Recommend my first handgun

[Macchina]

Another recommendation for a first handgun. I've been looking at the Hk USP Compact and Sig P229, but they are both too expensive. I want a medium sized gun that can be carried, but is also good for shooting at the range (primary use). I would like it in either .40 S&W or .45 ACP (prefer .40). I looked at 1911's, I really liked them, but again too expensive. The gun needs to be:

> SA or SA/DA (no glocks or other DA only)
> Under $400
> .40 or .45
> Carryable (something like P229 sized)
> Prefer aluminum frame, but polymer (or steel) will do.
> Decently Accurate

I have medium sized hands, and do not really care about recoil or weight.
Thank you very much for your replies.

 

[Ala Dan]

CZ 40B, a ploymer .40 caliber that sells for only $319 + sales tax.

 

[Fun2Shoot]

Here is a fine starting point:

http://www.springfield-armory.com/images/pistols/PW9142LLarge.jpg

Springfield Armory G.I. 45acp in the 4" barrel.
Solid company with a good reputation. Look around and you should find it in the mid to high $400 range, new.

Don't make a real common mistake that everyone has made with guns, that is, buy it based on price alone. Don't "settle". Get what you REALLY want.

 

[gudel]

I've been looking at the Hk USP Compact and Sig P229, but they are both too expensive.

There's a reason why they're expensive. Always go with your first choice. I went with my first choice: USP45. Cost me almost a grand, but no other pistol including 1911 can touch its reliability.

As a first gun, don't get a 1911, unless you like clearing jams.

 

[Walkalong]

Not quite under 400. But..........XD.

Good starter gun. Reliable, accurate, easy to shoot well.

 

[10-Ring]

Hi! For what you're looking for, I'd go w/ the Steyr Ma1. Really nice ergos, nice trigger & accuracy plus, their diff't. Almost guaranteed to be the only one on the block to have one

 

[Fun2Shoot]

As a first gun, don't get a 1911, unless you like clearing jams.

Oh Pleezzze!. The only semi-autos that I have shot extensively that never once had at least one jam were a Browning Hi-Power 9mm and a Bersa Thunder .380.

Any and all semi-autos can hic-up. There are so many zillions of 1911's out there with varying quality and maintanance and operator error that to caution someone about 1911's as Jam-o-matics is not fair.

You will own a 1911 sooner or later. It's just part of being a man.

 

[hexidismal]

Ruger P345. Very tough and reliable .45 handgun, with vast improvements over the ergonomics and design of earlier ruger handguns. It's also a decent size for carry. I use one for my primary daily carry gun. Some have reported problems with the earlier production run, but for the most part these issues tend to be caused by users too egotistical to admit it. Mine though has yet to have a problem, as I've got about 2100 rounds down mine with no jams or malfunctions. Also , I think it's fairly nice to look at , for a polymer framed gun.

 

[ugaarguy]

1911
I picked up a used SA GI model, which improved iron sights installed by the previous owner, for $400 at a dealer in Boise, ID. If you like 1911s a used SA GI is a great gun for the money. Also search here for the Rock Island Armory (RIA) and Taurus 1911s. Both are available new slightly under (RIA), or over (Taurus) $400. Both have gotten good reviews here. Also see the forums www.m1911.org for more input. There is nothing that can match the superb trigger of a 1911.

Hi-Powers
If you look around you should be able to find a used Browning HP at or maybe a bit over $400. Fabrique Nationale of Belgium owns Browning, and makes the Hi-Power. FN did import some FN marked Hi-Powers, but they did not sell well in the US where the FN name is lesser known. They were closed out, and with some looking you should be able to find an FN HP new for between $400 and $500. For a gun of that kind of quality it's well worth saving a bit extra to buy. While not a 1911 the Hi-Power does have a pretty good SA trigger (really good with the magazine safety removed ), and their very slim slides make carry like a much smaller gun. They really don't feel like a twin column magazine pistol in the grip either. They're great guns. Also do a search here for the FM (Argentine Copy, formerly licensed by FN), Charles Daly (US assembled from FEG Parts with very nice XS sights), and FEG (Hungarian Clone) Hi-Powers. Those will offer a less expensive alternative to the FN/Browning Hi-Powers.

SIG CPO
A Certfied Pre-Owned (CPO) Sig would get much closer to your budget. If you really want a SIG then it's worth saving up the extra. The CPO guns are certified by SIG and carry a one year faactory warranty if I remember correctly. Everything I've read here indicates that the CPO guns are a great value.

More Ideas
Last, but certainly not least I'll lump together some other pistols that I feel are great options. CZs are well regarded here, and most big box stores sell the CZ-75 for just over $400 new. There are always plenty of steel and alloy frame S&W autos on the used market at well under $400, and those a great guns that are often overlooked. The FN FNP has gotten great reviews here and is also available at just over $400 new.

Take a look at what's out there, see what fits your hand, and what you like. As others have said, if what you really want is a bit more expensive than you planned save up. It's worth the wait to get what you want rather than settling for something else.

 

[Clipper]

The Taurus Mil Pro series are available in SA/DA or DAO, polymer frames, compact, accurate, and sell for about $300.00. I was impressed enough to sell off a Kimber Ultra Carry and get a PT-145 for my carry piece, and don't regret it a bit...