First pistol advice

JimmyConacher

JimmyConacher

New member
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Location
The frozen void
Howdy,

Great site, I need some honest advice from the collective!

I’m getting into shooting because my kid wants to learn how the shoot and I fully support children being taught how to properly use firearms, which means that I’ve had to get off my butt and finally take my PAL/RPAL. I’ve shot a variety of rifles and handguns over the years but I consider myself a novice so I need some help on buying my first pistol. I understand that firearms are like other ‘hobbies’ and I’ll end up spending more $$ than I intended but what the hell, you can’t take it with you!

I want a .22lr that I can run the same ammo through my kids rifle so I can plink away on the cheap at the range but also I want a 9mm as well. So, I’m basically stuck between getting a convertible pistol in 9mm/.22 or 1 of each. Cost is a factor but not prohibitive.

My thoughts:
1. P226 (used or not) with XChange kit. I see it’s cheaper to buy the .22 and 9mm XChange than vise versa.
2. CZ 75 or Shadow with a Kadet kit.
3. 1911 in .22 (Sig or other) + striker fired gun(P320, HK, Walther, G17)- cheapest option.

I know there are too many variables and it comes down to personal preference but your input is appreciated. I’ve handled the P226 and like the idea of a DA/SA that can be converted to another calibre. This way seems the safest since I can build some muscle-memory on the same gun. Ive got to get my hands on a CZ to see if I even like the feel.

Sorry for the long winded post. Jimmy
 
When I was in your position, I went with option 3, a Sig 1911-22, and a striker fired 9mm, simply for the fact that I got two guns instead of one with an exchange kit for the same price relatively. There is something to be said for training on the same platform with an exchange kit, and many people do that. Another option for you would be to pick up an M&P .22 and an M&P 9mm, if you went used from the EE, it would still get you two identical guns for the price of a CZ with Cadet kit. I can't comment on the P226 as I have no idea what they cost with the Xchange kit.
Good luck in your search, I'm sure you will get good advice from the crew :)
 
Thanks edgy, I just applied to get on the EE so I can see what’s available. My PAL application just went in so your guess is as good as mine for when I’ll get it. Christmas?
 
I'd argue the best and most reliable .22's are not convertible nines and that the convertibles that are good (like Sig, CZ etc) equal or exceed the cost of of buying a separate 9 and .22.
I'd saw buy a Browning Buck Mark for the .22 and whatever 9 strikes your fancy.
 
Where are you located, perhaps someone local would step up and let you try out a few before you purchase? I don't have a ton of experience but I have found that some handguns feel good in the hand until you shoot them, any rental ranges close by?
I always hated the look of Glocks, to plain and box like,lol, never even considered one when I first purchased, then I shot a G19 and it just works for me, I now own one :)
 
Are finances an issue? If not, and you're considering one gun with a conversion, the CZ75 Shadow with Kadet is probably the best all-rounder that
both works well, is a great option for a gun, can do more should you be interested, competition, accuracy, is excellent quality and has great resale.

The benefit of the kit, is that it allows you to get very familiar operating one gun, and best practices can be more easily adopted with larger ammo.

The downside, cost and sometimes convenience......it's sometimes nice to simply have another gun to pick up and shoot immediately.

Fact is, really hard to go wrong with most choices and you can always sell, change, and try something different, especially if you buy a clean copy
on the EE at great value.......the name of the game is to own many guns over time, this gives you better perspective, objectivity and uhhh, it's FUN!
 
edgy said:
Where are you located, perhaps someone local would step up and let you try out a few before you purchase? I don't have a ton of experience but I have found that some handguns feel good in the hand until you shoot them, any rental ranges close by?
I always hated the look of Glocks, to plain and box like,lol, never even considered one when I first purchased, then I shot a G19 and it just works for me, I now own one :)
Click to expand...


I’m in a small town that has a pistol range but no rentals. I’ve been invited down to meet everyone so I’m sure they can help me get squared away, maybe even let me shoot their guns. I’ve shot G17, 1911 .45, .38 SW revolver. The Glock was the easiest to shoot. The P226 I held felt really nice in my hand.
 
CHIA said:
Are finances an issue? If not, and you're considering one gun with a conversion, the CZ75 Shadow with Kadet is probably the best all-rounder that
both works well, is a great option for a gun, can do more should you be interested, competition, accuracy, is excellent quality and has great resale.

The benefit of the kit, is that it allows you to get very familiar operating one gun, and best practices can be more easily adopted with larger ammo.

The downside, cost and sometimes convenience......it's sometimes nice to simply have another gun to pick up and shoot immediately.

Fact is, really hard to go wrong with most choices and you can always sell, change, and try something different, especially if you buy a clean copy
on the EE at great value.......the name of the game is to own many guns over time, this gives you better perspective, objectivity and uhhh, it's FUN!
Click to expand...

When are finances not an issue! Haha! If this is anything like motorcycles, I’m going to spend 10x more than I intended! But seriously, dropping $1500 on a nice gun isn’t out of the question, but perhaps not the best choice for a first gun. I do like the pedigree of the CZ’s though...
 
JimmyConacher said:
When are finances not an issue! Haha! If this is anything like motorcycles, I’m going to spend 10x more than I intended! But seriously, dropping $1500 on a nice gun isn’t out of the question, but perhaps not the best choice for a first gun. I do like the pedigree of the CZ’s though...
Click to expand...

Get the best one you really want because trust me that "ah dang I should have got that" feeling will always creeps in from time to time ;) But do try out all the potential buys before committing.

I first thought I only need a Glock. It is like motorcycles or guitars or ....
 
JimmyConacher said:
When are finances not an issue! Haha! If this is anything like motorcycles, I’m going to spend 10x more than I intended! But seriously, dropping $1500 on a nice gun isn’t out of the question, but perhaps not the best choice for a first gun. I do like the pedigree of the CZ’s though...
Click to expand...

You can get a nice CZ75 Shadow used on the EE for $750 and the Kadet is s tough one used, but IRG has it for $438USD = approaching $600CAD

The benefit of the Kadet is that it actually has a great slide operation and does not try to replicate the entire slide having to cycle like others.....which
can limit ammo choices, and big a headache with functional challenges. The Kadet also sells almost immediately when listed here, somewhat rare and
people are always looking for a bit of a deal on this unique piece.

So I guess the other option is any number of 22's for $600 to equal same spend. SW Victory, Ruger MkIV, GSG 1911, MP22....or something different to
compliment the collection, like a nice revolver? So many choices, all will yield great times, can't really go wrong. My feeling, buy clean, used, and well
priced, so you can re-sell for little cost and have fun playing!
 
I got cz 75 shadow and a kadet kit as my first handgun purchase. Absolutely fantastic combo. Both are top notch precision machines. Both had no issues and I use both every range trip for several years now. You can train with the same gun with the cheaper 22lr ammo. It does not get any better than that as a do-it-all-very-well choice. On the range it takes 10 seconds to switch out between the calibers.
I modified my uplula mag loader to work with the 22lr mags.
The gun with the kit on fits in my bladetech holster too. So I can train with the holster, mag changes etc.
one must come up with a very good reason to buy anything else.
 
My First was the sig 1911 22
3PajEmB.jpg

Just be warned much like rifles they multiply fast
one year later
m4jUy2x.jpg
 
Am I right in understanding that I could buy an XChange or Kadet conversion WITHOUT a PAL? Just in case a good deal came along. It wouldn’t be the first time I put the cart before the horse...:HFU:
 
If your wife has a handgun, I'd go for something that's very different, so you can exchange and see what you like most. When I buy a gun, I go for something I don't have in my collection. For example, I wouldn't buy a glock17 and a glock34. So, since your household has one plastic striker fire, I'd go for a metal hammer fire. I'd suggest a 1911 in 45acp, but a good one is a bit out of your stated budget, so I'd go for a CZ SP01-shadow. Great trigger, reliable, very popular so aftermarket parts are available. About 800-830$ new. I would tell you to go for a shadow2, but they're more expensive, around 1150$, and the shadow1 are great anyway.
 
JimmyConacher said:
Am I right in understanding that I could buy an XChange or Kadet conversion WITHOUT a PAL? Just in case a good deal came along. It wouldn’t be the first time I put the cart before the horse...:HFU:
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with XChange, but a kadet, yes. The only thing you need a PAL for is the lower receiver (the part with the serial number). That's what's legally a firearm in canada. Anything else isn't even legally a firearm. So you could go out there and buy a slide, barrel, trigger, sears (and all the internals of a gun), magazines, all of it, without a PAL. The only part you'd need a PAL for is the lower receiver. Might sound weird, but at least you can't build a complete firearm without a lower.

For ammos you can literally get all the components and the tools to make ammos without a PAL, but you would need the PAL to possess the ammos you'd make.
 
Firstly I am not a fan of conversions. Secondly I like both revolvers and semi autos. So my recommendation is to get both.

Given the OPs needs and willingness to buy reasonably good quality handguns, I suggest a .22 SW 617 10-shot revolver and any polymer striker 9 mm semi auto pistol he fancies. I have a Glock 17 but my “go to” striker polymers are FNS 9s and 40s.

IMHO, a revolver is a great, if not the best handgun, to learn on because the novice will learn the basics of handgunnery very well by shooting revolvers, notably flinch and trigger control. A good wheelgunner will have no trouble transitioning to semi-autos.

I really like the FNS feel and ergonomics because they are almost like a 1911.

The FNS feels like a poly-striker pistol that JMBrowning would have designed himself.

If the OP has any plans of going into 1911s, the FNS 9 is the perfect striker polymer to start with.
 
Last edited:
I'd go for two entirely different guns, just personal preference though. The buckmark and rugers are both excellent 22's. As for a 9, lots of great selections when it comes to it. If you don't much care for price get yourself a 9mm revolver. :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom