What's a good first pistol?

[beam]

I'm thinking about getting a pistol here soon, and am wondering what are some good beginners.

Here in IA, people hunt with either a shotgun, bow, muzzleloader, or sometimes .22. However, I believer there are a few pistol seasons. Anyway, I wouldn't hunt with it, I would use for targets and just to become familiar with one. I have owned shotguns and .22 since I was in 2nd grade, but never owned a pistol.

Also, I'm not interested in a revolver, semi-auto only.

[OfficerGoat]

For just shooting paper Smith & Wesson makes a nice .22 auto. You get your bang and you can keep some bucks. Its a nice trade off. Its a 22s I beleve... been a bit since I have touched it. I know S&W makes a couple of different .22 autos though.

[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.

[FragTek]

The brand new Smith & Wesson SW1911 is a phenomenal semi-auto, probably the nicest standard 1911 on the market, comes stock with a lot of custom upgrades and at a .45 ACP caliber, it has some decent power. I don't know your price range so I'm just spitting out some suggestions.

If you are looking for something a little bit smaller, say a 9mm for example, the Compact Frame SW99 is an awesome polymer framed pistol. The entire SW99 series is a design collaboration between Smith & Wesson and Karl Walther, so you know the gun is quality. But for that matter, anything S&W makes is quality

As far as rimfire pistols go, I would suggest the S&W Model 41 or Model 22A. The Model 41 is more of a match pistol (the one I chose to buy), it handles very well, and is very comfortable to hold.

Switching companies... If you have ever heard of Kimber (which I hope you have), they make THE finest custom 1911's of any other manufacturer. Be prepared to spend LARGE dollars on these guns.

Straight out of Kimber's custom shop comes the Gold Combat Stainless II, it's (obviously, being a 1911) a .45 ACP caliber match-grade pistol with many upgrades to boot. Perfect balance, and superb accuracy make this one of my top choices. Check the next one out though, it's my all-time favorite:

The Kimber Team Match II is another custom model of the 1911 with awesome styling and dead-on accuracy, I don't believe I have ever owned a pistol nicer than this... The balance and overall feel of this gun in your hand is uncomparable to anything else. The ultra-smooth Kimber action cycles like silk and shoots DARTS (not REAL darts of course )! Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the Team Match II comes with Kimbers new Tactical Extractor, VERY sweet!

I own all of the above guns, so I can personally recommend each (I'm a bit of a Smith & Wesson whore and a Kimber whore As you can see my favorite style of pistol is the 1911, for obvious reasons). Hit me up if you have any questions! I'm glad u made this thread because before paintball whoring I was a major gun whore, so it's kind of refreshing to be able to talk about guns for a change

Edit: Kimber also makes a few rimfire pistols, I don't own any, but they look awesome! I'll give you a report if I decide to buy one in the near future.

[p8ntball1016]

id like to suggest the usp compact in .40 s&w.

[magking1971]

For .22 cal a colt huntsman is a sweet choice.
For just to keep at home, like fragtek said grab a nice 1911 in the .45 cal and enjoy.
But if you get a 9mm anything remember you HAVE to hold it sideways just to be cool

[FragTek]

Originally posted by magking1971
But if you get a 9mm anything remember you HAVE to hold it sideways just to be cool

LoL @ magking

[fire1811]

my first handgun was a Ruger P-89
its a 9mm

not a bad handgun

[-=Squid=-]

9mm browning High Power.

That would be a good choice.

[beam]

Thanks for all the info.

I don't want a rimfire/.22. I was thinking about a 9mm. I REALLY like the look of that Compact .40. I just need to get to the gun shop and get my hands on some, maybe see if they will let me test fire some, and talk with the guys at the store.

[headcase]

I didn't like the HK Compact, it just didn't fit my hands right. I liked the Sig P229 I had alot, yet another thing I never should have gotten rid of.

[SatansGun]

i have a few different rugers.
i think thier nice and the fire nice so you could look in to them. right now i got a nice ruger mark I traget and looking at a mark II but if you get a mark I or II make sure you dont use hollow point or it will jam everytime but with most other stuff it works just fine

[OfficerGoat]

Originally posted by beam
Thanks for all the info.

I don't want a rimfire/.22. I was thinking about a 9mm. I REALLY like the look of that Compact .40. I just need to get to the gun shop and get my hands on some, maybe see if they will let me test fire some, and talk with the guys at the store.

The USP is a great gun and a VERY reliable weapon to boot. Another pair of similar guns to look into the Sig P228 and P229.

[1stdeadeye]

The Ruger P-94 is a decent and cheap handgun.

My favorite handgun is my Glock 17. PRE-BAN!!!

[Steelrat]

I've shot plenty of Glocks, and while they are decent guns, they are overrated. They have problems jamming, and their extractor is prone to rapid wear and breakage.

I belive the best pistol you can buy right now is the Sig Sauer P series. Its an older design, but extremely rugged and reliable. The USPs arent bad either, but they arent quite as good.

The 1911s are good guns, but are challenging to use do to a rather odd design and the single action trigger.