Wife and I buying a handgun... Caliber recommendations?
- Thread starter j.dust
- Start date
I spent some time way back when, trying out various pistols at a shooting range. They were all 9mms. Bottom line, there was very little difference between them, triggers, sights, accuracy, feel. They were all good. From memory, there was a ruger, a beretta 92 something, a sig 226, a cz75 and a few others. But I preferred the cz75. I shot it the best, it felt the best. This was the only gun of the lot with a steel frame.
I have since found that my second favorite platform is a 1911 in 9mm, this is also a steel frame gun.
A bit of background, the slide is always made of steel in my experience, probably to add some extra weight. However, most pistols such as the sig 226 use an aluminum alloy frame. This is great for those who carry the gun all day as it trims about 1/2 lb. Doesn't matter so much in Canada obviously. But when you shoot it, it is more controlled and that weight reduces the felt recoil.
So, I recommend looking in particular at the steel framed models. You don't have to spend a thousand per gun, the newer Norincos, like the NP29 (1911 9mm) and (if you can find one) the NZ85 (CZ85 knockoff) are pretty nice, once you swap out the grips and get a few better quality mags.
Reference information
unloaded weights
SIG P226 30.4 oz
Beretta 92fs inox 33.3 oz
NZ85 37.6 oz
NP29 40.5 oz (barrel is a little longer, so weight goes up slightly)
I have since found that my second favorite platform is a 1911 in 9mm, this is also a steel frame gun.
A bit of background, the slide is always made of steel in my experience, probably to add some extra weight. However, most pistols such as the sig 226 use an aluminum alloy frame. This is great for those who carry the gun all day as it trims about 1/2 lb. Doesn't matter so much in Canada obviously. But when you shoot it, it is more controlled and that weight reduces the felt recoil.
So, I recommend looking in particular at the steel framed models. You don't have to spend a thousand per gun, the newer Norincos, like the NP29 (1911 9mm) and (if you can find one) the NZ85 (CZ85 knockoff) are pretty nice, once you swap out the grips and get a few better quality mags.
Reference information
unloaded weights
SIG P226 30.4 oz
Beretta 92fs inox 33.3 oz
NZ85 37.6 oz
NP29 40.5 oz (barrel is a little longer, so weight goes up slightly)
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- Location
- West Quebec
That's one option but with the price of kits you may as well buy a separate gun..
Gotta go with the majority here and say a 9mm is the way to go. Lots of options because everybody makes them and lots of ammo choices. Even more if you get into reloading. Try as many different guns as you can and find out for yourselves what fits you and your wife's wants desires and budget best. A 9mm does cost about 3 times more than a .22lr to shoot but that can drop to less than twice if you reload.
X2, at $400 for a conversion kit it's a pricey way to save money.
- Location
- West Quebec
Just picked up like new Ruger for a very good price that was less than the current kits, the only up side I see is to have similar ergonomics but the feel is usually lighter.
My wife and I just went thru the same process, first time handgun buyers. I bought an FNS9L and she bought a GSG 1911 .22. I like the idea of two different calibres, .22 is super cheap to shoot, and the 9 mm is fun to shoot, we can exchange pistols to try out both calibres, and we have both a hammer fired and a striker fired pistol, so we can train on both platforms. We are also in BC, and were offered the opportunity to shoot some fellow CGN'ers handguns before we purchased , which was very cool and helped in our decision for sure. If you are anywhere near the Chilliwack area, we would be more than happy to meet up with you and your wife to let you try out both a 9mm and a .22, just PM me if you are interested and happy hunting for your first pistols!
Sounds 'bout right. Based on what I paid for powder a year ago, works out to 19 cents for me right now but with the newer more expensive powder should be darn close to 20. Finding .22LR for less than 10 per is getting pretty hard.
And then you can take 2 guns and shoot both of them.
I bought my AA kit for my G17 used for around $250 with a couple of mags.
There are advantages in training with the same gun (trigger, manual of arms etc.).
She says this now but having worked as an RO on Lady's Night at DVC on occasion I found that a lot of folks looked down on revolvers UNTIL they held and shot them and found out how good they shoot. They look odd and even feel odd when you first hold them but somehow it all works and the guns shoot like champs for many folks.
You say you're in BC. If you're at all close to the Fraser Valley then you owe yourself and your wife a visit to DVC in Coquitlam and to try a wide variety of 9mm guns.
For example, the Glock and Beretta that your wife likes based on pictures are two guns which need larger hands to hold onto well. The Beretta in particular has one of the largest size grips of any handgun outside of oddities like the Desert Eagle. So even if it means an overnight drive to get there a day and a couple of hundred bucks between the two of you to get to DVC will give you a new outlook on which guns work best for you. And include trying a revolver as well. One or both of you might just have an epiphany on those "weird" looking guns that turn in circles.
And tell us which city or town you're in or near. That would give folks a chance to arrange to hook up with you two at a local range to try a few privately owned guns too.
9mm is best, as it is least expensive to shoot. .40 costs more, has an annoying, snappy recoil impulse, and is harder than 9mm on most of the guns that shoot it. The only reason I would consider .45 is if you want a 1911, which is probably not a good choice for a beginner. You can't go too far wrong with two Glock 17s or S&W M&P 9s. I don't see any compelling reason to choose a DA/SA gun if you are starting from a clean slate.
- Location
- West Quebec
That may be worth it but those deals are hard to find..
It definitely shows, thank you for the kind offer.
BC, Lower Mainland
Definitely. We will also let everyone know our experience when trying and getting a feel for different models before the final purchase.
We are looking forward to meet people from this great community
Hey thanks for the suggestions. Another good reason to stick with 9mm. The idea for different calibers was so we can switch, but our hand size is different for sure. Once she puts it in her hand she will know for sure...(hope that line is not taken out of context haha)
Thanks for the tips and the breakdown of ammo & price.
We will check that one out. She liked that the Glock17 has a 22kit too.
Good to know, thanks for the info.
LOL.. All pink no, maybe pink cammo? haha
I like all black, she likes black or silver
Thank for sharing, we also looked in to hand loading too. A guy from the shop said that for 9mm is not worth it, but for other calibers yes.
We will check out the shadows and grip options. Thanks once again
I was looking at the M&P Range kit, it looks great. Seems like a sweet gone and very good reviews for ergonomics and recoil. Also was watching some videos comparing Glock 17 vs M&P9, there are quite a few.
Thank you for the detail information. I really liked the 1911 platform.
As for steel frames, I was looking at the new Baby Desert Eagle gen 3 I guess, the previous one I believe is called Jericho 941.
I really appreciate everyone sharing your opinions and suggestions.
True, I was just looking at that.. and if we both get conversion kits that would be close to a $1000. Maybe even getting a 22 handgun instead.
But maybe for some people they really like their platform so is worth for them to buy the conversation kit. In the long run they will recover that $$ while using the same handgun. I guess is all matter of personal choice.
Thank you for your kindness, I will let me wife know.
Hey thanks for your suggestions. We went there a couple of months ago, (that's when it all started hahaha). Someone suggested 9mm and we asked the person at the counter to choose the handguns for us... It was fun
The prices are for one gun & 50 bullets... can you get 3 different guns to use with the same 50 bullets?
We are in Coquitlam.
pisces-guy
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- West Kelowna, B.C.
I'm getting that you two are into variety, and you want reliability and quality without spending a fortune...as well as having handguns you can shoot accurately with a bit of practice but not ten year's worth?
I have a Ruger SP-01 five shot .38/.357 stainless revolver, and after putting in a lighter hammer spring, (takes 20 minutes), and Pachmayr grip, I can shoot 4" groups at 25 yards, single action. It's a compact revolver but all steel so it has the heft to shoot accurately, and it looks great. Now as far as a semi auto pistol goes, I'd steer clear of plastic fantastics like the Glock...ugly and a light pistol takes much more practice to learn to shoot accurately. I have one, a Ruger SR9, and it's all re-worked with springs and polished bits, but it took a lot of practice to learn to shoot accurately. The pistol I enjoy shooting is my CZ75 Shadow 9mm...change the 17lb. recoil spring to a 13lb. and go to a 13lb. hammer spring...I also went to a stainless guide rod and recoil buffer, and a competition (smoother) hammer. The result is a world class pistol that's all steel, and has the heft and smoothness so you can learn to shoot it well much sooner. Both the revolver and the pistol use ammunition that's plentiful and easy to find at a very reasonable price for target shooting, and both use a round that's serious enough, (with the right HP ammunition), to be a solid choice for home defence. The one being a revolver and the one being a pistol makes for a fun change-up at the range.
