First handgun

I vote .45

Go big or go home! The cost difference is minimal and only really starts to add up if youre going through high volumes.
 
I would suggest an XD9. They can be found in the EE for around $600.00 from time to time.

Although, the CZ is an excellent handgun, and also can be found for quite reasonable prices.... tough choice, both are great guns.
 
I don't care how good norinco heat treating is, or that they use the best scrap railway tracks... its still poorly machined, or grinded(even armedsask does better :) ). They should be around the price of a high point or less.

Here are a few examples of a norinco 1911a1, the first centerfire handgun I owned and bought because of all the praise for it on cgn(never again)



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Wow! Shocked! I am shocked!

Look at the late war 1911's. They are rough too but shoot just as well. Sure there are machining marks but it does not adversly affect function. German weapons later in the war were also roughly machined out but could still beat our weapons in both function and durability.
You are not enamoured with the aesthetics of the pistol or because it is Chinese made. I guess a Brazilian made from Springfield Armoury is any better?
 
Oh I don't mind machining marks... just not wavy ones like it was held on the mill table with zip ties.

I haven't had experience with springfield armory pistols. I eventualy bought a sig, and found true happieness. :)
 
Can you even start with a .45 and become a good shooter? I was under the impression that you should start with a .22, and that a 9MM was pushing it? My course instr told me about the dummy round thing to check to see if you have a flinch. Seems to be a good thing to do. Glock 17 seems like a good first gun, had for 850 from Wolverine with trijicons and should last a while...?
 
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Bushmaster Detachable :D

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Ultimately it all boils down to function... but, most of "these" things can't be used anywhere except at an approved shooting range anyway, they then kinda become collectibles (to me) and it's nice to own something that's nice looking too :p

If we were at war... tooling marks would be the last thing on my mind. But, since we're not... you get where I'm going heheheh.
 
Wow G37, thats pretty bad. I'd expect better QC than that. How old is that and where did you get it?
 
I bought it a year ago from a member... I too was surprised when I saw it. A friend had lent me his RRA Handle and when I compared both side by side it was like Night and Day.

I always assumed "tooling marks" were a Norinco (or WWII era) thing. Yes, I was rudely awakened though that day my friends to the cold hard truth that tooling marks can happen anywhere at any time ;)

I ended up selling it to someone who didn't mind the tooling marks (thankfully).

I never disrespect Norinco firearms, 'cause they work for the most part. However, they are not for me either. I too have owned a few in the past but have since moved on to "smoother" (for lack of a better word) things.
 
Oh and to answer your question Scottie about the "order"...

I went something like this:
.357magnum, .45ACP, .9mm, .40S&W, and I'm waiting now on a 10mm.
However, I picked up an aditional pistol in .22lr due to ammunition cost being so damn inexpensive. Everyone should own a .22lr pistol and rifle.

You can become a better shooter no matter with what you decide to get. It just takes good old fashioned practice and that is where the .22lr's come in.

I love my Ruger MarkIII - I rip through a dozen mags, then go to the big gun for a a couple magazines, then swap back to the Ruger for another dozen.

Range times are now longer than I need (hate it when it feels short), fun and very very inexpensive.

When I was just going to the range and ripping through 300 rounds a weekend of .45acp (each weekend - I also don't reload), well, let's just say in 1 month it's adds up fast. Multiply that by 12 and that's alot of extra cash :D

Now I go through 50rnds a weekend of centerfire and 300~500rnds of rimfire. So much more cost effective and still very very fun (which is why I felt I could splurge and get a 10mm haha)
 
Well I have watched this thread unfold over time and decided to
weigh in. Everyone should own at least 1 .45 if not more! For me
it started 20 years ago (as a young man!!) Today I go from a pre
A1 1911 US Army (circa 1917) to a 2006 Para LDA .45 and lots in
between. On the Norinco issue, there are good and bad I have
heard but as my son will attest, after @ 15,000 rnds with no
failures, they can be a great shooter. I have helped a few people
modify there Norc's. A 1911 is still a 1911. FWIW

Sig
DVC
 
scottie_ said:
Can you even start with a .45 and become a good shooter? I was under the impression that you should start with a .22, and that a 9MM was pushing it? My course instr told me about the dummy round thing to check to see if you have a flinch. Seems to be a good thing to do. Glock 17 seems like a good first gun, had for 850 from Wolverine with trijicons and should last a while...?

Scottie, you could start with a .45 ACP and develope into a very competent shooter, it just might cost you a little more. I started on 9mm, mostly because of lower cost of ammo. That being said, shortly after I started reloading, I went to .40 S&W and love that round. And yes, Glocks are very good products, the G17 is a good gun. (I personally don't own one because the feel is not right for me) If cost is a factor, I would suggest checking the EE forum regualarly, good deals can be found there.
 
if you're interested in 9mm at all try the Grand Power K100

Im just waiting for my restricted to come in and Ill be picking one of those up ASAP. Its just under 600$ and the reviews are great.
 
Okay, it seems that pistols are just like potato chips - betcha can't buy just ONE. I'll have to get a cf and a rimfire. The choice for a rimfire pistol is easy - a Colt Woodsman.

And I found out that what CZ stands for is pronounced Chess'-ka Sbroy-yov'-ka.
 
Grouse Man said:
Okay, it seems that pistols are just like potato chips - betcha can't buy just ONE. I'll have to get a cf and a rimfire. The choice for a rimfire pistol is easy - a Colt Woodsman.

And I found out that what CZ stands for is pronounced Chess'-ka Sbroy-yov'-ka.

I am seriously looking at the Armco tuned Norinco copy of the Woodsman.
They go fast though. $189 is a deal.
 
Grouse Man said:
Okay, it seems that pistols are just like potato chips - betcha can't buy just ONE. I'll have to get a cf and a rimfire. The choice for a rimfire pistol is easy - a Colt Woodsman.

And I found out that what CZ stands for is pronounced Chess'-ka Sbroy-yov'-ka.

When I had my safe built I never thought I would ever run out of space. Now I have a serious overflow problem. A limited supply of trigger locks for guns in the overflow containers. :(
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