I say this in almost every 'buying first gun' thread. It's important:So right now, I am torn between what I believe are two solid, budget options for a first pistol. I already know whatever I buy, eventually, I am going to want something else, or through this purchase, I am going to end up figuring out what I do/don't like. So I am not thinking long term on this - but more using it as a learning experience to figure out more.
I have shot 2 pistols guns prior, an unknown 9mm which.... might have been a 5906, I remember most of the controls reminded me of Beretta and it was at S&W's gun range. The other being a subcompact glock in .45 that I absolutely hated as I could only get 1.5 fingers on the grip.
Torn between a Stoeger STR-9F and a Canik TP9SF Elite. Both are the size I want and in 9mm. I leaning slightly more towards the Stoeger as I understand it, it's essentially a Glock, and therefore the sky is the limit if I want to start changing things. Canik has a decent aftermarket, but nothing like what is available for glocks in terms of triggers, grips, barrels, slides, pretty much everything but the lower.
and for the "just buy both" people, happily accepting late Christmas presents/early birthday presents. This gun is essentially going to be my 35th birthday present to myself.
Find a gun that points naturally. Any decent gun will function, your natural biomechanics are more important to shooting the pistol well. The grip angle makes a difference, along with the size of the grip. You can learn to shoot anything well, but why?