What to get for my 21st birthday? /First Pistol

[normanvin]

Originally Posted by Ross11988

So my 21st is coming up. I will legally be able to buy my first pistol, this will also be my first pistol. Honestly I have never shot a handgun before, that I can recall. I know that alot of people say you should go shoot some different types of pistols first to see what you like, but I don't know anyone around me that has a variety of handguns. I have a narrowed list of pistols I have been researching.

1. XDm 9mm
2. Glock 22
3. Beretta M9

Also I should probably add this in maybe someone would know. My birthday is on November 19th and I happen to be going down to Stroudsburg on the day before. I rarely go down to Stroudsburg because Iam always working so am I able to drop off my LTCF the day before my birthday to save myself a trip?

Pick one they are all good guns.

[PisnNapalm]

Originally Posted by Ross11988

So my 21st is coming up. I will legally be able to buy my first pistol, this will also be my first pistol. Honestly I have never shot a handgun before, that I can recall. I know that alot of people say you should go shoot some different types of pistols first to see what you like, but I don't know anyone around me that has a variety of handguns. I have a narrowed list of pistols I have been researching.

1. XDm 9mm
2. Glock 22
3. Beretta M9

Also I should probably add this in maybe someone would know. My birthday is on November 19th and I happen to be going down to Stroudsburg on the day before. I rarely go down to Stroudsburg because Iam always working so am I able to drop off my LTCF the day before my birthday to save myself a trip?

Honestly, if you can't remember ever firing a handgun before, should you really be buying one? Just kidding...

I would strongly suggest that your first handgun be a .22lr. Get yourself a good Browning Buckmark, Ruger MKIII, S&W or heck... even a Walther P22. Semi or revolver doesn't matter.

Next... Find a good gun club and take a beginners pistol course. I had some handgun experience, but still took the NRA basic pistol course and still learned alot of good info.

I urge you to get the .22 because it is so much easier to learn with, it's so much cheaper to feed, and it's SOOOOO much easier to build good habits with rather than a larger caliber.

Please... consider it.

[sweeper84]

I have a Beretta 92fs (also known as the M9) and it is a great gun. I've put thousands of rounds through it and have yet to have a failure that was not operator induced. That being said it is a big gun that some people have a problem gripping comfortably and I have never been able to cc it comfortably however oc is no problem. If you are intending to cc a good bit with it then I would look more at the Glock and XD. Either way all three are good guns.

[he11zna]

There has been plenty of good advice, the best IMHO is getting a .22lr to start off with.

My first firearm was my Ruger MKIII and I built a solid foundation with that.
It's easy and cheap to shoot and the most important thing is PRACTICE!

As far as the Glock/XD/M&P/HK debates, I've come to realize the value in a ubiquitous platform such as the Glock or 1911.

Many people don't factor in the cost of a magazine or 10.

How many you should have is a whole different thread, but being able to buy Glock 17 and 19 mags for $20, is a whole lot better than $30+ for XD mags or $60+ for HK mags.

[Spishack357]

How do you plan on carrying it? I'm a fan of the XD but honestly you gotta shoot them to see what suits you...

[mythaeus]

Get a Glock 19 (if I were counting, this is the 3rd G19 recommendation in this thread) and a 22LR conversion kit for it. You can always practice with the kit and swap for the real thing for some practice, carry, and home defense. A full size like a G22 is going to be relatively more difficult and uncomfortable to conceal.

If you must get a 40S&W gun, you can also go with a G23, get a 9mm Lone Wolf 9mm conversion barrel AND an Advantage Arms .22LR conversion kit. You then will end up with 3 calibers for under $900.

Still, like others have said, go rent and try. Definitely feel the M92/92FS out because you will most likely going to regret its HUGE grip. Keep in mind that it takes some time to take to a new gun, even for experienced shooters.

Al

[reichebrown]

Try a few guns if you can. Don't limit yourself on cal. right off the bat. You can start out in in 40 or 9 without a problem. Most importantly try to shoot them and at least handle them first. I have a glock 26 and 17 as well as an M&P. I like them all. I have not had to much experience with XDs but people seem to like them.

[Ross11988]

Originally Posted by PisnNapalm

Honestly, if you can't remember ever firing a handgun before, should you really be buying one? Just kidding...

I would strongly suggest that your first handgun be a .22lr. Get yourself a good Browning Buckmark, Ruger MKIII, S&W or heck... even a Walther P22. Semi or revolver doesn't matter.

Next... Find a good gun club and take a beginners pistol course. I had some handgun experience, but still took the NRA basic pistol course and still learned alot of good info.

I urge you to get the .22 because it is so much easier to learn with, it's so much cheaper to feed, and it's SOOOOO much easier to build good habits with rather than a larger caliber.

Please... consider it.

A while ago I did like the P22, hell maybe Ill get that, learn with that and then get another one.

Any idea about the LTFC? Do you think handing it in the day before your birthday will be fine?

[PisnNapalm]

Originally Posted by Ross11988

A while ago I did like the P22, hell maybe Ill get that, learn with that and then get another one.

Any idea about the LTFC? Do you think handing it in the day before your birthday will be fine?

I'd wait until you're actually 21. Don't give them any basis for a denial.

Please get some professional instruction too. You won't be sorry. Develope the good habits now because breaking bad ones is a bitch.

Flinch anyone? I still have problems with flinching. When I need to practice I go back to my Ruger MKIII.

[ksig1869]

Originally Posted by 1SweetV6

My first pistol was a Beretta NEOS 22LR. I would suggest something like that to get used to pop first. I then got a Beretta PX4 9MM. the NEOS can be had for 250 to 300 & .22 ammo is the cheapest around. you can shoot a .22 all day for about 30 bucks.

I second that. I love my buckmark and can shoot all day long without breaking the wallet. If I had to do it all over again I would have gone with a .22 for my first purchase. If you want a 9mm I would say look at a Glock, Sig, M&P