First handgun

[glassman]

FIRST GUN

As stated earlier, go to a range and rent/shoot as many as possible before making your decision. Many places offer courses on safety, maintenance and shooting skills that are worth every penny spent. Talk to experienced gun owners (like many of the folks here) and get their input. When you finally make your purchase... practice, practice and practice some more. Just my .02.

 

[capman]

Mmissle: lucky to get an H&K for your first handgun!

Jahwarrior: 16 yr old hoodlum in New York? Sounds like there's a story there...

 

[capman]

Glassman

Thanks! We have a Calibers Shooting sports center here in town that I'll contact!

 

[bb21]

1st Handgun

Just a few things to add, Keep in mind what you will be using it for, just shooting, a concealed carry weapon, ect. I have only heard good things about the FNP-9 but the other day here on THR the FNP-40's had some problems that I would look into before a purchase. I love the way they feel and FN is a great manufacture. I own a PT111, it is my daily carry but unless you intend on it for carry I would go with a larger gun and most likely in steel. I have two 9's and my all steel full sized Baby Eagle(a CZ75 clone) is soooo much nicer to shoot than my Mil Pro and so much more accurate. I would highly suggest the CZ line, they are possibly the most underrated handgun out there. Also the Taurus 24/7, it will feel great in your hand I almost guarantee it. I also own an XD in 45 that is great, but you should go with what fits you and your situation. You should see if you can find any fellow HighRoaders in your area to try shooting some different models. Hope this helps.
Good Luck and Be Safe!

 

[kennyboy]

Get a Glock. Rugged, reliable, durable, accurate, proven. Glocks are no nonsense. They are also in your price range.

 

[rj112275]

ruger gp100

the first handgun that i bought was a gp100 4" stainless steel. i traded it to get a 9mm semi-auto, then traded that for a small revolver, then sold for cash... i wish i had that gp100 back. my all-around gun right now is an SP101 3".

i think a 4" .357Mag is a gun that everyone should have, and might be the best to start a novice shooter on

 

[jahwarrior]

a couple of good starter guns (imo) are:

taurus millenium pro. it has a good record, and you can normally pick one up for about $300.

s&w sw9ve. i own this one. it cost me about $300, is d/a only, shoots well, no problems after 1,000 rounds, and is made in america.

as far as calibers are concerned, there's a reason why 9mm is the most widely used type: because it's the best in all around performance. it's a fact that 9mm is the most widely used handgun ammo in the world.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'll have to agree with the Taurus 24/7 Pro. It is the same as the Taurus Mill Pro line only a little larger. Since you said you have a big hand that just might be the answer for you. Both are great pistols and are almost identical except for the slight size difference. The 9mm 24/7 has a larger capacity too, up to 17 rounds.
http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=157&category=Pistol
http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=149&category=Pistol

BTW, the Taurus site just came back up...

 

[Super Trucker]

Check out a used S&W 3913, I don't like the new tatical ones. The SA XD is very nice, a Sig 239 would be at the high side of the budget, but nice. A Kel-Tec is cheap but alot of people like them. You need to get what feels good in your hand. Also don't worry to much about the caliber, If you hit somebody with a 9mm or miss them with a .45acp which is better? The 9mm isn't very expensive to shoot, so start with that and practice,practice,practice. When you get a bigger budget, buy something else, but always continue to practice. Also remember to have fun.

 

[johndoe1027]

Also johndoe1027: checked out the forum and has lots of support. I'll keep the MP in mind!

I should've mentioned that I'm in WNC and would be glad to let you shoot anything I've got. I only have one semi auto handgun right now (M&P compact 9) and 3 revolvers (22 mag, 38spl, and 45LC/410ga)... I like revolvers but I love the extra capacity for my CCW.

One thing... Make sure you at least hold an M&P in your hand before you decide. I only say that because I almost screwed up and got a Glock or XD and would not have been as happy as I am with the M&P (I didn't know about it at all). I'm not saying that getting a Glock or XD is bad for everyone by any means, just not right for my hands. I've heard no one complain about extra recoil from the M&P vs other platforms. I bought mine without shooting it first and I was not disappointed one bit. Try to shoot everything you are considering though. I am glad the Taurus naysayers haven't taken hold of this thread. Don't be scared of them. Mine is great, no trouble.

Also, I know you mentiond HD. You sound well studied (very nice for all of us BTW thanks) and I just wanted to make sure that you have a 12 ga (or any shotty for that matter) They are simply better for HD than any handgun due to over penetration of walls by all handgun rounds. Just making sure you had thought about that. You could get a nice 12 ga AND a decent 22 revolver for 500 or less if you get the 22 used. Then you could get a 9 later.... Just an idea. You sound like you already understand that you won't be getting just one.

 

[capman]

Johndoe: Thanks for the offer to let me shoot your guns! I'm in NM so its a bit of a drive for me... But If I'm in NC anytime soon I'll get ahold of ya. On the shotgun question: I have a shotgun (dads old one) with a broken slide, the actual loading/ejecting mechanism isn't broken, but the wood grip is. I just haven't gone to get it fixed. This is an outdoor gun though, with a long barrel that makes it obviously hard to get around corners and hallways and such. I'll check into that avenue, any recommendations? I'd like to have one that I can go outside and shoot without looking like SWAT (actually that might be neat) but that might still be viable for the HD application. (I was kind of worried about the overpenetration issue, But thats an entirely new topic, huh?) Oh, and about being well studied, I try to do my homework so that I don't sound TOO noobish on here!

ArchangelCD: thanks for the website heads up!

Supertrucker: thanks for the 3-p's advice!

Everyone else: Keep it up, you're rockin' my world!

Oh almost forgot! Like my new quote? I stole it from someone... Laughed my ass off tho!

 

[tydephan]

Capman:

Here is a list of my history and addiction for the past year:

First Purchase: Glock 22
Second Purchase: Glock 22 (to replace the first one that was stolen during a burglary)
3: Springfield Armory 1911 GI (45) Stainless
4: Sig P232 (.380)
5: Glock 26 (9mm)
6: Walther P22 (22lr)
7: Smith M&P 9mm (9mm)
8: Springfield Armory EMP 1911 (9mm)
9: Sig Pro 2022 (.357sig)
10: Kel-tec P3AT (.380)
11: Glock 19 (9mm)

Out of the list, the M&P is without a doubt my favorite. Too bad I didn't just start with that one. It could have saved me a whole lot of money.

The M&P's grip and ergonomics are stellar when compared to Glock and XD (note that I also own 3 Glocks, which I love and adore). Without a doubt, the M&P is the best polymer pistol that I own.

The EMP is my second favorite, but at a high cost.

The G19 is my third favorite.

This is the world as I know it. You've gotten lots of good advice. Be sure to check out the M&P before you make a decision.

Best of luck to you!
John

 

[johndoe1027]

Well, there's 2 John's for the M&P haha.
Yeah, I guess that would be a bit of a drive for you capman. Sorry. and Yes I do like the new sig(nature), I saw that in the orig thread and laughed out loud. Then I had to explain to my co-worker what it was about an excel spreadsheet that was so funny.
Oh, and about the shotgun, HANDGUN AMMO OVERPENETRATES NORMAL WALLS MUCH WORSE THAN A 12 GA. Sorry about yelling but many people think that buckshot goes through more walls than a 9mm and that is wrong. I do not make many statements like that either.
boxotruth.com I believe it is. maybe boxoftruth...
Get a Mossberg 500 or Rem 870. Both are affordable. Avail in many configurations and very reliable. As far as looking like a mall ninja or SWAT, just get the wood stock or camo version. That should do it. I smell another thread coming. "First new shotgun" by capman...

 

[Piedmont Plinker]

Hmm... Ruger GP100 or SW K-frame.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

Make sure you at least hold an M&P in your hand before you decide.

That's pretty much all I had to say. I only have ONE gun, and it's an M&P40. If you start there, you might save a lot of money

 

[obxned]

The very first handgun that I bought with my own money was a Colt Trooper Mk III .357! I had various other pistols that were 'family', but they weren't really mine because I hadn't put my hard earned $$ on the counter and walked out of the store with the gun in my hot little hands.

 

[inkhead]

H&K

I'd go with the H&K P2000SK. It has ambidextrous slide release, and fires three types of ammunition. .357, 9mm, .40

It's got a recessed hammer which makes it excellent for shooting inside clothing (should you need to ;-)

It's probably the most accurate handgun I've ever laid hands on, I bought it after firing 20 different types of firearms for several hours. It was excellent. I have only heard lots of other people commenting 'I didn't know a sidearm could be so accurate.'