+1 to the person that said to leave room in the budget for some extra magazines and ammunition. Lots of good options in that price range. The range kits are generally good value, Jericho for the DA steel frame, and the S&W m&p for the polymers. My first was a .40 Glock 22 which was a really bad choice for a first, so take my advice with a grain of salt.
Opinions on first handgun
- Thread starter Nolan.Vogel
- Start date
I don't like the feel of the Beretta 92 in my hand . out if most pistols and I don't have huge hands the CZ 75 feels the best. it's in 9mm. a nice 357 is you next best bet . a Gp100 . but you'd better learn to reload for that one . ammo is pricey .
Honestly, if I could do it all over again and had all the money in the world, I'd grab my MantisX, go to a gun range and rent a bunch of different pistols to see what I "score" better with - usually is an indicator of how well a pistol's ergonomics and trigger interface with your hand, I would say.
You can get one new for that price.
A 6 inch .357 magnum revolver. I own a S&W and a Ruger and love them both. You can shoot light 38 special target loads to start off. The recoil isn't much more than a 22 and when the "Dirty Harry" mood strikes, load up with 357 magnums and let er' buck!
Yeah, a 2.0. That price is horrible.
That gun shouldn't sell for more than 400 in near-mint shape.
Of course but it would still be helpful in picking the best handgun for him.
Shouldn't settle for what people recommend as the "best" pistol. Do your homework and try several and see what you shoot best with. Doesn't matter how comfortable a gun feels in your hand if you don't shoot well with it.
My first handgun was an HK SFP9. Great pistol but after reading it for a Sig P320 my groups got better overnight, it simply points more naturally and interfaces with my hand better but YMMV!
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Ruger Mk IV .22lr and lots of practice.
If you want a 9mm the sky is the limit. You need to figure out if you prefer hammer or striker fired, polymer of steel frame... as already suggested find a gun shop that will let you handle the merchandise and feel them out!
For me, I prefer striker fire. Glock is always a good choice (I have a 19, 22, 26, 34 and 41), but my HK SFP9 is easily my favourite.
If you want a 9mm the sky is the limit. You need to figure out if you prefer hammer or striker fired, polymer of steel frame... as already suggested find a gun shop that will let you handle the merchandise and feel them out!
For me, I prefer striker fire. Glock is always a good choice (I have a 19, 22, 26, 34 and 41), but my HK SFP9 is easily my favourite.
I'm not knocking the Mantis-X, but my point is that if someone doesn't even know how to properly hold a pistol, watch that FSP, and pull the trigger without moving the sights, then there are some big issues to address. I've seen so-called "experienced" shooters hold the gun one step away from a cup & saucer grip, and they just aren't very good. Their poor fundamentals would be mostly overlooked by a light triggered 1911, but would be easily seen with a different gun. A gun that's easier to shoot can simply hide flaws in a person's fundamentals. Depends on what you're after, I guess.
