Need help in choosing my first handgun

[Farahnyl2022]

I'm turning 23 next week and wondered it's time to get my first handgun. What could you suggest? Money isn't an issue.

 

[chrishayes]

What is your interest? Defense? Target? Hunting?
These categories can greatly affect price/performance.
IE, .22 or .22WMR are really fun rounds for target plinking.
Then there's 9mm which isn't too expensive and begins to be applicable for defense.
But, you can go all the way up to say, an S&W 500. You can hunt, defend or target shoot but the rounds are very expensive and shooting it much can knock the crap out of your hand due to violent recoil.

There is a pretty nice .22 WMR (magnum) for sale here on the forum that would be a really fun target pistol.
https://arizonasporting.com/threads/chipmonk-22-wmr.158/

Give some more info on what you want to do and anyone here can make more and informed suggestions.
Cheers!

 

[Muzzlestuffer2012]

What are you wanting it for self defense or target shooting or both ?

I'm turning 23 next week and wondered it's time to get my first handgun. What could you suggest? Money isn't an issue.

 

[T-Rex]

So many choices of caliber, brand, semi auto or revolver and your intended usage will determine your starting point.
Most gun stores will steer you toward what they like or make the most on versus what you want.
I suggest going to a range and renting a couple different guns as a starting point.

 

[Ryeboy86]

I'd suggest going to a local gun store and handling different guns. Find what feels really good in your hands. Have the mindset of what you intend to do with the firearm as the gentlemen stated above and test fire some different one's at the range.

 

[joeb1]

I suggest you go to a range and rent a few different guns you are considering for purchase. See which one you like best.

 

[JohnG123]

I'm turning 23 next week and wondered it's time to get my first handgun. What could you suggest? Money isn't an issue.

Since money isn't an issue buy me a 2011 and get yourself a glock!

 

[pneuby]

If you're in metro Phoenix, several of the larger ranges carry a selection of guns to rent.
Money spent on 'tasting' various types will save you a lot of headache over buying one
you may not like.

 

[Muzzlestuffer2012]

If you're in metro Phoenix, several of the larger ranges carry a selection of guns to rent.
Money spent on 'tasting' various types will save you a lot of headache over buying one
you may not like.

That gets expensive and will eat into your budget pretty quick.

 

[T-Rex]

In the short term you may be correct, but buying the wrong gun because you’re being cheap will cost you more in the long run.

 

[Big Al]

Like one person said, Hard to direct unless we know what you want to do with it. Myself I'm a plinker, so I go with the .22 LR. And I do have a Precision .22 WMR the Chris put a link in his comment about the precision Chipmunk with red/geen dot for $200/$300 with aluminum case.
I can also recommend the Ruger Mark IV precision in Stainless in .22 LR. I paid just aver $600 for the gun and put a Competition Red/Green dot 507C HOLOSON on it. I want to say I paid $400 for that alone. Once reason for that one is it has the nice larger Eye Box. I know it was an overkill for a .22 but I always but better scopes as I can put on other guns/rifles and not worry about recoil. Since then, I have moved it over to the Glock 40. I'm just not good with Iron sights on a pistol.
The old saying, "Cry once, buy once!".
For rifles You can't go wrong with any CZ 457 in any rimfire rifles (Or the CZ75 on 9mm) In rimfires if you want precision get the BULL or (Heavy Barrels) I have those from $600 up and put some of the best scopes on them $500 and up) I shoot them in Pig Shoot matches out to 235 yards using MATCH Grade ammo. ($18 to $25 per box of 50) My best score has been 29 out of 30 with light winds.
As for now... I'm looking at a $1,200 Scope made by Sig Sauer. The BDX System. All Blue Tooth and does all the math built in with automatic reticle hold and hold over. ( ) Ideal I think, for all Hunting and match shooting! Again... Cry once!
Back to Rimfires.... Savage Mark II with bull barrel is another go too rifle. But I would have a hard time picking between the CZ 457 and the Savage models. But I would go with CZ anyway.
Hope all this helps and only my opinion. If your in the Sierra Vista area, I would meet up with you, and let you shoot a variety of CZ's, Savages, and I even have Winchester Lever in .17 HMR. Just not happy with the precision with that one! But have not shot it enough to find out if I'm going to keep it or sell to buy the Sig Scope!!

 

[Farahnyl2022]

What is your interest? Defense? Target? Hunting?
These categories can greatly affect price/performance.
IE, .22 or .22WMR are really fun rounds for target plinking.
Then there's 9mm which isn't too expensive and begins to be applicable for defense.
But, you can go all the way up to say, an S&W 500. You can hunt, defend or target shoot but the rounds are very expensive and shooting it much can knock the crap out of your hand due to violent recoil.

There is a pretty nice .22 WMR (magnum) for sale here on the forum that would be a really fun target pistol.
https://arizonasporting.com/threads/chipmonk-22-wmr.158/

Give some more info on what you want to do and anyone here can make more and informed suggestions.
Cheers!

Since I’m just starting out with handguns, I’m really looking for something that can do both for home and self-defense, but also fun enough that I’ll actually want to practice with it. I’m not interested in jumping into anything wild like a .500 with brutal recoil since I'd like to focus on building good habits first. Tried a few rentals at the range (mostly 9mm), and that felt like a nice balance in terms of recoil and cost. I’m willing to spend a decent amount, but I want to start with something that’s reliable, modern, and not too overwhelming.

 

[Farahnyl2022]

Since money isn't an issue buy me a 2011 and get yourself a glock!

Would love to know why

 

[T-Rex]

I'm turning 23 next week and wondered it's time to get my first handgun. What could you suggest? Money isn't an issue.

Since I’m just starting out with handguns, I’m really looking for something that can do both for home and self-defense, but also fun enough that I’ll actually want to practice with it. I’m not interested in jumping into anything wild like a .500 with brutal recoil since I'd like to focus on building good habits first. Tried a few rentals at the range (mostly 9mm), and that felt like a nice balance in terms of recoil and cost. I’m willing to spend a decent amount, but I want to start with something that’s reliable, modern, and not too overwhelming.

If you want a revolver, I'd suggest buying a used pre-lock S&W 586 / 686 .357 mag and start out shooting .38 specials in it. Then bump up to .357 mag when you're ready. Can't go wrong with one of those. Very solid dependable guns.
If you want a 9mm there are a bunch of options. I prefer the SIG P229 Elite or Legion. Not quite full size, but not a small gun either.

 

[Big Al]

9MM CZ 75 if you can get that mode. Love mine. I also have a H&K which shoots good. But I use red/green dots on all my handguns. Except my S&W M&P shield, which is my in the waist band or in my pocket. Glocks are overpriced and overrated in my opinion I have a Glock 40. If I did not reload, I couldn't afford the ammo for the larger calibers! 9 MM ammo is everywhere and a lot less $$.
I have BIG HANDS, and I have a hard time finding something that fit my grip. But I really don't shoot handguns that much.

 

[chrishayes]

>Since I’m just starting out with handguns, I’m really looking for something that can do both for home and self->defense, but also fun enough that I’ll actually want to practice with it. I’m not interested in jumping into anything >wild like a .500 with brutal recoil since I'd like to focus on building good habits first. Tried a few rentals at the >range (mostly 9mm), and that felt like a nice balance in terms of recoil and cost. I’m willing to spend a decent >amount, but I want to start with something that’s reliable, modern, and not too overwhelming.

Thanks for this. Much more and better info.
I shoot and reload for most pistol calibers and have at least one in most all the pistols.

For me re defense (in home or out) I like something just a tad haeavier than 9mm. 9mm is the smallest I'd trust for defense and there's a lot of choices in 9 for ammo power and bullet design. 9mm is also very affordable, right now.

40 cal is my choice for carry, at home and "around". If I go for an afternoon in the desert it's 10mm.

.45 is another of my favorites. Accurrate and lots of power. Makes a good boom! lol

Big Al commented about a CZ 75...9mm. WONDERFUL pistols! I have a clone in .45 but point being, all steel, GREAT double/single trigger!

Then there's 1911s! Yummy! Big .45 slug, still a clasic shooter 100 years after design, AND available in 9mm, .40 and .45. The .40s may be getting hard to find though.

Please, ask more questions about all the answers offered!

 

[chrishayes]

Here is the CZ 75 clone in .45. Double stack holds 13 rounds plus one in the tube.

 

[Farahnyl2022]

Appreciate the in-depth explanation everyone!