Looking to purchase first handgun

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Forrest77

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I have been a shotgun and rifle man since I was old enough to hunt with my father and now I would like to purchase my first handgun. I do not plan to carry it at this point but may eventually get my CHL. Mostly looking for something to take to the range.

I believe I have settled on a 9mm or .40.

There are a lot of opinions on the net that but they are mostly referring to new guns and I was thinking of getting a used one as first handgun.

There is a Bill Goodman's Gun Show coming up this weekend and wanted to get some input on what to look for when buying a used handgun? What kind of prices should I expect on certain makes like Beretta, Sig, SA, Glock, etc...?

Thanks.
 
CZ-75

Beretta 92

Browing Hi-Power

Smith and Wesson M&P

Springfield XD/XDM

Ruger P89 or 95

Sig 226

Are all great guns. Rent a few and fire them so you can find out what YOU like.
 
I would pick 9mm - cost less.

Many good pistols in the used market.
1. S&W 5906 and variants -- $300 range some even less depending on condition.
2. Sigs -- just depends on condition and model - around $500.
3. Glocks -- $375-$400s

Really depends on the individual pistol. Make sure to check out new prices then consider used pistol's condition and price.

Checkout budsgunshop.com, summitgunbroker.com for new/used prices + FFL fee.
checkout used glocks at aimsurplus.com
 
Stay with a 9mm / just based on ammo costs alone.

Your question is too general to give you input on pricing / primarily because there are so many different models in each mfg's line of guns.

Before price / you need to consider how the gun feels in your hands - can you reach the controls, width, etc / do you like the sights - do you want night sights, etc / ambi-safeties, decockers, grip safeties ...all kinds of things...

You really need to shoot a number of guns ...so you know what you like. I had a buddy at the range recently - and we went thru all the 9mm's in the rental case - a few Glocks, some XD's, some Sigs,some Beretta's, some 1911's ...and my buddy settled on the Sig 239 as his preference. Its his hands - that told him - and what he shot the best / what he like in terms of a trigger - how it breaks and how it resets.

He picked up a Sig 239 with night sights / 2 mags - with a holster used ...for about $ 700 and I thought it was a great deal. But the biggest thing is ...he didn't waste $1,000 buying, selling and hating 5 different guns ....
 
Hello Forest77,,,

You really need to shoot a number of guns ...so you know what you like.
Click to expand...

BigJimP is giving you some good advice here,,,
It would behoove you to heed it. ;)

I can't tell you how many times I have had friends buy a gun based simply on range reports and recommendations,,,
Then when they get the gun they find out they dislike the grip feel or the placement of safety switches,,,
Or they find they aren't happy with the balance or it's weight.

Jim's advice (and mine as well) is to not buy a gun sight unseen or better yet until you have fired one.

I am lucky to belong to a rifle & pistol club with a large membership,,,
Last year I decided that I wanted one Wonder-Nine pistol,,,
I read every recommendation from TFL posters,,,
Then I made a list of ones I wanted to try,,,
That's where the club helped.

I borrowed (usually for one mags worth) every gun I could get my hands on,,,
Then I spent a recreational afternoon at a large gun store with rentals and an indoor range,,,
As it turned out if I would have purchased the most recommended gun I would have been greatly disappointed.

Long story short,,,
Ask and read about every gun there is,,,
But before you plunk down the cash for one of them,,,
Try your darndest to get one in your hands to feel and/or shoot.

Don't buy until you try!

Aarond

P.S. I ended up buying a CZ-75B in 9mm,,,
Fit's me well and makes me smile every time I pick it up.

.
 
+1 aarondhgraham:


I have a lot of friends that buy **** pistols because they hear the hype and drink the kool aid.

Then they fire my CZ75... Next thing you know they want to know where to get a CZ.

Don't buy a gun because its popular or because you see them in movies or on the hips of police officers. Buy one that you like and fits your needs.
 
Thanks, this is all very good information. Last week I went to all the local shops around and held a lot of different guns. The PX4 felt nice, the Glocks seemed small and the XD felt nice and had some nice safety features.

For a used one I would like to stay around $300.
 
$ 300 is going to be difficult / but not impossible ...but you're probably eliminating Sig and Beretta as an example. But you might find a used XD in that price range / I'm not sure...

You need to visit more used gun stores in your area ...and seem what the $ 300 is going to get you ...see if you can keep an eye on certain models / figure out the price trends / because they are different in different parts of the country.

But what we're all trying to say ...is don't get in a hurry / shoot some guns ...so you're not wasting your hard earned money on a gun that you end up hating. Even if you don't belong to a range that has rental guns ....if you're respectful / and ask ....and you ask about someones gun / and say you're interested in them ...they will probably let you put some rounds thru the gun so you can get some idea of how it fits you.

But honestly / until you put 250 rds thru it ...you won't really know.. / but our advice is to take your time ...shoot more guns / even guns you don't think you like / or guns out of your price range to see why they're different .
 
Ditto the CZ 75 devotees that have already weighed in. Might be hard to find in good shape at $300, as CZ 75's are sorta rare at most shows to begin with.......Matter of fact, it is not easy to find them in stock new either......Shoot one and you will soon buy your first of many to come.. My favorite is in .40 S&W, nickel finish, but you will not go wrong in 9mm either.
 
1st handgun purchase, choices...

If you are new or entry level at handguns, I highly suggest buying a simple .38spl or .357magnum DA(double action) or DA only(no cocking or single action firing) 5/6/7 shot revolver.
A new or maybe a good condition police model S&W/Ruger revolver can offer a good starting point. You can shoot low recoil .38spl rounds & move on to more powerful .38spl +P or .357magnum JHPs for home protection.
A Ruger GP100 or a smaller SP101 with a 3" barrel, or the S&W 686+ .357magnum(7 rounds) with a 3" barrel can work great!

If you are really keen on a new 9mm/9x19mm or .40, check out a new model HK P2000 or P30 with night sights in the LEM format or the SIG Sauer classic line; P228/P229R/P226R in the DAK format with night sights.
I'd get a .357sig pistol for protection use but 9mm or .40 could work.
SIG Sauer sells factory .22LR kits where you could quickly use .22LR to train with then replace the 9mm/.40/.357sig slide, barrel, magazine etc.

In closing, rent or shoot a few brands and choose what you think you can use safely & properly.
Clyde
 
First gun?
Have you considered a revolver?
Doesn't have the same firing problems that a semi sometimes does.
Also, .38 ammo is cheaper than either 9mm or .40cal
 
definitely want to try a few out befor buying. It might be worth pinching a few extra pennys, just another $50-100 will get you a much higher quality product. im not saying you cant find a good gun for $300 but a bit more opens up alot of options. Saving for a few extra weeks to get my .40 XDm was one of the best decisions i have made.

The XDm is one you should try out imo, it has three different sizes of backstraps, high capacity if you state allows it (the 9mm hold 19+1 and the .40 hold 16+1) and super easy disassembly for cleaning
 
Get what is comfortable for you, do not get what your neighbor fred bought last year....lol

Lots of people dislike Taurus, but they are great inexpensive weapons :)
 
^ But 1/3 of them seem to suck.

Anyway, I wouldn't dump the $1000 dollars on a Colt m19xx pistol unless you are going to practice and use it a lot and use it well. If you want a good 9mm, get a glock 17, a beretta 92f, Browning Hi-Power, or something else. Just shoot around and try a lot before purchasing something. Guns are not things you want to skimp and compromise on.
 
Lots of people dislike Taurus, but they are great inexpensive weapons

Yes they are great pistols indeed.Very accurate
 
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Well, you have a lot of choices!

Glock 17 or 34 are pretty nice (the 34 is a really nice gun for the range)
Springfield XD
Smith and Wesson M&P
Sig 228/226/239
CZ-75
Browning/FN High-Power
Walther P-01, P99
Ruger SR-9 (which is closer to your price range)
Beretta 92fs

Those would all be good ones to look at, in my opinion.
 
This is my advice, added on to some of the other good advice already given:
1. Decide what type of gun you want, home defense or CCW. Some guns fall into both categories like the Glock 19. Personally, I couldn't carry a Glock 19 all day long. If you are serious about CCW, you will end up buying an EDC gun.

2. I don't recommend that you purchase your first handgun at a gun show especially if it's used gun. You need to do your research on pricing before you go. Used guns vary in price depending on the gun's condition and desirability. The only thing that sucks more than overpaying for a new gun is overpaying for a used gun.

3. Buying a new gun at gun show is easier. I would use budsgunshop.com as a benchmark for pricing. They aren't always the cheapest but I haven't seen them overprice a gun. Remember you'll have to add the cost of FFL transfer when buying at buds.

4. Narrow your selection down to 2 pistols and 2 revolvers.
-USED Revolvers for $300: S&W or Ruger SP101 38/357.
-USED Pistols for $300: Beretta 92F, S&W 3rd gens (908,910,5906), and CZ75.

Some new guns in the $300-400 range I would buy: S&W 442/642, Kahr CW9, Sig P250
 
Just recently bought a new 9mm Sig SP2022 at Academy for $399. You should be able to find a new one at the gun show for that or maybe a little less. Great gun too.
 
As through experience of handling a gun to carry around the house and abroad, lighter is better for carry. In 9mm, with a light gun, recoil isn't that bad. So I say a light short gun is best for HD & SD carry, you take it from there.

Semi, I'd go poly/plastic

Revolvers, I carry a .38 airweight (Snub) and use it for my HD, but I have many other bigger bad'r guns to use. It's just so easy to wheeled, that's just me.
 
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