Tips on purchasing a first semi-auto pistol

[EdGCNM]

Well, he said that he wanted to start with bullseye, which I would agree with, and that means one-handed shooting with a .22. That's mandatory as the first step. You can shoot everything in bullseye with a .22 (as sport pistol in what would normally be the centrefire portions of the discipline), but you can't NOT have a .22 because it's required. So forget anything else as your first gun if you meant what you said. Pick up a new or used Ruger, S&W Model 41, High Standard, Browning or Trailside, etc. as your first gun and have at it! Check out the Equipment Exchange here for good used guns.

Accept the fact that it will take a long time to get any good in bullseye and don't be too hard on yourself. If you can't enjoy the challenge it may not be right for you. Some people quit because they don't have the patience needed to become a good shot. Having said that, if you can stick it out, learning to shoot bullseye will make you a better shot in any discipline, including IPSC and the other defensive pistol games. Getting into a club with an active bullseye league and helpful shooters makes a world of difference in enjoying it.

 

[Rudy H]

Toss in another $100 and get a Glock - You won't regret it and the resale is decent.

Before anyone buys a Glock they should, at least once, shoot a good gun.

 

[MauserMike]

Before anyone buys a Glock they should, at least once, shoot a good gun.

Like the Walther in your avatar?

 

[IM_Lugger]

If he wants a good looking gun Glock is out

M&P it a very nice gun for the money...it has a stainless slide (but it has a black finish over it, forgot what it's called), mine has been 100% (and all ammo fired were reloads!)

You can also get a used Beretta or Sig in for a few $ more...

 

[richardoldfield]

Function equals beauty and Glocks do function. If I am not wrong, Richmond Hill is in British Columbia, ergo I would go to the States and fondle, rent, shoot them, and choose the one that felt best and I fired most accurately. Lastly, do the pencil test. What is that? Make sure a pistol is empty and then place a pencil, eraser end first, into the barrel. When you pull the trigger the pencil should fly out of the barrel. This makes sure the firing pin will break primer. Regards, Richard

 

[Ruthless]

Function equals beauty and Glocks do function. If I am not wrong, Richmond Hill is in British Columbia, ergo I would go to the States and fondle, rent, shoot them, and choose the one that felt best and I fired most accurately. Lastly, do the pencil test. What is that? Make sure a pistol is empty and then place a pencil, eraser end first, into the barrel. When you pull the trigger the pencil should fly out of the barrel. This makes sure the firing pin will break primer. Regards, Richard

Richmond is in BC, Richmond Hill is in Ontario north of Toronto

as for a Glock most people feel that the trigger is sloppy on it

I want to get a pistol with which I can learn shooting only based on my skill or luck of , rather than pistol's own fanctionality problem

 

[Ruthless]

If he wants a good looking gun Glock is out

M&P it a very nice gun for the money...it has a stainless slide (but it has a black finish over it, forgot what it's called), mine has been 100% (and all ammo fired were reloads!)

You can also get a used Beretta or Sig in for a few $ more...

JNG also provided me with info on M&P, I did check them out, look like a nice pistol, plus I was looking at CZ as suggested by some, the 75 or 85 series

 

[scotty]

I would recommend a SA/DA gun as your first semi and to shy away guns with internal hammers like the Glocks. Practicing with a SA/DA will get your familiar with the operation of which is a good thing, and the triggers on Glocks suck, but they are "consistent."

My first handgun was a SIG P226 in 9MM that has been great, and I would also look to a CZ75/85, BHP or any other well made gun for my first. Don't get something cheap, you will just want something better eventually.

I started handgun target shooting with a 9MM and never really shot much .22 before and I am a great shot. I now have a 1911 in 45 which I like shooting more than 9MM as I am more accurate with the larger caliber. That being said I am going to pick up a 22/45 in the not near future.

 

[richardoldfield]

"...the triggers on Glocks suck,.."

Scotty, is that why my Glock 17 will shoot with the best pistols made? I am a dyed in the wool 1911 guy and I still like my Glocks. One has to learn rote skills to safely shoot a 1911 and one also has to learn how to pull a Glock trigger. What do I mean? With a Glock you only allow the trigger to go forward far enough to reset. How do I know it has reset? You will feel/hear a click and then you pull the trigger again. Glock triggers get a bad rap because shooters let the trigger go all the way forward before firing again.

Ruthless, if you ever get to the Detroit area PM me and you can try some of my toys.


Regards,

Richard

 

[scotty]

"...the triggers on Glocks suck,.."

Scotty, is that why my Glock 17 will shoot with the best pistols made? I am a dyed in the wool 1911 guy and I still like my Glocks. One has to learn rote skills to safely shoot a 1911 and one also has to learn how to pull a Glock trigger. What do I mean? With a Glock you only allow the trigger to go forward far enough to reset. How do I know it has reset? You will feel/hear a click and then you pull the trigger again. Glock triggers get a bad rap because shooters let the trigger go all the way forward before firing again.

Ruthless, if you ever get to the Detroit area PM me and you can try some of my toys.


Regards,

Richard

Just my opinion. I shot a G21 that had the worlds worst grittiest trigger and I have shot a G19 that had a very nice trigger with a 3.5 spring or something. Very pleasent, and quick. Just not my prefered trigger thats all

 

[Ruthless]

I'll give them all a try, I called my old buddy seems that his collection grew

I'll be able to try out a Glock 17, Berretta, CZ 75, SIG, Springfield Arms 1911, TT.........thats I think should help me a bit

 

[scotty]

I'll give them all a try, I called my old buddy seems that his collection grew

I'll be able to try out a Glock 17, Berretta, CZ 75, SIG, Springfield Arms 1911, TT.........thats I think should help me a bit

Since you are in Richmond Hill you should call Target Sports and go fondle some guns. You have one of the greatest gun shops in Ontario right next to you

After I get back from Orlando on the 19th I have to go up to Richmond Hill to go to the JAC 353 and am going to go to TS after if you want to go shooting. I've only got a P226 and a SA Loaded tho.

 

[Rudy H]

"...the triggers on Glocks suck,.."

Scotty, is that why my Glock 17 will shoot with the best pistols made? I am a dyed in the wool 1911 guy and I still like my Glocks. One has to learn rote skills to safely shoot a 1911 and one also has to learn how to pull a Glock trigger. What do I mean? With a Glock you only allow the trigger to go forward far enough to reset. How do I know it has reset? You will feel/hear a click and then you pull the trigger again. Glock triggers get a bad rap because shooters let the trigger go all the way forward before firing again.

While I personally hate the Glock trigger I do acknowledge that it does have its place.

The gun itself is not inaccurate. The problem is that a new shooter trying to learn all the aspects of pistol shooting will find a gun with a single action trigger easier to shoot. A experienced and decent shooter could be able to shoot a Glock well. The fault with the Glock is usually the shooter. Why start with a gun that is inherently more difficult to master.

 

[Ruthless]

Since you are in Richmond Hill you should call Target Sports and go fondle some guns. You have one of the greatest gun shops in Ontario right next to you

After I get back from Orlando on the 19th I have to go up to Richmond Hill to go to the JAC 353 and am going to go to TS after if you want to go shooting. I've only got a P226 and a SA Loaded tho.

I'd sure be up for it, I'm back from Cuba on 17th, PM me when you back

 

[Ruthless]

While I personally hate the Glock trigger I do acknowledge that it does have its place.

The gun itself is not inaccurate. The problem is that a new shooter trying to learn all the aspects of pistol shooting will find a gun with a single action trigger easier to shoot. A experienced and decent shooter could be able to shoot a Glock well. The fault with the Glock is usually the shooter. Why start with a gun that is inherently more difficult to master.

Well said

 

[TheRick]

depending on what caliber you want>>>>
New>>>>Ruger has a really nice .45 for about 600 new... .45 is a little expensive to shoot but it is the best round (just my opinion)
Used>>>> can't go wrong with a 1911.... many diffrent companies make them.

 

[Ruthless]

depending on what caliber you want>>>>
New>>>>Ruger has a really nice .45 for about 600 new... .45 is a little expensive to shoot but it is the best round (just my opinion)
Used>>>> can't go wrong with a 1911.... many diffrent companies make them.

I'm thinking of 1911 as well as few models of CZ, Sig, Springfield...and so on

but from the thread I have more tips on purchasing than I ever imagined, I keep referring back to this thread for info, while searching for prices
found NIB CZ 75B Stainless 9mm for $870 (that's a bit more than my budget), but now trying to figure out how some STi, SIG and Springfield model compare to it

 

[Rudy H]

I'm in the middle of a buy off the EE. A CZ85 in 9mm, 4 mags, holster, two double mag holders, 5 snap caps for $550 delivered. Not bad. I have seen other packages priced like this.

 

[TheRick]

Check the forms under pistol and revlover exchange... there are some sweet deals on there from time to time... if you see something you like jump on it bucause the good deals don't stay on there for to long.... I regret not jumping on one!!!!