Purchasing first handgun; experiences and input appreciated

[cjl8651]

Hello all! I'm pretty new to guns and am in the process of purchasing my first handgun. Just a bit of background, I'm from the People's Republic of Canada, so it's going to be a range gun only. It's not going to be used for self-defense so weight and magazine capacity aren't an issue. Oh on another not, all handgun magazines in Canada are limited to 10 rounds. So pretty much it's all about reliability and aesthetics. I'm currently trying to choose between the Glock 17, HK USP, SIG Sauer P226, and Walther P99.......all in 9mm. I'm kind of leaning toward the HK USP because Jack Bauer uses it, or the Walther P99 because James Bond uses it. However, I like to keep my options open and an open mind, so any feedback would be much appreciated. In terms of cost, well firearms here are ridiculously expensive, even the cheapest 9mm is $15 for 50 rounds.

HK USP: $1,180
Glock 17: $740
SIG Sauer P226: $1,260
Walther P99: $1,300
All prices are in Canadian dollars.

So yeah, any input would be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Extremely Pro Gun]

Jack Bauer and James Bond... Though awesome and cool... are not real and did not pick their own guns.

I recomend you move south If you lived in Texas you could get a Glock 17 for around $500 NIB with 2 17rd magazines, I would then put the 2 shot extensions on those and have the same capacity as an XDM while still having the superior weapon

Then you could go buy a Kel-Tec Sub-2000 carbine in 9mm that accepts the same mags as the glock and some 33 rounders for about $350

Still less money than any of the others on the list.

Glock is the best combat pistol at any price. I have NEVER jamed one and I have 3 in the family.

 

[Tennessee Ned]

Bauer used a Sig too. I'm not sure if it was a 228 or 229 SAS but it was 2-tone stainless.
I think that you'd be happy with anything on your list but I think that you'd be happiER with a Sig or HK.

 

[Echo9]

Hm. Well, I'd urge you to forget about what you've seen in any movie. Like someone said -- those characters didn't choose their guns, and most of the time, the guns on the screen don't act like their real world counterparts. BUT James Bond used a Walther PPK for most of his career.

If you're looking for a 9mm and you like HK, take a look at the P30.

 

[Mr.Davis]

If it's just a range gun, you're right to lean towards 9mm (I figure it's relatively inexpensive in Canada). The Glock has an absurdly bad grip angle (IMHO), but for range use, I don't think you're going to go wrong with any of those guns.

Actually, come to think of it, if you're just buying a range gun, why not buy a .22 pistol? Less for the gun, less for the ammo = more fun at the range!

 

[HydrostatiK]

Taurus Tracker .17 HMR Roughly $350-400 here in America

 

[larryh1108]

If you've had a chance to hold all of your choices, which one "felt" the best to you?

 

[CWL]

A pistol has to fit your hands and it has to shoot well for you. That's it.

Like a pair of pants or a pair of shoes, one size does not fit all. Whatever anyone recommends for you, you still need to hold it in your hands and feel the recoil for yourself.

If you like certain pistols because people on TV use them, OK for you, but don't go believing that having a handgun will turn you into a superhero. If it was that easy, all we need to do is arm our soldiers with movie guns, right? Whatever you choose, it will 100% depend on the amount of time and money you spend on learning how to shoot.

 

[cjl8651]

Oh they all feel really good in hand. I'm curious as to what quirks are unique to each gun before I make my decision.