First Per Owned Weapon

[nynick]

Im new to pistols and im looking to buy a pistol med to small frame for a good target and CC. Ive looked through some posts and went to a local gun store and found some Taurus 24/7 and Taurus Mil Pros, Bersas, Kel-tecs. Any good ideas on a good choice?

 

[Savage Shooter]

out of the ones you've got I'd go with kel-tec thet're good taurus far from great

 

[Savage Shooter]

here's the link http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/pf9.htm to the pf-9 it a 9mm so ammo will be cheap and you can plink with it.

 

[possum]

welocme to thr. Check out the Kahr line of guns, and never forget the xd line, and glock also, there are many choices in both of them that would make for great ccw and range guns.

 

[nynick]

how is the Kel tec reliability? They seem to be very cheap, is there a reason?

 

[DA_BULLS]

Target and concealed carry guns are usually different guns. The Bersa's are a good inexpensive brand. The Taurus line of the various 92 versions are a good semi auto..Not impressed with their polymer models..92 is proven design, just not real small..I love my PT917C, but it's not small by any stretch.

 

[nynick]

Yea Im looking for a compact that is good for target as well. The 92 is a little large for my CCW.

 

[hso]

nynick,

Is this your first handgun?

"compact" and "target" aren't usually terms that are compatible. Compact and Plinking can be. No one's going to be able to recommend a compact target gun because t'ain't no such thing. There are plenty of compact plinkers out there, though.

 

[hso]

nynick,

Is this your first handgun? If it is, I'd focus on finding what fits you first before trying to get recommendations on specific handguns. A gun that fits your reach to trigger and grip angle will be much more comfortable and controllable than something that doesn't fit you.

"compact" and "target" aren't usually terms that are compatible. Compact and Plinking can be. No one's going to be able to recommend a compact target gun because t'ain't no such thing. There are plenty of compact plinkers out there, though.

 

[nynick]

hso thanks for the help, I am new and will take any help that I can.

Can any one help me finding a good BRAND that is low cost, compact and is a good plinking pistol.

 

[Autolycus]

I would recommend a larger gun for your first gun. Perhaps a Sig P229 or a Glock 19. Something that is kind of compact but can double as a fun range gun. Either way I would get a 9mm.

What do you want to do with the gun?

 

[nynick]

I want to be able to go to the range do some target practice, as well as use it as a ccw. I guess a good ccw that can double as a good plinker

 

[Loomis]

"I guess a good ccw that can double as a good plinker"

9mm used cop gun.

 

[newmaxx11]

get the Bersa ultra compact 9mm. 13rnds...small enough to carry, very reliable, a very good inexpensive plinker ccw.

 

[steelyblue]

Don't plink with a pf9!!!!! I love my pf9, but a plinker it is not It hurts the hand to shoot three magfulls. It is the most comfortable concealed carry I've found, but If you want a gun to plink with, you'll be pissed at a Kel Tec pf9. I plink with my 1911's.

 

[HisSoldier]

Want a handgun that will last the rest of your life and that you can be proud of, nothing made with aluminum or plastic. You can carry a 1911 concealed, or get an officer's model, or better yet a DW CBOB, not great for target but immeasurably better than a DAO plastygun like a Kel-Tec, and way better for self defense. For a small DAO handgun the Kel-Tec shoots more accurately than it has a right to, but not like a 1911 by a long ways. I consider the Kel-Tec to be a throw away gun, if it gets lost or destroyed it's no biggy, same with anything made of aluminum.

 

[gdvan01]

Yea Im looking for a compact that is good for target as well

Ain't gonna happen, bro.

 

[FullEffect1911]

It's too bad you don't seem to be considering revolvers. IMO they make the best first handguns and can be used as a plinker, CCW, and will probably be more accurate then you or I. You should at least have a look at Ruger Sp101's (I can't say enough good things about mine).

I just don't like small framed semi autos. So in the medium frame realm I would say a XD compact would be a good choice, though i'm not sure of your price range.

If you have the money, Sig Sauer makes my favorite pistols.

 

[Prepster]

I'd look into a Makarov. If you shop around they're cheap, ammo is widely available, they're pretty small, and the fixed barrel gives you great accuracy. Check out this thread: http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=385054

 

[Rob62]

If possible I would try to find a local gun range that rents pistols and lets you try different ones. We can give you lots of recommendations but in the end you will have to decide which feels best in your hands and which you can shoot the best - hit your target with.

So far no one has recommended Glocks. Probably because you either love 'em or hate 'em. Seriously look at a used Glock 19. Its classified as a "compact" pistol. Shoots the relatively inexpensive 9mm Para ammunition and is plenty accurate. Not a true Target pistol, but from reading what you are looking for I am not sure that's one of your criteria. Places like summitgunbroker.com sell used G19's in the mid to high $300 range. I think you should be able to find one locally at about the same price.

The big argument against Glocks for beginning hand gunners is that they do not have a positive user controlled safety lever/latch/etc. However as experienced people know, Glocks have 3 internal safety's to include the trigger safety. A Glock will not fire by itself. But if you get something in the trigger guard like a finger, or holster strap, then press down on the trigger, it will fire. If you follow the 4 rules of handgun safety you will be fine carrying a Glock.

Bersa's have been mentioned. I had a couple for a few years. I liked them all. They were very reliable, but thought they were slightly heavy for their size. You may not even notice.


Hope that helps,

Rob

 

[ZeSpectre]

nynick,
I think you might be pleased if you looked at a CZ-82

 

[nynick]

Thanks for the info, im notconsidering revolvers, because for my first CCW I want to make sure it has a safety of some sort. Im starting to look into the Bersa and Sig more, and Im going to look in to ranges that rent.
Ive gone to a local gun store and the Bersa was around 300, does any one know how much the sigs are?

 

[Rob62]

Your average SIG will set you back about $550-$650. You can find factory used SIGs in the very high $300 to low $400 range sometimes.

Check out CDNN (http://www.cdnninvestments.com/) I don't think they show handguns on their web site, but call them for a free catalog or download a copy on their web site.

FWIW SIGs do not have a user operated safety like Beretta 92's or S&W's. The first round fired is conventional double action, thereafter single action. They do have a de-cocking lever but this does not act as a "safety" ala Beretta 92.

If you gotta have a user manipulated (additional) safety you definately do not want a Glock.

I just looked up SIGs in CDNNs 2008-4 catalog. While not necessarily a compact gun they have used P225's for $299.99. and new S&W SIGMA's for $289.99

Regards,
Rob

 

[MJRW]

Nick,

You're holding on to a lot of new shooter and new gun owner ideas that tend to break down within a very short time of use. Hopefully this will help you understand those a bit better:

1. You can conceal a lot more gun than you think. I carry a Glock 19 daily, a friend a Sig P229, another friend a Glock 23, another friend a Glock 17. Little tiny guns conceal better, sure, but that doesn't make even full size guns very difficult to conceal at all. Proper belt, attitude, and holster make a bigger difference in concealing than size of the gun. With all that said, don't be afraid of medium framed guns for a CCW piece. You'll notice that many of those that conceal carry and carry often carry medium and full sized guns and they all carry them effectively.

2. Tiny guns do not go to the range well and it will impact how much you enjoy shooting. You will have a better time with a larger gun that is more accurate (largely due to sights and sight radius), easier to shoot and grip, and more capable of dealing with recoil (weight absorbs recoil), and thus will likely practice more.

3. Manual safeties largely only make you feel better. Following the rules of firearm safety and sensible decision making and actions will keep you safer than a manual safety can ever hope to do. When I started carrying a Glock, a friend said that he didn't like them because there's nothing to stop the gun from firing other than the trigger. I told him, "if you have your finger on the trigger of a gun expecting it not to fire, then you have unreasonable expectations." Follow the rules and there are very few guns (1911s only come to mind) will really be benefited by manual safeties.

4. Given all of that, I still understand apprehensions with Glocks. I do recommend you consider Sig P229, P239, P220, HK P30, Ruger P series, Bersa Thunder .380, most 1911s, Beretta 92, CZ (ask others for which ones, I'm not familiar with CZ), and there are definitely more, they just don't come to mind right now. Shoot them if possible before you buy and buy the right one the first time or you will end up unhappy with your purchase. You will chase that gun you wanted, spend more money, and eventually probably buy it anyway.

 

[gun4funtime]

first gun,, cheap to shoot and to learn basic pistol shooting. a good 22. taurus makes a nice revolver, model 94 I think, or, something like a Browning Buckmark Camper, little over $300 new. With ammo prices on the rise, and learning, lot of range time. A 22 is probably the best "first" handgun.
Just my opinion.
have fun, be safe!