Need Help Choosing First Handgun

[jerryrigger]

If I were you I would throw out the idea of the 5.7. I've never shot one, but from everything I've heard it's one of those rounds that doesn't really fix anything, and if you are going to use it for any kind of defense I would have to say, both from looking at ballistics and from everything I have heard, even a 9mm will outperform the 5.7. This round has one purpose, really-to penetrate armor. It is light and it is fast, but it is seriously lacking in the energy/stopping power department. Some of the ballistics I've seen have it listed as low as 282 ft/lbs of muzzle energy out of a ps90, which has a good amount more barrel that the five-seven. It's certainly an interesting weapon/cartridge, but I would venture to say that unless you plan on encountering armored targets (or you just want it for the cool factor, which I can totally understand) then a 9mm, .40, or .45 will be a much better real world round. The FN will certainly mess up any BG, but in a fight it is not as important to kill your assailant (much less so, actually) than it is to stop him/knock him down. Any of the aforementioned handgun cartridges will likely do this better than a 5.7, which could just as easily go right through the target.

 

[1911shooter]

Find a nice used Smith & Wesson Mountain gun in .44mag and blaze away.

 

[HKIWB]

If the Mark 23 is too pricey, take a hard look at the HK45. The ergonomics are fantastic, and its the most accurate .45 I've fired (compared to M&P, XD,Sig P220, S&W/Kimber/Colt/Springfield 1911's). I got mine from CDNN for less than $900, which included a laser, shipping and FFL transfer. Many pistol guru's have compared its accuracy to a high-end 1911 in their reviews.

If there is any way to persuade you to consider a 9mm, the P30L would be another great choice. It has interchangable palm swells and back straps, making it even more ergonomic than the HK45. My shorter-barrelled P30 is just as accurate as my HK45, and is much more economical for the range. With the political climate being what it is, now would be a good time to buy a hi-cap pistol.

I can't comment on HK's customer service or parts availability, as I've never needed a part or had a CS issue in over 20,000 combined rounds through three HK's. The main criticism I've heard of their pistols is that the mag springs are weaker than other brands. This makes loading the mags easier, but may prevent the slide from locking back for people who can't keep their hands off the slide release. I have one P30 magazine with 11,000 rounds through it that still works flawlessly. Unlike other pistols I've tested, I don't need a mag loader to get the last round into the magazine of any of my HK's. Stiffer mag springs are cheap and readily available for those who want them.

 

[alaskanativeson]

I just got a H&K USP Tactical .45 and I love it. It points so well for my hand that it feels like it was made for me. Like HKIWB, I can't comment about H&K's service, my USP Compact .45 hasn't needed anything in the 6 or so years I've had it with countless thousands of rounds I've put through it.

However, if you really like the feel of the Walther, go for it. Don't worry about the effectiveness of the 9mm, get lots of ammo, practice until you can hit what you want with it, get top quality defense ammo and I'd say you're well armed.

 

[helz_mcfugly]

I have damn near 25 different pistols but the Walther p99 is one on my list to get, I have the p22 in pink for my wife. my two favorites are the Glock 22 .40 and the Colt 1911 commander 45 ACP. the glock is more accurate and has a faster bullet and hold 15 + 1. but the 1911 has the best stopping power and hold 7 + 1. Ive CC'ed both, I now carry the 1911, the glock is my nightstand gun with its tack light, CT laser and scope mount with open red dot. perfect for home defence. I also like to carry a .38 hammerless snub in my pocket when i have a jacket on and around the house because its small. the snubby was also my very first gun to carry after getting my CCL. I carried a snub .38 or .357 for years. even before I had a license, SHHHHH, now its the Colt 45. I like the hydra shock rounds for it because they dont always exit the perps and hit the people behind them from what Im told. I dont know this first hand but I would always go with HP to reduce the risk, just make sure if you carry an auto loader that it will feed what ever you put in it. Id elike to see what you get. post pics. I only read the OP's first entry so If I missed something forgive me.

 

[Yellow Dart]

Well, up until this point I was almost sold on the P99 but the caliber issue is really bothering me. I've heard the P99 doesn't shoot the .40 as well since its a fairly light gun and the .40 has a slightly sharper recoil than a .45 ACP due to the higher pressures. I know that 9mm with premium hollowpoints is just as effective as anything else but my gut is still telling me to go with the tried and true .45 ACP. Unfortunately walther doesn't make a P99 in this caliber and the Smith & Wesson version isn't as good (hear stories of trigger issues, FTE, bad accuracy, etc.)

While I do like the 1911, I want something with a slightly higher capacity and German engineering is always nice. This leaves me looking at H&K. I've heard the new HK45 is a great weapon but I also like the USP. The Taurus 24/7 OSS seems worth a look but I've never known anyone who's personally had any experience with them.

I'm really torn here between my love of the P99 and the .45 ACP. While I don't doubt the effectiveness of 9mm or .40, you rarely ever see anyone having to defend the .45 ACP's effectiveness. I remember a saying I saw once: A 9mm can fail to expand but a .45 isn't getting any smaller

 

[Norinco982lover]

Yellowdart,
Take a look at Springfield Armory's XD line. They have the .45ACP (or GAP) in a fullsize 4" or 5" version and the .45ACP Compact handle with the 4" or 5" as well. (holds 13+1 or 10+1 .45ACP)

I have fired the 4" .45ACP XD and was highly impressed. Also, I own the CZ-75b in 9mm and that gun is amazing as well.

~Norinco

 

[JImbothefiveth]

would prefer if it was affordable to shoot since I would like to spend a fair amount of time at the range with it.

9mm seems like a good choice then. But, if you don't like 9mm for self-defense, have you considered getting a .40 or .45 and a .22 pistol, or a .22 conversion kit?

 

[chauncey]

I'd recommend, for your first pistol:
1. buy something common, so it doesn't get discontinued and leave you spending ridiculous sums on extra mags, parts, etc.
2. buy something reasonably powerful and in a caliber you can get at WalMart: 9mm, 40S&W or .45 ACP.
3. go somewhere and rent it first, so you know you like it before you buy it.
4. don't buy the biggest handgun you can get, buy something you could at least conceal under a jacket, if you had to.
5. don't buy the smallest handgun you can find, or you'll just want something bigger.
6. buy something from a long-established manufacturer, for the same reason as #1. this especially applies to 1911's (since these days EVERYBODY makes one).

Sig 220 or 226, 4" XD's, Glock 19 or 23, Springfield 1911's, S&W M&P's (is the Walther P99 being discontinued?), H&K USP's come to mind, to name a few.

btw, I made almost all of the above mistakes, at some point or another.

 

[David E]

Here's the deal: You want one gun to do it all for you, including long range accuracy.

A 4" or 6" .357 double action revolver, like the S&W Model 686 or Ruger GP-100 would be very good choices. Not "sexy," per se, but extremely capable choices.

Forget the 5.7

Forget the HK 23

If you insist on a semi-auto, then get a 9mm. Why? Because you need to learn how to shoot it, which means shooting it a lot, which means buying ammo to shoot out of it.

Since you don't like how Sigs fit, or Glocks, then look at the Springfield XD or XD-m, S&W M&P, or a Para Ordnance LDA P-18. All three of these also are available in .40 and .45 versions.

.

 

[aHFo3]

DA .357 like a S&W 627. It carries 8 rounds and will shoot the economical .38, and it's cool

If you like the stiff recoil, you could get the lightweight 327!

 

[Yellow Dart]

I have been considering some Taurus large frame revolvers. I was looking at the .44 mags and .454's. I know that the .454 can fire .45 long colt but I'm not sure how cheap that is as I've never fired it.

I'm leaning toward the USP in .45 ACP now because even though .45 is more expensive, its still cheap compared to feeding a 20 rd .308 rifle at the range. Also I can get a really good deal for one at a local shop. Its in great condition, they have it for less than most people, I don't know if they really understand the usual going price of an H&K.

As for the Springfield XD, I've put maybe 450 rounds through them. I can shoot them pretty well but they point kind of awkwardly, remind almost of a glock. I was nailing sillhoute bullseyes at 25 pretty easily with it. Still I think the HK's and P99's fit my hand better.