Looking to buy my first handgun

Is it mostly for self-defense carry?... range?... home defense?... car?... plinking?...

 

Being a little biased, I would suggest looking at Springfield Armory 1911's and other 1911's in your price range.
Look for good sights that are easy to see.

 

Glock & Springfield Armory XDm would do what you want and meet your budgetary guidelines.

 

I don't care for the Beretta's. They don't feel as bad as Glocks do, but they're close. But that is simply a matter of personal preference.

I love my Springfield Xdm 40. Very comfortable in my hand, good safeties, very crisp trigger. It is just an excellent shooting gun, and is the gun I shoot best out of my collection.

Although I don't own one, you might also want to check out the Ruger SR40 or SR40c. Lots packed into that gun for the price.

 

You could check out one of these

http://www.stiguns.com/guns/Spartan/images/Spartan_Main.jpg

This has most everything a shooter needs out of the box for less than $800 delivered to your FFL.

Great gun for someone that does not want to take out a 2nd mortgage to buy a 1911.

 

My current favorite is a CZ 75 SP-01 Tactical (all steel 9mm or .40 cal). Check it out!

 

Im a glock man myself you can beat on them and they still function with out flaw "not that I would suggest doing that" but seriously they are an all around good weapon

 

If you have any friends with guns ask them if you can go along and shoot one or two. You will have many suggestions as to what to buy.

Remember the gun has to fit your hand first like a comfortable shoe to your foot.

Next will be from a reliability stand point. Here on this forum is where you'll get educated.

Caliber for fun and SD would be a nice 9mm in my world. The 40 would be nice but to much recoil for a follow up shot for a newbie.

Glock. As much as I hated it when it first came out, I still prefer a simple easy gun that goes Bang when the trigger is pulled.

It has very low maintenance and maybe one of these days I'll clean my CCW 10mm Glock.

 

I can tell by your Avatar LOL.



Just joking, sorry can't resist.

 

I recommend you go to some local gunshops and get a feel for the various firearms that are out there and see which feels the best to you, and if there are some gun ranges that have rental programs I would try out some firearms too.

Some of the firearms I would recommend are; The Glock 19, Glock 23, Ruger SR9, Ruger SR40, Springfield XDm's, Springfield 1911's (if you can manage the recoil), Ruger GP100 .357 magnum, or Smith and Wesson .357 magnum.

 

I own an XDm and it is an excellent pistol...but not my favorite/best.

 

Bersa

I have a bersa thunder 9 17+1. Its very accurate, simple to clean, built to last forever and +p rated. I bought mine new for $450 and I've fired 1200 rds though it (500 +p) and its never missed a beat. For $700 you could even get a duo tone 9 or 40 bersa. it was my first handgun and it's still my favorite.

 

Do yourself a favor before you decide on a purchase and find someone willing to share their Browning Hi-Power. You will discover why it is called the "King of Nines".





With 15+1 capability and a John M. Browning design you will be hard-pressed to find a current design that comes close!

Shoot one, you'll thank this old man!

 

From what I hear the XDm's are excellent firearms. I would look at all the available options at some of your local gunshops. What are some of the features your looking for in a pistol?

 

Take a look at the CZ75b's too.

 

Excellent advice here and in other posts. Definitely handle and shoot a lot of pistols before choosing. 9mm and 40S&W are excellent choices, I have both but carry 40S&W for SD. Definitely try the compact Glock 19/23 or the larger 17/22 if you really want something bigger.

And you do owe it to yourself to try a Hi Power like Cane said. A real classic that showed the world how to build a 9mm. It fits my hand better than any other pistol. Day in and day out I'd hate to beat one up though. Which is where Glock excels, beat the tar out of it and it still works.