First handgun purchase...any reconmmendations under $500??
- Thread starter RichPenny
- Start date
My advice to new hand gun shooters is that if their first handgun isn't a .22 then their second one should be. A lot of good practice and marksmanship skills can be done with a good cheap to shoot rimfire gun. And a lot of bad habits can be corrected or avoided with that same rimfire gun.
Sadly GOOD rimfire revolvers do not come cheap. I know because I tried three of them before I finally came across my old used Ruger Single Six and S&W Model 17. The other brands were not bad for plinking but my group sizes for serious target shooting reduced in size to about half what I could get with H&R's and Hi Standard revolvers. I still have two of them. One is a top break H&R just because it's a top break. The other I'm hoping to use as a project gun to remove some of the cylinder play and hopefully improve the accuracy at the same time. But once it's fixed up or I give up it'll be up for sale. Meanwhile the Ruger Single Six and S&W 17 make me look good. And I know that they are always going to be as good as I am and not the other way around.
Because of this issue with revolvers you're going to find that for .22 guns your money will buy you a FAR better semi auto than it will a revolver. So that's the way I'd suggest you go.
The two top dogs for both popularity and performance are the Ruger Mk III in either the swept back target version or the Mk III 22/45 version with the more vertical grip angle that mimics the classic 1911. The other big option is the Browning Buckmark. Versions of both are available for well within your budget.
Of the guns that mimic their center fire parents the GSG 1911 and S&W M&P22 are two that I've seen and shot which seem to have the best performance and reliability. You won't go wrong with either option.
Another which doesn't seem to get a lot of love and respect but which is actually a good gun is the S&W 22A.
If you're going to get a center fire gun for your first gun then you have more budget options. Check the stores in your area and try holding a lot of guns to see which fits your hand(s) well. And just where is "Fergus" located? If you're lucky enough to live in an area that has rental ranges this would be the time to go and try a bunch of guns. Otherwise all you can do is try a bunch in the stores and see which tend to fit your hands well.
The big choice you're going to find is between striker and hammer fired guns and how the triggers feel. I'm lucky to live near a commercial rental range so I tried out about a dozen or more 9mm handguns. I quickly realized that I far and away prefer the feel of a hammer gun's trigger. So right off the bat that put Glock, S&W, and Ruger guns out of the running. I had pretty much settled on a tie between the Beretta 92fs and the IWI Jericho when I got to try a CZ. That was it for me. I was hooked hard. Got two of them now which are the hard core of my semi auto collection. 1911's play a close support role to them. Both the CZ and 1911's fit me very well.
I actually bought and shot a Beretta and after a few years realized that it wasn't the right fit for me and sold it. Nice gun with an interesting operating system and different look but even my L to XL size hands found it too much to hold. That and the slide mounted safety/decocker kept tripping me up when used in matches. So I'd strongly suggest that you find and try holding a Beretta 92 or Girsan copy of the 92. These are FAT guns! They really need a large hand to hold them well so the shooter can get the most out of them.
At least half the fun of handguns is the ability to use them in various hand gun competitions. So look around your area and see what is being hosted by the various clubs for matches. Be sure that which ever gun you get fits within the rules for those competitions so you have options for later when you realize that just standing still and perforating paper isn't all that exciting. It may be good practice but it just isn't exciting once that "new gun smell" wears off.
This fitting into the rules means that some guns are out of the running. For example the popular and actually nice to shoot Tokarev is not eligible for many competitions due to the lack of a proper safety. Without a safety you can't holster it with a round chambered and the hammer cocked like you need to do. At least not safely. There are some Tokarevs that have a safety but they are pure junk. I had one and quickly removed the safety to make it back to a regular Tok because the safety was not only digging into my hand when shooting two handed but it would be pushed to the "SAFE" mode by this same interference. I did take it out to a couple of IDPA practice nights for giggles but I got around this safety issue by using the Israeli military handgun method where I'd draw then rack the slide to chamber a round. Fun and with some practice I suppose it could be fast. But it's not a great choice for any sort of regular competition.
Revolvers are a bit of an acquired taste. I love them and even got into cowboy action shooting. So I've got more revolvers than I do semi autos now. But for a newbie I'd suggest sticking with semi autos for your first one or two guns and try some revolvers along the way when the opportunity offers. You'd be surprised at how hand gun owners will offer folks such as yourself some trigger time on their guns if you're polite and interested and strike up a conversation. And often as not they'll be interested in your guns as well. So take your time and get the more popular semi auto guns for now.
Sadly GOOD rimfire revolvers do not come cheap. I know because I tried three of them before I finally came across my old used Ruger Single Six and S&W Model 17. The other brands were not bad for plinking but my group sizes for serious target shooting reduced in size to about half what I could get with H&R's and Hi Standard revolvers. I still have two of them. One is a top break H&R just because it's a top break. The other I'm hoping to use as a project gun to remove some of the cylinder play and hopefully improve the accuracy at the same time. But once it's fixed up or I give up it'll be up for sale. Meanwhile the Ruger Single Six and S&W 17 make me look good. And I know that they are always going to be as good as I am and not the other way around.
Because of this issue with revolvers you're going to find that for .22 guns your money will buy you a FAR better semi auto than it will a revolver. So that's the way I'd suggest you go.
The two top dogs for both popularity and performance are the Ruger Mk III in either the swept back target version or the Mk III 22/45 version with the more vertical grip angle that mimics the classic 1911. The other big option is the Browning Buckmark. Versions of both are available for well within your budget.
Of the guns that mimic their center fire parents the GSG 1911 and S&W M&P22 are two that I've seen and shot which seem to have the best performance and reliability. You won't go wrong with either option.
Another which doesn't seem to get a lot of love and respect but which is actually a good gun is the S&W 22A.
If you're going to get a center fire gun for your first gun then you have more budget options. Check the stores in your area and try holding a lot of guns to see which fits your hand(s) well. And just where is "Fergus" located? If you're lucky enough to live in an area that has rental ranges this would be the time to go and try a bunch of guns. Otherwise all you can do is try a bunch in the stores and see which tend to fit your hands well.
The big choice you're going to find is between striker and hammer fired guns and how the triggers feel. I'm lucky to live near a commercial rental range so I tried out about a dozen or more 9mm handguns. I quickly realized that I far and away prefer the feel of a hammer gun's trigger. So right off the bat that put Glock, S&W, and Ruger guns out of the running. I had pretty much settled on a tie between the Beretta 92fs and the IWI Jericho when I got to try a CZ. That was it for me. I was hooked hard. Got two of them now which are the hard core of my semi auto collection. 1911's play a close support role to them. Both the CZ and 1911's fit me very well.
I actually bought and shot a Beretta and after a few years realized that it wasn't the right fit for me and sold it. Nice gun with an interesting operating system and different look but even my L to XL size hands found it too much to hold. That and the slide mounted safety/decocker kept tripping me up when used in matches. So I'd strongly suggest that you find and try holding a Beretta 92 or Girsan copy of the 92. These are FAT guns! They really need a large hand to hold them well so the shooter can get the most out of them.
At least half the fun of handguns is the ability to use them in various hand gun competitions. So look around your area and see what is being hosted by the various clubs for matches. Be sure that which ever gun you get fits within the rules for those competitions so you have options for later when you realize that just standing still and perforating paper isn't all that exciting. It may be good practice but it just isn't exciting once that "new gun smell" wears off.
This fitting into the rules means that some guns are out of the running. For example the popular and actually nice to shoot Tokarev is not eligible for many competitions due to the lack of a proper safety. Without a safety you can't holster it with a round chambered and the hammer cocked like you need to do. At least not safely. There are some Tokarevs that have a safety but they are pure junk. I had one and quickly removed the safety to make it back to a regular Tok because the safety was not only digging into my hand when shooting two handed but it would be pushed to the "SAFE" mode by this same interference. I did take it out to a couple of IDPA practice nights for giggles but I got around this safety issue by using the Israeli military handgun method where I'd draw then rack the slide to chamber a round. Fun and with some practice I suppose it could be fast. But it's not a great choice for any sort of regular competition.
Revolvers are a bit of an acquired taste. I love them and even got into cowboy action shooting. So I've got more revolvers than I do semi autos now. But for a newbie I'd suggest sticking with semi autos for your first one or two guns and try some revolvers along the way when the opportunity offers. You'd be surprised at how hand gun owners will offer folks such as yourself some trigger time on their guns if you're polite and interested and strike up a conversation. And often as not they'll be interested in your guns as well. So take your time and get the more popular semi auto guns for now.
Go with the 9mm.
I got a Colt(walther) .22 in a 1911 frame as my 2nd pistol. I barely use it. Why? I can't find GOOD ammo for it. The cheap ammo just does NOT cut it and gives me issues.
I find myself using my .45 1911 more. Even at the high cost.
pay just a little more and get a good Glock/Walther/SIG in 9mm. You'll be much happier. And shooting the larger calibre will be much more satisfying.
I got a Colt(walther) .22 in a 1911 frame as my 2nd pistol. I barely use it. Why? I can't find GOOD ammo for it. The cheap ammo just does NOT cut it and gives me issues.
I find myself using my .45 1911 more. Even at the high cost.
pay just a little more and get a good Glock/Walther/SIG in 9mm. You'll be much happier. And shooting the larger calibre will be much more satisfying.
The idea of limiting the purchase cost to $500 is OK for a .22 gun but for a larger calibre it is wrong thinking. The idea is that the cost of the gun is minor over the life of a gun as ammo will cost lots more than the $500 budget in short order. Might as well get a better gun at the get go and have a better experience. As far as revolvers vs. semi a revolver is a fun gun to own and you don't have to spend time looking for brass which is a PITA especially in the winter. Also revolvers are more accurate for most shooters, beginners anyway. Buying a .22LR gun for the first gun is a good idea as the ammo is cheap and this allows you lots of practice for little money.
- Location
- West Quebec
If the OP is a new shooter I would go with a very reliable gun and concentrate on skills..
THIS^
Think about the ammo cost as you develop your new skills 100-200 rounds per trip.
New Buckmark~$350, used Ruger~$350 while honing skills and figuring out what you really want/like.
I'd agree with the Ruger/Buckmark suggestions. My Buck Mark seems to function well regardless of what ammo i feed it.
I'd also agree with the poster who suggested waiting until your budget is a little bigger before buying a centrefire gun. 600-750 is more realistic for a decent semiauto 9 while a good (Ruger or S&W) .357 revolver will be more like 700-900
I'd also agree with the poster who suggested waiting until your budget is a little bigger before buying a centrefire gun. 600-750 is more realistic for a decent semiauto 9 while a good (Ruger or S&W) .357 revolver will be more like 700-900
Tongarirohiker
CGN Regular
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
I'm also in the GSG 1911 camp. Buy one, shoot the hell out of it. Mine's got >3400 rounds through it already, it's just fun to shoot.
Another option you may want to look at is a used Smith & Wesson M&P9, either in your LGS as an exchange, or in our own Equipment Exchange. You can pick one up for around $500, possibly less. The .40 is usually priced the same as the 9mm, but the 9 will be cheaper to feed. Other's may disagree with me, but I've found that the M&P demands good fundamentals just like the Glock so it's a great pistol to learn on.
Another option you may want to look at is a used Smith & Wesson M&P9, either in your LGS as an exchange, or in our own Equipment Exchange. You can pick one up for around $500, possibly less. The .40 is usually priced the same as the 9mm, but the 9 will be cheaper to feed. Other's may disagree with me, but I've found that the M&P demands good fundamentals just like the Glock so it's a great pistol to learn on.
To throw something different into the mix, what about the Alfa Proj 9mm revolver?
I've handled a .357 version and it felt ok if not spectacular, and their prices have been dropping since being introduced.
9mm out of my Blackhawk convertible is quite nice. Bit more thump than a .38 target load, but very manageable and satisfying.
For that matter if you bide your time you might find a used Blackhawk on the EE for around that much.
I've handled a .357 version and it felt ok if not spectacular, and their prices have been dropping since being introduced.
9mm out of my Blackhawk convertible is quite nice. Bit more thump than a .38 target load, but very manageable and satisfying.
For that matter if you bide your time you might find a used Blackhawk on the EE for around that much.
RichPenny, you should pick up one of these little beauties from BadBoyBeeson..... The Beretta 71 is a classic gun, has a good reputation for reliability ( important with .22lr semi's) and the price is right!
By an extra couple of magazines and you are set! The long barrel grows on you(if you think it looks odd) and they just feel awesome in the hand!
Old world quality at a discount price.
The only real potential negative would be the low profile "combat" style sights.... not a problem if you have good eyes but some people don't like small sights. I've found these pistols to be quite accurate.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1161150-Beretta-71-Limited-time-offer
By an extra couple of magazines and you are set! The long barrel grows on you(if you think it looks odd) and they just feel awesome in the hand!
Old world quality at a discount price.
The only real potential negative would be the low profile "combat" style sights.... not a problem if you have good eyes but some people don't like small sights. I've found these pistols to be quite accurate.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1161150-Beretta-71-Limited-time-offer
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I have owned many many pistols and carried a few models for work. Hands down, my favorite pistol I have shot is the M&P .22. I own several M&P's and they are (For me anyway) the most ergo friendly pistol made. I couldn't get used to a glock for some reason. May be that I was never trained with one so the grip doesn't feel right??
If it was me in your shoes,..I would absolutely not hesitate to pick up a sweet little M&P .22
Hairy
If it was me in your shoes,..I would absolutely not hesitate to pick up a sweet little M&P .22
Hairy
