Beginner Handgun

[Gary D]

So I got out and went to Target. Took a look at what's actually out there. I think I've got it down to starting with a 9mm.

So far my options at this point are Glock, Beretta 92fs, Sig p226.

Any input on these choices?

Since everyone is still discussing your first question, and not getting to you last post here is my take. I don't have a lot of experience with the three but I will offer up my thoughts for what they're worth. All three guns have hard core followings and all for very good reasons. Myself I dislike everything about Glocks, they just don't feel good in my hands, don't shoot well for me and I think they are hideous. I like SA or DA/SA so striker guns aren't my thing. I haven't shot the 92FS, but have shot the PX4, while the gun felt fine in my strong hand, I could not get comfortable with my support hand, and as a result my shooting suffered. The Sig on the other hand is a perfect fit for me and I love them, Just acquired my 226 and haven't got many rounds through it yet, but by far the best choice for me. Even if you don't have the chance to shoot all 3, handle all three with both hands, and try to get a feel. If youre not sure about proper grip watch some video to get an idea to how you should hold it, basic grip technique is fiine, details will come in when you start shooting.

 

[jethunter]

Buy a gun with adjustable sights. A .22 is good if you don't reload because .22 ammo is almost free compared to centre fire ammo. You can afford to shoot a lot of .22. But you will get bored with a .22 rather quickly and you will wish you had bought something bigger.

If you will only ever buy 1 handgun then make it a 9mm. If you

Personally, if it were me: I'd go this route:
1. buy a .22 ruger MKII with adj sights to get started. Try it and see if you like shooting. Assuming you find you like shooting and the .22 isn't enough to keep you happy all by itself, then
2. If you are going to start shooting Centrefire pistol regularly you really to reload. Plan on spending $300 minimum on it. It will pay for itself fairly quickly once you start shooting.
3. get a cf pistol and start banging.

 

[Target.Practice]

Wow. Tough choice. Beretta 92FS or the Sig. P226. Can I have both? LOL

 

[v-king]

Both glock and beretta are excellent guns. Neither one is better then the other, they are just different. Old school SA/DA steel beretta vs. new striker fire, polymer style glock. Its whatever appeals to you. Old muscle car or a new sports car. For me it’s the muscle car/beretta every time

 

[Target.Practice]

both glock and beretta are excellent guns. Neither one is better then the other, they are just different. Old school sa/da steel beretta vs. New striker fire, polymer style glock. Its whatever appeals to you. Old muscle car or a new sports car. For me it’s the muscle car/beretta every time

100%

 

[pisces-guy]

Geo, if you want to nail bullseyes at 50 yards(accurate target shooting) then get a Ruger GP100 with 6" barrel, in .38/.357. The 4.2" barrel isn't quite as good with the shorter sighting plane, but you can get it in that calibre in the SP101 if you prefer a more compact revolver. .38 wadcutter ammo is cheap and has little recoil, so you'll get used to it quickly and be sharpshooting in no time! If you want to blast through eleven rounds at 25 yards or get passable accuracy at 50, and you like the semi auto pistols, then get something like the Ruger SR9. Reliable, cheap at $460, and 9mm ammo is also
cheap and has little recoil. The revolvers would be a bit more money, around $600. Can't go wrong with either of these options.

 

[giwolf]

Plastic guns are nice and light to carry if your in that business (I'm not) and cheaper on budgets when your buying 1000's of them and their triggers are mostly designed to prevent accidental discharge. Hence the popularity with Police etc.

I find steel guns nicer to shoot as well because the extra weight helps with the recoil and for faster follow up shots. They may also hold their value better.

 

[BCP]

For Glock and Smith and others you are correct. But not with the Sig: If you buy the p226 Classic 22 first, and then the centerfire conversion kit (might have to be patient for Questar to get the one you want), it's usually a little bit less than a new centerfire p226 just by itself. No idea why, but it is. If you know you want a basic Sig, then that's the way to go.

Some people want their 22 to have exactly the same trigger as their centerfire: Cheap training time with that usually expensive trigger, see?

I still do not believe this would be the best approach. The Classic 22 itself costs $656. That is about the same as a decent center fire pistol. If you look at the top target (bullseye) shooters, you'll notice two things. They shoot better scores with their .22 than with their center fire and .45 pistols, despite shooting at the same size targets with a larger bullet, which makes it easier to cut a higher scoring ring. The higher .22 score is due to the lighter trigger and lower recoil of the .22. The second thing you'll notice is they use different pistols, and therefor different triggers, for the .22, center fire and .45 events. I still recommend separate .22 and center fire pistols to new shooters for the following reasons. The better trigger on a good .22 pistol will help develop proper shooting skills and confidence. These skills are then easily transferred to a center fire pistol. If you bring a friend to the range, both of you can shoot at the same time if you have two separate pistols. And if you want an economical way to get used to your P226 trigger, you can dry fire with a snap cap.

 

[Nine]

Get a Ruger 22/45. Best 22 handgun around, and you get TONS of rounds down range at a fraction of the price of center fire. I started with 9mm, then 45, THEN 22. My shooting skills sky rocketed after shooting 22. I've had all sorts since, buy, try, sell, buy...

I've stuck with my 22/45... 3rd model, and my fav:

 

[alpining]

I still do not believe this would be the best approach. The Classic 22 itself costs $656. That is about the same as a decent center fire pistol. If you look at the top target (bullseye) shooters, you'll notice two things. They shoot better scores with their .22 than with their center fire and .45 pistols, despite shooting at the same size targets with a larger bullet, which makes it easier to cut a higher scoring ring. The higher .22 score is due to the lighter trigger and lower recoil of the .22. The second thing you'll notice is they use different pistols, and therefor different triggers, for the .22, center fire and .45 events. I still recommend separate .22 and center fire pistols to new shooters for the following reasons. The better trigger on a good .22 pistol will help develop proper shooting skills and confidence. These skills are then easily transferred to a center fire pistol. If you bring a friend to the range, both of you can shoot at the same time if you have two separate pistols. And if you want an economical way to get used to your P226 trigger, you can dry fire with a snap cap.

You missed it:

I said IF you are sure you want a basic Sig centerfire, then get the 226 Classic 22 first and then add on the centerfire conversion. Aside from the wait time for the conversion kit, I see no reason not to go this route.

Also: The Classic 22 can be found for less than that. And there is a strong case to be made that training on a long DA trigger will develop better general trigger control than training on an easier-to-master SA trigger. From what I've seen, it seems to be more of the action shooting folks who want to go with the rimfire kits on their centerfire rigs. If you're concerned about competing in rimfire events, then of course you'll score much better with a dedicated rimfire pistol. That's not what the rimfire conversion kits are good for.

 

[RCloud]

Get a firearm that you can afford to put a TON of ammo through! If you can afford 9mm, buy a 9 and skip the .22

I agree, start with a 9mm. I am not aware of any Mil/LEO/Tactical, etc ,pistol training that starts with a .22 and works it way up to larger calibers.

 

[BCP]

You missed it:

I said IF you are sure you want a basic Sig centerfire, then get the 226 Classic 22 first and then add on the centerfire conversion. Aside from the wait time for the conversion kit, I see no reason not to go this route.

Also: The Classic 22 can be found for less than that. And there is a strong case to be made that training on a long DA trigger will develop better general trigger control than training on an easier-to-master SA trigger. From what I've seen, it seems to be more of the action shooting folks who want to go with the rimfire kits on their centerfire rigs. If you're concerned about competing in rimfire events, then of course you'll score much better with a dedicated rimfire pistol. That's not what the rimfire conversion kits are good for.

You referenced Questar for the Classic 22 and conversion kit. I still don't see the conversion kit as the best training option. Snap caps are a better way to get used to a long double action trigger. Without the recoil you can definitively tell if you misaligned the sights after activating the trigger. I feel rimfire conversion kits are gimmicks. If you want to shoot rimfire, get a good dedicated rimfire pistol. But if you're set on the P226, and the combo is cheaper, you might as well buy it over a center fire version alone.

 

[st1264]

P226 Classic 22+9mm or 40cal kit is about the same price a Sig 226 9mm or 40 & a 22 conversion kit at Cabela's...

I learned on a 22 and got rid of it after because I got bored with it, GSG 1911. Good pistol. If I would have bought a Sig 226 22 or with a 22 kit I would have saved myself money, as I bought a Sig later on. I didn't like the Ruger 22's as they didn't fit my hand well. 1911 or the Sig platform fit me much better.

See what fits your hand and your budget. Only person to make this decision is you.

 

[BCP]

P226 Classic 22+9mm or 40cal kit is about the same price a Sig 226 9mm or 40 & a 22 conversion kit at Cabela's...

I learned on a 22 and got rid of it after because I got bored with it, GSG 1911. Good pistol. If I would have bought a Sig 226 22 or with a 22 kit I would have saved myself money, as I bought a Sig later on. I didn't like the Ruger 22's as they didn't fit my hand well. 1911 or the Sig platform fit me much better.

See what fits your hand and your budget. Only person to make this decision is you.

Well if someone is set on a P226 and Sig is willing to give you a Classic 22 and conversion kit for the same price as a center fire P226, it would be the way to go. This is assuming the Classic 22 with a center fire kit on top is the same as their center fire pistols. One could always sell off the .22 portion as a kit if they don't want rimfire and put it towards another gun. If they do like rimfire, they can use the funds to purchase a good rimfire pistol. There have been some more 1911 style .22LR pistols on the market recently. I've also heard good things about the Browning Buckmark. Lots of choices for .22LR pistols.