First pistol, what to get?

[Josh Aston]

Take yourself to a range that rents guns, shoot as many as you can. Pick the one you like the best. Don't worry too much about the whole safety thing. If you don't pull the trigger then it's not going to shoot. You're a firefighter so you should be used to dealing under pressure. Teaching yourself not to pull the trigger until its time to shoot shouldn't be a problem at all.

 

[MedicSeraph]

I believe there is a range near the station. I'll have to see if they rent guns for the range. I know there is a gunshop about a mile from where I live so I will have to go take a look. They are a LE dealer, I read if you call Glock and give the dealer Glocks number they will honor the discount if the are a LE dealer.

 

[simpleguy]

S&W has a rebate this month on the M&P plus a few other extras...so you are definately in under $500.

 

[weregunner]

Now for some things to consider.

Since you are learning about handguns for the first time taking a NRA or accreditted local handgun class would be recommended. That way you not only get the basics,but you would be in a better position to know what you need rather than just want. Or both.
Local ranges, gun stores, or gun clubs should have these.

Defense and target shooting if the target shooting is competitive are two different things and demand, usually,two different shooting techniques. If it's for practice then one gun make will suffice.

Granted this all seems obvious, but am covering this again anyway.

Starting out shooting a pistol means that a .22lrf Ruger or Browning Buckmark are in order for example. These can do secondary duty as bullseye or for defense until the larger calibers are gone to. Not the best for defense, but will do in a pinch.

Cheaper to learn the basics with and ther's no flinch or recoil to worry about.

Glocks are user friendly. Light easy consistent trigger pull shot for shot. Manual of arms is simple. No levers except the slide release to worry about manipulating to fire or when the need to reholster.

Do recommend the 9mm. to start with if going with a centerfire caliber right off the bat. Cheaper to shoot ammo,less recoil, and a decent level of protection, this despite unwise "conventional wisdom to the contrary.

Nothing wrong with the larger calibers.Just making observations.


If learning then the Glock 17 or the Glock 34L is not a bad pick for starters. Want one for CCW later on? Then then the model 19 or 26. These are double action only trigger pistols.
If the 9mm. doesn't float your boat then go with the model 21 or SF21 in .45ACP.
Taurus makes a PT945 single stack DA/SA pistol.

Other pistol suggestions that will work.
CZ 75BD has a decocker, is traditional DA/SA triggered, and is a full size pistol that has an excellent track record.
CZ also makes the P01 for CCW or the RAMI.

Taurus makes the PT92, and it's sibling, the PT911 are full size or a step down from full size.

Ruger makes the P95 and the newer SR9.

Have experience with Ruger, Taurus, and CZ products. All will serve well.

There are a lot of good suggestions so far from the other members.

It might behoove you start a small reference library.

Gun Digest Book of Combat Handgunnery,written by Mas Ayoob is an excellent source of info. Easy to read, understand, and packed full of shooting techniques and all other pertinent info one needs. Comes out annually.

Gun Digest Books,Police Shelf, and Paladin Press are excellent sources for shooting information.

www.krause.com www.paladin-press.com www.ayoob.com

These are the sites for these books,DVDs, or videos.

The NRA has the NRA Firearms Source Book that is chock full of useful info.
Just things to consider.

 

[Katana8869]

Again, new to guns in general.

After reading your needs for your first handgun I would suggest either a 3" Ruger GP100, 3" SP101 or something simular by either S&W or Taurus. (No 2" snubbys! ) I'm no expert, just a dumb country boy from Central FL, but I think a revolver would serve you better than an auto for your first gun. Here's why:

1. The price is right. MSRP is about $550 (probably more like $450 for the Taurus). Getting one for $500 or less should not be a problem. Besides, if you are going to be a gun person, you may as well start to practice your negotiation skills now for use in your next purchases. (This will not be the only one. Guns tend to multiply like rabbits guzzling cheap red wine. Just accept it as fact now and everything else will be fine! )

2. Simple manual of arms. No buttons, levers, slide movement, magazines or trigger lever thingies to worry about. All you have to do is concentrate on the basics, learn to handle it safely and learn the basics of sight picture, breathing and trigger release.

3. Broader choice in ammo. You can use slightly less expensive and softer shooting .38 Special ammo for practice and Goblin stopping .357 for carry.

4. Accuracy and portability. A good revolver is typically very accurate and will serve you well as a range gun as your shooting skills develop. They conceal well and are relatively easy to carry. Be advised though, the GP100 is a mite on the heavy side for some.

5. Reliability and ease of maintenance. 'Nuff said. Revolvers typically don't have as many things to go wrong as auto's. Though I have autos that I have put a thousand or more rounds through with no problems, there is still the chance of a failure to feed, extract or fire with any auto. At this stage, again safety and marksmanship are key. New shooters and combined with malfunctioning guns scare the out of me. Anything mechanical can fail, revolvers just don't do it as much.

As to cleaning and maintenance, revolvers are much easier for new shooters. For normal use, just wipe it down, swab it, lube it and shoot it. No disassembly required!

Many here will say that you are probably going to end up getting an auto anyway, start with an auto now! I feel that it's better to get to know shooting with a pistol that you can operate with simplicity while you are starting out. That way you can focus more on learning safe gun handling habits and developing your skill as a marksman.

You can always move to an auto later after you have learned to be a safe and accurate shooter. ( You'll be buying other guns anyway. See number 1 )

 

[FranklyTodd]

Glock26

Hard to beat a 9mm G26 for your specs. I got the G27 (same gun in .40) for $398 with the LEO discount. For the 26/27 you can get a 15rd magazine and a sleeve to make it feel like a full size gun, but put the standard mag in for very reasonable CCW. I only say 26 b/c of ammo cost. I can get CCI Brass for 9.99 in .40, but 9mm is still cheaper.

I appreciate your thoughts on an external safety - I felt the same way, but after familiarizing myself with the Glock passive safeties, I'm convinced that with adequate training and practice they are as safe as a revolver. For extra safety, I installed a heavier trigger spring (cost of $2.50).

+1 to those that say rent before you buy!

 

[Curare]

Ditto on training.

Get a Glock 19. The gun is simple, and simple and reliable is exactly what you want for self defense. It's the perfect size--great for carry and actual use. If you are going to carry, you also want a light gun with an impervious finish. 9mm is deadly, cheap, plentiful, and easy to control. The G19 is ready out of the box at $500.

You may think that safety levers are "safe"--I say they are bound to get you killed. You do not want to fumble with levers when fractions of a second are between you living and dying. Also, do not rely on mechanical safeties as an alternative to safe firearms handling. You say you've heard of this and that regarding negligent discharges. I say show me one instance where the gun--not the shooter was at fault. It's all about practice and training.

You want the same pull every time you pull the trigger. As you will find out, shooting pistols quickly and accurately is not easy, and you don't want to complicate that.

There are many guns that will satisfy your needs. You will probably go through three or four, if you are lucky, before you find out exactly what you need. Starting with the G19 may save you a great deal of time and money in that search.

 

[Pistol Toter]

The Glock is an excellent gun. But that said you simply and emphaticly MUST NOT OUT YOUR FINGER ON THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO FIRE! That is aways a good rule anyway but with only a 5.5 lb trigger pull you can get in trouble pretty easy. I would recommend a good revolver for a newbie. Learn the rules of safe gun handling and then how to handle the gun, start slow speed will come and then after you are familiar with the sport then progress into a semi-auto. You mention self defense. Do not carry that gun without the proper credentials and permit.

 

[tinygnat219]

MedicSeraph,

Here's some good advice (because it's free ):

• Put together a list of the guns you want to buy
• Find a range, or friends that will let you rent/try the guns you are looking for
• Price shop. Seems like the Glocks have a discount for your profession, see if any other manufacturers do as well. Some SHOPs have discounts for LEO/EMS/Mil, etc. on TOP of those discounts. Handguns aren't cheap, save where you can.
• Handgun selection is VERY personal. Some folks love Glocks, some hate 'em. Some like revolvers, some don't.

Post a "range report" when you are done. The folks here give EXCELLENT feedback.

 

[MJZZZ]

If I had to buy my first gun again it would either be a Colt revolver in .357 or a CZ 75 Compact 9mm. I lean alittle more toward the CZ. Mike