$650 budget handgun for beginner

compass

compass

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Hello everyone. I am a beginner handgun shooter. Following the sound advice on a previous thread, I plan on first purchasing a .22 lr handgun to practice. Once I am comfortable with the. 22 I plan on graduating to a bigger caliber. Here are the important considerations:

- $650 budget
- 9mm or .40 sw
- very reliable, even in dirty conditions
- accurate
- suitable for all day range carry (fairly light?)
- legal in canada (barrel length)
- long term durability (pass on to next generation)

I have done some reading on this, and people commenting on the best sub-$650 handguns seem to prefer either the glock 17/22, the cz75 series, or the s&w mp9/40. I realize that the fit and comfort of the handgun in your hand is important, but that consideration aside, If you had to settle on one handgun that would meet all the requirements above, which one would you choose?

Thank you.
 
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G17 meets your requirements and you can carry it everyday....to the range locked and bagged with the proper paper work, etc., etc
 
"...suitable for everyday carry..." Irrelevant as you can't and never will be legally doing that.
"...work for Brinks..." Company issue firearms only. And only while at work.
Look at a Browning High Power. The fit to your hand is the primary consideration.
 
First thing to decide is Polymer or Full Metal, I personaly don't like the snappy recoil of a polymer.

Then what platform you like, 1911 or not, etc...
 
sunray said:
"...suitable for everyday carry..." Irrelevant as you can't and never will be legally doing that.
"...work for Brinks..." Company issue firearms only. And only while at work.
Look at a Browning High Power. The fit to your hand is the primary consideration.
Click to expand...

How well the gun functions is the primary consideration.
 
You're wise to start with a .22 first. Ruger 22/45 and Browning Buckmark are good. BTDT.
A Norc 1911 with a .22LR adapter kit would fit your budget and allow you to shoot both calibers. Not too sure if the Norcs adapt easily though.
But you should shoot a C.F. handgun before buying it, if you can. A friend met me at my local range with 2 friends and 4 different guns one day, and I learned this: "Fit" changes from just holding the gun, to firing it; torque/recoil/trigger forces, etc.
The Beretta (Girsan)was a great "Fit" for me, but I couldn't hit with it, same for NZ 85; Glock was the best over all in every category, but I just couldn't afford it; Norc 1911 was a reasonable (balance/compromise/affordable) option: it "fit" well and I could hit a bit (first time firing a C.F. handgun) with it. 2 days after it arrived I broke my elbow in 2 places and had to sell it later to pay bills. Never did fire it. Fired my friends Norc 1911 a few days ago and I'd but one again.
Moving to Arizona soon for your every day carry? Canadians can with the right paperwork.
Good luck in your quest.
 
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I'm a big M&P fan, so that's what I'd naturally recommend. However $650 seems like a bit of an arbitrary limitation. In your place I'd save up a little longer and get a Browning Hi-Power or a Sig P226. Buying a good used pistol will keep things under $900 and give you quality that will last nearly forever.
 
compass said:
Hello everyone. I am a beginner handgun shooter. Following the sound advice on a previous thread, I plan on first purchasing a .22 lr handgun to practice. Once I am comfortable with the. 22 I plan on graduating to a bigger caliber. Here are the important considerations:

- $650 budget
- 9mm or .40 sw
- very reliable, even in dirty conditions
- accurate
- suitable for all day range carry (fairly light?)
- legal in canada (barrel length)
- long term durability (pass on to next generation)

I have done some reading on this, and people commenting on the best sub-$650 handguns seem to prefer either the glock 17/22, the cz75 series, or the s&w mp9/40. I realize that the fit and comfort of the handgun in your hand is important, but that consideration aside, If you had to settle on one handgun that would meet all the requirements above, which one would you choose?

Thank you.
Click to expand...
Get - a 45 acp! Forget this 9mm glock non sense
 
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