Initial permit

Finally got my permitnot really sure what to get for my first hand gun. Any suggestion would be great. H&K , Sig Sauer , M&P?

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=706064

Define what you want it for, and what you expect out of it, and then you can narrow it down from there.

If you have access to a range that rents pistols, go there and start shooting them to see what you like. Double action, single action, hammer-fired, striker-fired, polymer, metal frame, etc.

Originally Posted by mdrd

Finally got my permitnot really sure what to get for my first hand gun. Any suggestion would be great. H&K , Sig Sauer , M&P?

Go to a public range, rent a few different guns with some different ammo. If you're going to be carrying it, look at either 9 or .40, a compact gun with night sights. See what fits YOU the best. Then narrow them down, and ask again. Ultimately it will depend on how you like the feel and what your budget is.

Thank's for the info guys. I've been to the range a lot of times. I've been borrowing my cousin's Kimber 1911 45m SigSauer AR15 & Glock9m. I just want something diff to have, I think I'm sticking with 9mm preferably with at least 12 - 15 round mags. Nothing crazy just for home protection & range

glock 19 would fit your needs perfectly.

What state do you live in?


There is a difference between getting something different because you haven't found something you like, and getting something different for the sake of being different. If you don't have a gun yet, being "different" may not serve you too well. Common guns like Glock, S&W M&P, Springfield XD, HK USP and P30, Sig Sauer, and a couple others are common enough that you aren't likely to have problems, and if you do, it'll get resolved quickly.

Anything we tell you will be based on personal preference, and not necessarily what you will like the most.

The best all-around striker fired pistols are Glocks, S&W M&P and Springfield XD
The best all-around hammer-fired pistols are HK, Sig and Beretta
For 1911s, I generally would not advise someone who is new to guns to get a 1911 as their first gun.


Glock 17
Glock 19
S&W M&P9
Springfield XD9/XD-M9
Sig P226R
Sig P229
HK P30/P30L
Beretta PX4 Storm
Beretta 92A1

[QUOTE=Reedo302;15461398]What state do you live in?

New Jersey! Great info. Thanx

What are your pistol regulations/restrictions?

Really depends on how baller you want to be. You see, there are various "types" of "gun guys" out there.

ankle biters - Highpoint c9 or the such....nothing over $150 and they truly believe that they own some kind of godsend king of accuracy and duribility gold plated wonder gun.... These are the types of guys who try to rapid fire at some basket ball sized chunk of crap they dragged from there kids room. Might be a old playstation, a teddy bear...it dont matter, they usally cant hit anything.

FUDD's - S&W or colt revolvers usually, some lean to single shot rifle caliber pistols.... Listen to these guys, they know what there talking about even though there old and probably smell a bit. If one of these guys suggests something you may want to try it.

Wannabe's - Ususally own the "tactical" verson of the cheapest 1911 they can find. These guys are easy to spot because they will drop $150 in zombie reactive targets, bring 2 boxes of ammo, and try to "save" the oozing targets for next time. Never even ask them to compair brands...there PT1911 has everything a high end semi custom has.

Competition shooters - Class dependent but most rely on production class guns like glocks and S&W autos that have a fair amount of time and money making them run smooth. Most are semi anti social and take a fair amount of time and even more money to pry a decent gun from these guys. Expect to pay $600 over retail for anything they own.

Preppers, CCW freaks, LEO...mostly glocks but I see a fair share of anything and everything $800 and under but there are exceptions. Most of these guys are not comfortable with a gun until its used and abused.

Wanna be something different? Show up with something NICE, something thats in the 2k+ range. Beat the living dog ^&*() out of it and act like its no big deal. Spend 10x the ammount on ammo until it becomes a part of you. Spend every waking moment with it, sleep with it....shower with it. Get GOOD with it. Get to the point where you can see and pick .22 casings off the ground at 25.

Damn insamnia....anybody wanna trade places with me for tomorrow?

Whats your budget?

If you can swing it get a semi custom 1911. Baer, Nighthawk, and Wilson are my top pics. Baers are a bit cheaper but expect to pay around 2k+ for a used nh or wc.

I've owned just about any and everything and I can tell you nothing compairs with a world class 1911. I sold all my NICE 1911's lately and had to buy another wilson. I've been carrying a glock 19...Great gun.. shoots like crap.

Speaking of 1911s, Tailo do you know anything about the Remington 1911R1 series?

Originally Posted by tailo

Whats your budget?

If you can swing it get a semi custom 1911. Baer, Nighthawk, and Wilson are my top pics. Baers are a bit cheaper but expect to pay around 2k+ for a used nh or wc.

I've owned just about any and everything and I can tell you nothing compairs with a world class 1911. I sold all my NICE 1911's lately and had to buy another wilson. I've been carrying a glock 19...Great gun.. shoots like crap.

My budget is between $600 - $1k like I said I didn't want to go crazy since its my first hand gun. I know eventually I'll buy another one as soon as i get tired of my first one

Originally Posted by Reedo302

What are your pistol regulations/restrictions?

Hahahahaha. "We don't like Guns - State of New Jersey.

If you're close enough, check out RTSP in Randolph. They have a great selection of rentals as well as inventory.

Originally Posted by viper7180

If you're close enough, check out RTSP in Randolph. They have a great selection of rentals as well as inventory.

Been there few times they sure do have lots of inventory. Going there later tonite. Just got back from OTTOMANELLI'S in Woodland Park NJ. Was looking @ the Springfield XD 45 $625 it's not bulky & heavy. I think I'm sold with that.

My first was a Sig SP2022 9mm. Great gun to start out with. But that list a few posts above is also a very impressive one. I've since moved on to a few .45 1911s

Originally Posted by Reedo302

Speaking of 1911s, Tailo do you know anything about the Remington 1911R1 series?

It's one of the pistols on my list, very well made for the price.

Went To RTSP and bought the Springfield Armory XD .40 sub compact

Originally Posted by mdrd

Went To RTSP and bought the Springfield Armory XD .40 sub compact

How long did they say for the NICS? Mine took about 13 days to go through. I'm heading there tomorrow to pick up my ar lower.

Originally Posted by tailo

Really depends on how baller you want to be. You see, there are various "types" of "gun guys" out there.

ankle biters - Highpoint c9 or the such....nothing over $150 and they truly believe that they own some kind of godsend king of accuracy and duribility gold plated wonder gun.... These are the types of guys who try to rapid fire at some basket ball sized chunk of crap they dragged from there kids room. Might be a old playstation, a teddy bear...it dont matter, they usally cant hit anything.

FUDD's - S&W or colt revolvers usually, some lean to single shot rifle caliber pistols.... Listen to these guys, they know what there talking about even though there old and probably smell a bit. If one of these guys suggests something you may want to try it.

Wannabe's - Ususally own the "tactical" verson of the cheapest 1911 they can find. These guys are easy to spot because they will drop $150 in zombie reactive targets, bring 2 boxes of ammo, and try to "save" the oozing targets for next time. Never even ask them to compair brands...there PT1911 has everything a high end semi custom has.

Competition shooters - Class dependent but most rely on production class guns like glocks and S&W autos that have a fair amount of time and money making them run smooth. Most are semi anti social and take a fair amount of time and even more money to pry a decent gun from these guys. Expect to pay $600 over retail for anything they own.

Preppers, CCW freaks, LEO...mostly glocks but I see a fair share of anything and everything $800 and under but there are exceptions. Most of these guys are not comfortable with a gun until its used and abused.

Wanna be something different? Show up with something NICE, something thats in the 2k+ range. Beat the living dog ^&*() out of it and act like its no big deal. Spend 10x the ammount on ammo until it becomes a part of you. Spend every waking moment with it, sleep with it....shower with it. Get GOOD with it. Get to the point where you can see and pick .22 casings off the ground at 25.

Damn insamnia....anybody wanna trade places with me for tomorrow?

Don't forget-

Reedo- knows everything. Like that's it. He knows it all.