Best overall pistol for my scenario?

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paltak

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Feb 17, 2013
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After a long wait, I finally received my firearm license. I plan to get a pistol mainly for shooting about once a month at the range and for self defense purposes. I'm a novice and I only plan to purchase one hand gun.

Maybe a 1911, maybe Wilson Combat? Budget $1-5K. Let's hear your thoughts please. TIA!
 
No point learning how to shoot with hyper expensive ammo.

I'd recommend buying a .22 Ruger MK III, shoot more often and save a lot of money on ammo.

After awhile, pick up a bigger bore pistol. You'll get to handle a lot of pistols at the range.
 
for self defense, assuming you can shoot it decently at short ranges the most effective pistol rounds (knock-down power without excessive penetration) are .45 ACP or .357 magnum. But both are pretty potent rounds for an inexperienced shooter, and both cost a lot compared to 9mm which is easier to control and probably adequate for SD. 22LR can work as a defensive round but you are taking a much bigger risk that it won't.

Just like cars or knives, you can get utility for relatively cheap but the sky is the limit on what you can spend for incremental increases in performance, or fancy looks, or custom options.

Best advice for a new shooter is go to a gun range that rents pistols, and try everything you can. Preferably have an experienced shooter with you. Guns are very subjective and you won't know what works best for you until you try them. Reviews by others can tell you what they think but not what you think. I love 1911s but you may find you prefer revolvers or Glocks or Kahrs, or whatever. Unlike a knife, which you can hold and figure out if you like it, you only know how a gun works for you by firing it repeatedly.

Finally, if you get into shooting you can forget about only having one pistol. I mean no one needs more than one knife either, right . . . . ?
 
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paltak said:
After a long wait, I finally received my firearm license. I plan to get a pistol mainly for shooting about once a month at the range and for self defense purposes. I'm a novice and I only plan to purchase one hand gun.

Maybe a 1911, maybe Wilson Combat? Budget $1-5K. Let's hear your thoughts please. TIA!
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That's some budget. You'll be able to buy almost anything you want with that.

First thing. I know you said that you only plan on purchasing one handgun, but I suggest also getting yourself a .22lr pistol. When developing your shooting skills trigger time is key, both dry-fire and making your gun go boom. Nothing, not even reloading, will allow you to put more rounds downrange. My first gun was a Ruger 22/45 and it was the wisest firearm purchase I made. I have other guns that I like more, but that gun is the only one that lives in my range bag.

On to recommendations. Since you mentioned 1911s I'll assume you're drawn to them. Can't blame you, a properly built 1911 is a thing of beauty. For a self-defense gun I suggest taking a look at the Les Baer TRS (Thunder Ranch Special), Springfield Professional, and Wilson CQB. They are already set up as fighting pistols, not target guns, so no worries there. More importantly, they are made the right way, by skilled gunsmiths using forged frames and slides and quality parts. There are other options of course, but you won't go wrong with any of these.
 
paltak said:
After a long wait, I finally received my firearm license. I plan to get a pistol mainly for shooting about once a month at the range and for self defense purposes. I'm a novice and I only plan to purchase one hand gun.

Maybe a 1911, maybe Wilson Combat? Budget $1-5K. Let's hear your thoughts please. TIA!
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Where do you live (USA-Texas, NY, etc.)? Are you in an apartment or house, or are you out in the sticks where a little more range is needed?

With your budget, I would rent a few handguns before I spent any serious money. Do you really like the 1911 or a Colt Python? ... etc.
 
Sid Post said:
Where do you live (USA-Texas, NY, etc.)? Are you in an apartment or house, or are you out in the sticks where a little more range is needed?

With your budget, I would rent a few handguns before I spent any serious money. Do you really like the 1911 or a Colt Python? ... etc.
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I'm in Illinois, house in the burbs, typical subdivision. I have a couple buddies into guns whom I'll be going to the range with, mostly indoors.

I promised the wifey whose not too crazy about having a gun in the house that I would only get one, thus I want to get the best overall hand gun I can afford even if I have to grow into it.
 
paltak said:
After a long wait, I finally received my firearm license. I plan to get a pistol mainly for shooting about once a month at the range and for self defense purposes. I'm a novice and I only plan to purchase one hand gun.

Maybe a 1911, maybe Wilson Combat? Budget $1-5K. Let's hear your thoughts please. TIA!
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Once a month? Seriously? Once a month is almost not enough to maintain proficiency for most people. That said, the economy sucks so I understand completely. If you do only go once a month, dry fire should become a daily routine to maintain trigger control, which is one of those perishable skills.

You said 1911, so does that mean you're limiting yourself to .45acp?

Steel frame or polymer frame? Full size, compact size, sub compact size?


We need more info.
 
Going to a range that offers rentals is one of the smartest things to do to find what you like best. Although you won't likely find any high end 1911 rentals. You could also take a handgun class that supplies the gun.

In terms of caliber, don't get too caught up on "knock down power". It is far better to get the largest caliber that you can confidently control the recoil and accurately put the most number of rounds on target in the shortest time. Whatever you pick, this is also where lots of practice comes in.

Another thought; if you get a .22 for now, learning to shoot will be cheaper and because of the low recoil you might be able to convince your wife to go shooting. If you can show her that they aren't bad, scary, evil things she might warm up to the idea of more than one in the house. Many people get hooked the first time the shoot a .22. If she doesn't, sell the .22 once you've had the practice time and buy the one you really want.
 
shunsui said:
No point learning how to shoot with hyper expensive ammo.

I'd recommend buying a .22 Ruger MK III, shoot more often and save a lot of money on ammo.

After awhile, pick up a bigger bore pistol. You'll get to handle a lot of pistols at the range.
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At $100 for a box of 525!?!?!

If you can find the ammo cheap definitely the .22

For carry get a .40cal, light like a 9 thumps like a 45


For the whole defensive carry, instead of going to the range, go to a USPSA, IDPA, or even an IPSC match

These are shooting competitions designed around the defensive carry IDPA more than the rest.
These comps will help with your rapid response ability while using a firearm & the top guns there can help you with just about anything when it comes to guns and their abilities
& go more than 1 a month more proper practice the better


Look em up, it will be worth your intrest I assure you
 
As for the comments about the recoil of a 1911, I saw hogwash. I fired one for the first time when I was 5. I smacked me in the forehead. Next time that I shot one, I was 11 or 12. Ever since then, no problem and I have small hands. A full size 1911 or a Commander is an easy pistol to shoot and not hard hitting at all, assuming that you are gripping it tightly enough to hold down the grip safety in a manner which will allow the pistol to function properly. To my mind, aside from safety, that is a good reason to NOT pin the grip safety. The desing of a pistol has as much to do with how it recoils, etc as the round. I have never had any real trouble shooting factory .44 loads out of a 6 inch Smith Model 29 or a Ruger Super Blackhawk, but a Desert Eagle stings me because I have smaller hands and it has the ergonomics of an unsanded pressure treated 4 x 4.;)
 
While the amount of shooting practice would be great, the idpa matches and such mostly use highly modified handguns with redicuously light triggers that are not practical for defensive carry and are not representitive of something that one is likely to buy and carry.
 
I would suggest a good double action revolver S&W , Ruger? I like the Smith's more. In .357- 4 or 5 inch barrel. If a once in a while shooter.

If you are going to train want to get into it- 1911 Colt or Colt clone.

45 ACP recoil is not bad at all.
 
On 1911s-The weight should keep the recoil down fairly well. The .45 doesn't snap either (like my experience with the .40). If you go 1911, you really have to go with Les Baer or Wilson Combat to get one that's ready to go. I suggest getting a .22 conversion kit, so you technically only have one gun...
On self-defense in general, I like the 9mm. Even with my intermittent range time (no time or money), I was able to keep all 13 rounds from a Sig P228 within the 7-ring with medium-paced shooting. It was probably 4 months since I last shot it. I do dry fire drills every so often. 9mm is starting to become available again, but the price is still higher than usual. It is a nice, controllable round and is just fine for self-defense
 
Alan G. said:
...Another thought; if you get a .22 for now, learning to shoot will be cheaper and because of the low recoil you might be able to convince your wife to go shooting. If you can show her that they aren't bad, scary, evil things she might warm up to the idea of more than one in the house. Many people get hooked the first time the shoot a .22. If she doesn't, sell the .22 once you've had the practice time and buy the one you really want.
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I'd bet the wife latches onto a Ruger 22/45 and doesn't let go. ;)
 
Since this is your first handgun, shoot some before you drop a ton of cash into one.

It would suck to drop $2K in a 1911, a grand in a Sig 226, Hi Power, or some HK, just so when you first shoot it you learn you hate the design and the way the pistol recoils.

Find a platform that you like, be it pistol or revolver, then find a caliber that soots your need and wants. My first handgun was a 657 when I was 16, I loved it and still love it. So just so it's your first handgun doesn't mean you have to go small, or large, just get something for your needs.

If you find something you like, say a 1911, CZ, Sig 226/229/220/ etc. then you always could look into a .22 caliber conversion for them. That's if you want to shoot a lot without the recoil or expense.


Oh, since you're in Illinois, don't get any pistol that is all black. I hope you never have to use it in self defense but if you do and it's all black well then next thing you know it the people on the news will say you defended yourself with a fully automatic assault pistol capable of firing a million rounds a minute with no need to change magazine because it never runs out of ammo ;)
 
MNofUSN said:
At $100 for a box of 525!?!?!
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Don't feed the buying frenzy and price gouging PLEASE. I have purchased bricks of 22lr for ~$25. I'm not going to support someone buying them for ~$25 and hawking them for $100 at a gun show.
 
Great suggestions, thanks for taking the time. I appreciate it very much. I plan to go to a range that offers a variety of rentals. It sounds like a 1911 with .22 convertion kit may be a good option. Really excited to try a revolver at the range as well.
 
M67 said:
Oh, since you're in Illinois, don't get any pistol that is all black. I hope you never have to use it in self defense but if you do and it's all black well then next thing you know it the people on the news will say you defended yourself with a fully automatic assault pistol capable of firing a million rounds a minute with no need to change magazine because it never runs out of ammo ;)
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Isn't that true though, I mean look at the movies with the endless bullet barrages.
 
Illinois, huh? Is your license the Il FOID?

Before you spend a dime, find out what you can and cannot legally do with a firearm in your state and limitations on what you may own such as magazine capacity and so forth.

If what you want is lawful and your first firearm..rifle, pistol or shotgun..consider visiting local clubs, ranges and so forth and find out what kind of training available or recommended in your area?

My youngest brother lives in IL, I have given him an M1 Garand which he can NOT take possession of because of IL laws- he is a FOID holder..when he moves to TX or FL or IL get its firearms laws straight he can pick it up in FL.

The folks who are telling you .22 LR pistol, well including me, are giving you good advice. Low initial cost in firearm and ammunition, will retain it's value and is a great platform for acquiring pistol marksmanship with good gun handling/safety skills. Home defense..that would be a shotgun.

Here's a pix of a Ruger SR22 and S&W Shield 9 [including a ProTech Dark Angel[OTF] HOWEVER if I was going to buy a new .22 pistol would be a Ruger MK III or Browning Buckmark.



Best.
 
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