Considerations for my first handgun

No clue who that is.

 

YouTube character who is quite accurate.

 

Another thing I like about glocks is 22,23,27, and 35 can all use the full size mags.
Same goes for 17,19,26, and 34.

 

30 and 21 share mags also.

 

Yus.

 

You can also change barrels & mags here and there for different calibers in the same firearm. Tons of aftermarket support for just about anything you could want and suppresses well too with cheap threaded barrels. You can find replacement parts for them literally anywhere you go and if you find a Glock rep you can generally get free replacement parts too. IMO it's the best handgun out of the box for reliability, price and accuracy and has the most aftermarket support as well. If not their dirt cheap anyway plus you likely won't need them unless you shoot tens of thousands of rounds. Not sure why this isn't the first firearm everyone buys. Should you need something different later you can add it to your collection but assuming it points well for you then you'd be an idiot to not start there IMHO.

 

Definitely agree they're an excellent value. Another bonus for new shooters is their ease of maintenance and dis-assembly.

Last I checked we can't get the Gen 4 in CA (yet?), but they're definitely lacking in the eye candy department, which unfortunately is what is attractive to new shooters and people who buy guns to look at.

I added a Hogue Hand-All to my G21 because I found the grip a little lacking in the "fill out my palm" department. But it was a tack driver. I kid not when I say it's as capable as my 1911s that cost literally 5x what I paid new for the Glocks.

Any gun that can accomplish that is superb. Glock is a manufacturer who has repeated that performance out of a G30 sub compact, even. With the 10 rd double stack mag I think it is the ultimate carry gun.

Of course, there is no fun in finding an ultimate carry gun that is cheap to buy.

 

I could give a shit what it looks like. I've got Glocks that look like hammered shit because they get ridden hard and put away wet and have for years with tens of thousands of rounds with little more than a bore snake and four drops of oil. I also don't care what my hammers look like or any other tools that I own. Too many people put form over function and to me the function is what makes these guns so sexy.

Show your 1911 to your friends. Show your Glock to your enemies.

 

Agreed!

Just saying that I think that's why new shooters aren't buying Glock. Kind of like why new 1911 shooters buy a Kimber..

 

I have several handguns in about all of the calibers except the really big bruisers. I also have been shooting for 35 years. While this does not make me an expert or able to tell you what YOU might like, I do know what I like and dislike.

Learning to be truly proficient with a handgun takes a lot of trips to the range and a lot of ammo, there really is no shortcut. But good instruction can get you there a lot faster.

If you are recoil sensitive (and most of us are!) then you should restrict yourself to perhaps 20 rounds of 45 ACP at the start. After so many rounds recoil will have you shooting all over the place and you need to see this happening and take a break, otherwise you are just wasting ammo. And DO shoot at paper argets (BIG targets so that you see all the hits).
Due to the price of ammo and recoil it might be wise to select a full size pistol and in a smaller cartridge. I have a Glock 34 (9mm, 5.1" barrel) that is quite accurate and lots of fun, as well as super reliable as noted elsewhere. But my favorite handguns are revolvers. You can get a full size 4" barrel 357 and shoot mild 38 special ammo for practice or small game or full power 357 when the need arises.
If you need concealability the small size and less weight will mean more recoil and a bit less precision.
Lots to choose from, so one day you may end up with a safe full of handguns like me. I do have a nice 1911 in 45ACP, it is a Sig Sauer STX. Very nice, but I don't shoot it enough....

 

That's a much better price point for Kimber.

Used? Or is this way back?

I can't recall the name of their polymer frame 1911.. which model you pick up for $550?

I had a CDP Pro, HD Pro, and still have an early model TLE/RL 2 that can't be fired until I send it in for repair.

 

For $550? That's a score.

Kimber makes a nice 1911, I loved mine. But for the $1000+ models their value for dollar is not so great.

I always wanted the Tactical Pro. You like the Ultra?

 

All my autos but one are .45. I bought a 9mm just for range fun and I think I've shot it twice in 10 years.

I used to shoot 1k rounds per range session of .45 ACP. Now I'm sitting on my stash of ammo because I can't afford to replace ammo I shoot, if I can even find it.

 

I always wanted to reload, but never had the time or the space at the same time.

That was back when you could order 1k rounds of 230 grain round ball for $190 shipped to your door, mind you.