need opinions .. lots of text!

slushee

slushee

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I'm just getting into shooting this year, concentraiting on small bore shooting after inheriting some of my fathers old .22's. After going to the range and having guys let me try out their pistols, I am finding myself more and more interested in pistol shooting. I have tried a few .22's, .38's, and 9mm's at the range, and I think I'd like to pick up a handgun to plink with. Eventually, even, maybe get into IPSC shooting.

First off, my budget is $400 .. my first question is, should I run out and buy what I can, or wait and save. I might be able to squeeze out $600 or even $800 .. but lets discuss what's best for me first.

Secondly, I realize I should be starting with a .22LR. I plan on eventually getting a MarkIII, but for now, I want to get a center fire to plink with .. then get the .22 later to really learn how to shoot. I'm pretty much sold on the 9mm platform. Cheap ammo, more controllable then .40 or .45 and softer recoil.

I have been contemplating the following guns:

1) Norinco NP-22 (sig p226 clone) for $349 from Marstar
2) Sig p226 CPO for $819 from Target Sports Center
3) Glock G17 Adjustable Sight for $773.50 from a local gun shop
4) Smith & Wesson M&P for $650 from Target Sports Center

Ever since I started looking at handguns, I have been leaning towards the p226. I would Love to buy an original sig, but the prices are just so high. That is why I am very interested in buying the np-22.

I read that with the p226 clone, I should expect to replace the spring that controls trigger pull with the sig version to lighten the pull of the trigger. Also to replace the hammer spring with a slightly stiffer one to save the frame from slide abuse. After that, I should be left with a decent shooter. I was curious what any of you think about the np-22? Should I hold out and get a CPO?

That's where I started thinking about glocks. For a little bit more then the np-22, I can get a glock 17. Ugly gun but I hear you can't beat them for the price. I also came across the M&P from Smith and Wesson. I haven't heard much about these guys either.

Well that's where I sit. Eventually i'm also looking at buying a mini-14/m-14 and a remington 700 SPS Tactical but that wont be for some time in the future.

I appreciate anyones advice..
 
As for the first centerfire pistol, you really need an inexpensive work horse right out of the box instead of fancy expensive or cheap but need some parts replacement. You need something reliable and won't get you confuse. Glock is ugly but can take big abuse, very reliable and you can get a fix sight for as low as $650 from one of the site supporter. S&W M&P is one of the hottest selling gun this year, you will find a lot of good reviews about this gun, come with addjustable back strip and you can customize the grip for your hand size. They can't go wrong for this price. CZ 75/85B also good gun for the same among of price.

Good luck for your research.

Trigun
 
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One thing you may want to try is to find a pistol range in your area and try out some of their range guns for the feel, fit and balance of each type. Most ranges (indoor) seem to have a selection of makes and models and you can usually try them out with the cost of a daily range pass. I use a 9mm Bul Cherokee for shooting minor in IPSC (about $600), a Springfield XD .45 for major in IPSC (about $700 - 800) and my favorite is an old (obsolete) Browning Nomad .22lr for plinking and target shooting (about $300). Like Trigun said, look for a solid new workhorse to start with unless you have a background in repair. Good luck and talk, talk, talk before you buy.
 
Glock 17 is the best bet for a starter piece, great for plinking and leaning to shoot, probably the most widely used production IPSC gun......go for standard sights though, its not a target gun anyway.
 
slushee said:
I'm just getting into shooting this year, concentraiting on small bore shooting after inheriting some of my fathers old .22's. After going to the range and having guys let me try out their pistols, I am finding myself more and more interested in pistol shooting. I have tried a few .22's, .38's, and 9mm's at the range, and I think I'd like to pick up a handgun to plink with. Eventually, even, maybe get into IPSC shooting.

First off, my budget is $400 .. my first question is, should I run out and buy what I can, or wait and save. I might be able to squeeze out $600 or even $800 .. but lets discuss what's best for me first.

Secondly, I realize I should be starting with a .22LR. I plan on eventually getting a MarkIII, but for now, I want to get a center fire to plink with .. then get the .22 later to really learn how to shoot. I'm pretty much sold on the 9mm platform. Cheap ammo, more controllable then .40 or .45 and softer recoil.

I have been contemplating the following guns:

1) Norinco NP-22 (sig p226 clone) for $349 from Marstar
2) Sig p226 CPO for $819 from Target Sports Center
3) Glock G17 Adjustable Sight for $773.50 from a local gun shop
4) Smith & Wesson M&P for $650 from Target Sports Center

Ever since I started looking at handguns, I have been leaning towards the p226. I would Love to buy an original sig, but the prices are just so high. That is why I am very interested in buying the np-22.

I read that with the p226 clone, I should expect to replace the spring that controls trigger pull with the sig version to lighten the pull of the trigger. Also to replace the hammer spring with a slightly stiffer one to save the frame from slide abuse. After that, I should be left with a decent shooter. I was curious what any of you think about the np-22? Should I hold out and get a CPO?

That's where I started thinking about glocks. For a little bit more then the np-22, I can get a glock 17. Ugly gun but I hear you can't beat them for the price. I also came across the M&P from Smith and Wesson. I haven't heard much about these guys either.

Well that's where I sit. Eventually i'm also looking at buying a mini-14/m-14 and a remington 700 SPS Tactical but that wont be for some time in the future.

I appreciate anyones advice..
Click to expand...

With $400, get NP-22, spend rest on ammo.
The worse thing you can do is to buy an expensive gun to find out later
that you bought the wrong gun.

I've made a mistake buying my first gun: S&W 617, 10 shot for $850, only to find
out that I don't like cleaning revolvers. It is sitting in my safe, collecting dust.
I maybe shot 200-300 rounds through it.

Buy a cheap Sig clone. If you like the Sig platform, you can buy a real Sig later
on.
 
"I've made mistake with my first gun: S&W 617, 10 shot for $850, only to find
out that I don't like cleaning revolvers. It is sitting in my safe collecting dust.
I maybe shot 200-300 rounds through it."

:D:D:D Ain't it the truth!
 
Get the one that fits your hand the best. Everyone has a different grip so get the pistol that suits you best. Both the Sig and Glock are lots more $$$ than the norc. If it fits get it!
 
I'd second the M&P, they are a terrific pistol, very reliable in the 1600 rounds I put through mine (zero issues with anything I put through it including CF issue) they will fit your hand, have the best sights issued on a pistol and after some use the trigger settles down nicely and makes it easy to be VERY fast and accurate. Superior to the Glock in my opinion and close to the 226, but not quite as good as the Sig 228. They should make excellent IPSC pistols and you also have the option of IDPA and PPC Duty pistol. (they're also a riot to shoot!!!)
 
slushee said:
First off, my budget is $400 .. my first question is, should I run out and buy what I can, or wait and save. I might be able to squeeze out $600 or even $800 .. but lets discuss what's best for me first.
Click to expand...
Definetely wait and save. You can't get a decent centerfire pistol for $400 (unless you get a good deal on a used one).
 
Every time I hear about a new shooter asking which pistol to start off with, I always repeat this that was said to me when I was there. Don't cheap out on the first. Starting off, you want to know for certain that it's you who's not putting the holes where they should go, not the gun. You also don't want to have to direct attention to tinkering if there's bad accuracy. I would personally pick something off of the EE here...if you can find a fairly common model that you enjoy shooting, chances are you'll be able to find an unabused one here for much cheaper than cost...
 
Something to look at is the used police issue sig p220 9mm
. I have one I picked up from Gunnar and it is super, and cheap
hase the single stacked mag- I am not a 9mm guy, but I got this to sell
and like it so much I will keep it.
I see he still has one listed -ARMco he is listed above- and no I don't work for him, but a super guy to deal with
Marshall in Sask.
 
From personal experience, try everything you can get your hands on first!!!!

I'm a taller guy (6'2), and accordingly have larger hands. I found that the Glock line didn't fit my hands properly. It was too small, and I found I couldn't control the trigger properly.

I did, however, fall in love with the Beretta 92FS. I'm surprised no one has mentioned Berettas before, but for some reason they don't appear to be popular or commonplace on this forum, despite coming from such a renowned name.

As for reliability, when I brought my Beretta to the range for the first time, I was given cleaning tips: I was told to give it a light coat of oil after a range day, and clean it only when it gives me trouble. I've been more diligent than that, but that spoke volumes to me about reliability. Due to the open top on the slide, stovepipes are practically unheard of. I've never had a single problem with my pistol, and look forward to putting many more rounds through her.

Something to keep in mind.

Also note: The US Armed Forces use the Beretta 92FS (designated as the M9). That should say something as well.

Just trying to keep you informed and options open.
 
Also, I would stay away from Norincos.

My roommate ended up buying the Norinco NP-22 (P226). When he felt how smooth the action was on my Beretta, his exact words were, "Man, I wish I had spent the extra money. You can feel the difference between the two actions."

The originals are known for their reliability (whether it be Beretta, Glock, Sig, etc...). Why go for something that is only second best? There's a reason police, the military, etc... use the real things. You said you can save the money to buy something a bit more expensive. It'll be 10000% worth it.
 
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Smaller than average hands would seem to suggest the M&P - I would love to be able to hold a Glock properly, but it just isn't going to happen. A lot of this has to do with finger length to palm size ratio, my hands aren't actually small in glove size, they are when it comes to trigger reach however. Pick the one that you can hold properly, pistol shooting is tough enough to do accurately without fighting your equipment. Either one of those pistols will last you 30+ years
 
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