Thanks for clicking all, just getting into the pistol game and would like to get some opinions from some on what is a good buy for a novice. ( I have plenty on time rifles and shoot regularly, semi & bolt, I have also shot a few pistols as well. But it's been a decade or so since I've been on the range with a pistol.) I am looking for a modern semi auto pistol, I'm not very particular on calibre or better said I am receptive to all but .22. I know .22 is a great cheap way to go, but it's just not what I'm looking for at the moment. I would like it to be railed so I can install a tac-light/laser combo, maybe a ready site as well. Price point is 1000-1200. I've looked at m&p's (liked the vtac, wasn't a fan of the colour. why not in black?), and a few glocks.... Meh! Not really sold one way or the either. Any suggestions, ideas, leads? I plan on attempting some amateur club shoots, possibly more? Any friendly advice would be appreciated.
Need advice, please help
- Thread starter Akronym
- Start date
I have had a Springfield XDm9 and liked it. I currently have a Sig Sauer P226 Extreme, and I love it.
In your price range, a P226 (or other Sig) would be a very good choice. (There are lots of models to choose from.)
I am currently considering a CZ SP01 Shadow or a Walther PPQ. I have not fired either of those, but I have heard enough about them that I think that one of those will likely be the next one I buy.
In your price range, a P226 (or other Sig) would be a very good choice. (There are lots of models to choose from.)
I am currently considering a CZ SP01 Shadow or a Walther PPQ. I have not fired either of those, but I have heard enough about them that I think that one of those will likely be the next one I buy.
- Location
- Just north of Toronto
Hello, I am new to the pistol market as well, I have just recently purchased a Jericho and it meets all your requirements that you have stated and its less then your stated budget which will allow you to buy ammo or another toy.
I would suggest something in a 9mm. It's got more power than a .22lr, it's still relatively cheap to shoot and ammunition is readily available.
I had been looking at either a Glock 17 or a Sig P226 MK25. Both are reliable pistol chambered in 9mm and have rails to mount your weaponlight. At this time, the only Sig with a true Mil-Std rail is the MK25. The other Sigs have a rounded rail. I have talked to someone who has them both. He, by far, prefers his Sig P226 over his Glock. The Sig fits my hand better but I find the Glock sights faster when I point the pistol. It's a toss up but I will probably end up purchasing the Sig. It's extremely important that the pistol fits well in your hand.
I have had a chance to shoot the M&P in 9mm. I was not impressed with the trigger at all! It was very spongy and had a lot of travel before it fired.
Most of the guys and gals shooting IPSC in Winnipeg are using CZ Shadows.
I do love the .45ACP though. I sold my Colt Gold Cup Trophy and S&W Doug Koenig Edition .45's. Never should have let that Colt go...
It you are planning to participate in a club shoot, find out if there are specific classes or models that are allowed. This might help you narrow down your choices. Hope this helps.
I had been looking at either a Glock 17 or a Sig P226 MK25. Both are reliable pistol chambered in 9mm and have rails to mount your weaponlight. At this time, the only Sig with a true Mil-Std rail is the MK25. The other Sigs have a rounded rail. I have talked to someone who has them both. He, by far, prefers his Sig P226 over his Glock. The Sig fits my hand better but I find the Glock sights faster when I point the pistol. It's a toss up but I will probably end up purchasing the Sig. It's extremely important that the pistol fits well in your hand.
I have had a chance to shoot the M&P in 9mm. I was not impressed with the trigger at all! It was very spongy and had a lot of travel before it fired.
Most of the guys and gals shooting IPSC in Winnipeg are using CZ Shadows.
I do love the .45ACP though. I sold my Colt Gold Cup Trophy and S&W Doug Koenig Edition .45's. Never should have let that Colt go...
It you are planning to participate in a club shoot, find out if there are specific classes or models that are allowed. This might help you narrow down your choices. Hope this helps.
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I would recommend a Jericho or a CZ Shadow. Either will serve you well, and are excellent firearms. Between the two, I would pick the Shadow. I currently own 14 handguns and my Shadow is so predictable and easy to shoot, it's almost boring at this stage of the game.....
Paul
Paul
You've got two big family variations in handguns. First is all metal to metal and polymer. The second is the trigger feel between striker fired and hammer fired guns.
Polymer guns tend to be lighter than all metal guns. But this is countered by the fact that most striker fired guns sit deeper in the hands so the bore axis is closer to your upper grip. The reason is the higher beaver tail allowed for by the lack of action bits and hammer related parts in the back area of the frame.
Then there's the variation in the trigger feel for polymer and hammer fired guns.
In the end there's no one right solution. Some are instant slaves to the polymer and striker guns like the Glock, XD or M&P while others think the path to true enlightenment is the all metal heft and single action trigger of John Moses Browning's classic 1911 or is follow up act as personified in metal by the Browning Hi Power. And then to confuse the issue there's also no lack of polymer handguns with hammer fired actions.
There is no right or wrong choice in the combinations of these factors. You will need to figure out some way to try some options and figure out for yourself which YOU like.
Polymer guns tend to be lighter than all metal guns. But this is countered by the fact that most striker fired guns sit deeper in the hands so the bore axis is closer to your upper grip. The reason is the higher beaver tail allowed for by the lack of action bits and hammer related parts in the back area of the frame.
Then there's the variation in the trigger feel for polymer and hammer fired guns.
In the end there's no one right solution. Some are instant slaves to the polymer and striker guns like the Glock, XD or M&P while others think the path to true enlightenment is the all metal heft and single action trigger of John Moses Browning's classic 1911 or is follow up act as personified in metal by the Browning Hi Power. And then to confuse the issue there's also no lack of polymer handguns with hammer fired actions.
There is no right or wrong choice in the combinations of these factors. You will need to figure out some way to try some options and figure out for yourself which YOU like.
That's a nice budget for a pistol.
But what kind of club shoots do you have in mind? PPC? Bullseye? IDPA? IPSC? etc.
Chances are you're not going to stop at the first pistol, there will be the second or third one, even if there's only one at a time. For this reason, I would just settle with a cheap 9mm semi auto to start with, such as SR9, Jericho, Glock 17, or even M&P9 range kit which comes with EVERYTHING you need to join most club shoots (minus the holster cert). Then as you shoot your first pistol more often and train with it, combine that with trying out other people's pistols at the range or at the club shoots, you will know what you really want in a pistol. Then you can sell the first one, and get the one you know you want, i.e. better trigger, more weight, different calibre, smaller grip, i hate hammer, i love hammer, etc.
Others will advise you to only buy one after you get a chance to try a few pistols (rent or borrow) ... nothing wrong with that but it didn't work for me. I found that I need to spend some quality time with a pistol (at least a month of a few range times, lots of dry fire, close to 1000 rounds) before I click with it or otherwise.
Hope this helps!
PS: .............. or as suggested a few times already, you can just skip the above and get a CZ
As much as I love my Sig P229, I wouldn't recommend it to start with because of sight radius. My P220 is the second best shooter of my current 9 handguns but I lucked out, it is almost laughable how accurate it shoots. Try a P226 or Browning Hi-Power if you want something consistent in 9mm. I am biased however by my anecdotal evidence. I shoot for fun and not competition if that matters.
Pick up a lightly used G17 on the EE. The 9mm is plentiful and cheaper to shoot = more trigger time. The money saved buying used will get you your accessories.
Glocks are easy to maintain, takes abuse and lots of parts available. Once you "master" shooting the G17 you should be able to shoot just about any HG reasonably well. When I start getting sloppy with my trigger I always go back to my G17 for practice.
I'd also recommend a revolver (shoot it in dbl action) to work on your trigger finger but sounds like you want a semi….
Glocks are easy to maintain, takes abuse and lots of parts available. Once you "master" shooting the G17 you should be able to shoot just about any HG reasonably well. When I start getting sloppy with my trigger I always go back to my G17 for practice.
I'd also recommend a revolver (shoot it in dbl action) to work on your trigger finger but sounds like you want a semi….
I'd say go 9mm for your first poke in the pistol game.
I've had my Grand Power K100 since 2005 and its never let me down!
These pistols are incredibly accurate with their rotating barrel locking system.
I hear the new batch on the market is just as good but with easier disassembly.
The price on these is excellent too which leaves cash left over for your sight, flashlight and ammo!
I've had my Grand Power K100 since 2005 and its never let me down!
These pistols are incredibly accurate with their rotating barrel locking system.
I hear the new batch on the market is just as good but with easier disassembly.
The price on these is excellent too which leaves cash left over for your sight, flashlight and ammo!
- Location
- West Quebec
+1 Great advice ..I do the same with my Glock when I develop bad habits with my other pistols.. it works
Great advice all, thank you. Took quite a bit away from this its really appreciated. I've decided to go to the dvc/wan stalls range day the morning to try some different options out. Sounds like 9mm is the way to go from your responses. You guys are awesome, thanks.
