Another noob with a question...

[Quick Draw McGraw]

Hey all, this is my first post on autoloaders. I've been reading this and TFL for years, but finally started shooting, (FINALLY got my FOID not too long ago) so I am finally asking a specific question. I must admit that to this point in my life, I have only shot long arms, but I have always been most interested in handguns since I can remember. I am now looking to finally pick up my first handgun, and am hoping for some suggestions.

I have handled: (not shot)

Beretta 92: It felt ok, neither here nor there with that one
Glock 17 (an older one I think w/out finger grooves): Just didn't feel right
Sig P228: Suprisingly, this one didn't quite do it for me either
HK USP (.40): Like the Beretta, it was ok.
1911: Easily the best, nice and slim, it was good...very good

So, as you can see, the 1911 felt the best in hand by a good margin, but I have some concerns. I am a complete beginner to handguns, and do not want to develop any bad habits. Money is also an issue, as I am a college student and also a regular human being. Therefore, I am hoping to start with a 9mm or a .22, preferably both.

My questions are:
1.) Are there any 9mm handguns that have a nice, slim, feel like a 1911, which can be found at a decent price (used is fine too)?
2.) Are any of these available with a .22 conversion kits? (I thought I read that Kimber sells one, so maybe you can get one for a 9mm 1911? I believe CZ does too, although I haven't handled a CZ and don't know how its ergonomics (once again, how slim is it?) compare to a 1911.) Yes, that was a set of parentheses within another set of parentheses, and no, I don't know how to spell parentheses.
3.) Should I just get a Ruger 22/.45 and go from there? (It's just that I don't like those as much, so if it is even remotely possible, I'll pursue other routes first)
4.) I've never handled a Hi-Power, but have read that they are quite slim for a double stack 9mm, and handles and feels a lot like a 1911. It seems to me that if you can find a higher cap gun that still feels good, you might as well go with it. Is there anything slimmer that a Hi-Power as far as higher capacity (more than 10 or 12) 9mms?

Any other thoughts are fine too. I apologize for the length, but I've read enough threads were the first response is a request for more information (and I suppose that will still happen here) so I attempted to be thorough.

Thanks for any and all help.

[edited for syntax]

 

[lycanthrope]

You can get a 1911 in 9mm. Most 1911's will accept a .22 conversion of some sort. You can even get a new top end for your 1911 in differing calibers. I don't know what your definition of "cheap" is, though.......

Aside from all this I recommend a 1911 in .45 to start with. Why?
(A) Easy to find/often cheaper than finding one in 9mm
(B) Hard hitting
(C) Manageable recoil.
(D) Everyone should have one.
(E) Chicks dig it. (My girlfriend loves to shoot the .45)

 

[Preacherman]

A good (and low-cost) way to get into the 1911-style platform would be with a Star pistol in 9mm. There is the Star BM, a smaller, more compact pistol:

And the Star Super B, which is closer to full 1911 size:

These are available online from auctions, and also from wholesalers. If you drop in at local gun shows, you should find some, or your dealer can order one for you. Ask him to check out catalogs from the major distributors. Price on either should be in the $150-$250 range.

 

[Shmackey]

1.) Are there any 9mm handguns that have a nice, slim, feel like a 1911, which can be found at a decent price (used is fine too)?

Yep -- a 9mm 1911.

2.) Are any of these available with a .22 conversion kits? (I thought I read that Kimber sells one, so maybe you can get one for a 9mm 1911? I believe CZ does too, although I haven't handled a CZ and don't know how its ergonomics (once again, how slim is it?) compare to a 1911.) Yes, that was a set of parentheses within another set of parentheses, and no, I don't know how to spell parentheses.

Yep -- a 9mm 1911.

3.) Should I just get a Ruger 22/.45 and go from there? (It's just that I don't like those as much, so if it is even remotely possible, I'll pursue other routes first)

Nothing wrong at all with starting with a .22lr. However, if you're thinking of going with a 9mm as some kind of compromise, you might as well get the .45. I don't find it any less manageable.

4.) I've never handled a Hi-Power, but have read that they are quite slim for a double stack 9mm, and handles and feels a lot like a 1911. It seems to me that if you can find a higher cap gun that still feels good, you might as well go with it. Is there anything slimmer that a Hi-Power as far as higher capacity (more than 10 or 12) 9mms?

Not that I know of.

 

[Ivy Mike]

More bullets are better than bigger bullets. A Hi-Power (or a Hi-power clone) or a CZ75 can be just as comfortable as a 1911 while providing you more rounds. If you don't care about defensive capability, it is still nice to be able to fire the gun more than 8 times before having to reload.

 

[rde]

Arcus in 9mm. Good start.

 

[Quick Draw McGraw]

Thanks for the replies, already. The Star BM is quite interesting, Preacherman, and so is the Arcus, rde.

I should further clarify a few things, however. Shmackey, my concerns with picking up a .45 1911 right away have to do mostly with money. It is my understanding that 9mm ammunition is much cheaper than .45 ACP. Even if a .45 1911 is initially cheaper, won't the cheaper 9mm ammo be cheaper in the long run? (at least until I learn to reload )

As I said, I want to do this right, so I plan on practicing A LOT! If it comes between having the bigger .45 and being able to practice more with a 9mm, I'll take the practice. I most definitely, absolutely, without a doubt hope and plan to move up the .45 (and a REAL 1911) in the future, but at this point in my life I'm not sure it would be as practical as going with 9mm for a little while, at least until I get done with school and begin a career of some sort.

Also, it my reading about the 1911 on this sight, it seems that you sort of need to shell out the extra bucks for a gun that has been made well and properly put together. I'm sure everybody here would say it is worth it to save up for a Colt, Springfield, Kimber, etc instead of getting a Hi-Point right away.

People here have likened a good 1911 to a Cadillac (only better), but right now I drive a Mazda. (and it's not an RX-7 or RX-8)

So is the Star BM reliable? What about the Arcus? (94 or 98?) I guess I could go used for a .45 1911, but I'm pretty sure (could be wrong) that I'll be better off with a 9mm for starters. Are there any recommendations for used 9mm 1911's? (preferably one that a .22 conversion kit can be found for)

You 1911 guys don't have to convert me, I'm already on your side .
Once again, thanks for all of your help.

Oh, finally, has there ever been a .22 conversion for a hi-power, and how much is a decent price for a used one? Oh, sorry, last question for sure this time, how much thicker is a Hi-Power than a 1911 (both in the frame and grip)? OK, this time I'm done for real...

 

[Preacherman]

QDM, you're absolutely right about the low cost of 9mm. ammunition being to your advantage for frequent practice. I can buy 9mm. ball so cheaply online, including shipping, that it's not worth my while to reload the stuff! I carry .40 S&W or .45 ACP in my "social use" weapons, but found it worthwhile to buy copies in 9mm. for cheaper practice. To illustrate, if you go to Thunder Ranch or Gunsite to run through 1,500 rounds of ammo in a week, that much CCI Blazer (the cheapest ammo available from Natchez) in .45 ACP ball will cost you $234, while 9mm. ball will cost you only $147.60 - a saving of over a third on ammo costs. If you plan on shooting several thousand rounds a year in practice, it doesn't take long before your ammo savings have paid for the 9mm. gun many times over!

 

[ny32182]

The handgun I shoot more than any other is a used Taurus PT-92 (Beretta 92 clone) that I picked up for $280. Why? 15 round mags, cheap ammo, quite accurate for me, and the gun is plenty reliable enough for range use with weak practice ammo, and has been absolutely 100% reliable with anything +P. It stays in my dresser with 15 Gold Dots in it when its not seeing range time.

My carry/nightstand gun is a P226/.40, since it is lighter and 100% reliable with ANY ammo that I've ever fed it.. bottom line, I trust the Sig more, but for a cheap gun that shoots cheap ammo very well, I don't have a problem in the world with the Taurus. Its only issue is a worn ejector ($2 part) that causes a stovepipe (most easily cleared malfunction) once about every 300 rounds with weak range ammo.