buying first pistol

People either love or hate the Glock ergo's, the 19/23 just happen to fit like an extension of my hand with a natural point, I LOVE it
 
Matt Shade said:
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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f you had ever handled a P88, you might say yes, this pistol is worth 3+ times as much at it's 1990 price as the the P99 type is today. It was a work of art. Slim like a Hi-power with one of the best control setups ever.
 
There are many fine recommendations above. Learning to shoot a pistol is much easier and affordable with a .22 if that is possible. Whatever pistol you choose, handle it, handle it, and handle it some more. The more familiar your hands become with the pistol, the more effective you will be with it. O.K., I will go ahead and push a pistol. For learning, I would recommend a Ruger MkII or a Browning Buckmark .22. I've had both, both are great. I tend to lean toward H&K when it comes to a self defense pistol.
 
Lots of good advice here and I wouldn't strongly disagree with any of it. But your original post had the most wisdom of all. :cool: Go to the range and rent and try some before shelling (sorry) out the bucks. If you know this is the beginning of something then I'd second the idea of a .22. Lots of pros go back to it when they are having a time finding the site picture or just need to work on basics. But don't depend on it for self-defense (unless you are in an area where loud noises are sufficient).

My preference- 1911A1- Kimber especially (but way over $500 for the good ones)
Walther PPK is in your price range- if you go bigger it is a keeper for concealed or home defense. (I like Walther but am also sensitive to the US issue- especially now!)
Sig - Partly because they fit my smallish hands- and the Seals aren't usually too far off about such things.
Glock- great pieces. I just don't like the way they feel in my hands. (Nope- none of them.)

My last thought on this is back to the beginning. People are fiercely loyal to their handgun of choice. Go to the range, borrow or shoot with friends etc BEFORE purchasing. You'll spend way less money that way and be much happier.
 
Don't laugh but Taurus pt92 is a great pistol owned three in my life. I perfer revolvers and the 357mag as an all round home/outdoor gun. New ones under 500 used around 350. The one in my collection now is from the early 2000's before the rail thing. Shot over 5000 rounds at 250 rounds per shooting and had a few troubles. The ammo was the cause, shooting reloads from cabela's. And the only problem due to the pistol was an aftermarket mag than jammed the pistol after racking the slide. Feeds Federal hst, Winchester silvertips, remington golden saber and double tap which uses gold dots. I have not tried corbon yet. Very comfortable to shoot and a great pistol to learn from. It was mine as Dad and I went shooting.
 
Take the $500 and find a nice used or certified pre-owned Sig Sauer. I'd go with the P220 (.45) or P226 in .40 or 9mm.
 
What, no one likes the wheelies anymore? I recently got a Ruger SP101, 2 1/4 bbl, .38+P or .357. Very nice gun. For a 22, I'll stick with my MK II.
 
SPXTrader said:
What, no one likes the wheelies anymore? I recently got a Ruger SP101, 2 1/4 bbl, .38+P or .357. Very nice gun. For a 22, I'll stick with my MK II.
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I LOVE my Dan Wesson .44.....most accurate .44 i've ever shot. Made in the late 70s in Monson, MA. Plus, I have four different barrels and it comes with a takedown tool allowing you to switch barrel lenghts and adjust the cylinder gap to your specs.

Not a beginner gun, tho....
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For beginners I would choose a revolver because it is easy to operate. I would choose a 357 Magnum like the Ruger GP100. You can start out shooting .38 specials in it and then if you want a GREAT self defense round shoot 125 grain hp 357 Magnums. If you are doing a lot of target shooting you may want to get a .22 also. If you shop around you may be able to find a good deal on both and not spend over $500. If you are going to choose a semi auto then get a good .40 or .45 auto. If you like Glock then they make guns in both .40 and .45. GOOD LUCK! Kevin
 
I know this sounds like sacrilege to all the Glock owners, but the Springfield XD forums at www.xdtalk.com are FILLED with owners who all say the ergonomics of the XD are better. Many started with Glocks, and switched after trying the XD. Don't shoot a Glock, and assume you won't like the XD because it is similar. Rent them both if you decide you want to try a polymer auto.

Good luck.
 
mtechthang said:
Lots of good advice here and I wouldn't strongly disagree with any of it. But your original post had the most wisdom of all. :cool: Go to the range and rent and try some before shelling (sorry) out the bucks. If you know this is the beginning of something then I'd second the idea of a .22. Lots of pros go back to it when they are having a time finding the site picture or just need to work on basics. But don't depend on it for self-defense (unless you are in an area where loud noises are sufficient).

My preference- 1911A1- Kimber especially (but way over $500 for the good ones)
Walther PPK is in your price range- if you go bigger it is a keeper for concealed or home defense. (I like Walther but am also sensitive to the US issue- especially now!)
Sig - Partly because they fit my smallish hands- and the Seals aren't usually too far off about such things.
Glock- great pieces. I just don't like the way they feel in my hands. (Nope- none of them.)

My last thought on this is back to the beginning. People are fiercely loyal to their handgun of choice. Go to the range, borrow or shoot with friends etc BEFORE purchasing. You'll spend way less money that way and be much happier.
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The PPK variants have been made in the US since the 1978. Ranger Arms built a plant in Alabama because the PPK, for some reason, could not be imported because it was deemed to be a "Satruday Night Special" or something silly like that. The PPK/S, which is a PPK slide and a full sized PP frame, was a hybrid made for the US market to avoid such troubles. My first PPK/S, which I still own, was a blued carbon steel one made in the first year they were building them in Alabama. Since 2007, Smith and Wesson has been building tham and, with the exception of the full sized PP and the new PPK/E, ALL PPK models are built in the US by Smith. I guess Manhurin isn't building them in France anymore.
 
Wow! Thanks for all the responses!

I had looked at the Walther P22. I'm not against starting with a .22 at all. I didn't really like the feel of the Glock's grip either. The Bersa was far more comfortable. I didn't handle any of the revolvers but a couple of them caught my eye so I'm not against them either. I think though I might want a revolver over a .22, not sure. I like that a .22 is cheap and ammo is cheap and I could go out in the desert with it when I'm bored and nobody would be the wiser...
 
Jediknight start with a 686 plus shoot 38 and work your way up to 357. Unless you are a swat member most self defense shooting you shoot off a couble rounds. Revolver has no safeties. If you are sleeping and are awaken this comes in handy. Thats why my chioce is the 686. I save my auto for range time. It is the safety that I must remember to disengage to fire the pistol. In the heat of the moment I might forget to do it.
 
kda89508 said:
For beginners I would choose a revolver because it is easy to operate. I would choose a 357 Magnum like the Ruger GP100.
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+1

Ruger GP100 is nice and heavy- even recoil from .357 mag is mild.
S&W 686 is another contender depending on how it fits your hand.
 
Bit off the subject. Do they still make the Browing Hi power? Never managed to own one (short supply in Zim) but for ergo point and shoot they were always fast to draw and on the mark for me.

My Glock always used to shoot 2" to the right what ever I did. (but for no one else) Packmier grips helped though. My Step father has a G18 mag for his Glock 19. A bit of humour some 9 years back but it sits full beside his bed in Zim.
 
AF said:
+1

Ruger GP100 is nice and heavy- even recoil from .357 mag is mild.
S&W 686 is another contender depending on how it fits your hand.
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Both top choices aftermarket grips both can fit a wide types of hands to make the recoil of the magnum easier.
 
Tim-Gabz said:
Bit off the subject. Do they still make the Browing Hi power? Never managed to own one (short supply in Zim) but for ergo point and shoot they were always fast to draw and on the mark for me.

My Glock always used to shoot 2" to the right what ever I did. (but for no one else) Packmier grips helped though. My Step father has a G18 mag for his Glock 19. A bit of humour some 9 years back but it sits full beside his bed in Zim.
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Browning yes along with a few clones like daly, norinco, feg
 
superduty truck said:
Don't laugh but Taurus pt92 is a great pistol owned three in my life. I perfer revolvers and the 357mag as an all round home/outdoor gun. New ones under 500 used around 350. The one in my collection now is from the early 2000's before the rail thing. Shot over 5000 rounds at 250 rounds per shooting and had a few troubles. The ammo was the cause, shooting reloads from cabela's. And the only problem due to the pistol was an aftermarket mag than jammed the pistol after racking the slide. Feeds Federal hst, Winchester silvertips, remington golden saber and double tap which uses gold dots. I have not tried corbon yet. Very comfortable to shoot and a great pistol to learn from. It was mine as Dad and I went shooting.
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i have also had good luck with taurus 92s, i also have a berretta 92 and not a whole lotta differece there, main thing to me is the berretta trigger is a little to a lot better, other than that pretty similar to one another (well, the safetys are different too) but imho they both are a little large to carry really the only con to the design imho.

like the 586/686 S&W's too, got a couple of 586's, a 4" bbl fixed site and a 6" bbl adjustable, both great pistols, i like the blue ones vs the stainless. why? i just like the way they look better, nothing wrong with SS at all.
 
superduty truck said:
Browning yes along with a few clones like daly, norinco, feg
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Yes. I bought one of the early ones with the bigger amibidextrous safety that was "assembled in Portugal" back in the early 90's. The only thing I never likes about them were the sqaurish wood grips on the originals. I bought a pair of Pachmyr wraparounds and did the same thig I did with my PPK/S. But off the front "wraparound" strp with an Exacto knife and ended up with two very slim 1911 style grip panels....viola....a slim double stack 9 made even slimmer and more comfy. Some folks don't like the HP because it is single action and must be carried "cocked and locked". I am a 1911 fan, so it doesn't bother me.
 
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