What's a good first pistol?

[FragTek]

Mmmmmm, Kimber 'Nuff said, lol.

.50 DE's are the **** if you like showing off too people, hehe. Other than that they are pretty worthless, they are just too damned big and bulky, but they shoot well and look tight

[Lohman446]

Originally posted by Albinonewt
I'm a big fan of most glock pistols, and my absolute favorite is my glock 40. The rounds are bigger so they're a little more expensive, but a few round from that will almost certainly make whatever your shotting at change it's mind.

Wimp (jking) get a .45 and be done with it. I have a Taurus Millenium series .45 in my desk drawer, most compact 10 shot 45 produced at the time. Awesome stopping power, though a 2.5" barrel on a .45 does not tend to keep you on target after the first shot LOL.

If I want to shoot past 20 yards I use a rifle anyways...

Personally I do not like the Gloks - they are wonderfully built handguns, have redundant internal safeties, will not rust, are totally functional... I can't say enough about them quality wise. I cannot get past the no external safety - pull the trigger gun goes bang... just do not like that. Oddly the same concern does not creep into the revolvers I own. I realize I am talking both sides of the coin here, just make certain you are satisfied with no external safety, in the standard sense of the term.

[Methylphenidate]

dont get a desert eagle as your first pistol
i have nothing against them in fact i think they are the ****
however if you get one as your first pistol the fact of the matter is it will kill you
i suggested the xd v-10 because it has no kick at all
however glocks are wicked awsome as well and practically indestructible

[Zumina]

Berretta 92-F

Ammo is inexpensive (perfect for practicing) and anyone can operate it.

[Methylphenidate]

ooooooo
i like berrettas but you got to do it right get the italian made ones
not berretta usa nothng against berretta usa
i just always beleive that if you are gonna put the money in you might as well do it right

[Steelrat]

Trust me about the glocks. I have to help tech them, and there are numerous issues you have to inspect for. They arent bad, but they arent as good as everyone makes them out to be. But Im sure you would be happy with one.

The Desert Eagle is a joke. That pistol is all about looks and image. If you are looking for a real gun, please look elsewhere.

The 1911 is a good gun, but it was designed almost 100 years ago. A lot of its virtues are due to its single action trigger. Its a great pistol, but I believe that its reputation has become greater than its ability. Its fun to shoot, the .45 is hard hitting, and its as refined a design as you will ever find, but theres better to be had. And dont even get me going on FBI HRT...

Id stay away from anything made by Smith and Wesson. Their new semis are copies of Walther guns, which arent too shabby at all. I just dont trust anything semi with the smith label on it. The only reason any department was buying those crap pistols was because they had more safety features than any other semi-automatic, and because Smith chickened out and signed that agreement with the government, thereby earning government business. Smith makes good revolvers, but their gun sales are so crappy they are making bikes and golf clubs. Give me a break...

Berettas are okay, but a major reason departments and the Army uses them is because Beretta is the eternal low bidder. If you look at the evaluations submitted by people testing the weapons, the Sig almost always comes in first, but ends up being too expensive.

[FragTek]

The new Smith's arent exactly "copies" of Walther guns, they more or less ARE Walther guns, as it was a collaboration. I have never had any problems with any of my Smiths, and I stand by the name 100%.

[Zumina]

Well I sincerely doubt this guy is looking to take his gun into combat. He did not specify what kind of recoil he can tolerate nor did he specify his budget.

[Steelrat]

Fragtech, I didnt man to bad-mouth a pistol you own, but I know people who work in the Smith factory in Springfield, MA, and they agree that the smith semis have been pretty cruddy. The new ones arent bad, but thats due to walther's input. Just look at how many times Smith has changed hands lately.

[Crimson_Turkey]

I would go USP. A friend of mine got one of the civilian made USP tacticals. Wow... that thing is sexy. He has the LAM for it too.

[Methylphenidate]

match usp
laura croft gun so hot
possibly the coolest looking gun... EVER!!!

[paintballfeign]

today i shot the smith and wesson 500. oh my god that is one huge gun. not exactly a target gun but it was awesome. 400 grain bullet going 2200 fbs it makes the wrist a little sore though.

for a first gun i would suggest a .45 1911 kimber they are a really good gun although you have to take really good care of it.

[FragTek]

I have a SW500 for deer hunting, and as a backup bear slayer. Talk about a nice piece of machinery

Kimber... delicious, need I say more? hehe.

[Steelrat]

For 1911 I also like Wilsons.

[Firedude]

Buy a Glock Model 22 (40S&W). Alot of police departments carry them, and they are very easy to learn how to shoot with. No decocker (like your Sigs and Berretas/clones), no single action having to cock the hammer back (or carring it "cocked and locked") or double action trigger pulls. The same trigger pull each time. The Glock is tough and reliable. I have numerous hand guns (HK USP 45, Para Ordinance P14 Limited 45, Desert Eagle 44, S&W 686 357, Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter 44, S&W 1917 45 ACP revolver, Ruger KP512 22LR, Ruger Single Six 22Mag/22LR, and a Glock 22 40S&W to name a few.) The Glock is an excellent firearm, and is very easy to use and maintain.