Which round is better for a new shooter? I am looking for a handgun, and want to become a good shot with it. I'll probably get either a norinco cz or sig knockoff in 9mm, or the 1911 copy in .45, because I'm not rich and can't afford $1350 for a US or euro handgun. Don't tell me to get a .22lr handgun first, because I'm already gonna get one...I just want a "real" handgun to practice with as well.....any thoughts? thx
9mm vs. 45
- Thread starter boresnake
- Start date
It's very difficult to learn to be a good shot with a Norinco. It's very diificult to learn good trigger control when you have a 16-20 trigger pull that's also rough. It's also very difficult to learn good sight picture with the crappy Norinco sights. Now don't tell me about customizing. If you're going to spend $600 customizing a $400 gun, you might as well spend the money on a quality gun in the first place. Do yourself a favour, get a quality gun in the first place. You will eventually anyway......
get a 9mm; the cost will allow you to shoot more therefore get better sooner :wink:
I'm with Dragoon on this one just save up a little a get a quality gun or why not instead of getting a .22 and Norinco get a good 9mm?
I'm with Dragoon on this one just save up a little a get a quality gun or why not instead of getting a .22 and Norinco get a good 9mm?
that might be true but in high quality guns only IMO, why? I think it's just a bullet design. but 9mm is a very accurate round as well.
For just starting out, save a few $ :wink: I would choose 9 milli just for the savings in ammo. A CZ 75 geneally runs in the neighborhood of around $ 700. So for just a little more than a Norc you could get the "real thing". That being said, I own a Norc 1911 in 9mm and love it. Exactly zero problems in 4000 rounds. 
I do prefer the .45 ACP to the 9 mili but, if you don't reload, .45 gets real expensive real fast :|
And as others on this forum will tell you, getting proficient with your handgun of choice takes ALOT of practice. Good luck in your decision.
NOTE: scan through some old posts here, there is a ton of info on the subject of "which is the right gun for me"
Blue :mrgreen:
I do prefer the .45 ACP to the 9 mili but, if you don't reload, .45 gets real expensive real fast :|
And as others on this forum will tell you, getting proficient with your handgun of choice takes ALOT of practice. Good luck in your decision.
NOTE: scan through some old posts here, there is a ton of info on the subject of "which is the right gun for me"
Blue :mrgreen:
My first gun was a .45 Gov't Model, which I bought in 1992.
In this day and age, I would never, ever, buy another .45. The cost, even if you reload, is far more expensive than the 9mm or the .40SW. As for accuracy, I can tell you that the gun will be far more accurate than you on a regular basis. If your rounds aren't printing in a tight 1 inch group, I would bet you money that it's the shooter and not the gun.
Unless you're planning on using your gun for some sport where you need very heavy bullets going at very high speeds (like Bowling Pin matches), save yourself some trouble and get a 9mm or .40SW.
In this day and age, I would never, ever, buy another .45. The cost, even if you reload, is far more expensive than the 9mm or the .40SW. As for accuracy, I can tell you that the gun will be far more accurate than you on a regular basis. If your rounds aren't printing in a tight 1 inch group, I would bet you money that it's the shooter and not the gun.
Unless you're planning on using your gun for some sport where you need very heavy bullets going at very high speeds (like Bowling Pin matches), save yourself some trouble and get a 9mm or .40SW.
I've owned/shot a S&W 9mm for many years and a Norinco 45acp for a year. I like the 9mm better. Light recoil and cheap ammo. I found 45 really wipes the muzzle up and a little more difficult to shoot well. Don't know about the accuracy thing though my experience with my 45 says the 9mm is way better. Perhaps a target pistol in 45 might be better. Unless some type of competition or long range silhouette, the reality is that all you'll ever shoot at is paper targets(unless they allow them for hunting someday). Afraid I don't have anything good to say about your choices of guns. I would cut out pizza for a few months and spend another couple hundred on the real thing. New Rugers come in at around $500.00 and you have a wide selection of finish/frame material/calibers.
darkestjedi
Regular
buy a nice 9mm from the forums here. I got my 9mm sig 220 for about $600 from the exchange board here. There's usually good deals to be had if you come back and browse at least once a day. A used Hi-power can usually be had for about 500-ish or a cz75-85 for about the same on occasion.
In the past I started out with some simple .22LRs I aquired from auctions.
Ruger Mk II, an old Iver Johnson sealed 8 .22 revolver all cheap (less than $200 ea). Since then I have gotten into bigger handguns. Mind you I have only been in the gun acquisition game for about 2-3 years so I'm slowly building my 'inventory'.
I bought a used CZ-75 (Not a 75B, but a transition model w/o firing pin block) in .40 S&W. The customized handgun was well used and had many upgrades to it (SA only conversion, 2lb 7oz trigger pull, mag well, etc etc...) and came with 6 mags and prototype CZ Kadet .22LR slide (and 2 mags for that) for a huge sum of about $700. I'm CHEAP remember! :mrgreen: Anyways. I've put 5-6K rounds thru that since. I've replaced all 6 mags with 4 new ones ($45 US from CZForum member), bought a custom leather holster & belt for it, gained a few spare parts (slide stops, extractors, loaders, springs, etc.) and for under $1000 Canuck-Bucks have a fully serviced, slick, and wholly fun .40S&W.
If you are looking at a CZ-75B definitely get it in .40 S&W as only the .40 version automatically gives you ambi-safety & full length guide rods. 9mm version is one side safety and a enclosed plastic guide rod. I myself would love to get a S&W model 39 (9mm) as they are a fine handgun, but no Proby status available to me.
If you looking at buying new, get a decent handgun that feels right to you. If you really concerned about cost get a 9mm. 45 ammo is super expensive in comparision. .40 is the compromise between the two. 9mm frame sizes with power approaching a 45. I don't currently own either a 9mm nor a 45ACP but it doesn't mean I won't in the future.
Wow. I'm rambling. OK. I won't even get into how much fun I have with a .357mag.
Ruger Mk II, an old Iver Johnson sealed 8 .22 revolver all cheap (less than $200 ea). Since then I have gotten into bigger handguns. Mind you I have only been in the gun acquisition game for about 2-3 years so I'm slowly building my 'inventory'.
I bought a used CZ-75 (Not a 75B, but a transition model w/o firing pin block) in .40 S&W. The customized handgun was well used and had many upgrades to it (SA only conversion, 2lb 7oz trigger pull, mag well, etc etc...) and came with 6 mags and prototype CZ Kadet .22LR slide (and 2 mags for that) for a huge sum of about $700. I'm CHEAP remember! :mrgreen: Anyways. I've put 5-6K rounds thru that since. I've replaced all 6 mags with 4 new ones ($45 US from CZForum member), bought a custom leather holster & belt for it, gained a few spare parts (slide stops, extractors, loaders, springs, etc.) and for under $1000 Canuck-Bucks have a fully serviced, slick, and wholly fun .40S&W.
If you are looking at a CZ-75B definitely get it in .40 S&W as only the .40 version automatically gives you ambi-safety & full length guide rods. 9mm version is one side safety and a enclosed plastic guide rod. I myself would love to get a S&W model 39 (9mm) as they are a fine handgun, but no Proby status available to me.
If you looking at buying new, get a decent handgun that feels right to you. If you really concerned about cost get a 9mm. 45 ammo is super expensive in comparision. .40 is the compromise between the two. 9mm frame sizes with power approaching a 45. I don't currently own either a 9mm nor a 45ACP but it doesn't mean I won't in the future.
Wow. I'm rambling. OK. I won't even get into how much fun I have with a .357mag.
You mentioned something about cheaper Norinco's and it's knockoffs....
When you decide your caliber.... have a long hard look at their 1911's !! Their price gets you into the game and practicing. :wink:
I've owned both .45 and 9mm Norinco 1911's and I loved them both. :mrgreen:
Welcome to the addiction.
My 2 cents worth.
Barney
When you decide your caliber.... have a long hard look at their 1911's !! Their price gets you into the game and practicing. :wink:
I've owned both .45 and 9mm Norinco 1911's and I loved them both. :mrgreen:
Welcome to the addiction.
My 2 cents worth.
Barney
If you want 9mm and don't want Norinco ... go for the K-100
Hi-Tech, Accurate, Ergonomic and $595 with 2 mags and adjustable sights.
http://www.marstar.ca/gf-grand-power/index.shtm
not to mention the designer / manufacturer posts here and really does make changes based upon what 'we' like / want.
Hi-Tech, Accurate, Ergonomic and $595 with 2 mags and adjustable sights.
http://www.marstar.ca/gf-grand-power/index.shtm
not to mention the designer / manufacturer posts here and really does make changes based upon what 'we' like / want.
"...a "real" handgun..." A .22 is a real handgun.
For a new shooter, the .45 is a better option. You'll find the blast and noise out of a .45 is less than that of a .45. It's far easier to get a .45 pistol to shoot well than it is a 9mm. No excessively priced parts required. Good sights, a trigger job and maybe different grips is enough. You do not need to spend a big pile of money on aftermarket parts.
Mind you, if you're not reloading(and you will be) 9mm factory is less expensive than factory .45. However, nobody uses a 9mm for target shooting. Lots of .45's are.
For a new shooter, the .45 is a better option. You'll find the blast and noise out of a .45 is less than that of a .45. It's far easier to get a .45 pistol to shoot well than it is a 9mm. No excessively priced parts required. Good sights, a trigger job and maybe different grips is enough. You do not need to spend a big pile of money on aftermarket parts.
Mind you, if you're not reloading(and you will be) 9mm factory is less expensive than factory .45. However, nobody uses a 9mm for target shooting. Lots of .45's are.
I'd go with the .45 - yes, ammo is more expensive, but how much will you be shooting?
If you're firing 5,000 rounds a year then the difference is more than $800, but if you're only shooting every now and again I don't think you'll notice. In my experience, If you reload .45 can be as cheap as factory 9mm - and makes much much larger holes! :twisted:
If you're firing 5,000 rounds a year then the difference is more than $800, but if you're only shooting every now and again I don't think you'll notice. In my experience, If you reload .45 can be as cheap as factory 9mm - and makes much much larger holes! :twisted:
