Turning 21. Need Advice on 1st Gun Purchase

[College Republican]

I'm going to be turning 21 in a few days and I will finally be able to purchase a handgun in CA. I've narrowed it down to two pistols I think would be good, but I'm open to suggestions. I'm also trying to keep it under $700. I'm looking at a Taurus PT92 in 9mm and a Taurus 1911 in .45 ACP. I'm looking for a pistol that is reliable, accurate, has sufficient stopping power, and could be a CCW if I wanted it to, because I won't be able to afford another firearm for a long time. Would a 9mm in hollowpoints have sufficient stopping power compared to a .45? My firearm knowlege is limited to what I've read and I don't have experience with firearms since my parents are Antis. I don't know how I would react to the recoil of the respective calibers. (I'm 6'4" 185lbs) Just want some advice. Please keep any 9mm vs. .45 ACP arguments short and to the point. Thanks.

 

[RobertFBurnett]

First, welcome to THR...its a good place and won't steer ya wrong...as long as you don't start a Ruger vs. S&W .357 thread you'll be fine.

First handgun I would say a .357 magnum revolver...but it looks like you've got your heart set on an Auto. As for Taurus, I don't know much about their 1911, an owner will jump in on that, but I have shot their 9mm and its really nice. My local indoor range likes it better than a Beretta for its durability as a rental. It almost won my personal 9mm contest...but SIG 226 won over Taurus.

If your looking for a real deal you can buy a used SIG and send it in to GRAYguns for work, and it will rival any $1000 gun.

As for calibers and protection I have no problem with either 9mm or .45, there are some great 9mm rounds out there (Speer Gold Dots, and Remington Golden Sabers) and practice 9mm is still reasonable.

Please shoot both if you can, if you are in the Los Angeles Valley I may be able to point you in the right direction.

Take it slow and easy,

RFB

P.S. what college are you attending?

 

[lvcat2004]

First, you probably need to settle on a caliber. Either 9mm or 45 ACP will work fine for self-defense or whatever task that is called for in a handgun. As for stopping power, there is not as big of a difference as some 45 fanatics would claim to be. Both are excellent calibers with excellent stopping power with the RIGHT ammunition, and CORRECT placement, which of course, is INFINITELY more important. If you are a college student, remember that 9mm ammo would be significantly cheaper than 45 as well, allowing you more time to practice.

I would go to a gun range that has rental guns and try out a bunch, to see what fits, what feels comfortable in your hand. Handling alone is not enough, you must SHOOT THEM to see how they act in your grip when fired. $700 is not a bad budget--most quality brands will be within budget. My personal recommendations would be any Glocks, Any Springfield XD series, CZ 75, Sig P226/229/220, etc. to name a few. I don't think you can go very wrong with any above in terms of quality/accuracy/reliability. I'm not too familiar with Taurus autos, but they produce good value guns.

 

[College Republican]

I am in the Los Angeles Valley area actually, and if you could give me the location of a gun range to practice at, that would be greatly appreciated. I'm currently attending APU.

 

[sig2022shooter]

seriously look at sig p225/P6's. you can get them cheap right now ($300+/-) and they're great guns.

 

[another okie]

A Glock 21, of course!

 

[bestseller92]

The Glock 17 is the perfect 9mm, and a perfect "first centerfire auto".

 

[CPshooter]

I'd say a Glock 19, Springfield XD9, S&W M&P9. You just can't go wrong with any of these reliable, high-cap, polymer 9mms. If you plan on carring IWB the G19 would be my choice. It is the smallest and lightest of the 3 mentioned. You can also throw on a nice tactical LED light/laser on the front rail and a 33rd Glock magazine for some real fun! The XD is a VERY nice platform as well. I don't have much experience with the M&P, but people like 'em. My cousin had a Taurus PT24/7 in 9mm and it was one of the worst guns I have ever shot. I'd shy away from Taurus autos, but thats just me. I'm sure there are lots of happy owners out there.

9mm is always a good choice. Mild recoil and more than enough stopping power these days. Cheap ammo means more practice too.

 

[RobertFBurnett]

I'd say a Glock 19, Springfield XD9, S&W M&P9. You just can't go wrong with any of these reliable, high-cap, polymer 9mms. If you plan on carring IWB the G19 would be my choice. It is the smallest and lightest of the 3 mentioned. You can also throw on a nice tactical LED light/laser on the front rail and a 33rd Glock magazine for some real fun!

CPshooter, why do you have to say those mean things? Why must you tantalize us with stories. We live in California...what is this concealed carry with 33round mags you speak of?! I bet next your gonna tell me about shooting your AK-47 full auto in your own personal range, or that your Wal-Mart has a bountiful selection of moderately priced ammunition? CP I am kidding Seriously though, keep talking like that and I may move to where you live, and live the good life carrying 33+1, w/ two reloads=100rounds-o-9mm at my fingertips

Living vicariously through other shooters,

RFB

 

[Bezoar]

OP, what fits your hand better and is easier to shoot in regards to control and accuracy is what you should be thinking about.

Both are fine guns by taurus. the only real difference is that the PT1911 can be user customized with aftermarket parts unlike the PT92.

as the pt1911 in a 10+1 9mm has been released its up to you.

 

[RNB65]

Advice? Don't buy a Taurus. Too much history of poor quality control.

There are plenty of excellent gun in the sub-$700 range -- Glock, CZ, S&W, Ruger, Springfield Armory, just to name a few. A CZ 75 will run you less then $500 and last a lifetime.
-

 

[Quoheleth]

The Taurus PT92 has a long track record of good service. However, be advised, it is heavy for concealed carry - an all steel gun, you'll feel it very soon esp if you top the mag off with 15 rounds. If you can comfortably pack something like 36 ounces, it'll do you well. For CCW with the PT92, you might want to look for a non-rail model (go used?).

Lots of good guns to chose from, and your budget will set you up nicely with a good pistol.

Q

 

[tntwatt]

Since it's your first and you were raised by anti's, you'll probably want to practice ALOT. If that's the case you'll save hundred's of dollars on ammo by going with the 9mm. Of course the .45 has tons more stopping power. But what good is having bigger bullets if you can't afford to practice enough to hit your target. Plus, the lighter recoil of the 9mm as a first gun would help you develope better technique.

That being said, I started with a 9mm and still carry a Glock 26 when concealment is the primary concern. But I'm only 5'7" tall. Even so, now my primary carry is a .45.
Go to your local dealer and handle as many as you can. If he isn't helpful and rushes you, find another dealer. Buy the one that fits your hand the best. Best case, find a range that rents and try them all out.

 

[Pilot]

9MM is fine for self defense and its cheaper to shoot for practice. Excellent choice for a first handgun. If you're able to find a dealer with the CZ line check out the CZ-75D PCR or P-01. Excellent for range or carry. Here's a short list of the better semi-compact 9MM's that are all good choices in your price range:

CZ-75 compact series
BHP (full size but easily concealable)
Sig P228/P229
Glock G19
HK P7E (current police trade-ins are under your price limit)
Sig P6 (P225) police trade in

 

[ufstuddmuffin]

If your looking for a real deal you can buy a used SIG and send it in to GRAYguns for work

I agree, get a sig. as far as handling the guns, I am pretty similar to your size and I've shot .380, 9 mm, .357, .38, .40, .45 and it all depends on the gun. a 9mm in a little pm9 has worse recoil then a .45 Kimber, imo

 

[phantomak47]

Heres a list of firearms I would tell you to check out.


Sig 226 your choice of flavor, you cant ever go wrong with a 226

Ruger Gp100, I got mine NIB $463 6" .357 stainless

Glock 17 Classic Plastic

XD 45 if your looking for a .45, mine was $470 NIB Bi tone, $450 black, you will have extra money for gun leather and ammo.



You need to find a local gun show and handle different firearms, you can read all day and night and then when you actually handle the gun or fire it, you might not like it. Good luck