New guy needs help. First pistol recommendations.

Splatter said:
Get a .22 And spend the money on a decent one. Over the pistol's lifetime (at least 50,000 rounds, if you take care of it!), the cost of ammo will make the initial cost disappear.


I have a Norinco M-93 "Woodsman", and while it's a fun gun for kids and the wife/girlfriend/new shooters, it really wouldn't be a great choice as a first pistol. It wouldn't be a horrible choice; but you could do better. At the other end, I also have a Walther GSP, and if these were available for $500, I'd tell everyone to get one!

My recommendations?
- Top of my list would be if you can find a good used Ruger Mk2 or Mk1 Target model, I'm not really a fan of the Mk3, they aren't bad, just not as good as the older Marks.
- Next would be one of the old MCM or Margolin pistols from Russia, these occasionally still pop up in almost new condition, they are robust and yet capable of almost Olympic-grade accuracy.
- Buy your M1911; but stick a good .22 conversion on it. A Kart (rare) or a Marvel will be as accurate as any of the above pistols; but you can stick the 9mm/.38Super/.45 top end on and make a lot of noise when that option suits you. I think Questar has a line on the Marvels.

Whatever you get, remember that it'll likely outlive you, and your kids and grandkids will thank you for spending the extra money on something of quality.
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Could you expand on the highlighted point please? M1911??

I know the 1911 is a platform, just not sure if the M is brand specific. Thanks
 
Thank You.

I want to thank everyone that replied / helped out. I did not expect this much insight!

It is greatly appreciated.
 
I went through the same thing you are right now a few years ago. It took me almost a year to decide! I had shot friends .22, 9mm, .40, .45, .44 mag & .454 a each few times in the past. Although I understand the logic of starting with a .22, I have never regretted buying a 1911 STI Spartan .45 (from Armco ... Gunnar is the best!) as my first (around $700) and a CZ Shadow followed shortly after (also around $700). Just my opinion, but having shot most calibres a little, I would start with a .45 again without any question. Although .22 is cheaper to shoot, it is not nearly as fun! I recently purchased a Ruger Super Red Hawk .454 Cassul ... definately would not recommend that for a first hand gun!!

6Gun
 
Hmmm,

So far I like the SIG 1911 American Classic for a .22

.....this may change many times before I actually make it to the counter......lol
 
P226 classic .22 for now.
You can alway spend another $350 to get a 9mm/40S&W upper to turn it into a center fire.
BUT that is you can find one on sale...they both are hard to find.
 
olbar70 said:
Take your wife to the store first and try different types of guns , see which will fit you and your wife better. Than check the prices and calibers :)
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My wife chose a Browning Buckmark UDX and loves it, she only lets me TRY it once in awhile, what a nice shooter a real "tack driver."
For me, I will eventually get a Smith & Wesson 41 (22 cal) used /new whatever. Untill then I am happy shooting range 22's Ruger MKII/III's till I have my own 22 and of course shoot my CZ Shadow / Glock 17 gen 4 in 9MM. regularly Life is good
 
kerfuffled said:
Why don't you try one of those surplus Tokarev TT33's? Gun is maybe $160-$170. 2280 round crate for $360. Can't beat the price.
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yep, got two, third on in transit,....., but you need to be aware that some Tok are capricious sometimes, jam here and there and other are just flawless, but no big issue generaly, if you shoot right hand the recoil is up to the left with only one hand, some are shooting just a slight to the left, rear sight not center on some.....but man !! they are so fun to shoot !!! easy to disasemble...
 
oneguy said:
Hi Everyone,

I would like to start by saying I used the search feature but did not get any results. If these threads are not allowed, my apologies and please delete it.

I have my course(s) coming up. PAL and RPAL.

I am almost OCD when it comes to researching any major purchase I make.

I would like to know what people recommend for a first pistol. I am open to anything from a .22 to a .45. I would like to keep it in the sub $700 area.

Now, I will be doing mostly range shooting, but may want to get into IPSC down the road.

My main concerns are reliability and accuracy. Annual costs are a slight factor as well.

Please also keep in mind, my wife will most likely be shooting it too for the first while. I had concerns about a .45 being too much for her. She is barely 5'3" and maybe 125lbs. Should this be a concern?

Thanks guys and gals.
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Here is what worked well for my wife and I. She was new to guns and nervous and I had one since I was 12. I purchased a Browning 1911A1 .22 since the frame is lightweight aircraft aluminum and the dimensions have been scaled down 15% from the original Browning 1911 making ideal for smaller female and childrens hands. My wife got familiar with it so that it was second nature and after putting about 1000 rounds through it tried my 9mm Shadow which she found too heavy for comfort. One day she said she'd like to try something with more authority that wasn't too heavy for her and I took her shopping. She tried an M&P, Sig and a Glock 17 after holding the Glock for a while she said I like this one and bought it.
 
I'm in the same boat, got my RPAL 6 mo. ago and have been researching my first purchase. I have many years experience with non-restricted guns, and own quite a few, just thought it was time I get into the handguns. I agree with others that a .22 is the best choice for a first handgun. I've decided on a Browning Buckmark Plus Stainless as my .22, and will also get an M&P range kit in 9mm to introduce me to centerfire handguns. This is one of the least expensive options to get started on handguns, and if it proves to be a sport/hobby I wish to continue with, I'll certainly get into .45's, .357 mags, .44 mags etc, and also reloading. But as a start, a .22 and 9mm are the best starting points, both for cost of ammunition and for control and technique.
 
kerfuffled said:
Why don't you try one of those surplus Tokarev TT33's? Gun is maybe $160-$170. 2280 round crate for $360. Can't beat the price.
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I looked into these. I also read the thread here on them. WOW! If I could buy one now I would...if for no other reason than just to have....lol

Sadly, I will probably miss out on them by the time I am able to legally purchase.

machinerydoctor said:
Here is what worked well for my wife and I. She was new to guns and nervous and I had one since I was 12. I purchased a Browning 1911A1 .22 since the frame is lightweight aircraft aluminum and the dimensions have been scaled down 15% from the original Browning 1911 making ideal for smaller female and childrens hands. My wife got familiar with it so that it was second nature and after putting about 1000 rounds through it tried my 9mm Shadow which she found too heavy for comfort. One day she said she'd like to try something with more authority that wasn't too heavy for her and I took her shopping. She tried an M&P, Sig and a Glock 17 after holding the Glock for a while she said I like this one and bought it.
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The 1911A1 is on my list :)
 
olbar70 said:
Take your wife to the store first and try different types of guns , see which will fit you and your wife better. Than check the prices and calibers :)
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^^^This
This is what my wife and I did, we went to a bunch of different ranges in the area and shot some different guns to get a feel. In our case you " rent " one gun for your shoot but after explaining to the RO what we were doing he was more than happy to bring every 9mm they had out for us and let us run mag or two through. We also went to the range with friends of mine who do the IPSC thing and shot a bunch of their handguns. In the end I bought a 9mm CZ shadow and she bought a Springfield XD9 tactical.
 
If your new then your best option is a full size handgun with 22lr kit. You can train with the 22lr slide on with out braking the bank and sill have the option of centrefire.

-glock
-Sig
-CZ
-1911
-BHP
 
APS said:
^^^This
This is what my wife and I did, we went to a bunch of different ranges in the area and shot some different guns to get a feel. In our case you " rent " one gun for your shoot but after explaining to the RO what we were doing he was more than happy to bring every 9mm they had out for us and let us run mag or two through. We also went to the range with friends of mine who do the IPSC thing and shot a bunch of their handguns. In the end I bought a 9mm CZ shadow and she bought a Springfield XD9 tactical.
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This post makes the most sense, also the previous post suggesting you go to the gun shops and get a feel for the various guns on display.
My wife is the same size as yours, after we got our Rpal we went to a couple of gun shops and handled what they had. We then join a gun club where the members alowed us to try several different guns of various calibers. Our first pistols were, a GSG 1911for me and a Walther p22q for her. The walther fits her small hand perfectly, her trigger finger does not extend to the end of the trigger guard on the 1911, the gun is to big for her hand and she finds it to heavy. A 22 should be your first choice because of all the things previous posts mentioned. I got a couple of Tokarevs but I don't suggest them for your first pistol, the noise, smoke, and recoil might be intimidating for a first time shooter. You want it to be something she enjoys right off the get go, or you'll find her gun in the safe and you'll be going to the range by yourself.
And remember a brand or style of gun is a personal choice, just like buying a car, do your research then decide. But I would recommend a semiauto, thier alot better to fire on target
 
^^^to had to Coldshot's post : don't forget the taste of brass in your mouth after 500+ rounds with a Tokarev :eek:), really !!
 
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