First Pistol

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NickyB

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Hey guys, as I wait for my LTC-A, I figured I would do some research as to what my first pistol should be...

I was told by a few people to get a Glock... But being there's so many different models and there hard to come by, I don't know which models to try out if I ever had the opportunity. Also, I do a lot of business with Ruger and I am pretty sure I can get a good deal on a new pistol. Thoughts?

BTW, must be MA compliant :(
 
Glock or Sigs (I think) for 'large' capacity preban mags. Ruger SR series are good, and the SR9c was my first pistol. I still really like shooting it, with the murderous 17 round mags.
 
Sr9 would have my vote too.. Probably go for an sr9c. Can't go wrong with it. Price is right and even if its not perfect, it will be hard to justify ditching it to go find your grail.
 
Are you going to concealed carry, or just shoot at ranges? Are you going to take a defensive pistol class (one where you will draw from holsters and shoot close targets etc)?

I'd base the decision on that - and a big choice will be striker fired (Glock etc) vs SA/DA type (Sig etc). The former is very simple, no safety or decocker, and the same ~5 lb trigger pull each shot. A SA/DA is more complicated, with a decocker, external safety, and long 10+lb trigger pull followed by light 5 lb ones after the 1st shot.
 
If you haven't done much shooting start out with a 22lr. There are some very good double action revolvers (S&W or Ruger) and several good and reasonably priced semi-autos (Again S&Ws and Ruger, but look for and older one a Mark II rather than the still older Mark I and newer Mark III's)
 
What are you going to use the gun for? Concealed Carry? Target? Plinking?

Different guns have completely different purposes.

With this in mind I am sure you will have a FEW pistols in no time at all....
 
Ya first you need to decide on what the primary function of the pistol will be.
For my fist pistol I wanted a .45 that i could conceal carry i went with a glock (30sf).

Imo
 
Bando_Red said:
try before you buy man. And disregard the "glock fits all" logic.
Click to expand...
Thank god someone said it! OP.....look.......glock makes a great fire arm.......I don't own any because I don't like the grip angle........it just doesn't work for me personally. Don't go buy a glock just cuz "its a glock". Try a few different fire arms out before you spend your hard earned cash. You might be surprised what you like. And don't ever discount a good revolver (s and w or ruger most others suck) until you try a few of those.
 
Once you figure out what your primary purpose of the handgun will be, narrow your choices and go to a place that rents guns to try them out. The Firing Line in Manchester, NH is the first place that comes to mind.
 
fivepak said:
Once you figure out what your primary purpose of the handgun will be, narrow your choices and go to a place that rents guns to try them out. The Firing Line in Manchester, NH is the first place that comes to mind.
Click to expand...

+1 though MFL is crazy expensive, try Mass Firearms School, rentals are $10 instead of $25 with better selection.
 
If I had a chance to start over. My first pistol would be a nice target 22lr.
model 41, hi standard or a nice target revolver in 22lr. Fun to shoot.
for carry ? I started with a 1911 then a SW hamerless airweight for hot weather.
After that its try as many as you can.
 
Everyone will have an opinion on this... my recommendation is a .38 or .357 snub- preferably Smith & Wesson. If you can find one, I also recommend a Makarov pistol as a "must own" handgun. Welcome aboard, stay safe.
NickyB said:
Hey guys, as I wait for my LTC-A, I figured I would do some research as to what my first pistol should be...

I was told by a few people to get a Glock... But being there's so many different models and there hard to come by, I don't know which models to try out if I ever had the opportunity. Also, I do a lot of business with Ruger and I am pretty sure I can get a good deal on a new pistol. Thoughts?

BTW, must be MA compliant :(
Click to expand...
 
The SR9 or SR9c are excellent value guns and trigger needs no work. The mag disconnect can be removed in like 30 seconds thank god.

i like the m&p full size, pretty much any glock 17/19/26 or even the s&w SD9Ve seems legit. I am a sig fan so if you are OK w a DA/SA system then the sig SP2022 in 9mm is amazing value and quality.
 
I would suggest a revolver for a first firearm. It's reliable and will get you the basics of shooting. You can always get more firearms. Mine seem to breed in the gun safe-that's what I tell my wife
 
I would suggest a revolver for a first firearm. It's reliable and will get you the basics of shooting. You can always get more firearms. Mine seem to breed in the gun safe-that's what I tell my wife
 
I suggest an accurate .22, to get the basics down. An accurate gun with low recoil can benefit your technique, by better indicating what you're doing when pulling the trigger.
 
i'm in the same boat as the OP (in MA also)...not to threadjack but i figured there were probably a few of these first gun threads out there so i didn't want to create another...my wife and i are waiting for our ltc-a final interviews so i'm doing a little homework in the meantime about handguns and safes...after i plan to borrow my dad's .22 pistol as well as a buddy that owns quite a few guns to try some out and see what i like...after doing a little reading on here i'm initially leaning towards a small .22 revolver (unsure of exact brand/model) followed by a ruger sr9c depending how these choices feel in our hands...as far as the safe(s) go...i'd like it to be biometric...not sure if i should buy 1 rifle sized or 2 handgun sized or 1 rifle sized and 1 handgun sized...not sure if i will get into shotguns or rifles so at the moment i'm leaning towards starting with 1 small handgun sized safe that can fit 2 handguns as well as have some space for ammo etc...any input is appreciated...thanks

p.s. the advice in progression through calibers is very similar to the advice always given on motorcycle forums...start out with a small engine size and step up to a bigger size after you get comfortable with the smaller bike...makes perfect sense...sometimes the smaller bikes are more fun than the larger ones anyway [wink]
 
whacko said:
Ruger revolvers in 22......loook for a ruger sp101 in 22........good guns.
Click to expand...

thanks...will do...i'd like to get as high of a capacity as i can so i'd be leaning more towards the ruger lcr 5410 to get a couple more shots out of it...i think 8 it the max capacity of what i have been seeing for a compact .22 revolver although the taurus ultra-lite 941 is capable of holding 9 but that doesn't help since it isn't legal in MA
 
Point37 said:
thanks...will do...i'd like to get as high of a capacity as i can so i'd be leaning more towards the ruger lcr 5410 to get a couple more shots out of it...i think 8 it the max capacity of what i have been seeing for a compact .22 revolver although thetaurus ultra-lite 941 is capable of holding 9 but that doesn't help since it isn't legal in MA
Click to expand...

1. If you are not looking for a carry .22 and want capacity in a revolver the ruger single 10 holds.....10
2. Dont ever buy a taurus
2. Facepalm due to bolded statement


guys.......help me out here........
 
1. good to know thanks...i think i would like to stick with the da revolvers though...easier for the wife and this one will probably stay loaded in the safe plus a compact wouldn't take up much space leaving room for it's future brothers [smile]
2. don't know much about the brands thusfar...are there specific brands to stay away from?
3. i should have said it's not on the approved roster i'm assuming
 
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My first pistol was a full size M&P 40 then quickly got the storm lake 9mm conversion barrel.
 
Point37 said:
1. good to know thanks...i think i would like to stick with the da revolvers though...easier for the wife and this one will probably stay loaded in the safe plus a compact wouldn't take up much space leaving room for it's future brothers [smile]
2. don't know much about the brands thusfar...are there specific brands to stay away from?
3. i should have said it's not on the approved roster i'm assuming
Click to expand...

Yeah......guys get a little touchy around here about that one! [smile]


And as far as brands of revolver......most guys here will tell you stay away from anything other than smith and ruger
 
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