This is great advice. Although I bought a 9mm 1911 first, within days I had a Buckmark... Now I have more .22 than any other calibre... Some say it's a boring calibre but I beg to differ. I start and end my shooting sessions with 22.
best hand gun for a newbie?
- Thread starter zenk
- Start date
This is great advice. Although I bought a 9mm 1911 first, within days I had a Buckmark... Now I have more .22 than any other calibre... Some say it's a boring calibre but I beg to differ. I start and end my shooting sessions with 22.
- Location
- British Canuckistan
MikeyScuba
CGN Regular
- Location
- GTA, Ontario
Just keep it to one. I've got a few k worth of 22lr pistols sitting in the safe doing zilch. It was a lot of fun in the beginning.
I say go with a CZ75 or Shadow1. Once you get bored of standing at the bench shooting the same target over and over you will have a cheap way into IPSC. Or the SIG P329 Legion, it's has rave reviews out there. Almost wanted to buy one but I don't need another gun I won't have time to shoot.
I'm a relative newbie too. I started with a Girsan MC28. It was nice but the trigger was a bit heavy. I wasn't shooting well with it. I then picked up a Norinco NZ85 (CZ85 clone) and a kind gentleman upgraded the recoil and mainsprings so now the trigger feel on it is far better. I am way more accurate with that than I was with the Girsan. I also picked up a Beretta 92FS in .22 which is great to shoot. So I second the idea of a good .22 and then get a 9mm with a good trigger you don't have to fight.
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So, your options, practically speaking, are 17, 17L, 19, 19X, 34, or 48. The 17L could be used in IPSC Open Division. The 34 could be used in IPSC Standard division (or Open division) or IDPA SSP and ESP divisions. The 17 could be used in IPSC Production Division (or Standard or Open divisions) or IDPA SSP and ESP divisions. The 19 could be used in IPSC Production Division (or Standard or Open divisions) or IDPA SSP or ESP or CCP divisions. The 19X could be used in IPSC Production Division (or Standard or Open divisions) or IDPA SSP and ESP divisions. The 48 isn't on the IPSC Production list (yet), so - for now - it could be used in IPSC Standard division (or Open division) or IDPA SSP or ESP or CCP divisions.
IPSC
<https://www.ipsc.org/>
IDPA
<https://www.idpa.com/>
I think, if the question was:" What calibre should my first handgun be?" Id answer by saying 22LR or similar calibre.
I've seen enough people pick up bad shooting habits because their first pistol was of "inappropriate" calibre for the skill level they possessed.
Just my 2c.
I've seen enough people pick up bad shooting habits because their first pistol was of "inappropriate" calibre for the skill level they possessed.
Just my 2c.
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
1st handgun?
- Anything you can afford (lots) of ammo for.
I think we've all seen this scenario.
- NG wants a handgun
- NG snickers at a 22lr, because a 22lr is for kids
- NG buy buy a centre fire handgun
- After a few weeks NG realise that 1) shooting is fun and 2) his budget doesn't really allow him to blast away $50 of ammo every range trip
As much as I enjoy the 32acp/9mm/45acp/44mag... I will not be without a 22lr
- Anything you can afford (lots) of ammo for.
I think we've all seen this scenario.
- NG wants a handgun
- NG snickers at a 22lr, because a 22lr is for kids
- NG buy buy a centre fire handgun
- After a few weeks NG realise that 1) shooting is fun and 2) his budget doesn't really allow him to blast away $50 of ammo every range trip
As much as I enjoy the 32acp/9mm/45acp/44mag... I will not be without a 22lr
If the object is to purchase a 9mm handgun and save money for lots of practice ammo, I have a few budget recommendations.
1. Bersa TPR9 - Aluminum frame, DA/SA. Full features and easy to field strip. Ambi controls. Made in Argentina.
2. Springfield XDM 9mm - Polymer frame, striker fired. Reliable, match grade barre. Made in Croatia.
3. Canik TP9SA (Mod 1 or 2) - Single action polymer pistol. Decocker. Made in Turkey.
4. Grand Power K100D - DA/SA polymer frame with a rotating action and decocker . Made in Slovakia.
These are all reliable firearms and well made. If you want to try something that's not Glock.
1. Bersa TPR9 - Aluminum frame, DA/SA. Full features and easy to field strip. Ambi controls. Made in Argentina.
2. Springfield XDM 9mm - Polymer frame, striker fired. Reliable, match grade barre. Made in Croatia.
3. Canik TP9SA (Mod 1 or 2) - Single action polymer pistol. Decocker. Made in Turkey.
4. Grand Power K100D - DA/SA polymer frame with a rotating action and decocker . Made in Slovakia.
These are all reliable firearms and well made. If you want to try something that's not Glock.
This man knows what he's talking about above . a 22 handgun can be shot a lot cheaper than a 9mm . I have watched so many people at my range just blast away and sure I did the same thing years ago but I also practiced accuracy. accuracy comes first then speed . you will learn how to shoot accurately with a 22 pistol a lot faster then with a 9mm . my first pistol and I had shot a few before I bought it was a 357 . sold it and the rest of them few years later. mistake . anyways I learned to reload for it . too expensive to shoot box after box of 357.
as for the Glock well I have found it takes more practice to shoot one accurately then with say a CZ 75 or a 1911 version pistol . if you have your heart set on a Glock 9mm and that's what you can afford then by all means go buy one . lots of people love them . buy a model 17 if you going to buy one . or a 19 . good luck in your choice.
For 9mm, Beretta m9a3 can be a great option. I personally quite enjoy its grip and sights. For your first 9mm, it really depends on how much you want to spend, and you want to make sure saving enough budget to get lots of ammo for practices. Most of the major pistol brands are very good options to begin with. Glock, CZ, FN, Berreta, S&W, etc, it's best to choose the one you feel is the best (the looking, gripping, sight picture, etc). You can also think about what kind of action you prefer (Single like 1911, double-action like CZ, beretta or striker-fire like Glock)!
If money is not really a huge issue, no reason not to pick up a cheap 22 and 9mm. If you are just set on just a 9mm get what you want. If you don't, you'll just be thinking about it and will eventually get it down the road anyway. Any Glock is just fine. It might be a little more challenging to learn on but once you do you can pretty much shoot any other 9mm. No question that a steel 9mm like the CZ 75 (or variant like the Jericho) is softer shooting, and most seem to shoot the CZ well pretty quickly.
Cant go wrong with the glock. Easy to maintain, reliable, relatively inexpensive and lots of aftermarket upgrades for down the line. As others have suggested, if at all possible get yourself a 22lr as well. You will learn much faster with one, plus it's cheap to shoot (you'll be surprised how much ammo you will go through on a range visit)
