Recommend a first handgun?

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Been there, done that.

Save yourself a LOT of money, don't buy a .45 as your first handgun. I bought a 1911 as my first. I in no way regret the purchase, just bought a 9mm a little afterwards cause I couldn't afford to shoot it all the time.

While I don't own one, brand new CZ75's go for not much more than $400 new, and owning a CZ rifle, I have no reason to doubt that they are an excellent deal. It will probably be my next handgun purchase. The SIG 225 that has been mentioned is a nice gun for the price, buddy got his on sale at Gander Mountain for $325. Very good shooting gun. Other than that, used Glock/XD should fit in the price range as well, if you care much for polymer guns.
 
I'd warmly agree with the recommendations for:

Medium Frame
.38Spl or .357 Mag
4" Barrel
Smith&Wesson Model 10/Model 19 kinda thing or Ruger Security-Six/101 or 100
Look for a clean, used piece

$400 can buy you a really top-shelf revolver! Let the good times roll! :D
 
I would be on the look out for a used 9mmL from any of the major manufactures. Smith, Glock, Sig, Springfield, Ruger Would all do you well. I would try to find one I liked. Even investing in a (I KNOW PEOPLE ARE GOING TO YELL AT ME) Highpoint for the times being. If you want some protection and a plinker.
 
Glock 19

When I was a poor college student the first pistol I bought was a Smith and Wesson SW9C. I bought it because I wanted a glock be they were like $100 more than I wanted to spend. So I got the Smith new for like $450.

It worked just like the glock, no jams or problems. But for some reason I still wanted a GLOCK.

So several years later I sold the Smith and bought a GLOCK 23C and a 9mm conversion barrel.

so I have the equivalent of 2 GLOCKS in one for around $700.

Learn from my mistake. If you have $400 just wait longer and save a few $100 more. Once you get in the $500-600 range you can get a NEW high quality autoloading firearm that will last a lifetime. Other than revolvers I have never seen a high quality S/A for less that $400.

If you just have to have it NOW go with a used GLOCK.

Hope this helps
 
wow, thanks for the welcome and all the good advice.

James, Im from the Bismarck area.

We dont have a Gander Mt. here, my choices are a Scheels all-sports, a place called 'gun city' (the guys seem nice), and 4-5 pawn shops.

Actually until this thread I was opposed to a wheel-gun. Now im starting to come around. What about S&W 642's? or would the smaller frame make shooting less of a 'pleasure'? Also Im not sure I quite get the .357/.38sp interchange yet. You can shoot .38sp in a .357 rated chamber, but not .357 in a regular .38 chamber right?

Im really attracted to the XD 9 std. and sub compact models. ( i like the idea of the grip safety/trigger safety combo)

I know you cant tell me what gun to get and be done with it. But I appreciate your opinions and it helps me in my research/selection process.

Thanks for the help guys!
 
You can shoot .38sp in a .357 rated chamber, but not .357 in a regular .38 chamber right?
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Bingo.

Anything against the Makarov? You say you've shot one, it's probably not going to cost more than the Hi-Point, and they're pretty much indesctructable.
 
What about S&W 642's? or would the smaller frame make shooting less of a 'pleasure'?
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I love the 642. I have multiple copies of it. One is *always* in my pocket no matter what else I may or may not have. It's perhaps the most useful of pocket handguns. But...

It just ain't fun to shoot. Ain't.

The things that make it a great pocket revo make it an awful range gun. It's light, it's small, the sighting radius is very short. It kicks, it's not really satisfying at 50 feet. It's not that great as a home defense gun either, IMO...

It's truly a one trick pony... but it does that one trick better than anything else.
 
Model 10s, 65s, 66s, 19s, 13s, and Lord knows how many other K-frames in .38 or .357 are, from my experience, a dream to shoot. With plain 'ol .38 specials, the recoil is just enough to know that it's there. You don't have to worry so much about proper grip, you don't have the slide chewing up your hand, and they're pretty darn powerful - and very cheap - usually $350 or less for fully working models with excellent finishes. I'm able to shoot as many rounds as I can afford without making my hand sore. SA trigger pull is a thing of beauty, and DA is very smooth.

Don't let the .357/.38 business get to ya. Caliber naming conventions range from antiquated to insane. Both rounds have the same diameter (about .355), only the Magnum is longer and won't fit into standard .38 special cylinders.

Many other options are available, though. The CZ 83 runs brand new about $350 - it's a doublestack .380 with a 12-rd capacity, and you might find the very excellent 9mm CZ 75 used for around $400. I think Beretta's PX4 in .40 S&W are available for that price as well, along with many others.
 
I stopped by the local pawnshop on the way home from class tonight. all they had were 9-10 hi-point's from $120-175, a sig p220 for $585, and a flintlock something or other. Not too much there, but i did replace my missing 13mm & 14mm 3/8 drive sockets & the guy said I could have them for free. :)

I'll try stopping at gun city and Scheels tomorrow morning.
 
I'm going to have push the Ruger P95 (or P89) on you as well. All 5 of my Rugers (P89, P90, P93, P94, P95) have all been great :)

actually my P95 was my first handgun as well ;)
 
Nice score on the sockets. I would ask you to look at the Smith and Wesson Sigma series. A friend got a brand new one for $275 NIB. They come in .40 and 9mm. Some people complain about the trigger, but it is a great gun for the money. It isn't a 50 yard target gun, but it goes bang every time and hits what you aim it at.
 
I suggest that you stick with a .22 for the first gun. Whatever you choose in style or format. .22 is simple, cheap and won't increase the likelihood of developing bad habits.
 
FYI, check out AuctionArms and Gunbroker. THey are internet firearms auction sites kinds sorta eBayish. Great place to see stuff and get an idea of pricing.
Then there is CDNN investments and Bud's Gun Shop.

AIM Surplus has Star Model "B" 9mm pistols that are C&R eligible for $300!
 
I'd suggest a used Glock 17 or 19. The Glock Mags are ~$10 each from CNDD. Go for 9mm, its low cost and high speed. The 17 is very popular with LEO so easy to find parts and etc.
 
need 9mm

You can get a ruger p89 9mm for less than $400 brand new. Ive had mine for about four years and put 10,000 + rounds through mine and never jam, not even with cheap cheap ammo. Which good ammo isnt that much for it. You can get a 115 grain clear up to a 147 grain shells. plenty of stopping power. and affordable to target shoot to get use to it. Ugly but the most reliable gun I have ever used. Also very easy to feild dress and clean. Takes less than five minutes. Overall great gun for a great price. Now my dad ha the glock 9mm and it jams on cheap ammo like crazy and cost $100 to $200 more. Hope it helps. And if you have any questions about the different models of p89 or just about the gun ask. Keep shooting striaght:cool:
 
You can get a ruger p89 9mm for less than $400 brand new. Ive had mine for about four years and put 10,000 + rounds through mine and never jam, not even with cheap cheap ammo.
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I've never had any problems with my Ruger P89 or P97. you will have a hard time finding a better gun for the money.
 
Go onto Gunbroker.com and look up Phoenix Distributors. Lots of options, good prices. Should not tax your $400 budget in the least and will expand your options quite a bit.
 
As you've discovered, don't close yourself off to a good .38 or .357 magnum revolver. You can find revolvers in great mechanical condition, even if they look rough from holster wear on the outside, well within your budget.

Don't forget to budget in the cost of magazines, a good belt and a holster if you intend to carry this gun. A good used revolver will keep you under budget, still allowing you to buy these items, and have a little left to get some ammo to shoot through it.


And in 10 years you won't feel like you bought something "on the cheap". you'll still look at it fondly and get a lot of use out of it. CDNN has a bunch of 3" K frames police trades - Model 64s and 65s - on sale right now. They are the most popular for what you describe as the role you're looking to fill. Take a look, and get the best quality you can afford whatever it is.
 
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