What do you guys recommend for a first handgun?

[BobbyDD 10+ year member]

I'd look into the Kel-Tec P3AT for a decent cheap gun.

 

[layedouton20s 10+ year member]

springfield armory 45 xd the best fit and reliable as shit

 

[anton lavey]

baddest pistol... h&k socom mk23. if the special op's use them... why not you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgYs1ikNrkE

 

[anton lavey]

 

[subzero 5,000+ posts]

My vote goes towards the Springfield 1911 or Auto Ordance 1911 with a bit of customized features. Your first fire arms should be a beast. then after you will be able to use anything IMO.

or get a Dessert Eagle..50

 

[groundpound4200 5,000+ posts]

well thats the thing... this isnt my first gun. I already own a 20Ga and a 12Ga Browning semiauto. I just want a handgun to play with and for home protection

 

[subzero 5,000+ posts]

XD9mm. good play toy

 

[Annnarbor84 5,000+ posts]

How often do you plan on shooting?? If it is alot a .22 would be the best bet as the ammo is cheaper than shit. Walther P22 is the ***..... If this is for home defense I would get a shotty, Mossberg 500 with the pistol grip is the ***.....

 

[Tw1st3d13 10+ year member]

My dad is selling his desert eagle for $900 its nickle plated with laser scope only shot 30times but im snagging that deal hahaha

 

[justin smith 10+ year member]

How often do you plan on shooting?? If it is alot a .22 would be the best bet as the ammo is cheaper than shit. Walther P22 is the ***..... If this is for home defense I would get a shotty, Mossberg 500 with the pistol grip is the ***.....

this

 

[Ignatowski 5,000+ posts]

Im looking at the SW M&P

and

GLOCK right now for my first gun

Ive shot both,Im leaning towards the SW

because its MADE IN THE USA and every nut hugger has a glock

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Id recommend a revolver for a first hand gun, and for home defense. Get an automatic for a second pistol. But that's just personal preference talking.

.40S&W is definitely more accurate than the .45ACP. We went through this here a month or two ago. .40 is a smaller round than the .45, with higher velocity. Simply physics tells us its more accurate. I like the .40, its small enough to accomodate approx the same amount of ammo in a clip as a 9mm, but similar knock-down power to a .357 mag. That is why cops use them.

I agree with the above statements however, that a 9mm is cheaper to shoot if its just for plinking. But if its also for home defense, Id look closer at the .40S&W. .45ACP's accuracy is fine for home defense, and has better knock-down power, but isn't as ideal for plinking due to accuracy. But a first-pistol owner would likely not notice the accuracy difference anyway. I think Ive demonstrated each round type has advantages and disadvantages, the .40 being the middle of the road, .45 being better for home defense, and 9mm being better for plinking. So choose which of those fits your needs/wants, and go buy it.

Id stay away from a Desert Eagle for a first gun. I love mine, in fact its my favorite pistol, but its not a good choice for a first-pistol purchase. They are, however, remarkably well designed and built. Awesome gun. Mine is a .44mag is feels smooth as silk when I shoot it. Double springs, amazingly easy to take apart and put back together, shoots magnum rounds otherwise limited to revolvers... the Israeli's really know how to make a gun.

I wont get into brand names because like car audio, much of it boils down to personal preference.

 

[snoopdan 5,000+ posts]

You'll shoot you're eye out.

 

[anton lavey]

well thats the thing... this isnt my first gun. I already own a 20Ga and a 12Ga Browning semiauto. I just want a handgun to play with and for home protection

well... for home defense, the best weapon is a shot gun. it's safe for the house hold, deadly for intruders. if you have children or roommates, and you fire a .40 and miss... your more likely to penetrate 1 or 2 walls and kill someone that you didnt intend too. shotgun load will stop pass one layer of sheet rock... if a couple of pellets penetrate they are way less deadly than a full metal jacket pistol round. a shoutgun is also very intimidating. you fire one round and a robber will try his absolute dangdest to get the fvck out of there. also, in the dark... you have to be dead on target to hit your aggressor with a pistol round. a shotgun, even with a full choke, has a nice spread and your more likely to hit what your aiming at. pistols should only be used for self defense in a home if you are well trained and have zero guest in your home. imagine accidently killing a loved one on accident... sux huh? look in to a mossberg 500 road blocker. this weapon will stop any intruder head on. gurantee that.

 

[1phatclipse]

I know its out of your price range and expesive to practice with but Ive owned a lot of pistols and this is at the top of my wish list

Five-seveN