First Pistol

OmniOne

OmniOne

Regular
EE Expired
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Location
Saskatchewan
Hello All,

I am looking for some feedback on my choice for a first time pistol.

I am leaning towards the Sig P226R in .40 S&W (well, more accurately the Norc' copy of due to up front cost of a new hobby). The reason mainly being that this is my service pistol in the Navy and would like to get as much practice time with my tools as possible. While I find the grips on an actual P226 rather "fat", but not unmanageable I was wondering if replacing the factory grip on the stock Norcs would be able to slim it down. A sort of "low profile" grip? (That, and plastic isn't my idea of a good grip).

Looking at a .22 conversion kit; I was wondering if there was the ability to get a 9mm conversion kit as well. However, for $300; would it simply be better to just get another Norc P226 in 9mm? I would rather be able to practice with .40 S&W but also use 9mm for shooting sports later on once I upgrade the internals.

I also looked at the venerable 1911. While I enjoy the ergonomics of it, I see no reason to buy a pistol that I would only use at the range. I'd rather have a 10 round mag instead of the 7 offered in .45 ACP and not worry about an extended mag. That, and everyone seems to have one.

Is there any other pistol I should try out? I'd like to keep the cost around $400 as I'm looking at picking up a AIA M10 for hunting and I don't want to spend a few grand this summer.
 
IMO for a start you can buy a STI 1911 in 9mm - check with Gunnar at ARMCO -
- 9mm ammo is cheaper then 40 or 45
- having a 1911 SA all steel will help you to stay on the target and improve your new shooter skills
- 9mm caliber less recoil and muzzle flip, not so snappy like a 40
 
Sask has a Navy?

Just kidding. Have you looked into a used genuine SIG? Maybe a CPO? I think you would be better off with a gently used one of those than a norinco copy for around the same price. Are you on EE? As both used SIG and CPO's are both currently available on there.

Good luck!
 
I think you would be better served by a good .22, such as a Ruger Mk II/III or a Browning Buck Mark. Ammo costs are much lower and I think you will find it easier to learn to shoot well.
 
Sometimes cheap is expensive.

Buy what you really want (the first time).

By the time you've "upgraded" your Norinco, you will have spent enough to have bought a Sig.

And you'll still want the Sig.
 
It's my understanding that the MP's use the 255 variant chambered in 9mm, while boarding parties utilize the P226 in .40 S&W. I could be wrong; but that is how I have been informed. I was looking to get some range time in before I had to qualify with it, so if someone has hands-on I would bow to their knowledge.

On the topic of a .22 Ruger, should a new shooter really start out with that? I understand the flinching and over-correcting; but wouldn't it make more sense to use the actual pistol chambered in the .22 in order to get used to the ergonomics then work up?

As per Sig vs Norinco; I have heard wonderful things about the Norinco copies. But paying 1K for a Sig vs a $400 copy seems to cut off about $600 worth of ammo I could be practicing with. You are right that I'll probably want to upgrade to the real deal, but seeing as in all honesty i've never even fired a pistol before. I don't want to spend a lot of money on something I might not enjoy and just do to be more competent.
 
Nothing wrong with the Norkie NP58 Sig clone. Overall, it feels like the original but DA trigger is a bit heavier and grittier. SA trigger a little heavier as well but so what. When you master its trigger, you will be a better shooter with any pistol (or gun for that matter). Anyway that trigger will get smoother and lighter the more you shoot. I'm happy with the original grips, slippery as it is.

My only comment is that because of its light weight, my NP58 has a very snappy recoil with 180 grain full load 40 cal. It was designed for 9 mm and the increase in felt recoil compared to the 9mm chambering is quite noticeable. But you probably already know that. In my hands, the NP58s recoil feels like a GP100 revolver shooting 125 grain magnums.

If ever I buy another pistol, it will be an NP22 or a genuine Sig 226 in 9mm. IMO and for my hands, the Sig is the best all around 9mm pistol.

As for the 1911, again IMO, all pistoleros must have at least one in 45acp, just because. Almost 100 years old and still as popular as ever or even more so.

You may want to check out the CZ Norinco clones as well. Marstar has the NZ75 in stock. All steel and probably the most copied 9mm design.
 
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