1st Firearm

Takis48

Takis48

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Due to the recent events in the news and the way our society has changed, I am considering purchasing my own firearm. If you've read some of my previous posts I've been trying to get my feelers out there and window shop the market. I have a dilemma though. I'm looking to buy something at a reasonable price for both the range and concealed carry. I don't want to say I'm limiting myself to these 3 makers, but I would prefer a Germanic gun (SIG Sauer, Glock, Walther). I have basically narrowed it down to a Glock 22, SIG Sauer Mosquito, and a Walther PPK, but will definitely consider other models. I love the Glock's trigger pull and like the snappy .40 S&W. A .22LR would be perfect for the range and training, seeing as where my father has a couple SIG's. The Walther would be a nice carry gun, but I've gotten mixed reviews. I'm 6'5" 180lbs and don't think that concealing a pistol would be difficult. Any and all opinions would be greatly appreciated. I'm just doing my research for a purchase which could potentially protect my life.
 
Takis48 said:
I'm just doing my research for a purchase which could potentially protect my life.
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OK - time for some more research. You're considering a .22LR pistol in the mix? Your example guns are apples and oranges - all great guns, but for different purposes. I think you need to do some more study on what constitutes an effective self-defense caliber first, then think about gun makes/styles.

No one gun does it all - there has to be a compromise somewhere. A gun that is going to be cheap to shoot at the range (.22LR) is not going to be effective for self-defense. A good self-defense gun (.40 S&W) is going to be more expensive to feed at the range. Alot of folks go with 9mm as a compromise between effectiveness and cost, although others will tell you the only defensive caliber you should use will start with a "4".

I know it sounds a little backward, but you should probably start with a good defensive pistol course before purchasing the gun. Look at the offerings at Sig Academy in NH or Smith & Wesson in Springfield, MA for a start. You can try out different pistols during these courses, get some great instruction, then make an informed choice of guns.

Good Luck!

*
 
I don't know what your definition of "reasonable price" is bur Sig and Walther are both going to cost a lot more than a Glock. Is there a reason you want a German/Austrian pistol? You're excluding a lot of great manufacturers by doing so.

I agree with the others that you should do much more research. Go to a place that let's you rent pistols and try a few out. IMO, anyone that says that a self defense round should "start at least with a .4" has no idea what they are talking about. A good 9mm self defense round is very effective according to most ballistic reports I've read. A .22 for self defense would be a very poor choice, though. And, IMO, a .380 would still be light for a SD round. I did hear recently that the newer .380 SD rounds are getting very close to 9mm when fired into ballistic gel, but I haven't verified it.

Bottom line is to do some reading and try some out before deciding. You'd be surprised how many people will let you try their guns if you ask. I'm trying to decide what to get for a bullseye pistol and 4 people out of nowhere came up to me at the range and offered to let me try their target pistols out to help me decide.
 
He said "first pistol", which to me means more to come. I say go for a .22. I also agree that the Ruger 9mm's deserve a good look.
 
Coyote33 said:
He said "first pistol", which to me means more to come. I say go for a .22. I also agree that the Ruger 9mm's deserve a good look.
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Did you miss the part where he said:

"I'm looking for something at a reasonable price for both the range and CONCEALED CARRY"?
 
If it were me, .380 would be the smallest caliber I would carry for self defence. I think that 9mm would be an even better choice.

I usually carry .40 or .45 but I do have a couple of guns chambered in .380.
 
+1 on the Ruger. I'm also a bit confused at the (seemingly arbitrary) desire for a "Germanic" pistol, which pretty much flies in the face of your "reasonable price" requirement. There are plenty of great manufacturers out there (many of them local), and you're just needlessly narrowing the field. SIGs are great, but relatively expensive compared to many offerings from S&W, Ruger, etc.

If you want to CC, I'm with Big_Red -- don't go smaller than .380. A 22 is great fun and can be a good training tool, but it's not going to stop an assailant.........well, maybe eventually.

You'll get this a lot here, but go out and try as many guns as you can get your hands on. For CC you need something that's reliable, comfortable to carry, and that you can actually shoot well. If you want to enjoy shooting/plinking with it at the range too, then you may need to expand your search further. As many have said, practice/training is key.

Green up (i.e. pay $21 to become an NES member) and come to a Green shoot. You'll find that people are very generous with their firearms as long as you're respectful & offer up some ammo (some won't even take it). You'll get to try pretty much anything you could ever want to buy.

Good luck!
 
I'm not sure I get the whole Germanic thing but as mentioned elsewhere in the thread, they are typically more expensive than others. I've not liked the Walthers that I've shot (including the 22 I own). Sigs are nice guns but you pay for it. Glocks are good guns too but in MA you pay a premium for them unless you really hunt out a bargain (which can be done). You can get into a Smith and Wesson M&P for under $500 and they are solid guns. You'll want to drop another $80 or so on a trigger job but you'll still be in under a Sig and probably on par with a two or three year old Glock.
 
Glocks do NOT fit my hand very well and thus I prefer the S&W M&P line (with trigger jobs).

HOWEVER, if the Glock fits your hand well, AND you can shoot it well . . . then I'd recommend a Glock (9mm will be more than adequate and significantly cheaper ammo = more practice) AND an Advantage Arms .22LR conversion kit (usually back-ordered everywhere).

That one gun combo will fit both bills short of competitive bullseye shooting.
 
Ok, I just wanted to clear up some confusion. I wrote "range and carry gun" but wanted to say range/plinking OR carry gun. And the reason I would like a "Germanic" pistol is because of their craftsmanship and while serving in the Greek Army I was issued an H&K USP and later a Glock. I am not too familiar with Rugers or S&W, and can't stand Beretta's.
 
Takis48 said:
Ok, I just wanted to clear up some confusion. I wrote "range and carry gun" but wanted to say range/plinking OR carry gun. And the reason I would like a "Germanic" pistol is because of their craftsmanship and while serving in the Greek Army I was issued an H&K USP and later a Glock. I am not too familiar with Rugers or S&W, and can't stand Beretta's.
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Well the CF pistol with .22LR conversion kit should fit the bill for you.

I'm unaware of any H&K conversion kits. A 1911 can be had with conversion kit or the Glocks if you like them (since you are obviously familiar with them). No idea if there are any Ruger conversion kits available. The S&W M&P is a fine gun but no conversion kits available to date.
 
I wasn't overly impressed with the fit and finish on the Glock that I shot the other week. I found a lot of uncomfortable edges compared to my Sig. It was still a nice gun, don't get me wrong at all...probably the best poly pistol I have shot in terms of overall performance...but for something I was going to take to the range a lot i would much rather have my 229. The USP Compact was more comfortable than the glock too, though I didn't shoot as well with it.

I finally got my crossbreed supertuck and I am definitely seeing the disadvantage of the 229 for carrying, lol. It's certainly doable and not that bad, but it's not ideal either.
 
If you have big hands which at your height I bet you do, I'd take a look at P229 with the Hogue rap around grips. Also look around the classifieds on this site, there are some great deals to be had.

Mike
 
I will stir up the pot a bit here. Glocks and Walthers are a POS. If you were in the military and have shot before and are relatively comfortable around hand guns, buy a Sig and a conversion kit.
 
fencer said:
I will stir up the pot a bit here. Glocks and Walthers are a POS. If you were in the military and have shot before and are relatively comfortable around hand guns, buy a Sig and a conversion kit.
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Everyone is entitled to their opinion :)

I don't own a Glock, but I've never seen an unreliable one. I do own a Walther PPS in 9mm and love it...haven't had any issues with it.
 
fencer said:
I will stir up the pot a bit here. Glocks and Walthers are a POS. If you were in the military and have shot before and are relatively comfortable around hand guns, buy a Sig and a conversion kit.
Click to expand...

I'm not really sure I follow your logic there. As smcnally said, everyone is entitled to their opinion and if yours is that Sigs are superior to Glocks, that's fine. I just don't see how having military experience and being "comfortable around guns" has anything to do with anything in your context.
 
+1 for Ruger 9mm as well, but Walthers are great, check out the PPS or P99c for CCW, I plan on getting one eventually. I dont personally like the look or feel of the PPK but its a time tested firearm so you really cant go wrong with it.
 
TBalls said:
I'm not really sure I follow your logic there. As smcnally said, everyone is entitled to their opinion and if yours is that Sigs are superior to Glocks, that's fine. I just don't see how having military experience and being "comfortable around guns" has anything to do with anything in your context.
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I really was just bustin balls about the Glock and Walther thing. If the OP had very little experience with handguns a .22 would make sense to develope a level of comfort and good habits/technique. A decent 9mm and a conversion kit gives you a carry gun and a cheap plinking gun
 
I remember buying my first gun. It really comes down to what do you want. I bought a S&W Model 15 38 spl. I had it a month and traded it in for an S&W Model 19 357 Mag. I still have that gun but if you are interested in shooting you won't stop at one gun. So my advice to you is what one gun do you want to start with and do you think you will enjoy shooting? Range and carry are two different things and I think you will be more concerned with what do you want to shoot more than what do you want to carry at least at first.
 

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