there any schools of thought on which one would provide a more stable firearm. Obviously a persons comfort level will change after owning numerous guns. Should I avoid the S&W MP 9mm with the DA only trigger? Should I get a gun with a decocker ? What will that offer me ? Honestly, I liked the feel of the S&W MP 9mm and the CZ P01. The P01 felt a little heavier but that gun really has a quality feel to it. I don't see a lot of posts complaining about either of these. Question is, is it as good of a first gun as any of them ?

 

[ugaarguy]

So the SA/DA or DA only are really just preferences

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

that come to be desired after some experience ? I got that. But the bigger question I have is, in the interest of safety for a first firearm, are there any schools of thought on which one would provide a more stable firearm.

1. Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.
2. Never point at firearm at anything you do not intend to destroy.
3. Know your target and what is beyond it.
4. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are alighned and you are ready to fire.
Follow the 4 rules of firearm safety and all guns are safe.

Some folks like DAO or DA/SA with a heavy trigger pull and no external safety like a revolver

The DAO crowd tend to like a consistent trigger pull, and don't like the long heavy first shot transitioning to short light pulls thereafter.

The DA/SA crowd don't care about the transition, and like the short light trigger pulls after the first shot.

The SA crowd love the quick short smoothness that an SA trigger with no transition from DA provides. They don't care about their guns' external safties because they sweep them off as part of gripping and drawing the gun.

It truly is all preference, and shooting a few guns of each type is the only way to know what's for you.

 

[jfanzen]

my first handgun is the cz p01 compact.. i love that gun.. awesome ergonomics... the weight of it is awesome.. and well i love it.. ive shot 725 rds with it and not a single problem yet.. im still a noobie.. i shot my buddys smith and wesson 908.... much more recoil compared to my cz.... and well the gun is shaped oddly... i love the looks of the cz also.. id get the cz... my next gun on my wishlist is a sig p220 stainless.. (drool)