I'm stealing this from somebody else on another forum. It's perfect.
To answer the question: "What should I buy for my first pistol?", I'm going to ask you what car you drive.
"I own a Ferrari"
You need an HK Mark 23. It's impractical, over twice as expensive as the next most absurdly expensive European gun, and it practical sneers at other guns without any work on your part. It is also virtually impossible to find parts and accessories for, unless you turn the search into a full time job. You'll open carry it to help get dates, perhaps setting it down on the table at Starbucks right next to your dancing horse keyfob. You will start to speak with a faint European accent to reinforce your bona fides.
"I own a Porsche"
You need an HK45. You can't afford an Mark 23, but you will swear your pistol is every bit as good. You will spend hours working on properly pronouncing the brand name of your new gun, and smirk every time someone gets it wrong. You actually like the fact that every time you speak to the manufacturer, they treat you like you're wasting their time, because you secretly believe that you deserve it.
"I own a Saab"
You hipster you. You need a Kahr PM45. When people ask you what gun you have, you'll smile knowingly and tell them. You will be heartbroken if they know anything about it. You have no idea why you bought a gun that is inferior in every way to its competition, but at least you can say "I don't want to drive a BMW"
"I own a BMW"
The Walther PPQ has your name all over it. You own a midrange piece of German steel, which you swear handles better than anything else on the road. You consider yourself an enthusiast, a connoisseur of all things gun. For Christ's sake, James freaking Bond carries a Walther. You don't care that routine maintenance costs a fortune, and that regular gunsmiths have no idea what to do about your baby. You will join a Walther user club, and frequent a number of Walther internet forums, regaling other owners with stories about how fast your gun corners.
"I own a Toyota Camry/Honda Accord"
You will buy a Glock. You'll shoot a Glock. You'll wonder what the hell everyone else is doing with something other than a Glock.
"i own a Ford Taurus"
You should buy an M&P. It's not as good and costs just as much as a Glock, but it's American dammit. You will argue that police forces all across the country use them. You will secretly nurture your inferiority complex for as long as you own your gun.
"I own a 1967 Kharmann Ghia/1965 Corvette"
You will buy a 1911, because nobody has ever designed anything better than the original. You don't care if it leaks oil and requires 15 hours in the shop every month. The 1911 is the pinnacle of weapons technology, and will always be so.
To answer the question: "What should I buy for my first pistol?", I'm going to ask you what car you drive.
"I own a Ferrari"
You need an HK Mark 23. It's impractical, over twice as expensive as the next most absurdly expensive European gun, and it practical sneers at other guns without any work on your part. It is also virtually impossible to find parts and accessories for, unless you turn the search into a full time job. You'll open carry it to help get dates, perhaps setting it down on the table at Starbucks right next to your dancing horse keyfob. You will start to speak with a faint European accent to reinforce your bona fides.
"I own a Porsche"
You need an HK45. You can't afford an Mark 23, but you will swear your pistol is every bit as good. You will spend hours working on properly pronouncing the brand name of your new gun, and smirk every time someone gets it wrong. You actually like the fact that every time you speak to the manufacturer, they treat you like you're wasting their time, because you secretly believe that you deserve it.
"I own a Saab"
You hipster you. You need a Kahr PM45. When people ask you what gun you have, you'll smile knowingly and tell them. You will be heartbroken if they know anything about it. You have no idea why you bought a gun that is inferior in every way to its competition, but at least you can say "I don't want to drive a BMW"
"I own a BMW"
The Walther PPQ has your name all over it. You own a midrange piece of German steel, which you swear handles better than anything else on the road. You consider yourself an enthusiast, a connoisseur of all things gun. For Christ's sake, James freaking Bond carries a Walther. You don't care that routine maintenance costs a fortune, and that regular gunsmiths have no idea what to do about your baby. You will join a Walther user club, and frequent a number of Walther internet forums, regaling other owners with stories about how fast your gun corners.
"I own a Toyota Camry/Honda Accord"
You will buy a Glock. You'll shoot a Glock. You'll wonder what the hell everyone else is doing with something other than a Glock.
"i own a Ford Taurus"
You should buy an M&P. It's not as good and costs just as much as a Glock, but it's American dammit. You will argue that police forces all across the country use them. You will secretly nurture your inferiority complex for as long as you own your gun.
"I own a 1967 Kharmann Ghia/1965 Corvette"
You will buy a 1911, because nobody has ever designed anything better than the original. You don't care if it leaks oil and requires 15 hours in the shop every month. The 1911 is the pinnacle of weapons technology, and will always be so.
