The title says it all I am new to guns period, but am really interested in hands guns. I have shot a Cz 9mm a Springfield 9mm, and a Jericho 9mm. Also a ruger mark2 22 and a ruger 38mag. Overal I like the Jericho the best it fit my hands great and felt good but I am learning they are very hard to find so I thinker that may not be a good fit. Everyone I talk to say go with a 22 to start with so I have been looking and really like the sig 1911 was wondering what some of you experts thought of that thanks.
Best Semi Auto Gun and Caliber for a Newbie
- Thread starter Chris84
- Start date
The Jericho and CZ's are kissin' cousins as far as grip size, angle and reach to the trigger goes. But you can find accesories for the CZ such as holsters and mags a LOT more easily. So that may shift your focus a little.
Shooting a handgun well for accuracy is not one of life's easier tasks. A lot of us manage to develop a flinch issue that becomes hard to beat. A nice .22 as a practice gun is a great trainer for beating a flinch issue as well as allowing a lot of quality trigger time for cheap. So if you let your little kid side win and get a 9mm for your first gun then a nice .22 should most certainly be your second handgun.
A GSG 1911, Ruger MkIII or 22/45 or a Browning Buckmark are all great options. As are the Beretta NEOS and S&W 22a for that matter.
Perforating paper is great fun at first. But while you're learning with some simple target shooting at your own pace look around at what the local clubs have on the calenders for handgun competitions. It really puts a grin on your face to shoot at these things even if you're new. You won't win anything but you'll meet a great bunch of folks and your scores will be a good way to keep track of your progress.
Shooting a handgun well for accuracy is not one of life's easier tasks. A lot of us manage to develop a flinch issue that becomes hard to beat. A nice .22 as a practice gun is a great trainer for beating a flinch issue as well as allowing a lot of quality trigger time for cheap. So if you let your little kid side win and get a 9mm for your first gun then a nice .22 should most certainly be your second handgun.
A GSG 1911, Ruger MkIII or 22/45 or a Browning Buckmark are all great options. As are the Beretta NEOS and S&W 22a for that matter.
Perforating paper is great fun at first. But while you're learning with some simple target shooting at your own pace look around at what the local clubs have on the calenders for handgun competitions. It really puts a grin on your face to shoot at these things even if you're new. You won't win anything but you'll meet a great bunch of folks and your scores will be a good way to keep track of your progress.
Dirt McGirt
Regular
- Location
- 36 Chambers
Yo da only gat u need be da Glock 17 nina. Dont be wastin ur time wit da 22 cuz it gots no power. Nina aint kick hard and be strait up accurate. Real talk - shaolin represent peace
H.K.Glock 007
Regular
- Location
- 6 Feet from the Elks a$$! MB
what dirt said
hatman1793
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Take a hard look at the S&W M&P in 9mm. It is outstanding, great value and reliable. The Glock 17 is right there too. Both are exceptional values...
The people who tell you to start with a .22 are probably basing this on conventional wisdom and /or years of experience....and they are right.
The particular pistol you choose depends a lot on what you expect to shoot...if it is bullseye then look at a .22 with adjustable sights...lots of people like the Ruger but if you can afford a better bullseye gun then get a S&W 41 , a Walther GSP , a Pardini or a Benelli MP90.
If you expect to go to action shooting then a pistol configured like the popular IPSC or IDPA guns would be better.
The particular pistol you choose depends a lot on what you expect to shoot...if it is bullseye then look at a .22 with adjustable sights...lots of people like the Ruger but if you can afford a better bullseye gun then get a S&W 41 , a Walther GSP , a Pardini or a Benelli MP90.
If you expect to go to action shooting then a pistol configured like the popular IPSC or IDPA guns would be better.
I am still pretty new to pistol i have only been shooting them for 5 years. I own the CZ 75 cause its cheap used and has the same resale value and is super reliable. There are lots of them in the EE with multiple magazines you should get one too. I own no .22 cal my other shooter is a GP100 to me .22 is a plinking/game rifle round only. I chose 9mm as its very cost effective and makes powerfactor for IDPA but buy what fits you.
You get a .22. Why? Because it's probably going to be the one, maybe the only, gun you keep. Everyone does or should have a.22 in their collection. The reasons are obvious but the biggest reasons is that it's the perfect gun for an introduction to handgun shooting. It's cheap to shoot, it's accurate, no recoil and it will help you develop good shooting habits. As your first handgun you are going to shoot it a lot. I put thousands of rounds through my first handgun, a Ruger 22/45. The next best thing is that as you're putting thousands of rounds through it you'll be at the range and you can check out what other folks are shooting, strike up conversations and probably even fire their handguns. That will help you make an informed decision because if you're like most people you will quickly develop likes and dislikes. I for one have no use for a 9mm or a .40, I shoot .45. PERSONAL OPINION! You may find that you have no use for a .45. You will definitely find that some guns fits your hands better than others and that some are downright awkward for you to handle. Grip angle, grip thickness, recoil, parts availability, service, cost of ammo are all factors you have to consider. There is a reason there are a lot of CZ's for sale, they are not for everybody and it may not be the ergonomics, it might be the caliber, it might be availability of servicing in your area. So buy a .22 and get out and shoot, meet other shooters, try lots of different guns and make an informed decision based on fact and personal experience not someone else's opinion.
Glock 17
M&P9
CZ75 in 9mm
My preference is for the first two but the CZ has a huge following in IPSC and if they didn't work fairly well, you wouldn't see them as much as you do. I think the other two are more reliable AND more durable, but for most people it won't be a significant difference so it's probably not worth worrying about.
"Fits your hand" is irrelevant...by the time you get enough rounds through your gun to be any good with it, it will feel natural.
I don't agree with the "get a .22" thing...unless you want a .22, in which case, go nuts. Personally I find them boring and never use mine at all, despite repeated attempts to find them useful. I just don't. People used to say "start with a .22". I don't think there's any advantage to doing that, unless you're broke...but can still for some reason afford regular trips to the range. For me, the transportation and range membership probably cost more than the ammo anyway so I just don't see the point. But if it's a make-or-break thing, I guess. I just don't usually find that to be the case.
M&P9
CZ75 in 9mm
My preference is for the first two but the CZ has a huge following in IPSC and if they didn't work fairly well, you wouldn't see them as much as you do. I think the other two are more reliable AND more durable, but for most people it won't be a significant difference so it's probably not worth worrying about.
"Fits your hand" is irrelevant...by the time you get enough rounds through your gun to be any good with it, it will feel natural.
I don't agree with the "get a .22" thing...unless you want a .22, in which case, go nuts. Personally I find them boring and never use mine at all, despite repeated attempts to find them useful. I just don't. People used to say "start with a .22". I don't think there's any advantage to doing that, unless you're broke...but can still for some reason afford regular trips to the range. For me, the transportation and range membership probably cost more than the ammo anyway so I just don't see the point. But if it's a make-or-break thing, I guess. I just don't usually find that to be the case.
- Location
- Terrace, BC
hmmm...
If you have shot the CZ 75B 9mm and liked it... CZ makes an identical gun in .22 LR... The CZ 22 cal is expensive, but offers outstanding quality and a mostly steel frame and slide... The aluminum 'slide within the slide' is brilliant, and works great with regular cleaning. Yes, CZ also makes a 22 cal conversion kit for the 75B 9mm... however, the last thing you want to be doing is changing slides at the gun range, so buy two separate guns.
My GSG Tactical .22 LR is on order, and will arrive once I am home from my holidays... My favorite online dealer is holding it until I get home... nothing worse than a parcel waiting at the post office... in this case, my gun. I bought the GSG because of it's unbeatable price, 1911 frame, and decent quality. 4 mags and the gun, all for under $500 was awesome... as it is nothing more than a fun plinking gun, shooting dirt cheap .22 LR... and 4 mags are necessary as one shoots freely and fast with cheap .22 ammo.
I had sold my 75b .22 ... and then realized I wanted a .22 plinker again... for cheap shooting, and introducing friends to hand guns. I honestly believe 9mm is too much power for a friend who has never shot before. Taking friends who never shot to the range is important, especially the hell left wing bent type who got nothing but garbage to say about guns... until they finally try shooting a handgun, or a round of trap with a 12 gauge.
Cheers
PS I wish a Canadian dealer sold a 1911 Titan frame sized .22. That really fits my hand well. I purchased a titan 1911 .45, threw on Crimson Trace Laser grips, and it is my home defense choice.
& yes... it is a legal Canadian version, with the 4.25 inch barrel sticking out, past the frame.
Final Thoughts
There are action shooting sports like IDPA & IPSC that do make handguns fun, but both sports require large round counts. My own experience was that handguns get real boring, real quickly.
If you are fortunate to belong to a decent range and can shoot trap and / or skeet, then I strongly suggest stop by the trap range when the members are shooting, and ask to try. You should have no problem finding someone willing to help you try the sport... Believe me, blowing up clays with a 12 gauge shotgun is a stupid amount of fun that most ranges can not match with handguns. Indeed, most ranges would even have multiple plate set ups to knock down.
If you have shot the CZ 75B 9mm and liked it... CZ makes an identical gun in .22 LR... The CZ 22 cal is expensive, but offers outstanding quality and a mostly steel frame and slide... The aluminum 'slide within the slide' is brilliant, and works great with regular cleaning. Yes, CZ also makes a 22 cal conversion kit for the 75B 9mm... however, the last thing you want to be doing is changing slides at the gun range, so buy two separate guns.
My GSG Tactical .22 LR is on order, and will arrive once I am home from my holidays... My favorite online dealer is holding it until I get home... nothing worse than a parcel waiting at the post office... in this case, my gun. I bought the GSG because of it's unbeatable price, 1911 frame, and decent quality. 4 mags and the gun, all for under $500 was awesome... as it is nothing more than a fun plinking gun, shooting dirt cheap .22 LR... and 4 mags are necessary as one shoots freely and fast with cheap .22 ammo.
I had sold my 75b .22 ... and then realized I wanted a .22 plinker again... for cheap shooting, and introducing friends to hand guns. I honestly believe 9mm is too much power for a friend who has never shot before. Taking friends who never shot to the range is important, especially the hell left wing bent type who got nothing but garbage to say about guns... until they finally try shooting a handgun, or a round of trap with a 12 gauge.
Cheers
PS I wish a Canadian dealer sold a 1911 Titan frame sized .22. That really fits my hand well. I purchased a titan 1911 .45, threw on Crimson Trace Laser grips, and it is my home defense choice.
& yes... it is a legal Canadian version, with the 4.25 inch barrel sticking out, past the frame.Final Thoughts
There are action shooting sports like IDPA & IPSC that do make handguns fun, but both sports require large round counts. My own experience was that handguns get real boring, real quickly.
If you are fortunate to belong to a decent range and can shoot trap and / or skeet, then I strongly suggest stop by the trap range when the members are shooting, and ask to try. You should have no problem finding someone willing to help you try the sport... Believe me, blowing up clays with a 12 gauge shotgun is a stupid amount of fun that most ranges can not match with handguns. Indeed, most ranges would even have multiple plate set ups to knock down.
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I started with a 9 and was developping a flinch.
Bought a ruger single six .22lr and pretty much cured it.
round count is 200-300x9mm and 200x.22lr each time i go out, i would never get rid of my .22, i get about 2 inch better groupings that with my 9 with it
Bought a ruger single six .22lr and pretty much cured it.
round count is 200-300x9mm and 200x.22lr each time i go out, i would never get rid of my .22, i get about 2 inch better groupings that with my 9 with it
