First Handgun

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DE44

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Ok. I'm about to purchase my first handgun. it will be a 9mm as both my daughter and son will be shooting it. My budget is $1200-$1500 max taxed in. Doesn't mean I want to spend $1500 but that's about the max I am willing to spend. Now there has to be some cool factor in this as let's face it you don't wanna be the #### on the firing line with a cheap looking POS. I have fired a Glock, Sig. and an STI. I liked the Sig. It had accuracy, the mag was nice to load, and the kids were able to handle it. No offence to the Glock crowd but it felt like a cheap POS didn't feel good in my hand, and I really didn't like it. No cool factor! The STI was OK but it' just out of my price range.

So what else should I be looking for? I have tried the upper end of the scale so whats available to look at.(within reason) I want a good reliable firearm that won't cause me a lot of grief. What about an HK? I"ve heard good things about them. I want ease of part replacement, reliability and accuracy. Oh yeah good service from the distributor, so I guess FN is out.:D

Any help from the extensive knowledge of this website would be appreciated. I haven't found another Canadian site that seems as informative.

I'm a newbie and I'm the first to admit I don't know s**t. Just what I've read on the net. So go ahead and confuse me.

Thanks or your help.

P.S Did I mention there has to be some cool factor!!
 
officer487 said:
The Springfield XD40 Tactical is a nice beginner pistol.
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Indeed. I'm a 1911 guy, but I tried an XD40 in 9mm once and it's a nice gun to shoot. Very smooth and controllable.
 
Well if you like the SIG, get a P226 - you can get a new one well within your price range or a CPO (SIG reconditioned & certified pre-owned) for several hundred less. The XD9 is a fantastic gun for the money as well.

I do echo your opinion of the glock, in my hands it feels more like a squirt gun than a pistol - but that's just my opinion.
 
My first centerfire handgun was a Springfield XD-9. I let my daughter try it when she was 15yrs. and I don't remember how many boxes of ammo she went through that day :D She liked shooting it better than the .22 Ruger MkI :cool: Whatever you choose, enjoy!
 
If you think Glock is a cheap POS its doubtful you'll be satisfied with an XD. My first gun (of any type) was a 1911. Try out the HK's though, they're great pistols.
 
I am an 1911 fan. Have been for many years. I bought a Glock some time ago and sold it 3 months later as I did not like the feel of it. I recently tried a friend's Springfield XD tactical. It looks somewhat like a Glock but feels totally different to me. It is going to be my next purchase. I like it. The polymer tends to soften the recoil somewhat. I read that it slows it down a bit. So I would recomend the Springfield XD. Well within your price range and you will have money left over for ammo to practice with.
Learn by my mistakes. Buy quality not quantity.
 
You might also look at a Steyr M-A1 in 9mm. It is a "plastic" gun but very, very comfortable in the hand and great for smaller hands. It also doesn't feel like a Glock. It also has the real "cool" factor.

The Browning Hi Power is also a great gun for smaller hands.

My kids (2 girls, 1 boy) are also using a Baby Eagle in 9mm, recoil is dampened because of the extra weight in the front because of the full length dust cover. The only drawback is the first double action pull can be a bit long for short fingers.
 
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If you like the Sig, then go buy a Sig as you already feel good about it. Sig 226 is one of the best in the market. But a cool looking gun doesn't mean your children will shoot better. Make sure the gun can fit both of your hand really well otherwise even the coolest looking gun won't shoot better than a POS.

Trigun
 
Take a look at HK USP. Despite being tupperware, it certainly does not feel like a cheap POS. HK's quality of workmanship has always been outstanding. The USP was my first handgun and I've never regretted buying it. But SIG P226 is also a great firearm, especially the stainless version.
 
DE44 said:
Ok. I'm about to purchase my first handgun. it will be a 9mm as both my daughter and son will be shooting it. My budget is $1200-$1500 max taxed in...
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We all went through same dilemma, and looking back, here are the steps I will go if I have to start all over again:

Rule No. 1: First handgun or handgun-ammo combination must be VERY accurate, must group no more than 1” on 25 yds. This will eliminate one of the biggest problems for beginners; Am I shooting wrong or handgun is the culprit?

Rule No. 2: Handgun must fit your hand. It doesn’t matter what is the quality of the gun if the trigger reach is wrong or feels awkward in the hand.

In that respect, my suggestion is single shot T-C Contender, starting with one 22 LR with 10” barrel. Good used one will cost you about $400-450. If you start with 22 LR, you have to find ammo that is accurate in YOUR handgun. Other, more experienced shooter could help you in selection process.

If you want to start with another calibre, take one Contender with 357 barrel but no more than that. Any toying with 44 magnum will create the flinch and it will take lot of shooting with less powerful rounds to get rid of it.

If you want start with 357, get nice reloading equipment and learn to reload. Buying loaded centerfire ammo is expensive and it will cut your shooting enormously. Also, if you are going 357 and reloading first, make sure that you team up with experienced reloader who will help you to develop accurate target loads. You don’t need more than 158/160 gr at 1000 fps, 1200 maximum. With 10” barrel that has no revolver gap it’s easy to get 1000-1200 fps. 2-3” at 25 yards or 1400 fps plus loads are useless if you want to learn how to shoot.

Another great used 22 LR is S&W model 41 and will cost $600-700. Also there are other good quality 22 LR but I am not the one that could give you broad info. Hopefully, other more qualified member will give you advice.

And once you learned to shoot, you can always sell them for the same money.

Also, don’t overlook one of those high quality air pistols, they are great for practising, and you could shoot in you basement every day…



Later on, with $1500-2000 budget you can buy some very nice handguns. Since you want ACCURATE one, think about one of Freedom Arms revolvers or high quality 1911 like Les Baer and others.

Starting with 9 mm looks attractive and cool, but I don’t think that is the good way to start.
 
Well I did say confuse me. Appreciate the feedback. I'm starting to think that maybe a less expensive gun for me will allow me to pick something up for the kids too that will fit their hands a little better. They both seemed to like the sig but neither put many rounds down the range so we really don't know what would be the best handgun yet. Thanks all
 
Re-reading this, if you've got kids - the grips on the SIG may be a little big...

Perhaps the CZ75, baby eagle or a single-stack 1911 in 9mm would fit the bill better.
 
Trigun said:
CZ 75B and Glock 17 is good but inexpensive handgun. You can buy one of each at about $1500.

Trigun
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I think you mean you can buy both for $1500.

My first handgun is either going to be a .22 wheel gun but if I can't handle going so small I will get a 9MM, possibly a G19 or a Sig 226.
 
FYI both SiGs and HKs are distributed by FN sports, and I heard HKs are pretty tought to get parts for. And if don't like Glock/plastic guns I guess Steyr and XD are out....

take a good look at Beretta 92FS

it's reliable, parts are easy to get, and has that bad ass look you're looking for ;) and if you shop around you can pick one up for $899 (Bruniton finish) or wait for the new 90-two.
 
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