Beware ... 1st time gun buyer question to follow!

2

2toss

Inactive
So I am about to purchase my first gun, and am wondering how much shooting/testing is appropriate before making a decision on what to purchase. I have taken a couple firearm safety and basic handgun classes, and have shot 5 different pistols.
Single action revolver (.22LR)
M1911 (.22LR Semi-automatic)
Glock 17 (9mm Semi-automatic)
Glock 17 (9mm Semi-automatic newer version)
Beretta PX4 Storm (9mm Semi-automatic)

The gun I am leaning toward, I have not shot but I will before I buy anything, is the Beretta 92FS. I like the look and the feel, and where all the levers and latches hit my hand. My thought is that if I can shoot as well with it as any of the others I have tried, then I will buy it. Some have said that you can't do enough testing to see what you shoot best with before making a purchase. However, as a beginner, I'm not sure if I will be able to be as discerning as a more experienced shooter.

My reason for purchasing a pistol is for target shooting, and home defense, although I hope I will never have the occasion to use it for the later!

Thanks for any input,
2toss
 
Not a terrible question at all. Choice of your first handgun is a tough decision - and a very personal one. I personally don't see anything wrong with a 92FS for your stated purposes. If it feels right to you and it shoots where you aim it then far be it from anyone else to rain on your parade.
 
You are on the right path, taking a couple safety classes. Many people don't do that, or do it after the first purchase. As for the Beretta 92FS, I think you'll like it. I owned two Glock's, a 17 and 19. Shot a friends 92FS, quickly sold the Glocks to buy a Beretta. Of course there's a chance you won't like the Beretta, and prefer a Glock. That's okay, you're doing the right thing by test driving before buying.
 
However, as a beginner, I'm not sure if I will be able to be as discerning as a more experienced shooter.
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This is actually a pretty accurate assessment. I think the Beretta will be fine for what you want. I'm not necessarily a big fan of the Beretta, but many experienced shooters are, so you are in good company.

I think too many people worry about getting the "perfect" gun for their first purchase. However, I think you should buy what "grabs" you, within reason, and go for it! Then shoot the heck out of it. If you shoot the Beretta a lot, you will know what you like and don't like about it, and then you can tweak your next purchase accordingly.

You have to start somewhere, and you might as well pick a gun that you really like. Certainly, the Beretta is a perfectly reasonable gun to choose.

Now, if you said this is your first gun and that you wanted a Wildly .475 for your fist gun, or even a Desert Eagle 44 magnum, then I might say you are a little off track. Again, the Beretta is a fine choice, and if that's the one that grabs you, then buy it!
 
While you may not be as discerning as an experienced shooter, you wil do fine because:

If you get a good deal, you will be able to sell it for less loss than 2-3 rental periods.

Also, the Beretta 92 is a fine gun. Popular good sellers like the Beretta 92 generally work out well.


You might also think about those Glocks or an XD....
 
Welcome to the forum. Having read your post, it appears to me you are well on your way to a safe an enjoyable relationship with your first firearm and that perhaps you should be advising other first timers. Very impressive, um, newbie.;)
 
Beware ... 1st time gun buyer question to follow!
So I am about to purchase my first gun, and am wondering how much shooting/testing is appropriate before making a decision on what to purchase. I have taken a couple firearm safety and basic handgun classes
Click to expand...

good

, and have shot 5 different pistols.
Click to expand...

good.

have shot 5 different pistols.
Single action revolver (.22LR)
M1911 (.22LR Semi-automatic)
Glock 17 (9mm Semi-automatic)
Glock 17 (9mm Semi-automatic newer version)
Beretta PX4 Storm (9mm Semi-automatic)

The gun I am leaning toward, I have not shot but I will before I buy anything, is the Beretta 92FS.
Click to expand...

Ummm. OK. Kind of a quirky assortment, to my mind.

My reason for purchasing a pistol is for target shooting, and home defense
Click to expand...

You've got the purpose nailed down. Good.

Beretta 92FS. I like the look and the feel, and where all the levers and latches hit my hand. My thought is that if I can shoot as well with it as any of the others I have tried, then I will buy it. Some have said that you can't do enough testing to see what you shoot best with before making a purchase. However, as a beginner, I'm not sure if I will be able to be as discerning as a more experienced shooter.
Click to expand...

IMHO, and YMMV, but "don't overthink it". And don't be thinking you need to find the perfect gun, the first time.

There is no perfect gun. There's only "good enough gun". The Beretta will do. So will a bunch of others.

If, once you've got a little more experience, you decide something else is your "gotta have, grail gun", it shouldn't be hard to sell off and replace.
 
The Beretta 92FS is a fine pistol, one Vietnam/Iraq veteran at the range, that is what he is now carrying as a civilian. I have short fingers and the Beretta is a bit of a stretch for me. I like the double action arrangement. There are way too many accounts of accidental discharges with the striker fired pistols, like Glocks. A Beretta, you have to want to shoot the thing before it fires, as the first shot is a long and heavy first pull. Then you have a safety and a decocker.

It is a combat proven pistol and if you want a 9mm, you can't go wrong.
 
Of the 9mms you've shot, which one did you prefer and why?

I think you can tell a fair amount about a sidearm by just handling it -- comfort of grip, ease of access to controls, weight, balance, how it points, and quality of trigger (by dry firing).
 
I have or have had all sorts of handguns but if I had to do it again, I would buy the last two I have first. I bought a lowly Ruger 22/45 Mark III Target. After a few thousand rounds, I bought a full size RIA 1911 Tactical in 9mm. They have a very similar size, weight, feel and sights. I shoot the 22/45 to practice and it translates directly to the 1911. They are both very reliable and accurate.
 
Shoot the Beretta, then go buy one, it's a fine choice. Some pistols just suit some folks better than others, when you discover yours, get one.
 
Lay your hands on a CZ75 if you get the chance. If you like the 92, you'll love the grip on the 75.


IMHO there's little doubt you'll be able to shoot the 92 really well.
 
Welcome to TFL!

Back in the days before the buying panic, the .22LR was the recommended round for beginners for generations.

Low report, low recoil and low cost made it the ideal round for learning how to shoot, and shoot well.

Good habits, learned with a .22 give a good base when moving up to a larger caliber. I still think this is good advice. .22 Sport pistols, like those from Ruger and Browning are generally very accurate guns. Very often much more accurate than larger caliber "duty" class guns.

However they aren't the best choices for self defense. If you see an immediate need for a self defense class pistol, get one.

Otherwise, get a good .22LR and learn the basic skill, until they become ingrained. Then get a good self defense gun, and practice with it. Keep or sell the .22 as you desire, personally I would keep it if circumstances allow.

Having a second gun, even in a small caliber can be a very useful thing, at times.

If you have to start out with a 9mm, fine, just practice, carefully. Practice accuracy, practice smooth and safe gun handling. Speed comes later. A fast miss is just a miss.

Also, become familiar with ALL laws regarding lawful self defense. Learn when it is legal to shoot and when it is NOT! You said you've had some classes, so you are off to a good start.

Good Luck, and ask us about anything you aren't clear on. There's a good chance at least one of the answers will be right! :rolleyes:
 
I love my Beretta 92. It was my first pistol when I switched from revolvers. I go visit it in the gun cabinet every few days just to hold it. My friends all really like shooting it the most of any of our guns. I love its military pedigree. I like the controls.

But I quickly learned I was never going to carry it, except in a combat situation (not likely). It is really big. So that is something to keep in mind. Are you planning on carrying it? I know some guys carry full-size service guns, but they are rare.

But for a target/home defense pistol, you can't go wrong with one.

Although everyone always seems to suggest this, I have never fired a particular gun before I bought it, and have never owned one where I didn't like the way it shot, and wished I had tested it first. I don't even think you can rent a gun in my state. I dry fire it in the shop, really get a feel for the grip, and how it feels in my waistband. I've never been unpleasantly surprised, although in general I do tend to not be bothered by recoil from any handgun.

Go for the Beretta! It's bad luck for your first pistol to be made of plastic!

David
 
The Beretta 92 series is a fine gun.

The only thing I really hear bad about them, and it's not really the fault of the gun... is that it's larger size makes it difficult to reach the trigger in double action mode, for people with smaller hands.

I personally have to adjust my grip a bit to a less than optimal angle, to make it work, but I have smallish hands.


Some also complain about the safety location, but that is a training issue mostly.


As far as how much shooting should you do... a couple boxes is usually enough to get a general idea. Often times just a couple magazines is enough. Just a basic idea and enough to know if you like the way it feels when firing.

It will take more firing to get a detailed idea of how it works for you, but that is mostly for more experienced shooters and those who compete.


If you find the Beretta to just not float your boat, there are plenty of other options.

Are you set on DA/SA, or would a striker fired be an option as well?

There are so many good options, I could write a huge list, but that is too much to sift through.

For a first time buyer, pick what you like, and fits with your intended use scenarios... and you will be fine. You can always get another gun in the future once you have some experience and a solid idea of what you like and don't like.
 
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