New Guy - Handgun recommendations

No one pointed out the obvious here. You love 1911s and also Glocks. Well me too! I am also an Ex-NYoker. :D I have Glock 17, Berretta PX4 Storm, FS 92 (M9), Ruger LCP, Kimber 1911 .45, Walther PPS 9mm, and Walther PPQ .40, Walther P22. My two range favorites used to be the PX4 and Kimber 1911, I carry the best carry out there Walther PPS, and when I can't I carry the only one you have no excuse for not carrying unless you don't want to... LCP. Most of the time I don't carry; Never really feel the need to, but when I think I should I do. Such as going on a hike through some less populated areas. Seeing that you are in NY carry is out of question. You want a range gun I assume?

The best cross between Glock, PX4 and 1911 I have found is my new favorite range gun -- Walther PPQ. 9mm or .40 pretty much same feel same and cost same. I use the .40 just to have different caliber. I love variety. But yes shoot this sucker you will be hooked. :D Its got a Glock\1911 combo trigger, the egos of a beretta\Glock combo, and the accuracy to much the best among all my guns, and the low recoil of the PX4. PPQ is a winner
 
All great ideas on here, I actually really want to check out the XDM myself, as well as some of the others listed. Just had to comment though, lol, OP, you are hoping to leave NY and move to either Montana or Idaho? Quite the change. Shoot...in Montana you could even find a city that would PAY YOU to move there, you should look into it! Hahaha :p

(This is coming from a Washingtonian who has been to both states. Don't get me wrong, beautiful states, but...wew.)

The one plus side is that you could probably take your gun and shoot it anywhere around your house and not even have a person hear your gunshots lol :rolleyes: your own personal range!

However as I digress, a few that I have personally shot that have been fun, were the S&W 686 and the Beretta 92fs. Both were great guns, and from what I have heard would make good first weapons. I personally am on the hunt for a nice 686 for my first handgun as well. Best of luck to you on your search!
 
If you are interested in 1911's and you want a gun with adjustable sights for target work, I would recommend a Springfield Range Officer:

range-officer-1911-pistol.jpg


It's got all the features that most people desire in a modern 1911, and it's designed with target work in mind. Price is pretty reasonable too for what you are getting.
 
Noting that you have not fired handguns before, I might say that the Gov .45 Auto can be a bit intimidating for new shooters. However, I love its looks too, and there are a number of conversion units that will allow you to shoot .22 LR ammo in the Guv. This is just the best and would be a great way to go, although I don't know what the permit situation would be for that in NY. You could shoot a lot of .22 at your range and then graduallly move into .45 ACP as your skill and confidence grow.
 
For the sheer versatility of it,,,

And the fact that everyone needs a .22 as well as a centerfire pistol,,,
I would recommend this 9mm/22LR kit from EAA.

I talked a friend into buying one for his family,,,
It's been as reliable as any handgun I've ever seen.

And it's not expensive at all.
He got his for right at $400.00 from Buds.

Aarond
 
Originally posted by MLEAKE
1) Reliability - I have to have high confidence that it will work, the first time, every time. I've had a few guns that were fantastic shooters, but had enough occasional hiccups that they were relegated to non-carry roles. Even after break-in, it takes a while to regain confidence after an issue or two has popped up.
2) Fits my hand -
a) comfortable grip (bearing in mind that some autos have interchangeable backstraps, so if the first doesn't work, try the others before ruling it out; similarly, grip adapters or replacement grips might be fitted to revolvers, or replacement grip panels to traditional autos);
b) trigger reach is such that I can get the pad or first joint (for SA guns) or specifically the first joint (for DA) of my trigger finger on the trigger without having to contort my grip, and while keeping the barrel of the gun aligned with the long bones of my forearm;
c) does not have any obvious, annoying rub spots (I have this problem with most Glocks, as it turns out - the trigger guard shape ends up annoying the middle knuckle of my middle finger; similiarly, the Ruger Super Blackhawk I owned bruised the crap out of that same joint any time I'd fire more than a handful of magnums.)
d) is shaped in such a way that it is easy to get a consistent grip, every time I draw.
e) has controls laid out in a way that lets me perform essential functions with my shooting hand, only. (Some people don't care about this, but I am of the "how do I know I'll have two hands available?" school.) Note: This is what turned me off to the Beretta 9000 when it came out, even though I have liked every other Beretta I've ever shot - I could not manipulate the safety without using my support hand, it was too short for leverage and extremely stiff.
3) Controllability - a good fit will help a lot with this, but fit is not the only factor. Power vs weight, bore axis height, and in some cases whether my little finger has purchase or not will all come into play for controllability, which for me means my ability to get back on target quickly after the first shot, and to maintain steady, accurate, rapid fire.
4) Adequate concealability - I say adequate, because if I plan to carry under a jacket or loose shirt, I can conceal a much larger gun than I could if I worked in a law office, in dress clothing, or if I wanted something I could wear while jogging (like you'll ever catch me jogging... cross-country skiing, hiking, or rowing, maybe... jogging, no, but you get the idea.)
Click to expand...

Nice list and almost exactly what I look for when testing out guns! I always add in how well it seems to be on target if I just pick it up and point it at the target without immediately looking at the sights

The controls are pretty important. I have "princess" sized hands (no offense intended to any princesses), so my sig P229 that I used to have would cause me to need to shift my grip to decock it. Now decocking it isn't really something you do in the heat of battle, but still... Now I have a P226 with the new ergonomic grips and love it.

I also tend to look at aftermarket support (sights, grips, etc... and support of the manufacturer.
 
Don't forget to consider the cost of ammo for a range gun. Aside from a .22, the 9MM is the most inexpensive ammo out there. .38's are probably fairly close in cost. I reload, so I haven't bought any for a long time.

Good luck with your gun & permit. Is that a carry permit or just to buy?
 
New to handguns

Originally posted by MLEAKE
1) Reliability - I have to have high confidence that it will work, the first time, every time. I've had a few guns that were fantastic shooters, but had enough occasional hiccups that they were relegated to non-carry roles. Even after break-in, it takes a while to regain confidence after an issue or two has popped up.
2) Fits my hand -
a) comfortable grip (bearing in mind that some autos have interchangeable backstraps, so if the first doesn't work, try the others before ruling it out; similarly, grip adapters or replacement grips might be fitted to revolvers, or replacement grip panels to traditional autos);
b) trigger reach is such that I can get the pad or first joint (for SA guns) or specifically the first joint (for DA) of my trigger finger on the trigger without having to contort my grip, and while keeping the barrel of the gun aligned with the long bones of my forearm;
c) does not have any obvious, annoying rub spots (I have this problem with most Glocks, as it turns out - the trigger guard shape ends up annoying the middle knuckle of my middle finger; similiarly, the Ruger Super Blackhawk I owned bruised the crap out of that same joint any time I'd fire more than a handful of magnums.)
d) is shaped in such a way that it is easy to get a consistent grip, every time I draw.
e) has controls laid out in a way that lets me perform essential functions with my shooting hand, only. (Some people don't care about this, but I am of the "how do I know I'll have two hands available?" school.) Note: This is what turned me off to the Beretta 9000 when it came out, even though I have liked every other Beretta I've ever shot - I could not manipulate the safety without using my support hand, it was too short for leverage and extremely stiff.
3) Controllability - a good fit will help a lot with this, but fit is not the only factor. Power vs weight, bore axis height, and in some cases whether my little finger has purchase or not will all come into play for controllability, which for me means my ability to get back on target quickly after the first shot, and to maintain steady, accurate, rapid fire.
4) Adequate concealability - I say adequate, because if I plan to carry under a jacket or loose shirt, I can conceal a much larger gun than I could if I worked in a law office, in dress clothing, or if I wanted something I could wear while jogging (like you'll ever catch me jogging... cross-country skiing, hiking, or rowing, maybe... jogging, no, but you get the idea.)


Just what he said. I own from .22 flip-top Baretta to a T/C 45-70 in a 14 in. barrel. Here in Ohio, I hunt deer with the .41 Magnum barrel in the T/C, then switch out to a .22 Hornet for groundhogs. For home defence I use 12 guage with 5 shot. For carry, I have a Walther PP in .32 Auto. For the carjackers, the 1911 is in the center console of my Malibu.
 
Good suggestions from COunt..."Take classes, get training, rent guns, find the one that's right for you... Start with a quality .22 and learn the basics...

That said, if your heart is set on a 1911 (and who's wouldn't be!), get a Ruger SR1911 (now going for $650 here abouts) and a .22 lr conversion unit to practice with...Marvel, Advantage Arms, and Ciener units ($220 to $400) all fit on my Ruger and allow you to practice cheaply, and still have the .45 for defense at home. But as you probably know, actually handling the guns, trying them on a range, talking with shop owners and other shooters will give you a better idea of what you like. I'd take a trip to CT and try some guns at a good range.

Best Regards, Rod
 
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