Good first time Pistol???

40sw

It seems alot of people stay away from 40sw. Why is that. I have owned several different caliber pistols. 9mm .45acp 44mag .22lr and my favorite 40sw. Fired from a Glock 22. I really like the speed and power of the 40sw I know that they cost a little more than 9mm to shoot but other than that what is the big deal.im new to tfl and have been reading alot of posts and it just seems that way
 
Honestly everyone's first pistol should be a .22. Getting any good means mastering the fundamentals with a lot of repetitions, and a .22 lets you do that in the fastest and most economical way possible. I've never met a single person who actually followed this advice though; every guy thinks he's admitting he's a sissy or something if he doesn't start with a "real" gun, so they usually buy something they can't handle and take twice as long to get any good for the sake of being a tough guy.

But since I'm tilting at windmills with all that I'll suggest a full-size pistol in 9x19 from any of the major manufacturers will probably serve you well. A CZ-75B still gives you a lot of quality for the price even though they aren't hilariously cheap like they used to be.
 
A lot of people who are looking to "get into something", whether it be shooting, cars, stereos, wives... aquire their first item because it was something they got from a buddy or was an impulse purchase. We've all done it... but it's seldom the best way.

There are a lot of things to consider when purchasing a handgun that will be used as a tool. Guys who are "into guns" may make a purchase because it looks cool or they "don't have one like that". Collecting guns is just like collecting any other objects.

But your gun will be a tool, and it's important that you remember what your grandfather taught you... "Boy... I said BOY! You stop using that wrench like a hammer. There's a right tool for every job!"

If the gun is for personal protection, then your usage at the range will probably be for proficiency, and not necessarily for fun/plinking, so you are buying a gun for personal protection that you would like to conceal carry. Your usage at the range should be a secondary concern. You are buying a tool.

Common wisdom sez that 9mm is minimal round for personal protection. 9mm will hold more ammo than similar .45acp, with .40 splitting the difference (usually). Since most guns from a manufacturer can be had in various calibers, it makes sense to pick a gun that fits YOU first, and get it in the caliber you've decided is the best balance of capacity and power.

It is awesome that in today's gun market, almost all of the popular production models from most manufacturers can be had in a "regular" size or compact. And that the full-size magazines generally fit in the compact gun.

Glocks and Springfields come to mind where you can have a compact, easily concealable gun with a 8-10rd magazine, and the capability when you get home to pop in a 12/16/19rd mag. There are lots of guns like this, those two manufacturers just come to mind as companies that really highlight it in their marketing.

I would visit a few gunshops, and hit your local gunshow. I'd pick up guns, hold them, cycle them, pop mags in and out, perhaps be allowed to draw from a holster... get your HANDS on different styles and sizes of guns. Narrow it down to your top-5 or so, then go to a range that rents and shoot them. Buy the one you like best. Take a month or so to do this. Visit this forum daily and read read read read. Take it all in. After a few weeks, you will have a clear make/model/caliber in mind... and hopefully when you shoot it, will live up to your expectations.
 
Those who recommend going to a range to rent and actually shoot various calibers and makes of handguns are absolutely correct. It will give you a much better idea what the trigger will be like, the perceived recoil, the actual ergonomics of shooting the gun. Then it's largely a matter of personal choice.

Striker or hammer, metal or polymer, adjustable grips or fixer, etc. all have different value to different people. Shooting various guns assists in evaluating such factors.

You can also search this forum and read similar threads that explore the same question.
 
I have a glock21 and if it were me I would wait till I had enough money for a Sig P220 or H&K USP.

I have all three (and more) so I am not too bias


Snake
 
Certainly if you want a lot of target practice you'll favor 9mm for cost, availability, recoil, etc. Can't go wrong with a Glock but nothing wrong with an XD in that price range.
 
I recommend a 22 for a first handgun and nowadays a CZ in your choice of centerfire caliber AND their Kadet 22 conversion unit. You lean to shoot with the Kadet, when you switch to centerfire the controls and feel of the handgun are all familiar.
 
I know I've already posted on this thread, but....

....this:
Honestly everyone's first pistol should be a .22. Getting any good means mastering the fundamentals with a lot of repetitions, and a .22 lets you do that in the fastest and most economical way possible. I've never met a single person who actually followed this advice though; every guy thinks he's admitting he's a sissy or something if he doesn't start with a "real" gun, so they usually buy something they can't handle and take twice as long to get any good for the sake of being a tough guy.
Click to expand...

And this:

I recommend a 22 for a first handgun and nowadays a CZ in your choice of centerfire caliber AND their Kadet 22 conversion unit. You lean to shoot with the Kadet, when you switch to centerfire the controls and feel of the handgun are all familiar.
Click to expand...

I have been shooting regularly for just under a year and have owned firearms, now, for about 5 months....only!!

I stand by my earlier comment regarding 9mm if you want to get a "proper" gun.

I say "proper" because when I was choosing my first gun, many suggested a .22LR. However, I had been waiting for ages to get my first gun, and there was no way I was getting a little .22 when I could have a Sig, Glock, Ruger, or Steyr!! I was in a fervour!!

So I wanted a gun to satisfy my appetite as fast as possible, as well as getting a gun to practice with, hence 9mm.

However, having now got some of that angst out of my system, the impact of the regular cost of shooting 9mm and even .44 takes its toll, and I have now ordered a .22LR pistol.

I can now see, more objectively, that this makes a lot of sense as a first gun. The only thing it may not do is satisfy your desire for a chunky centre-fire...
 
PJP, I commend you for seeing the reason for a .22LR as a first handgun and willing to tell others about your experience (it is also my recommendation for a first long gun firearm that uses a cartridge). You can really focus on your form and techniques with the .22LR which can make the shooting of your centerfire handgun more effective and enjoyable.
 
Springfield XDm over the Glocks due to better out of the box trigger and ergos. BUT, the Smith MP9c is hard to beat, too. I have the XDm 45 Compact 45 3.8 (same size as the S'field XDm9) and a S&W MP9c....both are sweet shooting, BUT the smoothest shooting pistol I've ever had was the XDm 9 Compact 3.8, which was sold to make way for the .45.
 
Try out as many as you can so yu can find one that fits you .... try different trigger systems (DA/SA, DAO, SA, striker fired)

Try both revolvers and autos.....

I'd get a 9mm for economic reasons .... if I was going to get just one gun.

You'd be best served with a pair of guns ..... one being a .22 of similar design to your centerfire .....
 
Buying a Glock as a frist gun puts you at risk for being a noob.

If you have to get a plastic gun go with Walther, or you can step it up in class and get a nice 1911 or a fine revolver.
 
IMO the 21 is too big for EDC (Every Day Carry) but each person is different and it may work for some. Just shrinking down a inch here and a 1/2 inch there can make a difference. Glock does make more compact .45s that may work better for you. However, it would be excellent for your use on the range and for home defense. The .45 caliber may not be the best for some people as a first gun. I usually start a first shooter off with a 9MM as it has less recoil and is much cheaper to shoot. I recommend visiting some gun shops and get the feel of other brands of pistols to ensure that the 21 is what you like the best. Some people do much better with all metal pistols. However Glock does make an excellent product and $400 for a 21 very very fair price. I have three glocks in my collection and think highly of the. I suggest you explore the 1911's for the range if you haven't already.
 
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