What choice for first pistol?

[smokintr6]

you make a very good point...one that i never thought of...I on the other hand just rely on the hope that the bad guy gets scared once he finds out I am armed and if it escalates my 5 rounds will be enough

indeed... I believe 5 shots are better than none any day of the week!

However, on the flip side my concealed carry class emparted this wisdom regarding the number of fire arms one should carry at all times:

One is none, two is one, and three is better. Or a pair and a spare.
I certainly am not going to be walking around town with three loaded guns any time soon!

[masraum]

One thing to remember. If you decide to get a CHL here in Texas, and you take your test with a revolver, then you're only licensed to carry a revolver. If you take your test with a semi-auto, then you're licensed to carry either.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by Nathans_Dad

I currently have two shotguns which I have not fired in probably 5 years. I have a 20 gauge that was given to me used and a 12 gauge that I got as a Christmas present about 8 years ago, also pump action. I have only used them to shoot clays.

I am thinking about getting a basic pistol just for home defense and a little target practice. I would like to keep the price somewhere under $500, used stuff is ok with me. Nothing fancy, easy to care for.

Suggestions?

I would suggest any kind of .22 handgun. Semi or revolver.

When you get really good with it, trade it in for something "Serious."

I would consider either a 1911 or especially a Glock to be a resoundingly BAD choice for a first hand spoon.
Beginner hand gun users do not belong anywhere near either.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by alf

Wouldn't a shorter barrel shotgun be better for HD?

Absolutely, positively yes.

BTW, you can get a used P7 for about $550.

That's 10x the gun than the majority of choices listed in this thread, and as close to a foolproof design as they come. They have utterly unsurpassed accuracy and are very reliable. They're also super flat and make fantastic carry pistols.

Guess what i own?

Originally Posted by Jtilden

if it's for home defense i would get a revolver...i have a glock AND xd but conceal carry my smith and wesson revolver...why?...when in the heat of the moment (heaven forbid) all you have to do is point and shoot. Unlike the glock type weaopn where, unless you always have a round chambered (which i never do), you have to draw it, cock it, aim, then shoot...which could be the difference in a robbery type situation.

What you need is a P7.

The P7 is the answer to almost any question you can ask that involves a 9mm pistol.

P7's are once in a life time cheap right now. Once the police trade ins are gone they're all going to shoot right up over $1000 again. (A grade A already retails for over $800 online)

[dd74]

Those Korths are gorgeous.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

What you need is a P7.

The P7 is the answer to almost any question you can ask that involves a 9mm pistol.

You really think they are that much better than a Sig p226 or p225? Not sure I see why...

[m21sniper]

Well, for a new shooter- The P7 has a virtually fool proof, instinctive, lightning fast safety system.
The Sig's have no safety.

To me, that is a HUGE consideration for a new shooter IMO.

In approx 3 decades of police service in numerous continents and nations no cop (or civilian) has ever been shot with his P7 after being disarmed. Why? The squeeze cocker.

It requires 26lbs of pressure to activate the P7's action, which is a MAGNFICIENT single action pull on every single shot. No clumsy DA to SA transition. That 26 lbs of pressure ensures that -god forbid- should a toddler get hold of your spoon somehow, the chances of a discharge are extremely remote. Obviously with a glock even a small infant could fire one of those easily. A Sig is harder to fire cause of it's DA pull, but it's going to be much easier for a kid to make a 9lb DA sig fire than a 26lb P7.

Once cocked, the P7 squeeze cocker requires only 1.5lbs of pressure to keep the action engaged.

After a gun fight or at the range or after clearing the house or confronting thugs, whatever, release the Squeeze cocker and a P7 is totally safe. With a DA Sig you're liable to forget you're standing there with a cocked pistol. Don't scoff, it really happens.

If your Sig or Glock gets wrestled away from you, you are getting shot. End of story.
The P7 is so unique bad guys just don't know how to make them work in a pressure situation.

The P7 is super simple. The squeeze cocker is also the slide release, there are no other buttons to confuse or mishandle in the middle of an extremely stressful situation, probably in low light. So on the KISS principle- but while still providing a nearly perfect safety system- the P7 gets top marks. This makes it ideal for a new handspoon shooter.

The P7(which i assume you've never shot?) has superior grip angle and low bore axis to even the mighty 1911. It out ergonomics what many consider to be the most ergonomic design of all time.

You will never find a 9mm with a 4.1" bbl that is as compact as the P7 is. The P7 is nearly as small as the brand new Walther PK-380 and PPS. It's really amazingly compact. And it has a significantly longer barrel and far more accuracy than either of them.

A P7 is a significantly flatter pistol than a Sig, making it a better (ie much more comfortable) carry choice for many people. It also has an absolutely 100% secure flush mount heel release. Spoons with the browning mag release (Sig) are anywhere from notorious to noted for inadvertently ejecting the mag during your daily travels. I just shaved the mag release button FLUSH to the frame on my Kel Tec P32 because it popped the mag at least 1x a day.
That will NEVER happen with a flush release P7.

The P7 is specifically designed for full power 124gr +P 9mm NATO ammo. Most guns can handle it, but are not designed with it specifically in mind. You can shoot nothing but +P from day one in an all steel P7 and it will take it.

A P7 is absolutely 100% ambidextrous. A Sig is very unfriendly for lefties(The reason i don't, never have and never will own a Sig- i'm left handed)

My P7 is the most accurate pistol i have ever shot, in any caliber, regardless of price. Bar none.
(Most Sigs are also very accurate too)

The Sig's plus sides are higher capacity and if you get one with a rail, accesorizing options.

P7's are legendary cult status guns for a reason. Sigs- also great- not nearly as safe for a new shooter of if a kid or a bad guy gets a hold of it.

As i said, if you have a question that involves 9mm, the P7 is almost always the answer. Some say the P7's heat up too fast, well i've fired 6 straight mags of +P+ 1400fps corbon (which, by the way, is as powerful as many .357 magnum loads) rapid fire no problem. Who even carries 6 mags with them? The P7's heating issue is a total non issue for a carry or service pistol.

Here is the first target i ever shot with my P7, and again, this is using full power .357 magnum level ballistics Cor Bon +P. Not target ammo...


10yds, iron sights, bone stock P7.

They are truly magnificent pistols. And a Class C P7 is absolutely in the OP's price range. (once they're all gone they're absolutely going to double in price within a decade IMO)



Whatever you get OP, please, stay away from a glock. I'd hate to see you get Glock Leg (TM)

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Glock%20leg

[Tim Hancock]

I love my Glock and my wife and daughters have not managed to shoot our legs with it yet. IMO, the best thing about it is that it does not have a bunch of safety levers and crap to worry about. Kept in a proper holster and assuming a shooter learns from the beginning to keep his finger out of the trigger well until on target, Glocks seem like the perfect dead reliable self defense weapon.

That said, everyone should own a Buckmark or a Ruger .22 type pistol for cheap plinking fun and valuable trigger/gun handling skill time.

[widgeon13]

Originally Posted by elwood-914

Taurus Judge! .410 shotgun shell.....Not legal in CA.
Shoots Colt 45 too.
I never shot one but I bet it kicks....

Great idea if you live in a condo, you can wipe out the neighbors on either side with a couple of shots.

[Hoots]

There is a reason they give Marines the M9. It's a simple weapon.

[targa911S]

paid $250.00 for this....

[Jim Richards]

Rick, I just took a quick look at gunbroker.com and a used Sig P6 (German police version of P225) is going to cost you anywhere from $275 to $350. It's a simple, reliable 9MM semi-auto, that's easy to take apart and clean, and holds up well to a lot of use. I hope this helps you in your quest.

[Rot 911]

Arguing what is the best pistol is like arguing what is the best beer.

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by elwood-914

Taurus Judge! .410 shotgun shell.....Not legal in CA.
Shoots Colt 45 too.
I never shot one but I bet it kicks....

Let's be clear on this. First it's HUGE. Second it's a boat anchor. Third it's shoots .45 LONG Colts NOT .45 ACP. Good luck finding long colt ammo these days.

My personal choice would be a 1908 Colt hammerless in .380. You can find nice ones for $350. to $500. still and they won't be going down in price anytime soon. Nice slim all steel gun the will eat any type of ammo you stick in it. Goes bang every time and easy to conceal. My .02.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

Arguing what is the best pistol is like arguing what is the best beer.

True, but it is fun.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by targa911S

Let's be clear on this. First it's HUGE. Second it's a boat anchor. Third it's shoots .45 LONG Colts NOT .45 ACP. Good luck finding long colt ammo these days.

My personal choice would be a 1908 Colt hammerless in .380. You can find nice ones for $350. to $500. still and they won't be going down in price anytime soon. Nice slim all steel gun the will eat any type of ammo you stick in it. Goes bang every time and easy to conceal. My .02.

Except that getting .380 ammo these days is next to impossible and costs a freaking fortune compared to 9mm.

[targa911S]

ok so a 1903 in .32 then. same gun different barrel.

[berettafan]

SHTF weapon: Glock. Guy near me advertises ANY new Glock for $480. Reliable, simple.

For fun would look at Ruger cowboy guns.

Would also look at this P7 thing Sniper is always going on about. Getting interested in those myself.

[Rick Lee]

I love P7's too, but I would never have one as my only gun. That's a gun you get after you have a few and know what you like and what you're doing. They're also kind of heavy.

[Tishabet]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

That said, everyone should own a Buckmark or a Ruger .22 type pistol for cheap plinking fun and valuable trigger/gun handling skill time.

Big +1

I would buy a Ruger MkII pistol or the like right first off... cheap to buy, very cheap to shoot and you can get some range time in so that you become comfortable and adept with a pistol.

Then you can choose from the variety of larger caliber pistols mentioned on this thread once you have a better idea about your favored style etc., and hopefully you'll get the opportunity to shoot some of them on the way.

Think of it this way... it's as if you were asking about getting into track driving but have never driven a car, only motorcycles. Buying a .22 Ruger as your first pistol is like buying a miata spec car as your first track car. Get some time behind the wheel and learn what driving is about before you upgrade to that 911 or Exige or whatever... you'll know what fits you/your style/your preferences best once you've had some experience in the lesser/cheaper vehicle.