Good First Pistol?

Watch out for those Keltec's. I have owned 2 of them and each one jammed after every other shot. great size just not reliable.

I own every Glock they make in the 40 cal. not one jam at all and i have shot them ALOT. XD's are very nice as well though.

 

Also stay away from high point. My friends father had his blow up on him after two mags worth of ammo. Blew the barrel out about a half inch from his fingers.

 

can't go wrong with springfield or kimber

 

I'd vote for a 4" Smith & Wesson 357 Magnum, a 620 or a 686.....the 686SSR is a sweet handgun and is next on my list (right beside a 4" 617 in .22). The 357 is an excellent personal defense round and is even adequate for hunting up to deer-sized game where that is legal, less expensive and lighter recoiling 38 Specials can be used for plinking and target practice, and superbly accurate.

 

hey meteoraman i know a dealer in charleston that can get you just about any pistol you want cheaper than anyone i have seen including internet dealers. if you are interested im me.

 

I have no problem with my Kel-tec. It' a conceal gun, not an everyday range shooter.

Other than that, for a first pistol I say go with a .22. Learn how to shoot a smaller caliber, Then step up. Yeah I know, sounds stupid, but it's a great way to learn control, and aim with the little recoil.

I started with a .40 cal. Couldn't shoot it worth a damn. till I got a ruger mark III .22, and used that for a few months.

 

The best advice anyone can give you is to go handle some pistols. Go to the store, the range, or a buddies house. You need to find a gun that feels right in your hand, has a caliber that you can manage, and all fits in your price range. Everyone will tell you their favorite, but the most important thing is to find yours. Anything 9mm and above is a good caliber. 9, .38, .357, .40, .45. All good stopping power. Some better than others, but all good. You need to consider what kind of shooting you will be doing. If you are going to be at the range every week shooting hundreds of rounds, ammo price may be a consideration. If youre going to buy it, put a hundred rounds through to get the feel, then stick it under the matress, then that doesnt matter. The best thing to do is shoot! shoot! shoot! Find the right gun for you. Go to the range, rent some different makes and calibers and see what you like. Ask questions. Most gun shops and ranges have a pretty knowledgable staff that is willing to help. Dont get a brand of gun just because someone says its the best. Find out for yourself what works for you. Good luck and happy shooting!

P.S. Buy a Glock

 

I vote for SA XD40 SC. very nice gun

 

x2, though i'm a fan of the s&w mp, or a good 1911

 

Conceal - Keltec, Home - Springfield. But I'm a Beretta fan so I would say maybe a 92FS even though no one is going to agree with me, lol.

 

i like the glock 23 myself

 

IMHO, a Glock is the most versatile, reliable, inexpensive and maintenance friendly handgun available. I have owned Sigs, 1911s, Berettas, HKs, SWs and Glocks and the Glocks have never disappointed me.

A good all around choice is the Glock 19. It gives you 15+1 capacity in 9mm, is small enough for concealed carry but big enough to hold comfortably. Glocks are also laughably cheap to buy parts for (in the rare event of a breakage). Mags are also cheap.

9mm will serve as an excellent target round. Throw some 9mm +P or +P+ Hyrda-Shoks in it and you've got 15 rounds of near .357 magnum performance which the Glock can handle with ease.

You can also get .22 conversion kits for it which will let you practice for pennies. Hope this helps, let us know what you decide.

This is my 19 (and 92fs for size comparison) that I refurbished myself. Slide finish is Robar NP3.

 

HK USP40 in .40 SW...da bomb!

I love my gun.

Or a Kimber Custom II .45 ACP with some hornady hollow points (ouch!)

 

I've never been dissappointed with my Heckler & Koch USP9 I've shot approx 4-5000 rounds through it at tactical matches and never had one failure or blip out of it. I've downloaded ammo for competition and it cycles it fine. I can't say that for the glocks. I barely downloaded a 9mm round and it stove piped in the glock 17. I also have a glock 26 9mm nice concealed carry gun. I have a small frame so the HK sticks out on me for concealed carry but the glock is just right. Reliability wise between the two....I'd trust the HK more but I've also proven it by the amount of rounds I've shot through it. The glock hasn't had anywhere near that amount of rounds throught it. I've shot everything through the HK from downloaded rounds to reduce recoil to +P+ and it works flawlessly. In the end I guess it's just personal preference of what you like. I like HK's they're kinda pricey but in a world of comprimise.....some don't. lol (had to throw that in there)

 

Thanks for all the advice guys!!! I will definetly go shoot some anf figure it out, just wanted to see what others liked so i could get a feel for what is good out there. Thanks and i am sure i will write and tell you all about it!!!

 

Sig # 226 (40) & my bug Sig 232 (.380)

 

Some good info in this thread and some not so good.

1st with the Kel-tec's. My off duty weapon. They are great little carry guns, but they need a few things to make them feed reliable. They need at least 250 rounds through them and if you "limp wrist" it it will jam. I have about 600 through mine-yes ouch- and it eats gold dots, slivertips, xtp's and any other hollow point no problem.

As far as caliber choice goes, I LAUGH at the internet tough guy's that say go large or go home. I'm 5'9" 210, bench 375, squat 640 and I'm not man enough to step infront of a .22. I have seen with my own two eye's the effects of a .22 That being said, get a caliber that you feel comfertable shooting. Something that you can control, and deliver a fast follow up shot with if needed.

The best advice given and i will repeat it. Practice. Build muscle memory.

Good luck