First pistol. need suggestions

clich

clich

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Apr 19, 2011
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With my tax return i will be buying my first pistol. I have a few rifles and shotguns already so i will primarily be buying it for fun, and i hope to get a concealed weapons permit so i can carry it daily. Now thats where i need some suggestions. Im not really a gun nut, so i dont really know which is better than what etc. So Im looking for something i can easily conceal, is well built, fun to shoot, reliable, etc. should i go with a revolver or a semi auto? why? thanks
 
Ive also been looking into getting a first pistol, though carrying it is illegal up here, and the mags have to be pinned to 10 rounds...sucks. Anyways I was looking between the CZ75, SP01, and the CZ85 for metal-frame autos. The CZ pistols have a reputation for being nearly competition-level right outta the box, and all for a very reasonable price. However I keep leaning back to the dark side, and wanting a polymer frame like a Glock or S&W M&P. I grew up shooting my dad's duty Glock 22, and found it to be the most comfortable, accurate pistol I've shot. My friend has a big-bucks 1911 that we shoot often, and I still like the feel of the Glock. In terms of caliber, 9mm makes practical sense for me, I'll never be able to carry it as a defense weapon anyway... but .40SW is my favorite caliber to shoot.

Good luck with the pistol research, I'll be watching this thread closely Clich.
 
Glock 19
its the only pistol i own and i cant find a reason to buy another

my glock is my edc carry gun some people might find it to be a little large but i have no problems carrying it
and i personally love the fact i know without a shadow of a doubt when the trigger is pulled the gun will fire
 
I suggest a Ruger Mark lll. Excellent first pistol. Comes in many variations. Cheap to buy, Cheap to shoot. You will never outgrow it or wear it out. You can plink, target shoot, hunt and pass it down. Will last many lifetimes. You wont go on a hike without it. It's a quality gun proven over decades
 
I'd say one of the first things to decide is if you want a full metal (usually steel framed) or polymer framed handgun. Some people like the heft (and recoil reducing) abilities of an all steel framed handgun. Other people think all steel is too heavy and prefer poly frames. The other equally important thing to decide is caliber, which will often dictate how often you shoot because of the cost of ammo. Of course all of this should be thought of while you're deciding on budget.

CZ 75/85/97 (I think it's 97 for .45) are all tried and true and reasonably priced. Great choice for all steel, as are all of the variants out there like Jericho 941s, EAA Witnesses.
XD and XDM (real name is HS2000, but once imported to the US, they're rebranded as XD), M&Ps, and the aforementioned Glocks are great polymers. I prefer the XD and M&P for ergos. Glocks feel bad imo. One thing I particularly like about the XD is that it has a grip safety like 1911s have. It's just an added safety feature. Beyond that, all 3 are safe action type, strike fired pistols.

Higher end polymer would be an HK. I have my HK set up to mimic a striker fired gun by converting it to HK's LEM trigger system which gives me one trigger pull as opposed to a DA/SA. But I still retain the feel of a hammer fired weapon, which I prefer over striker fired.

I prefer an all steel framed gun myself, but am shooting an HK45 lately. I also reload, so while the HK is polymer, my reloads make the gun handle like a steel framed handgun since I can control the recoil characteristics by selecting the powder and adjusting the powder charge. I have a full power load that feels like I'm shooting a 9mm steel handgun, even though I'm shooting a 185grain .45 hollowpoint.

Which brings me to my last point. If you reload, you can shoot a lot more often and for a lot less. The downside is that reloading can be pretty expensive to start depending on what loading press you get, unless you want to do everything by hand. Beyond that, some of the higher end powders aren't cheap. Still though, in the end, I'm shooting .45s for about 10 cents a round.
 
Kahr Arms PM9, 9mm, 6 round mag, Comes with a 7 round mag also, Very reliable, Fits in the back pocket of my jeans or my vest pocket of my riding vest, Runs about $625 but you can get the CM9 for a couple hundred less. There are cheaper pistols but what is your life or the life of a family member worth?
KahrArmsPM-9.jpg
 
The CZ is an excellent choice. I have had a 75B, and a 75 D PCR for over 12 years and they have been flawless. I also have the .22LR Kadet Kit conversion that works on any CZ-75 variant and allows excellent practice, and fun plinking for cheap. It is very accurate also, as are the centerfire calibers.
 
Not knowing how large/small your hands are or any sensitivities to recoil it's a bit of a challenge to make a good recommendation. However, you mentioned easily concealed so i'll start there though i will try to be brief.

Firstly, a handgun needs to "feel right" when you're holding/firing it - meaning it needs to fit your hand/hands well.

Secondly, the size of the firearm needs to meet your needs - you mentioned easily concealed so a medium to small framed handgun will serve best.

Thirdly, a firearm for personal defense must be absolutely reliable, easy to use and reasonably accurate.

Finally, the firearm's chosen cartridge must have enough capability to "stop the threat" immediately, provided you're using premium ammunition.

There are other things to consider, but these 1st four comprise the initial screening grid i use.

For a 1st time handgun owner, maintaining the desire for concealability, i'd suggest a Glock 23 (.40S&W).

I've owned and fired quite a few handguns and Glocks never fail (or very, very rarely). Don't be put off by how a handgun looks aesthetically, keep in mind the reason you have it - it's all about function and Glocks function flawlessly and are super easy to use.

The Glock model 23 is a compact (medium-sized) frame so will be great in a CCW/concealment role.

Finally, the .40S&W is a great caliber for self-defense. It's either becoming or has become the most-used caliber in police departments across the US. It has more than adequate power to be a threat-stopper, but doesn't have heavy recoil so it's easy to shoot - easy and fun to practice with.

OK, there you have it - my quick and dirty 1st-time-handgun-owner's recommendation.
 
I'd recommend anything from CZ, and they have every size you can think of so you can find a good balance between a carry gun and a range gun.

A Commander size 1911, maybe even a compact 1911 would fit the job too, and since 99% of 1911s are single stack you're only looking a 8 rounds mags anyway (usually).

Revolvers have a lot of variables. Usually larger calibers so usually more expensive to shoot. Hell, .357 is starting to get up there in price.

Best thing I could say is go to an many gun stores as possible and handle as many as possible to see what you like. If you know anyone with handguns or your shops have shooting ranges, shoot various calibers and types of pistols. It's about the best thing I could recommend then come back and make a list of your likes and dislikes so we can narrow are suggestions a bit.
 
If you haven't been around pistols much and are planning on eventually carrying it, you need to be honest with yourself about how much time you are willing to spend with it training.

If you are going to carry a semi auto, you need to practice how to respond if you have a failure to cycle.
It may never happen, but if it happens in a high stress situation, you need to be able to handle it just on second nature.

A lot of people aren't comfortable carrying any pistol concealed, with a round in the chamber. If that makes you uneasy go with the revolver. Carrying a semi auto, if you ever needed to draw your gun, you are going to have to be able to cycle a round in the chamber very quickly, and that may be time you don't have, in a bad situation.
IMHO, anyone that is to nervous to carry a semi auto with a round in the chamber, probably shouldn't be carrying it.

A revolver is a good choice also, and very simple. Take it out of the holster, pull the trigger and it goes bang.
 
Get yourself a Glock 23...This is a very good .40 cal pistol that is "good to go" right out of the box. Get an Uncle Mike's Super Belt-Slide holster to carry it in, and load up the M23 with some Federal Hydra-Shoks or Remington Golden Saber ammo.
 
Thanks very much for the responses guys. To answer a few questions I missed. I have a large glove sized hand. I am not scared of recoil, well at least not with any long guns, I've shot everything from a .17 up to a .458, so I don't think a hard kicking pistol will scare me. Although admittedly the first time pulling the trigger i will have a little nervousness but that's just being human. I am going to carry it as soon as I can get a LTCF and I'm not scared or carrying with one in the chamber, granted I have a good sheath. That's what safety's are for. I am actually more concerned with a revolver with one in the chamber since the hammer seems more exposed and easier to knock and cause an accidental discharge. I also worry about timing with revolvers.

Now as far as caliber goes there seem to be so many different schools of thought. I was thinking 40 myself, but I've also heard that for a concealed carry non combat weapon that something smaller like a 380 or even a 22 is enough gun cuz lets face it, it still freaking hurts. But then I also heard those referred to as mouse guns and not worth their weight since you can get a 9mm is the same size package as most 380's. I've looked at Glock and smith and Wesson mainly only because those seem to fit my price point. I want to stay around $500, and less is always better. I may gain some wiggle room depending if I decide to trade in a browning auto loader that doesn't get used, and how much I'm offered for it.

So I guess I'd like to know what caliber is recommended and also is there a quality in the waistband, under the shirt type sheath? I want to conceal it so having it on the belt won't work too well. I was considering shoulder carry but when summer gets here that will be harder to conceal. Thanks again guys
 
if you are new to handguns, a small 40 is not as pleasant to learn to shoot correctly as a small 9 (9 practice ammo is a lot cheaper too)... a kydex holster with a hip paddle is more comfortable if you can conceal it with an outer garment....for tuckable inside the wasteband look at a Milt Sparks Versa Max II or a knockoff by another quality leather worker
 
If you're just getting into pistols, find yourself a good used Ruger .22. Any of them. Take it out and burn a few thousand rounds (cheap) , fall in love, learn a bunch. Then go from there.
 
Don't be worried about an AD with a revolver. Pretty much all revolvers after 72 or so (some companies did it before then) had transfer bars installed making it impossible for a revolver to be dropped and go off. With old revolvers, the hammer actually contacts the firing pin. On new revolvers, when the trigger is pulled back the transfer bar rises and the hammer contacts the transfer bar which then contacts the firing pin. When the trigger is released the bar slides down and you can see the hammer reset and more further out and not contact the firing pin.


Also, out of curiosity, which state do you live in? I ask because some states have large capacity mag bans which would also narrow down the selection (in my earlier post I had Haze420's comments mixed up with your own so I threw in that 1911 magazine capacity comment)
 
You're fine then. As for caliber, I'm partial to 230 grain FMJ .45 acp, but that's just me. You're not concerned about size or weight (within reason) so I'd advise against a 380.

40 is a good self protection round, but more expensive to shoot than a 9mm or 45, but cost only becomes a major factor when you shoot a ton. With a 40 too, you run the risk of overpenetration more than a slow .45 so you'd have to use hollow points for self protection (if you're worried about overpenetration, IMO if they overpenetrated, then I got full penetration, but I also use slow rounds, not super fast, but that's neither here nor there)

I'd still recommend a CZ if they fit your hand, but they are heavy (the all steel versions) so you'd have to get a good sturdy belt and holster for IWB. The P07 would be a lot lighter.
 
Thanks. Is there any major differences besides weight and recoil suppression between a polymer and steel body? If I don't NEED the extra weight I'd rather not carry it. But if positively affects performance then I can consider that a need.
 
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