Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Okay, so I am looking for my 1st handgun. I have shot a few 9mm and I am going to shoot some other types of guns, in either .40 or .45 caliber ranges with my brother over thanksgiving. I want a gun that is either compact or sub-compact because I would like to get my concealed carry permit when I turn 21 and have the option of conceal carrying when I feel the want or need to do that. I have a small budget so I am looking for something used but in good condition for around $400 give or take $50. I have been looking into things like Glock 26/27, Beretta Px4 SC, Springfield XD SC, Walther P99C, Kel-Tech PF9, and other things such as that. I am totally open to other offers, and I am welcoming any shooters with experience with any of these weapons to either give me pros and cons, comparisons, reviews, whatever. Basically looking for some help from you all to let me know what your opinions are, but I will try to hold and shoot any gun to make sure I am comfortable with it. Thanks in advance and bring on the offers.

Bump.

Just remember that with a tight budget you will also need ammo and pay a tax on the purchase if you buy it at a store. Good luck with all the choices out there.
Bill

I recommend you buy a 9mm Glock or 9mm Smith and Wesson M&P -- try both and pick the one you like best. These guns offer both high value and high reliability. Both are plentiful and available in the used market. They also happen to be the most used production guns in IDPA competitive shooting -- they are not just value pistols.

Bill: I won't be dealing with taxes, I am exclusively looking to buy something used. Thanks for the heads up about ammo as well, that's one reason I have been leaning more towards a 9mm over a .40 so I can buy more ammo.

Chasbo00 wrote:I recommend you buy a 9mm Glock or 9mm Smith and Wesson M&P -- try both and pick the one you like best. These guns offer both high value and high reliability. Both are plentiful and available in the used market. They also happen to be the most used production guns in IDPA competitive shooting -- they are not just value pistols.

I will be shooting a glock 26 or 27 over Thanksgiving break. Thanks for the insight.

I have a Keltec PF9 in mint condition, 200 rounds through it that I am getting rid of. Let me know if you are interested.

As you implied, until you are 21 you can't buy from a dealer so tax isn't relevant yet.

I would buy a 9mm. With good ammo, it is a good SD caliber, recoil is quickly learned and managed, and practice ammo is cheap. Of your list I prefer the Glock, then the Springfield or Walther.

Mark: I have a decent amount of interest in the Kel-tec. However I am still testing the waters and I am going to wait and see some more offers. If you want to pm me a price you are looking for thats cool, or we can wait and see where things go.

Gunder: Thanks, I am really interested in the 9mm for all of those reasons, especially the cheap practice ammo part

9mm 4" of your choice would be the best to start with.

SELFDEFENSE wrote:9mm 4" of your choice would be the best to start with.

Mainly what I am searching for.

Your very first handgun should be a tapered Mark III.

If not then I still recommend against any Kel-tec as your primary carry weapon, especially if its the only gun you plan to own for a while. If you need pocket sized get a Ruger LCP. If you want something just a bit fatter I suggest the Glock 26 or 27.

ShortMan wrote:Your very first handgun should be a tapered Mark III.

If not then I still recommend against any Kel-tec as your primary carry weapon, especially if its the only gun you plan to own for a while. If you need pocket sized get a Ruger LCP. If you want something just a bit fatter I suggest the Glock 26 or 27.

Gonna have to pass on the Mark III suggestion. Not what I am looking for right now at all. I am curious as to why you advise against a Kel-tec. And as for the Ruger LCP, isn't it only available in .380? If so, not quite what I want, I am looking for either 9mm or .40. I am quite interested in the G26/27, any more info on there would be cool too. Thanks

ShortMan wrote:Your very first handgun should be a tapered Mark III.

+1 - it can save you from having to unlearn a pile of crap later...

Your "first handgun" will depend on several factors...including whether or not you care about how "tacticool" you are. I don't give a rat's bottom about "tacticoolness", but I do care a lot about the ability to shoot well.

For semi-autos, also consider a Ruger SR9. It's basically a Glock for less money, and without the requirement to pull the trigger to field-strip it. I've seen these guns for $349 even new, so used should be a good deal.

Another thing you might want to consider is a .357 Magnum revolver, like a Ruger Security-Six or Taurus Model 65/66. These can be had for $300, and .38 Spl ammo is also pretty inexpensive.

CowboyT wrote:Your "first handgun" will depend on several factors...including whether or not you care about how "tacticool" you are. I don't give a rat's bottom about "tacticoolness", but I do care a lot about the ability to shoot well.

For semi-autos, also consider a Ruger SR9. It's basically a Glock for less money, and without the requirement to pull the trigger to field-strip it. I've seen these guns for $349 even new, so used should be a good deal.

Another thing you might want to consider is a .357 Magnum revolver, like a Ruger Security-Six or Taurus Model 65/66. These can be had for $300, and .38 Spl ammo is also pretty inexpensive.

Yep, basically been looking into a variety of 9mm and .40 semis. Not interested in revolvers at this time, just not what i want right now. As for "tacticool" not exactly sure what it is, but I have a good idea and I am pretty sure its not very high on my list of interesting factors in a gun I want. The SR9 is appealing. Sort of just waiting for the right deal to come along.

Probably wanting to get around $180 for the Keltec. Bought it for the wife but she did not like it, so I got her a J-frame. I have no use for it as my main carry guns are my Glock 23 and Springfield XD sub.
I haven't been actively trying to sell it, but it will probably go for consignment soon to Virginia arms in Manassas.

marked8 wrote:Probably wanting to get around $180 for the Keltec. Bought it for the wife but she did not like it, so I got her a J-frame. I have no use for it as my main carry guns are my Glock 23 and Springfield XD sub.
I haven't been actively trying to sell it, but it will probably go for consignment soon to Virginia arms in Manassas.

Not to highjack this thread, but if you still have the Kel Tec after the first of the year I might be interested in taking it off of your hands.

To the OP - I think the G26 or SR9c would be good choices for a first gun. Bear in mind that many of those "tactical" pistols are very wide (the Glock for example) and may not make good CC guns. But, as always, how you choose carry it will make as much of a difference as the size of the gun. If you don't mind the wider poly-pistols I'd recommend you look at S&W's SD series. They're 98% of the M&Ps at about 3/4 the price. They just came out recently so I don't know if there are any used bargains to be had, but even new they're in your general price range.

For me, personally, I prefer a narrower CC weapon like the PF9 or any of the compact Kahrs. You might want to look into the latter.

007Fitz wrote:

CowboyT wrote:Your "first handgun" will depend on several factors...including whether or not you care about how "tacticool" you are. I don't give a rat's bottom about "tacticoolness", but I do care a lot about the ability to shoot well.

For semi-autos, also consider a Ruger SR9. It's basically a Glock for less money, and without the requirement to pull the trigger to field-strip it. I've seen these guns for $349 even new, so used should be a good deal.

Another thing you might want to consider is a .357 Magnum revolver, like a Ruger Security-Six or Taurus Model 65/66. These can be had for $300, and .38 Spl ammo is also pretty inexpensive.

Yep, basically been looking into a variety of 9mm and .40 semis. Not interested in revolvers at this time, just not what i want right now. As for "tacticool" not exactly sure what it is, but I have a good idea and I am pretty sure its not very high on my list of interesting factors in a gun I want. The SR9 is appealing. Sort of just waiting for the right deal to come along.

"Tacticool" and similar slang was created to describe people/items that are purchased because of a perceived coolness rather than what fits their objectives. There is nothing wrong with purchasing a tactical object, firearm or otherwise, but to purchase something tactical because it looks cool is not a good idea IMHO.

E.g. (fictional) "Just got my CHP and I'm looking at purchasing my first handgun! I'm looking at the H&K MK23 and a Desert Eagle .50. The SEALs use the H&K and it was designed to function in surf zones so I could carry while I swim for next years vacation. However, the DE .50 is just so much better than .45ACP..."

In this particular instance, I think the term and concept has been extended to far. It has gotten to the point that if a LEA uses a gun it is "tactical" or if a gun is black it is "tactical." CowboyT was implying that a Glock and similar are tactical because many LEAs use them in the US, while to the best of my knowledge no agency uses the Kahr or Ruger so they are not "tacticool." Looking at what LE uses and why is a valid differentiator between firearms. US LEAs spend big money testing firearms and ammo, I prefer to leverage that knowledge whenever possible. E.g. the SIG Pro (250 IIRC) has failed many agency tests, while the P series (Al) is considered one of the best. That is an indicator, but should not make your decision for you. A SIG Pro or Kahr or Ruger may serve your purposes just fine, but you must evaluate it against your requirements and criteria. CowboyT is biased towards "non-tactical" revolvers as that is his personal preference. However, a couple of decades ago his choice of revolvers would have been considered "tacticool" as most agencies carried them. A black semi-auto would not have been.

Strictly speaking, being tactical is good and if you make an informed decision after evaluating your SD scenarios, you have made a tactical decision.

Definition of TACTICAL
1
: of or relating to combat tactics: as a (1) : of or occurring at the battlefront <a tactical defense> <a tactical first strike> (2) : using or being weapons or forces employed at the battlefront <tactical missiles> b of an air force : of, relating to, or designed for air attack in close support of friendly ground forces
2
a : of or relating to tactics: as (1) : of or relating to small-scale actions serving a larger purpose (2) : made or carried out with only a limited or immediate end in view b : adroit in planning or maneuvering to accomplish a purpose
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tactical

I have a Glock 26 - very easy to clean, and very easy to shoot - but if you're going to run out and get magazine extensions for the 10 round magazines, just stick with a 19. The 26 can be a little tricky to shoot with the reduced grip, but it's nothing that can't be learned. Love mine, and don't have any issues carrying it - it can be a little too thick for some people, though. Good luck with whatever you decide.