North, South, or Central?
Good beginner handgun?
- Thread starter BH260
- Start date
North, South, or Central?
You should join the Lone Butte club (if you haven't already) and get to know some of the handgun shooters in the area. They may be able to give you "hands-on" knowledge with various types of handguns.
Before ordering my first restricted, I rented all the common name handguns at range in .22, 9mm, and 38 spl caliber.
I saved all targets from the visits and found I was shooting better with Mark IV (with red dot), Shadow 1 and a S&W revolver. Tried shooting these 3 regularly for few a visits. Roughly ~150 rounds each visit split between them.
.22 I was shooting best but it started to get boring. Enjoyed shooting both Shadow 1 & S&W, in every visit. As first handgun went with Shadow 1, based on ammo prices. Down the line I will get a DA/SA revolver as well in higher caliber.
tldr: try renting some handguns. See which you enjoy more and shoot better.
I saved all targets from the visits and found I was shooting better with Mark IV (with red dot), Shadow 1 and a S&W revolver. Tried shooting these 3 regularly for few a visits. Roughly ~150 rounds each visit split between them.
.22 I was shooting best but it started to get boring. Enjoyed shooting both Shadow 1 & S&W, in every visit. As first handgun went with Shadow 1, based on ammo prices. Down the line I will get a DA/SA revolver as well in higher caliber.
tldr: try renting some handguns. See which you enjoy more and shoot better.
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Best handgun?
- The one you can afford to buy ammo for and use on a regular basis...
No, seriously. Lost track of guys (mostly) getting all excited getting their RPAL. Getting all excited about this or pistol... only to realize that 1) they like to shoot 2 or 3 boxes of ammo per trip to the range... and 2) it's more expensive than they had budgeted.
- 9mm is probably the cheapest @ $25 a box.
- The one you can afford to buy ammo for and use on a regular basis...
No, seriously. Lost track of guys (mostly) getting all excited getting their RPAL. Getting all excited about this or pistol... only to realize that 1) they like to shoot 2 or 3 boxes of ammo per trip to the range... and 2) it's more expensive than they had budgeted.
- 9mm is probably the cheapest @ $25 a box.
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I had a pistol years ago, a Browning Buckmark. Got my rpal two years ago, went into cabelas and handled many. Two I liked the best were the S$W mp2.0 in 9mm and Ruger gp100 in 357/38. Glock, Beretta, and sig all felt wrong in my hand.
Glock might be difficult as a first handgun. No matter "a fair amount of experience shooting precision rifle". imho
My first pistol was an army reservist issue 9mm at age 16. But it all depends on you body size, eye sight, strength and steady hands, and have taken the handgun course for safety.
I am a tall guy 198cm or 6'6" with very large hands, because of this I love the glock handguns the best. It's all a mater of preferance as to how the gun feels to you. Ask a fellow shooters who is close to your build and hand sizes, that way you can actually get a feel of the gun in you own hands. PLUS once you find a gun you like you can always modify it to your liking.
Good luck and please be SAFE ALWAYS!
I am a tall guy 198cm or 6'6" with very large hands, because of this I love the glock handguns the best. It's all a mater of preferance as to how the gun feels to you. Ask a fellow shooters who is close to your build and hand sizes, that way you can actually get a feel of the gun in you own hands. PLUS once you find a gun you like you can always modify it to your liking.
Good luck and please be SAFE ALWAYS!
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Personally, many precision rifle shooters I've known over the years tend to enjoy shooting precision pistol.
- TOZ35, probably the most commonly seen Free Pistol being used at match
- Drulov75, a less expensive alternative.
I was referring to Glock only. Sorry, I don't have such experience with these precision pistols. Looks very cool! Probably very accurate too.
Depends what tickles your fancy. I like accurate rifles, but I like to shoot pistols quickly at steel so accuracy is less important. YMMV of course.
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I pretty much always considered pistol "ergonomics" the same as hammer ergonomics
- Just grab one and use it... a lot... You'll built upper-body strength and improve your hammering/shooting.
- Just grab one and use it... a lot... You'll built upper-body strength and improve your hammering/shooting.
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
Since you have been considering a Glock 19, I'd say go for it. IMHO, they are the best entry, centerfire semi auto for anyone who has never shot pistols before. The reason is you will not find the grip angle "weird". Most other pistols have a more vertical grip. But in my opinion, the Glock grip is great for anyone who has not developed a liking for or the muscle memory for the 1911 and similar grip angles.
What a Glock grip does, is gives the shooter a more stable grip. The angle requires that the shooter #### his wrist into a more stable, more consistent angle. The only disadvantage of getting used to the Glock grip angle is you will find all other pistols weird. If you're fine with that, go with the Glock 19. Its a great gun.
Before you get other guns, get into reloading. Although 9mm ammo is relatively inexpensive, you want the ability to reload so you will not run out of ammo, assuming you stock up on primers, powder, projectiles and or lead for casting your own. Hey, you want to shoot? Do it right. equip yourself to shoot, a lot. The Glock 19 will last many, many thousands of rounds. No need to buy another pistol for a long time.
Or do as many do. Buy a .22 LR pistol or revolver. Ammo is the cheapest you can get. No need to reload. I am not sure but there could be a .22 conversion for a Glock 19.
I pretty much always considered pistol "ergonomics" the same as hammer ergonomics
- Just grab one and use it... a lot... You'll built upper-body strength and improve your hammering/shooting.
I'd say, shoes may be a better analogy.
One can walk around wearing pretty much any pair of shoes, plus minus a full size.
Proper fitting shoes are more comfortable, however, and a must if you want to go far or run fast.
Glocks are like steel toe safety boots: great for some purposes, not so great for others.
