First Handgun

[shredder]

As above, in addition to a 1911, pick up a reasonable 22LR, say a Ruger or similar. It will give you LOTS of practise/trigger time considering the 3-$400 you spend on a 22 doesn't go very far when buying 45ACP ammo.

As for a 1911, also take a look at Dan Wesson, their level of quality far exceeds the price you pay, (no MIM and a lot of Wilson Combat parts) They are also way ahead of production guns like Kimber, etc, for only a few hundred more.

Excellent advice right there. I own a Ruger SR9 9mm (fits my hand better than the Glock 17 or S&W M&P 9mm, and price was a consideration) and a Browning Buckmark Camper .22. The Browning is a great looking, great shooting gun. It's only drawback is that it comes with only one magazine, where Ruger gives you 2 with the Mark III .22.

 

[NavyCuda]

My first handgun is a Sig Sauer P226 in 9mm I bought used off the EE for $750.

Worth every dollar. I can consistently hit the gong at the end of the range. I`m guessing 100 to 150m. I honestly don`t know the range length. Agassiz Rod & Gun club.

Feeds every 9mm round I`ve put through it, 1100 rounds no problems without cleaning out the `current`grease. First range visit was 450 rounds, cleaned the barrel, second visit was 650 rounds. Both visits had a number of different operators shooting different stances and griping methods.

I would say 5 people have tried my P226 and they really enjoyed it.

At one point I really wanted a 1911 but the cost of .45acp made me shy away from it. So I saved up for the *best* semiautomatic handgun ever made, in the most plentiful pistol cartridge.