Any suggestions for a first handgun?

Gillis2

Gillis2

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Hi all,

I have been long gun shooting for some time and have dicided to go for handgun. I am actually waiting for my RPAL to arrive.
Any suggestions for a first hand gun? Caliber? pistol or revolver? Model?

My use will be strictly paper targets at the range.

Thanks for your input.
 
Personally i would go with a sig P-226 in 22 cal first cause it's relatively cheap to buy and shoot compared to any other caliber 2nd it's a full size frame and you can get Xchange kits to turn it into a 9mm, 357 or .40 later on when you get the hang of it. That's what i wanted to get before i changed my mind on the R-pal
 
I just went through the same dilemma, a friend told me to go to DVC Venturs and try several guns, I tried Sig 226, M&P Pro, Glock, CZ 75 SP01. I settled on CZ sp01 Shadow, with the Glock coming in a close second. I liked the reliability of the glock, but I can hold the CZ so steady because of the weight.
 
A Smith & Wesson model 41 in 22lr followed by a Colt Gold Cup 1911 IMOHO, but get what you are comfortable with.
I have owned 20 pistols in 20 years & these Two are my favorites. They cost more than some but are very accurate and reliable.
 
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Everyone says start with a 22 but I find them VERY boring to shoot, if you are on a strict budget for ammo then it might be a good option. If not you will be able to learn just fine with a 9mm. Cheap option would be a used glock or an M&P 9, a little more but a great option is a Sig P226 or an HK USP or P30L.

If you give us your budget it will help out a lot more as it totally depends what you want to spend on the gun, and on ammo after.
 
Thanks all for your replies,

Actually my budget is not too tight and as I am already shooting a lot of .22lr in rifles, I was thinking more of a 9mm.
I kind of fell in love with a Tanfoglio stock 3 (see my other thread) but people here don't seem to know much about this pistol.

Gilbert
 
i would recommend the walther PPQ. so well reviewed by so many people on forums, youtube, personally. the looks may not be for everyone (i personally love them) but they have an incredible trigger, grip, and well above average sights right out of the box.
 
I'd go with the model 41 . That was the first handgun I ever bought back many years . Not the cheapest option , but it's the best 22 I've ever shot ( many here have way more experience I'm sure ) . I really also liked shooting the buckmark too BTW. Felt good in hand and was pretty accurate and trouble free .
 
Having shot competitively (military/civilian) going back nearly 25 years, I strongly second everyone here who has recommended a .22 pistol to start off with. You can be an awesome rifle shooter but turn out to be mediocre with a pistol; it's quite common, in fact. It's also common that an awesome pistol shooter tends to be an awesome rifle shooter too! Handguns simply require more skill and control than a rifle to shoot well. A .22 pistol isn't recommended because it shoots cheap ammo, instead it allows you to focus on practicing the necessary techniques without a big bang. Most guys don't want to admit it, but even the recoil of a 9mm is distracting when you're honing your pistol skills. Every time I head to the handgun range, I still empty a few mags of .22 out of my S&W 41 before going centrefire, if I'm having problems with a .22, I know it's not because I'm flinching. Quick warm-up with the .22, group analysis, rapid correction, then it's off to centrefire.
 
Oops , just read your second post there . If you're looking at 9mm , I know even less that might be helpful , so I'll shut up now , lol .
 
Ok so as to be expected, different opinions here. I have to say that the .22 option seems logical. The Smith and Wesson 41 might do it. Or maybe go cheaper with a Ruger Mark 3.
MMMMM Decisions, decisions...
 
My first handgun was a Glock 22. Still have it, still love it. Looking back though I would probably go for a Glock 17 or 34 for my first. A Sig P226 in 9mm or if you can afford it a H&K P30L in 9mm would be awesome as well. Actually, the P30L might just surprise you! I picked one up last month and it's my new favourite in my collection. I've been the most accurate with this handgun, compared to the rest of my collection. Let's put it this way, when I'm done with my target there is no bullseye left. Amazing handgun! Anyway, that's just my $0.02.
 
My advice to anyone buying their first handgun, go to a gun store with a good selection and see what fits your hand the best and go from there.
 
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