New To The Forum (& some questions)

[mark_k]

Hello all! I'm new to the forum here, so go easy on me. I'm thinking about buying my first gun and was hoping I could get some opinions/suggestions/other general information. Although I've never owned a gun, I have in the past been able to shoot various rifles, shotguns, and handguns with friends/family, so I do have some limited knowledge. Anyway, I'm leaning towards some sort of 9mm semi-auto pistol, but I'm open to all suggestions. I'm not looking for something for personal defense or anything like that, just something to have fun with at the range. I'd also like to keep the price in the $400 neighborhood, but I'm willing to spend more for quality/safety.

Also, if anyone has any suggestions for good gun shops and/or ranges in the Columbus, OH area it would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Eric F]

High and I will skip the common welcome stuff
I would look at eaa either all steel or polly they are reliable and mags are plentyful and they work aswell. or pick up a used glock. For a plinker or defense they both work well.

 

[doc2rn]

Welcome Mark! I will probably not be the first to respond, but this has been coverred alot. I would tend to say a good .22 lr is important to learn with. Quality is within your price range for a good Ruger, Buckmark, or High Standard.
Starting with a good .22lr will allow you to learn safely and practice more. Don't worry you can always trade it in on a 9mm, but after learning on one you tend to want to keep your first. I still have my Ruger standard 6" I got from my dad at 11, I put alot of allowance in ammo. Practice is what makes you better. A bulk pack of 500 will last you all afternoon, not so with a 50 pad of 9mm for the same price.
Memorize the 4 Rules, they are important!
I would also suggest at least getting one hour of instruction from a certified instructor.
Also while you are at the range you can possibly rent a 9mm to see what you like the best. If it is for Home Defense I like a shotgun.

 

[sd]

if at all possible contact a shooting range or friends, relatives, co-workers who are shooters and try different guns before buying. Autos, revolvers, whatever. I'm tempted to recommend a .22 LR for 1st gun, but of course you must get what YOU want. CZ, Ruger, Taurus, are brands of 9mm autos around your price range. If you up your budget alittle you could include alot of other fine guns, glock,springfield, SW, ect. At the very least handle as many different guns as you can, how YOUR hand grips and points a particular model is what is important for you.

 

[WayneConrad]

When sweetie and I got our first firearms, before we ever fired them we sought out an NRA instructor and took a basic course plus a few extra hours of instruction. Very nice fellow, taught us to be safe, basic marksmanship, and how to have fun doing it. Best money we ever spent. Seemed like a bit of money at the time. Looking back, it's about the least bit of money I've ever spent in this hobby and has paid me back the most handsomely.

 

[hnk45acp]

Welcome.
A 22 is good to start with however if you are going the 9mm route there are many great choices in the $400 range
Glock
used Sigs
New Ruger SR9
Beretta 92
CZ
Springfield XD
S&W M&P
and many more.
What you need to do is handle a few guns and see what fits you best. Then decide what type of action you like (DAO, SA, DA/SA, striker fired, etc.) That will help you pare down the list. Good luck

 

[whitetiger7654]

I'd get a .22 Buckmark first. Then get a 9mm after you know what you like. Go to ranges that let you rent guns and find the 9 that fits you. I recommend Glock.

 

[gbran]

I'm not looking for something for personal defense or anything like that, just something to have fun with at the range.

Since you want fun on the range, be sure and get a full sized gun........ no compacts or short barrels. The longer barrel isn't necessarily the issue. It's the distance between front and rear sight. Mo is better for targets. This generally means a 4-5 inch semi-auto. Full sized Glocks barrels are about 4.6", 1911's are 5 inch. Look for something in this range. If possible, try before you buy. If not, at least fondle them for feel and comfort. There are lots of good quality new semi-autos in that price range or you may look at more used guns.

 

[yhtomit]

Mark:

The above advice to get a .22 is good, but you get to decide whether it's right for you.

Guns also fit different people differently; there's no perfect gun for all hands or all preferences.

That said, here's one possibility, if you have fired guns enough that you're comfortable, and are already thinking about a 9mm specifically: get a Cz-75. I recently found one (on sale) brand new at a retailer -- Gander Mountain, dunno if you have those near you -- for $375.

I mention that model both because they're affordable (though I think I got a fantastic price on mine, and don't mean to imply they're out there for $375 all the time and everywhere), and because, of the six handguns I own, I think it's the one I'd rather keep over the others if I *could* keep only one. Since I like them all quite well (or wouldn't have bought 'em) this is not a clear-cut preference (maybe I'd take the XD-45, or the S&W 625, or ...), but that's my current ranking. And the Cz was cheaper than all but my .22 pistol!

Also, and tying back to the "get a .22!" line: You can buy for the Cz a Kadet conversion, which turns your Cz into a .22 pistol whenever you'd like, and back to 9mm when you're ready for that again; I haven't yet, for mine, but plan to fairly soon.

You should post a followup when you decide on one -- let people know why you chose what you did, and what you think of it post-purchase; lots of people have the same question you do, and they would benefit.

timothy

 

[Bones11b]

Welcome. My suggestion would be a berretta 92f or similar (if it fits yor hand). You can buy them for around your price range from CDNN or or another retailer. Parts are plentiful, both aftermarket and replacement. They are sturdy enough for military use, and simple enough for military training.

 

[mark_k]

Hey guys, thanks for all the quick replies. Lot's of good suggestions there. Just to give a little more info, I have have fired guns enough to where I'm comfortable and would like to move up to something a little bigger than a .22. I will consider taking some instructions though, it never hurts to get as much professional help as a possible. I will say I have been looking at the Springfield XD, but I've never used a striker fired pistol before. I was also thinking about a used Sig P226. Any comments on purchasing a used gun over a new? Anything to look out for?

Thanks again for all the advice so far, this seems like a very helpful and friendly forum. I'll be sure and post a thread when I make a decision.

 

[Treo]

Good Gun in your price range

If it’s a 9mm you’re looking for I would recommend a CZ product the 75B 9mm. Can be converted to a .22, so you essentially get two guns in one (you’d have to buy the conversion kit). CZs are in your price range. And people that own them love them.

 

[strat81]

Used guns can be a bargain if you know what to look for. Frankly, I'd only recommend a CPO Sig if you go used. There are too many variables on too many guns for a novice to make an educated decision.

Striker fired guns are fine. Glock has been doing very well with them for the past 20+ years. I suppose it is still the "new" technology on the block compared to hammer fired, but strikers work just fine.

Take a look at (in no particular order):
CZ-75B (and variants)
CZ SP-01
Taurus 24/7
Smith & Wesson M&P
Glock 17 or 19
Springfield XD-9
Sig P226 & P229

I'd consider those to all be similar in quality but not in price or feel. Buy what's comfortable, even if it is a few $$$ more.

Then buy a case of ammo and get to the range.

 

[mark_k]

Yea, that's what I'm afraid of, I don't really know what too look for in terms of wear and what not when it comes to buying used. What is a CPO Sig?

I'll have to check out the CZ's as well as I see many recommendations. I'll probably hit some shops this weekend.

 

[hnk45acp]

CPO + Certified Pre-Owned

 

[serrano]

My first purchase was a surplus Makarov in 9x18mm - IMO this was a great pistol to learn on because it's of a very simple design and I was forced to disassemble it in order to clean out the cosmoline and really learned how the whole thing worked. I was able to order ammo online for the same price as 9x19mm - and it was cheap as chips! $220

My second purchase was a used Sig Sauer P6 - a 9x19mm, a little larger than the Mak, a little more complex, but still a slim and accurate pistol, and cheap ammo can be had at Walmart. $300 (AimSurplus.com now has these on sale for $260)

My next handgun purchase will be a Glock 19, probably used.

 

[CB900F]

Mark;

My recomendation would be a .22 caliber revolver. Since you stated that you wouldn't mind spending a little more for a good unit, I'll lead off with the Smith & Wesson's, of which there are several types. However, there are several perfectly good .22 revolvers to choose from, some of them used, of course. The Colt Diamondback, or New Frontier for example in used.

Don't be afraid of buying a used gun, just be careful about who you buy it from or where you buy it at. George's buddy in a tavern parking lot would not be a good scenario IMHO.

Nothing against the self-loaders, but the revolver is a little more deliberate, a little less likely to have an AD, (accidental discharge). Single action or double action, you're more likely to be single action shooting targets anyway, so it's a small difference, though important to know what the difference is.

900F