Need Some Help Finding My First Gun

BlackHills said:
Since you don't have experience with any of the firearms I would suggest trying to find a range where you can rent the various models and get some time behind the trigger. After you handle them you may have a much better idea of what you like and dislike. Think of it this way....would you buy a car without taking it for a test drive?

The recommendation to check with your preferred Dept. isn't a bad idea but not all that important IMO. If you like the Sig best and they use the Glock then I'd still buy the Sig. It is your personal firearm so you should own what you want; if the Dept you end up working for uses something else (or even the same firearm for that matter) you're going to be trained on it the way they want in any event.



And that reason is almost always economics.
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I do in fact have experiance in firing pistols, i have shot the sig sauer p226 about 10 times, my brother owns a glock 23 so ive had the pleasure of shooting it a lot, the 1911 is another one he owns so i too have shot it as well. When i shot the p226 it was in .40 S&W which i thought was the perfect caliber for me, it wasnt too strong of a kick but still delivered a devastating shot. The glock ive heard is very reliable like all of you are saying, the 1911 does cost a lot to shoot so im not sure it should be my first one. I feel the sig would be the best pistol because: there is a .22 conversion system for i believe 200 and would be a great addition to shooting. I think a 9mm would be a better choice just because it is cheaper to shoot. My brother does have a remington 870 that was a previous police officers it was his first gun and its held up amazingly, especially since it was used in duty before and now my brother uses it for hunting and trap shooting.
 
the 9 is a better choice. while i dont suggest 115 gr ammo, you can make 2 115 gr JHPs vs 1 230 gr .45 slug. that makes the 9mm cheaper to shoot. cheap=more ammo, and more ammo=more practice. practice makes perfect LOL! todays advances in bullet technology have closed the gap between 9/40/45 too. ive put down some big deer with a 9mm hydra-shok in their tracks, and them sobs are alot tougher than you think.
 
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btw, Sig is good stuff, i have a few myself, but the DA/SA trigger is more difficult to master. you wanna practice cheap, just buy a .22 pistol. you can learn fundamentals on nearly any pistol with enough practice.
 
Get either a Glock or a SIG. Both are easy to get magazines and accessories for and every holster maker has carry gear available for them, and both are proven weapons. BTW, like the SIG, you can get a .22 conversion unit for the Glock...google search "Advantage Arms". Shotguns? The SPAS 12 convertable pump/auto shotgun does look "cool"...but they have been found to be bulky, heavy, and unreliable. An old school pump like a Remington 870 or Mossberg 590, are more reliable, cheaper and lighter.

TR Graham
The Glocksmith
 
Glocks are the only "plastic" guns that I have ever shot that I liked. The are especially good for newbies as theergonomics of the full sized models make them point as naturally as a good Smith revolver.
I am a diehard Walther guy, so when I decided that I couldn't afford a full sized P88 at $1500+, as much as a REALLY wanted one (the 88 may have been the greatest double stack 9mm of all time, but it was priced accordingly) and the P99 came out, I ran right out and bought one, having owned a couple of PPKS's and a P5. The gun did not deserve to have the Walther name stamped on it IMO. I also like the metal SIG's. I had a P220 in .45 that my father is currently using as a house gun (he carries a Kimber Custom Shop compact 1911)and it is a NICE gun. My younger brother has a bunch of guns, including some Glocks and his go to carry piece is the single stack Sig P239 in .40.
 
If I were buying my first centerfire handgun all over again, I'd probably go with a Glock. They tend to run a little less than some of the other guns you've listed and magazines are easy to find. You can actually pick up 10 rounders at Bass Pro, Cabelas, or Gander Mountain, if that sort of restriction applies where you live. In my own experience, I've found Glocks easier to "point and shoot" more accurately than the Sigs. That's more of an issue with the Sig trigger pull more than anything else.

There is a version of the Sig for sale that comes from the factory with the .22 conversion installed. You can get it on the 220 frame or the 226 frame. It also comes with a voucher so you can purchase a centerfire slide and barrel at a certain price. I can't remember how much it is at this time, though I remember thinking it was a pretty good deal. I would have ended up spending less than I would have if I bought the pistol, then the .22 conversion.

jdm61,

Just curious, what do you have against the P99?
 
TwitchyBlade said:
I do in fact have experiance in firing pistols, i have shot the sig sauer p226 about 10 times, my brother owns a glock 23 so ive had the pleasure of shooting it a lot, the 1911 is another one he owns so i too have shot it as well. When i shot the p226 it was in .40 S&W which i thought was the perfect caliber for me, it wasnt too strong of a kick but still delivered a devastating shot. The glock ive heard is very reliable like all of you are saying, the 1911 does cost a lot to shoot so im not sure it should be my first one. I feel the sig would be the best pistol because: there is a .22 conversion system for i believe 200 and would be a great addition to shooting. I think a 9mm would be a better choice just because it is cheaper to shoot. My brother does have a remington 870 that was a previous police officers it was his first gun and its held up amazingly, especially since it was used in duty before and now my brother uses it for hunting and trap shooting.
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OK, this helps a lot.
I think you're on the right track.
Get the 226 in .40S&W.
Get the .22lr conversion kit
get a 9mm barrel & mags as well, for a third caliber at minimal additional cost.
at one point Sig sold a kit with 40 & 9mm in the same case, son't know if that's still an option.

good luck!
 
1066vik said:
OK, this helps a lot.
I think you're on the right track.
Get the 226 in .40S&W.
Get the .22lr conversion kit
get a 9mm barrel & mags as well, for a third caliber at minimal additional cost.
at one point Sig sold a kit with 40 & 9mm in the same case, son't know if that's still an option.

good luck!
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Ill keep my eye out for that 40 and 9mm case sounds perfect to me :)
 
theres a story behind my name actually haha.. I was playing counter strike with my friend justin, and he was spectating me when he was dead one time and he saw me swinging my knife around while i was running, and i would quickly switch between all my guns after each shot and i would jump around in the game and jump out and kill people.
 
jdm61 said:
The are especially good for newbies as theergonomics of the full sized models make them point as naturally as a good Smith revolver.
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StuntDouble said:
In my own experience, I've found Glocks easier to "point and shoot" more accurately than the Sigs.
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These are why I made the suggestion of trying them at the range. Several years ago I purchased a Glock due to how it felt in the store. After taking it to the range I found that the grip angle didn't work for me; no matter what I tried it just didn't naturally point as well as other pistols did. I ended up selling it for that reason. I realize that I'm in the minority in that respect as the Glock works well for many people, but there are some of us out there for whom it just doesn't work.
 
Zero_Time said:
Hard to recommend a SPAS, as it won't really be applicable: most departments will use pump action, not semi.
Zero
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The SPAS can also be fired as a pump in addition to semi mode. It also weighs a ton :D

Like others have said, you can't go wrong with a trusty and reasonably priced Remington 870.
 
I wouldn't waste the $$$ on a SPAS-12. They look kewl, but they're not very practical, and the price has more than doubled over the years. I remember when NIB was 800, and now I'm seeing used at the shows for 2000. Remington 870 with a top folding stock is better and cheaper.

As for pistols, I'd recommend checking out the Sig 239 before you make your final decision. It is available in 40 as well as 9.
 
Black Hills,

I should have been more specific. I mainly meant the trigger might be easier to learn than that of the Sigs. I agree the grip angle takes some getting used to for some people.
 
rt014 said:
The SPAS can also be fired as a pump in addition to semi mode. It also weighs a ton :D

Like others have said, you can't go wrong with a trusty and reasonably priced Remington 870.
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Huh... will admit I didn't know that. I'll admit, I spent far more time looking and learning about firearms I will/actually own than ones I won't.

Of course, that's sorta like telling me that an MG42 had/was altered to have a semi function. I guess it's sorta cool that you can do that, but really, there's much better guns to shoot in semi-auto. For me, a SPAS in pump would be like an MG42 in semi.

Zero
 
Zero_Time said:
Huh... will admit I didn't know that. I'll admit, I spent far more time looking and learning about firearms I will/actually own than ones I won't.

Of course, that's sorta like telling me that an MG42 had/was altered to have a semi function. I guess it's sorta cool that you can do that, but really, there's much better guns to shoot in semi-auto. For me, a SPAS in pump would be like an MG42 in semi.

Zero
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Yep...just telling it like it is. If you are shooting 2 and 3/4" shells you have to use the pump action. Semi will only work with 3" shells.
 
Since you debating on a Glock and SIG try the P229. I own both, I got the 229 a couple months ago and did a tactical Pistol class a few weeks ago with it. All I can say is I am very impressed with the fit, function and accuracy. Looks like the Glock will be used to prop the safe door open form now on. Oh ya, my buddy is a Michigan State Trooper and they were issued the P229's in 40 S&W.

Peace thru Superior Fire Power!

H2Oknife
 
i would suggest a springer GI 1911 for $600ish. Quality 1911 with no frills. SPAS is a novelty. something just to say you have. buy a remington 870 and Mossberg 930 for the price of a SPAS 12
 
bradpierson26 said:
i would suggest a springer GI 1911 for $600ish. Quality 1911 with no frills. SPAS is a novelty. something just to say you have. buy a remington 870 and Mossberg 930 for the price of a SPAS 12
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Im liking the mossberg 930. And getting 2 instead of 1 is always a good thing :) where can i find the 1911 for 600!?
 
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