Choosing first Handgun

A

Arseno

CGN Regular
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Location
Fredericton, NB
Hey guys, looking for some insight into what would be a good starting pistol. I'll be using the pistol mainly for plinking and paper punching, but I might take my black badge course and run a few matches with the gun. I got my eye on the Smith and Wesson M&P9 since the kit comes with everything I need for matches and the 9mm cartridge is inexpensive. Thanks for any input!
 
Not sure how accessible your range is but I contacted my section leader and spent some time with the shooters at my range. I was fortunate enough to try out several pistols before settling on what I liked. There is a lot to choose from and it's difficult to know what you want until you've tried a couple options. If your thinking of ipsc check to see what divisions and models are popular where you shoot. It's helpful to have veteran shooters that know your gun and possibly have spare parts on hand.

As a side note I ended up finding a nice used model that I was able to try a couple times because I checked in before buying.
 
How big is your hand? 92FS is a plump grip, M&P and gen 4 Glock have replaceable backstraps so no prob there. I've got a mid sized hand and I really liked the CZ.
 
I really like my 44 mag. It's expenexpensive to shoot, but very fun. I like the weight and the feel of the recoil. Of my collection. It was one of my first, but it's also my favorite. Colt anaconda.
 
Tasco said:
I really like my 44 mag. It's expenexpensive to shoot, but very fun. I like the weight and the feel of the recoil. Of my collection. It was one of my first, but it's also my favorite. Colt anaconda.
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On the surface this is a really bad idea...I hope your joking. I also hope your not planning on shooting a lot if you consider this option...expensive to shoot, three times the powder, 50% more for 100 bullets and that's if you reload. If you have deep pockets and arms like tree branches then maybe 44 mag is a good starter...I say stick to 9mm.

About the recoil, I've had magnum rifles and I enjoyed shooting them, 20-30 rounds at a time though was pushing it. If you want to shoot forget the 44 Mag for now. If that excites you down the road buy one as a second or third...didn't they tell you? You can't just have one.
 
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Tasco said:
I really like my 44 mag. It's expenexpensive to shoot, but very fun. I like the weight and the feel of the recoil. Of my collection. It was one of my first, but it's also my favorite. Colt anaconda.
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Recoil is fun but 44 mag is a awful gun to learn on. Its very pricey to shoot and its hard to work on trigger control with a heavy recoil.

A S&W 686, 586 or 27 would be a great choice. Start with SA and when you master that, join the big boys club in DA only
 
redshooter said:
Really???? As his first gun?

On the surface this is a really bad idea...I hope your joking. Hope your not planning on shooting a lot if you take this advice...expensive to shoot, three times the powder, 50% more for 100 bullets and that's if you reload. If you have deep pockets and arms like tree branches then maybe 44 mag is a good starter...I say stick to 9mm.

About the recoil, I've had magnum rifles and I enjoyed shooting them, 20-30 rounds at a time though was pushing it. If you want to shoot forget the 44 Mag for now. If that excites you down the road buy one as a second or third...didn't they tell you? You can't just have one.
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I was just joking. but I agree the 9mm might be your best initial purchase. The 45 ACP might also be a good choice if you like a little more bang.

The cheapest way to shoot would be with a .22. I also have a 22 ruger with a target barrel also very fun. I burned a lot of shells through this gun without worrying about my wallet.
 
CZ 75 SP01 Shadow is my choice. But, this is a personal preference. My suggestion, try as much as you can before you buy one. Nothing wrong with SW-M&P, Glock, Sig, Beretta. For me, whatever feels comfortable in your grip, good sight, a nice and crisp trigger, a good parts availability for upgrades will get my pick. Good luck.

Oooopsss.. did miss your point of being 1st handgun progressively moving to IPSC. Start with a .22 Cal. Ruger Browning Buckmark or a 1911 platform like a GSG 1911 seems to fit your need. Cheap ammo enough for you to learn everything before moving to a bigger caliber. 9mm is a good step-up but 0.40 seems to favor more who does not like the bang and recoil of a .45 cal. 9mm is cheaper though.
 
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Tasco said:
I was just joking. but I agree the 9mm might be your best initial purchase. The 45 ACP might also be a good choice if you like a little more bang.

The cheapest way to shoot would be with a .22. I also have a 22 ruger with a target barrel also very fun. I burned a lot of shells through this gun without worrying about my wallet.
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Damn...you quoted me before I toned it down a little...still on the first coffee. :d :dancingbanana: :d
 
The .22 is the best handgun to start with, hands down. The Ruger semi autos or the Browning semi-autos are great starter guns.

I would leave the IPSC stuff until you master the .22. It will make the jump to big bores far easier and faster.
 
One Lung Wonder said:
The .22 is the best handgun to start with, hands down. The Ruger semi autos or the Browning semi-autos are great starter guns.

I would leave the IPSC stuff until you master the .22. It will make the jump to big bores far easier and faster.
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+1. I had decided based on research that I wanted a CZ SPO1 shadow. Once I got to the gun club they talked me out of it and I settled on a S&W 41. The smith is expensive and finicky so it's pretty specific use. The browning buckmark and ruger mark series pistols have excellent reputations for accuracy and are probably more reliable and cost effective.

I initially cringed at the idea of buying a .22 but an ACCURATE .22 will help you develop your skills and make you a better shooter. Focus on using your iron sights and sight alignment. Don't bother with optics or anything until your consistent with your irons. Get your trigger control down and safely clear faults when your not under stress. A .22 is better suited because the lesser recoil lets you see what's going on when you botch your shot.

One of the guys at my club told me when I first started that becoming a good shooter is a turtle race and you have to put a peg in the ground to tell if you've made any progress. I've found that to be true. Keep practicing and make every shot count. Blasting out a mag can be fun now and then but if that's all you do you'll never be a good shot.
 
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First handgun....GREAT :) .You must be excited lol...I know I was

Get a 9mm Luger .....cheaper than other larger rounds, fun to shoot (ain't no whimpy two-two), light recoil, pretty freaking accurate and VERY plentiful.

I owned a Glock 17 3rd Gen and was the most accurate 9X19 I've EVER owned. 50 yard diner plate grouping standing up free handed. I shoot my Glock 17 better than my Beretta M9 ....although I like my M9 more

Glock 17 3rd Gen ........$699.00 NIB roughly
Beretta 92FS/M9 .........$800.00 NIB roughly
Sig P226/MK25.............$950.00 NIB roughly

My top 3 choices in 9mm Luger round. Owned them all.....GREAT 9mm pistols. Get something you love, buy it NIB and take really good care of it, don't scratch the SH@t out of it, clean it well, and put 4 boxes of factory FMJ ammo through it to "christen" it at the range to ensure it runs smooth with no problems. Get a couple spare mags for it also, total of 4 mags minimum.


Good luck man, I hope you get something that makes you happy ;)
 
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