Model 327
$1,309.00 *
*Suggested Retail, Dealer Sets Actual Pricing
SKU:170245
Model: 327
Caliber: .357 Magnum®
.38 S&W Special +P
Capacity: 8 Rounds
Barrel Length: 2" / 5.1 cm
Caliber: .357 Magnum®
If you want a nice large caliber semi-auto handgun to learn and practice with, you cannot go wrong with the venerable 1911 .45
It is stone-reliable, easy to disassemble and clean, relatively accurate, ammunition for it is easy to obtain and relatively inexpensive, and its ergonomics are excellent to perfect for about 95% of the human hands on the planet. Also, in my opinion, it is one of the most visually appealing firearms ever made.
It is a fine weapon. It’s potential downsides are that it doesn’t hold as many rounds as modern semi-autos, it’s a bit heavy for some people’s taste, and it can be a challenge to conceal carry one (they are fairly large).
Another excellent semi-auto for learning and practicing is the Ruger 22/45. It’s based on their “Mark” series of .22 long rifle pistols. It is less expensive to buy and way less expensive to shoot. Its small caliber makes it less than ideal as a carry weapon, though.
Of course, you could always get the Ruger first, just to “make sure” you really do enjoy shooting (don;t worry, there’s a 99.9% chance you will) and THEN buy a 1911 as a reward for learning to shoot safely.
That way you end up with two guns - and owning two guns is twice as good as only owning one.
;-)
I agree with the advice here about taking the lessons first, renting and trying out a number of models, etc. Please ignore the people telling you that you have to buy a ,40 caliber or 45ACP. The prevailing wisdom these days is that no caliber is a guaranteed single-shot “man-stopper”, and that it is more important that you are accurate and able to control the weapon and place multiple shots on target. As a result, some police departments are abandoning their 40’cal weapons and switching to 9mm.
Personally I like 9mm, and 45ACP is ok in a larger (heavier) pistol. But again, try different weapons and caibers at the range, as that is a factor in felt recoil.
regarding the models you listed, I would lean more towards a compact (ie Glock G19) over a subcompact like the G26. I’ve owned both, and the G19 is my everyday carry weapon, I don’t find a significant benefit in concealability of the G26, and you have the downsides of ackward grip, more felt recoil, and lower magazine capacity. A single-stack 9mm is another story, however. I have a S&W Shield that I love and that I carry when I can’t conceal the Glock.
If you do not currently own any weapons now your first purchase should be a shotgun. That is the best defensive weapon ever invented.
A .38 revolver would work quite well for you.
Most pistols never see their 1000th round. People shoot a few rounds and think that’s good enough.
.38 revolvers are one of the well known fun guns. You can do a lot with them that cannot be done with a semi.
What is the primary purpose you intend with the handgun? As others have noted above, this is the major factor to consider in which to purchase. If concealed carry is your intent then I personally prefer a snub nose revolver loaded with .38 +p rounds. For a semi-auto I like 9mm. (but for CC I just prefer the reliability of a revolver.) I find I am more accurate with these in a sub compact size than the larger calibers, especially with regard to reacquiring a target after a previous shot. If I were carring as a sidearm without concern for concealment then I would go for a .357 revolver or .45 semi in a larger frame model. You can’t beat the extra stopping power. With regard to brands, Springfield, Sig-Saur, Ruger, Glock, S&W are all fine brands and each has its devotees. You really can’t go wrong and spending plenty of time at the range is more important than whatever pros or cons anyone may have with the brands. What I mean is, if you practice regularly then any of these brands will serve you well. Colt is a fine firearm but tend to be quite pricey and I personally don’t think the name is worth the extra cost.
Model 327
$1,309.00 *
*Suggested Retail, Dealer Sets Actual Pricing
SKU:170245
Model: 327
Caliber: .357 Magnum®
.38 S&W Special +P
Capacity: 8 Rounds
Barrel Length: 2" / 5.1 cm
Caliber: .357 Magnum®
I would advise against a Glock if it's your first pistol.
5 rules of a gun fight:
1) Gun beats no gun
This means that the gun you left home because is was too big or going to “print” or what ever reason, is the same as no gun. Guns which malfunction, wont feed right or you don’t know how to clear are clubs, i.e. no gun
2) hit beats a miss
A .22 that hits is worth a whole lot more than the .44 mag that misses. Buy a gun that you can control and hit your target
3) fast beats slow
Usually the one that shoots first, wins. So regardless of the gun you carry, make sure you can get it into the gun fight rapidly.
4) big beats small
Given the three rules above, go for the biggest caliber that meets all three criteria.
5) many beats one
If it is worth shooting once, shoot twice. Two bullet holes bleed faster than one. Take this into consideration and given the prior 4 rules, choose the gun with the most ammunition capacity.
Handguns take lots of trigger time to master, so start with a smaller caliber. The .22 Ruger Standard autoloader has been the first pistol for multitudes. Or a .22 revolver, either one for the novice. For seconds, a S&W M28/M19 .357 revolver, using light .38 specials for acclimation. You can move up to stronger .357 magnum ammo later.
You have received a lot of good advice here. I would like to add that when you buy a gun, you also have to get a cleaning kit, holsters (because one is never enough), carrying cases, storage, etc. Be prepared to spend a few $$.
Go to an indoor range, try everything they have, the best way to shop for a gun...
I carry a Bersa 380.
Three types of safeties, a built in key lock, a de-cocker, and a magazine disconnect which prevents it from being firing without a magazine in it.
But I always ensure I have a complete safe weapon when it is not in use
Rules for new handgun shooters:
1. The gun you start with will not be the the gun with which you will finish. Your needs will change over time and you will get different guns to fulfill those needs.
2. Revolvers rarely fail to fire. They are extremely reliable.
3. Revolvers will fire whatever round you put in the cylinder, good, bad or indifferent. The semi autos may be very sensitive to the quality of the ammo. Revolvers don’t care.
4. Defensive shooting has become mixed up with tactical shooting. In defensive shooting if you shoot 2 to 3 rounds in the first 2 to 3 seconds you will probably win.
5. Semi autos are a real pain to clean. I hate cleaning mine and for that reason I shoot them less than my revolvers, which are quite easy.
Don’t get a Taurus TCP 380.
Jams too much and is persnickity about HP ammo.
But quite cheap. and rightly so.
I just purchased my first handgun a short while back. For me, I shoot better with 9mm than .45. I ended up choosing a CZ 75 SP-01. It has all steel construction, is easy to disassemble and clean, has low recoil, and is very accurate (and I am not an expert shooter). The SP-01 has the option of either a safety or the tactical model has a decocker.
It is a very nice gun, but can be a bit harder to find. As a bonus, if you live in real America (not low capacity magazine states), they have 18 round magazines.
Different pistols are good for different things. Your best option for a "nightstand" pistol, might not be the best option for concealed carry. Your best option for IDPA is not likely to be your best option for plinking. Figure out what it is you want to do and choose accordingly. I personally don't think it's a good idea to compromise on a pistol for multiple uses, instead plan on buying a different pistol for each use. Chances are you will end up buying a specific pistol for a specific use anyway.
If you plan on carrying you will going through at least a half dozen holsters. This is normal and not a cause for concern.
You are going to get a lot of advice, and almost all of it will have some use. People have favorite pistols that work for them that won't work for you, but it's a good starting place. You are also going to get a lot of "conventional wisdom" that is plain wrong. The "Judge" is a marketing gimmick that is absolute junk in terms of performance. People may or may not run at the sound of a pump shotgun, but you will give your position away. 9mm, .40 and .45 are all roughly equal and all are inferior to the lowly .223/5.56, so don't pay any attention to the caliber junkies. Revolvers are much more complicated machines than semi-autos. An average person with a manual can detail strip and clean a semi-auto. An average person that tries to detail strip a revolver will need to visit a gunsmith to have them put it back together. If you are thinking about an autoloader then buy one. The manual of arms between a revolver and an autoloader are quite different, learning to operate one effectively does not mean you will operate the other effectively.
IMO every American should own and be competent with a "self defense" pistol capable of being conceal carried, a shotgun, a bolt action rifle in at least a moderate loading, an AR15 or (inferior) equivalent, and a .22 rifle. Once that is complete people can specialize.
I have a 26. Pinky finger hangs loose. Grip extensions can sometimes cause "pinky pinch." Not pleasant. Takes time to get used to holding for proper hits. But I dealt love it....
Post 23 is spot on.
If you are new to them, stick with simplicity- I would recommend a .38 revolver
bfl
I second the notion that it is best to shoot a few different guns. Personally I don’t like the kick on some larger caliber guns and like the sub 40 caliber guns better. Some guns absorb shock better than others, some will leave you feeling like your wrist is about to break after a few rounds. I am a big fellow, can shoot about anything, but comfort counts and that factors into accuracy (which really counts).