Shopping for 1st center fire handgun

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Get yourself a nice double action revolver and try and wear it out working on trigger pull that you will take with you the rest of your life.

GP100, S&W 686 or one of those new Kimbers
 
If ammo price is a primary concern that means 9mm. Based on selections I assume you want a pistol and not a revolver.

Steel DA/SA Beretta 92FS $429 (Already Posted)
Polymer Striker Canik TP9SF One Series $280

Those seem to be what stands out for quality for the dollar on traditional steel and modern polymer to me on the current market.
 
Nothing against striker polymer guns I have them and like them, but if I could have only one gun (for now) I'd start with a steel single/double action like the Beretta 92 I posted , accurate, reliable, quality, and less costly to shoot.

I saw last week in a store a nice used blued Ruger GP 100 for $400 if I didn't have one I would have pounced on it. Ammo in .38 spcl or .357 can be had for a decent price like Fiocchi . That is two quality guns for under $1000 that doubles the fun at the range and both excellent protection guns

As far as .45 ACP, can't go wrong hardly with a 1911 series, you can find a nice used SIG 220 if you look around also which is a excellent .45.

Here is my Beretta that I got from shoot straight the link I posted earlier, and a GP 100 I found used for $500.00

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I have always liked the larger hole a big bore makes. Also feels like you are dong a bit more at the end of the bullets flight.
 
I posted a similar thread a few days back about an all metal hi cap 9mm. Cz75, Beretta M9, and a 1911 were highly recommended with he cz appearing to have a very rabid fan base. If I had money today I couldn't make a decision so for now I guess I'm glad I'm broke, lol! Soon, soon....

Some of the guys recommending revolvers, there is something to be said for a good revolver. And they are addicting. Ruger sp101, gp100, Smith model 10 or similar, I have a nice interams Rossi 44 special that can be had for about 400 but the ammo will break you unless you reload or are a doctor.

Congrats on paying down that loan! Get yourself something nice I'ma do the same I'm almost done paying for building supplies for the cabin. I'm sick of $22 sheets of plywood like you wouldn't believe. I've signed over so many checks to Lowe's I could have started my own army.
 
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I really prefer a revolver for general use. No mags to buy, functions with anything that fits in the cylinder and easier (for me) to shoot well. Plus the cartridges are generally more powerful. A 357 gp100 or 686 would serve you well.

Get yourself a nice double action revolver and try and wear it out working on trigger pull that you will take with you the rest of your life.

GP100, S&W 686 or one of those new Kimbers
This is sound advice from both members.
May not be what you want to hear but learning to saw a straight line with a handsaw before you use a table saw will build skills you will need.
Either way you go have fun and be safe!
Happy shooting.
 
This is sound advice from both members.
May not be what you want to hear but learning to saw a straight line with a handsaw before you use a table saw will build skills you will need.
Either way you go have fun and be safe!
Happy shooting.

You can also build a lot of skill with a Beretta 92FS dropping the hammer after each shot until you master the DA pull and then doing DA/SA double taps. When your groups DA look almost the same as SA and your DA/SA Double Taps are hitting to the same point of impact you will know you have your trigger control mastered.
 
You can also build a lot of skill with a Beretta 92FS dropping the hammer after each shot until you master the DA pull and then doing DA/SA double taps. When your groups DA look almost the same as SA and your DA/SA Double Taps are hitting to the same point of impact you will know you have your trigger control mastered.
This is also true and good advice if you like Semi-Autos as 94045 obviously does.
Don't want to get into that debate. Both are useful tools for the intended job. Pick the one you like and feel comfortable with and practice...........alot!
As you can tell I am a revolver guy, others will say semi autos are the way to go. My comment was based on my preference and I stand by my suggestion.
Happy shooting!
 
This is also true and good advice if you like Semi-Autos as 94045 obviously does.
Don't want to get into that debate. Both are useful tools for the intended job. Pick the one you like and feel comfortable with and practice...........alot!
As you can tell I am a revolver guy, others will say semi autos are the way to go. My comment was based on my preference and I stand by my suggestion.
Happy shooting!

Don't get me wrong I like both. The first handgun I owned was an S&W M10-6 4" HB and the first I bought was a Dan Wesson M15 6". The last I bought was an S&W M60. I just felt the OP desired a Pistol instead of a Revolver.
 
Revolver - SW 686plus - 7 rounds, full lug barrel.... what's not to like?
Semi auto - i'd humbly suggest SA/DA vs 1911....can't go wrong w Sig or HK in my experience.
Also, consider used. There's a lot of great deals out there.
 
I accomplished paying off my massive student loans in a tad less than 2 years. I am rewarding myself with a new gun. I bought a browning buckmark a few years back and learned to love handgun plinking.

Now I am looking for something bigger in centerfire. It will be mostly used for informal plinking/target shooting. I will not be carrying it. It will sit in a safe in my bedroom for home defense.

Budget is about $700, if I spend less I can stock up on more ammo/magazines right away.

I am considering:

Cz 75 or 1911

If i go with a 1911 it will be blued, bonus points for a polished blue finish.

The 1911s I am looking at are Remington R1 or Cimarron high luster blued

https://www.cimarron-firearms.com/1911-semi-automatic-45-acp-5-barrel-polished-high-luster-blue.html

Any thoughts?

I haven't been to the store to see which one fits my hand the best, that would be my next step

You're going to get a million opinions which may or may not be right for you. I would suggest you rent different pistols and find one that YOU like. Do you know any shooters? If so, they can probably show you a few handguns too.

Personally, I'd recommend a used H&K, but my opinion is worth about what you paid for it.
 
Spazzy- “I really like the 1911 or CZ75, help me choose between these two.”

Us- “Oh, you should really try a 357 revolver...”

:confused:

As you can tell I am a revolver guy, others will say semi autos are the way to go. My comment was based on my preference and I stand by my suggestion.

But he asked about auto loaders... Thanks though.:)

As I am a 1911 aficionado, I’ll talk about the CZ first.
Nine millimeter. Da/Sa. Fifteen rounds. Decocker. A Legacy firearm with a large following. It has one advantage to the 1911, number of rounds carried on board.

The 1911. Single Action only. Chambered in the venerable 45 Auto, and many others including Nine Millimeter. Single stacked magazines of seven or eight, but also double stack mags in the 2011 grip style for payloads of up to seventeen rounds or more.
A classic beauty and strength. If you do run her dry, she makes a very convincing bludgeon. Looking good while doing so.
There is only one trigger pull to learn for a SA pistol.
There is a reason why 1911s are the front runners on the bullseye line...

Both pistols can be customized and personally improved readily, the "American Steel” more so.
Both would be excellent choices for the range or home defense. Both have great and proven track records. Both can be had at your price point in some very nice configurations.
Be aware that both models can be had in economy brands for the whole amount. That is, around $350 each. Not blued and polished, but a representative model of the class. Good for starting out.

There is joy in having what you want. Do not get a value model if what you dream of is smooth blue steel.
Handle many before you buy. Renting one of each, especially in the same range session, is excellent advice.

9MM is less expensive. But I find FortyFive Auto more pleasant to shoot. And big holes are cool.

Starting out with a Buckmark was a very good inclination. I love mine.

My 1911 was made by a revolver maker and came in a CZ case...;)

index.php
 
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Your choices are good.

However, if going for a 1911 in that price range, my opinion (through experience) is that the Colt is your best bet. Demi is right... value model 1911s are not the route to go.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/mobile/product/415007813/colt+1911c+govt+45+acp+5+blue+series+70


My 1911 advice.....1) shoot it well-lubed. 2) load your mags and let them sit loaded for a few days.....most new 1911 issues are from magazines 3) practice shooting/dry-firing while riding the thumb safety. That is how the 1911 is to be shot....high grip thumb over safety.
 
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I like either of your choices. Hammer fired, all metal, safeties. IMO, it depends on what fit your hands best. If you have larger hands, you may also want to look at the Berretta 92.

9mm will give you a nice cost advantage on practice ammo, and easier control.
 
I definitely dont have larger hands, usually medium in most gloves.

I think I will try to handle both the cz75 and 1911 before I buy, there is a local gun show coming up or I will hit some local shops.

If I go 1911 I am pretty much decided on the colt classic mentioned in the thread.
 
spazzy

I went looking for a new 1911 some years back. Mostly for use as a range gun along for trying out new handloads in it. Wanted to keep it around $800 or less and looked at a couple of RIAs, a few other ones made in the Philippines, and a Remington R1. The R1 was the best of the less expensive ones but still wasn't what I was looking for. Then the owner showed me a couple of Colt Government Models and basically said these were some of the best built Colt's he had seen in a very long time. Slide to frame and barrel to slide fit were done perfectly, as was the trigger and their overall fit and finish were first rate. And dollar wise they weren't much more than the ones I had been looking at. I went with a Lightweight Government .45 (loved the way it felt and balanced in my hand), and came back a week later and bought a standard Government Model, also in .45!

The other nice thing about a 1911 is that there are a number of quality .22 conversion kits you can get for them and save some money shooting .22s through them. The one I have is a TacSol 2211 Model.

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Many recommended the CZ based on ammo costs, but a 9mm 1911 is just as economical.

Best bet is to find a range you can rent both guns and shoot them side by side. Try before you buy.
 
CZ 75b, FNP-9, S&W 1.0 can be had at a big savings right now ($189-225) my best advice is go to a range and shoot all the rentals you can lay your hands on to see what works best for you. I am sure they will have some Glocks you can try also (not a fan). Look for police trade in Sigs as well.
 
I have a CZ 75 BD and a Remington 1911 R1 and both are really great. Just picked up a CZ P10c that is also a great shooter. You are on the right track.
 
In reading through the thread, it seems to me that the OP really wants a 1911. While I (along with every other poster here, apparently :p) am a revolver man, I also am a firm believer in the idea that, regardless of the question, the 1911 is rarely the wrong answer.

I hope the OP puts up some pictures when he gets his!
 
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