Decided to get a handgun $600 budget, suggestions?

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Rifter

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So before the NDP or Liberals try and ban handguns im going to purchase on in the hopes they grandfather them in and let me keep it if it does come down to it.

I was originally going to get a ruger 22/45 or the GSG 22LR pistol but have decided to go full power first and then get the .22 later if I still can.

As you may have guessed by my .22 selections I like the 1911's, they fit my hand well and I like the control locations. The safety system is not the best to run with a live one in the chamber ill admit but we cant carry them anyways so its a moot point really. Im going full sized none of this commander crap I read of to many issues with recoil springs and failures to feed and fire with them I want a reliable gun :) Will also be .45ACP the way a 1911 was designed to be

So in my price range there seems to be only a few options:

Norinco
SAM
Girsan Yavuz
Low end STI maybe if I find a good deal on one

Any opinions or other brands I should be looking at?
 
In my experience .45 ammo is almost double the cost of 9mm. However I will not knock Norinco 1911s for one second. Have you looked at the NP-29? Al Flaherty's has them for sale right now.
 
PlaidSon said:
In my experience .45 ammo is almost double the cost of 9mm. However I will not knock Norinco 1911s for one second. Have you looked at the NP-29? Al Flaherty's has them for sale right now.
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I realize the cost issue, I can afford to shoot a few hundred rounds a month of .45 which I hope is enough to keep me proficient shooting it.

I also might look into reloading for it.
 
Well in that case there are Dominion Arms 1911's and with any luck you get better sights than the Norinco GI model. The Norc ones are quite small, but a drop of florescent paint goes a long way, or take the 200 you have left over and go fiber optic. I'm living with them right now but would not hesitate to put expensive sights on because the gun does group wonderfully as is.
 
I went with a Smith and Wesson SD9VE.
That is, when the CFO decides it's ok...:(
Around $400. You can spend the extra $200 on dies and mags.
 
Look out for a used 9mm they tend to be cheaper and can help get you a better handgun on a budget or even better get a .22. Going to a .45 first is not recommended because of you want to get your form correct. If you get a .45 and learn on it without proper form you will probably be compensating for your bad form.

Originally I thought to get a 9mm because I didn't want to use a whimpy (.22) gun, then I took the range safety course where you get to shoot a .22 pistol and I did terrible. Out of 5 people there I did the worst out of all, I pulled down and to the left as a right handed shooter. So, I bought with a used .22 to start and my form is improving with every visit to the range.
 
M_User said:
Look out for a used 9mm they tend to be cheaper and can help get you a better handgun on a budget or even better get a .22. Going to a .45 first is not recommended because of you want to get your form correct. If you get a .45 and learn on it without proper form you will probably be compensating for your bad form.

Originally I thought to get a 9mm because I didn't want to use a whimpy (.22) gun, then I took the range safety course where you get to shoot a .22 pistol and I did terrible. Out of 5 people there I did the worst out of all, I pulled down and to the left as a right handed shooter. So, I bought with a used .22 to start and my form is improving with every visit to the range.
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With respect, it sounds like OP wants a .45. I do agree with you about forming flinches and bad habits; however, I started with 9mm myself, and have let many new shooters try it. There seems to be no problem as long as you have a mentor to teach you. The .45 is a bit more intimidating but I'm sure a person could learn fine with it with the proper guidance, and I'm sure many have. I almost get the impression OP wants one handgun, and as much as I believe 9mm is not lacking in any way, .45 is hella fun too.

Obviously this is dependent on who is behind the trigger and how they feel about pulling it. Fire guns, get experience, make decision. Does OP have access to firearms to try shooting first?
 
PlaidSon said:
With respect, it sounds like OP wants a .45. I do agree with you about forming flinches and bad habits; however, I started with 9mm myself, and have let many new shooters try it. There seems to be no problem as long as you have a mentor to teach you. The .45 is a bit more intimidating but I'm sure a person could learn fine with it with the proper guidance, and I'm sure many have. I almost get the impression OP wants one handgun, and as much as I believe 9mm is not lacking in any way, .45 is hella fun too.

Obviously this is dependent on who is behind the trigger and how they feel about pulling it. Fire guns, get experience, make decision. Does OP have access to firearms to try shooting first?
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For handguns I have shot a few different Sigs in 9mm and .40. A few S&W semi auto's in 9mm and .40. And a springfield 1911 in .45. the 1911 was 12 years ago though the others are more recent.

I still think the 1911 was the most fun but being that long ago memory is not the clearest.
 
I think SAM hits the sweet spot in your price range. A lot of folks really like them. they do make a 9mm version if you get swayed
 
I had a Norc 45 and loved it.

But I found shooting it was painful (on the wallet).

Plus when I got my first handgun, I found I could hit the target better if I threw rocks.

So I sat down at the bench with my wrists on the sandbag until the light bulb went off about 300 rounds later.

Maybe get a .45 and a .22 conversion kit??
 
You get a good deal with an M&P9 range kit. Gun, 3 mags, holster, mag pouch, 3 different grip sizes in a lockable hardcase. Shop around for it to be on sale. Later on you can trigger and sight upgrades at Amazon.ca and install them yourself.
 
nugunner said:
You get a good deal with an M&P9 range kit. Gun, 3 mags, holster, mag pouch, 3 different grip sizes in a lockable hardcase. Shop around for it to be on sale. Later on you can trigger and sight upgrades at Amazon.ca and install them yourself.
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While it isn't a 1911 the M&P is a gun I have shot, and it does fit my hand well. Ill look into these range kits.
 
Rifter said:
While it isn't a 1911 the M&P is a gun I have shot, and it does fit my hand well. Ill look into these range kits.
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When I bought my first pistol I was like you and went with the Sam 1911 and love it. But after a while it does get pricey so switched to 9 mm the m&p is alright until I bought a Jericho steel frame and it is by far my favourite pistol to shoot.
 
Hey
I too like the 1911..
just got a canada ammo special not too long ago chome full size ..just went shooting today actually and put another 150 rounds through it..total of 450 now..
I have a norinco commander and the dominion arms full size and like them...have you decided on the finish?
heads up..if your going with anything then the blued ones research as you may want to look into the possibly scratch you'll get just by racking the slide..my new one got the scratch just with a few racks when I first got it.
no real big problem but just a heads up think canada ammo has them instock still
also good price on mags too if still instock.
 
Im in love with my Grand Power and highly recommend it to anyone.

Theres a few used ones on the EE at fair prices (even the X-trim!) and there's a few dealers on the board that carry them.
 
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