Thread: Seeking beginner's pistol recommendations

Originally Posted by pcm

Hi,

I'm taking training classes to learn to shoot (first timer). I imagine selection of a pistol will a very personal decision, but would love to hear thoughts from those who have gone through the process, as to what they would consider, if doing it all over, having their current knowledge, but not having their current skills.

To provide some context, I'm looking initially for using the pistol for home protection and for recreational shooting (figuring range shooting will aid in practicing as well). As a longer term goal, I'd like to concealed carry, knowing that it'll take some time to get to that point. IOW, I don't need to get a CC capable pistol out of the gate.

So far, I've only shot about 50 rounds in my first class (with a Sig Sauer P229), so I'm a virgin practically. I have medium sized hands, and am a medium/small build (5'11" at 150 lbs). Very good lower body strength, but not upper body strength.

My plan is to continue to use loaner guns for classes, until I can make a reasonable informed decision, and am looking for some ideas of pistols to put on my short list. Not looking for religious wars, just opinions to consider.

So what would you consider the top 3 pistols to consider, and why?

PCM - I was in the military for almost 26 years and I've shot lot's of weapons. Asking this question is like asking "what kind of girl should I go out with?" You are going to get a lot of responses. But everyone knows what you're after. Same goes with firearms. Just remember, target acquisition, sight alignment, sight picture. Burn that into your brain so that it's second nature!!! Keep renting and you'll find the right one that will work for you. BTW look at glocks, springfield armory, and ruger. Quality firearms that you can depend on when the time comes.

Originally Posted by Johntoad57

"what kind of girl should I go out with?"

The cute one, that can cook.. and doesn't care what you spend your money on.

AKA a Glock model 26.

I took a second class at Sig Sauer Academy (Handgun 102). In this class, instead of the P226/P229, they suggested the P320, which is one I wanted to try. With a P320 (compact medium) I enjoyed the trigger much more than the hard pull/light pull of the P229 DA/SA. So, now I have a baseline for one SF handgun.

We worked with a holster (first time), and shot at 5, 7, 10, 15, and 25 yards. Initially paper targets, when up close, and then transitioned to steel targets for most of the night. Did some exercises at shooting multiple targets from a stationary point at 7 yards, too. Practiced reloading and dealing with malfunctions.

My thoughts are to now go to ranges to try other brands/models and to practice the skills I'm learning. I'm hoping to be able to buy one, and then take their 102.5 class (more skill practice), before trying the 103 class, an intermediate class that is an intro to self defense.

The Sig P225 is a good one too. Single stack magazine, but a solid performer.

Your doing well, learning and not rushing into a decision. When it's time I'm sure you will make a good decision.

Great that you are doing the training and learning the right way to shoot. The best firearm isn't much better than an expensive club if you don't know how to use it. I don't want to belabor the Glock thing but ......... In 1905 the US Army reached out to firearms manufacturers for a pistol that would be appropriate for our armed forces in battle.

The finest of the lot was probably (IMHO) Germany's contribution, a Luger in 45ACP. Savage also had a good one, but the one that turned out to be the best of the lot was the Colt Government model which became the 1911.

The Luger and the Savage were finely machined and fitted with tight tolerances. Dust and moisture caused malfunctions that the loosely fitted Colt did not suffer from. The same, so I've read, gave the Soviet T-34 tank the advantage over Rommel's Panzers in WWII. The poorly finished, strong but ugly Russian tanks were turned out in mass compared with the beautifully finished German tanks, and the latter's tighter fitting tolerances led to them breaking down more often in field conditions.

Applying that to 2016, the Sig is as an LEO once told me, 'the Rolls Royce of semi-autos', With typical Swiss or German precision they are like a fine watch. Like a fine watch they need to be cleaned and lubricated properly to function 100%. OTOH, the Glock is like that T-34 tank. It is built to function under any conditions, fires first time, every time no matter what you do to it. They have been buried in mud, frozen, submerged in lakes, run over with giant dump trucks, dropped from helicopters ....... and functioned flawlessly.

See this ; Unofficial Glock Page

Well, I got to first base today... Felt up a bunch at a local shop. Tried the triggers, and how they pulled and released. Quite a difference...

Tried (all 9mm), Glock 19 (grip real boxy, not sure it was that comfortable at first touch, trigger felt nice), S&W M&P (seemed like a long pull, hard at the end), Walther PPQ (very smooth trigger, more comfortable grip), Springfield XD (squarish grip like the Glock, but more comfortable, smooth pull, not as hard as Glock), Ruger American (only in full size and heavy, not sure I'd like carrying), and Sig P320 (already shot in second class, trigger is firmer at the very end of travel).

This gave me a first impression. Now the thing will be to try shooting them at the range. I kinda have an idea of the Sig, because of class, so that is my reference. I did like it, and the modular part seems interesting. I'm intrigued by the PPQ and XD, and want to see if I like the Glock feel in the hand after firing a bit.

I found two public ranges, each with rentals. Just need to spend some time and see. I'm sure there will be more there to try too.

Originally Posted by pcm

Well, I got to first base today... Felt up a bunch at a local shop. Tried the triggers, and how they pulled and released. Quite a difference...

Tried (all 9mm), Glock 19 (grip real boxy, not sure it was that comfortable at first touch, trigger felt nice), S&W M&P (seemed like a long pull, hard at the end), Walther PPQ (very smooth trigger, more comfortable grip), Springfield XD (squarish grip like the Glock, but more comfortable, smooth pull, not as hard as Glock), Ruger American (only in full size and heavy, not sure I'd like carrying), and Sig P320 (already shot in second class, trigger is firmer at the very end of travel).

This gave me a first impression. Now the thing will be to try shooting them at the range. I kinda have an idea of the Sig, because of class, so that is my reference. I did like it, and the modular part seems interesting. I'm intrigued by the PPQ and XD, and want to see if I like the Glock feel in the hand after firing a bit.

I found two public ranges, each with rentals. Just need to spend some time and see. I'm sure there will be more there to try too.

Hang in there and don't settle for second best on this one. You are the key here! You may also want to know that if you find a weapon that you like but the trigger may be a little hard (6lb pull), you can get a trigger kit and lessen it to around a 3lb pull. Polishing the internals on a weapon also make it smoother. Just some feedback that you may want to consider...

You could always buy a used Feinstein. I hear most are NOS. Please ask her to site it in for you...

Originally Posted by pcm

Well, I got to first base today... Felt up a bunch at a local shop. Tried the triggers, and how they pulled and released. Quite a difference...

Tried (all 9mm), Glock 19 (grip real boxy, not sure it was that comfortable at first touch, trigger felt nice), S&W M&P (seemed like a long pull, hard at the end), Walther PPQ (very smooth trigger, more comfortable grip), Springfield XD (squarish grip like the Glock, but more comfortable, smooth pull, not as hard as Glock), Ruger American (only in full size and heavy, not sure I'd like carrying), and Sig P320 (already shot in second class, trigger is firmer at the very end of travel).

This gave me a first impression. Now the thing will be to try shooting them at the range. I kinda have an idea of the Sig, because of class, so that is my reference. I did like it, and the modular part seems interesting. I'm intrigued by the PPQ and XD, and want to see if I like the Glock feel in the hand after firing a bit.

I found two public ranges, each with rentals. Just need to spend some time and see. I'm sure there will be more there to try too.

Good work. If at all possible try the thinner grip of the single stack G-43 Glock 9mm. Feels quite a bit different from the 'blocky' double stack grip. As far as triggers go, Glocks have the desirable short pull and reset and triggers can be changed from the standard 6 pounds to half the weight with a 3 1/2 pound disconnect for $20.00. Personally for a CCW I prefer a 6 lb or more trigger. In a self defense situation I'd hate to hear a loud noise come from my weapon that was unintended.