My wife has asked me to get my kids handguns for Christmas ...

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Very good comment 1911 Guy. "They get to pick their own handgun." If you're near a range that rents various handguns, I'd take them on a "father-son" outing(s) and let them shoot a variety of handguns and each make their own decision.

The CZ, M&P and XD are pistols I'm familiar with and I think they're all great pistols. I'd rank them 1,2,3. I sold the M&P and XD but still own the CZ 9mm Compact with the Kadet 22 conversion which is very accurate. (I think I must be a hammer fired/steel gun kind of guy.)

My favorites are my 3 1911's. Two Springfield's (45) and one STI Trojan (9mm) which is my favorite. You can buy .22 conversions for 1911's, as well.

The kids might be interested in a revolver. I have a Ruger SP101 which is a pretty nice gun but I shoot pistols better. I just get along with semi-auto grips better.

Good luck and have fun!

Cloudpeak
 
5906 or 5906TSW

Even used, they will last forever, and as long as S&W is in business, they will be taken care of. Indestructible, reliable, all steel. Used for around $400, often less. They don't make all-steel stainless pistols anymore, unless you want to buy a Sig for more than a grand.

Spend the difference on ammo.
 
Time to disagree. I like the idea of finding a piece of shiny steel under the tree. Regardless of whether or not it's exactly what they were thinking about, they will cherish it because:
1. It was their first gun, and
2. Mom and Dad gave it to them.

Over the years, my tastes have changed as my budget has. Today, my safe no longer has any Taurus, Bersa, Sigmas, Glock, or KelTec.

Today it is filled with S&W revolvers, HK, Sig, Seecamp, and a bunch of "snakes". But I also have, and always will have, an old beat up Ruger 10/22 carbine my Dad gave me on my 16th birthday. In two more years, it gets passed down to my son.

Buy them any of the fine weapons we've discussed on this thread, and you can be sure that, whatever it is, it will always have a special place in their safe, and more importantly, in their heart.
 
I have no reason to believe there is anything *wrong* with the Ruger.

I just don't think I'd go out and buy a shoebox full of one gun that has yet to prove itself.

Spend extra money and get Glocks if you want something to be sure of.
 
Impressions after recall

Got the Ruger back after the recall and my son couldn't hit a piece of notebook paper with it at 15 yards. He doesn't shoot that much so my older son,who has 8 years military experience, tried it out and he couldn't do much better. I finally tried it myself. I had a hard time keeping 5 shots in a 6" circle. If you look at the trigger, right at the break, it moves differently than the rest of the takeup travel. This made me shoot consistently low. The pressure of the break was not consistent either. I called Ruger about it and they indicated I wasn't letting the trigger completely reset between shots. This was not the case, but I guess they had to come up with something. It isn't that I am not used to shooting striker fired pistols as I don't have any problem shooting my Glock. I bought the pistol used (like new) and I guess the first guy who bought it knew more than I did about it. Admittedly, I am spoiled from shooting high quality 1911's, but I wanted something inexpensive for someone who doesn't shoot a lot. I guess you definately get what you pay for.
 
Sig P228 9mm
Sig P226 9mm
Sig P229 9mm or .40S&W
Glock 17 9mm
Glock 19 9mm
H&K USP 9mm, .40S&W, or .45acp
H&K P30 9mm
H&K 45
Beretta 92 9mm
S&W M&P 9mm, .40S&W, or .45acp

Those would be the top of the line pistols in law enforcement and military service with LARGE organizations. Stick with those, and you will get an accurate, reliable, and durable product. They will also likely give you the best overall purchaser satisfaction.

I'm also going to go against the grain here. I've owned a CZ 75b, CZ P-01, CZ 75bd, CZ 75 SP-01, and a CZ 97b. I have sold them all. Durability of the CZ 75 series has gone downhill since the early 1990s when they were first exported and still kept close quality controls of the Soviet era. The design is hard on trigger bars and trigger return springs and I have replaced them often on CZs. Such a breakage completely disables the pistol and I have had to order new parts from CZ many times in the past.

During the 1993 FBI handgun trials, 5 CZ 75b were testing along side Glocks, Sigs, H&Ks, Berettas, and S&Ws. The CZ actually did the worst out of the competitors in terms of durability. Most of them only lasted between 5k-7k rounds before a major part breakage using 9mm+P ammunition. The average life of the other pistols ranged from 20k-100k rounds before they reached a major parts failure. The Department of Interior also had a round of handgun testing in 2005 and the CZ suffered similar problems and the Sig was adopted instead. In 2002 the Department of Homeland Security also ran a batch of CZs through their handgun testing and it also didn't do too well. The most common problems were broken trigger bars, trigger return springs, extractors, and frames. The design also didn't handle the dust exposure test well. The only militaries I know of that use the CZ are little former USSR satellite states, not experienced and savvy militaries. Not even the Czech police use the CZ anymore.

Sure, the CZ is an accurate pistol and feels good in the hand, but durability has been a problem with them. Durability translates into dependability and a sound firearms design. Accuracy and ergonomics matter little if your pistol won't go bang with reliability.
 
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What do they want to get out of shooting a handgun? Are they all the same so you can get them the same gun?

I'm new to all this but I was lucky enough to be able to try out about 9 various guns before making up my mind which would be first. From that and talking to a lot of the other shooters at the range and seeing what they owned I'd say that a handgun is as personal as picking out a new pair of shoes or hiking/working boots that will be worn a lot. Instead of actual guns I'd say pack up gift or promisary notes for a handgun of their choice and tape it around a box of ammo (which can be traded back in to suit the gun of choice). Then you get to go shopping at your's and your son's favourite stores for the one that puts a big grin on each of their faces. Be it a revolver, a steel framed semi or one of the plastic guns. They are all great in the hands of the right owners but the owners are a fickle and problomatic lot... :D They ALL like something different. I'd say give them a promisary note since that way it's not tied to any one store and there's more options and some extra side trips.

FWIW I ended up with a CZ Shadow in 9mm that I'm looking forward to shooting in IPSC, IDPA and whatever other competitions I can find this coming spring. I've got 1300 rounds through it now and it just keeps getting better and better. When I'm not loaded up with coffee I've managed to put 10 rounds through a ragged 2x3 inch hole at 10 yards. Not bad for a shaky old 55 year old newbie to shooting. I'm pretty darn sure the gun is capable of better but I'm holding it back. And there's a goodly amount of CZ support from various dealers since CZ's are a popular gun for IPSC and IDPA shooters. So if they like them do not be afraid of going with one. They are relatively plain with their industrial coating instead of blueing but they are tough and accurate.
 
Don't base the Army's use of a weapon with it being better then others. There the government and they make misstakes.
I like the CZ pistols. And you can get a excellent 22 LR conversion unit from CZ.
 
I agree with what 1911 wrote.

Gun choice and for that matter gun leather choice is a personal thing. If your boys are old enough and responsible enough to own there own guns, they should be allowed to make their own choice of which gun they prefer.
Best wishes.
 
My wife and I have an SR-9.. It's a great gun. The ambidextrous mag release helps a lot. The rear of the handgrip can be removed and flipped for smaller hands also, and I think you can get larger ones for big mitted folks.

The issue with the recall has been resolved, and all of them you find in the stores now are already retrofitted, or produced post-recall with the changed trigger.

I like the feel of it, and the price wasn't too bad either.
 
Get them all XD.45 compacts:) You can't go wrong with this gun for $500 dollars.

There are so many good choices out there. As I'm writing this, I'm looking at my Glock 19 and USPc.40. I highly recommend both of these pistols as well.

Maybe go with 9mm for the youngest since you will probably be the one taking him shooting. 9mm ammo is cheap. Besides, he's got a few years until he can carry so caliber shouldn't be a priority for him.

Just don't go cheap on the quality! Even if you have to spend a little more than $500, make sure you get something that has a solid reputation. If you go with the new SR9s, you'll probably end up sending back 2 out of 3. The SR9 got recalled, and so did my little LCP .380. (I'm still waiting for the shipping envelope).
 
I've talked to a veteran that had alot of problems with the M9. Slides would break, and the thing needed alot of maintenence. But, the infantry bound should probably start training with one.
 
For price and quality, it's hard to beat an xd. I bought one about a month ago, NIB off of guns america for 389, ended up like 430 once all of the crap was added on.
 
AWESOME RESPONSES!!!!!!!!! Thanks and keep 'em coming!

As to buying them each a different make/manufacture of handgun -- that's out. If you've ever had three kids close together in age, you'll know why.

Although, if I let them choose their own gun with the price limited to what I'm willing to spend, that would let them get different guns without bickering later over who got the 'best' gun or not (or trying to figure out who Dad loves the best by the type of handgun they got :rolleyes:).

Right now, these kids are VERY ignorant about handguns (almost as ignorant as their Dad), and would have no idea what to get for themselves. I also believe, as some have already stated, that they will love whatever I get them and will be thrilled with it regardless.

And a lot of the gun shops around here are selling out and back-ordered for months, so I am kind of getting antsy about getting them ordered and in asap.

Again, thanks for all the great suggestions/ideas. :)
 
Ruger has another 9mm that has proven to be a very accurate and reliable. I'm referring to the P-95.

I recently purchased one for $299.99 on sale at the local MC Sports. The regular price is only $359.99 and it comes with a carry case and 2 clips.

Depending on your state tax (on the regular price) that should leave you around $400.00 out of the $1500.00 to load them up with some ammo, a gun cleaning kit and a holster for each of your boys.
 
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Ruger has another 9mm that has proven to be a very accurate and reliable. I'm referring to the P-95.

I recently purchased one for $299.99 on sale at the local MC Sports. The regular price is only $359.99 and it comes with a carry case and 2 clips.

Depending on you state tax (on the regular price) that should leave you around $400.00 out of the $1500.00 to load them up with some ammo, a gun cleaning kit and a holster for each of your boys.
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Thanks, I'll have to check that out. I am planning to get them plenty of ammo, a gun cleaning kit, and a holster to go along with the handguns. I'm also signing them all up for a CCW class the week after Christmas. That way my 21 year old can send away for his license and my two younger ones will have some handgun safety drilled into them by someone other than their father.
 
I would suggest a revolver like a 4" Ruger GP100 .357 mag or a Taurus Model 665. Not as cheap to shoot as a 9mm, but still boat loads of fun.

RH
 
(or trying to figure out who Dad loves the best by the type of handgun they got ).
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Exactly! This is yet another way you can go about this dilemma:

18 y.o. - Get him the special Beretta M-9 version with the US Army logo on the side for obvious reasons.

21 y.o - Get him the CZ SP-01 with the 18+1 capacity as this gives him the most bang for the buck as he will be protecting Mom/Dad at the homefront.

16 y.o. - Get him the new HK P30L. When the other two ask you why the youngest got the $1000 gun, just tell them cause you love him best.

I only have two kids, but whenever they come up with the "WHY" question, that's always my response. Works like a charm!
 
I only have two kids, but whenever they come up with the "WHY" question, that's always my response. Works like a charm!
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That's the trick... keep 'em all guessing.... :D

I didn't realize that none of you had done any handgun shooting or at least not much of it.

So.... I'd still give them the promisary note for $X towards the gun of their choice. Like you say it keeps things all even but if you pick an amount that allows them to buy a decent but not top priced gun it'll still be the "gun that dad helped me buy". But now you get to go as a group to a commercial range that has guns for "rent" and try out some various options. Sounds like you may have to even get out twice or three times to various options in your region and spend that much more time with your boys. Darn, won't THAT be a big imposition... :D You all get a chance to sample some different options and can choose which suits each persons tastes. And don't forget that this is a chance to have them all out with you at the same time in a way where there's no losers, a lot of laughs and some great ribbing going on. After all, isn't the idea here to enjoy some quality time together?

As for the M9 troubles someone mentioned above. I looked into the reports on the 'net about the problems because the Beretta is one of my favourites and I sort of want to get one somewhere along the way. The issues seem to have all occured in connection with the first few years of manufacturing where the slides came from a source that used a steel that was the cause. Subsequent production and repaired early models are supposed to be fixed in this regard. Certainly newer 92fs owners that shoot a lot seem to be happy with them so don't let the reports of the early issues put you off.
 
My first gun was a Beretta 92 (M9) my dad got me for my commissioning (Navy). Cannot reccomend it highly enough. You can even carry it concealed if you carry it in a messenger bag (a cross-slung man purse popular with my generation). props to your son for being tip of the spear
 
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