Purchasing my first handgun. Need suggestions.

Firehoser

Firehoser

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I am new to the sport of target shooting with a handgun. I know the rules about belonging to a range / club so I just want some ideas for purchasing something I will be pleased with. My budget is $500.00 +-. I would prefer a semi automatic. My eye has gone to a Ruger 9mm or possibly a 1911 / 45. There are also 1911's in 9mm. That's about it so I look forward to your opinions and suggestions. :confused:
 
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For a first handgun I would suggest something in a .22 which will be less expensive to shoot until you get used to a handgun.Then a 9mm after that or perhaps a .45..I own a Ruger 22/45 and it is a great shooter.I also shoot a STI RangeMaster in 9mm and it works great and is very accurate....
 
Unless you get a Norinco or a used SAM, you won't find much in 1911s for $500. The .45 ammo is expensive to shoot also. Are you totally new to handguns? As in never shot one before? If so, please buy a .22LR as your first gun. Get a Browning Buckmark or a Ruger Mk.3. Skip the 1911 clones, they are finicky on ammo.
You want to start with sound fundamentals. That will lead to a lifetime of enjoyment. Trigger control, sight picture, stance, breathing all are important. If you start with a 9mm or .45, you will most likely develop a flinch which is very difficult to get rid of as well as not practice as much due to the cost of ammo. A .22 solves all these problems. Get the 9 or .45 down the road, you won't regret it.
 
I have the opportunity in Florida (here for the winter) to go to a range and try a few calibers. Spending some time at a range starting with small caliber will help. Thanks for the info...
 
I would also suggest starting out with a .22

Revolvers are always a fun gun to start with. But if your after a semi auto, get whatever one is similar to the platform you want to shoot with larger calibres.

If you want to shoot 1911s, get a .22 gsg 1911. If you want to get a polymer 9, start with a .22 M&P and than you can upgrade to a 9mm.

I also recommend trying out the gun styles before purchasing. Maybe with 1911s you cant hit worth a crappy and glocks are more your thing. Maybe polymers are too light for you so a metal gun like a cz 75 is better suited.

Try out as many as you can if that is a option for you.
 
You really don't need anyone else giving you the good advice: "Buy a .22 and learn on it!" but I'll chime in and say it anyway.
Once you start shooting centre fire, you will have to consider reloading to keep it within your budget.
Welcome to the sport and have fun.
 
I started with a norc 1911 in .45. Then picked up a GSG 1911 in .22. Then a M&P 9 range kit. Then another norc 1911. Then traded the first 1911 for a norc 226 clone. I guess what I'm getting at here get what you want. If you want to shoot a lot then a .22 would be a good idea due to ammo costs. If ammo costs aren't a concern then get whatever you want and have fun. If you don't want a .22 to start with grab something in 9mm can't go wrong with a glock or a M&P.
 
Firehoser said:
I have seen some conversion kits for taking 9 mm down to .22. Can anyone jump in on that? I know they are brand and model specific.
Click to expand...

Some kits are good, some are crap.... They are all quite expensive... In my experience the AA Glock kits aren't very good.

If you like Sig, you can always get a P226 in .22, then buy Calibre Xchane kits to make it a 9 or .40. You get to use the exact frame and trigger so it's always the same. They run very well.

For some reason it's cheaper to bus .22 p226 then upgrade it than it is to go the other way...
 
none of us know what his budget is so why keep suggesting 22 over 9mm? How about someone chime in with the costs of the 3 calibers and let the OP decide. For instance, I dont really care which caliber I shoot. The money really isnt an issue for me. Firehoser - is money a major issue for you in this decision?
 
Not much in the $500 range in 9mm. I know absolutely nothing about them but look into the S&W SD9VE, Ruger SR9, and Diamondback DB9FS. Personally I'd go with a M&P9 or Glock 17.
 
If you can afford to shoot 9mm ( $260-300 per 1000rds ) then get a 9mm first. .22 is fun for plinking but it's good to shoot something with some recoil and more fun IMO
 
I'm gonna sound like TDC here but, for a novice shooter, I firmly believe a .22 is the best way to go. The ONLY exception I'll make is if Firehoser starts his handgun career with a competent instructor at his side and can guide him from the beginning with a larger caliber. And I mean FROM THE BEGINNING! Most new shooters I know get all macho and bang off a cylinder or mag full of some big loud round. They love it but will never shoot accurately again!
I agree a .22 is not particularly exciting to shoot and frankly, I think they are boring also but a new guy has to put in his/her time and the .22 with proper fundamentals is the way to go. I read somewhere that in Japan, a sushi chef trainee spends years just cooking rice and that's it. That's gotta be more boring than shooting a .22!!
By the way, I think the OP stated a$500 budget for a .45. So not a lot of room for ammo there.
 
One thing you need to consider when purchasing a handgun is how it fits your hand. If you have large hands the generic size of most pistols may be uncomfortable to shoot because the grips or length of the grips is to small. The reverse may be true for those with small hands.

The large capacity semi autos may look ###y but shooting them well is a different story.

Pistols in the price range you are offering will depend on quality and who makes them whether or not you can afford a new or used model. As mentioned before, shooting centerfire ammo is expensive.

I have a friend that is not well heeled but he just had to have a 1911 in 45acp. Now, he whines because he can't afford to shoot it and that he has to maintain a yearly range membership fee. He purchases his ammo by the 50 round box and maybe shoots 14 rounds every time he goes to the range because he is counting the cost of each bullet as he pulls the trigger. I have a conversion kit for his pistol to convert to 22rf that I offered to sell him. It's made by Carlton and comes with two mags. He wants it but wants to pay for it $20/month. I told him to put the money in a jar and when he had enough to purchase the kit to give me a call.

If you are planning on a pay as you go range membership, you need to ask yourself how much it is going to cost you to shoot. CAN YOU AFFORD IT.

Box of 50 22rf - $2.50 Box of 45 acp - $35.00 Do you really need to feel the recoil that badly???
 
Still alive - just because he wants to only spend $500 on the firearm itself doesn't mean he doesn't have an ammo budget. Until we know that, it's hard to recommend.
 
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