First handgun

[capman]

Just wanted to start this thread to get some information and Ideas on what caliber/brand handgun people think is a good buy for a first handgun.

Over the Weekend I checked out a friends new FNP-9 (sexy with a Glock brand tactical light/laser combo on the rail!) and I really liked the feel and balance of the gun. The price was also attractive. That being said, price IS an issue and I would like my purchase to be under the $500 mark. I wish I could have fired the gun but I was pressed for time.

Also, I like the availability and price of 9mm ammo, but would I be better served by purchasing a gun chambered in .45 or .40 instead?

This n00b appreciates any advice and help from the kind people on this forum!

 

[Harry Paget Flashman]

If I was limited to just one it would be a Glock 17. If you buy that first nothing else really measures up IMO and you can stop there and save a ton of money. That's my theory but it's not going to happen.

Seriously, a .22LR is a good starter for a first handgun. Cheap ammo. They are good for target, plinking and varmints...a great way to hone your skills.

But if you're really set on something "Phat" get a Glock 21. The way this works is that you're going to end up with a dozen or more anyway so the first one doesn't really matter.

 

[C-grunt]

The guns that I have had success with and others have around me that are around 500 dollars.
Auto:
Glock
Springfield Armory XD or the 1911
Taurus
FN/Browning
used Sigs
used H&K
CZ
Smith and Wesson
Ruger

Revolver:
Smith and Wesson
Ruger
Colt
Taurus

These are all great guns in your price range and dont forget used guns of the companies that cost more. As far as caliber the 9mm is plenty good. It is cheap and with a decent hollow point very deadly. I would also say to get a .22 if you have any money left over as they will teach you the most because they are so cheap to feed.

 

[fattsgalore]

9mm is just fine don't let anyone tell you different. The people that complain about 9mm ain't never shot anyone. Cause the person getting shot is gonna say "A 9mm, is that it?" no! He's gonna say "AAHHHHHH!!!!!!" Or nothing at all.

As for which models look into Taurus and Ruger.
My personal favorites are
Taurus PT92
Ruger P89
If you want a CCW you may want other options.

 

[huaco]

Nine is fine. Do yourself a favor and hold a CZ before you lay down any cash. They are very accurate and reliable and just feel great in your hand. Great value IMHO.

 

[glockman19]

A great first handgun would be a Glock 17, or Glock 19 IMHO. 9mm a great round for first timers. In Revolver I'd suggest a S&W 686 or Ruger GP or SP 100 or 101. Great reliable revolvers. Good for first timers and capable of the .357 magnum round after you've gotten more cumfortable with the .38 & .38+p rounds.

 

[Shipwreck]

Don't let anyone talk U outta that FNP. Go to Glocktalk and other sites (maybe even here) and do a search on past threads about the gun. IT is an awesome handgun.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

capman,
Since you are new to handguns you have no idea what you like or don't like. I know because up until 18 months ago that was me even though I'm an old guy. I suggest you buy something inexpensive because this won't be your last purchase.

That being said you should buy something that will be reliable and fun to shoot. If you want a pistol I recommend you buy a Taurus PT111 Millennium Pro in 9mm. This is a very reliable pistol that will cost you just over $300. It is available in Black or two-tone and in both 10 and 12 round capacities. The two-tone 12 round PT111 Pro would be a great first pistol. That's what I bought my son for his first pistol and he shoots it often without a problem. http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=24&category=Pistol

If you want a revolver then I would suggest a 4" .357 Magnum for your first revolver. You have the ability to shoot .38 Special rounds through it as well as Magnum rounds. It is a very reliable platform and excellent for Home Defense. Most new S&W revolvers in .357 Mag will run you more than $500 but you can fine a good used Magnum on the used market.

A 4" Ruger GP100 would also be a great revolver to buy. They are built like a tank and will last a life time. Even though I like S&W revolvers better, in your price range I highly recommend a Ruger GP100. http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=1705&return=Y

You can also buy a 8 Round Taurus new for under $500 that will be a good shooter. http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=249&category=Revolver Or you can go with a 7 round Model 627 .357 Magnum from Taurus. http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=265&category=Revolver

I don't think you should go into the used market yet because you are so new to handguns and really don't have the experience to know if you are getting a good gun or not. Read all you can about used guns and you will soon be informed enough to buy a used gun without making a major mistake. I learned so much in the first 6 month after I bought my first gun. I did a lot of reading and spent a lot of time here which taught me a lot.

Welcome to THR forum...
Have fun shooting and BE SAFE!!

 

[22-rimfire]

My standard recommendation to a new shooter is to buy a 22LR handgun. My preference is for a Ruger Mark II or III with a bull barrel (5.5" heavy barrel), but there are other good choices made by Beretta, Smith & Wesson, and Browning. This is a semi-automatic 22 pistol. Learn to shoot it and if you enjoy the sport, you will be buying something else later.

If you go with a centerfire pistol, my first choice is a Glock in either 9mm or 40S&W. I prefer the 40S&W, but I have other handguns too. Ammunition is cheaper with the 9mm and recoil is slightly less. The Glocks are extremely reliable and are tough. If one feels good in your hands, I'd go with it.

I like revolvers and as said above, the Ruger GP100 would be a very good choice for a modest priced 357/38spl revolver. I have one and like it. Have others too.

22 handguns are not the best for the home defense purpose. Some would say almost the worst. But if that is what you have, I can't imagine someone doing much to you if you put 10 rounds into them inside your house. And you can do this very quickly.

 

[never_summer]

took my girlfriends brother out shooting on friday for his first time. Out to 15 yards he was keeping up with me and he was shooting 4in groups easy with my sig p220. We shot 300 rounds thru my .45 and he prefered and shot it better than my .380 ppk/s
I would just go feel some guns up at the local store and shoot some at the range. Im switching over my 9mm to a .45 because i like the recoil more, or i just need more reasons to get more guns

 

[capman]

You guys ROCK!

First of all, thank you all for your replies. Only the second day up and I've already received a wealth of information! Every single reply has been great.

Side note: I most likely will be purchasing a semi-auto, and not a revolver this first time around.

Harry Paget Flashman: I know the Glocks have a reputation as a solid weapon, but they just don't FEEL as good in my hand as some of the others I've held. Also, It may take me a while to get to that dozen mark but I do understand the addictive nature of these babies!

c-grunt: Thats a big list bro! I've checked out a few on it. For some reason I didn't really like the XD, maybe its that trigger or something else about the gun... this is without firing, mind you, so its just based on feel.

Huaco: The CZ's are really the only handgun (from c-grunts list) that I haven't put in my paw and played with. They look solid enough and I know there's a mineful of CZ zealots out there that love the hell out of them, So I will check them out.

Fattsgalore: I laughed man! Thanks for the 9mm vote! I do like the fact that ammo can be had cheaper for those.

Glockman19: Thanks for the revolver pointers! I've checked out a few revolvers and it seems like across the board the S&W revolvers are better than others (especially in the area of cylinder tolerances, less slop)

Shipwreck: Thanks man! I DO really like that FNP, and it feels great in the hand. I've got someone at our local Sportsmans Warehouse seeing if they can get that gun in at all, because they don't carry it regularly!

ArchangelCD: Thanks for the huge amount of info man! Just as a side note: I have fired a few (not a large number) of handguns and revolvers but these have all been someone else's weapon, so this will be my first experience purchasing a handgun of my own. That said: your info was great! The links helped too, but it seems like the Taurus site is experiencing some technical difficulties. I definitely will follow your advice and not go into the used market for the very reasons you said.

22-rimfire: Thanks, I really do like the availability and cheapness of .22 rounds (shooting all day for a few bucks is nice!) I understand that Kimber (drool) makes .22 conversions for the 1911. Do you know if any other companies do this or something similar? Blazing a thousand rounds of .22 with the same gun in your hand sounds like a pretty cheap and sweet way to get familiar with it!


Once again thanks for the wealth of knowledge! Keep it coming! I think I'm sold on 9mm so now its down to the maker and specific gun.

 

[capman]

Neversummer

Thanks! I was originally sold on .45 but I think i've decided on 9mm for this first purchase (last reply). But I definitely like the .45 and will keep it in mind. I've taken your advice and gone to the local shops and just started putting them in my hand.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

capman,
You are very welcome, I’m just glad I can help. I felt lost when I was looking to buy my first handgun and I was helped a lot buy the people here.

Since you have fired handguns before then I highly recommend the Taurus PT111 Pro. Like I said, for just over $300 NEW you will have a fun 9mm pistol to fire at the range and got home defense.

Don't turn totally away from the used market in the future, just take some time to learn what to look for and look out for first. You can get some great deals in the used market.

 

[possum]

Glock
Springfield Armory XD or the 1911
Taurus
FN/Browning
used Sigs
used H&K
CZ
Smith and Wesson
Ruger

these are very good and what i would suggest as well.

btw stay away from the glock lights get a streamlight, insight tech or a surefire, they are better quality and better value, especially the streamlight TLR series, great lights at a good price.

i have the insight tech's m6 light laser combo and it is great, it sits on my home defense gun. it is awesome, bright light and laser, momentary switch and constant on switch. also the settings on the botto include off, laser only, white light only, and the light laser combo. they are not that much, i didn't pay for mine but they are definetly worth what they cost!

 

[capman]

Possum

Cool! thanks for the info on the streamlights. I've checked them out just a little bit online and they look solid with god reviews. I'll think about this for the future because this will be my home defense gun.

 

[capman]

ArchangleCD

I will check out those p111 pros the next time I am in the local shop. I looked at some pictures of them and they appear to be a smaller gun, good for CCW. My problem with that is that I have BIG hands (as noted by my friends). Admittedly, I still say the big-grip Glocks don't feel good to me, so i'll just have to go put one in my hands!

 

[Cosmoline]

If possible, I'd suggest both getting a feel for an array of handguns and shooting them. Some ranges let you rent guns, or you might be able to use a friend's. Keep an open mind, and get some basic training in stances.

 

[Run&Shoot]

You're on the right track. I think you should get something that fits and feels good to you, especially the trigger pull.

When I was setting up my daughters and son-in-law with handguns he chose the Glock 19 9mm, one chose a Ruger GP100 .3" .357 and the other choose the S&W 642 .38 (although I think the K-Frame M67 would have been better).

The Glock and revolvers are both very simple to operate will last a looong time, and are easy to maintain with lots of accessories and armorers available. Besides the Glock I would second on the XD, CZ75, and used SIG or HK.

At this point it is more important to develop good technique and accuracy then it is to throw a heavy bullet. The 9mm is best for starting out. The revolver really can't be beat for this purpose and would be an excellent choice.

Overall I think the major factors are that you get hat is most comfortable to you in:

- reliability
- trigger pull (it's like the location, location, location of real estate)
- grip size and shape
- operation controls or lack thereof (do you want a safety or not, where are they located, etc.)

 

[darjo]

Capman....

You should head to your local range and try renting and firing a variety of weapons. That is an easy, and somewhat inexpensive way of figuring out what you like and don't like. Treat handguns like a car....would you buy it without taking it for a testdrive first?

But for recomendations wise, the Springfield Armory XD line is very nice and not gonna put a big hurt on the wallet. The Glock 17 is also a nice choice as well.

 

[johndoe1027]

Another fan of the 9mm here. It's better to be able to afford lots of practice (while still having a bullet capable of HD) than to be uncomfortable with it because you can only afford one box of ammo a month.

Well since you said that the Glocks and XD's don't feel good in your hand...Smith and Wesson M&P!!!! I was going to buy a G26 or XD9sc for carry purposes until I held one of these beauties. Search them out here (plenty of threads) or click the link in my sig for more info about them. Mine has been AWESOME!!! They have the compact 12 rnd or the full size 17rnd in 9mm (full size mags work in the compact). The interchangeable palmswells will make it fit your large hands well. I can't possibly explain here how much more comfortable it is to hold than either the Glock or XD. And with a little internal polishing (not necessary) my groups are far better than most others with a polymer compact striker fired gun. They run around 500 at most shops but I bet the Sportmans warehouse would have it cheaper. I am not lucky enough to have a SW near me so I wouldn't know.

After that, I'd say CZ (or clones like Springfield P9 or a Witness by EAA), or Taurus Mil Pro for what you've said. Both seem to be wonderful designs.

 

[capman]

Get to the range

Darjo and cosmoline. Good advice. Thanks! I hadn't thought about going to the local range to fire some of these guns. I will look into doing that sometime soon!

 

[Cosmoline]

I'll give you an example from my own experience. For a long time I couldn't figure out why on Earth anyone would want a single action revolver. Holding them in the store, they seemed bizarre and ill-fitting. It wasn't until I fired my first one, an old Italian SAA knockoff in .45 Colt, that the lightbulb went on. The design only makes sense when it's being shot, then the recoil tips the revolver back and the hammer spur is right there to catch on the way back down. A lot of firearms are like that. And you may also find you dislike to shoot firearms that feel very nice in the store.

Signing up for a basic class if you don't know the stances will also help you be better informed. Many modern handguns are really designed to be fired from an isometric position, and get wiggy when fired from a sloppy stance.

 

[capman]

Awesome Cosmoline, thanks! It makes a great deal of sense and a range day will definitely be on my list of things to do soon!

Also johndoe1027: checked out the forum and has lots of support. I'll keep the MP in mind!

 

[mmissile]

My first handgun was/is a Hk USP40f. I love it, but carry 9mm exclusively now.

 

[jahwarrior]

my first handgun was (i think) a seecamp .25. i had it when i was a 16 year old hoodlum in NYC. i'm not sure about the brand; it was so long ago, and i only had it for a month. my first real handgun is the one i'm currently carrying, a sw9ve, otherwise known as the much reviled sigma 9.