first handguns? any suggestions

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762plinkster

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I am not new to guns and have been shooting for awhile now. I own couple of rifles and a good practical shotgun but I turn 21 soon and I want to get a really good entry level handgun.

I'm thinking about getting a certified pre-owned sig in 9mm, because its cheaper to shoot (I = college student).

Another pistol that caught my interest is a CZ 75 in single action.

as for revolvers:

GP100 for it over built qualities
SW686 because its a smith
Taurus 66 because i have heard that it is a pretty good revolver for the price

mainly using .38s but with an every now and then box of .357

I don't want to get any polymer guns just yet, but could be convienced to get a glock or an Xd

anyone have any suggestions?

and just so you all know i rather shoot a good old 1911 like my grandpa from his service days, but those will have to wait for awhile. at least until i graduate from school
 
If you would rather shoot a 1911, there are plenty of affordable options. Rock Island, Taurus, Springfield, etc. can all be found for a reasonable price.

I would always recommend a .22 as a first handgun. Get a S&W 22A, Browning Buckmark, Ruger MkIII, etc. You can shoot them all the live long day for a a few bucks.

If you opt for the .357, be sure to clean it after shooting .38s. It will be hard to load .357 if the throat is fouled.
 
If you are brand new to Pistol shooting, I would go with a Ruger or Browning .22. Or if you like skip that if you want and Get the Sig or CZ. Both are great guns and good values. So is the Ruger GP100, but you might want to stick with 9mm if money is a bit tight.
 
GP100 for it over built qualities
SW686 because its a smith
Taurus 66 because i have heard that it is a pretty good revolver for the price

mainly using .38s but with an every now and then box of .357
Click to expand...

K frame Smith.
 
Makarov?

Before you get anything, look at a Makarov. The 9X18 ammo is cheap at $10 per box and so is the gun. I recently bought one and I am totally thrilled. It's simple, strong and extremely easy to shoot. It's also the easiest thing I've come across when it comes to cleaning and stripping down. Nice size for carrying.

Here's one for $200:
http://www.gunsamerica.com/911818754/Guns/Pistols/A-Misc-Pistols/Arsenal_Makarov_9X18.htm

There's always the CZ 82. Centerfire systems has them for $159. For some reason, no matter how I adjust, they hurt my trigger finger. However, two of my friends swear by them. Kinda big for carrying, though.

Something like a S&W 65 or 67 would be nice, too, if you didn't mind something larger. Ammo is a bit more expensive, though.

Good luck with whatever you choose.
 
I suggest that whatever caliber pistol you choose, you choose a pistol itself based upon the manufacturer's reputation for quality. Spend a bit more on a quality firearm like: Beretta, Sig-Sauer, H&K, Colt, Browning - rather than putting your hard earned money downn on something wherein quality control is lacking. Those cheaper brands mentioned by some above are just that - cheaper.

All the best,
Glenn B
 
1) I'm an expert at nothing, but I enjoy shooting. I own a handful of guns, but every one of them is pretty well distinguished from the others (XD - polymer hi-cap; Browning BPM - slim early wonder-nine; S&W 625 - revolver in .45ACP, Ruger 22/45 -- accurate .22 pistol, etc.) I like shooting each of my guns, or I wouldn't have bought them, and there are plenty of others I hope one day to get. This is all to say that while I have my own aesthetics, I don't think I have any special bone to pick.

2) My newest (or next-to-newest, counting one I'm buying by mail from the trading post boards here on THR) is a Cz-75 ,though DA/SA rather than SA. I prefer DA/SA, and it can be carried loaded, chambered and decocked, fired (and then it's in SA) by a simple pull of the trigger. (I Like that. DA on the first shot makes me feel a little better.) Action aside, the CZ is far more comfortable and pointable than most of my other guns, about on par with the Browning BPM. And remember, I really do like all the others, too! Ruger P345 and Springfield XD-45 are both fun to shoot and quite reliable, but the Cz has spoiled me for their ergonomics ;) (They're still fine to hold and to shoot, of course, and I like them no less!)

timothy
 
I'm going to say what I usually say when someone asks about owning their first handgun and say go with a good .22 like some of the Rugers mentioned. The .22 is the best starter caliber because it is cheap and you can work on your form without dealing with recoil. On the other hand, 9mm is also a good starter caliber and is $15 for a box of 100 at Walmart, plus it has defensive loads that match up with any other caliber built today. Plus, the gun will be cheaper.

So I guess my advice is this: since you are an admittedly poor college student, the best thing to start off with might be a good, cheap ($200-300) .22 and some training classes (if you haven't been taught already, or a "value" 9mm and again, some training classes if you haven't been taught already.

If you go 9mm, several inexpensive, good brands that come to mind are the S&W Sigma Series ($300), Ruger P95 ($350 and less), Bersa Thunder 9 ($330), and even a Hi Point 9 ($150) should be good enough to get you started.

If you want a step up in price and, arguably (I would disagree in some cases), quality, there's the CZ 75 ($450), Glock 17/19 ($500), Beretta 92 ($450-500) and a few others. No matter what gun you choose, be sure to at least hold it and dry fire it first. A gun is an expensive purchase for many, and you want to make sure you get the gun that's right for you. Save the 1911 and others until after you have had experience with your pistol. Finally, don't become a gun snob and think like this:

I suggest that whatever caliber pistol you choose, you choose a pistol itself based upon the manufacturer's reputation for quality. Spend a bit more on a quality firearm like: Beretta, Sig-Sauer, H&K, Colt, Browning - rather than putting your hard earned money downn on something wherein quality control is lacking. Those cheaper brands mentioned by some above are just that - cheaper.

All the best,
Glenn B
Click to expand...

Just because it's expensive doesn't mean it's good, and just because it's inexpensive doesn't mean it's junk.

Let us know what you pick.
 
thanks for the suggestions

I shoot 22s all the time with family, simply because it is fun. I should have been more clear and said that i am looking for a good all around gun. This will be my first handgun purchase, but not the first time shooting.

The reputation of the gun maker is important to me as well. I have not heard of any bad reps for Sig, CZ, or ruger...but i have heard bad things about taurus and smith...however most owners of those specified guns have said good things about them.

As for the marakrov...that would be a great pistol to buy one day when i can spend more on my hobbies (and guns aren't the only hobbies)

The CZ is definitely the one i'm leaning toward, i would like a DA/sa but unless i'm mistaken it doesn't come with a drop free magazine ability and the SA only does? i may consider getting a CZ 75 SP-01. I think the drop free mag ability is a good thing i feel like i would be able to load faster if God forbid i ever need that option to defend myself.

thanks all for the suggestions i'll be looking around for a little longer before i make my decision.
 
The reputation of the gun maker is important to me as well.
Click to expand...

That's fine, but don't fall into the trap of equating quality as a function of price. I think many people on this board (especially the people who actually own them) will support the idea that Bersa, for example, makes quality guns that are also inexpensive.
 
My evolution the first year of firearms ownership...

Ruger 22/45. Shot it a couple months, got bored with it. Taught me basic gun handling and trigger control, that's about it. Jammed horribly.

XD-9. First carry gun. Couldn't get used to the trigger, sold it.

CZ 75. Ahh, much better. Still have it, put a 22 kit on it.

So to answer your question, I'd start off with an all-metal 9mm of your choice. The Sig is a great one and will serve you for many years to come. You won't get bored with it.

Oh, and the CZ 75 is super easy to make the mag drop free...takes 10 seconds with a flat blade screwdriver. It's just a bend in the thin metal plate inside.
 
i think the 9mm is a great choice for anyone, on a budget or not. i think that a used sig would be good, but at the same time, for about the price you can get the sig yuo can get a brand new, glock, xd etc. i am a huge fan of the xd line from sa, and though glocks are awesome handguns i don't really care for them all that much but that is a personal choice. and for even less you could get a ruger, p95, sr9 etc. it is really up to what ever you want.

revolvers are great and i like them but i love autoladers, and that is what i would suggest for a first gun.
 
my $0.02...

I believe that the GP100 is just about the best do it all hand gun that is available. You can learn to shoot with lighter .38 special loads and work your way up to the more powerful magnum loads when you are ready. I think that GP100s are overbuilt, accurate, easy to clean, and are the ultimate in hand gun reliability.

If you decide that you want to go with an autoloader, then try as many guns as you can from the better manufacturers.

I prefer Sigs, HKs, Berettas, and Glocks over all other autoloaders.

I also think that Browning, Springfield, Smith and Wesson, and CZ also make pretty nice guns as well.

My personal favorites are Berettas and Glocks. The Beretta 92fs and the G17 probably have the best track record for reliability out of any autoloaders in history. Don't believe all the crap about reliability issues with 92 fs in Iraq. With Beretta factory magazines, the 92fs is as reliable as an autoloader can be. You put a crappy, generic magazine in any gun and the gun will malfunction before too long. Bad/weak magazine springs are a recipe for disaster with **any** autoloader.

I think that you would get the most for your money with Glocks and Berettas. In full sized guns home defense autoloaders, I prefer the Beretta 90two, 92fs, and Glock G17. If I could carry in my State, and I decided to excercise that right, I'd probably go with a G19 or even a G26. If I wanted to carry cocked and locked, then I'd go for a 9mm USP compact. If I wanted to carry a revovler, I'd go with a Ruger SP101 in .357 magnum.

I like CZ hand guns well enough, but I would never buy one instead of a Beretta or a Glock. And yes, I've shot CZ hand guns before. They are not for me. In the end, you should get the gun that fits you best. Don't be swayed by opinions that you see on gun forums. Everybody is different, so you've gotta go with what you are comfortable with.
 
IMHO: Everyones first handgun should be a .22 of some sort.

Auto or revolver makes little difference, as long as it is accurate enough for you to see improvement as you gain experience shooting it.

It is very possible, as well as very likely, to learn bad shooting habits from a centerfire guns noise & recoil that will take years to truly get over.

Learn to shoot a .22 well at first, and all the bigger guns later on will be easy!

And a 500 round brick of .22 ammo costs about the same as one box of decent centerfire ammo.
Lots of very good practice for very little money.

1224.jpg
rcmodel
 
made my decision

I have made my decision!

since a friend is willing to part with his Buckmark camper for $120 with 2 extra mags etc...he has too man .22s so he doesn't mind

i am going to go with a cz 75 SA priced at $430

i get 2 pretty good started level handguns for the price of some other handguns.

thanks all for your suggestions :)
 
Good choice on a .22lr, everybody needs one at least.

Great selection of the CZ75. BTW, if you like M1911's, then you'll be glad to know that the CZ is really a communist derivative of the original M1911 design by way of the Browning HP.
 
I have to agree with everyone else and say a good quality 22LR is a great first choice. Pretty inexpensive for even the great ones, cheap ammo, good to learn on. They let you get all your mechanics down before you have to learn anything about recoil. Check out Ruger's MK series and their Bearcats. Smith also has several nice 22 autoloaders as does the Browing Buckmark series.
The next suggestion would be a entry to mid level 9mm as it shares a lot of the attributes of the 22LR (Controlability and inexpensive ammo) and is a good carry round right out of the box. I know I didn't really say anything that someone else didn't, just thought I'd weigh in.
Oh, and as for brands to look for in the 9mm, look for a used Glock or Springfield, they have good longevity :)
 
762plinkster- Welcome to the world of handgunners

Great deal on the Buckmark! You have a good friend there.
I shoot a .22 at nearly range session- kind of settles me down before I move to a larger caliber. That's a pistol you'll probably keep until you have "too many .22's". Or, as you go along you may adopt my attitude that you can't have too many.
Enjoy your handguns, and bring a revolver along when you get in position.
 
My collection of guns is skewed twords revolvers, but the pistols I do have are great (SIG P220, 226 and makarov). I think CDNN has SIG P225's for $299 now. Both my SIGs are ultra reliable and have excellent ergonomics...you cant go wrong with SIG.

Check this link for a S&W 65 4" .357...$279
http://www.gunsamerica.com/99540210...evolver/S_W_65_4_Sts_4_in_357_VG_Mfg_1991.htm

A .357 makes a GREAT revolver that you will never outgrow!
 
Get a Glock 19 and get it over with.

Then get a 1911, Ruger MK 22/45 or MK 3 (or Buckmark), a bunch of SIGs, then round out the collection with a few classic S&W and Colt revolvers...then get into Cowboy Action Shooting (four more guns there)....
 
next on my list to get would probably be a revolover in .357

i will probably get a glock or Xd for carry or both (eventually) in .40cal or .45

and then after that a good old 1911 - to start with i'm thinking STI spartan or Springfield GI.

once done with school and established i'll probably buy more...well i'll let you guys know once that happens

thanks for all the suggestions!

and yes i've always wanted a cowboy gun!
 
Ruger GP100 is an excellent .357

and for the .40, look at S&W M&P .40's...they are awesome
 
Good ideas...

A Springfield milspec .45acp 1911a1.
A Ruger GP-100 .357magnum with adj sights, stainless steel.
A Ruger SP-101 DA only .357magnum(my 1st handgun) :D.
A CPO Sigsauer DAK model in .357/.40/9mmNATO. The used SIG/DAKs are not cheap but will last a long time, ;).
Rusty S
 
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