First Pistol (Update)

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Rohann

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Hi all,
this is more to get a general idea of where I'm going to be spending my money as I don't yet have my PAL nor will not for like a few months (depending on how quickly the CFC works), but I'm looking for ideas for a first pistol. I'm thinking 9mm as it's the cheapest out of 10mm, .40S&W and .45 (I'd like a .45 but the ammo seems kinda scarce and pretty pricey nowadays, and 9mm is very widely available).
As for what pistol, I'm looking to spend no more than about $900-ish (I have no idea what the pricing is on these pistols), and in order of most desired I'm thinking of: HK USP, SIG P226, Cz, Beretta, or possibly a 1911 (but I don't know if this would be "right" in 9mm...). What would you recommend in terms of pricing, availability, and then pistol accuracy, reliability and durability?

Thanks,
-Rohann
 
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Get a nice used Glock 17 from the EE. Don't worry about what gen it is, it doesn't matter.

9mm is cheapest (G17) caliber and as far as I'm concerned, it's the most fun too.
 
Have you shot handgun much? If not then get a 9 mm and a .22 handgun. Lots of posts explaining why you should get a .22.

If possible try many before you buy. If you have to ask what would be a good handgun to buy then you don't know enough to buy one yet. Most handguns will work. There are many good handguns out there but that doesn't mean they are necessarily right for you.

What type of shooting do you plan on doing? How much do you plan to shoot?
 
I agree with Rudy H. If your budget is close to $900, you could actually pick up a CZ 9mm for just over $600, and a Ruger Semi 22 for just over $300. It might be a little over your budget, but you could get 2 pistols for close to what you plan on spending.
 
I've never shot a handgun match before, though I've shot quite a few 9mm rounds and some .22 rounds (through a pistol) as well. I'm not sure if I want to put money into a .22 pistol; I know the basics of shooting and more, and I'd like to do IPSC eventually.
The main things I'm looking for are accuracy, reliability and durability (though isn't that what most people look for?). I've shot a Glock (I believe it was a 17), two S&W's and a Ruger. The Glock was pretty fun but I'm not the biggest fan of them; the S&W's were both police pistols so the trigger pulls were fairly heavy, and the Ruger was a .22 so I can't really compare it to the others. I've always wanted a USP (more specifically a Mk23 or a USP Tactical but both of those are in .45, are more than what I need and way above my price range), so I figured a USP in 9mm would be a good choice. What do you think? Would you still recommend a .22 pistol?

-Rohann
 
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Right now for semi-autos I'm shooting a CZ-85 I recently got. Mainly because I'm shooting IDPA styled matches. I have a customized CZ-75 that is nicer to shoot (has been heavily worked on) but it does not comply to the rules for IDPA. I like the way the CZ guns feel in my hand when shooting. I picked up a lightly used gun, four mags, holster, mag pouches off the EE for $550 including shipping. The trigger has some creep and does not break as quickly compared to my customized CZ-75 but its not bad. I've tried some new guns and was disappointed with the gritty triggers. But they are supposed to smooth out after some shooting. My used one had no grittyness.

I like the way my CZ feels better than my Browning HiPower. Great gun (and I have no plans of getting rid of it) but for the type of shooting I'm doing it's not for me. It feels great in my left hand but not quite right in my right hand.

I've shot the Glock and hated the trigger. I was told that the gun I was shooting actually had a great trigger, for a Glock.

I like 1911s but I don't want to shoot .45s and loose a lot of brass. I have no concern about loosing 9 mm since I have lots. I've got (and like) a 1911 gun in 38 super but will not shoot it for the same reasons.

Decide what you want to shoot, then look at the guns available. Some may not be allowed for the type of shooting you want to do. Then try shooting from the list of acceptable guns. Everyone here has their own favorites but it is their favorite and may not be for you.

Would I still recommend a .22 pistol? Yes. For the same reason we typically have .22 rifles. They are fun to shoot and cheap to shoot. Load up a mag and blast away. Or try to get as much accuracy from your shot. .22s are great to get you to shoot properly. My favorite .22 is the High Standard Citation.

In order to improve your shooting skills I actually like a revolver better. A .38/357 S&W is my choice. Shoot 38 Special loads. Put 4 rounds in a cylinder in a random pattern then shoot it. If you have a problem you will see it when you "shoot" the empty chamber. You can do the same thing with a bunch of dummy rounds with extra mags in a semi-auto but a revolver is more convenient. Typically better triggers also.

Money is always a concern but limiting yourself to one gun or style of shooting is pretty restrictive. Assume you will have at least three guns and plan how and when you are going to get there. (I can't even imagine having only three)
 
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Oh okay, thanks for the recommendation. Is there a site that spells out the differences between different handgun matches and their regs?

Edit: I'm thinking I'd like to do IDPA as IPSC seems more like the equivelant of an F-Class type shoot than a Tac Match. A USP is considered a service pistol is it not?

Well sure I'm thinking of getting a .22 pistol eventually, thing is though I very, very rarely actually shoot my .22 rifle anymore; I'd way rather prefer to shoot my .308 on the time I get out than my .22.

As for a revolver...if I could find one for cheap then perhaps, but small-scale revolvers have never really been of much interest to me (I've always wanted a big S&W in .44 or .357 though). Revolvers have better triggers if you're firing single-action though right...? Can easy modifications be made to pistols to lighten trigger pull? Oh and I agree; the Glock I shot's trigger wasn't very crisp.

I'm by no means limiting myself to one pistol, I'm just thinking of a "main" pistol, kinda to serve the same function as my 700P; something I'll likely end up modifying and improving down the road, and something I'll become very familiar with. I'm planning to have plenty of handguns; budget is just the limiting factor now.

-Rohann
 
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go to the store and hold a ton of hand guns, shoot them if possible to see how they feel to you. might want a usp but who is to say it will fit your hand or it will feel good to shoot? i love the feel and the way 1911s point but its not the same for everyone.
 
Rohann said:
As for what pistol, I'm looking to spend no more than about $900-ish (I have no idea what the pricing is on these pistols), and in order of most desired I'm thinking of: HK USP, SIG P226, Cz, Beretta, or possibly a 1911 (but I don't know if this would be "right" in 9mm...)
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Get a USP in 9mm. It costs more than $900-ish but not by much and it's an outstanding pistol that is well worth the price. USP9 was my first handgun when I started shooting about 4 years ago and I would make the same choice if I had to do it all over again.
 
Unless you're specifically into .22 bullseye target shooting I'd stick with a 9mm to begin. For excitement you might as well shoot bb's as a .22. 9mm is inexpensive enough to shoot lots and will prep you for larger calibres if you want to go there eventually. 10mm and .40 is well and good but expensive and not as readily available. If you were into competition leaning that way that would be different. What brand? Can't go wrong with anything from Glock (I say blech too but they are a good gun) to Sig to CZ. Find one in EE used and get started.
Mike
 
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USP or if you've got money to burn, HK P7. Once you get a P7 any other pistol you buy will be treated like a pedestrian "beater gun" for the range.
 
The best possibly you can do to get a better look and feel is to handle and shoot the guns you consider. It can be done in US at an indoor range; that's what I did. Tried 5 dif guns and sorted out the ones I didn't like/want.
 
stick with 9mm, fun with .22 wears off quickly.

Try CZ 75B, SP-01, Shadow, SIG 226 see if you like the fit.
I have all of them. For me, SP-01 is the most accurate.
 
Rohann said:
Blech! Glock! It just seems too...generic. Would you recommend it over the other choices I posted?

-Rohann
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Blech to Glock, yet you list that boat anchor USP as a possibilty?

If you want a polymer gun go with an S&W M&P, if you want a steel gun go with a Hi-Power or the Sig.

Actaully, go to the loacl gun shops and hold as many as you van and if you have a chance, shoot as many as you can.
 
Seeing as you have lots of time, handle and shoot as many pistols as you can. No need to rush.
If I took IM Lugger's advice and bought a Beretta, I would be most dissatisfied. The grip and trigger reach are such that one would be a very poor choice indeed, for me.
The whole point of using a .22 is inexpensive skill development. Skill development makes more sense than making a bigger bang. If you are going to be a superior pistol shot, you need to master the basics.
There are lots of excellent choices out there. Do your research, and decide on what is best for you.
 
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