Good beginner handgun?

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BH260

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So I’m old enough now and I’m getting my RPAL in the next couple weeks. I have a fair amount of experience shooting precision rifle and hand loading.
So I’m wondering what a good gun would be for someone that really wants to get into it and learn, maybe take some courses as well. I’ve been considering a glock 19 because there fairly cheap and seem to be something that isn’t sold out. It also seems big enough frame to begin with.
So any opinions on that would be great.
I’m also wondering what cartridge would be best. Something that’s good for handloading would be great, I don’t like buying ammo. I’m going to guess Most will recommend a 9mm. I’m open to anything.
Thanks
 
Ruger mark anything, S&w victory, browning buckmark, .22 is the caliber to learn on with a handgun. Trigger control and sight alignment is the secret to handgun accuracy.
 
I think the Glock 19 would be great. It was my first pistol 29 years ago and I still have it and it still works perfectly. It’s great for the pistol courses because you don’t have any safeties to play with 9mm is pretty manageable.
Another good idea is a Glock 23 in 40S&W and you can get a conversion barrel in 9mm as well and can have 2 calibers in one pistol. If you go with the 17 and 22 you can also get the 22 conversion kit and a little cheaper practising your trigger reset.
 
Whatever you decide to buy, find a local speed steel practice match and have fun. 22's for economy and 9mm for more recoil and 'ring'. For extra challenge, load only six rounds.
 
i enjoy my glock 19, but I'm far more accurate with almost no experience necessary with my gsg1911, and CZ Shadow2. Ive spent far more time and effort with the Glock and I cant even get close to the precision of my others.
 
Buy once, cry once. Get something with a good trigger? or easily "upgradeable", optic ready. Shoot it & then figure out what you like & don't like. Cheers
 
I didn’t know that you can do conversion barrels. That would be great to try a couple different cartridges.
Thanks
 
StoneHorse said:
Whatever you decide to buy, find a local speed steel practice match and have fun. 22's for economy and 9mm for more recoil and 'ring'. For extra challenge, load only six rounds.
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Good tip. I’ll be going to the range lots. Maybe I’ll get a 9mm and a 22
 
For my first handguns, I’ve gone with a Canik TP9SFx and a Ruger MK III 22/45.
Wish I could give you a report on their functionality, etc…, but still waiting for the registration certificate in order to transport them to the range.
I chose the ever so popular 9mm & 22 for cost efficiency compared to other cartridges, $23/box of 50 for the 9mm and $43-$55/brick of 22
I’m keeping my eye open for a Revolver of some sort, leaning towards a dual action, just don’t know enough about the revolvers yet to make a decision on one.
Did like the Alfa Project 2351c. 22LR/22WRM I tried on at one of the LGS’s

Good luck with your RPAL, and when you do get your first handgun, come back to this thread and let us know.
 
Get a modern duty pistol, a polymer framed, striker fired pistol such as the Gock x, Sig P320, Walther PDP, etc. Start out with shooting 9mm first and get good at it. Then you can add a .22lr for economy sake. Lots here will tell to StArT wItH a .22lr tO lEaRn thE bAsiCs. Its not really necessary. It sounds like you already have some experience shooting precision rifles and as such you should have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of marksmanship.
Let us know what you get.
 
pirate604 said:
Get a modern duty pistol, a polymer framed, striker fired pistol such as the Gock x, Sig P320, Walther PDP, etc. Start out with shooting 9mm first and get good at it. Then you can add a .22lr for economy sake. Lots here will tell to StArT wItH a .22lr tO lEaRn thE bAsiCs. Its not really necessary. It sounds like you already have some experience shooting precision rifles and as such you should have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of marksmanship.
Let us know what you get.
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I’ll look into some of those and see what I like best.
I never really considered a 22 because I didn’t really see a point and I’ve never enjoyed any type of 22.
Yah I have enough experience in it I shouldn’t have trouble getting the hang of it.
Thanks
 
The Glock 19 or 17 will do the trick. Many law enforcement personnel are issued the G17 so if you wanna know what the cops feel like when they fire a gun get the 17 ��.
 
mildot said:
Buy once, cry once. Get something with a good trigger? or easily "upgradeable", optic ready. Shoot it & then figure out what you like & don't like. Cheers
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Alternatively, guns tend to hold their value if you don't abuse them. If you buy used or on sale chances of losing money if you decide to sell is low.

BH260 said:
I’ll look into some of those and see what I like best.
I never really considered a 22 because I didn’t really see a point and I’ve never enjoyed any type of 22.
Yah I have enough experience in it I shouldn’t have trouble getting the hang of it.
Thanks
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Shooting handguns tend to use a lot of ammo. A big part of 22lr is the cost savings vs 9mm etc.

I started with a 9mm, but my second was a 22lr. I like variety so I got a 22lr that was quite different from my 9mm.
 
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I never started with a .22, but it looks like alot of folks "dig that". I guess the Glock 44? ammo isn't getting any cheaper, so if all you can afford to shoot is .22, well have at it. I prefer something that is well made and reliable. Being able to "upgrade" the trigger is a "nice to have", the Walther PDP has a great trigger like the HK SFP9, however I'm installing Walthers flat "dynamic" trigger, well because that's the way I roll. YMMV

BTW having a "good" or "great" trigger makes all the difference, doesn't matter what the frame is made out of, or if it has a striker or a hammer. Shoot enough pistols over the years and you realize what a "good" trigger is and how much better it makes you look. You shoot precision rifles, a well made and accurate rifle will make most "shooters" look good. Its when you get "into the weeds" that a real marksman shines. Good Luck.
 
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mildot said:
I never started with a .22, but it looks like alot of folks "dig that". I guess the Glock 44? ammo isn't getting any cheaper, so if all you can afford to shoot is .22, well have at it. I prefer something that is well made and reliable. Being able to "upgrade" the trigger is a "nice to have", the Walther PDP has a great trigger like the HK SFP9, however I'm installing Walthers flat "dynamic" trigger, well because that's the way I roll. YMMV

BTW having a "good" or "great" trigger makes all the difference, doesn't matter what the frame is made out of, or if it has a striker or a hammer. Shoot enough pistols over the years and you realize what a "good" trigger is and how much better it makes you look. You shoot precision rifles, a well made and accurate rifle will make most "shooters" look good. Its when you get "into the weeds" that a real marksman shines. Good Luck.
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Thinking I’m gunna start with a 9mm seems like a good choice to me.
I totally understand on the trigger aspect. Coming from precision rifle you get to know the difference a good and a bad trigger makes.
 
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