First handgun, what would you get?

[HuntHarder]

What exactly is your purpose for getting a handgun? Obviously a glock 20mm is not going to be a good conceal carry gun, but it will be a great back country gun.

If I were just looking for a gun to plink with and get familiar with handguns with, I would surely go with a Glock 19. Super reliable, easy to shoot, requires little to no maintenance and 9mm is inexpensive when compared to other rounds.

 

[Fatcamp]

For the record I'm in the Glock 19 camp. Compete with 17 carry 19.

 

[99sastacoma]

Another vote for somthing in 9mm. Whatever feels best in your hand and points naturally. Cheap to practice with and thats probably the most important thing to do is get time on it in case you actually have to use it.

 

[Elk97]

OP- all depends on if this is for bear protection (grizzly) or not. IMHO anything less than 44 magnum is inadequate for griz. They are very large animals. I've had a 357 revolver and concluded that I was way under gunned compared to the stopping power of a 44 or larger pistol. The 10mm is the same ballistics as 357 so I don't consider them a griz gun either. If you are going to try and avoid griz areas in MT you are going to severely limit where you hunt, the bears range is expanding rapidly. A 44 mag is not a great beginners gun and expensive to shoot if you don't reload so there's that to consider too. A gun is a tool, you need to figure out what you are going to use it for before you make the decision about what size hammer you are going to buy.

 

[menhaden_man]

This is the right take. My first (and only) hand gun is FNX-45 which runs 45, 45 super and eventually 460 rowland. I love it, it's totally awesome, but I could shoot twice as much with 9mm. It's a smart move to go through several thousand rounds on a cheap reliable 9mm and then upgrade.

I’ve got a FN (9)... they are a nice gun. Maintenance is crazy quick and they shoot like all get out. Three 16 round clips don’t hurt either! You make me want a 45 now?

 

[Spike elk]

Another vote for somthing in 9mm. Whatever feels best in your hand and points naturally. Cheap to practice with and thats probably the most important thing to do is get time on it in case you actually have to use it.

This.

 

[Farmerlentz]

Glock 19 hands down. There's a reason it's the most sold handgun in the world

 

[KChunter71]

Glock 19 and/or S&W 686 always a good choice.

Great minds think alike!

 

[KChunter71]

Okay, I vote for a smith and Wesson 500 with 4” barrel. @mcseal2 loves them

 

[ramsdude47]

CZ p01 or p07.

If you want polymer get a p10-c instead of a Glock.

 

[COHunter1994]

I have a Glock 19 and a S&W M&P Shield, both 9mm. I prefer the Glock over the S&W, just feels better in my larger hands.

 

[UpWndFrt]

[...] I like the shorter barrel for a quicker draw [...]

...come again?

 

[MichaelO]

...come again?

the statement stands as I said it. I have owned and most of the Glock models at one point or another and I prefer the slightly shorter slide of the 29 vs the 20 when I pair my 29 with 20 mags to get the full size grip.It’s less to drag out of the holster before making the rotation to presenting on target.

I’m well aware that I’m trading a longer sight radius but a Glock 29 is damn near the same size as everyone’s fav the 19. It’s not exactly a baby glock

edit:link to size compare of g19 and g29sf

Glock G29 SF vs Glock G19 Gen4 size comparison | Handgun Hero

Compare the dimensions and specs of Glock G29 SF and Glock G19 Gen4

www.handgunhero.com

 

[UpWndFrt]

the statement stands as I said it. I have owned and most of the Glock models at one point or another and I prefer the slightly shorter slide of the 29 vs the 20 when I pair my 29 with 20 mags to get the full size grip.It’s less to drag out of the holster before making the rotation to presenting on target.

I’m well aware that I’m trading a longer sight radius but a Glock 29 is damn near the same size as everyone’s fav the 19. It’s not exactly a baby glock

Great gun. Faster draw though? I'm not saying you're wrong, but I might say it's more true on paper than reality, and I suspect that even a robot in laboratory conditions would make that difference small to the point of irrelevance.

Considering the audience, my hitch there is adding more mud in the water for someone who's looking for their first handgun, if that makes sense?

Sorry to derail this, OP. Lots of good ideas so far. It won't be your last, so don't stress too much about getting it right the first time.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Btw a 10mm or magnum revolver is an unpleasant and expensive way to learn to shoot a handgun.

 

[Fatcamp]

Btw a 10mm or magnum revolver is an unpleasant and expensive way to learn to shoot a handgun.

Word. Unless you like some recoil. Some do.

 

[Sell33]

I have to agree with all the 9mm suggestions for a first handgun. A Glock 19 is just so easy to shoot. If you want it to double As a CC gun consider the 48. I’ve heard lots of good things about the Buffalo Bore Heavy 9mm Stuff. I haven’t personally tried it, but if I was carrying a 9 in a place where I’m not top of the food chain that would be my choice.

I personally was planning on a G40 at some point in 10mm, then I stumbled into a Springfield XDM in 10mm, 5.25” barrel version. I love that gun and plan to carry it in a Hill People Gear chest rig This fall in the woods. The HPG kits are great for a discreet easy access carry option. Don’t overlook the XD10 if you want 10mm.

One last thought - handgun ammo shelves are all about empty at my local sources. But I have still seen 10mm at most, not 9mm. It may be hard to find 9mm right now.

 

[flatlanderhuffandpuff]

I have a Glock 19 and 43X. They are both a lot of fun to shoot and 9mm is typically pretty economical to shoot.
You wont need more power on anything short of griz. The 43X is great for CC but that doesn't seem to be a concern for you.

I would recommend you buy a $5-600 dollar pistol and put the rest of your budget into a pistol class. I did one after a few thousand rounds and my shooting improved dramatically. I wish I had done so a few years earlier.

 

[SaltyUte]

Glock

 

[mcseal2]

10mm’s are not terribly expensive to feed with practice ammo. I just picked up 500 rounds at about $15/box of 50. Federal FMJ. Best part is that it was available unlike 9mm currently. Glad I got another 1k of those a few weeks ago.

I looked up my orders. The 9mm Federal FMJ was $.26/round, the same ammo in 10mm this time was $.32/ round. I didn’t get any break for buying a full case on the 10mm ammo either.