First Handgun

[soccergod04]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum, but have a question. I'm soon to turn 21 and looking for my first gun. It would be used primarily for self/home defense. I intend to get a CCW soon after getting the gun, so carry-ability and concealability are requirements. So are relative ease of operation and great reliability. I'm looking for something under $600 give or take.

I have no experience with owning/maintaining a gun, but have some experience shooting both long guns and handguns. I felt most comfortable with a 9mm or .40 the most recent time I went shooting, but am not averse to going out and renting/trying something new.

Thanks for your help in advance!

 

[Defensory]

Check out the Kimber Pro Carry II in .45 ACP. You might have to spend a little more than 600, but it's worth every cent.

The stopping power of a .45 ACP cartridge, yet very concealable.

Rent one and try it out, then come back and tell me what you think.

 

[greener]

I don't know how much handgun shooting you've done or plan to do. Consider getting a .22 semiauto for a first handgun (Ruger, Buck Mark, S&W22A). They are well under $600, very accurate and are great for training. The ammo won't break your budget, either. You can pretty much shoot .22's all day for the price of 50 centerfire rounds. When you get proficient with the .22, then move to centerfire.

If you are looking for a 9mm or .40, I like the S&W M&P. Very reliable and very accurate. In those calibers you have a wide choice: Glock, Ruger P95 or SR9, Springfield XD, CZ75... The "best" one depends on which one feels best to you.

 

[chupacabrah]

I'm in the same situation as you soccergod04. Except I'm not going to CCW yet

After reading a lot on this website, I'm deciding mainly between (full size) XD and Glock. or maybe CZ75b.

Leaning towards .40s&w over 9mm, though. and towards the plastics because I like the idea of not having a manual safety (being for HD).

If I get an XD in .40, then my next gun will probably be CZ75 in 9mm.



I still have a lot to learn though

 

[Mad Magyar]

"Nine is Fine"...

 

[glockman19]

I'd look a the Glock 19. Large enough to feel cumfortable with and small enough to carry.

 

[possum]

xd line of pistols any caliber, or size, the sc's are great carry guns.
glock 19
s&w m&p
ruger peries, 95, p345 etc sr9
i suggest that you go with 9mm as it is cheapest and will allow you to get more aquanted with the new gun.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Does your budget (~$600) include or exclude a holster & dedicated gunbelt? I agree with the previous posters that a 9MM is a very good basis upon which to build skills. The GLOCK G19, S&W M&P, XD Compact or the new Ruger SR9 are sound choices. If possible, rent & run all of them. One of them will feel like it was designed for you. If your shooting results match your "feels best" results...Buy THAT one. Glad to have you aboard!

 

[Snowdog]

Ohhh... I know you posted this in the "Autoloaders" forum thus indicating your intentions, but have you completely ruled out revolvers? CDNN is currently offering S&W M65 4" heavy barrel stainless .357magnum revolvers in "VG-Excellent" condition for $299. I can't imagine a better handgun to start out on and one you likely won't outgrow (light .38specials to work out the flinch, stout .357 magnums for defense). S&W revolvers tend to hold their value well in case you do lose interest.

As for an automatic, I'd lean more towards something simple to strip and maintain to start out on, such as a Glock or perhaps a Steyr. Speaking of Steyr, CDNN also offers the new MA1 in 9mm or .40S&W new-in-box for $340.
I feel my M40 (the previous model Steyr, though very similar to the MA1) is more ergonomic than my Glocks and just as easy to disassemble, clean and reassemble.
Another hot option is the Sig 225 currently flooding the market, trade-ins from the German police. Though not the wondernine that houses half a box of ammunition in each magazine, its 8+1 capacity will do just fine. You can't beat the price of $320 for VG-Excellent or $ $370 for Like New (again from CDNN... I happen to be using their flyer currently as a coaster by the computer).

Good luck in your search.

 

[Thernlund]

I am of the opinion that anyone's first gun should be a .45 ACP. You'll become accustomed to heavier recoil (depending on the weapon of course) and you can acclimatize to ammo prices. That is, once you've bought bulk .45 ammo a few times, .40 and 9mm don't seem so expensive.

And although I'm not a 1911 fanboy, for a first gun, a 1911 is probably the right move. Information EVERYWHERE. Parts and customizations galore. And you'll never be short on advice. AND... as a bonus, run this though your head: "This was your great grandfathers 1911. It was the first gun he ever owned!" Ahhhh... nice. IMO, doing the same thing with a Glock or (shreeek!) an XD is just wrong.

But... disregarding what I just said and going by your preferences (.40S&W and under $600), Probably a Glock 22 or 23. I'd lean toward the G23 unless you have very large hands.

Not really a 9mm fan, but it is cheap(er) if that is a big concern. And it's a fine bullet. Maybe a Glock 17 or 19 (leaning toward the 19 for the same reason as the 23).


-T.

EDIT: I'd be remiss if I left out the Sig P220. Some of the class of a 1911 with less of the soulessness of a Glock or XD. But a new one is going to be spendy and maybe out of your price range.

(Disclamer: I own two Glocks and an XD. I'm not opposed to them, but they are a "Toyota Camry" to a 1911's or Sig's "BMW 5 Series".)

 

[woad_yurt]

How about a Russian Makarov? Before you buy, see if you can try one out. At least ask around. Cheap prices for the gun and the ammo and it's as dependable as they get. Shoots like a dream & kinda small, too.

 

[soccergod04]

Thanks for all of the advice! I just need to get my buddy who's 21 to go to the range with me and check some of these out. Won't be hard to convince him to go, he's looking at buying a 92 or 96.

 

[MarcusWendt]

I'd say M&P, but don't rule out the XD. If you consider the Glock, get the XD, it's what Glock wanted to be.