Turning 21 soon...what gun to get?!

There are many good options out there, and many of them have been suggested. I am personally a big fan of the CZ-75 and the 1911. Like many have said already, the best thing you can do is shoot as many as possible before you decide what to buy. I have shot Glocks, and just can't stand the way the fit my hand. I am looking forward to trying one of the new Gen 4's with the adjustable backstrap.

Some pics of my favorites:
CZ P-01
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1911 I built
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Glock revolutionized the handgun world. Many make fun of these "tupperware" guns, but now there are many copycats, from very good manufacturers. Glock is known for extreme reliability, due to the way it feeds/chambers (only downside is when reloading, particularly if you are in the 40 cal gun), anti-rust protection (not really a coating, more of an infusion into the barrel), and polygonal rifling, which gives you a bit more power over standard landing/groove rifling (again, this presents a bit of a challenge for reloading, particularly if you use exposed lead bullets). Glock is not the end all/be all - it has a unique trigger which you may or may not like. The factory sights are fine, but if you want to do more precision target shooting, you'll probably want to replace at least the front sight, which is wide. Many Glock guys replace the factory sights, so you might budget an extra $150 or so of that. I am factory all the way on my Glocks - if it ain't broke, don't fix it approach.
Note that with Glock (as with some Sigs and other guns) there is no external safety. You will definitely need a holster (or holsters) designed to completely cover the trigger guard, particularly if you carry in a fully chambered mode.
 
I would personally take a XD over a Glock or Ruger. They are all fine firearms, it is just a matter of personal preference.
 
bigbrownfam said:
Glocks are great. And the G7 can go through an airport metal detector. . .
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Great Die Hard reference. These guys are making some great points. But as a salesman go shoot a few and pick the one that feels the best. If you can't shoot them find the one that fits your hand best. I would personally stay away from any Taurus, Rossi, Charter, Hi-point, and a few other brands. For te amount you stated $500-$700 listen to the suggestions here and do a little more asking around or internet research. If you really want the skinny send me a PM with any questions and I will help you the best I can.

HAK
 
HAKnPocket said:
Great Die Hard reference. These guys are making some great points. But as a salesman go shoot a few and pick the one that feels the best. If you can't shoot them find the one that fits your hand best. I would personally stay away from any Taurus, Rossi, Charter, Hi-point, and a few other brands. For te amount you stated $500-$700 listen to the suggestions here and do a little more asking around or internet research. If you really want the skinny send me a PM with any questions and I will help you the best I can.

HAK
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Thanks for the offer...Ill keep that in mind! Although hopefully I can just email you through Bladeforums since my membership ran up :grumpy:
 
XD had reliability issues when they first came out, I think they fixed it by now, but sure left a bitter after taste. Glocks and Ruggers are reliable beyond doubt. The problem with ruggers (at least the semi autos I've been looking at) is their accuracy. However we are talking about budget fire arms here, and for what you pay they are very hard to beat.

My grail of a gun is a Korth revolver, I don't see myself being able to afford one anytime soon.
 
new XD40 can be found around $510. XDM around $560.
used they should be $50-75 less.
Used GP-100 is around $350 in my neck of the woods.
CZ75 is another good choice.
EAA witness (also known as the IMI Baby Eagle) isn't bad, either.
 
bmilla35 said:
Never heard of CZ...ill check it out
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Do, it's an exceptionally nice and nice SHOOTING gun. You could probably pull a very good condition used one for around $370 I would think. LOVE that gun! The ONLY downside is the slide is a little hard to grip as it's very short but apart from that it's damn near perfect. Shoots like a dream.

CHECK OUT www.budsgunshop.com it's a great place to buy from or just price out what you want to get. They have a great selection and also have a layaway program if you find the one you MUST have but don't have the chedar at the time. I bought my S&W off them.

I'm a big fan of Ruger, the 10-22 and the SR-22 (basically a 10-22 turned into an AR-15 with the same ergos) are my most shot guns and I absolutely LOVE their Revolvers but I just couldn't get myself to like their autoloading pistols. Dead reliable and a great value...I know. I just don't like the triggers very much the ergo's just don't click for me and I'm not crazy about the styling. Different strokes I guess. As far as accuracy goes I haven't heard the best things but to be honest, shooting it off hand/standing it was as accurate as I could shoot. The SR-9 and the P95 were the Ruger's I've shot. Great guns, just not for me.

I found the FN to be a great balance of everything you would want in a pistol.

Here's a pic of the FNP:
fnp45-1.jpg


Comes in either black/black, OD/black or black/matte. 9mm, .40 and .45
 
Did you ever say what role this handgun will play? Is it for home defense and range time, deep conceal carry, a truck gun, open carry? That makes all the difference. I really like the mid size Glocks (19 & 23) for handguns that will do it all, as well as the smaller 26 and 27. Revolvers are great also but it's use will determine barrel length. I wouldn't recommend a lightweight .357 snub nose for any new shooter, unless they planned on starting with .38 special rounds. I really like the single stack 9mm's from Kahr and Kel-tec. My favorite CCW is a Kel-tec P3at but good luck finding .380 ammo.

We really need more info to make proper recommendations.
 
Go find a Gun Range that rents guns out. See which is most comfortable to shoot, to you. You'll have your answer. :)
 
Ruger GP100 4" is tough as nails, will last a lifetime. Great value. A revolver is a great beginner's gun.

If you decide to go .40SW then I suggest a S&W M&P40.
 
Ruger is still making guns?

That FNP looks very promising. I handled one last weekend and liked it a lot. Plus I've never owned an FN product that I wasn't 100% happy with.
 
What a great thread here. There are some excellent recommendations made here. Here are my two cents, First if you are not accustomed to firearms and firearm safety, get some professional instruction for proper firearm handling and safety prior to proceeding with your purchase. Not just a concealed weapons permit course, but you need some range time with an instructor.

Second, your firearm of choice is the third choice. Just because you have a weapon, a CWP, and professional instruction on how to use it does not give you the open authorization to use just because you "felt threatened". The grey matter between your ears is the second choice, use it wisely.

Thirdly, like mentioned in previous posts, the best firearm is the one that you are most comfortable with. Try many from ranges and friends. Go to gun shows and talk to the vendors. They can be very helpful.

Fourth, Once you have a firearm, master it. Take it the range frequently and shoot it. Learn how to take care of it and clean it.

Good Luck and happy shooting.
 
So, can I way in here? What are you going to be using it for, mostly packing or range time? Or cool factor?

Listen. I am 29, and have carried concealed for almost 6 years day in day out. Running deliveries for a jewelry buyer, in and out of the car, hot-cold rain-sleet-snow. My EDC for the first several years was a glock 22 (.40cal). This is the same model that the sherriffs dept in my county issues, as well as the FBI. It is not a competition gun, but plenty acurate. BUT here is the thing, IF you are considering a gun for every day carry...I would recomend getting a gun with some sort of external saftey. The glock is as simple as a revolver with a clip, point and click. So it's a good starter gun.

Another good choice (and one I would have picked if it had been available at that time) is the XDM. Not only is it coming out of Springfield Armory, which is a great company. It has some things in comon with the Glock. they both sit well in the hand, they are both polomer framed, they both have a built in safety in the trigger. The XDM also has some other bells and whistles like a loaded chamber indicator, external saftey, several different size backstraps...ect. ect.

I don't mean to go on and on. But a good friend of mine picked one of these up in 9mm and that gives him 19 rounds in the clip plus one in the chamber. And boy does it shoot sweet. I think it is considerably more accurate/consistant than my glock. Maybe it's the MATCH barrell or any of the other extra features. really think it should be up there on the list when you go shoot them to try out.

Best of luck. Nobody should ever have to decide which (only 1) gun to buy... OR Knife. That would be to sad, it's hard enough to decide which one is next.
 
gatorzingo said:
What a great thread here. There are some excellent recommendations made here. Here are my two cents, First if you are not accustomed to firearms and firearm safety, get some professional instruction for proper firearm handling and safety prior to proceeding with your purchase. Not just a concealed weapons permit course, but you need some range time with an instructor.

Second, your firearm of choice is the third choice. Just because you have a weapon, a CWP, and professional instruction on how to use it does not give you the open authorization to use just because you "felt threatened". The grey matter between your ears is the second choice, use it wisely.

Thirdly, like mentioned in previous posts, the best firearm is the one that you are most comfortable with. Try many from ranges and friends. Go to gun shows and talk to the vendors. They can be very helpful.


Fourth, Once you have a firearm, master it. Take it the range frequently and shoot it. Learn how to take care of it and clean it.

Good Luck and happy shooting.
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Very GOOD advice here!!
 
A good 1911 would be my first choice, you will probably need to buy a used one to get a good one for 600-700$
 
I'm a 10mm and 1911 guy mostly, but as a first pistol and on a budget I suggest a Glock G19 new for roughly $550 and call it a day. high cap, common and capable enough caliber, concealable, reliable, ugly, inexpensive, ubiquitous - it's hard to be really.
 
I bought my Glock 22 when I was in college back in 93. She is my American Express Card, I don't leave home with out it. I still carry it today.

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I chose the G22 after much consideration of several things. I was seriously considering the G20, 10mm. But with many reports or overpentration, and I do not like the 9mm, too weak IMO, I went with the .40. My college budget kinda forced me to the Glock rather than a Sig.

However, now that I have a 1911, I just love the feel and accuracy that the Sig GSR 1911 offers.

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coolhandluke4 said:
Ruger GP 100 in stainless with 4" barrel. It's what I carry every day. It's big enough to put a large hole in something, even to go up to deer hunting with. Plus it's super tough
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I bought one of these robust revolvers for both of my sons when they came of age. It's a great first handgun and, as coolhand points out, you can carry it the rest of your life. :thumbup:
 
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