First Handgun
- Thread starter slicknick
- Start date
Beretta 92FS. It's a 9mm, so the ammo is fairly cheap. The gun is reliable and accurate, so it will last you a very long time. You can get a Bruniton (blued) version for $905 plus tax, shipping, etc. , or an Inox (Stainless Steel) version for $990 plus tax, shipping, etc. from Wolverine Supplies.
Slicknick, inexpensive is a relative term... be warned... it is a disease and you will find you eventually aquire more guns than you know what to do with.... 
For inexpensive to feed, a .22 will always be the cheapest. After that without reloading, 9mm.
some will say start with a .22... My recommendation is start with something that fits your budget, and is exciting for you to shoot (which may indeed be a .22) My first was a G22. I have since aquired much more, including .22's
The norinco product line allows for an affordable initial purchase (look for lots and lots of reviews)... BUT, do not overlook the for sale section of used guns... lots of deals to be had in the $200-450 price range.
eg.. usually you can find a Single action .22 gun for $200 or so... and an auto .22 for slightly more. Once you get into 9mm, you can find a deal for around $400-450+.
If you have access to a range, by all means, ask nicely to try other members guns.. that will allow you to confirm what you would like for a first gun. Most of us have NP showing a newbie our toys..
Regards, Brent
For inexpensive to feed, a .22 will always be the cheapest. After that without reloading, 9mm.
some will say start with a .22... My recommendation is start with something that fits your budget, and is exciting for you to shoot (which may indeed be a .22) My first was a G22. I have since aquired much more, including .22's
The norinco product line allows for an affordable initial purchase (look for lots and lots of reviews)... BUT, do not overlook the for sale section of used guns... lots of deals to be had in the $200-450 price range.
eg.. usually you can find a Single action .22 gun for $200 or so... and an auto .22 for slightly more. Once you get into 9mm, you can find a deal for around $400-450+.
If you have access to a range, by all means, ask nicely to try other members guns.. that will allow you to confirm what you would like for a first gun. Most of us have NP showing a newbie our toys..
Regards, Brent
I am also looking for a first handgun in the near future and I asked the same question a few days back. I am still actively researching but I am leaning towards the Ruger KP89 or even P89 in 9mm. It seems like a good handgun for the price.
Jacky
Jacky
Get a Sig or get a Beretta. You get what you paid for and for you first handgun, spend a little more, most likely you will keep this one even though others will come and go.
Justin
My first was a Sig P220 in 9mm and my second was a Beretta 92FS. My third was a Glock 17 that I no longer own.
Justin
My first was a Sig P220 in 9mm and my second was a Beretta 92FS. My third was a Glock 17 that I no longer own.
I used to be a recomender of .22 for a first gun, but now the only reason I'd recomend one is just because they are cheap (incredibly cheap) to feed and usually cheap to buy too. That way, if you start with it and don't have time to come/go to the range and drop the hobby (or decide you don't have the time) you haven't spent a fortune.
That being said, I'd recomend a 9MM centerfire auto as they and ammo are relatively inexpensive (depending) and get you into "full size" guns and give you a proper feel for them.
What's your budget? <$400? <750.. <1000?
Price will play a big part.
I still think the Norinco NP22 Sig 226 clones are almost unbeatable for the price at the <$400 level.. but as you go up you open up all sorts of avenues.. The K100 comes to mind as the next level up in price, then you get into the CZas, Glocks, XDs, Sigs, etc.. You really can't go "wrong" with any of them.
That being said, I'd recomend a 9MM centerfire auto as they and ammo are relatively inexpensive (depending) and get you into "full size" guns and give you a proper feel for them.
What's your budget? <$400? <750.. <1000?
Price will play a big part.
I still think the Norinco NP22 Sig 226 clones are almost unbeatable for the price at the <$400 level.. but as you go up you open up all sorts of avenues.. The K100 comes to mind as the next level up in price, then you get into the CZas, Glocks, XDs, Sigs, etc.. You really can't go "wrong" with any of them.
gushulak
CGN frequent flyer
My first handgun was one of these, couldn't quite afford a Glock on a students meager earnings. I liked this gun, it was fun and cheap to shoot, but I just couldn't fight the Glock Bug that came over me. The following year I traded in my P89 for a G22, and haven't looked back.
The Ruger is a great price and a durable gun. I really enjoyed mine while I had it. Depending on your budget its a great first handgun.
What do you want to do with it and as already mentioned how may $ do you want to spend. As suggested talk to people at a local gun club, we all like to talk and will even let you shoot our guns. A new Ruger MK3 22/45 for $309 at Wholesale sports is a great way to start. In comparison a coworker just bought his first hand gun but knew he wanted a 1911 in 45 ACP. Talk to people at the club and maybe try a couple. Its a hard decision but there are lots of people to help. Talk to the ones not trying to sell you something. Have fun
sixty9santa
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Well as a first pistol I would recommend a Norinco 1911A1 for 325$ from Marstar, get all the required reloading equipment and then start blasting big holes in anything :twisted:
Ok, Norinco 1911's will require some mods such as sights and a new extractor as they are likely to throw brass in your face.
Reloading can be as cost effective a purchasing factory 9mm.
Ok, Norinco 1911's will require some mods such as sights and a new extractor as they are likely to throw brass in your face.
Reloading can be as cost effective a purchasing factory 9mm.
very seldom will I tell someone not to buy a particular gun. Well when it comes to Rugers, I am sorry, I have to say, don't buy one. They are crap, the triggers are crap, and the guns are crap. Their Mini 14 and 10/22 are great guns, hell some of their other rifles are great too. but their semi auto handguns suck huge. the mag release sucks, the sights suck and they are built like a brick.
Go out, try a bunch of guns, there are plenty of members here who will happily take you out and let you try their pistols, just pay them for the ammo (though some don't even want that). Find a pistol that works for you, I doubt it'll be the Ruger. But if in the end, it is the one that fits you, and you like it, I suppose buy it. But Please Please Please, try some others first!!!!!!!
Go out, try a bunch of guns, there are plenty of members here who will happily take you out and let you try their pistols, just pay them for the ammo (though some don't even want that). Find a pistol that works for you, I doubt it'll be the Ruger. But if in the end, it is the one that fits you, and you like it, I suppose buy it. But Please Please Please, try some others first!!!!!!!
not sure I'd honestly recomend the Norinco either, as I've seen a number of them with problems. However the Grand Power seems to be getting good reviews and there are of course used options. While I might not like Glocks much, a used Glock would certainly be a better bet than a Ruger IMHO, and for that matter a used Beretta, or Sig too. I really don't like the Rugers and have never understood why anyone would buy them (having owned a few myself ). they are just not well made guns in my view, and I have yet to meet anyone that actually likes them. I am sure there are some people out there that do, because the guns do sell. But I haven't met one yet.
). they are just not well made guns in my view, and I have yet to meet anyone that actually likes them. I am sure there are some people out there that do, because the guns do sell. But I haven't met one yet.
I bought a ruger p94DAO as my first pistol. I bought it thinking i could shoot IPSC with it and was I ever wrong. The trigger does suck as its long, heavy pull makes for slow shooting and promotes triggersnatch in doubletaps . I've put 400 rounds through it now and im ready to trade it in for a Browning Hi Power. For my second pistol in the spring im looking to the K-100!
Cheers.
Cheers.
I had considered Ruger semi-autos because of the price and selection of cartridges/frames/finish but never fired one or know of anyone that has one. I too would be interested in the views of the guys buying/shooting them(accuracy, trouble free, service). I would have thought a Ruger might be a good alternative to a new shooter but don't know...last Ruger I had was a Security Six. It was a nice revolver.
You can get a CZ75 for $600. It's a pretty decent gun for the money and only about $100 more than a Ruger semi-auto. You can also buy an MP-446 Viking, which is a civilian version of the new Russian service pistol, for $700. I don't have any personal experience with it, but from what I heard it's built like a tank and very reliable. Kind of like a poor man's HK. Then there's also the K100, from a new Slovakian gunmaker, that is sold for $600. It seems like a interesting design, but the gun has been commercially available only for a short period of time, so it's long-term reliability is yet unproven.
Personally, I would not recommend a Norinco, as their quality seems to be hit or miss. Some people claim that their Norincos are flawless, while others complain of all sorts of problems.
Personally, I would not recommend a Norinco, as their quality seems to be hit or miss. Some people claim that their Norincos are flawless, while others complain of all sorts of problems.
