Help With My First Handgun

I personally like Single action/ double action, makes the gun much more inherently accurate IMO, i have an XDM .40 and it is not very accurate because of the heavy trigger pull, plus i am not a pistol expert
 
If you are looking to your first pistol then perhaps it is easier to give some general points to think over rather than specific makes .... the choices can then drop into place ....

Your first pistol should be one with adjustable sights .... if you have never shot pistols much before .... nothing is more demoralising than having good initial technique only to find that the round which groups tightest with your pistol hits at 1.00 ocklock or wherever in the inner 4 .... or inner 9 .... instead of the bull .... being able to adjust the sights is the most important thing for good technique and confidence.

Next up is the trigger .... a good single action pull trigger will enable far better accuracy than a sloppy or heavy one .... so an adjustable trigger to break at what feels best for you will be another big bonus in learning to shoot well .... avoid Double Action Only pistols .... and note that if the pistol has a double action first round option it is very likely to have a bit of creep in the trigger if shooting single action which you are likely to do all the time on a range. Triggers such as Glocks which have a safety in the trigger tend to have the worst triggers of all .... generally speaking .... there are those with good triggers and then there are after market triggers .... but having a light trigger on a gun with no manual safety is something else to think about and not perhaps for your first pistol.

Then there are differences in grip width .... mainly by way of a double stacked magazine and a single stacked magazine .... using a two handed grip a double stack is not so much of an issue .... shooting one handed and the ergonomics of the grip become more significant .... if you are going to compete in disciplines involving off hand shooting then think about it but for most people a double stacked magazine is not an issue ....

Recoil .... pistols with plastic slides and frames kick more than those with a steel slide and frame .... unless they have a muzzle compensator .... in which case they will not kick at all .... steel frames however with a large fully loaded double stack magazine are heavy though .... if carrying the pistol for long periods is potentially relevant ... otherwise the heavier the pistol .... usually the easier it is to stay on target when shooting ....

Value for money .... if you are looking for a lot of bang for your buck consider a second hand pistol ... in 9mm it is virtually impossible for the barrel to be shot out .... going for a higher spec and saving cash from a brand new spec within a given budget is well worthwhile IMO .... especially if you are getting into custom features on a pistol ....

The only way to go though is as others have suggested .... try before you buy ....


Let us know what you decide upon .... :thumbup:
 
rega25 said:
I personally like Single action/ double action, makes the gun much more inherently accurate IMO, i have an XDM .40 and it is not very accurate because of the heavy trigger pull, plus i am not a pistol expert
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I find the exact opposite.

I hate double/single action transition.

I can shoot much better with DAO, or SAO. When you combine them I don't like it.

That said, with a decent trigger, a DA/SA can be ok. My dad has a CZ 45 that seem to have a very decent double action and single action trigger. I really don't have a hard time with it at all.

I have shot Rugers, Sigs, Beretta, S&W, HK, CZ, Walther, Para, Kimber, custom 1911's, Browning High Power, Glocks, and many many others.

Just about the only one I have not shot is an XD. I have played with them many times, but just can't remember firing one?

I have shot
 
The xdm is a cool package for about $550 with the case and all the goodies, plus 16+ 1 is not bad either
 
rega25 said:
good post, what is your favorite?
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I only have one pistol .... I keep it in Switzerland and compete in Europe when I can afford to .... I just got this recently after selling a long owned Sig P210 which I had for IPSC comps .... this is the CZ Czechmate and is ready to go for the open division .... I am getting it fitted with Novak front and rear sights for practical use so I can take off the c-more slide mount and cocking arm and use it for both disciplines .... it is a 9mm and very expensive .... but I got a good price for the Sig ....

4843194753_0158d_1f_564_b-tm-tfb1.jpg
 
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Here is a photo of my priciest 9mm, specifically a Sig P210-5LS:

p210-5ls-left-full.jpg


If you can find one (less than 1,000 were made), it'll be at least $5K, and that's without the Nill grips.

Oh, and here is a photo of my "user" Sig P210 (P210-2) with hard chrome finish, Nill grips, Nill beavertail, and Novak's low-mount combat sights:

p210-2-hc-left-full.jpg
 
those are some pretty swee looking nina's. at hat price they need to be FA or have at 2 wheels and a seat though.


this would be high on my list if it was my first purchase of a handgun. Its the FNH FNX9 or 40... I hope to snag one sooner or later. I already own the FNP45 and it's a great gun.

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Hubby has a thing for big guns, he's also a huge guy... As far as I know most of his are 1911s and in concession to my size he got me a .380 llama which is sturdy and fits in my purse! Also look into an xdm, a buddy got one for his first and is totally in love with it! Good luck and try going to your local indoor range, see if you can rent out a couple of different kinds!
 
Yes those are some beautiful P210's Lunde .... I particularly like the long slide P210-5 with the side mounted mag release.... I saw them at the 2005 ( I think or may be the 2006 ) Shot Show ... they were the last ones done I believe .....

The only thing against them in competitions is the magazine capacity .... hence my swapping to the CZ .....

To get back on topic though .... for the OP in his price range I would think the CZ 75 B SA with an after market swap on the sights to adjustable Novak's would be a great choice .... good value for money and a great single action only adjustable trigger with great sights once swapped. He could do it all within budget too .... and the CZ's shoot every bit as accurately as the Sig's in my experience ....
 
All handguns require cleaning........ even Glock's. I've seen a friends 21 malfuntion every other round because he bought into the 'Glock's require no maintainance' crap. Any quality semi-auto from a reputable maker will serve you well if it is properly cared for. That being said... I shoot and carry 1911's and see no reason to change.
 
Glock 30 SF. You cant beat the .45 and this is the best shooting and most accurate glock pistol I've shot. The G19 is a great little gun too, but Id recommend the G30 SF.

Two other pistols I own that are really nice is the CZ-P01 in 9mm and the Makarov.

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What do you all think about the fnh 5-7? Anyone shot the infamous rifle/pistol, The ammo is expensive, I have a fnar heavy barrel but that is where my relationship with fnh ends
 
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I have carried the glock model 22 which is the full frame .40 caliber on duty for 10 plus years. I trust my life to it and confident it will always do it's job. that is unless the bad guy has a long gun then he has the edge....but isn't that the case always :rolleyes:

J
 
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