I've owned a decent variety but I never had 12.6 so it opens up some options.
First pistol suggestions.
- Thread starter GhostsandPeanuts
- Start date
- Location
- Nova Scotia
What about a FN 509? Buddy has one for his carry piece.
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
There are some extremely nice SIGs these days that are outrunning Glocks. Or that's what I understand from the US gun media. We don't have the same timeliness in Canada with that industry. The choice of cartridges begins to become important when deciding on what you want to do with the handgun. Nine millimeter and .40 Cal are pretty good choices; .380 and smaller less good choices; and please don't fall into the nostalgia trap. Except for a few departments in traditional parts of the States, I don't think you'll find a single major law enforcement agency that issues anything in .45ACP.
(( I've shot 1911s and Browning High Powers enough to accept that technology advances, and time moves on. The 1911 was improved by the 1935, the same way 9mm polymer guns have completely changed the game. Some owners just can't get unstuck from the legend ....))
(( I've shot 1911s and Browning High Powers enough to accept that technology advances, and time moves on. The 1911 was improved by the 1935, the same way 9mm polymer guns have completely changed the game. Some owners just can't get unstuck from the legend ....))
S&W Model 37 .38 Spl snubbie. Nice & compact, easy to carry concealed, if you're going that route.
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NAA.
FatCatsDad
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Archaic thinking.
I bought a case of ammo and a Norinco 1911 for under $500 total cost.
That darn gun has never failed, no stovepipes, no feed issues nado zero none nothing.
But I have have seen $3k IPSC guns fail during a match and the owners practically cry, that was always fun and sometimes watching those highly stressed competitors blow a gasket was the best part if the day.
I spent an afternoon at a rental range in Clearwater earlier this year and shot a Glock 43X, Glock 19, a Sig P365X and a non-compensated Sig P365X Macro. I liked the Sigs a lot better particularly the Macro.
Buy a Luger P08 (with leather holster of course) for special occasions, and a Glock for your daily-to-day piece.
Butcherbill
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
If I was in the USA I’d buy a Glock 29 or 29sf, I’d be looking at compact or sub compact pistols as it’s something we just don’t have the option of owning in Chinada.
I like my sig p365xl with a macro grip. Way better fit than a G19 IMO
But there are way more options here especially when you start looking a compacts and subcompacts
Really depends on your intended use
S&W and Walther are putting out some great guns these days as well
But there are way more options here especially when you start looking a compacts and subcompacts
Really depends on your intended use
S&W and Walther are putting out some great guns these days as well
Welcome to the USA from Montana, from somebody who got here first.
The belief that 1911's are unreliable is as silly as the belief that Glocks aren't a real man's gun. Lots of real men (and real women) running around here in Montana and neighboring Idaho and Montana carrying either a Glock or a 1911.
Didn't you say your real purpose was just to get your round count up to get access to the EE? That you've already owned pistols like you will be able to buy in the USA for over 20 years living in Canada. Now you're confused as to what your first purchase should be once you have state residency wherever you end up?
For those coming on this thread later, what kind of first gun for what is your ultimate purpose? Planning on concealed carry or keeping at home for home defense, competitive sport or just recreational shooting? Big game hunting? Revolver, striker fired or single action pistol? Double action only, DA/SA?
If you own guns and actually do more than just shooting once in a while, you really should own some version of .22 rimfire. There is a bonus if what you chose for your wants/needs having a .22 rimfire version of the centerfire version you end up with.
I own a S&W Model 17-6 as a twin to the K frame .38 Spl and .357 revolvers I also own. Everything identical in grip, trigger pull, action and sights other than a very small difference in weight.
I don't like striker fired pistols - but I don't dump on those who like and prefer them, whether they're a Glock, a Taurus, whatever. I CCW single actions and prefer them for shooting for fun as well. I have FN Hi-Powers (now the clones of the MkIII are selling again like hot cakes after FN dropped it) and one Dan Wesson CBOB 1911. They are reliable, they are accurate (particularly for anything other than precision target practice), and easy to shoot well.
Both have .22 rimfire uppers to be used for target practice; I consider that to be an advantage to buying yet another, but different in the hand, handgun.
With all that said, a first time handgun buyer should consider what their end goal is with handgun ownership, and then buy the handgun that they feel fits best in their hands, preferably starting with a .22 rimfire while they work on developing their shooting skills. If that chosen first handgun also has an identical centerfire option for carry, self defense, competitive use, so much the better.
