First Handgun
 

I thought I would get the brain trust's opinion on a first handgun.

I have the following requirements:

-Semi-Auto Pistol
-New or used
-Must use a commonly available ammunition (9mm parabellum preferable)
-Ideally priced between $100 and $300
-Will be used primarily for target practice
-Must be able to get spare parts (I don't want to buy something that becomes worthless if it breaks)

Does anything exist that meets these requirements?

I've found a Charles Daly that seems to meet most of these requirements, though I'm unsure about the availability of parts.

I would say the Sig Sauer 239 in 9mm is an extremely reliable and accurate gun. It is used by many law enforcement agencies. I am sure it would be easy to find a great used one, maybe near the high-end of your budget. I put close to 2,000 rounds through this model and it always worked great. The 239 is very easy to take apart and since they are used by law enforcement I would imagine spare parts are readily available.

It also depends on you hand size. The 239 may be to small if you have big hands. I am not sure about the price difference and I have never used it, but the 229 model is larger.

I'm no where the gun expert some of the guys here are but Ruger and Taurus make some reliable handguns in the low price range and with the shear volume they crank out I would guess parts are plentiful.

I bet a donut that by tomorrow afternoon the gun nuts will suggest you double your budget, i. e. they will start recommending $500-$1000 handguns. Not that there is anything wrong with that. ;) :p :D

A little more will get you an EAA Witness in 9, 40, 10, 45 or 22, with a conversion kit to one of the ones you didn't get for an extra 200. If you do this, get the all steel model, not the plastic one. A Rock Island 1911 (45 ACP usually) could be had new for a little more than your 300 as well. Finally, a High Power (or clone) would also do well in your price range - but on all of them, you are gonna be looking at closer to 350.. it will really open a lot more possibilities.

Get to a large local shop, see what they have, what feels comfortable. If possible, go to a range where pistols are rented and try a few.

I won't take that bet.

I figure if I work my way up, I appreciate a better made gun more. ;)

In keeping with your cost requirements, I think you should look at a Ruger. They make nice, low cost semi-auto pistols.

I guess I would recommend a used Sig as well, but even used its probably going to cost you more than $300.

I have a Sig myself. It was my first handgun, and I bought it after extensive research.

Re: First Handgun
 

Sounds like you need yourself a Ruger .22 auto. I'd recommend one with a bull barrel. Smith and wesson also makes nice little target .22s that should be in your budget range too.

http://gullyborg.typepad.com/photos/...w_ruger_22.jpg
Ruger

http://www.arsenal.dvc.pl/galeria/SW_22.jpg
Smith and Wesson

Here is an inexpensive Ruger.

http://www.impactguns.com/store/736676034369.html

Those rugers arent bad either HardDrive. My cousin had an early P85, and he loved it. Definitely have to go used to get one in legion's price range though.

Some of the taurus's aint too bad either.

I realy like my Ruger KP90. It is .45acp, has a de-cocker (My requirement) and fairly cheep. I think about $350. I carry it with me wherever I go. It has never let me down, and I have run countless rounds through it. It also likes to handle my dads "custom" loads. ( he loads some hot stuff)
Not a good choice for target shooting, expensive. BANG.........$.60...........BANG.........$.60.
IMO If you are thinking of personal defence you should stay away from the 9mm stuff. It has issues with car doors and things like that.
For simple target shooting you can't beat a .22. I have several and I like shooting them, cheep, accurate.

A .22 is a much, much better gun to learn to shoot with, and much, much cheaper to become truly proficient with. Also, if his primary purpose is target practice, it will be far more rewarding to own because the results of his practice will be much more impressive. A decent .22 target pistol will almost make 1 hole patterns at 25 yards, whereas the typical economy auto will be more likely to achieve no more than 3-4" groups even in the hands of an accomplished shooter.

If his intended use was primarily defense id agree a .45 is best, but for a target shooter? .22 is a much more logical choice IMO.

Some 9mm penetrates very deeply, but then, deep penetration is also typically anathema to excellent expansion. I am a 9mm guy myself, and use 115gr Cor-bon(which does not penetrate car doors but does match the muzzle energy of most factory 110gr .357 magnum loads, and is a very flat shooting and accurate cartrdige).

+1 Sig P226 9mm

+1 Ruger 22/45 Mk III .22

.22 A Browning buckmark would be a good choice.

My first (and only so far) is a .45 ACP. I liked it at first, but it's too big and heavy... and the ammunition isn't cheap.

But a .22 ?! C'mon, the guy wants a HANDGUN, not a firecracker. (Flame suit on.…yea, I know a well-shot .22 is better than a, blah, blah, blah) :)

If I were to do it over again, I'd have gone 9mm.

For crying out loud, did I just join a gun thread? Need to get out more. ;)

Everytime i see that feather in your avatar i think of Gunny Hathcock. ;)

Get a Sig and call it a day 228 is my fav. CPO for about $500.

Or you could get a $300 gun and then get a Sig later, which will end up costing you $300 more than if you just got a Sig in the first place ;)

Check out www.sigforum.com

Always start with a .22; end of discussion. Try several before deciding. When you have mastered that, start renting centerfire guns at your local range. You will quickly start to learn your preferences. Don't simply run out and get what anyone else recommends without trying one out for yourself. Like the women in our lives, handguns are a very personal choice.

Glock 40 caliber is the ticket! Only metal part is the barrel and man what a sweet gun this is!!!

Couldn't of said it better myself... Also, you'll quickly see the difference in quality between a $300 gun and a $600 one. Hard to go wrong with Sigs, HKs, and Glocks. Good used Glocks can be had in the upper end of your price range. Good luck.

I look at a lot of guns..$100 to $300 doesn't buy U much in the Center Fire catagory..In 22 LR U can get a DECENT QUALITY gun in that price range. Check out the Walther 22 auto for about $220.

Check your prices on Beligum Browning HPs, out the door they are $650 up for New in Browning Vinyl Gunrug. Hammer prices at auction is $475 to $525 plus all the closing costs

I've been at this endevor for well over 25 years now. One thing has served me well. ALWAYS BUY THE BEST QUALITY GUN U CAN AFFORD, stay with name makers. These items hold value the best, appreciate the most and are the easiest to sell.

I talked to an old time collector yesterday of Smiths, English Rifles and Shotguns. He has moved on to High Standard 22 Autos..he said, "I've learned my lesson and now will only buy the best conditon guns."

My recommendation is to ONLY buy USED guns, like new cars they depreciate when bought new, and it takes a coupla years for them to recover. This is also a way to get a better quality gun for your money.

I bought a new Ruger Mark 1 22 LR Auto with 5" Bull Barrel back in 1982 for $187.00 I sold it NIB in 2005 for $225.00..thats one he11 of a profit for nearly 25 years, considering I had a $20 advertising expense against it.