Beginner looking for advice

[christoferson83]

OP have you considered a 9mm 1911? Like Silver said, don't cheap out on the HG.....

To be honest no I've never considered a 9mm 1911 but i'm opened minded to pretty much anything. Next time I go to look and feel ill check them out.

Im definitely not going to rush into a purchase, im considering all the advice that ive been getting here.

 

[jimbo14]

To be honest no I've never considered a 9mm 1911 but i'm opened minded to pretty much anything. Next time I go to look and feel ill check them out.

Im definitely not going to rush into a purchase, im considering all the advice that ive been getting here.

If you think IPSC/IDPA may be in the cards, then here is one more piece of advice: find a decent coach who can demonstrate a good grip to you. Also, some guns may not be legal, (the Shadow 2 isn't legal in IDPA). If not, don't worry about it. Buy whatever you want and plink away.

The reason is this: a good grip can really change the way a pistol feels in your hands. I won't buy a Sig P320 because of the fit issue. Before I learned about a proper grip, I would have bought one, and then now I'd be selling it. Plus, you may need to change grip panels to get a better fit. Knowing what a good grip for proper recoil management is all about, will greatly help you. If it'll cost $100 for new grip panels, and in my case, I had to switch out the safety for a flush safety when I changed my grip, it's good to know that ahead of time. It all factors into your decision if money is an issue.

If not, again, follow your heart where it leads. You'll get to where you want to go in the end.

 

[JaysonCraig]

I went G17 9mm for my first, recoil is fine

I personally find my G17 the hardest of my pistols to shoot. I have small hands and like to pressure the trigger guard or frame to the right with my left hand. The recoil on the light g17 makes this fairly had for me to to repeat for more than 2-3 shots in a row. IT dances my pressure finger down and off. I don't have this problem with my Tokarev or Sig 226. I have a g17c on the way, will see if this helps. Otherwise I need professional training, or the glocks gotta go.

 

[Nikuser]

If I may add some food for thought before you make that first purchase, in case you havent thought of it. Other than comfort, there some factors that can make a difference.

Things like, intended use, reliability, after-sale service and access to accessories and parts. I really enjoyed the PPQ and sfp9, but their customer service isn't the easiest to work with (according to a gunsmith I know). I found I enjoyed the M&P 2.0 about as much, but the cost, accessories and parts availability were my final deciding factors. Got it for 580$ (all in) plus an extra mag, Vortex t-shirt and a maglula (a must as far as I'm concerned, I shoot a lot).

As far as the SFP9 (VP9), I only learned to enjoy shooting it, when I tried one of the range members personal gun. He had found a combination of grip pads that worked for him. Turns out the stock configuration (rental gun) wasn't as comfortable for me, if you know what I mean.

In the end, I purchased my first 9mm (M&P 9 2.0) last November, after 6 mths of rentals and other ppls guns. So far shot roughly 5-6k rounds through it. Shoot mainly Campro 124gr reloads at about 7.80$/50rnds.

I have shot the Canik and it is a nice gun, but I have seen some users complain about unreliability, yet others rave about it. Have you tried a FN. I hear good things about the FN 509.

Either way, shoot as much as you can before buying and keep us posted on your decision.

*Since you never asked about a .22 I won't chime in on that and frankly I don't know why it always happens.

 

[rayzorloo]

JMHO. I had a couple of .22 S&W revolvers and a couple of semi auto pistols. I found that after a short while, they had no real value as training guns. They were great for plinking though.

What helped me get better with center-fire pistols was dryfiring. If I didn't hit the bullseye, or whatever target it was, I'd go back to dry-firing. 10 dry fires then live ammo.

There was no point in shooting live ammo, whether .22 or 9mm or 45acp, when all I was doing was miss due to flinch, poor grip, or poor sight picture, or wrong breathing technique, etc.

100% agree...dryfire, practise with the proper grip, focus on front sight before trigger press and believe it or not practise the trigger press. But with the proper grip it will help with the recoil control...although there is not much with 9mm especially a 124 or 147gr bullet. As for which 9mm I have owned the VP9 and has great ergo's but I currently shoot my P320 in IDPA and it just seems to fit me best...even for a high bore axis gun.

 

[christoferson83]

Thanks for all the advice guys I really do appreciate it a lot

Im going to keep testing firearms out for a bit longer and then decide on one. I realized that the P320 I can buy the small grip and I have a feeling that will be a deal breaker for me.

As of right now the P320, CZ P-09 and the FNS-9/9L are still the 3 im looking at

Once i've decided I will post it here might be a while though lol

 

[sunjeep24]

22lr pistol get boring. 1st pistol was a 22lr. I love it but once i got a 9mm. Cant go back to 22lr pistol.

1st gun should be what fits the most comfortable in your hands. Buy used. Alot of great members looking to sell there pistol and move on. Avoid the crazies looking to sell there used gun for more than retail.

 

[Yanger316]

How about 1911 in 9mm???
Classic design and tons of choices

 

[Meroh]

Thanks for all the advice and yes I will still stick to my 9mm.

I just saw the TP9SF is going for $459 which is a great price but im still deciding which one to go with. I was shown the FNH FNS-9L and that made it even harder to decide now lol

I have not heard or read a lot of good about these pistols. If price is a consideration buy a Norinco; they make three great pistols in 9mm.

I have the NZ85, their sig clone in .40, and one of their 1911s in .45; all great guns. NZ has good double action trigger, great single action trigger, and accurate.

The NP58 has a crappy double action trigger, single action has a long reset/take-up but nice break once you are used to it; I had lots of feeding problems with RNFP bullets which I fixed by opening up feed ramp and polishing it, but would not be a problem with 9mm bullet designs).

The 1911 is just a great shooter, feeds all the time (all home-loads with various bullets from 180 gr. SWC, 200 gr. SWC and 230 RN; lead, plated, FMJ, it does not matter, and the trigger pull is above average for all but the most expensive out of the box firearms.

All can be bought new with two mags for less than $400.00 (sometimes less than $300 on sale); they are all three solid and tight, and will last and last. My 9 and my 45 are getting close to 5000 rounds each, and the NP57 over 2000 (after the ramp work, 300+ with flawless operation).

 

[MaikuFromHigashikawa]

Looking to get into shooting handguns with the old lady, both new to the game. Was thinking of picking up a Sig Mosquito and/or a Ruger SR22. Not sure if it's wise to spend so much on the ruger since only a 22 and from what I've seen we may wish to move up to something else sooner than later.

Thoughts or anything else I should check out?

 

[Still alive]

Looking to get into shooting handguns with the old lady, both new to the game. Was thinking of picking up a Sig Mosquito and/or a Ruger SR22. Not sure if it's wise to spend so much on the ruger since only a 22 and from what I've seen we may wish to move up to something else sooner than later.

Thoughts or anything else I should check out?

Definitely NOT the Mosquito. My pick for a cheap and fairly reliable .22 in a service pistol style is the S&W M&P 22. The other is the Kadet kit for the Shadow SP-01 but that is very pricey for what you may want.