Having trouble deciding on first and only handgun

Hey fellas, OP here again. Thanks for all the replies, I had some laughs at a few of them. You guys are right, ideally I shouldn’t get just one. However after I get this handgun there are several other guns I’d like to get before another handgun, which could be a long time. After reading the replies and through more of my own research I’m probably going to get a striker in 9mm. Glock is a safe bet, but I’m intrigued by the FNS9 that my local shop has. Very similar to the G19, but a little cheaper, and different. Thoughts?
Honest opinion on the FNS, I own two of them, not once have I ever regretted buying them, they are possibly the most under rated striker fired gun on the market. Pick up a used one off the EE for $500 or so and enjoy. Check out Nuthinfancy Project's review on the FNS on YouTube, he gives a pretty in depth review of this pistol. We have put well over 10,000 rounds thru ours in the last 15 months and they have been dead nuts reliable, the only problem we ever had was a batch of bad Wartek reloads that malfunctioned in numerous handguns, so ammo related for sure.
 
Honest opinion on the FNS, I own two of them, not once have I ever regretted buying them, they are possibly the most under rated striker fired gun on the market. Pick up a used one off the EE for $500 or so and enjoy. Check out Nuthinfancy Project's review on the FNS on YouTube, he gives a pretty in depth review of this pistol. We have put well over 10,000 rounds thru ours in the last 15 months and they have been dead nuts reliable, the only problem we ever had was a batch of bad Wartek reloads that malfunctioned in numerous handguns, so ammo related for sure.
Thanks for that, that’s encouraging. I’m not really too worried about upgrade parts and what not, but I’d like to know if something did break I’d be able to get replacement parts easy enough. Can you get parts kits for the FNS. Thanks for all your help guys/gals.
 
Thanks for that, that’s encouraging. I’m not really too worried about upgrade parts and what not, but I’d like to know if something did break I’d be able to get replacement parts easy enough. Can you get parts kits for the FNS. Thanks for all your help guys/gals.
No you can't get parts in Canada, an issue for some I'm sure, but the way I look at it, I know there is a range rental gun out there with over 40,000 rounds thru it and still running strong,,,, if I can get 40,000 out of mine I will consider it money well spent and buy another :)
 
I just picked up my first striker fired this weekend. I did lots of research before I decided on my Glock 17 but the thing that sold it for me was the the guys at both ranges in town told me their rental glocks significantly outlast all their other rental handguns. While they are taking most guns off the rental shelf arround the 70-80k round mark the glocks easily push 150k rounds before needing any serious work. Some people might feel uneasy about polymer framed pistols but for me that was good enough
 
If you are alright with the large frame Glocks, try the 20, as you can simply buy a barrel and shoot .40 in it for cost considerations. But then you have the option for 10mm.

Stick with a popular semi and you won't be let down. SiG, M+P, CZ Shadow or Glock. Something in there and you won't have buyers remorse.
 
Thanks again for the feedback and subsequent discussion fellas. Bare with me as I go round and round here. How is parts availability here in Canada for the CZ Shadow? I know I said I would probably go striker and the Glock 17 is still high on my list, but that CZ Shadow seems to get a lot of praise.
 
It gets a lot of praise from competition shooters, and if that is the route you're going, you'll be in good company. You shouldn't have too much trouble finding parts, as there are a few supporting vendors here that focus in this area and have parts in stock for CZ 75 and from what I understand, many are interchangeable with a Shadow 2
Thanks again for the feedback and subsequent discussion fellas. Bare with me as I go round and round here. How is parts availability here in Canada for the CZ Shadow? I know I said I would probably go striker and the Glock 17 is still high on my list, but that CZ Shadow seems to get a lot of praise.
 
Only one handgun, if semi-auto, mine would be a Glock 17. Since it’s going to be the only pistol, I can get used to its weird ergonomics that are not like any other pistols. It’s the grip angle I’m referring to.

If revolver, GP100 .357 magnum

Or add $100 to your budget and buy two used FNS9 from the EE, at 500 each. I like the FNS ergonomics better than Glocks due to FNS feeling like a plastic 1911.
 
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the meme is correct, lol.

Unfortunately, once you gain experience you will also know what you like and dislike.
Not one pair of hands are the same therefore you will find a preference towards the ergonomics and the inherent mechanics of a specfic firearm. Therefore, you will not be able to achieve what you want to achieve by posting this question here.
Gotta go out and own them all for a bit before you can really know.

Cheers

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If I had to have just one of my guns it would be the S&W 460 for it's versatility 3 different (4 if you include schofield) caliber is something I cannot do with any other guns

I love my .460 as well, fantastic revolver. However, I shoot my Glock 17 and my CZ SP01 Shadowline much more. I have too many handguns (if that's possible) and if I had to do it all over again I would buy the CZ for 9mm. If you go higher in calibre, you can't beat a good quality 1911.
 
Here's the way I look at selecting a handgun in Canada.
What can I do with it? Take it to a range/gun club.
Where can I shoot it? At a gun club.
What will I shoot with it? Paper/maybe steel at a gun club.

Basically I bought a handgun based on one simple thing. Cost of ammo. All I can do with a handgun in this country is punch holes in paper. Why would I buy some massive cannon caliber at $2 a shot when at the end of the day all I'm doing is putting a hole in paper? I don't need stopping power, I don't need a compact concealed carry gun that can sling heavy projo's, I don't need a handgun that can sling 44 mag at hunting distances. I can't do any of those things in this country.

9mm is the best (.22lr is alright but accuracy at 25 meters out of a handgun barrel gets spotty and it doesn't sound out loud enough on steel plates at 25 meters with hearing pro doubled up). It's the cheapest, most available caliber in NA bar none. You can get bulk ammo at 1000 rounds for just under/right around $300, sometimes with free shipping. Can't be beat.
What gun you get in 9mm is all personal preference really based on size of hand, feel, weight, grip angle etc etc. A handgun in Canada is a toy because of our laws. So I want to be able to play with my toy as much as possible for the least amount of cost; hence 9mm. I bought a well worn P226 off the EE for dirt cheap then just rebuilt it myself with new parts. Awesome handgun.
If I couldn't find a 226 for such a cheap price it would have a been Glock for sure based on the low price and good reliability.
 
Not every one shoots steel targets or has a range that allows steel targets.
Nothing wrong with 22 LR beyond 25 meters if you are willing to spend money on good ammunition and your launcher is capable and most importantly, so is the trigger actuator.
IE-SK Rifle Match or SK Pistol Match Special. Eley or Center X, if you can afford it.
 
buying one handgun, hence the difficulty.

why not get something in 45 ACP?

S&W 625 (Revolver-45acp)

ITB

^^^^this....

If I could only keep/have one handgun it would be my S&W Performance Center 625. Looks beautiful, shoots amazing and .45ACP keeps things happy.
OP, if you can find one buy it but its going to cost a bit more than $900.....
 
If you want versatility, a quality .357 Magnum revolver is your best bet. It is several handguns in one, because youcan load it with anything from .38 Sp. target loads to full blown badass .357 Magnum loads. A S & W Model 19, 66, 586 or 686 would be a good choice.

If you want to shoot a lot, and keep costs down, a .22 lr target pistol is your best bet.

If you want to stick with 9 mm. let me recommend a CZ SP01 Shadow.

You can get a used one in excellent condition for about 70% of the price of new.
 
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Quote Travis " Basically I bought a handgun based on one simple thing. Cost of ammo. All I can do with a handgun in this country is punch holes in paper. Why would I buy some massive cannon caliber at $2 a shot when at the end of the day all I'm doing is putting a hole in paper? "

All political and stupid laws aside, you buy a hand cannon because it's fun to shoot... at anything, the target doesn't matter if your budget allows. WHY wouldn't you have a little fun, I reload 460 magnum for a little over 80 cents a round, it's more than 20 cents for 9mm but it's a hell of a lot more fun to shoot and in this God forsaken backward gun law country, if you can't allow yourself a little fun you might as well not shoot because then you're only making holes in paper.
 
OPs mistake is in the title. No such thing as one gun. The premise starts with conflicting ideas and arbitrary lines drawn in the sand.

If you really wanna be utilitarian. Don't get a pistol because it is for range paper only.

If you can see the utilitarian argument as conflicting with buying one gun, you may as well abandon it for any others you may want. If the first gun is for fun, just go with that idea and enjoy the f$#@ out of it. If something else catches your eye, give it a try. Who knows?

Variety is the spice of life and the joys of .22lr, 9mm, .38spl, .357 mag, .45ACP and others are well worth the money. They are all different beasts and will teach you something.
 
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