Semi-Auto for a Newbie

Good Pistol For a Newbie

  • Berretta

    Votes: 15 11.9%

  • Glock

    Votes: 34 27.0%

  • Sig

    Votes: 19 15.1%

  • Ruger

    Votes: 28 22.2%

  • Kimber

    Votes: 5 4.0%

  • Other

    Votes: 25 19.8%
  • Total voters
    126
R

R&H

New member
I am starting to get interested in purchasing a semi-auto for recreation. I don't have any specific use for it. It will be mostly for plinking and just having fun with. I don't really know much about semi-autos and would like some advice on which brands to start looking at. I have shot a ruger and a beretta. I liked the Beretta a lot better. The stores around here have S & W's, Rugers, Glocks, Beretta's and there is supposed to be a Kimber Dealer in town. My price range is $500 to $1000. The calibers I am thinking about are 9 mm, .357 sig, and .40 S&W. I do happen to reload and ammo price isn't that big of deal to me. Reloading components are close enough not to make any difference in the amount of shooting I will probably do. I already own two pistols, a .22 LR and a .44 mag, both revolvers.

I'm not really planning on concealed carry with it so it doesn't need to be small.

I am not trying to start a Ford vs. Chevy discussion but am more interested in the best two or three makes and models in my price range. That way I can go and look at them and see which I like better.

Thanks In advance.
 
Link: STI Trojan
This seems to be right at the upper end of your budget. This baby is capable of digesting the latest "wonder bullet" the 40 Super. If that ain't fun, especially to a handloader like you, I don't know what is.

If you prefer a more modern design, HK's USP line from 9mm to 45ACP are rated +P+, hence could also take the battering of the various Super cartridges. You'll be hearing more from the rest of our fellow TFLr's on the other great handguns available out there.;)


Have fun,


New_comer:cool:
 
I started out my shootin' buddy on a Ruger P-95 when they first came out and he still has it and loves it. Ruger P-95 is a great way to start. A de-cock pistol is safe and easy to learn with.
As much as I love my CZ75 B we don't want a newbie lowering a hammer manually do we?
No way, no how, a Glock! You have a newbie walking around with a pistol that should be holstered 99% of the time. What does a newbie want to do? They want to handle it, they want to fondle it......A standard DA/SA de-cock pistol is a "natural" for a person new to semi-auto's. Best Regards, J. Parker
 
I'm very opininated,

therefore I voted for guns made by Sig-Sauer.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
I normally recommend HK, but in this case, I'd say go Glock.
1. Expense - even new, the Glock pistol is not expensive at all. Probably real close to that $500 low end of your price point.
2. Real simple to shoot. No safeties, decockers or hammers to worry about. Also simple to take apart to clean...maintainance is super simple.
3. Real durable, reliable and has acceptable accuracy.

As a 1st semi-auto pistol, keeping it simple will get you shooting more often IMHO. Maybe down the road you can pick up that HK, but for right now, keep it simple ;)
 
Hmmm...

...and here I went and recommended a Ruger.

Reliable, fairly accurate (very accurate in .45 ACP), the trigger could be better, the gun is very rugged.

Best of all, if you decide a month or two down the road that this whole pistol thing is for the birds, you're not out a lot of cash. On the other hand, if you decide it's swell, you'll have plenty of your $1000 budget left over for a Glock/SIG/Beretta/1911. :D
 
Agree with Tamara's point ...


... about the initial expenditure. For you first semi-auto purchase, and regardless of caliber, start conservatively.

Even given your stated price range, don't get sucked into buying the first overpriced drool toy some gun-store commando waves around, even if he guaran-damn-tees that "special forces guys" are using the same gun right now in Afghanistan.

A Ruger or Glock is a fine start. But a lot depends on what specific manual-of-arms you are comfortable with. For example, do you feel you need an external safety or decock lever?

As your level of experience grows, you can always trade up for something in a higher price range. Another good tactic is to do "recon" at gunshows. Check out the different makes of pistols and, especially, the size differences. Ask to hold them, so you can test for what feels right in YOUR hand.

Good luck. :)
 
a few 9MM

I two would recommend the Ruger P95 , P94 9mm or 40, P93 or the P89 in The Ruger 9mm line up, or the Beretta 92FS INOX.

Have you looked at the CZ line?

Tony
 
Colt 1991-A1 if you feel safer with a safety.
Glock if you want a semi with the manual of arms of a revolver.
Walther P99 if you want something in between.
 
My first semi-auto was a Sig (that being several years ago). I have NO regrets starting with a Sig, and in fact its my most reliable pistol so far (3,000 rounds, no malfunctions). I voted Sig.
 
1st pistola

The best value fer the money IMO is the Ruger. My kp97dc is as accurate & reliable as any pistol. Trigger's better than my buddies H&K USP, according to him. Good luck!:D
 
Ruger P95

Go with the Ruger P95. Affordable (more $ then for ammo), reliable (see below), US-made and accurate. Here's a summary I found:

" Since the introduction of Ruger's first centerfire autoloading pistol in 1987, there has been a steady aevolution in both production and design ofthese autoloaders. During this evolutionary period, Ruger P- Series pistols have enjoyed an unprecedented degree of acceptance throughout the world of shooters. (Over one million P-Series pistols were manufactured and sold within the first seven years of production.)

The new Ruger P95 was created through one of the most extensive development programs in company histoy. The entire product was developed and refined until it successfully fired 20,000 rounds of the +P+ 9mm ammunition, without any significant deterioration or loss of performance. The pistol showed little or no wear, and was firing 3-1/2 inch groups at 25 yards from a machine rest following the test. The proven aspect of the design is that many of the component parts were inherited or derived from the Ruger P-Series pistols. What is new in the P95 is the molded grip frame and the intelligent distribution of the violent forces it is subjected to during firing. As in all P-Series pistols the barrel tilts to lock and unlock, but the P95 uses a brand new cam lock system to cause this motion.

The frame material is a custom compounded, high-strength polymer with a long strand fiberglass filler, a natural shock absorber. This filler interleaves during molding to produce some of the highest tensile and stiffness strengths available in an injection molded material. The urethane based resin that binds the filler together is corrosion and solvent resistant, light weight, and compatible with most oils and lubricants. "
 
I agree with Tamara in everyway, I just want to take it a step further. The CZ 75 BD is a decocker, not much more than the
Ruger and if you decide you like semi's...you'll have something
IMO youll like alot longer than the Ruger.....

Shoot well
 
For right around $500 you could buy a Ruger AND a Makarov! 2 great handguns at the low end of your scale...you wouldn't be sorry,
Tony.
 
R&H, why not spend some range time renting different things, or going with different friends who own a variety of guns, before you spend anything.

It will give you an opportunity to determine if the 'pistol thing' is for you, and if so, you'll have a sense of what types of guns you like, and/or don't like.

Even if it costs you $100 in rentals, range time and ammo, you can consider it a smart investment in developing your own personal preferences, familiarity with the manual of arms for different guns, and can spend money in the future with the confidence that your $100 has bought you the knowledge for how to make the right decision. Phrased another way, a hundred dollar investment can prevent a thousand dollar mistake.
 
While it cannot be argued that the Ruger is (and nearly always is) the greatest bang for th buck, and while it's a great idea to rent and try out several to see what "fits your hand best" I would like to recommend something different. My reason for doing so is that whatever you get used to, that's what you will likely always prefer. Just look at this thread; most persons who have replied have recommended their own pistols for whatever reason.

It is for that reason that I think you should choose the best semi-auto available so that you are not prejudiced early and imprinted with a notion than will be difficult to change....a bad habit so to speak. :)

1911s rule.....series 70 and clones thereof (no internal trigger safety) are best... and Colt is the place to start with your budget. A brand new Series 70 is available as we speak for just over $800.00. RSR Distributing is quoted as having them available now. Dealer cost is reported to be $745.00. New Production...not NOS. You will likely be able to sell it for a reasonable portion of your initial investment back if you should choose but why would you ever want to?

The .40 S&W is a cartridge that is still waiting for a purpose. It weighs nearly as much as a .45ACP so why not have the .45ACP.

PigPen the contrarian
 
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