Best beginner semi auto in .40

The "best" handgun for any individual is one that fits their hand and feels good.

All the major brands are good quality, so all the opinions you get will just be what others like, but not necessarily what you will like at all

Decide what you specifically want the gun to do, and that will narrow the field
 
"Best" is going to get a lot of differences of opinion.

For a "good entry level handgun in .40 for around $500" there are quite a few options.

New:
Both the Sig 2022 and P320 can be found in your budget an both are excellent handguns.
Ruger SR40c is a good quality handgun for that can be had with ammo And a holster for a bit less.
S&W M&P40s can be found in your price range.
Glocks should fit your budget (though they never interested me)

Used
I'm still kicking myself for passing on a used Sig P229 SAS with night sights because I thought someone had tinkered with it since it did not have the short reset trigger.

As the others have stated, you need to determine what fits your hands. Also consider if this will be primarily a home/range gun or you are considering it for Carry.

If it were my $500, I'd go for a lightly used P229, one of the other Sigs or the Ruger. (They fit my hands)
 
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The CZ clones are good guns. I am pretty sure they can be found in 40 without much trouble. The Tristar/Canik versions are dependable, come in various sizes, and can be had for less than $400.

That being said, my first 40 was a S&W sw40ve that I picked up on Gunbroker LNIB for $200. It is pretty much a copy of a Glock and I have no complaints.
 
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There are so many choices. Go somewhere that has a large selection and handle a bunch. Pick out some you are interested in, and then ask about those specific models here or elsewhere for recommendations.
 
Consider the Stoeger Cougar 8040. I have seen them going for around $400 shipped NIB, sometimes less, with 2 magazines. That leaves $100 to cover the cost of a couple of additional mags and an FFL transfer fee.

The Stoeger Cougars are basically functionally equivalent to the Cougars previously made by Beretta, manufactured on the same machinery but costing hundreds of dollars less than Beretta charged.
 
I recommended the Steyr M40-A1 to one of my buddies as his first hand gun. It has very good ergonomics with a comfortable grip. The placement of the grip, the balance, and low bore axis all add up to a very low recoiling/muzzle flip gun. Especially good considering the guns size and weight or lack of. Accuracy is also exceptional with his and the couple of other M40-A1's I shot were also as well.
 
Something full sized for a beginner pistol. Easier for most to shoot well, shooting well makes you shoot more often, shooting more often instills confidence, etc.
 
Consider the Stoeger Cougar 8040. I have seen them going for around $400 shipped NIB, sometimes less, with 2 magazines. That leaves $100 to cover the cost of a couple of additional mags and an FFL transfer fee.

The Stoeger Cougars are basically functionally equivalent to the Cougars previously made by Beretta, manufactured on the same machinery but costing hundreds of dollars less than Beretta charged.
Click to expand...

I have one. Love it. Probably the best pistol you can get for the money. Accurate. Love the grip. It's weight really soaks up the recoil. Much less recoil than my G22. Got mine for $384 out the door.

All the Best,
D. White
 
I teach a CCW class for beginners as well as a intermediate level. I like to take a multitude of my handguns in for my beginners class for them to demo various platforms and calibers. Its a very personal choice and what gun works for some others don't care for at all regardless of price.

To give you a good suggestion, I would want to know what are your plans for the gun. Are you going to carry it all the time or use it as a house gun? Is it going to be a range toy? Are you the only one going to be shooting it or is it going to be shared with your wife as a general protection handgun? Do you require a conventional safety? Alot of new shooters perfer this especially women.
If your not sure about any of these questions ,.....then as much as I am not particularly fond of the Glock platform for myself (I still own a few) it would be hard not to recomend a cheap preowned Glock 23. They are dirt cheap and not fussy with ammo. They are also easy for beginners to maintain. If your are more selective and have a little bit more money I would recomend some other choices.
To give you some examples of what I noticed other new buyers fell in love with this past year.......I was a RO at a large gun Expo this past October. The buzz and most positive feedback from all that shot the many guns were the new Sig Sauer P320 in 9mm and 40 as well as the Walther PPQ in 9mm and 40. The HK VP9 was hot but only available in 9mm. Many love to shoot the BMG 50cal but that's another animal.
 
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I'd look for a (used) Smith & Wesson Model 4006-one of the original pistols made for the .40 and still one of the best. You should still be able to find a nice one for well under $500.00-but this "buying" window may not last for much longer.
 
from a long time shooter I would have to say that the glock 23 is the most friendly 40 to start shooting the 40 cartridge with---just a tad softer shooting in inexperienced hands --not so scary for the new shooter :D just a thought.
 
my first car was a 1986 Mercury Capri RS 5.0. it was the only car I owned before 25 that I NEVER crashed. regardless, just wondering why you want a 5.0 I mean .40 for your first? I woul absolutely recommend a 9mm, but I would even go as far to say get a .45 before going to .40. I shoot pistols every sngle week, and still cannot master any gun in .40. I was at the range last week and a guy next to me who just got a new glock in .40, he was shooting all over the place. I asked if this was his first gun, attempting to give him pointers. he said no, explained all the other guns he owns ad how well he can shoot them, but he just cant seem to shoot this .40 worth a darn. I felt his pain and we talked about what we didn't like about it.

the ammo costs more and it's a pain to shoot them well. that's it, just my opinion, you get what you want, but if your truly a beginner, I would just wonder why your want a .40. what about it makes you want it?
 
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