First Gun Suggestions

[Diablohtr]

Hey guys,

I will be turning 21 on September 5th and would like to purchase my first gun. The purpose of the gun will be for shooting at the range and home protection. I have been trying to do some research but there are so many choices available its a little overwhelming....

So, I would like to ask for your suggestions for a handgun, however have a few requirements:

1) Not cost over $500

2) Be relatively easy for a novice to learn to clean and maintain

3) Good gun to learn to shoot well on

I have been looking at the Spring Field Armory XD's and that is the direction I am leaning towards at the moment.

Unfortunately I live in California .

Also, I have shot my friends .45 ACP Kimber 1911 (beautiful gun) and think I would like to stay away from .45 due to the recoil (unless some of you more experienced guys think I should reconsider).

Thanks guys!

 

[Ohio Rifleman]

Sig Sauer P6. Costs around $300, chambered in 9mm, so recoil is mild. Stupidly easy to maintain (field stripping basically consists of flipping a lever) And, best of all, it's a single-stack, 8 round magazine, so it's California legal.

 

[spwenger]

Rather Than Recommend...

...a specific firearm, let me encourage you to read my thoughts on Handgun Selection. These should give you a firmer basis to evaluate whatever specific suggestions you may receive from others. With limited funds, you'd probably prefer that your first choice will be one with which you'll be satisfied for many years.

 

[Diablohtr]

Ohio Rifleman,
Thanks for the suggestion. I will need to look into it more, but I am not sure how easy it will be to obtain locally.

spwenger,
Good read and more to think about! Thanks.

 

[Ohio Rifleman]

If you can't find a P6 close to home, you can order one online and have a local FFL do the transfer for you. It'll cost you in shipping costs and whatever your FFL charges to do the transfer. I just bought a P6 and love it, so that's probably why I suggested that one.

Plenty of other good options out there, though, that might be easier for you to find close to home. Lots of people like their Makarovs, but 9x18 is a bit hard to find. Old Smith and Wesson Model 10 .38s are a popular first handgun as well.

But, yes, you should try out as many different handguns and find out what fits you best and shoots best for you, and go with that.

 

[Michael_2112]

The police trade-in Sig P6 is a great choice and at a great price. I have a P228 and totally love it... YMMV of course.

With the rising cost of ammo, I would also highly suggest the CZ 75b and a kadet converision kit. This will allow you to shoot a lot of .22 at the range, and also have a 9mm for HD.

What works and fits me, might not work out all that great and be a good fit for you. Try out as many as you can before you buy. From a quality/performance standpoint, you can't go wrong with either of my suggestions.

Mike

 

[Loomis]

P6

s&W model 10

I agree with these opinions.

 

[RPCVYemen]

From the wacky arena - my first handgun purchase when I decided to return to the sport was a Ruger Blackhawk in 45 LC.

I also wanted to get into reloading, so I picked a very traditional caliber. I understand that's not for everyone.

I suggest seriously considering a single action revolver. There's not a simpler manual of arms out there - the trigger couldn't be simpler. There's no fussing with mechanism - no worrying about recoil springs, tuning extractors, limp wristing or any of that crap. Just the sight picture and the trigger pull - the basics.

For me, I made the right decision - I found my groups getting smaller smaller.

When I shoot an automatic it feel like a bunch of metal pieces start clanging and smashing into each other when I touch off a round. Eventually they stop slamming around, and I can focus on the next shot. When I touch off the a round the Blackhawk, the sights rise as the gun rolls up in my grip, and sink back down. It's elegant - no mechanism.

I have more recently started shooting an AR 24 (Armalite CZ clone) - I figured that I need to understand autos. But I really like the Blackhawk better, and I think it's a better learning platform.

I bought a 22 auto before the AR 24, because everyone said a 22 was great to learn on. I personally just didn't like shooting a 22 that much. Call me a post-50 adolescent, I like the roar of the 45 LC. But I would not suggest that caliber unless you also want to learn how to reload.

Mike

 

[brolin_1911a1]

Do you have a range/gun shop near where you live that you could visit and rent guns? The range of personal tastes, abilities, and perceptions is so broad that it's really hard to suggest any one gun to someone in your situation. Especially since a gun that one of us may think is readily available and affordable may be banned in California.

My recommendation for a first handgun would be the Ruger MkIII with 5 1/2" bbl. It's amazingly accurate, reliable, easy to shoot, and runs about $250 in my area. But it's only .22LR and hardly suitable for self defense. It is, however, a perfect range gun for perfecting your marksmanship and technique.

You may find that a full-sized Govt. model 1911 .45acp is much more controllable and pleasant than you found your friend's Kimber to be, depending upon what model Kimber you shot. You can buy .22LR conversion kits for 1911, Beretta, Taurus 92, and Glock firearms as well to provide for low-cost practice. I've got a Ceiner .22LR conversion kit for my 1911 and love it.

Visit a range if you can and try several different makes, models, and calibers or have friends take you and borrow their guns. Your tastes are your own and you need to try several to decide.

 

[SamG.]

I'd get a used Glock, XD , Sig P6.

 

[Diablohtr]

Thanks for the great advice! I think I will just go to the range and rent a few different guns to see what I like. Going to have to wait until I am 21 just to rent the guns though.

 

[xanderzuk]

Please Please Please
Look into a CZ 75B in 9mm

Super easy assembly and disassembly

Cheap to shoot

Super accurate

Totally reliable

I picked mine up for $405 brand new, but that's a pretty killer deal. You should definitely be able to pick one up for $500 or under though.

You wont be disappointed.

 

[RPCVYemen]

I think I will just go to the range and rent a few different guns to see what I like.

Good idea - that's how I ended up with a Blackhawk. I rented one on a whim, and couldn't believe the trigger, and decided that day that a Blackhawk would be my first gun.

Mike

 

[benderx4]

Lightly used:
CZ 75B, 85B, P-01, or SP-01
Sig P6
XD9, 3, 4, or 5"

Personally, I would stay with 9mm for economy reasons and recoil. Developing a good trigger pull, IMHO, is easier when using a milder round. (Which is why many folks learn to shoot with a .22) And shooting a gun accurately and consistently is all about trigger control. Once you get comfortable, there are many +p hollow point rounds available with more oomph and penetrating power for personal and home defense.

I was at the gun shop yesterday shooting and I wish I could remember the Model number S&W 9mm semiauto they had on sale. It was an alloy frame, 9mm, looked like a 4" barrel, and came NIB with Crimson Laser Trace grips for $529. I thought it was an amazing deal. (Although I normally just like S&W revolvers.) If this thread is still here, I'll come back with the info after my next range visit.

When learning to shoot, the laser grips can be an excellent training tool. As you squeeze the trigger, you can watch the red dot, and get an indication of what you're doing with your trigger finger/wrist/sights/etc as you fire the gun.

 

[Loosedhorse]

The BEST thing about your question, Diablo...

is that you specify "FIRST" gun--so we can assume there'll be a 2nd, 3rd, 4th...! That takes the pressure off, compared to if you'd said ONLY gun.

Big revolver fan, here: no jams (or jam-clearing practice), no having to test-run 200 rounds of your chosen ammo through a semi-auto to make sure it's jam-free.

So: my usual recommendation as a starter gun is either a .357 4-in revolver (using .38 special loads) or a .45 ACP revolver (those full-moon clips make reloading a snap!). Both these revolvers allow use of powder-puff low-power loads for practice (make practice fun, and make it often!), and dang impressive loads for self-defense.

If you insist on a semi-auto (which makes a great SECOND handgun, IMO), 1911 .45 is a great choice AFTER you've learned how to handle heavier recoil (or learned that you don't want to!) with the revolver. If any Glocks are California-legal (Model 27?), can't go wrong there either.

Last thoughts: if the main interest is home defense, a 12- or 20-gauge shotgun gets the nod above pistols. And get the best training you can afford!

 

[Diablohtr]

Thanks guys, going to try to make it to the range today with the GF so she can rent the gun so I can shoot it!

 

[Lonestar49]

...

I would suggest (for shooting a lot) for training purposes, forming good habits, etc., there are several good choices out there in 9mm for your price range. As mentioned, renting types you're thinking on is spot on if you can find them.

Second, your gun should feel like a "natural part of your hand and arm" in point to shoot, draw up and aim, and the total pkg should feel balanced. Each gun you try will talk to you saying good things, and bad things.

NIB type guns:

Beretta Px4 9mm or 92fs, or 90-Two, Taurus-Beretta clones and very nice guns.

CZ - 9mm

As mentioned, CPO used Sigs, P239, P6, are great as well

Enjoy the first part of a long journey..



Ls

 

[Harley Quinn]

Pretty nice for a first... The Glocks are my favorite but this is a beaut.

http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/review/cz-75b.htm

Good luck

 

[Murdock]

Lots of decisions to make!

All of the advice you have received thus far has been sound. In particular the recommendations for the Sig P225/P6 police trade in and the old standby S&W Model 10 .38 Special get my strong support. Superb quality and great reputations in either case.

My $.02 is that you simply cannot go wrong with a used S&W, Colt or Ruger stainless double action revolver in .357 magnum with adjustable sights. Take your pick of 4-inch or 6-inch barrel length. Target range, CCW, hunting whitetail deer and smaller game or home protection all get covered pretty well. SA triggers for bullseye work and DA for defense. Wide (widest possible?) choice of ammunition. Forgiving to handload.

Once you are able to afford more purchases, guns for more specialized purposes will very quickly present themselves. (Just remember to marry a woman who likes guns, and to share).

 

[Diablohtr]

Just got back from the range, I shot a 9mm Sig P226 (which I am hoping is similar to the P225/P6?). It felt pretty good in hand. Don't know how I feel about it not having a safety or anything though.

I handled a Ruger .40, XD 9mm, and an HK .40 at the store as well. Gotta say I think the HK felt the best in hand, but they were not loaded so not sure how each would balance out.

Think I am leaning towards the P6, but I do want to see if I can find a CZ 75b as well.

Thanks again!

PS: If I buy a gun online and have it shipped to the FFL, does shipping time count as 10 day waiting period?

 

[RPCVYemen]

Just got back from the range, I shot a 9mm Sig P226 (which I am hoping is similar to the P225/P6?). It felt pretty good in hand.

You might go looking for a CPO P226 (Certified Pre-Owned). They can be a reasonably good deal.

One thing to consider when buying a weapon is the extent of gun expertise you have directly at hand. Do you have a number of knowledgeable friends who can help you select a good weapon? If not, I would shy away from used guns - unless they are from a program like the SIG CPO.

I know that a lot of good deals can be had in the world of used guns - but there are also a lot of bad deals out there. If you have a good friend who really knows a lot about the kind of prospective weapon you are looking at, you increase your chances of getting one of the good ones.

One of the reasons I went for a new Ruger was that I knew exactly what I was getting. I had one friend who was very knowledgeable about DA revolvers, but it was hard for us to find time when both he and I could go shopping. If we had been able to find the time, I might have ended up with a different revolver. Without his help, I didn't know what I was getting. I could have bought a gun that was "home gunsmith" product, or one that was sold because it's sights couldn't be adjusted to point of aim. My friend would have been able to tell that was the case, but I sure couldn't.

I felt that buying a new gun made it more likely that I would get a gun that was working as intended - not that there aren't lemons. That way, I could most eliminate the weapon as a source of problem, and focus on my skills.

If you buy a used weapon (with the exception of the CPO stuff - that's all been inspected by a SIG gunsmith and put in working order), I would only by one that a knowledgeable friend had inspected and test fired first.

Mike

 

[DWARREN123]

Put a little more with and get a Glock 17 or 19, the Springfield XDs have a good rep, CZ 75, S&W, Ruger.
New or used check it out first, fire if possible. 9mm is a good caliber for first centerfire.
Has to fit you and feel good to you.

 

[Fontaine]

Nice thread, I'm turning 21 on September 2nd and am going to look into getting a gun with the same guidelines as you. I was thinking of getting a 9mm, also I need to find a good safe where I can safely store it.

Anyway first I need to get the FOID card and do more research on my own, as none of my friends are into guns.

 

[wuchak]

I'd look for a good stainless .22 pistol or revolver. If semi-auto the Ruger MK series is hard to beat. I like the 22/45 w/stainless 5" bull barrel. There are endless upgrades to these guns. They are accurate out of the box and can be made ridiculously so for little $. It's a great way to learn about what makes a gun tick as well. The Luger grip angle of the regular MK's doesn't work for me. Don't let anyone scare you by telling you the Ruger's are tough to strip and reassemble. Once you do it a couple of times it's very easy. The Browning Buckmark is also worth a look. I'd skip the Sig Mosquito and Walther P22. Neither are very accurate and they are notoriously picky about ammo.

In revolvers any .22 from S&W or Ruger would work. I'd avoid Taurus and Charter arms. Your price restriction means you'd be looking at a used S&W but since .22's put almost no stress on a revolver I wouldn't be worried about it.

If you buy a good .22 for your first gun you'll have something that is affordable to shoot a lot and something that will digest 10's of thousands of rounds over the rest of your shooting life. Everyone should have a really good .22 handgun for fun and to hone their skills.

There really is no "one" gun that is both affordable to shoot a lot and adequate for defense anymore. The 9mm filled this role a couple of years ago when you could get a box of 100 rounds of practice ammo for $10 at Walmart. Now that the price has doubled it's no longer such a bargain. You can spend $20 for 100 rounds of 9mm or $17 for 550 rounds of .22.

Most of the time these days my centerfires don't even come to the range with me.

Edit: another option I forgot about is getting a 9mm like a Glock 19 (highly, highly recommended - holds lots of rounds, dead reliable, tons of holsters available, and compact enough to be a good CCW) and a .22 conversion kit for it.

 

[J32A2]

CPO Sig P229 or P226!