What choice for first pistol?

Nathans_Dad · Nathans_Dad's Garage

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?

Talewinds · Talewinds's Garage

I'm in the same boat as you, shotgun owner, searching for first handgun.
I went to Cabella's last week to check some out. My homework placed me in the "under $1000" category. I've gotta split right now but I'll weigh in later with my perspective, and I've got several opinions.

masraum · 03-17-2010, 03:01 PM

Well, there are 2 classics, but they probably don't fit in your budget. 1911 and Browning high power.

I'd recommend sticking with 9mm for now because of ammo prices. If you want to go to the range and practice, you want cheap ammo. The cheapest around (besides .22) is 9mm. You can pick up 100 rounds of 9mm at Walmart for $20.

I'd go to a range that will rent you guns (many do) and fire as many different guns as you can. I was able to fire a couple of 1911s, a couple of High Powers, a Kahr, an old Colt, a Keltec P3AT, a 9mm Sig of some sort, a Glock and Springfield XD. Except for the P3AT and 1911s, they were all 9mm.

Lots of folks don't like the plastic guns. I was lucky that I went in without any preconceived ideas. I shot them all and ended up liking the feel of the Brownings, 1911s, and the Glock and Springfield XD. Those were my 4 favorite. I found that right out of the box with no shooting experience at all, I was the most accurate with the 2 plastic guns, then the Browning and then the 1911. I ended up with a Springfield. I've also heard that the S&W M&P is a great plastic gun.

I think that in your price range, your best bet is probably either a nice .22 caliber, or one of the plastic guns.

The two plastic guns are known for their reliability, in that way they are like a Timex or a VW Bug. They just always work. The Glock has a huge aftermarket support (lots of mod/upgrade parts). The Springfield XD is newer and doesn't have the same options, but it's getting there. The Springfield XD has a grip angle like the BHP and 1911 which most folks seem to find more natural. You should be able to get one of the plastic guns for right at $500.

Shoot a bunch and see what you like before you spend any money. Fortunately, guns seem to hold their value, so there are lots of folks that buy, use a little, and then resell for pretty close to retail.

You may, once you've got a better idea, want to check out Texas Gun Trader. Classifieds - Rifles, Shotguns, Pistols, Revolvers, Ammunition. It's an online gun classifieds ad for guns in Texas. You can search by distance from your zip code, which is pretty cool. That way you can buy face to face (actually almost all of the sales say "FTF only")

teenerted1 · 03-17-2010, 03:01 PM

cant get anything simpler than a single action revolver to get you started out.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Get a Sig in 9mm. The Sig Pro 2340, a Sig P226, etc, in 9mm would be a great first weapon, and the ammo is the least expensive, except for .22 cal.

onlycafe · 03-17-2010, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teenerted1

cant get anything simpler than a single action revolver to get you started out.

yup. some come with a .22lr and .22 mag. cyl.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-beard

Get a Sig in 9mm. The Sig Pro 2340, a Sig P226, etc, in 9mm would be a great first weapon, and the ammo is the least expensive, except for .22 cal.

Get a used Sig p226 along with a .22lr barrel setup. Best of all worlds.

tabs · 03:56 PM

Ruger 22 auto....cheap to shoot and cheap to buy...easily found used for around 200...

Next step up...Browning Challenger, Walther P22...sub 400...again not hard to find used

U can go a bit more collectable and still shootable with the Colt Woodsmans and their variations...

I personally like the High Standards...especially the ones made in the late 40's and early 50's...in 1960 HS had 90% of the 22 target market...guess why?

I like the DA revolvers

S&W mdl K22/mdl 17....right around 600....or a Colt Officers Modle Match in 22 for about the same...fking great pistols...the Colt Diamond Back is going to be around 900

For a center fire..Browning HP's or Colt 1911 and the everybody and their brother varaitions are excellent choices. About 700 to 4000 for a top O the line custom all the bells and whistles.

In a DA revolver..S&W 686 in 357 can not be beat in the 650 range used in the box...I prefer the older variations...

Another choice is the S&W mdl 27 and mdl 28...big frame revolvers...back in the day those were the FBI's choice..650 to 850 for the 27-2's...the 28's were the poormans 27 with less frills...the prewar 27's were known as the Registered Magnums and go for 4000 UP..J Edgar Hoover got one of the first ones built.

A Colt Python is a bit more upscale and expensive..going for 1200 to 2500 now...they also don't like heavy 357 loads...

And if you want the absolute BEST 357 revolver find a German KORTH....less than 100 made ayear since 1954..all hand machined and built....about $4000 + if you can find one...

My suggestion is to find a good clean used pistol..for the same reason why ya don't buy a new car...depreciation when buying new..

alf · 03-17-2010, 03:56 PM

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

alf · 03-17-2010, 04:06 PM

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

HardDrive · 03-17-2010, 04:25 PM

Revolver = Smith and Wesson 696 .357. Shoot .38 at the range.
Semi-Auto = Used Sig or a Glock 9mm.

smokintr6 · 03-17-2010, 04:31 PM

my vote is for springfield XD 9mm. They make it in many configurations, you can select the size that works the best for you. The best advice is to go to the range and rent several different models. Its definitely worth the money

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I got as nice and newish a SIG P226 with night sights as you can get for $499 at the local Cabela's. However, the SIG Pro 2340 is the best bang for the buck out there. I got mine for $440 and it came with about $200 worth of ammo and accessories.

Westy · 03-17-2010, 05:23 PM

Get a Sig, I recommend the P220 or P250, and bust leather for the .22 conversion. You can plink all day, then put the .45 barrel back in for Zombies. There's a reason Sigs cost more,,,,they're better. I have 1500-2000 rounds thru mine and it's still spot on. Nothing's loose, and I haven't changed out any parts. This is important for the Zombie attacks when you can't run down to Sportsmans and buy a part or 2.

Jtilden · 03-17-2010, 05:41 PM

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.

smokintr6 · 03-17-2010, 05:59 PM

Jtilden,

I'm personally torn on the auto pistol vs revolver thing. I've only had any interest in guns for the last year or so. I'm just applying for my concealed carry permit now, so up until now it has been a non issue. I have an XDM 3.8, and a S&W 3" model 29 .44 mag. I if I was going to carry one, I believe it would be the XDM. 19 rounds in the mag and one in the hole. I have always thought twice about carrying with a round in the chamber, but people carry 1911's cocked and locked all the time. I trust my XDM, and with the backstrap safety I believe it's safer than a Glock. I've handled some Glocks that were sweet shooters, but I still prefer my M. Now for the spoiler, my buddy just bought his wife a S&W J frame hammerless revolver .38 special plusP. I have to think something like that is ideal for carrying... just stuff it in a pocket holster and go. But then for comfort do you have a pocket with two speed loaders? It's not that I plan on getting in a shoot out, but my worst fear is being in a situation with a gun and no ammunition, because at that point you ARE a target. Maybe the real solution to my problem would be an H+K double/single action, but I handled one and did not find it to be $1,000 cool. This whole shooting hobby is starting to get out of hand!

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but these are all valid conciderations for a first time pistol buyer. It's like trying to buy the perfect car...first you must figure out exactly what you want to use it for. Then buy a fleet of them to satisfy your needs.

Jim Richards · 03-17-2010, 06:03 PM

A Sig is a great first hand-spoon.

Jtilden · 03-17-2010, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokintr6

Jtilden,

I'm personally torn on the auto pistol vs revolver thing. I've only had any interest in guns for the last year or so. I'm just applying for my concealed carry permit now, so up until now it has been a non issue. I have an XDM 3.8, and a S&W 3" model 29 .44 mag. I if I was going to carry one, I believe it would be the XDM. 19 rounds in the mag and one in the hole. I have always thought twice about carrying with a round in the chamber, but people carry 1911's cocked and locked all the time. I trust my XDM, and with the backstrap safety I believe it's safer than a Glock. I've handled some Glocks that were sweet shooters, but I still prefer my M. Now for the spoiler, my buddy just bought his wife a S&W J frame hammerless revolver .38 special plusP. I have to think something like that is ideal for carrying... just stuff it in a pocket holster and go. But then for comfort do you have a pocket with two speed loaders? It's not that I plan on getting in a shoot out, but my worst fear is being in a situation with a gun and no ammunition, because at that point you ARE a target. Maybe the real solution to my problem would be an H+K double/single action, but I handled one and did not find it to be $1,000 cool. This whole shooting hobby is starting to get out of hand!

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but these are all valid conciderations for a first time pistol buyer. It's like trying to buy the perfect car...first you must figure out exactly what you want to use it for. Then buy a fleet of them to satisfy your needs.

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

elwood-914 · 03-17-2010, 06:17 PM

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

masraum · 03-17-2010, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokintr6

my vote is for springfield XD 9mm. They make it in many configurations, you can select the size that works the best for you. The best advice is to go to the range and rent several different models. Its definitely worth the money

You should be able to get a Springfield XD 9mm or Glock 9mm either in the <$500 range. You won't get an XDM at that price, you'll have to toss in another $50-200 for an XDM. I've got an XDM 9mm (mine's the 4.5" barrel as opposed to the 3.8" barrel that smokintr6 has), and I've fired a couple of XDs. I love my XDM, but I'm not sure it was worth spending a bit more to get it than the XD. The XDs that I've fired were just as nice.

When I first was looking (last year), I actually was firing an XD and a Glock (direct competition for each other) back to back to back. I tried switching back and forth several times. I was equally accurate with both (and more accurate with both than with any of the rest that I fired). What it came down to was that something about the XD just felt a little better. I was never able to figure out what felt better, but it did.

Again, your best bet is to try to fire several guns including a couple of revolvers. I'd suggest trying to shoot at least 10 different guns, maybe as many as 15+ if you can get your hands on them. Shoot a bunch, then go back through them again once you've shot them all, then decide what feels right for you.