If you really want something that will get you fired up about pistol shooting, then you should invest a few bucks in visiting a range that rents a variety of options. Actually, you should really visit a local club during an open house - Whatever gun games they have available might be the determining factor.
WTB my 1st handgun but I am not that into them. What is the best gateway handgun?
- Thread starter KsCan
- Start date
If you really want something that will get you fired up about pistol shooting, then you should invest a few bucks in visiting a range that rents a variety of options. Actually, you should really visit a local club during an open house - Whatever gun games they have available might be the determining factor.
JDForBrkFst
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Roughly North Central AB
^ What he said. The right pistol for an individual is very person specific. Getting hands on with a number of models could save you a bunch of time and lost money selling stuff on the EE. I personally avoid trying different pistols now as glocks and 1911's work for me and I know I'll fall in love with some of the other offerings out there but I don't need it.
I like my semi autos but for some reason my revolvers are a lot more fun to shoot. Girsans are good for an intro semi. Won’t break the bank, decently made. My MC28 hasn’t skipped a beat at all. My Ruger Wrangler is fun but I really like my Blackhawk single action. It is surprisingly accurate and you can ramp up the fun level with magnum loads. Plus…it just works.
handofzeus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Trout Creekish Ontario.
If you like milsurp rifles I would go with a milsurp handgun. Really can't beat a classic Browning Hi-power or 1911 style.
We live in a golden age for pistols these days and there aren't any wrong answers.
You really can't go wrong with any full size striker fired or DA/SA 9mm pistol made by a reputable manufacturer. Overall, modern service pistols are accurate enough for 90% of shooters, they're ultra reliable, lightweight, and comfortable. Most out of the box modern pistols don't need much more than some oil.
I'd say your biggest hindrance will be overcoming inertia, so if you have a pistol that "does it for you" i.e. you think it looks cool and you want to shoot it, then that will help the most.
After that you might consider aftermarket support, some pistols have much more options when it comes to triggers, sights, mags, holsters, etc, but most of that stuff is only there to knock the rough edges off the gun and shave some time off your score if you end up using it for competition.
Most shooting sports have an "out of the box" category that your standard pistol will fit right in though, so tune ups and mods aren't necessary.
You really can't go wrong with any full size striker fired or DA/SA 9mm pistol made by a reputable manufacturer. Overall, modern service pistols are accurate enough for 90% of shooters, they're ultra reliable, lightweight, and comfortable. Most out of the box modern pistols don't need much more than some oil.
I'd say your biggest hindrance will be overcoming inertia, so if you have a pistol that "does it for you" i.e. you think it looks cool and you want to shoot it, then that will help the most.
After that you might consider aftermarket support, some pistols have much more options when it comes to triggers, sights, mags, holsters, etc, but most of that stuff is only there to knock the rough edges off the gun and shave some time off your score if you end up using it for competition.
Most shooting sports have an "out of the box" category that your standard pistol will fit right in though, so tune ups and mods aren't necessary.
Thanks for all the responses. I agree that a more prudent choice would be to get a .22, however, I find myself plinking with an SKS more than a .22s as it's just more enjoyable for me. I am not big on handguns and even less so .22 handguns. Not really interested in revolvers although cowboy-type competitions look like fun. Right now it's just for plinking, not really planning on competing but will use this to complete a "Black Badge?" or some similar course. Handguns that stand out for me right now are Glocks (common, relatively inexpensive, lots of aftermarket), Beretta 92s (Kind of iconic), 1911 (Iconic but you got to get .45ACP, imho, and it might get expensive) and Tokarev (Cheap and its a Surplus). Now that I look at my list it sounds like I should get a Glock....
If glocks the way you want to go, maybe check this out. https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/2211614-2021-Glock-Day!
- Location
- West Central Alberta
I got a Tok for my first handgun, cheap to buy, cheap to feed and the 7.62x25 is a very snappy round. 
I love the way a CZ 75 fits in my hands and shoots . if you don't want to go crazy either a CZ75 new of course not surplus or a Glock 17 but I like the 19 better and a 22 semiauto to top it off. say a Ruger Mark 2 . you have to like the way they feel in your hands . don't buy any garbage . buy it once.
I started with a centerfire handgun, then rimfire later. Exactly the same reasons you're starting with, actually. But I did sit on a dud of a handgun for years, rarely shooting it because it failed to grab me. I thought I didn't enjoy shooting handguns, when really I just didn't enjoy shooting THAT handgun.
Centerfire autopistols vary a LOT in how they feel in operation. I highly recommend going somewhere you can try multiple platforms (range rental, club open house).
But if you can't or just don't want to, and if you're sure about the Glockenspiel, then that's just fine. You've made it easy on us. You'll just need to decide which of the 53 Glock models you want.
Kidding! You can skip all that and just go straight to a gen5 G17 or G19.
JDForBrkFst
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Roughly North Central AB
That's terrible advice. He could buy a Beretta and hate it and lose interest in handguns, or buy a Glock and fall in love with it. Insert whatever brands/makes you want in there. But the message rings true.
OP feel free to PM me your phone number. I'll call you (I have free long distance). I have used handguns professionally in the military, private sector, competitively, and for sh**s n giggs since I was 18. I have my own biases, but will help set you up with whats best for your interests.
I disagree with the first statement, but agree with the second. Boredom will depend more on intent and interest than any specific firearm or cartridge. I spend significantly more time shooting air pistol and .22 than my centrefires, not due to cost but because I find the challenge rewarding and have more endurance with the smaller cartridges.
That said, I agree with the suggestion to pick up a full size 9mm. As the OP stated no interest in .22 a full size 9mm is the perfect place to start.
For the tokarev you would have to check if your range allows you to shoot them. They are a fast n nasty round notorious for damaging backstops/targets with milsurp ammo. But they are a without question a blast to shoot (have a Polish one). Also over on lever arms site there are 9mm swap out barrels and magazines to modernize them if you so choose
I purchased many and sold almost all of them. I tried the following 9mm:
- Beratta 92FS: non-adjustable sights, it grouped well but always to high. SOLD
- Glock 17: grip was like holding a brick, it is quite "square". But I could get decent hits with it. The trigger was horrible, but was a bit better with a 3.5 pounds spring.
- PPQ: could not hit a barn with it, did not fit my hands. Too bad, the trigger was good. SOLD
- M&P: ok, but I was sure I could get something better. The trigger was better than a Glock, but not as good as the PPQ. SOLD
- S&W 1911 Pro: simply the best! The grip is nice and small, since it is a single stack 9mm. Shoots great, the trigger is the best of all my pistols. Kept it! Only snag, I used it at CQB matches a couple times and under the clock I sometimes missed the grip safety and it would not fire. Training issue... And obviously its a single action trigger.
- CZ P09: my best polymer pistol. Trigger is much better than the Glock or the M&P, but not as good as the S&M 1911. I use this one at CQB shoots, it performs well all the time. I switched the safety into a decocker lever, it works great. Its SA/DA.
and a couple others in different calibers, but I shoot mainly 9mm.
When you start, its better to get a good relatively cheap used pistol and poor money in ammo and range time. As you progress with your ability, you will be better at knowing what is good for you and what is not. And as you get better, pistols you would have hatted at first will become your preferred one.
CZ are always good value, 1911 can be finicky, Glocks are usually cheap.
If you have $$, get a nice 22 and a 9mm. I still shoot my 22 to flush out any trigger jerking or pushing down on trigger press.
- Beratta 92FS: non-adjustable sights, it grouped well but always to high. SOLD
- Glock 17: grip was like holding a brick, it is quite "square". But I could get decent hits with it. The trigger was horrible, but was a bit better with a 3.5 pounds spring.
- PPQ: could not hit a barn with it, did not fit my hands. Too bad, the trigger was good. SOLD
- M&P: ok, but I was sure I could get something better. The trigger was better than a Glock, but not as good as the PPQ. SOLD
- S&W 1911 Pro: simply the best! The grip is nice and small, since it is a single stack 9mm. Shoots great, the trigger is the best of all my pistols. Kept it! Only snag, I used it at CQB matches a couple times and under the clock I sometimes missed the grip safety and it would not fire. Training issue... And obviously its a single action trigger.
- CZ P09: my best polymer pistol. Trigger is much better than the Glock or the M&P, but not as good as the S&M 1911. I use this one at CQB shoots, it performs well all the time. I switched the safety into a decocker lever, it works great. Its SA/DA.
and a couple others in different calibers, but I shoot mainly 9mm.
When you start, its better to get a good relatively cheap used pistol and poor money in ammo and range time. As you progress with your ability, you will be better at knowing what is good for you and what is not. And as you get better, pistols you would have hatted at first will become your preferred one.
CZ are always good value, 1911 can be finicky, Glocks are usually cheap.
If you have $$, get a nice 22 and a 9mm. I still shoot my 22 to flush out any trigger jerking or pushing down on trigger press.
