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
I voted "other" as my way of saying "any of the above".

There are great offerings from every one of the listed manufacturers, so IMO you won't mess up.

In my book, the basic tenets of handling a firearm apply to any and all guns so it doesn't really matter to me what the particular manual of arms is.
 
I'll second what smeone else already said. With your budget, you can buy two guns. I'd recommend starting off with a decent .22, even used. Buckmark or Ruger. Shoot it a bunch. This will help you determine what you want that has more oompf. Plus, you can't beat the price of ammo, even reloading.

Speaking of reloading, I reload all my pistol calibers (ex. the .22, of course). I don't know why, but in the semi's, I seemed to have the best results with the .45. Lots of bullets and powders available, and new brass is plentiful and cheap.

Just my general thoughts.
 
I'm going to recommend the Ruger Decocker models or Sig Classic in 9mm.

Both weapons use the same simple manual of arms. It is not as simple as a Glock, but the heavy DA trigger is more tolerant of accidental mishandling.

The 9mm caliber and SA capability will be conducive to practice-either weapon will be pleasant, very accurate and cheap to shoot.

The size of either weapon will keep recoil low and give a decent site radius.

The DA first shot will allow any method of carry. You can't say that with some of the light trigger or cocked and locked designs. Holsters are preferred, but the waistband isn't out of the question with this set-up.

Decocker weapons have only one carry mode. There is little chance of confusion in handling or use compared to a weapon that offers both a DA/SA trigger and a safety.

If you don't like either one, it won't matter. The Sigs retain their value well and the Ruger didn't cost much.

9mm is cheap, reasonably lethal, quite accurate and the most reliable auto caliber.

It could be argued that there are faster, better systems or more lethal calibers, but these weapons will best cover the fundamentals and teach good habits in a straightforward way. But there are many Sigs and Rugers "on duty" all over the world in the holsters of professionals.
 
RUGER is ahead. WHY?!? Besides the price, , I cannot think of any other reason Rugers would be great for beginners, unless they are referring to the .22's.:eek:
 
I like the CZ75. The SA is my favorite. 9mm is best to start with, less recoil, almost twice the ammo for the same cost, means you can practice twice as much.

Best
Sam N.
 
I'll vote for Ruger too. They are just great guns for a great price, and I think the polymer P95 and P97 are quite attractive too. I have a Glock, a Springfield 1911A1 and a few revolvers, but my favorite among them remains the P97 in 45 ACP. It is very simple to operate, simple to break down and clean, rugged, accurate.
 
CZ 75 or 85. I have an 85 that I have had for many years and it is my favorite pistol. They are cheap, accurate and reliable. What more can you ask for.
 
I pretty much have to agree with everything Tamara said.

My vote goes to the Ruger (though the suggestion many had of the CZ is good too, at least the decocker model).

My first auto was a Ruger P89. It is very inexpensive so you're not out much if you decide you don't like it or you decide you don't like autos and want to stay with revolvers. It is very durable, you could probably run over it with a tank. It is reliable (I NEVER had one FTF or FTE). It is very accurate (though the .45 Rugers are even better). It is very simple to break it down for cleaning. Also, some people think it is ugly, but frankly I like the way the P89 and P90 look.

Since you are used to revolvers I'd stick with a DAO or DA/SA auto for your first. It will work more like what you are used to so there will be less of a learning curve. After you are used to autos a nice SA, like the Kimber 1911, would be a great addition.
 
For the sake of being different, (My watchword, or one of them anyway) get a S&W 1066 or 1006. 10mm is not expensive if you're a reloader, these guns dont have a particularly dificult manual of arms, they come with two different grip styles, and they'r TENS! And all of them are pre-agreement, and well within your budget. ($400-ish or less.) They also usually have night sights. Try one out at a range, or a .40 if you can't find a ten to rent, and see if you hate it or not.
 
I think the Glock 19 is an excellent gun to start with in a potent caliber. Of course, the Ruger MKII is an excellent 22 to have too.
 
I would start with the ruger for durability, affordability,resaleability (Is that a word?) them move up to the Para-Ord line (LDA) great shooter and great work , them maybe a Sig or Kimber , But Glock? (Tactical Tuperware) .
 
You said just for playing and plinking around, yet you have a very good budget range of $500-$1k. And you also want a 9MM which is a good caliber for starters. I love Sigs and can only really recommend a Sig. But Sig is a bit pricey compared to others such as Rugers. Everyone here including me will pretty much tell you their own opinions and as you will learn here, most are, though open minded, somewhat biased to certain guns while "pro" what they have kind of guns. That being said, again, you can get a cheaper gun to playa round with or go with a real good high wuality gun like Sigs or Hk's for a bit more money. Since the important factor here is that you are new and want to start. I recommend a gun that is simple to use, clean, take down, and function. And for this simplicity, I recommend Glock or Sig. For 9mm Glocks, try the G19 or G17. For 9mm Sigs, try the P226 or P229. But if you want a 9mm that is, simple to use, clean, take down, very accurate, reliable and way fun to shoot, and has a good price of high $400's to low $500's, I truly recommend a SigPro SP2009 mm! You get the quality, accuracy, simplicity, budget and all. If you are really serious about acquiring good guns, I would recommend Sig again, Hk and CZ. But again, for your starter 9mm, that is what I recommend. Good luck!
 
another vote for ruger:)

Hey for a newbie, you can not beat a ruger! I have had both the 9mm and the 45, they proved to be great handguns and extremly reliable. If however you want something more refined then go with a beretta. You have shot that and like it, plus it is smooth easy to handle, reliable and accurate. I would not recomend a glock though. They may be simple and strait forward but for a person used to wheel guns, a semi-auto with no saftey is probibly not the best idea. It is to easy to make mistakes with a weapon you are not used to, let alone breaking into an entirley different hand gun breed.
Also you mentioned 9mm and 40 for cals but what about 45? I have had 40's before and usally the recoil is the same or very close to that of the 45 (assuming that is the issue). I have been shooting them for years maybey I am kind of partial, but it would open alot more doors to you weapon wise. Springfield, Para-ord, and Kimber are all fine weapons and in your price range!

" Men, the enemy is on are left and on our right, they are in front of us and behind us...now we have them right were we want them and this time they can't get away!-Chesty Puller, U.S. Marines
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I'd go with a Ruger P95 or P97. For a fraction of the cost of a high end semi-auto, you get a handgun which is extremely reliable, durable and accurate.

Honestly, my P95 is just as accurate as any other out-of-the-box Sig, HK, Berreta, or Glock. The only drawback that I can think of (and it really isn't a drawback, as far as I'm concerned), is that there isn't a huge cottage industry of aftermarket accessories available.

My Ruger goes bang every time I pull the trigger, I hit what I aim at, and it will eat anything I feed it.

Powerful testimony...
 
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