Looking for First 'Real' Handgun (sub 750$)?

[Thermactor]

Field Tester,
this is what got my senses tingling:

Primary Purpose = Toy. I'm a younger video game age kid, and If I had the $$$, I would buy a Deagle. Why? Because Deagle! Impracticality shrmackacality.

That's precisely the wrong attitude to cop about a firearm.

This comment takes it to the next level;

Not to mention that I completely dominate with it on battlefield 4.
And battlefield doesn't get things wrong...

cringe

To 460Kodiak,
Sorry if I came off as arrogant.. I can't find anything good to say about the Desert Eagle.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Thermactor,

I'm sorry too. I didn't need to be quite so confrontational. Your opinion is certainly valid.

For the record, I do agree with you that it is a bad choice. And any video game impression of a firearm is totally inaccurate. But I also agree that the OP needs to get what he really wants, good, bad, or ugly.

 

[scribble0073300]

Field Tester,
this is what got my senses tingling:


That's precisely the wrong attitude to cop about a firearm.

This comment takes it to the next level;



cringe

To 460Kodiak,
Sorry if I came off as arrogant.. I can't find anything good to say about the Desert Eagle.

Lol
Well, maybe I trolled that one. I know the stigma that the desert eagle has with the firearms community. And video games.
Guess i couldn't help my self.

To be fair, I created this thread in hopes to find a good handgun I would enjoy. And secretly hoped someone could convince me to look into something else.
Like I said, it would have no other purposes then to be enjoyed.

I wasn't looking for validation of my choices, I was looking for options to consider.
I liked the ppq/x
The FNX
the sigs.
They were considered, and I decided on two.

But again, this all became very pointless in the time span of a week since I now how to save up to move into a bigger place for me and my girlfriend.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

But again, this all became very pointless in the time span of a week since I now how to save up to move into a bigger place for me and my girlfriend.

May want to change that to

"Now I get to move into a bigger place with the wonderful woman in my life!!!! That's waaaaaayyyyyyy better than buying a gun!!!!!"

 

[JeeperCreeper]

If you're looking for only a toy, then there is none better than a girlfriend haha don't tell mine I said that.

Honestly, since your "toy budget" is decreased, I would for a bargain gun to go out and play with until you save up for your desert eagle. 9mm pistols are cheap and so is their ammo. That will buy you time until you have to drop big money on the pistol and ammo for the deagle. You might actually enjoy the other options more when you get more into shooting.

And trust me, it doesn't matter how cool your gun is when you can't shoot it cuz you're broke and when you do, you are constantly clearing jams.... The cool factor wears off fastttttt

 

[fanchisimo]

You might look into a Tristar T-100 or T-120. They are a Baby Deagle clone and Tristar clones are getting a good reputation. You can familiarize yourself with the platform at a great price before you jump into the full size thing. They can be had for around $350 give or take if you look around.

 

[scribble0073300]

May want to change that to

"Now I get to move into a bigger place with the wonderful woman in my life!!!! That's waaaaaayyyyyyy better than buying a gun!!!!!"

Haha
Thank you for that most accurate and helpful adjustment.

If you're looking for only a toy, then there is none better than a girlfriend haha don't tell mine I said that.

Honestly, since your "toy budget" is decreased, I would for a bargain gun to go out and play with until you save up for your desert eagle. 9mm pistols are cheap and so is their ammo. That will buy you time until you have to drop big money on the pistol and ammo for the deagle. You might actually enjoy the other options more when you get more into shooting.

And trust me, it doesn't matter how cool your gun is when you can't shoot it cuz you're broke and when you do, you are constantly clearing jams.... The cool factor wears off fastttttt

I went into a couple local stores today to hold, feel, touch and caress some beauties.
Prk arms will SSE anything
They had a glock 17gen 4 that I held and didn't hate. Was comfortable, I could get on target quickly. Till I tried the trigger. Sucked. Can that be fixed with like a drop in mod?

Uhh
Played with the sig 320.
Felt comfortable, Was a bit unnatural to aim. Didn't like the trigger. So it's out.

Tried the xd 5.5
I think that's a serious contender...
Liked the size, shape, trigger break.

Uhh
I held a bunch. Shoulda taken notes.

Um
M&p shield.
Wasn't impressed.

Cz p09 and 75
Didn't leave a memorable impression.

And lastly, held the desert eagle. It was pure awesome. About the same size as my tipx paintball gun. So not awkward. Just much heavier. That slide requires a vice and come-a-long to rack.
Shop owner says it was recoils like a 1911 .45

I think I may use their lay away program once I decide on a budget friendly gun. And my tax refund for the beast.

 

[fanchisimo]

I remember you mentioning your interest in a 226. Well here's a used one in 40 S&W for $450, well within your budget.

http://www.cdnnsports.com/226r-40-vg-sa-da-ns-w-rail.html#.VEHdE8lE2ZR

 

[tiamat]

wow, $450 for a Sig P226 WITH night sites. That's a steal. Too bad it's in .40S&W.

 

[shiftyer1]

I have many real handguns and I believe I've spent less than $750 on any of them, it's those imaginary guns that are expensive!!!

 

[scribble0073300]

Damn
If I had 450$ id be all over that.

I did go to a shooting range that rents and tried a bunch in 9mm
and I came out liking the xd tactical.
I shot very well with it.
Second to that was actually a glock 17.
I know I said I didn't want one and was in the anti glock club. But im able to give things a far chances when I have the opportunity. (If i was buying site unseen, glock would never be considered. I would view it as taking to big a risk with to much money)
After shooting it, I see why it's popular. Getting on target was easy and natural.
I still don't like them. But I see how it could have tremendous value.

I shot a sig 2022. And well, sucked. It was in. 40sw. And I was so godly inaccurate. I don't know how my buddy has it sighted but If I took my extreme time with every shot..I could make a fist size group. That would land 7 inches below POA. @7 yards

The xd tactical was the closest in shooting feel to my sw 22a bull.
The type of shooting where you don't use the sights you just "feel" where you wanna hit. Ya know?
I could make half dollar groups @7 yards

I also shot the xd 4"
Mp shield (tiny little thing)
Glock 34?
And one other that I couldn't hit anything with and cant remember now.

 

[fanchisimo]

You have tried some good pistols. You mentioned you were horrible with the Sig 2022 and that looks like the only SA/DA. Not saying the SA/DA was the cause, but it might be something to consider before getting a 226 or a Deagle until you can try some other SA/DA to see if that style isn't your thing. Some classes will help your technique, but since money is an issue it may be worth it to watch some vids on technique and practice as much as you can. I went that route because I am currently a poor college student with a baby on the way. Lol.

I recommend the Pistol Jedi, Jerry Miculek. Here is a how to shoot a pistol video of his.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChSazF41q-s

 

[scribble0073300]

Yeah I was definitely having issues in beginning.
I think it's all practice.
I only had 100 rounds I split between 2 people and all guns. Save the 2202.
I had 100 just that one. Towards the end I was on target. But also was out of rounds.
Like all rentals. "You must shoot our ammo in our guns"
So roughly 10 shots per gun for me. Not enough to really tell.