Any suggestions for a first handgun?

I am having a great time with my new to me Pardini PC9.
It is extremely accurate and has a fully adjustable trigger.
I was not enjoying the long trigger pull of my glock so i traded it away.
 
Folks need to list their locations before asking for advice. DVC is a long drive from the maritime.
 
Just to be different from what's already been said, and being pretty new to handguns myself, I decided to go with a couple Norincos to start; a P226 clone in .40 and a 1911 clone in .45. First off I will second what everyone is saying about .22, I'm in the market for one now, because I feel like I'm developing bad habits by having jumped into full-size calibers (I have most difficulty with the .40, I would not recommend it as a first-caliber purchase FWIW). If you can, buy one in the same frame as what you intend on shooting (or in the case of the 226 an X-Change kit), the time used on it will be that much more effective of training.

If you are looking to bypass (or complement) a .22 target pistol, I would start off cheap to see what features you like, whether it be DA or SA, different caliber options, etc. I liken it to any other sport, you don't start skiing or surfing on a top-of-the line model, you find out what you like and upgrade. That is my train of thought anyways. I am biased since it's what I chose, but I find the Chinese replicas extremely good value for the money, and they don't depreciate a whole lot even after being shot. They have given me a lot of insight into what I want in my first 'real' handgun, and I'll be able to sell both to nearly fund it.

P.S. to any of the Norinco-haters, I owned and shot a Sig P226 in .40 alongside my NP58. And although the fit and finish on the Sig was significantly better, they felt and shot the same, and I (again as a new shooter) was more accurate and consistent with the NP58 for whatever reason. Needless to say I sold off the Sig. My point only being you are not getting any better a shooting "experience" by going with a top-of-the line handgun right off the bat.
 
If strictly paper targets at the range. I would suggest a S&W 686. No collecting spent cases, and you can get wadcutters and semi/wadcutters for a nice visible hole and its an amazing revolver. Very accurate. Can shoot 357 mag or 38 Special which is nice.
 
I want to thank you all for your advises. By the way some of you have pointed that I should have stated my location and you are right. I live in Quebec.

Now I still have time to ponder this trough, waiting for my RPAL.
 
Gillis, I would not limit your intrests to simply punching paper. I suggest that you go out and check out the various handgun matches in your area from IPSC and IDPA to any handgun bullseye league matches. While you're at it check out the local Cowboy Action scene as well. It's not strictly handgun but it's a heap of fun that uses two handguns as part of each stage. For many of us participating in one or more of the speed related "run'n gun" matches is the icing on the handgun cake.

While some folks turn up their noses at rimfire I found that I really enjoy them for the steadiness. And if shooting for smaller groups a lot of the rimfire guns seem to be able to deliver tighter groups than many center fire guns. Some of that is due to the light recoil which makes it easier for the shooter to properly not react to the kick and part is due to the barrel fixed to the frame solidly compared to the separate barrels in center fire handguns.

I also found that shooting rimfire was an excellent tool for fixing my flinching issues. Even as a rifle shooting cross over to handguns they are different enough that you could still easily develop your own flinch. If that occurs a rimfire handgun is a great tool for helping to correct this bad habit.

And let's not forget that with a rimfire gun you can put in a LOT more trigger time per buck than you can with center fire.

So all in all my usual advice is that if your first handgun is not a .22 then your second one darn well should be.
 
It's SOOOO hard for anyone to recommend the "right" pistol for you to start off with, because it is such an individule thing. Some people love S&W, some love Glock, etc. each have their own personal reasons as to why they choose what they do and each will raise very valid points / arguments for the brand / model that they prefer.

At best people can give you reasons that they like what they like, but you have to make the decision that is right for you in the end.

Personally, I have:

S&W M&P 22 .22lr
S&W M&P 9mm Pro
S&W Model 17-2 revolver .22lr
Ruger Mark II 22/45 .22lr
Ruger Standard .22lr

Out of these, my favourite to shoot is the S&W M&P 22. My reasoning is it fits in my hand better than the others do, it is accurate and reliable, and it is cheep to shoot 100 rounds at the range in 1 day.

My wife's favourite is the Ruger Mark II 22/45, she likes the heavier weight because she finds it easier to control and aim.

I am on the side of the opinion that starting with a .22lr is a good idea, but only if you can afford to get a second gun rather soon after you start. My reasoning is that when you get to the range with your first handgun, you'll most likely do the same thing that most people do, shoot hundreds of rounds because you're at the range shooting your first handgun. If you do this with a 9mm or larger it can get quite costly. If you do it with a .22lr, you can shoot 500 rounds for $20.
 
Again, I want to thank everybody for such good response to my post. I am taking your advises into consideration and have decided to go 22lr for my first. Probably a Ruger Mark 3. Of course I have planned to get a second handgun a couple of months after, it will be a 9mm. As some of you pointed out, I will rent and try ( they do that at my local range).

Thanks again
 
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