I am in the market for a first 9mm pistol. I am not yet sure if I'll want to get involved in idpa or ipsc or both so far. Really for now I want to learn good technique. I will plan on doing some carbine and pistol tactical training courses. I am a bit overwhelmed with options. What is my best bet?
First pistol to learn technique
- Thread starter JordanYOW
- Start date
greywolf67nt
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Stony Plain, AB
Find someone or a bunch of someones that you can go shooting with and try their pistols. If you can't do that at least go to gun stores and handle as many as possible. Some will just feel right and some you will hate.
I live in the middle of nowhere so buy A LOT of stuff just on looks. I have been lucky and only got a couple of things I don't like.
I live in the middle of nowhere so buy A LOT of stuff just on looks. I have been lucky and only got a couple of things I don't like.
A widely-employed and commonly-available striker-fired double-stack with no magazine disconnect and no external manual safety lever.
Glock 17/19/34, H&K SFP9/VP9, S&W M&P9, Sig Sauer P320/P320C, Walther PPQ Navy...take your pick.
Still alive
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rainy mosquito infested part of BC
Hey OP,
This question is like saying I just got my DL so what car should I buy?
There are just too many factors that will affect your decision. And believe it or not, cost is the least of them! I recommend you do some research on your own. Check up YouTube, your local store and, as mentioned, people you may know or gun ranges.
Again, as mentioned, many will recommend the CZ SP-01 or Shadow 2. But you will hear just as many recommend the Glock 17, M&P 2.0, 92FS and the PPQ plus many, many more. Some will even recommend a 9mm revolver. There is no perfect and right gun. You really need to handle or shoot as many as you can and ask questions. It’s a long journey but the rewards are eye opening and fun. And you’ll learn a lot more that way then asking a bunch of nuts here!
This question is like saying I just got my DL so what car should I buy?
There are just too many factors that will affect your decision. And believe it or not, cost is the least of them! I recommend you do some research on your own. Check up YouTube, your local store and, as mentioned, people you may know or gun ranges.
Again, as mentioned, many will recommend the CZ SP-01 or Shadow 2. But you will hear just as many recommend the Glock 17, M&P 2.0, 92FS and the PPQ plus many, many more. Some will even recommend a 9mm revolver. There is no perfect and right gun. You really need to handle or shoot as many as you can and ask questions. It’s a long journey but the rewards are eye opening and fun. And you’ll learn a lot more that way then asking a bunch of nuts here!
Why?
I guess that goes against the cz everyone tells me. What is the reasoning?
Is there anything about the Glock trigger that makes it more difficult? I seem to recall reading something about a tendency to pull for beginners or something.
This, but buy used. You’ll be able to sell for minimal loss if you find something more to your taste. I would personally look for a Gen 3 Glock 17 or S&W M&P 9. Should be able to find both sub $500 used and spend the rest on ammo and range time where you’ll meet lots of nice people who will let you try their firearms if you come off as respectable.
What do you shoot now and what style of 9mm are you planning on competing with?
I have a few handguns, however, I wanted to step up and get really good with 1911 .45 and then maybe compete in the stock class.
So I picked a nicely tuned up GSG 1911 .22 to work on the basics and hell it's just a hoot to shoot. I can blow off 300 rounds in short order with breaking the bank.
Then when I shoot the S&W 1911 in .45 I find I am more comfortable with the size and weight and waste less of the $$$ .45s on the basics.
My brother has a 9mm Sig P226 w/.22LR Conversion Kit and he does much the same thing with the Sig P226 frame.
Most people in the sport will tell you it takes around 1000 rounds with the pistol before you start to get your group within the size of the palm of your hand.
If you have the $$$ to do this all with 9mm then more power to you, the .22 LR alternatives is something that works well for the rest of us.
And as shooting is a perishable skill, the more you shoot and the more often you shoot well the better.
I was always told that practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect so spending quality time on the basics is never a waste of time.
Just food for thought, your mileage will likely vary
Rick
I have a few handguns, however, I wanted to step up and get really good with 1911 .45 and then maybe compete in the stock class.
So I picked a nicely tuned up GSG 1911 .22 to work on the basics and hell it's just a hoot to shoot. I can blow off 300 rounds in short order with breaking the bank.
Then when I shoot the S&W 1911 in .45 I find I am more comfortable with the size and weight and waste less of the $$$ .45s on the basics.
My brother has a 9mm Sig P226 w/.22LR Conversion Kit and he does much the same thing with the Sig P226 frame.
Most people in the sport will tell you it takes around 1000 rounds with the pistol before you start to get your group within the size of the palm of your hand.
If you have the $$$ to do this all with 9mm then more power to you, the .22 LR alternatives is something that works well for the rest of us.
And as shooting is a perishable skill, the more you shoot and the more often you shoot well the better.
I was always told that practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect so spending quality time on the basics is never a waste of time.
Just food for thought, your mileage will likely vary
Rick
Got Juice?
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Peoples Republik of Kanukkistan
One of the best pistols to learn on is a .22lr. Buy a GOOD ONE. cheap plinkers are not good trainers. Budget for a Buckmark, Ruger MKII, both can be found on EE from 4-700.00 and will teach you more about fundamentals than any other type of pistol will.
Perfect Practice Produces Perfect Performance. Once you get that .22 dialled in and working, the next step is to buy what you want, and transfer those lessons to the larger caliber.
No matter what firearms I take to the range, the .22's are still a huge favorite with me, and other people.
Perfect Practice Produces Perfect Performance. Once you get that .22 dialled in and working, the next step is to buy what you want, and transfer those lessons to the larger caliber.
No matter what firearms I take to the range, the .22's are still a huge favorite with me, and other people.
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
Honestly, buy a pistol that fits your hand well and take some courses. Start with a beginner fundamentals class, the instructor will teach you how to properly shoot it. From there you will have a better idea of what you will like to own and shoot. S&W, Glock, CZ, Walther, Beretta all make good pistols, handle some and pick the one you like the best. Better yet shoot a few if there a range local to you that does rentals.
- Location
- West Quebec
- Location
- West Quebec
Pretty much is.. but patience is neededMy IPSC instructor said a few times "If you can shoot a Glock great, you can shoot almost any other pistols even better." Not sure it is true or not
If you just want to learn how to pull a trigger buy whatever you can afford.
If you are truly interested in learning how to shoot a pistol, safely, and accurately buy a used DA/SA pistol and it need not be a top end model. The CZ 75B/85 Combat and the Beretta 92FS come to mind. Of the two, I have come to the conclusion the Beretta 92FS probably offers you the best value. New out of the box, the 92FS has the better trigger. The CZ can be made better by spending some money on a 13# main spring. Both are dead nuts reliable and accurate. Both can be safely drawn out of a holster by even the most coordinated challenged. Both will last you a life time. Both give you the option of shooting lead bullets which can be a bonus if you decide to get into reloading.
The CZ's come with a manual safety while the Beretta comes with a decocker/safety. The latter is the easiest to master quickly.
Just my thoughts for your first gun. Depending on where your shooting experience takes you it won't be your last. That said if you decide you just want to enjoy plinking at the range you will have a gun that will last you a lifetime.
In the interest of fairness to several other pistol options I do own each of these designs along with a number of others. Neither of the above designs are my present go to pistols for competition but both have and would do just as well as my present magic blaster.
Good luck with your choice. We all have our favourites but they may not be the best to learn on.
Take Care
Bob
If you are truly interested in learning how to shoot a pistol, safely, and accurately buy a used DA/SA pistol and it need not be a top end model. The CZ 75B/85 Combat and the Beretta 92FS come to mind. Of the two, I have come to the conclusion the Beretta 92FS probably offers you the best value. New out of the box, the 92FS has the better trigger. The CZ can be made better by spending some money on a 13# main spring. Both are dead nuts reliable and accurate. Both can be safely drawn out of a holster by even the most coordinated challenged. Both will last you a life time. Both give you the option of shooting lead bullets which can be a bonus if you decide to get into reloading.
The CZ's come with a manual safety while the Beretta comes with a decocker/safety. The latter is the easiest to master quickly.
Just my thoughts for your first gun. Depending on where your shooting experience takes you it won't be your last. That said if you decide you just want to enjoy plinking at the range you will have a gun that will last you a lifetime.
In the interest of fairness to several other pistol options I do own each of these designs along with a number of others. Neither of the above designs are my present go to pistols for competition but both have and would do just as well as my present magic blaster.
Good luck with your choice. We all have our favourites but they may not be the best to learn on.
Take Care
Bob
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I think we all missed one of the most important considerations, along with finding a firearm that feels good, also find one you can have a lot of fun with and enjoy.
This weekend up at the gun range, I ran into a colleague from work that I had not seen in over 20 years. He has a daughter the same ages as my son, who is now all grown up/ Over the last ten years the two of them, as father and daughter competed in .22 silhouette throughout the Pacific North West. She must be damned good as dad was using a top of the line Vortex Spotting Scope that she won in Washington state. Now that she has moved on to finish University, those father/daughter memories are priceless.
At least at our range VFGPA on Vancouver Island, once you have your membership and orientation signed off, people will often let you handle and try out their pistols. Be honest with your level of skill and explain what your plans are, and often you will find people more then happy to share with you, what they know. Go to some competions in your local area, get to know the people and someone will walk you through the process.
And you don't need to spend a ton of money to have fun with them. Firearms are like airplanes: "It's not the crate, it's the man (or woman) driving the crate." All you need is a safe firearm that works every time the trigger is pulled, puts a hole in the same place, and that love to shoot.
However be warned, firearms are like tattoos. You may go in thinking that one will be enough.... just saying.
This weekend up at the gun range, I ran into a colleague from work that I had not seen in over 20 years. He has a daughter the same ages as my son, who is now all grown up/ Over the last ten years the two of them, as father and daughter competed in .22 silhouette throughout the Pacific North West. She must be damned good as dad was using a top of the line Vortex Spotting Scope that she won in Washington state. Now that she has moved on to finish University, those father/daughter memories are priceless.
At least at our range VFGPA on Vancouver Island, once you have your membership and orientation signed off, people will often let you handle and try out their pistols. Be honest with your level of skill and explain what your plans are, and often you will find people more then happy to share with you, what they know. Go to some competions in your local area, get to know the people and someone will walk you through the process.
And you don't need to spend a ton of money to have fun with them. Firearms are like airplanes: "It's not the crate, it's the man (or woman) driving the crate." All you need is a safe firearm that works every time the trigger is pulled, puts a hole in the same place, and that love to shoot.
However be warned, firearms are like tattoos. You may go in thinking that one will be enough.... just saying.
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...about the "go to the store and see what fits your hand" comments:
First, learn how to properly grip the pistol. THEN, see what works for your hands. You don't want to go to a store with a "cup & saucer" grip, that isn't what you'll be using after you get some training and start action shooting.
Talk to some local action shooters about grip, guns they use, etc, and go from there. I'm a Shadow guy, and use it for both IPSC and IDPA, but I do like the Walther PPQ as well. That will be my next purchase.
First, learn how to properly grip the pistol. THEN, see what works for your hands. You don't want to go to a store with a "cup & saucer" grip, that isn't what you'll be using after you get some training and start action shooting.
Talk to some local action shooters about grip, guns they use, etc, and go from there. I'm a Shadow guy, and use it for both IPSC and IDPA, but I do like the Walther PPQ as well. That will be my next purchase.
Does CGN have a sticky of good Youtube training videos? There are lot's of videos onine and some are very good.
I agree with the person that suggested a double action revolver. It can be cocked and fired single action or the long double action pull is a great trainer for your trigger finger. Triggers may very in weight and the way they break but the basics of a straight back, linear trigger pull with minimal deviation does not change.
Dryfiring a .22lr revolver with some home made snap caps and then live firing .22lr at the range will be the most cost efficient way to develop a great trigger finger and smooth pull.
Alfa Projects, Smith and Wesson, Ruger take your pick! What's your budget? When you say "first 9mm" do you mean "first handgun"?
Alfa Project makes a 9mm revolver as well.
Fact is as others have already pointed out..... your first will not be your last, so don't overthink it......
I agree with the person that suggested a double action revolver. It can be cocked and fired single action or the long double action pull is a great trainer for your trigger finger. Triggers may very in weight and the way they break but the basics of a straight back, linear trigger pull with minimal deviation does not change.
Dryfiring a .22lr revolver with some home made snap caps and then live firing .22lr at the range will be the most cost efficient way to develop a great trigger finger and smooth pull.
Alfa Projects, Smith and Wesson, Ruger take your pick! What's your budget? When you say "first 9mm" do you mean "first handgun"?
Alfa Project makes a 9mm revolver as well.
Fact is as others have already pointed out..... your first will not be your last, so don't overthink it......
