First Handgun; Suggestions PLEASE!!!!

I have been planning a trip to DVC, but I find there hours conflict with my schedule, I think thats the way to go though, I will try and get there in the next couple weeks, even if it means I gotta call in sick for work, priorities right!! lol
As far as stores go, I have bought two Rifles from Italian Sporting Goods and I find them to be pretty decent, maybe a bit pricey with some things tho.
 
I own quite a few of the hand guns mentioned by others and for the most part you can't go wrong with any of them. Like what was said earlier go to the store and get your hands on as many toys as you can but don't just hold them rack the slide and use every feature that gun has more then once. IMO if you can't reach all the features on the gun with one hand that gun isn't right for you. Also as far as what I would recommend you to look at and what not to here it is.
The first one I would suggest is the hk p30 9mm has best feel ive ever seen next choice would be a sig 226 nice feel on it also and so many others now for the ones I would not recommend for a FIRST handgun would start with a walther p99 it is one of my favorite gun but for a inexperienced handgun shooter the trigger can be very tough to learn on and second is a glock because unless you intend on running your handgun over with a tank the glock is not a very comfortable shooting gun for most and has a horrible trigger and last is if you don't want to break the 1000 mark then I wouldn't suggest a 1911 you really get what you pay for with them

Forgive spelling and grammar I'm on my iPhone
 
Some good points made about a steel gun. One that popped into my head while out reloading is the IWI Baby Eagle 9mm. The price is right and it has good feel. Wanstalls has them and they are only a short drive from DVC if you are going there
 
easyrider604 said:
...So if you want to try revolvers, go with a S&W K-Frame like a Model 19 or 66.....
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I recently picked up a S&W Model 14-3 (.38 Spec. target revolver, c.1970.)

SWModel14-3.jpg


I'd definitely say a K-frame would make a good choice. These are classics and very accurate.
More "oomph" than a .22 but still mild recoil. Also, no chasing brass! Double-action on mine
is very good; a Wolff aftermarket mainspring might improve things even more. The single-action
is superb.

You'll probably want to get into reloading, too...

:) Stuart
 
I have to give another +1 to an s&w revolver. I have a k38 masterpiece, and it's a pleasure to shoot. I can shoot +p loads if i'm feeling adventurous (though they don't shoot as well as light loads), and the wife can shoot it easily as well.

If you're into a semi auto, i've not shot one, but the CZ SP-01 Shadow is a wonderful thing to hold in your hand. I fondled one at the shop the other day and it feels great. Bonus, they will come in under 1k with a couple of extra mags.
 
armorman said:
For 1000 bucks buy a M&P 9mm range/carry kit and 1000 rounds of ammo. I've always been a 1911 fan but there are none worth mentioning under 1000 bucks.
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I respectively disagree - STI Spartan with trigger job accurate and smooth as hell for 800$ My wife uses a 9mm through work and she prefers the 45acp it has less felt recoil than you think plus short, light single action trigger pull compared to long heavier pull with double action only semi autos.
 
Mikeyman said:
I respectively disagree - STI Spartan with trigger job accurate and smooth as hell for 800$...
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Although I love my S&W wheel gun, I also have an STI Spartan and it really is superb for the money. Well-finished, tight-fitted and with an excellent trigger.

:) Stuart
 
Mikeyman said:
I respectively disagree - STI Spartan with trigger job accurate and smooth as hell for 800$ My wife uses a 9mm through work and she prefers the 45acp it has less felt recoil than you think plus short, light single action trigger pull compared to long heavier pull with double action only semi autos.
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You are 100% correct, I forgot about the Spartan. Thanks for that! Actually that's a perfect 1911 for under a grand....especially in 9mm.
 
First off, YOU are a real man for admitting you know nothing about handguns. For our species, that seems to be a difficult thing to admit.

If I had to make a reccomendation on your info, I would say:

- Ruger GP100 / S&W .357 (like Graydog said, your wife can easily shoot .38 from it)
- Sig P226 (awesome guns, and in my opinion one of the most accurate non custom
semi's)
- Lastly, the S&W M&P9's seem to be popular. Never shot one, but held a few. They are very comfortable, and made a top shelf company in my books.


All of these will be under a $1000. I suggest looking used to save additionally, and spend more $$ on ammo.
 
whatthebuck said:
...I am leaning towards nickle plated 1911 in.45ACP ...
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In that case, you might also consider the so-far-somewhat-elusive Ruger SR1911. OK, it's not nickel-plated, but stainless... close enough? It may not be as refined a target pistol as the STI Spartan but it's in the same price range and it seeems to be getting very positive reviews. A couple of lucky sods here on CGN have managed to get one. Check out hickock45's YouTube channel (here and here) for a couple of videos. (Warning- this guy can be addictive!)

Of course, you have to remember that John Steinbeck's comment about ideas also applies to handguns:
Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.
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:) Stuart
 
I think a good DA/SA handgun is best starting point. Once you master DA/SA trigger going to SA or striker fired DAO would be an easy change. Also if you start with aluminum frame (mid weight) going to all steel or plastic is again less of a 'shock' than going from a 1911 to a Glock or vice versa. Which brings be to Beretta 92. Reliable, accurate and well made.
 
I started out with .22 to get the fundamentals, then worked my way up... coming with rifle experience you can probably skip out the .22 and really jump to whatever, if your wife wants to shoot too... for 9mm maybe? Not much kick to it...

i personally like the striker-fire semi-auto actions, i.e. S&W M&P and Glocks... easy to shoot, always have a consistent trigger pull... but with a semi-auto, more things can go wrong, in terms of malfunctions (i.e. failure to feed, double feed, etc)... revolvers are good to start too, a good double-action maybe? Only one of 2 things can go wrong if it goes click... empty chamber or failure to fire... Can't really comment on those, since I don't care for revolvers, they're just not my thing IMO...
 
Till 2006 I was a rifle dude, my first pistols were Springfield 1911 Loaded and Smith and Wesson 686.
Shooting .45 was fun and I think it is a good choice as a first pistol.
 
DVC is open to 10pm tuesdays through fridays and both saturday and sunday. How can you NOT have time to get there at some point? If you were able to shop around the stores in Vancouver you can get to the range! Their only serious "must avoid" time is Friday nights when it's lady's night and the date couples and office groups are out in droves.
 
whatthebuck said:
I have long gun experience, but zero handgun. I am looking to buy my first handgun, I have done lots of reading and looking, so much my head hurts! Tell me, what is best first time Handgun for under 1K?
I want something I know I am shooting, so no .22, I am leaning towards nickle plated 1911 in.45ACP (may be purely ego based). I have always been fond of revolvers, but maybe that would be better as a second purchase? My wife is trying to push me towards something she can easily shoot, 9mm?
So many choices, Suggestions please!!! :confused:
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With limited knowledge, you need something that will be dead simple and reliable, and give you no grief while you are learning more about handguns.

Good start would be Glock 17 for semi auto in 9mm, and Ruger GP100 revolver with 6in barrel (easier to hit the target than short barrel version).

I am by no means saying these are two best handguns ever made, but for your particular situation, I can find no better suited firearms.

Welcome to the world of handguns, you will enjoy it!
 
I'd recommend getting a Sig p226 22lr and then getting the Sig 2-Step Calibre X-Change kit (9mm, .40SW or .357). This way you'll be able to shoot the 22lr for cheap practise and still have a larger calibre handgun. also, if you want a .45, then get the p220 22lr and the x-change kit for the .45. You can have the 22lr and x-change kit for about $1k. you can't go wrong with that :)

PS: did i mention that its a Sig???? :D
 
What does your wife prefer? Getting something you both like means she will enjoy the sport more, which means you can buy more stuff :)

You definately need to take her to the range, try everything and see what you both like.
You might find she hates revolvers, or loves Glocks but you hate them.

Lots of options out there, but if you shoot bigger than 9mm you have to consider reloading (IMHO) especially if you both shoot it. You can load up target 45 for her and major power for you if you like - or just shoot store-bought 9mm.

Any of the Sig, Glock, M&P, CZ options are all good to start. I'd be seriously looking at the S&W M&P Range kit....
 
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