Looking for a first handgun...

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alfon99

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Hey, well I am 14 years old and I'm looking to get a first handgun. I already have experience with handguns, both Autoloaders and Revolvers, in many calibers, but I still don't have one of my own. I was looking for Auto's in 9x19 and Revolvers in .357/.38 special. I have around 10 long guns, so I think it's time to get a handgun. It is going to be for carrying in the property, but my biggest concern is that I ride on horseback (don't know if this is correct, not a native speaker) every day in my family property, so it must be safe to carry on horseback (Obviously no round chambered). I thought If it was an Auto I could just insert a magazine and rack the slide if needed, with revolvers there are speed loaders but honestly I don't have experience with them. Sorry if there are any mistakes, as this is not my native language.
 
You can't beat a Ruger GP100 357/38. You can carry it loaded safely. The gun will not discharge unless you pull the Trigger. Secured in a holster any 4" 357 would be good. You will have Two guns in one being able to shoot 357 and 38.
 
Greetings alphon99
For your first you have to answer several questions... What am I going to use this for the most ? How long do I plan on keeping it ? What type do you like revolver or auto loader ? What ammo is readily available ?

I am in Peru and happily your country has better ideas about firearms. Here it is getting worse by the year due to the head cheese being a good hammer and cycle man.
So we are limited..

If you can reload I would definetly go the caliber .357 mag. You can load very mild plinkers or load 180 grainers for heavy weight impact.

Speed loaders are easy to use with some practice. I have them for our revolvers down here.

A revolver can be loaded with no round in the firing position. Then all you need to do is either cock the hammer or if double action cock the hammer. Completly safe.
The 9mm is an OK defense round and small critter hunter but cannot compare to the .357 with 158 grain and heavier bullets. So for versatility the 357 mag will beat the 9mm easily.

So the main idea is too ask yourself the questions. My opinion is mine. You have the right to express yourself with the purchase. This will be your handgun.

Mike in Peru
 
Most newer handguns are "drop safe" so you can safely carry them with a round in the chamber or with a full cylinder.

I'm not to sure what handguns are available to you, but a Browning/FN Highpower or Glock in 9mm are both good and you should be able to get parts easily for them in most places.

For revolvers the Ruger GP100 is very well made. Smith and Wesson also makes good revolvers. Speed loaders are nice and with some practice you can reload very fast.

For me a .357 magnum would be the way to go since you can shoot .38 and .357 out of the same handgun, but I carry a 9mm or .45 auto most of the time.
What works best for me may not work best for you.

Also get a well made belt and holster to help bear the weight and keep the handgun from falling out.

Your spelling and grammar are both very good, in fact better than a good portion of Americans I know.
 
.357 ammo here is ready available, .38 and .38 +P too. So that is not a problem. The revolvers we get here in .357 are the 686 from S&W, not sure about the Ruger GP100 but I will check one of the gun shops that sell Ruger firearms.


If i'm getting an auto, it would be a 9mm because it's the most readily available round here, and there are plenty of pistols for this caliber. But the ones I liked the most are the CZ's, so what do you think of the CZ 75's and 85's?
 
CZ's are excellent pistols, I have three of them and all have proven to be accurate and reliable. If you are looking for a .357 a Ruger or Smith &Wesson are hard to beat.
 
A s&w 7 shot 686 or one the 8 shot 27's would make a great revolver to follow you thru your life. If you can buy CZ you have a wide variety of models to pick from. handle what you can in the brands available thru gun shops or friends to take notes to grip size on pistols as they can't be changed much . Revolvers have a wider size and material choice to work with. If you can by loading equipment the 357 offers more range in loads from 200gr down to light wad cutter target and plinker loads. If a gp100 is available in your country buy it. Good luck, stay safe

Contact point for ruger -
http://www.ruger.com/service/international.html
 
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Alfon, welcome to THR. All S&W revolvers made since the middle of World War Two are drop safe. So, as others have noted the S&W 686, Ruger GP100, and the CZ 75 and 85 are all drop safe. I like both the 686 and the CZs that you're considering. If the Ruger GP100 is available it's another great choice. For an all purpose handgun a 4 inch barrel stainless steel .357 Magnum like the 686 or the GP100 is a great choice because of the variety of ammo that can be used.

Also, your English is excellent. :)
 
Usted esta en la tierra de armas. Tiene muchas opciones aqui. Tiene una tarjeta para tu pistola en los estados unidas? Buena suerte porque tienes que probar muchas pistolas. La verdad es que nadie puede ayudarle mucho.
 
Alfon, when I wanted to get my first handgun I was lucky that I had a commercial rental range close by. I went and tried a good dozen or more 9mm guns. In the end it came down to either a Beretta 92fs or an IWI Jericho/Baby Eagle.

Then someone let me try their CZ SP-01 Shadow and any thoughts about the other two leaders were left in the dust.

A couple of years later I got a Beretta when I got a good deal on it. The CZ is still the hands down winner. And then I came across a good price on an older pre-b model 75. The 75 is now my main semi for use in our IDPA matches. It fits me so well and points so naturally it's like I'm pointing my own finger at the targets.

The Beretta also turned out to be nice and I'm glad I bought one. But I always feel like I'm holding something out there. The Beretta never seems to become an extension of me like my two CZ's or my K frame S&W revolvers.

I have no need at all for the right side safety found on the CZ85 so for me I'd suggest the 75b. But if you're left handed then of course this totally changes and for a CZ the 85 or a Shadow would be a natural for you.

The Shadow is a great gun but it IS somewhat bulkier and heavier. This isn't a concern for me since it's only used as a sporting tool for IPSC and similar competitions. However if IPSC or similar competition use is your goal as well then it is the best of the best for a CZ in 9mm as the extra weight from the full length dust cover and the picatinny rail tames the recoil.
 
BCRider said:
Alfon, when I wanted to get my first handgun I was lucky that I had a commercial rental range close by. I went and tried a good dozen or more 9mm guns. In the end it came down to either a Beretta 92fs or an IWI Jericho/Baby Eagle.

Then someone let me try their CZ SP-01 Shadow and any thoughts about the other two leaders were left in the dust.

A couple of years later I got a Beretta when I got a good deal on it. The CZ is still the hands down winner. And then I came across a good price on an older pre-b model 75. The 75 is now my main semi for use in our IDPA matches. It fits me so well and points so naturally it's like I'm pointing my own finger at the targets.

The Beretta also turned out to be nice and I'm glad I bought one. But I always feel like I'm holding something out there. The Beretta never seems to become an extension of me like my two CZ's or my K frame S&W revolvers.

I have no need at all for the right side safety found on the CZ85 so for me I'd suggest the 75b. But if you're left handed then of course this totally changes and for a CZ the 85 or a Shadow would be a natural for you.

The Shadow is a great gun but it IS somewhat bulkier and heavier. This isn't a concern for me since it's only used as a sporting tool for IPSC and similar competitions. However if IPSC or similar competition use is your goal as well then it is the best of the best for a CZ in 9mm as the extra weight from the full length dust cover and the picatinny rail tames the recoil.
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Thanks! I think I'm leaning towards an auto and specially the CZ's, but I think it would be nice if I could try them first, together with other 9mm guns. I also like the Baby Eagles, which are at around the same price point here in Uruguay. And about the CZ85, I'm right-handed, but If for some reason they don't have the 75 it's not much more expensive.
 
Aha no dijo que busca en Uruguay. Es facil comprar pistolas alla?
 
j1 said:
Aha no dijo que busca en Uruguay. Es facil comprar pistolas alla?
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I'm not sure if it's allowed to speak spanish here, so I will just answer in english for now. It's the same buying a handgun than any other gun. Our restrictions are just calibers. Rifles up to 6.5mm caliber, revolvers up to .44 magnum, pistols up to 9mm, and all shotgun gauges. There are only a few useless restrictions, for example hollow point ammo is not allowed, but AP rounds are perfectly legal.
 
I'm not sure if it's allowed to speak spanish here, so I will just answer in english for now.
Click to expand...

There are no rules against Spanish (or other languages) here that I have come across, but we appreciate your use of English, especially since you do well with it.

We would also appreciate those responding to you offering the same courtesy; this thread may be of value to others who browse it later on. If private communication is desired, it can be done through the private-messaging available here.

Those who have responded already have given you some good advice. There are also some fine revolvers available from Taurus (of Brasil) and they may be quite readily available and affordable down there, even more so than here. My first revolver, purchased in 1987, was (and still is) a Taurus Model 66 in .357 Magnum. It has done me quite well for the two-plus decades I have had it.
 
Given that you are 14 years old: shouldn't your first handgun be one your father gives you?

If you cannot have JHP ammo, then hardcast 44 caliber is a great way to go. 44 Magnum gets you lots of power and the ability to download it to 44 Special velocities (or use 44 Special).

357 Magnum is a good round too, but 44 Magnum is more fun :)
 
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tomrkba said:
shouldn't your first handgun be one your father gives you?
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Yes, but I can choose it and give my father the money, that's completely legal. Of course it will be legally his gun until I turn 18 in around 3.4 years, then (hopefully) he will transfer them to me.

About the revolver, I thought about a .44 mag at first because I hunt wild boar occasionally, but I'm not sure about the recoil. I'm big for my age, 6ft tall and I weigh 154 pounds, but I'm not sure if that matters.
 
Update: Cz75b new edition

Ok, there is a CZ75B "New" edition for sale, which is sold in the US under "limited edition" designation. 9x19 of course, comes with it's mags, completely new in the box of course, and it is Stainless Steel. What do you think about this gun?
 
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I don't know what the gun costs in Uruguay, so I don't know if that's a good deal or not. Could be overpriced, or could be a very good deal. I just don't have the contextual experience to answer that question.

What I can tell you is that the CZ75 was and continues to be a standard sidearm for police and military around the world, and is generally very reliable, accurate, and durable.
 
You will be very happy with the CZ75B you mentioned. I'd also bet that you will never sell it when you want more guns as you get older. It is one of the best 9mm guns you can buy, anywhere.
 
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