First handgun purchase, opinions please.

supahdave said:
I'd stay away from Walthers personally due to the lack of magazines, the fact that they cost ALOT, and that holsters are few and far between. Not to mention little to no support for warranty or parts. Other than that they are like an Aston Martin, beautiful pistols and shoot like a dream. Go cz if your getting into comps, m&p for any courses and just in general great pistols with lots of support and accessories at very reasonable prices.
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Why do you say cz for comps and S&W for courses? I'm interested in both to be honest, the m&p range kit would be perfect for the handgun courses I've been looking into. As a holster, extra mags etc are course requirements and it's a decent price for the whole kit.

This obviously will not be the only pistol I buy, but I'd like to pick something I'll be able to use for both target shooting and any classes I decide to take.
 
You might also want to have a look at the Slovakian made Grand Power line. They are fully ambidextrous (mag release, slide release and safety) and run from $529 for the base K100 to 875 for the X-caliber . I've had one for a few months and Have been very happy with it. Dlask Arms of BC is the distributer. They seem like a pretty decent gun and are well priced. I'm not sure why we aren't seeing more of them although I suspect it may have to do with the distributor also retailing them. (Maybe not pushing them into the stores as much as they could?)

http://dlaskarms.com/collections/grand-power

here's a review from an IPSC shooter's blog if you're interested...

http://www.shooterready.ca/2014/02/04/grand-power-x-calibur-review/
 
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Your list is a good start, just wanted to add the must haves: Sig P226 and a 1911 style(don't have a 1911 yet, but it's on my list). Something about polymers I just don't like...they're plastic.

RM
 
supahdave said:
I'd stay away from Walthers personally due to the lack of magazines, the fact that they cost ALOT, and that holsters are few and far between. Not to mention little to no support for warranty or parts. Other than that they are like an Aston Martin, beautiful pistols and shoot like a dream. Go cz if your getting into comps, m&p for any courses and just in general great pistols with lots of support and accessories at very reasonable prices.
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Good advice.
 
I'd say go with the one that feels best in your hands, being able to fire each one is even better for making a decision!
(Even if mags are expensive, if you enjoy holding it and shooting it you will find the cash)
 
My vote is for a CZ 85 also. All steel, great feeling gun with ambi controls. The 75 is a very popular gun but the 85 has adjustable rear sights. I won't by another pistol without adjustable rear sights.
 
Thanks everyone for the input, I should have the time next week to get out and shoot all three at dvc. Gave them a call and they have all 3, their cz isn't a 75/85. I think the Shadow is what they have on hand, will make my mind up quick fast once I shoot them.
 
The PPQ has an awesome trigger right out of the box. The paddle mag release can be handy too. I ended up getting an M&P9 as my first handgun after borrowing a PPQ for a few 3 gun events. Came down to price and hand fit for me.
 
M&p would be a great choice for both comps and courses, just a good all around gun. Having said that, they don't call production division "shadow division" for nothing. The shadow is a lightning fast and accurate shooter, it's a blast, you won't want to put it down. But things break on it (easy to get more parts), the finish is not super durable, nether is it's service life (but still good). It's got sticky out bits and an external safety, da/SA trigger which means you have to get used to 2 different trigger pulls instead of the 1 on the m&p. the m&p is more durable, you can chuck it on the ground, kick dirt on it itl just keep going and going. Not saying that's normal but you wouldn't want to try that with a shadow.
 
Alright so I went and shot the m&p9, the ppq and the cz shadow. I really liked both the m&p and the cz, the ppq didn't grab me. So due to everyone telling me about mag prices as well as possible warranty headaches I think it's out of the running.

The cz is my favourite as far as accuracy, trigger feel. I was shooting nice tight groups consistently from the get go, sights were easy to use. The m&p was a bit more work to put on target at first but after a couple shots I was shooting respectable fist sized groups, not as accurate initially as the cz but once I got the hang of the sights I definitely put rounds where I wanted. The trigger pull and reset was not as nice as the cz but I'm sure one would get used to that.

I plan on taking a couple handgun shooting courses so I think the m&p range kit might win out over the cz, the cz might be easier to shoot initially but learning to shoot the m&p appeals to me as well. Plus the m&p range kitt is on sale locally for a real good price, I can always pick up the cz when I buy a second handgun. Looks like I have a decision to make now lol.
 
CZ is a great shooter out of the box. However, since you're already planning on courses, I say go with the M&P. All the things you state are true, it's not as easy for a new shooter to run an M&P like a tack driver compared to the CZ. That said, learning to shoot the M&P well (i.e.: learning good pistol fundamentals) will mean you should be able to make any pistol sing. Sounds like you have a good mindset already. Whichever you decide, you'll have an awesome gun.
 
Tongarirohiker said:
All the things you state are true, it's not as easy for a new shooter to run an M&P like a tack driver compared to the CZ. That said, learning to shoot the M&P well (i.e.: learning good pistol fundamentals) will mean you should be able to make any pistol sing. Sounds like you have a good mindset already. Whichever you decide, you'll have an awesome gun.
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That's the way I'm looking at it, plus at under 600$ for the m&p range kit it leaves more money for ammo which is a bonus.
 
There are no right or wrong choices here. All modern, well made handguns will outshoot the shooter. It all comes down to how the gun feels in YOUR hand, trigger pull/weight, sights, what style of shooting you do and, most importantly, cost!
Enjoy your M&P, master the trigger and hold your head up high!
 
The range kit is a very good deal. The M&P is aboiut as easy as ut gets to work on. Replace the firing pin block with an Apex block and the trigger will be hugely smoother if not a bit lighter. Just shoot the heck out of the gun to start and then go from there.

Take Care

Bob
 
Good call. Only thing that really hurts the m&p for new shooters is the fact that still to this day (not sure why) there isn't a .22lr conversion kit made for it. You have to buy the m&p 22 which is made by Walther and the trigger pull is much different than any of its big S&w made brothers. Kinda defeats the purpose of a trainer but still could practice grip, sighting, and mag changes on a budget. Anywho, m&p range kit and lots of ammo is a solid choice.
 
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