Hello, I will be purchasing my first handgun in the next few weeks. I have researched my choices as much as possible ( However, I have not fired any of the weapon) and based on reliability, safety, and price I have narrowed the field down too several firearms. Springfield XD sub compact, Bersa Thuder 9 ultra compact, Steyr S9, and EAA Witness poly/compact. Any further info or comments would be greatly appreciated (especially trigger pull info) Thanks in advance
First time buyer
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joab
Member
Now go to a range that rents these guns and try them out. Reading about them can only do so much. No writer can tell you exactly how the gun will fit in your hand or how the sights will line up with your eyes.
Since I have no first hand experience with the guns you listed I can't comment on your choices
Since I have no first hand experience with the guns you listed I can't comment on your choices
CZ52GUY
Member
If at all possible, fire the weapons you are interested in (many ranges have rentals available...perhaps a friend owns one they would let you try).
Failing that, take the opportunity to handle the weapons at an accommodating dealer.
Autoloaders are like shoes, you can't make an informed buying decision without "trying them on". Reputation and feature comparisons can help you narrow your choices. However, if it doesn't fit, you'll never be happy with your selection. Assuming a quality piece, ergonomics are the true discriminator...we're all built differently, which is why some folks around here will swear by the same model someone else may swear at
.
Of your choices I have personal experiences with only one model similar to your choices as listed. While I have not fired the XD Compact, I've fired the 4" XD in .40 S&W. It's performance I found to be similar to the G23 which I do own. Add a grip safety to a G23 and you'll find similar triggers, recoil and accuracy. A smaller model will likely be a little more "snappy" during recoil, but likely managable with practice. The folks over at the http://www.hs2000talk.com/ forum can provide additional detail.
For your first HG, I'd urge you to consider it's purpose (carry, range practice, home defense, competition, etc.). Some pieces are quite versatile and can fill multiple roles. Others can be better applied as "specialists".
Additionally, what is your level of experience with HG's? Some are more friendly to the shooter starting out than others.
Rest assured, within "n#" of posts, someone will tell you to "just get a Glock"...which will likely elicit the requisite "just get a 1911"...eventually, someone will tell you that a .22LR Autoloader is the appropriate first HG and that postponement of a centerfire model acquisition should be considered.
I'd urge you to spec' the purpose, spec' the piece to align with that purpose, then do some hands on evaluating. Regardless of how much $$$ you have, you can only spend it once...look for value and satisfaction with every purchase so you can spend more time enjoying what you have.
Good luck!
CZ52'
Failing that, take the opportunity to handle the weapons at an accommodating dealer.
Autoloaders are like shoes, you can't make an informed buying decision without "trying them on". Reputation and feature comparisons can help you narrow your choices. However, if it doesn't fit, you'll never be happy with your selection. Assuming a quality piece, ergonomics are the true discriminator...we're all built differently, which is why some folks around here will swear by the same model someone else may swear at
.Of your choices I have personal experiences with only one model similar to your choices as listed. While I have not fired the XD Compact, I've fired the 4" XD in .40 S&W. It's performance I found to be similar to the G23 which I do own. Add a grip safety to a G23 and you'll find similar triggers, recoil and accuracy. A smaller model will likely be a little more "snappy" during recoil, but likely managable with practice. The folks over at the http://www.hs2000talk.com/ forum can provide additional detail.
For your first HG, I'd urge you to consider it's purpose (carry, range practice, home defense, competition, etc.). Some pieces are quite versatile and can fill multiple roles. Others can be better applied as "specialists".
Additionally, what is your level of experience with HG's? Some are more friendly to the shooter starting out than others.
Rest assured, within "n#" of posts, someone will tell you to "just get a Glock"...which will likely elicit the requisite "just get a 1911"...eventually, someone will tell you that a .22LR Autoloader is the appropriate first HG and that postponement of a centerfire model acquisition should be considered.
I'd urge you to spec' the purpose, spec' the piece to align with that purpose, then do some hands on evaluating. Regardless of how much $$$ you have, you can only spend it once...look for value and satisfaction with every purchase so you can spend more time enjoying what you have.
Good luck!
CZ52'
Lennyjoe
Member
Welcome aboard Pitcrew.
First off, its a good idea to shoot each of the pistols you are interested in to see if they are compatable with you. But we all know that most ranges only rent the common pistols (Glock, Sig, S&W, HK, Springfield, Beretta and maybe a couple extra's)
The pistols you listed have not been seen by myself at any ranges for rent.
My best advise is this. If you cant find one for rent to shoot then go to as many gunshops as you can and try to hold, study and work the actions on as many as possible. If they dont have them in a gunshop then look for a gun show near by.
Take your time on your first pistol purchase. Impulse buys usually leave you unsatisfied.
Of your list of pistols my choices will go as follows.
1. Springfield XD
2. Steyr S9
3. Bersa
4 EEA Witness.
I dont own any of the pistols you listed but have fondled and gave a pretty good look over on all the ones on the list.
Enjoy your shopping experience and be sure to get the pistol that fits you best.
First off, its a good idea to shoot each of the pistols you are interested in to see if they are compatable with you. But we all know that most ranges only rent the common pistols (Glock, Sig, S&W, HK, Springfield, Beretta and maybe a couple extra's)
The pistols you listed have not been seen by myself at any ranges for rent.
My best advise is this. If you cant find one for rent to shoot then go to as many gunshops as you can and try to hold, study and work the actions on as many as possible. If they dont have them in a gunshop then look for a gun show near by.
Take your time on your first pistol purchase. Impulse buys usually leave you unsatisfied.
Of your list of pistols my choices will go as follows.
1. Springfield XD
2. Steyr S9
3. Bersa
4 EEA Witness.
I dont own any of the pistols you listed but have fondled and gave a pretty good look over on all the ones on the list.
Enjoy your shopping experience and be sure to get the pistol that fits you best.
First of all, what is this going to be used for? Carry, range, home, or a combination of these? It seems like your price range is the sub $500 category. This is just fine, lots of great guns under $500.
You have posted this in the semi-auto forum, and have listed only semi-autos. However, I would like to point out some things about revolvers. I without fail always recommend a revolver as a first gun unless the first time buyer is going to spend time at the range. You come across issues with semi-autos that are not as present in revolvers. I feel that with any semi-auto, you MUST confirm ammo and gun compatibility. This is not an issue in revolvers. The rounds are already fed. I also beg new purchasers to spend time at the range with a semi-auto because the amount of controls and what is required to clear a malfunction should be intuitive. Modern, quality semi-autos are very reliable, but you'll be hard pressed to convince me that there is anything more reliable than a good revolver. Malfunction in a revolver? Most of the time you can just pull the trigger again. If it binds up, well, then we've got a different issue. I've never had a revolver bind while firing. Never even seen it. So please, do consider the revolver. They can also be generally less expensive because there are no magazines to purchase. For myself, I say a minimum of three magazines. One in the gun, one as a back up mag in case of malfunction, and a third in case one of my mags ever goes poopy I'm not without two magazines.
You'll see a great deal of debate regarding caliber. In my opinion, 9mm, .357 sig, .357 magnum, .40 s&w, and .45 acp are all similar enough in capability that the final decision is how it feels when you fire it and how you feel about it. .380 is a fine caliber, too, I just feel it is just outside of the range of the "one and only caliber in a collection" category. I do sometimes carry .380, but mostly when platforms in higher calibers are not realistic to carry (very very very very rare).
The platforms you listed are all fairly small. This indicates one of two things: 1) You intend to carry it. 2) You have a misconception about the what size means in a handgun. A very common misconception is that small, light gun = easy to shoot, low recoil. The exact opposite is true. Weight makes recoil much more managable and comfortable. And grips of sufficient size make a gun easier to manage in my opinion. Guns like the Springfield sub compact XD and the Glock 26 are good for deep concealment, but because I cannot get my pinky on that grip with a flush magazine keeps them out of my collection for now and keeps me away from them at the range.
You may also think that larger guns are much more difficult to conceal. This isn't as you would think. With a good belt (just learned this one recently and it is VERY important), good holster, and the right attitude, you can conceal carry guns larger than you would think plausible. Several people here, myself included, successfully conceal carry 3" and 4" medium frame revolvers, 5" 1911s, full sized glocks, sigs, h&ks, and so on. If you intend to carry it or do a good amount of range shooting, please consider larger guns. Their size isn't nearly as cumbersome as you would think and can be quite beneficial. Also, with all the guns you listed, holsters are not readily available off the shelf as other more popular handguns.
That said, while people here can relate their experiences with these guns, none here can determine the fit for you. The most important thing you can do in making this decision is to fire the guns you are interested in. Not all guns shoot the same, and the characteristics of each will impact how much you enjoy taking it to the range. The fit of the gun will impact your effectiveness with a gun. Statistics of a gun are nice, but if you can't shoot it well, it isn't worth much.
When I was picking a gun, I did all sorts of calculations. I figured box size, relative width, volume to number of rounds, weight to total energy, and just an absurd amount to determine what was my ideal gun. I severely disliked the gun I ended up buying even though it was numerically "perfect." After I shot a bunch of guns, I greatly enjoyed shooting the gun I now carry nearly every day which I bought as a result of shooting one and enjoy the ones that I carry when I'm not carrying the one on me right now.
Of your list, I like the Bersa best. It is a reliable gun that I enjoy shooting. Although the caliber is lighter than my Glock, I do enjoy shooting the Glock more. That Bersa is a blow back .380 which tend to bite a bit on the web of the thumb. After that I like the Springfield XD series. They are good guns and good shooters that work when you pull the trigger. The steyr and the witness are about the same to me. They are both functional, just don't particularly like them. Trigger pull on these guns is different, but not in bad ways. Just different. You'll be able to comfortably pull the trigger. The difference between single action only, double action only, and double action/single action is only in what you will end up practicing with. I don't find any appreciable difference between them. The only thing you need to worry about is whether or not the trigger on the very gun you are purchasing is fairly smooth and not overly heavy. Most triggers will also smoothen over time through use.
Hope that helps.
You have posted this in the semi-auto forum, and have listed only semi-autos. However, I would like to point out some things about revolvers. I without fail always recommend a revolver as a first gun unless the first time buyer is going to spend time at the range. You come across issues with semi-autos that are not as present in revolvers. I feel that with any semi-auto, you MUST confirm ammo and gun compatibility. This is not an issue in revolvers. The rounds are already fed. I also beg new purchasers to spend time at the range with a semi-auto because the amount of controls and what is required to clear a malfunction should be intuitive. Modern, quality semi-autos are very reliable, but you'll be hard pressed to convince me that there is anything more reliable than a good revolver. Malfunction in a revolver? Most of the time you can just pull the trigger again. If it binds up, well, then we've got a different issue. I've never had a revolver bind while firing. Never even seen it. So please, do consider the revolver. They can also be generally less expensive because there are no magazines to purchase. For myself, I say a minimum of three magazines. One in the gun, one as a back up mag in case of malfunction, and a third in case one of my mags ever goes poopy I'm not without two magazines.
You'll see a great deal of debate regarding caliber. In my opinion, 9mm, .357 sig, .357 magnum, .40 s&w, and .45 acp are all similar enough in capability that the final decision is how it feels when you fire it and how you feel about it. .380 is a fine caliber, too, I just feel it is just outside of the range of the "one and only caliber in a collection" category. I do sometimes carry .380, but mostly when platforms in higher calibers are not realistic to carry (very very very very rare).
The platforms you listed are all fairly small. This indicates one of two things: 1) You intend to carry it. 2) You have a misconception about the what size means in a handgun. A very common misconception is that small, light gun = easy to shoot, low recoil. The exact opposite is true. Weight makes recoil much more managable and comfortable. And grips of sufficient size make a gun easier to manage in my opinion. Guns like the Springfield sub compact XD and the Glock 26 are good for deep concealment, but because I cannot get my pinky on that grip with a flush magazine keeps them out of my collection for now and keeps me away from them at the range.
You may also think that larger guns are much more difficult to conceal. This isn't as you would think. With a good belt (just learned this one recently and it is VERY important), good holster, and the right attitude, you can conceal carry guns larger than you would think plausible. Several people here, myself included, successfully conceal carry 3" and 4" medium frame revolvers, 5" 1911s, full sized glocks, sigs, h&ks, and so on. If you intend to carry it or do a good amount of range shooting, please consider larger guns. Their size isn't nearly as cumbersome as you would think and can be quite beneficial. Also, with all the guns you listed, holsters are not readily available off the shelf as other more popular handguns.
That said, while people here can relate their experiences with these guns, none here can determine the fit for you. The most important thing you can do in making this decision is to fire the guns you are interested in. Not all guns shoot the same, and the characteristics of each will impact how much you enjoy taking it to the range. The fit of the gun will impact your effectiveness with a gun. Statistics of a gun are nice, but if you can't shoot it well, it isn't worth much.
When I was picking a gun, I did all sorts of calculations. I figured box size, relative width, volume to number of rounds, weight to total energy, and just an absurd amount to determine what was my ideal gun. I severely disliked the gun I ended up buying even though it was numerically "perfect." After I shot a bunch of guns, I greatly enjoyed shooting the gun I now carry nearly every day which I bought as a result of shooting one and enjoy the ones that I carry when I'm not carrying the one on me right now.
Of your list, I like the Bersa best. It is a reliable gun that I enjoy shooting. Although the caliber is lighter than my Glock, I do enjoy shooting the Glock more. That Bersa is a blow back .380 which tend to bite a bit on the web of the thumb. After that I like the Springfield XD series. They are good guns and good shooters that work when you pull the trigger. The steyr and the witness are about the same to me. They are both functional, just don't particularly like them. Trigger pull on these guns is different, but not in bad ways. Just different. You'll be able to comfortably pull the trigger. The difference between single action only, double action only, and double action/single action is only in what you will end up practicing with. I don't find any appreciable difference between them. The only thing you need to worry about is whether or not the trigger on the very gun you are purchasing is fairly smooth and not overly heavy. Most triggers will also smoothen over time through use.
Hope that helps.
If you are a new shooter then forget all those compact models you mentioned and look at full sized models.
Next get your head out of the catalogues and wrap your fingers around your choices. Your hand will tell you which would be better for you.
Take your time in making your decision and don't let the bells and whistles fool you.
Next get your head out of the catalogues and wrap your fingers around your choices. Your hand will tell you which would be better for you.
Take your time in making your decision and don't let the bells and whistles fool you.
Gameface
Member
The first handgun I bought was the wrong first handgun for me. Had I found this forum before I found my gun than I’d have been much better off. Like has already been stated, get your head out of the catalogues and wrap your fingers around some guns. The very best way to know what is right for you is to HOLD THE GUN and then make it a point to hold several others. Do not buy your first handgun based on internet advice or reviews, nor slick photos in a catalogue.
That said, my first handgun (a Ruger SP101 2 ¼†barrel .357 that I insisted on shooting .357 out of because I liked the big BANG) is a gun I really love. It was a poor choice for learning to shoot a handgun. I developed a flinch and couldn’t get my groups smaller than 5†at 7 yards. A small frame autoloader, even in 9mm, would be a gun that would make it hard to learn how to shoot a handgun well also. I applaud any effort to get interested in firearms, but getting the wrong gun could have the opposite effect. If you can find the guns you’re interested in for rent (or borrow from a friend) then that would be the absolute best way to make your decision. Other then that, hold guns until one screams at you that it is the one. If it happens to be the first one you touch then it’ll still be screaming (maybe louder) if you wait to check out a few other models first.
Gameface
That said, my first handgun (a Ruger SP101 2 ¼†barrel .357 that I insisted on shooting .357 out of because I liked the big BANG) is a gun I really love. It was a poor choice for learning to shoot a handgun. I developed a flinch and couldn’t get my groups smaller than 5†at 7 yards. A small frame autoloader, even in 9mm, would be a gun that would make it hard to learn how to shoot a handgun well also. I applaud any effort to get interested in firearms, but getting the wrong gun could have the opposite effect. If you can find the guns you’re interested in for rent (or borrow from a friend) then that would be the absolute best way to make your decision. Other then that, hold guns until one screams at you that it is the one. If it happens to be the first one you touch then it’ll still be screaming (maybe louder) if you wait to check out a few other models first.
Gameface
Nick96
Member
For a first centerfire auto, I'd recommend in the following order (each maker's 9MM compact models since that seems to be what you want):
* SIG
* Glock
* S&W
* Ruger
The list roughly goes most to least expensive. But in terms of reliability, accuracy & durability - they are similar. All are old time, reputable manufacturers - with abundant parts, accessories & repair facilities available. This will become more critical years & rounds down the road.
Things to really consider when choosing a "quality" auto are:
* Type of operation (SA, DA, DAO & Glock type "semi-cocked" actions).
* How it fits & aims in your hand. Unlike a revolver, there is little that can be done to significantly alter the grip of an auto.
* 9MM is a good first choice since it tends to be the cheapest of the factory loaded centerfire ammo out there (which means more shooting for less money) - but is still a serious round for more serious purposes.
The guns you list are fine to experiment with. But the ones listed above are proven performers intended for "duty" type use.
* SIG
* Glock
* S&W
* Ruger
The list roughly goes most to least expensive. But in terms of reliability, accuracy & durability - they are similar. All are old time, reputable manufacturers - with abundant parts, accessories & repair facilities available. This will become more critical years & rounds down the road.
Things to really consider when choosing a "quality" auto are:
* Type of operation (SA, DA, DAO & Glock type "semi-cocked" actions).
* How it fits & aims in your hand. Unlike a revolver, there is little that can be done to significantly alter the grip of an auto.
* 9MM is a good first choice since it tends to be the cheapest of the factory loaded centerfire ammo out there (which means more shooting for less money) - but is still a serious round for more serious purposes.
The guns you list are fine to experiment with. But the ones listed above are proven performers intended for "duty" type use.
GigaBuist
Member
You said "first" handgun -- I presume this means it won't be your last. If you want one and only one handgun then the criteria for why you want it must be examined. If you plan on getting a whole bunch of them in the future then you just need to figure out what you want one for right now -- probably training and practice purposes. If you intend to carry in a short amount of time then how you dress needs to be addressed to figure out what's going to work for you -- and the rig would probably be harder to decide on than a handgun. Weird, I know.
Oh, and not a bad list of options either. I wouldn't mind having any of them.
Oh, and not a bad list of options either. I wouldn't mind having any of them.
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