buying first pistol

JediKnight86

JediKnight86

Joined
Jul 9, 2003
Messages
1,702
This may not be the best place to ask, but maybe I'll get some answers.

I'm going to buy my first pistol. I don't know much about guns like I do knives, but I'm learning. I'm going to the gun club to rent and shoot to see what I like first. As far as purchasing, from what I've looked at so far, I like the Bersa 380, and Glock 19. I don't really want to go over $500. What else should I be looking at?
 
You haven't stated what you'll use the gun for . Actually the best start is a 22 for general use.The ammo is cheaper and the learning of trigger control and sight picture will be easier without dealing with recoil. For a defense gun I wouldn't recommend anything without good training !! Glock is one of the most reliable.Another possibility is a used gun and for that one of the best deals is the SIG , reconditioned with warranty for a good price.
 
mete, gave good advice about the .22. Then, it's all Glock. When I went pistol shopping, every LEO I asked, except two, said Glock!. The other two said H&K. Have fun.
 
I'd start with a 4" .38 special. Easy to shoot, good for defense and target shooting, cheap ammo, foolproof.
 
Renting and shooting different models is a great idea. Tough to shell out hundreds for a handgun you find you don't like to shoot.
As Mete says, purpose is critical. If you just want a plinker, that .22 is unsurpassed. However, if you're thinking home defense or concealed carry, you'll want something with a bit more horsepower.
 
For just target and plinking a 22 is hard to beat, the Browning Buckmark is a favorite of mine. Foe self defense a 9mm or 38 special should be the minimum you look at. I always suggest a first time gun owner go with a revolver but I know most would rather have a semi auto. The S&W MP series are great as are Glocks. Try as many as you can and most importantly get some qualified instruction is shooting.
 
you need to get one that fits your hand well and is comfortable to shoot, only you will know...

I think a 45 is what everyone needs :)
 
Some guns can be easily changed to fit your hand. The 1911 has either the straight or curved mainspring housing. The HK P2000 and P30 have even greater changes possible and the S&W M&P is similar .
 
JediKnight86 said:
This may not be the best place to ask, but maybe I'll get some answers.

I'm going to buy my first pistol. I don't know much about guns like I do knives, but I'm learning. I'm going to the gun club to rent and shoot to see what I like first. As far as purchasing, from what I've looked at so far, I like the Bersa 380, and Glock 19. I don't really want to go over $500. What else should I be looking at?
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Start off with the G19--and get the .22 conversion kit if you want to shoot .22 out of it. I just got a G17 and I love it so far.
380 stuff is too expensive for a tiny bullet imho; 9 is plenty cheap, and it stops people just fine if you want to use it for SD.

Good luck with your purchase!
 
JediKnight86 said:
This may not be the best place to ask, but maybe I'll get some answers.

I'm going to buy my first pistol. I don't know much about guns like I do knives, but I'm learning. I'm going to the gun club to rent and shoot to see what I like first. As far as purchasing, from what I've looked at so far, I like the Bersa 380, and Glock 19. I don't really want to go over $500. What else should I be looking at?
Click to expand...

I would recommend the Glock, there are fewer "Controls" that a new shooter will have to concern themselves with. Are you stuck on buying an auto pistol? I can think of a better choice, a revolver is a great option for someone who only has one handgun. It is very reliable, easy to manipulate and less chance for an AD/ND (Accidental/Negligent Discharge) with one. A nice model 19 S&W or a Ruger Security Six will allow you to train/practice with easy recoiling .38 special loads and use .357 for defense/hunting when necessary. Female shooters are also less intimidated by a revolver if there is a chance your Mrs. may ever need to use is.

Best regards.

Jerry
 
Unless you have a specific requirement for a center-fire pistol, I would recommend a .22. I like the Browning Buckmark and the Ruger Mk II/III. Not only is the .22 really easy on the wallet . . . allowing you lots of practice but it is IMHO, the best weapon to learn on. With the .22 you won't build a flinch reflex and can concentrate on breathing, sight picture and trigger control.

Once you have those three down, you have the skills to handle any pistol you can physically lift and hold.
 
Ruger MKIII .22. Lots of aftermarket parts available and will shoot more accurately than you.

Heres the progression mine made from plinker to bullseye:
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I second the Taurus PT1911, great value!! Glock too, I just bought a Glock 23, either the 19 or 23 would be a great first gun, easy to shoot, cheap to shoot, great rounds (9mm/.40s&w) the size is a little smaller but still controlable, easy to carry too! Glocks are very low maintainance and very easy to clean!!
 
Man...after owning the XD, Walther p99, a Springfield EMP (9mm 1911) and a Kimber SS Pro TLE/RLII, I ended up with a Glock 19 and a Glock 21sf. My opinion on guns is that more than aesthetic beauty, I just want it to go bang when I press the kill switch. Had my 1911's fail multiple times during a training class and decided I just didn't want to deal with that.

That said, the ergos on Glocks are terrible IMO. That's why I had GentleBen (www.boresightsolutions.com) work mine over with a shave/stipple job. Now they fit me much better and I'm able to shoot them well without having to adjust too much.

The 19 is one of the best, most efficient carry pieces ever created IMO (and I say this as a man who spent a long time and a LOT of money trying out pretty much everything else I could before going Glock).
 
between a glock and a bersa i'll take the glock every time.

imho glocks are one of the better handguns available today, plenty accurate, plenty reliable, priced well, durable, a great pistol imho.

the ergo's on glocks, for me, are fine, some with a smaller hand might disagree though, my wife, for one, had small hands and didnt like glocks at all.
 
mete said:
Some guns can be easily changed to fit your hand. The 1911 has either the straight or curved mainspring housing. The HK P2000 and P30 have even greater changes possible and the S&W M&P is similar .
Click to expand...
Do NOT buy the Smith as it is a variant of the Walther P99, whihch does not deserve to have the Walther name anywhere near it, much less stamped on the pistol. I am a huge Walther fan. I have 2 PPK variants, a P5 and my ultimate lusted after hi-cap 9mm has always been the full size P88. My dad and all three brothers each have a PPK/S. I bought a P99, shot it once and put it away. My dad and two of my brothers had the same impression. A POS by Walther standards.
 
I'mGatMan! said:
Man...after owning the XD, Walther p99, a Springfield EMP (9mm 1911) and a Kimber SS Pro TLE/RLII, I ended up with a Glock 19 and a Glock 21sf. My opinion on guns is that more than aesthetic beauty, I just want it to go bang when I press the kill switch. Had my 1911's fail multiple times during a training class and decided I just didn't want to deal with that.

That said, the ergos on Glocks are terrible IMO. That's why I had GentleBen (www.boresightsolutions.com) work mine over with a shave/stipple job. Now they fit me much better and I'm able to shoot them well without having to adjust too much.

The 19 is one of the best, most efficient carry pieces ever created IMO (and I say this as a man who spent a long time and a LOT of money trying out pretty much everything else I could before going Glock).
Click to expand...
Personally, I would have kept the Kimber:D
 
jdm61 said:
Do NOT buy the Smith as it is a variant of the Walther P99, whihch does not deserve to have the Walther name anywhere near it, much less stamped on the pistol. I am a huge Walther fan. I have 2 PPK variants, a P5 and my ultimate lusted after hi-cap 9mm has always been the full size P88. My dad and all three brothers each have a PPK/S. I bought a P99, shot it once and put it away. My dad and two of my brothers had the same impression. A POS by Walther standards.
Click to expand...

I haven't shot the walther, but the smith is a top seller at the local range. I got to try one out for free and was very impressed. It points naturally, is plenty accurate and you can currently buy one for about $400 with 4 full capacity magazines (high cap mags are a thing of the bradys and other anti gun nonsense). As an added bonus its made in the USA. I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I was looking for another pistol on a budget.



I will also say that the buckmark from browning is a great gun to start with. Very similar grip angle to most centerfire pistols, reliable and very accurate. Take down procedure is very simple, although its not something that has to be done very often. And they're made in the USA too :thumbup:
 
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