looking into my first handgun,
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wow first post for me outside the intro section for me.. haha.
Here is what I'm thinking once my license gets approved/arrives. I'm getting a glock 17. 9mm, straight forward, and easy to handle. A friend let me shoot his at the range and I liked. Then after a short bit I will get a few more as I learn more.
Here is what I'm thinking once my license gets approved/arrives. I'm getting a glock 17. 9mm, straight forward, and easy to handle. A friend let me shoot his at the range and I liked. Then after a short bit I will get a few more as I learn more.
If your mind set on the Glock, go ahead while the price is still not too bad. That said I bought mind for under $600 a year back and couldn't be happier. Very nice shooting iron.
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notsorichguy
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I cut and pasted this from a differnet thread... I said this before and it seems to apply, paticularly the part about where to try stuff out. The tread is M&P vs Glock, incase you are interested. http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=324740
(quote)
I've shot 3 different glocks, and then walked away feeling ok about them but not "wow that was awsome"...
I shot an M&P and immediatly went to the g-store and bought one. I actually was at the range to try out a new .22 Buckmark I just purchased and 2 of my buddies brought out their toys. The ones that stood out for me were the M&P and a Glock 17, Like I said I went right back to town after the range session and bought the M&P, it just felt "right" somehow.
Here a glock 17c and an M&P are priced about $16 apart with the Glock being just a hair more expensive... What I'm tring to say is that price really didn't enter into the equation.
I still want to buy a glock, but if my M&P keeps on fulfilling my "needs" I don't think I will be able to afford to buy a glock! I spend too much on ammo as it is!
You pretty much have to go with what you like or feels right. The M&P was right for me, it may not be for you.
*** This is the part I was talking about***
If you have the facilitys available to you, go to a range where you can "rent" some to try. I have gone to The Wild West Shooting Centre" in West Ed Mall. I like their program. You pay a user fee, buy the ammo you want to shoot (9mm, .40 or whatever you want.... you can even mix and match) and then you have the option of any pistol or revolver they have in that caliber.
This makes it very easy to choose your next pistol when they have 5 or 6 (sometimes 10) different models in 9mm to choose from. The best part is you can shoot before you buy, how many times have you bought and then regretted your choice as it didn't live up to expectations? I've been there and it sucks. Some times grip feel is not enough.
Good luck with your next purchase!
(end Quote)
Hope this helps in some way
Cheers!
(quote)
I've shot 3 different glocks, and then walked away feeling ok about them but not "wow that was awsome"...
I shot an M&P and immediatly went to the g-store and bought one. I actually was at the range to try out a new .22 Buckmark I just purchased and 2 of my buddies brought out their toys. The ones that stood out for me were the M&P and a Glock 17, Like I said I went right back to town after the range session and bought the M&P, it just felt "right" somehow.
Here a glock 17c and an M&P are priced about $16 apart with the Glock being just a hair more expensive... What I'm tring to say is that price really didn't enter into the equation.
I still want to buy a glock, but if my M&P keeps on fulfilling my "needs" I don't think I will be able to afford to buy a glock! I spend too much on ammo as it is!
You pretty much have to go with what you like or feels right. The M&P was right for me, it may not be for you.
*** This is the part I was talking about***
If you have the facilitys available to you, go to a range where you can "rent" some to try. I have gone to The Wild West Shooting Centre" in West Ed Mall. I like their program. You pay a user fee, buy the ammo you want to shoot (9mm, .40 or whatever you want.... you can even mix and match) and then you have the option of any pistol or revolver they have in that caliber.
This makes it very easy to choose your next pistol when they have 5 or 6 (sometimes 10) different models in 9mm to choose from. The best part is you can shoot before you buy, how many times have you bought and then regretted your choice as it didn't live up to expectations? I've been there and it sucks. Some times grip feel is not enough.
Good luck with your next purchase!
(end Quote)
Hope this helps in some way
Cheers!
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I agree, the M&P is another way to go that you may like better, I know I do. You might look at a CZ-75, standard model. It's a good starting pistol as you can learn how the controls work for a single-action double-action so you're ready to move on the .45 1911 which you invariably will. 
steyr looks really nice.one of the best looking entry level plastic gun in my opinion. way better looking then glock(well glock is one of the ugliest guns on earth, i dont care if they are reliable , i'll never get one unless i see one for 300) i think i'll get a steyr as my first and only plastic gun. im mot of a no steel no deal guy but i really dig the steyr. not sure how well they shoot tho but i've read good things about them.
I'm also looking for my first handgun. As I am some what on a budget (<$800). I've narrowed it down to
Beretta 92FS 9mm
- Good: Great gun. Military issued so that must say something about reliability and effectiveness. BEAUTIFUL design in my opinion. I really like the decocking lever as well.
- Not so good: It's on the expensive side of my budget (~$799). The grips maybe sliiiiightly to big for my hand though it is not uncomfortable. If it was ~$600-700, I'd pick one up right away.
S&W M&P 9mm
- Good: Out of the handguns I've tried so far, it fit my hand the best (adjustable palm sizes). The weight feels well balanced in my hand. I like the look of it better than the Glock. Decently priced for ~$680.
- Not so good: I'm not a fan of double action only guns because most lack a manual safety. Also the pull is longer if I'm not mistaken. I originally said no polymer when I handled the Glock but after feeling out the M&P, I decided not to rule it out.
CZ-75B 9mm
- Good: Looks to be a reliable gun and it seems like a lot of people use it for IPSC. I haven't had the chance to shoot one yet but apparently it fits people's hand very well and it has a lot of after market support. Pricing is also decent at ~$650. This is very likely going to be my first handgun.
- Not so good: Not sure whether I'm quite liking the looks of the gun yet. I think the SP 01 looks awesome. Still a decent looking gun.
As of now, it's between the CZ-75B and the S&W M&P. I'm leaning towards the CZ since it has a manual safety on it and as a first time shooter I think it may be something I should have. If I could find a 92FS brand new for around $600-700 I'd pick one up right away. Hopefully I can make my decision by the weekend.
I ended up getting a Beretta M9 because I got a good deal on it. I'm VERY happy with my purchase though I wish I had bigger hands hahah
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I jus went through the same thing your going through. Im a rifle guy never had a pistol never wanted one. That was untill I went to the range one day and saw a few guys blastin off rounds together and havin the time of there life. That got me curious... I decided I wanted a polymer pistol, and it was between the above mentioned. MP9, Glock, and Springfield XD9. What closed the deal for me was just holding them. The new Gen 3.5 Glock fit my hand way better, however the XD9 was a close second. So go to your local store and jus try a few in your hand see what fits better... BTW Millions of people cant be wrong, go glock..
A Glock is a really simply firearm. Roughly 34 parts. Easy to shoot, easy to maintain. Cleans up quick. You can punish one and it will still fire. Glock parts are widely available, especially if you want to adjust the firearm to suit your particular needs, new triggers, guide rods and springs and all kinds of aftermarket and cheap spare parts for long term ownership. This is a proven platform, but .45 or 10mm is a lot funner for target practice. I almost forgot the Advantage Arms .22 conversion kit. An absolute must if you really want to save money and still go plinking. I don't think an M&P has a conversion kit yet.
Do you want something cool looking? That "feels nice" in your hand?
Or a firearm that you can train reliably with? How about something combat tested? Or "as reliable as possible" if you wanted to use it for protecting your home?
Look at the advice of people telling you to get something that "feels nice" or people that bought the gun for looks and compare that advice with instructors you can find writing on the internet, people in combat, and veteran Special Forces guys.
There is one answer to what to buy/carry in 9mm that is incredibly common amongst the list of people above that i would respect.
Glock
A G17/19 in 9mm
PS. Spend your money on ammo and lessons, not gadgets and accessories, then learning to shoot will "make it fit" your hand.
Or a firearm that you can train reliably with? How about something combat tested? Or "as reliable as possible" if you wanted to use it for protecting your home?
Look at the advice of people telling you to get something that "feels nice" or people that bought the gun for looks and compare that advice with instructors you can find writing on the internet, people in combat, and veteran Special Forces guys.
There is one answer to what to buy/carry in 9mm that is incredibly common amongst the list of people above that i would respect.
Glock
A G17/19 in 9mm
PS. Spend your money on ammo and lessons, not gadgets and accessories, then learning to shoot will "make it fit" your hand.
If I had to start over again it'd definitely be a Sig P250, recommended simply for excellent ergonomics. The thumb grooves on either side have the right depth, the 6 o'clock of the grip goes in and ends before the beavertail perfectly so your pinky to middle finger wrap around the rest of the grip like a sweet handlebar.
There are handguns galore on a busy night at my club; Glocks, 1911s, X5s to P7s, everyone I let shoot the 250 always commented right away how good it held, and plus it's accurate.
There are handguns galore on a busy night at my club; Glocks, 1911s, X5s to P7s, everyone I let shoot the 250 always commented right away how good it held, and plus it's accurate.
Sig is the only way to go, don't bother with those plastic glocks, did I mention how ugly the glocks are?
regarding the Glock comments above. The P226 starts at around $1199 plus taxes if I am not mistaken.
You can buy a 9mm Glock for less than $619.99 before GST ($650.98 before shipping) if you buy it in Quebec and you're not a resident in that province.
ww w.sporteque.ca/25-glock-17.html
You can buy a used Glock 22 .40SWon there too for $449!
