Looking To get My First Pistol

Hoss632 said:
Correct I'm coming in with no experience. I fired a gun at a range in 2006, but only got about half a clip in when the gun malfunctioned. The clip fell out and would not stay in when re-inserted. And unfortunately after that I never went back again which is something I wish I had done. What is your opinion on Canik? I've found a few of their guns to be well priced for the features.
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First, welcome home. Pull up a stump and set a spell.

So far you're making all the right early steps beginning with saying you want to buy a "FIRST gun. As you gain experience you'll find additional features and functions and unless you are most unusual even experience the "Oh! Shiny!"

The recommendation of a 22lr pistol or revolver as a first choice is reasonable. While it's not ideal for self defense it is more than what you have now and has the advantage of really low cost ammo allowing more practice which is what you really need starting out. The first goal should be getting you comfortable around guns and proficient in getting hits where you intended. The 22lr is perfect as that initial stage; it makes small holes but really shows improvement as you gain that so necessary experience.

Use the time to shoot anything any of your friends and neighbors might share with you and silly as it may seem, take notes. Jot down what you liked or disliked or found as a new experience or that surprised you.


Don't rush towards finding The Perfect Gun™; you will find there are lots of such candidates out there but you are looking for the ones that feel like they were made just for you.

And keep us posted during your journey.
 
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Hoss632 said:
1. Is having an optic/red dot sight on my first gun a good idea? For me it feels more natural aiming wise.
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You mentioned that this will be your first handgun, but how much shooting have you done? Do you own rifles? If so, do they have open sights, telescopic sights, or red dot sights?

This is important because, if you are accustomed to shooting with open sights, red dots are anything BUT "natural." If you have spent much time shooting with open sights, adapting to red dots requires rewiring your eye-brain-hand neural connection.
 
Aguila Blanca said:
You mentioned that this will be your first handgun, but how much shooting have you done? Do you own rifles? If so, do they have open sights, telescopic sights, or red dot sights?

This is important because, if you are accustomed to shooting with open sights, red dots are anything BUT "natural." If you have spent much time shooting with open sights, adapting to red dots requires rewiring your eye-brain-hand neural connection.
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For all intents and purposes zero experience shooting. In 06 I went to the range with a friend, got half a clip in and the gun had a failure to where the magazine would not stay in. Outside of that, I've only held unloaded guns on occasion so I'm definitely coming into this 100% as a novice.
 
welcome to TFL

For a first pistol, get a .22 LR. It can even be a revolver. Learn to shoot the pistol, THEN look at something in a suitable self defense caliber.

Take the NRA Hunter Safety course. Then, before you move up to a defensive pistol, take some kind of instruction about your legal rights and responsibilities.

Learn to drive (operate the vehicle), and learn the rules of the road, and get some milage under your belt, before you get behind the wheel of a high performance sports car. Otherwise, you're an accident waiting to happen.

And, sadly, if you don't have any skills built up, you might not have to wait long before that accident happens.

The .22 pistol offers the benefit of lowest cost ammo, lowest recoil and report, and generally good to excellent accuracy. Down sides are lowest power, so not a good choice for self defense use, and .22 semi autos can be the most finicky /picky guns out there, for reliability. Best basic training tools, not the best for serious defensive use.

Get a .22, learn how to shoot. Save your pennies for the actual defensive handgun of your choice, and get it when you are able to use it properly. What you think best now, might change as you gain some experience.

And, do be aware of information overload. You're going to hear opinions from all kinds of people, some will be valid, some will just sound valid. DO steer clear of the ones who say "if you don't do it the way I say, you will die!!"

While it may be blasphemy in the semi auto forum, don't overlook a medium frame .38 special revolver as an option. Despite all the talk about everything that is better, and you "need better" the simple, reliable, revolver does work.

Good Luck, welcome to TFL, we're here to help, share experience and give tons of advice. Some of it will be good advice! Some, not so much. As you get some experience, you'll see better which is which. :rolleyes:;)
 
rc said:
You should check out the CZ P01, Ruger SP101 and GP100.
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The SP101 was actually the one revolver that I was shown the first trip to the gun store. And honestly the first revolver I've held that actually felt comfortable. Was a very nice gun no doubt.
 
Two guns... in order:

- Smith & Wesson M&P 22
Introduces you to the whole concept of handguns & automatics, with a cartridge that allows low-stress building of discipline.

- SIG M17
9mm, ease of maintenance, reliable, full-size handling, the Army's choice for all-round use & effectiveness.
 
Hey Hoss,

Welcome to the forum. Lots of knowledge here, but also lots of differing opinions. I will share my opinion and the reasons behind them.

Size: If your primary use is home defense and having in the car, you can go with a larger gun as you have noted. A bigger gun is easier to shoot as there is more gun to hold on to. the recoil forces will be spread out more and you can get a good, firm two-handed grip on the gun. I'd say a "compact size" makes a lot of sense as it is more versatile than a full size. Compact guns are around Glock 19 or Sig P229 size, and can be used for concealed carry if you choose to do so later on. Full sized guns, like Glock 17 or Sig P226 are harder to conceal carry

Trigger Type: You mentioned guns with three different trigger types. The Hellcat Pro and Canik are striker fired guns (like Glock) and pulling the trigger fully cocks the partially cocked striker and releases it. The trigger pull is consistent from shot to shot, but most don't have manual safeties. The most important safety is between your ears (your brain), so that should not be an issue. A manual safety is something that you may forget to disengage when the poop hits the fan and your adrenaline dumps.

The Sig P229/P226 and Beretta 92 type guns are double action/single action (typically abbreviated as DA/SA or referred to as crunch tickers). The Beretta has a manual safety that also acts as a decocker. The first shot is long and heavy as it cocks the hammer back for the first pull. Each subsequent pull is short and light until the gun is decocked (hammer is lowered without firing a round). The Sig P228 was my first gun. While they are great guns, I don't recommend DA/SA guns and won't carry one. The long and heavy trigger pulls is supposed to act as a safety, but it makes it harder to be fast and accurate with the first shot. Some will say it just takes practice, but a consistent shot to shot trigger is better in my opinion.

The last trigger type you mentioned was a 1911. In my opinion, 1911s are not great beginner's guns. The trigger is a single action only (trypically abbreviated as SAO) and only works if the trigger is cocked back. The trigger pull is usually fairly short and light with 1911s. While this is great for the range, it probably isn't ideal for newer shooters in a home defense scenario. 1911s tend to need more maintenance than polymer striker fired guns and they need to be well lubricated to run reliably. Many polymer striker-fired guns will go thousands of rounds between cleanings without so much as a hiccup.

Optic: Optics have become extremely popular and I believe I have optics mounted on my carry gun. You should learn to shoot with iron sights just in case your optic goes down, but optics make aiming more precise and faster in my opinion. With iron sights, you focus on the front sight and align the rear sight so the front sight is centered and level with the rear sight. The focus is on the front sight rather than the target. While people can be very accurate with iron sights, simply super imposing a red dot over the target is much easier. You can clearly see the target and your focus is on the target. I had concerns with reliability and the whole "Murphy's Law" argument, but Holosun makes optics with solar panels on top, which eliminates the battery concern. Again, you should learn to use irons, but those are now a back up for me. I shoot a lot and dry-fire often, so I check my optic frequently.

Caliber: The FBI and most police agencies have gone back to the 9mm. It is an effective round with good ammo and good shot placement. Recoil is mild and ammo is cheaper than other center-fire ammo and usually easy to find. The smaller size means more rounds fit in the magazine compared to larger calibers.

I know that I have thrown a ton of information in one post. If I had to consolidate it down to short recommendation, I'd suggest a compact striker fired gun with a polymer frame with an optic cut and no manual safety. Guns that fit in this category include the Glock 19, Sig P320 (carry size), Springfield Armory XDM Elite, Heckler & Kock VP9 Compact, Walther PDP Compact, CZ P10C, and others.

Based on what I have and what I have shot, I really like the Springfield Armory XDM Elite. It has a GREAT trigger and the added benefit of a grip safety in addition to the trigger. They are discontinued and being replaced bySpringfield Armory's version of the Sig P320, the Echelon. While the Echelon is a great gun, there isn't that many accessories out for it yet.

https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/282121

https://www.guns.com/firearms/handg...AvantLink&utm_campaign=35987&utm_medium=df_NA

The first link is for the compact which holds 14+1. The grip is slightly smaller but it is cut for an optic and in 9mm. Hope this helps!
 
Let me sway you away from the striker fired guns like Glock, M&P, Sig and other similar actions. The big negative for a newbie is they are prone to accidental discharge by people who are not well trained. The Sig's have had drop firing issues, the Glocks accidentally going off when put in a holster. A good hammer fired auto or traditional double/single action revolver is the way to go for a newbie who is not as proficient in gun handling. I would suggest you look at the used market for 3rd generation smith and wesson autos. They are going to be safer than a glock, very reliable and there are going to be a lot of ex LE guns out there in 9 and 40. Some may be rough on the exterior so you'll have to shop around to find a good one but the design is solid. The sig 226 and 228 are also good guns. Some guns have hammer drop only and some will have a safe position. The CZ I mentioned is hammer drop only so you can decock it with the press of a lever back to double action but you don't have to worry about forgetting a safety on. CZ's are very reliable and more accurate that most autos on the market. The Ruger SP101 series is robust with a long track record and you can get a hogue grip that makes them feel more comfortable. For the same reason I don't recommend striker fired guns I would steer you away from a single action auto like colt 1911 as your first gun. Those are great guns too but not carried cocked and locked for a newbie. For a house gun where the chamber is kept empty with a loaded magazine for an emergency a 1911 or any striker fired design is a great gun but for a newbie who wants to carry, it would not be my first choice. You have had the suggestion of some 22 pistols and for training they are great. Something to consider for sure but not really a defensive caliber.
 
Welcome aboard and good luck in your search, Hoss632! I've called this a golden age of carry guns, because there seem to be a metric ton of good pistols out there, for concealed carry, car carry, home defense, etc. Getting out to handle them was a good first start. We can sit and post the statistics all day, whether This One is a smidge wider than That One, or carries an extra round, but there's really no substitute for getting one's paws on a gun. More importantly, see if you can get out and rent or test fire a few. How a pistol feels in your hand is not a 100% accurate measure of whether you will like it under recoil. I remember anticipating the release of the G48. I thought it would be the perfect carry gun for me, and I'd been carrying for several years by then. Then I shot one. That went something like this:

Picks gun up: Oooh, that's nice.
Shoots gun: Blam, blam, blam
Returns gun: Nope.

As to the specifics of guns and optics, it looks like my fellow TFL members have that part well in hand.

Again, welcome!
 
Hoss632 said:
Greetings everyone! So the time has finally come in my life where I will be getting my first pistol for home defense. Not so much looking to carry though it may ride in the car with me. So size wise that compact range around 4inch barrel on up to full size is where I've focused. I've got family members and friends that have several guns that I'll be going to the range to try out with them soon. Several Taurus models, Glocks, M&P, and a couple of Sig (P226,229). Went in this past week to a local gun store, spoke with a gentlemen who was great. Got to hold guns that none of my friends/family have. Hellcat pro, Canik (I believe it was a tpsf9), Walther PDP F model, and a Tisas 1911 45 ACP.

So I've at least had the change to hold several firearms in my hands to get an idea of what at least feels comfortable. Shooting will definitely further help. All this to say I have a couple of questions.

1. Is having an optic/red dot sight on my first gun a good idea? For me it feels more natural aiming wise.

2. If I didn't go the route of something like a Hellcat pro (striker fires) is a 1911 a good first gun? I've always loved how they look and holding the Tisas felt surprisingly comfortable.
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Depending on the state you are in, having a loaded pistol in a car without CCW license may not be kosher. Just be careful.

For home defense only, size and weight may not be as important. One suggestion is to have the same make and model as your local policeman's service pistol. If it good enough for them, most likely it would be good enough for you. It would be your starting point.

-TL

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 
The most important safety is between your ears (your brain), so that should not be an issue. A manual safety is something that you may forget to disengage when the poop hits the fan and your adrenaline dumps.
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While this is true, its only telling you one side of the story. The other side of that coin is that a manual safety is something that may save your life, or the life of someone else.

Personally, I think the idea that having a safety on a pistol, and using it, puts one at risk because you may "forget" to take it off is overhyped nonsense.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, of course, and if the idea of "forgetting" a safety concerns you, either don't use the safety or get a gun that doesn't have a manual safety, like ...a revolver...:D
 
You did say something that might need some thought. Might ride with you but not carry. That means it's left in the car. Having had a gun stolen out of car, and that's probably the #1 item someone breaks in to a car for...Mine was used in a violent crime.

Think on that just as much as you are thinking on options.

Ruger, Taurus, Kimber, and Diamond Back are the only semi autos on the market that caution is needed. Other than that, it's unluck of the draw that you get a problem gun.
 
wild cat mccane said:
You did say something that might need some thought. Might ride with you but not carry. That means it's left in the car. Having had a gun stolen out of car, and that's probably the #1 item someone breaks in to a car for...Mine was used in a violent crime.

Think on that just as much as you are thinking on options.

Ruger, Taurus, Kimber, and Diamond Back are the only semi autos on the market that caution is needed. Other than that, it's unluck of the draw that you get a problem gun.
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I feel dumb for not having thought of the gun being taken from the car. Thank you for mentioning it. Making a mental note for sure.
 
tangolima said:
Depending on the state you are in, having a loaded pistol in a car without CCW license may not be kosher. Just be careful.

For home defense only, size and weight may not be as important. One suggestion is to have the same make and model as your local policeman's service pistol. If it good enough for them, most likely it would be good enough for you. It would be your starting point.

-TL

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
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I live in Texas and if I'm understanding the law correctly as long as the gun is in the car under my control I can carry it in there. If I were to lend the vehicle to someone I would have to remove it before hand.
 
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Nathan said:
I think actual street value on a full size m&p would be $580-$630 new on the street.
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I've been looking at full size guns since it's been widely suggested in this thread that sounds about right. 580 on up depending on how many bells and whistles I want.
 
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