Almost ready to buy my first pistol, need some advice.

First, people posting full-size photos, please stop. STOP.

Now, as it seems most people have you thinking about a 9mm and that is awesome! If you wanted a 40s&w you can go that routine and with reloading, you can reduce that "kick". 9mm has the upper hand due to cost, which as you know means you can train more often.

Now, something I didn't see much of is people asking, do you plan on doing something like IPSC, or IDPA? Once you start shooting, being forced to shoot standing in one spot the time, sucks, really sucks. I would recommend looking at IPSC and IDPA and picking what is best for you. I'll leave my bias on with one is better unless you want it.

For both IPSC and IDPA a 1911 in 9mm is a great choice! Holsters are easy to find and so are magazines. I would not recommend the M92 as getting parts is hard (springs,pins,etc) where the 1911 has many parts in Canada ready to ship. Same with the CZ75 family of guns, and Glocks.

If you are just getting into shooting and have the money, take a class from a Master or Grandmaster IPSC shooter and start off with the right information. Most Range Officers/ "trainers" at clubs are idiots teaching old #### that doesn't work, having you do bullseye shooting. If you want to double tap your 1911 like a ####ing boss, take a class.

Whatever gun you pick, shoot that thing a lot, get the proper training to reduce bad habits, and have a good time.
 
jimbo14 said:
Being an owner of two SP-01 Shadows, I understand the idea of a cheaper gun compared to a Shadow 2, but I see zero reason for buying a plain Jane SP-01 vs an SP-01 Shadow. Even resale favours the Shadow much more than the plain SP-01. It’s much easier to sell a more popular model.
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I don't consider resale, I don't sell my guns... it's not a factor that was asked about in the OP either. But the differences between the SP-01 and the original Shadow are so scant that I fail to see the need in paying more. DIfferent sights and a smaller safety seem to be the only differences that are noticeable, and I say this as someone who fondled both to compare. Trigger was the same.
 
Euro said:
First, people posting full-size photos, please stop. STOP.

Now, as it seems most people have you thinking about a 9mm and that is awesome! If you wanted a 40s&w you can go that routine and with reloading, you can reduce that "kick". 9mm has the upper hand due to cost, which as you know means you can train more often.

Now, something I didn't see much of is people asking, do you plan on doing something like IPSC, or IDPA? Once you start shooting, being forced to shoot standing in one spot the time, sucks, really sucks. I would recommend looking at IPSC and IDPA and picking what is best for you. I'll leave my bias on with one is better unless you want it.

For both IPSC and IDPA a 1911 in 9mm is a great choice! Holsters are easy to find and so are magazines. I would not recommend the M92 as getting parts is hard (springs,pins,etc) where the 1911 has many parts in Canada ready to ship. Same with the CZ75 family of guns, and Glocks.

If you are just getting into shooting and have the money, take a class from a Master or Grandmaster IPSC shooter and start off with the right information. Most Range Officers/ "trainers" at clubs are idiots teaching old #### that doesn't work, having you do bullseye shooting. If you want to double tap your 1911 like a ####ing boss, take a class.

Whatever gun you pick, shoot that thing a lot, get the proper training to reduce bad habits, and have a good time.
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Thanks for the reply. I love me some full size photos though, not sure why they're so big on your screen but I have no issues with them; in fact I prefer them tbh. lol

Not sure I want to get into comp's, but I'd love to learn better technical skills regardless. I know there's guys that do 3 gun and some other comps on my range, I should look into getting some advice.

Kosmonument said:
I don't consider resale, I don't sell my guns... it's not a factor that was asked about in the OP either. But the differences between the SP-01 and the original Shadow are so scant that I fail to see the need in paying more. DIfferent sights and a smaller safety seem to be the only differences that are noticeable, and I say this as someone who fondled both to compare. Trigger was the same.
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Master-G said:
OP wanted examples, we showed him some examples.
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Not too concerned with resale value, more concerned with finding the right pistol for me.

I'd like the opportunity to hold both pistols. If I can save some cash and their basically identical I might go with the SP-01 instead.

Kosmonument said:
Time to upgrade your Compaq Presario. The images are pretty small for me.
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:D :D :D

They looks small enough to me as well, but I do have a 32" 2K screen.
 
Bodain said:
Not sure I want to get into comp's, but I'd love to learn better technical skills regardless. I know there's guys that do 3 gun and some other comps on my range, I should look into getting some advice.

Not too concerned with resale value, more concerned with finding the right pistol for me.

I'd like the opportunity to hold both pistols. If I can save some cash and their basically identical I might go with the SP-01 instead.
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Maybe you’ll notice the FPB in the SP-01 that the other guy clearly didn’t notice. The triggers are not identical. In any event, you’re the one that matters here. Hopefully you can try before you buy, otherwise you might start caring about resale if you do choose poorly. :)

If you want to grow your skills, please look into competition. It’s a great way to continually measure your skills, and meet like-minded people. You can learn a ton in the right environment.
 
jimbo14 said:
Maybe you’ll notice the FPB in the SP-01 that the other guy clearly didn’t notice. The triggers are not identical. In any event, you’re the one that matters here. Hopefully you can try before you buy, otherwise you might start caring about resale if you do choose poorly. :)

If you want to grow your skills, please look into competition. It’s a great way to continually measure your skills, and meet like-minded people. You can learn a ton in the right environment.
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There's a nice looking Shadow 2 for sale about 20 mins away and it comes with 350rnds of 124gr 9mm.

Going to stop in and take a look....

Is $1100 for everything, (it's had 650-800 rounds through it) a decent price?
 
Bodain said:
There's a nice looking Shadow 2 for sale about 20 mins away and it comes with 350rnds of 124gr 9mm.

Going to stop in and take a look....

Is $1100 for everything, (it's had 650-800 rounds through it) a decent price?
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They go for around $1300 new and the ammo is probably worth around $150 (if it's factory) so that's a pretty good deal. If the ammunition is someone's reloads I'd pass and offer them $1000 just for the pistol.
 
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Bodain said:
Thanks man! They caught my eye, and were a decent bprice from Amazon of all place... gotta love that free 2 day shipping. lol


Thank you! Now I want to get a green fiber optic front sight and a red fiber optic rear sight. Flirting with the idea of a higher quality barrel too. But we'll see. :)
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Stock sights are not too bad; stock barrel likely is OK. It's your first pistol; buy ammo, lots of ammo, and shoot it. Then see what you need for custom stuff.
 
Bodain said:
Now I want to get a green fiber optic front sight and a red fiber optic rear sight. Flirting with the idea of a higher quality barrel too. But we'll see. :)
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If you’re gonna change the sights, just get a green or red FO front sight and blacked out rear sights. Multiple red and green dots or 3 white dots really slow you down. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.
 
Still alive said:
If you’re gonna change the sights, just get a green or red FO front sight and blacked out rear sights. Multiple red and green dots or 3 white dots really slow you down. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.
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Hmmm.... thanks for the info! If it's better, and cheaper that's win win. lol

Meroh said:
Stock sights are not too bad; stock barrel likely is OK. It's your first pistol; buy ammo, lots of ammo, and shoot it. Then see what you need for custom stuff.
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I already bought 1000rnds of American Eagle 124gr and 144 EZ aim targets. :)

I know I want a new front sight for sure, but you';re probably right I should get some range time in before making a purchase.
 
Glock 17
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Beretta 92 fs and 1911 getem all
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Bodain said:
Hmmm.... thanks for the info! If it's better, and cheaper that's win win. lol
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I doubt good sights will be cheaper! LOL! You want skinny front sights too for fastest target acquisition and accuracy. Don’t know if they make one for the Beretta 92 family, but check out Warren Sauvigny or Dawson Precision sights. Remember, get the blacked out rears!
 
Bodain said:
Hmmm.... thanks for the info! If it's better, and cheaper that's win win. lol



I already bought 1000rnds of American Eagle 124gr and 144 EZ aim targets. :)

I know I want a new front sight for sure, but you';re probably right I should get some range time in before making a purchase.
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They come in various heights; you can't know what you need until you shoot it.
 
TLDR every post...

FWIW my old Para .40 had less recoil, muzzle rise than my old 9. The Para had been tricked out with STI internals, grip carved for lower holding, shock buffs and everything done to it -- slide didn't hold back slide when empty. Needed a plastic flag in the port to prove safe.

Having recently shot a stack of 9 wonderguns -- both Shadows, FN 509, Glock gen 5 and others I cannot recall -- I've decided my next pistol will be a 1911 in 9, probably a 5-inch slide w Commander grip, like Wilson Combat makes (talk about insane prices).

Altho I'm going to fully investigate that Dlask kit, thanx for posting.
 
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