buying first pistol

SIFU1A said:
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.
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The Taurus allows lock and cock or decock options. I also fired both and enjoyed both. I see why the 92 has become the service pistol for the last 20 years. Only wish hollow points could be allow it would end the 9 vs 45 debate.

586 is a fine choice. I perfer the ss over blue. So for me it is my 686
 
The G19 is the finest combat 9mm ever produced. You should be able to find one for $500.

The Bersa is no where close to being the gun the Glock is----quit being cheap.
Another thing---the Bersa is blow back operated--so the recoil will be quite snappy.
 
Explain is a joke? In most gun shops and during range time if I see a bersa owner I ask them if they enjy the pistol and if they have run into problems. Most who like them and the cost was right for them.
 
gun test is imho one of the more reliable sources for info on firearms, imho lots better than the typical gun mag, of course good/bad is at least to some degree a subjective thing.

glock 17/19/26 is a great platform and is, imho, one of the very best combat 9MM's around, as good as anything, i like kahr's poly 9MM compacts (ie P9 & PM9) a little better for edc, they are smaller/liter/thinner, and just as reliable/accurate but nothijng at all wrong with glocks of any calibre or size, imho.

i suppose a bersa might be "ok" but its never gonna be in the class of glock/SIG/kahr/etc, not to me anyway. of course its a lot cheaper than the aforementioned.

if i am gonna trust my life to a pistol, edc it, depend on it, i am gonna want something a little better than a bersa, but then i'm a gun nut lol, & have the disposable income to spend as i wanna spend, i can remember the day though when my money situation dictated stuff more like star, raven, etc, so i can feel ya in that regard too.

if i was looking in the lower price ranges i would strongly consider kel-tec, imho they are the biggest bang for the least buck, and i have had great luck with them.

i just dont care for the looks/ergos/and most of all the name bersa, i can rememeber when they werent held in very high regard by anyone lol.
 
Sifu1a, thank you. I agree about gun test. It is one source along with others mag to gain infomation from. I also agree bersa is no high end pistol. But for few hundred it not bad. True you could get a used glock/sig/hk or other for a few hundred but finding a gem could be a challenage. I have mix fellings on Kel-tec, heard good and bad. Like any company, it could be a batch of bad apples that slipped though. Mainly the bad reports were on the mouse calibers and not 9mm. I myself would like to try the p-11. I like it is an alloy frame not plastic. I never like polymer frames. Why, because it is a personal choice. I owned a glock 19 and 23 both fine pistols. But currently I have 686 and sp101. Plus a pt92 in my safe, along with my mossberg 590.
 
Shoot a .22 revolver or an auto first if that doesn't do it for you try a .38 or 9mm if that still doesn't do it for you go .45 all the way. Kimber or Springfield in the 1911 style or Springfield XD for a polimer pistol (like the Glock) is an excelent choice and not too pricey. Some like the XD over the Glock hands down. But whatever you buy SHOOT it FIRST. Buy what works best fot YOU.
 
superduty truck said:
Sifu1a, thank you. I agree about gun test. It is one source along with others mag to gain infomation from. I also agree bersa is no high end pistol. But for few hundred it not bad. True you could get a used glock/sig/hk or other for a few hundred but finding a gem could be a challenage. I have mix fellings on Kel-tec, heard good and bad. Like any company, it could be a batch of bad apples that slipped though. Mainly the bad reports were on the mouse calibers and not 9mm. I myself would like to try the p-11. I like it is an alloy frame not plastic. I never like polymer frames. Why, because it is a personal choice. I owned a glock 19 and 23 both fine pistols. But currently I have 686 and sp101. Plus a pt92 in my safe, along with my mossberg 590.
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i too have heard bad things about probs with keltec P3AT's, not too much bad about the P32 & THE 9mm'S, if ya like the P11 but arent nutz about keltec the taurus millenium (PT111 IIRC) is the same thing, not just close, the same thing, the taurus might IIRC have a frame mounted 1911 style safety while the KT doesnt, IIRC, but other than that pretty much the same, i have had both FWIW and they too were both good pistols for the $$.
 
I looked at the Buckmark and MkIII today, pretty solid pieces for target shooting. I'm still undecided...
 
I have a Bersa Thunder 380 black on black with the seven round magazine and i love it. The gun is slim and easy to carry, fires well and accurate, feels great, and is a great value (i got mine for around $140.00 USD) I am really pleased with it and i am glad i did not buy my other which was a Kel-Tec P-3AT
 
I did my research years ago and ended up with: GLOCK. Here's why.
1) Easiest interface to learn. Least cognitive overhead, therefore, best error mitigation.
2) A GLOCK 31 For example, can be fitted with a 22 upper + Special mag. This allows you to get your footing as a beginner. Once you're past that stage...
3) Reattach the G31 Upper or a G22 Upper For bigger bore defense practice and shooting
With Glock, each gun is basically three calibers in one!
Stock G31 is 357SIG (A POWERFUL Round)
Swap in a G22 Barrel or G35 Barrel or Uppers and you're now shooting .40S&W For cheaper shots with less recoil.
I admit, buying the Advantage Arms kit (http://www.advantagearms.com/) is pricey. But it has two advantages:
1- It's less than an entire 22
2- It trains you for the same gun as the more powerful calibers
3- It has excellent resale value once you're done with the training wheels
 
That does sound interesting... I am very tempted by the Glock's keep-it-stupid-simple design. I'm just not sure I like the idea of a double action only gun. Yes consistent trigger pull, but always long.
 
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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+1 on the Kimber:thumbup:They're pricey for a reason.Best pistol I've ever owned.They shoot like a dream:)
 
Again take a look at 686p. It the one on my nightstand and the taurus 92 is also near by. Everynight I unlock my safe to also get my 590 out. With alarms, dogs, cells phones and firearms I feel safe in my home...Got love city life.
 
It's kinda hard to tell ya which gun to get when you're not too specific as there's soo many different types....but in terms of the different ammo's:

.22 (get a browning match gun or ruger match gun)

.9mm (get a F&N FNP 9mm or a browning/F&N hi power...though the hi power would have to be used for that price range)

.45 (on the cheaper end, the F&N/springfield XD/S&W M&P........more expensive side :D a SA 1911, Colt, or some other ;))

For a wheel gun which would probably be my highest recommendation I'd go with a Smith and Wesson 686 with either a 4 or 5 inch barrel. You'd be spending around $700 for a new one, but you can get a used one around $450....you can shoot both 38 special AND 357 magum out of them. They come in 6 and 7 round configurations. Check out www.budsgunshop.com to check out pricing and guns....I've bought a couple off them and love their customer service and pricing.

The Ruger is also a good .357 as well....for a cheaper price too...looks sweet in blued!
 
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Why yes it is :D good eye! I wanted one for about a year and didn't sleep the night before I got to pick it up at the FFL. :p it's incredibly smooth after the trigger job too...was nice from the factory, but now it's smoove like buddah. It can shoot as accurate as you can aim too :) I was shooting clay pidgeons off the face of a large boulder at about 75 yards with iron sights the other day. Shoots ragged holes at the range all day. I won't hesitate to recommend this puppy....nice to be able to save a few bucks and shoot 38's (or have your wife/GF be able to shoot comfortably). That extra inch helps tame those monster loads a little over the 4'' too. It's an excellent all around gun, especially since between the 38 and 357 you've got the widest selection of factory and hand load options of any pistol out there....it's a real joy to shoot! Putting 38's through it is like shooting a .22 :p
 
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