First handgun purchase, wow big wish list and not a lot to choose from!

[Wendell]

Sti

I'm looking to buy my first handgun and I'm having a tough time finding what I'm looking for:

- Stainless or aluminum frame/slide (shiny)
- Match grade barrel/trigger
- front picatinny rail for mounting a light
- Chambered in .45 or 9mm

I've looked at Kimber, Para, STI but not sure which are really quality items long term. My budget is >$1000 and hopefully <$1500.

It's not listed in the standard options, but I bet that you could order it from the factory with a hard chrome finish, if that is what you would prefer.

http://www.stiguns.com/guns/DutyOne/DutyOne.php#first

http://www.freedomventures.ca/home.htm

 

[dizzy]

kimber makes a nice 1911 issued with crimson trace laser grips, in your price range. You won't go wrong with the kimber or the sigs, both are great pistols, both will give you years of great service and many years of fun shooting. the best 45 cal pistol is the sig 220, not sure if comes in shinny colors. 9mm cheaper to shoot, my favorite range gun is s&w 617 10 shot 22, little recoil, shoots minimags accurately and can shoot very very accurately all day for cheap. and its shinny, needs next to no tlc and always works.

 

[10mmauto]

I hate my sig Hate Hate Hate it fire one before you drop that kind of money dont make my mistake

1911 all the way

Just curious whats your criticism? I love my sig.. with the SRT its pretty much perfect (for me).

 

[sigtactical]

if i ever had to put a down payment on a 1911, it would be an STI for sure.