Thread: Seeking beginner's pistol recommendations

Originally Posted by Fezzik77

9mm is fairly inexpensive to shoot relative to most modern calibers. 15 years ago I got a .357 and a 1911 .45. I loved them each for different reasons.

I had to sell them a few years ago to pay for groceries and such. Now I am getting back in and after looking around 9mm was looking pretty good. I got a Beretta 92fs and I like it. It can be carried but it is big and heavy. Great for the home and the range.

I am looking for something a little more carry friendly but still fun at the range.

What they say is right rent a few types and brands. Research will help narrow the field. Don't rule out revolvers they are really hard to beat on reliability.

Metal guns will feel better and reduce felt recoil. They might wear you out because of the weight though. So when you rent run a good 100 rounds through each gun and see how it feels.

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Great idea about running 100 rounds through. I don't have a lot of upper body strength, so I'll need to see how they feel.

I've been avoiding revolvers, mostly because the training classes al al using Sig Sauer pistols. They've mentioned revolvers - loading, unloading, grips to use to hold, but not very much time.

Originally Posted by EMC45

Another thing to consider is that when you do find "your" pistol spend as much time as you can practicing. That goes for dry firing, live firing and manipulation of the weapon itself. Another point is in my years of shooting and offering my advice /opinions on these matters is this....Folks will always ask me what is the next accessory to buy to make them a better shot. Grips, night sights, lasers etc. I say none of that. Buy ammo. Every time, buy ammo. Shoot that thing! Also if you like it that much then look into reloading.

Yeah, sounds like driving schools that I do. Some students are looking for the next performance mod to their car. I'm working with an underperforming card, just trying to drive it the best I can. Sounds like I'll need to translate that here.

Originally Posted by apipeguy

It is so important that you actually shoot different guns before you purchase, as others have said. I have been a police firearms instructor for well over 25 years and in law enforcement for 38. I can easily tell you what the best carry weapon is for me and I can also easily say it is not the right gun for you, at this time. Guns can be like women's shoes, if they don't fit right, don't feel right or don't look right, they won't get used or carried. It is a very personal decision. Not too long ago, my youngest daughter was choosing a carry weapon and made her decision. We took the one she chose, based on size, caliber and recommendations to the range and after her first shot she knew that was not the gun to buy.
The manufacturers have made huge strides in bullet design over the last 10 or 15 years and a lowly 9mm that was a huge underperformer is very close to a .45 in ballistic performance now, with the right ammo.
Shoot as many as you can in different calibers and models (revolver, semi-auto, double/single action and striker fired). I would stay away from single action semi-autos until you get more experience and training.
Pick the gun that is right for you and not the gun that is right for someone else.

Good luck and enjoy what you choose. Practice, practice, practice.

Good points. Right now I'm trying to think through what kind of trigger action would be best. I agree on the SA completely. From what I saw in class, and what the instructors say, I'd need to be very competent with something like a 1911. Maybe something to think about in the (far) future. Gotta walk first.

I had some pistols in the past, but nothing so concealable, reliable, easy-shooting, good-looking than my tiny Walther ppk. Oh, the caliber is not so powerful than the one of my HP (9mm kurz), but surely I can deploy lots of bullets in seconds and without missing the line of sight. I keep it by about 20 years now, and I love it.

In regard to renting a gun at the local range consider this: A K frame Smith & Wesson. Like a Model 10, 12, 64, 65, 66 etc. A lot of these can be had for attractive pricing. They are reliable and dependable as well. Keep it as the "house gun" when you eventually transition to your chosen carry piece. They make a fun range gun as well. I have had many and still have a few K Frames and enjoy them.

I had a k frame .357 that I wish I still had.

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The Glock 17 is a great gun and a lot of LEOs carry them. Check out the G- 43 9mm though. Just came out a year or two ago, and it is a shorter and lighter single stack version more suitable for comfortable carry IMHO.

I have carried a few, some worse than others, but I have 2 I carry, my Springfield XD in .45, for all the cooler season weather, but my newest favorite summer carry is a Ruger LCR in .38 last that weight, with the proper round will do the job. And with the right holster is a all day long carry that you don't know is there. And my opinion is as a new shooter, simplicity is the way to go, revolvers are ready to shoot when pulled ( as long as it's DA) it's not sexy as most autos, but it's a no nonsense reliable weapon. Tc

Originally Posted by pcm

Good points. Right now I'm trying to think through what kind of trigger action would be best. I agree on the SA completely. From what I saw in class, and what the instructors say, I'd need to be very competent with something like a 1911. Maybe something to think about in the (far) future. Gotta walk first.

I think on average people without prior experience learn faster with a striker-fired trigger. Simple and consistent. They have really taken over the law enforcement market because of that. But to back up apipeguy, that doesn't mean you are going to find it easiest.

I have really come to like the stuff from Springfield. I have an Xd 45, Xdm 9mm, mil spec 1911
and my Xds 9mm is my carry piece. I would recommend each and every one of them.