I want to buy my first handgun!

Figure what type of centerfire handgun you want, get it AND get a .22 trainer with the same type of trigger/action/control locations/sights.
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+1 to that.

Off the top of my head, I'd recommend:

1. Glock 19/19/22/23 in 9mm or .40 and an Advantage Arms .22 conversion kit for it.
2. CZ-75 in 9mm or .40 and a CZ Kadet .22 conversion kit.
3. A Springfield Loaded or Colt XSE 1911 in .45acp and a Marvel .22 conversion kit.
4. A Sig P-series handgun and Sig's .22 conversion kit.
5. A S&W .357 revolver (619, 620, 686, 66, 65, 19, 13) and a .22 revolver (617).
 
You could even get the 1911 you'd like with a 22 LR conversion kit. Helps you learn on the handgun of your preferance with affordable ammo. I know Kimber was offering them. The Kimber Compact has always been one of my fancies. I really like the compact frame with a 4" barrel. And with 7 rounds of 45 ACP! But there is the cost.... Safari Arms makes the Enforcer (6 rds with 4" barrel and adjustable sights). Springfield Armory used to make a 4" model. Springfield is a good brand with cheaper models.
 
As has been mentioned before a .22 such as the Ruger Mark II or Browning Buckmark is a very good choice for a first hand gun. A used one will do fine.

You should also find a firing range near you that rents hand guns and try out as many as you can. You should also be taking lessons, from basic safety courses up to tactical shooting.

Somewhere along the line you'll find a centerfire gun that fits your hand and works well for you.

Of the guns you mention I've only fired the Beretta 92 the S&W MP and the Glock 17.
All of them worked fine when I shot them. I prefered the Beretta, but the other two would be great if you are comfortable with them.

As far as 1911 I would choose a Colt, they are well made don't cost much more than the competition.
http://www.coltsmfg.com/products-c5-q99-COLT_PISTOLS.aspx#

http://www.coltsmfg.com/products-c5-q76-COLT_PISTOLS.aspx#

either of the above will do fine.

So to recap. Buy a .22 and shoot it a lot. Get lots of training. Try lots of different guns before you buy a centerfire.
 
THnaks for your help guys..

I think I'm going to start off with a 9MM either:

Beretta 90TWO type F
S&W M&P 9MM
Glock 17 9MM

That Witness 10MM has got to be a load fun though..

These are the two I think I'm going to go shoot, in a decent price range as well.. I'll prob pick up a .22 as well just for giggles..
 
A 1911 with a .22 Conversion kit

If you are interested in a larger caliber, go with a 45 with a quality .22 upper.

All ammo is crazy expensive these days. .45 especially. I'm even having a hard time finding Remington Bulk .22's.

That being said, the benefit of alot of .22 trigger time will become obvious in a hurry.

The DE just doesn't seem very practical. If you need something that big, I'd rather have a big bore revolver you can load with specials for practice.
 
That Witness 10MM has got to be a load fun though..
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It is fun to shoot. It is also accurate and reliable. I have a Witness Stock 10mm and I love the gun. But, I hate trying to find ammo for it. When ammo gets more available, I plan on shooting it quite a bit.

These are the two I think I'm going to go shoot, in a decent price range as well.. I'll prob pick up a .22 as well just for giggles..
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If you do, get a decent one, because you will shot it way more than you think you will.
 
I tried alot of pistols when I was in the market for my first gun and best advise I can give it to go to the range that rents out plenty of different guns and try to hold alot of them. See how it feels to YOU, make sure it is comfy and natural. With that being said, I purchased Springfield xD 9 mm and since went through several thousand rounds. I LOVE the grip angle, and the fact that it comes with the lifetime warranty. Springfield is also known for their SUPERIOR customer service IF something does go wrong. So, if you plan on keeping your investment for a long time,and have the piece of mind, try the xD.

IF you plan on carrying, check out their xD Sub-Compact. In 9 , it's like buying 2 pistols. With 16 rd mag extension, you basically have a full size plinker comparable to service, and if you switch to 13 rd mag with pinky extension, you have a very nice comfy concealable firearm. So, 2-4-1 deal.

I am a little biased, though :D
 
Louis,

Hemiguy said:
I think I'm going to start off with a 9MM either:

Beretta 90TWO type F
S&W M&P 9MM
Glock 17 9MM
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I'd suggest starting with the Beretta. Since this is your first handgun, you want to select one with the external, manual safety that you must disengage before firing. This will go a long way in preventing any kind of accidental or negligent "oops!" with your firearm. It will also force you to train in releasing a safety in the event some PD requires you to use a firearm with a safety.

The S&W can be had with an external safety which is acceptable for a first gun. Not so the Glock. I've seen several incidents were people have had a "lapse" of trigger-finger discipline. Fortunately, the only casualty was a range bench.

The CZ-P01 would be another good choice. So would a .40 S&W version of the Browning Hi-Power.

Starting out on a .22 revolver is an excellent way to learn. The double-action revolver allows you to practice a smooth, consistent trigger pull for DA firearms. Plus it will build strength and coordination in your trigger finger. In Single Action mode, you'll learn how precise you can be (or not!) and how to make longer shots - beyond 25 yards. The low cost of .22LR ammo allows you to stay on the range longer and more frequently.
M617M_1180.jpg

S&W Model 617, 10-shot .22LR. Excellent accuracy.

The alternative is a .22LR conversion "kit" that replaces the slide, barrel, springs and magazine to allow you to fire .22LR instead of a larger centerfire caliber. Do some research and buy a quality unit to save headaches.

If you're not sure that a 1911 in .45ACP is really something you'd love, renting one at a range will tell you in short order. Rock Island's basic 1911 is a good buy. so is the Springfield Mil-Spec model. The .45 ACP may not suit you, but Springfield still makes a 5-inch 1911 in 9mm that could make you happy too.

Me? I opted for the fully loaded Champion - their version of the .45 ACP Combat Commander.
S1911CH_0886.jpg
 
Hey guys!

I'm actually going to a few stores, later on this week. or maybe tomorrow, IDK.. depending on how it feel in my hand, I might lean towards the 9MM Glock 17.

A lot of PDs encourage / allow Glock 17 9MMs, and apparently, everyone loves them, hear nothing but great things..

'll let you guys know! Thanks for the help!
 
Just an FYI on the Glocks... when I went in to buy a 10mm, I was sure that a Glock would be my 1st "plastic gun", as they make a great 10 mm... however, I just couldn't "pull the trigger" on a purchase, as I didn't like the grip size / shape / fit & ended up with the Witness in 10 mm instead...

... I'm not a total steel gun snob though, because about a year later, I bought my 5.7 X 28 FN ( which is a plastic gun ) which I really like the molded grip fit

... just saying try several guns for grip fit... in my case, I much prefer the grip fit of the Beretta over the Glock ( side by side ), to me the Glock felt too blocky, like gripping a chunk of 2" X 2" wood... the M&P I think has a much more ergonomic grip, & though I don't own one, if I remember right, they come with different back straps or such, to allow fitting of a couple of different types of grip
 
Just my .02 cents! I have 3 hand guns. I have a Makarov, S&W MP compact .40 and a .44 magnum desert eagle. I would agree with most of the above posts in that you don't want a gun that could put innocent bystanders in danger, however.....If I had only one gun I could take leaving my house... I would grab my DE .44. It has long range 100 yards, 8 + 1 magazine, can stop a car, truck or semi and if push came to shove and you had to shoot through a car to kill someone, the DE .44 or 50 AE would do the job I assure you. Again my thoughts, I carry my compact .40 for personal use and my DE .44 is holstered in my car!
 
If you have any intention of getting any proficiency with a handgun you better get a .22 unless you're rich. It takes A LOT of practice to get even fair with a handgun. It takes numerous hours, 500 at least, of practice to be what I'd consider good enough to be able to protect my life or other peoples lives. Most police do not practice enough to be any good with their weapons as it is a small p

Flinching has to do with your nervous system. A little girl may have less problem with flinching shooting a .44 magnum than a 250 pound football player. Trying to learn to shoot and trying to deal with flinching at the same time I don't believe is the best choice.

With a .50AE you'd be flinching so much it would be nearly impossible to practice and do any good. Buy a .22 and get good. You can buy a centerfire also but I'd learn how to shoot first and learn what I could before I spent the money.
 
Hey guys!

Just an update,
I actually shot a GLock 17 and a Glock G22

And I'll tell you, that 40CAL felt smoother and fit better in my hand than the 9MM. Same price, so I obviously went with the G22. Some Henderson, PD cops where there 1 was carrying a G22 the other a 1911 .45

My local PDs accept a wide range of brands and sizes, no 50AE though ;) lol :p

The range dude, (who is a really good shot) said I did very well, with both guns.
I got the G22 at a killer price! Best in town actually

G22, case, lock, cleaning rod, 2 mags $489 + tax, and since its my first gun a "blue card" is $25

I'm gonna practice with that and see how it goes, he said the CCW class is the second Saturday of every month, he'd do it for me for $85 not a bad deal.

Anybody recommend specific range ammo and carry ammo? Holster? Ear protection?
 
For practice ammo the least expensive is usually ball ammo which is fine. Ball ammo isn't usually a feeding issue but could be and you don't want to buy a thousand rounds of ammo that doesn't feed well so try before you buy a quantity.

If you intend on using this gun as a LE person then you need to fire a few hundred rounds of an ammo you're interested in using. You want a ammo that feeds 100%. The reason is because the different shaped SD bullets feed well in one gun but not another quite often.

You definitely want shooting glasses or safety glasses because your own gun may get burned powder to your face. The other reason is because someone next to you could be ejecting your way or using a revolver which expels powder and lead from the BC gap. Hope u enjoy shooting as much as the rest of us.
 
Hey Hemi Guy,

Nice going, I recommend the gun range at 4610 Blue Diamond Road. They will help you out and rent a gun too. Also like AZ Redhawk offered a few good guns I gotta agree with his .357 revolver. It's great, also uses .38's for target practise which have less kick. And most important always go bang with no levers to pull or things to get stuck. And in the rare instance that a bullet doesnt go off, pull the trigger again.

Good Luck,

Max
 
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