- Location
- West Quebec
Good list I'd pick the CZ first out of that lineup
Need help choosing a pistol
- Thread starter CoolBreeze35
- Start date
Good list I'd pick the CZ first out of that lineup
Go to the EE and get yourself a lightly used G17. Once you learn to shoot it "well" you should be able to shoot any HG.
They're easy to clean, take abuse and IF you need to replace parts they are easy to get. Most work can be done with simple tools…no Smith required.
They're easy to clean, take abuse and IF you need to replace parts they are easy to get. Most work can be done with simple tools…no Smith required.
That's a nice budget to have. Something to consider is the price of magazines, for a Beretta 92 or Equivalent they are $69-100 here now. Whereas for a 1911 they can be had for as little as $29 at Cabela's. Depends on the gun. Of course with a revolver you do not need to worry about this. I had to do a lot of research but found a holster to fit my Compact Girsan (Beretta 92) so that's another consideration. I too love the Baby Eagle Jericho, that and the CZ P-07, or was it P-08, to me are the 2 most comfortable naturally pointing pistols I have ever held, but everyone has their own preferences and different size hands. I would say check around and hold many different ones before making a final decision
Right now I'm set on the m&p 9mm range kit but I haven't held it yet so I can't say that I'll be pulling the trigger on that. The reason I'm leaning towards it is because I'll have money left over for ammo cleaning supplies and anything else I might run into.
- Location
- Just north of Toronto
I own a Jericho as well, and shot a CZ shadow today and they are both nice guns my vote would go for ether of these, and you said that you liked the idea of the MandP coming with three mags. the Canadian Jericho range kit comes with three mags a holster and mag pouch.
- Location
- Just north of Toronto
For $649.99 you can get the range kit I think Wanstalls has the kit in stock right now.
Where I live the m&p 9mm range kit is $660 which may be overpriced but definitely in my price range
I love CZ'S and have a Combat, but if you are at a 1000.00 max a 1911 should be a "First". At a G you have some options
and since you didn't specify new or used a new entry STI or Springfield won't be too shabby. For used you can even pick up a Colt
just for traditions sake.1911's can be magazine sensitive though . For a 100% functional first good pistol experience consider
a Sig 220 , 226 or a Glock along with the previously mentioned CZ as the are virtually as reliable as a pistol can be.
and since you didn't specify new or used a new entry STI or Springfield won't be too shabby. For used you can even pick up a Colt
just for traditions sake.1911's can be magazine sensitive though . For a 100% functional first good pistol experience consider
a Sig 220 , 226 or a Glock along with the previously mentioned CZ as the are virtually as reliable as a pistol can be.
with this budget, tons of choice, see my list. I already own some, and will get the others.
SIG Sauer P226 Extreme - 9MM or .40 S&W (sorry you just missed a sell which would fit your budget, now it would be slightly over, but well worth it)
CZ 75 SP-01 Shadow - 9MM
Walther PPQ M2 5" - 9MM
Smith & Wessen M&P40 Range Kit
Glock G22 Gen 4 - .40 S&W
HK P30LS v .3 DA/SA - .40 S&W Over budget, but must have down the road
Ruger SR1911 - .45 ACP
Glock G41 Gen 4 - .45 ACP
SIG Sauer P226 Extreme - 9MM or .40 S&W (sorry you just missed a sell which would fit your budget, now it would be slightly over, but well worth it)
CZ 75 SP-01 Shadow - 9MM
Walther PPQ M2 5" - 9MM
Smith & Wessen M&P40 Range Kit
Glock G22 Gen 4 - .40 S&W
HK P30LS v .3 DA/SA - .40 S&W Over budget, but must have down the road
Ruger SR1911 - .45 ACP
Glock G41 Gen 4 - .45 ACP
Phat Eagle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Fraser Valley, BC
If you get the S&W M&P ensure you include an Apex trigger in your budget. The stock trigger is deplorable.
I'm partial to the Glock 17 myself. Tons of mags, holsters and accessories available, and they run like a top...
If you prefer an all steel gun I suggest a CZ. They're well built and very accurate.
I'm partial to the Glock 17 myself. Tons of mags, holsters and accessories available, and they run like a top...
If you prefer an all steel gun I suggest a CZ. They're well built and very accurate.
Since I'm new to this I have to ask what is so good about these apex triggers?
My first pistol was a p226, and not only is the pistol very capable, it's very well built. some find the 226 "bulky" for a lack of better terms, but I find it fits my hand perfectly, feels like it was meant to be felt.
shorter trigger reset and much more smooth and lighter trigger pull. It's much easier to shoot accurately.
However, as a beginner, including myself, I strongly suggest AGAINST this because factory stuff force us learn and improve the fundamentals which will benefit us in the long run and make us a better shooter. By replacing the trigger, it's like workaround a problem we are supposed to fix.
just an example, a common newbie mistake is to hold the breath during trigger pull, if it's factory trigger, you may have to hold it for 1,2 or a few seconds which you will eventually notice and try to correct this issue. with apex, you may only need to do this under a second which you barely noticed. same thing goes to ambushing the target etc. the much better trigger will mask our problems in some degree.
of course, if you just want to have a blast and have fun, it's a shortcut. Otherwise, nothing practice can't fix.
However, as a beginner, including myself, I strongly suggest AGAINST this because factory stuff force us learn and improve the fundamentals which will benefit us in the long run and make us a better shooter. By replacing the trigger, it's like workaround a problem we are supposed to fix.
just an example, a common newbie mistake is to hold the breath during trigger pull, if it's factory trigger, you may have to hold it for 1,2 or a few seconds which you will eventually notice and try to correct this issue. with apex, you may only need to do this under a second which you barely noticed. same thing goes to ambushing the target etc. the much better trigger will mask our problems in some degree.
of course, if you just want to have a blast and have fun, it's a shortcut. Otherwise, nothing practice can't fix.
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It makes the M&P feel more like a Glock!
In all seriousness the M&P is a well built handgun but the stock trigger blows. I prefer Glocks because of their distinct tactile reset but to each their own.
If I was to shorten my original list it would look something like this:
M&P9 (striker-fired, simple, plastic, range kit available, $)
Glock 17 (striker-fired, simple, plastic, huge parts/accessory market, $$)
IWI Jericho 941 (DA/SA, metal (don't go plastic), range kit available, $)
CZ Shadow (DA/SA, metal, probably the best shooter???, $$$)
Any decent handgun is made to shoot easily 80 to 100 times that amount over the course of its lifespan. Hell, when I got my first CZ I shot that much in less than the first two months. So don't be put off by guns listed as having round counts of even over 10K.
You've got two major choices to make when buying a handgun.
First is metal or plastic. Plastic guns are a little lighter and affect how the gun feels during shooting compared to the metal guns. Neither is right or wrong or bad or better. But there is a difference in feel which you'll quickly notice if able to shoot one after the other.
Next is striker or hammer fired. This affects how the trigger feels. On hammer fired guns the trigger holds on a firm break point and has a sharper and more defined release when the sear breaks and lets the hammer fall. On all the striker fired guns I've handled there's more of a smooth pressure build to a softer and more vague sort of trigger break.
After getting to try a bunch for ME it was all metal and hammer fired. I find that I can shoot the plastic striker guns just fine. I just prefer the feel of the metal guns and hammer fired triggers. Lots of others went the other way. Neither is right or wrong. Clearly both options shoot just fine. It's your choice. So if it's possible to arrange for some range time with folks in your local club I'd suggest you set something up so you can buy a style of gun you prefer. It'll likely cost you for some ammo and lunch to say thanks. But if it means you get the gun you like better it's well worth it.
You've got two major choices to make when buying a handgun.
First is metal or plastic. Plastic guns are a little lighter and affect how the gun feels during shooting compared to the metal guns. Neither is right or wrong or bad or better. But there is a difference in feel which you'll quickly notice if able to shoot one after the other.
Next is striker or hammer fired. This affects how the trigger feels. On hammer fired guns the trigger holds on a firm break point and has a sharper and more defined release when the sear breaks and lets the hammer fall. On all the striker fired guns I've handled there's more of a smooth pressure build to a softer and more vague sort of trigger break.
After getting to try a bunch for ME it was all metal and hammer fired. I find that I can shoot the plastic striker guns just fine. I just prefer the feel of the metal guns and hammer fired triggers. Lots of others went the other way. Neither is right or wrong. Clearly both options shoot just fine. It's your choice. So if it's possible to arrange for some range time with folks in your local club I'd suggest you set something up so you can buy a style of gun you prefer. It'll likely cost you for some ammo and lunch to say thanks. But if it means you get the gun you like better it's well worth it.
So just to give an update, I ended up getting a M&P .40. Before everyone goes nuts, I chose .40 cal because my uncle reloads so in the long run its better for the wallet. After I learn how to shoot the thing accurately I'll be changing the trigger to an apex and then maybe the sights to fiber optic night sights.
great choice. another member on this forum just bought the exact same thing. I got the same as my very first pistol as well. Just a suggestion, in case you don't like the caliber or want to try 9mm with very little add-on cost, storm lake conversion barrel is only $200 plus tax and shipping which was my backup plan that I haven't had the needs to execute yet.
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