First Handgun.

L

lurchenstein

New member
Alright ladies and gentlemen, I am in the market for my first handgun. I have done a search on this and didn't find much. That being said I am trying to get a good idea of what you recommend for my first one. I have grown up around firearms my whole life and have shot a number of handguns in my day.

I have been looking at.
Coonan 1911 Classic (.357 mag)
Glock 30 (I believe) (.357sig)
Taurus 1911 (.45 A.C.P)
Sig Sauer P229 (.45 A.C.P)
Just to name a few. I am just looking for a little advise on what you would recommend. thanks for all your help.
 
It depends on what you're going to use it for. If it's just for range fun I guess any will fill that niche, but those are pretty hefty calibers for that only. If it's for home defense or personal/carry there are other better choices. My opinion only, is choose something other than 357 Sig if this is your first handgun.
 
It will primarily be used for range days. It will also serve its roll in my B.O.B, but mostly range days. I am mostly into to long range target shooting with my rifles.
 
Id go 9mm. for your first handgun. Cheap, effective, and readily available ammo. If you intend to shoot much, .357 SIG will get expensive quick. If you are gonna go 1911, you can get a Colt for not too much more money than the Taurus. I have a SIG 229 in 9mm and that gun will fit ANY role... you cant go wrong with the 229. But a Glock 19 will do almost anything for a lot less money.
 
For economy at the range and as a backup to a long gun in a BOB, I would choose something in 9mm. Also, this is a situation where a 4.5-5" barrel would be very nice. I'm thinking G17/34, PPQ 5", XD Tactical or XDm 5.25".
 
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I would stick with 9mm if it was me.

The 357 options both have their own individual drawbacks, recoil and price are a couple. 45acp is getting expensive to shoot...


What type of action do you think you want? SA, DA/SA, Striker?


If its range and BOB... bigger is better (to a point)... So I would go with a Glock 17, M&P9, XD/m, P226, P320, PPQ, CZ75 decocker, P-09... Or others along that size range.

My M&P with Apex FSS, Sig P226, CZ75, are all very reliable and accurate, and a dream to shoot.

The trigger on the PPQ is very nice, as well as the new VP9, and Sig P320...
 
Being that it is going to be in my BOB, weight it a very small factor( not extremely important). I would prefer something a little lighter. Also preferably a DA/SA action. I would also like something with quick reloads. due to friendly challenges with friends. It very much sounds like 9MM is going to be the way I need to go. Get the "fun caliber" after.
 
But a Glock 19 will do almost anything for a lot less money.
Click to expand...

Or you could do like me and get a very close and well made copy of the Glock 19 for a lot less money by buying a Smith & Wesson SD9VE. I recently paid $289.99 for mine. It's so close to the Glock that they were sued and pay Glock a royalty for every one they sell. I a very pleased with it. I think a 9MM S & W with a lifetime warranty for less than $300 is a good buy.
 
If you like DA/SA AND wanna stay on the lighter side (read: polymer frame), AND in 9mm, sounds to me like you are talking about the SP2022. :) Very nice gun. ~$450, new.
 
Big hands: CZ75 or clone thereof - my other 9mm's have been very lonely since I got it.

Smaller hands: not sure, since I have big hands :)
 
I second that one. An all steel handgun in 9mm like a Hi-Power, CZ-75B, or a Sig P226is a good choice for a first gun, heavier pistols are easier and more comfortable shoot. Those are good traits for a first handgun.
 
I do have large hands I am 6 foot 6. I will have to look in to the SP2022. that is not a bad price. I am greatful for the help guys this is much different the buying a new long rifle.
 
Very cool! I am also 6'6"! :)

Do yourself a favor, hold a full-size steel-framed CZ75 in that big hand of yours. If you don't fall in love immediately, I will chew it up and swallow it, 17 round magazine and all.
 
I am in New York so the 17round mag is not going to work lol. but if I can find one I will check it out that is why I was looking at the 1911. my fathers 1911 is a dream a very comfortable and fun firearm.
 
From your list, I'd be liking the Coonan (I love the idea of a .357 Mag 1911) and the P229 (I wasn't aware they offered it in .45, but i like the .40 S&W). If you want a .45 1911 (which I think are great weapons) I think there are a lot better choices than the Taurus. Based on the some of guns you've listed, I'd be looking at least at Ruger, Sig Sauer, Colt and Dan Wesson. You may also want to look at some of the of the offerings from H&K, the Sig P226 and P350.

The Glock? Well, Glocks are good guns, but have never really interested me.
 
If you want lighter... An alloy or poly might work for you.

The CZ P-07 or P-09 are good DA/SA poly guns.

The Sig 226 in an alloy DA/SA, and the P320 is a poly striker with a pretty good out of the box trigger. The P229 is a little smaller than the 226, and the P320 can be had in a compact version that is similar in size to a Glock 19.

A Glock 17 isn't very heavy, a Glock 19 is a little lighter, but even though I have medium sized hands, I find the 19 grip just a little too short. The grip ends just shy of the bottom of my palm. It would probably shoot fine, as it is a four finger grip and I can shoot sub compacts well enough, but the 17 just feels better.

The M&P9 is comfortable and not heavy, it sits in between the Glock 19 and 17 in size...

If you are a larger framed person with bigger hands, you will probably dislike the trigger on the Sig 2022... It breaks farther back, and I think it is uncomfortably far back, it affects my accuracy, as I feel I need to adjust my grip too much.

If you get a Sig, and have larger hands, then avoid the E2 grip, and the thin style trigger.

The PPQ and VP9 are around the Glock 19 size. The PPQ has the best out of the box striker trigger I have felt, short pul, and a light crisp break. The VP9 trigger is pretty good too, similar to the P320.


But I will say, that a CZ 75 is all steel and a very nice pistol, it is very comfortable. A good gunsmith can tune the trigger on one to be an excellent DA/SA, and using replacement parts can turn it into one of the best you have ever felt.

The Apex FSS kit on a M&P is an truly excellent trigger as well, easy to install too. There are aftermarket Glock triggers as well.
 
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I did forget to mention that moddabilty is important. As I said I am mew to handguns so I would like something that there are "aftermarket parts".
 
Places like Cajun Gun Works is good for CZ pistols...

Apex has parts for M&P line...

There are tons of Glock parts...

Some Sig options as well, but I find the triggers to be nice enough when you get the setup you want. A change in hammer spring being all I needed to get the trigger where I wanted it on my 226.
 
My own experience of the guns mentioned so far are the Taurus 1911, SIG 229 and CZ75. (LOVE the CZ75). My Taurus is actually my most accurate 45 auto, but it had mag problems. One fell apart and the other wouldn't feed. Switching to Chip McCormicks solved that problem. In addition, because of the way I shoot, I have to hold down the left safety, otherwise, the knuckle on my trigger finger will put the right hand safety on after every shot. My SIG is a great shooter.

If if had to get more shootin' irons, I would really think about getting a CZ75 Compact with decocker.

Mike
 
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