I went shooting on Sunday and now I kind of want to buy a gun...

[purbeast0]

I had to feel super American over the holiday weekend so I went shooting for the first time in like 25 years. My buddy owns a pistol so we went and it was awesome, and now I kind of want a gun. We each shot 5 full magazines, which probably isn't that much, but it was enough that I liked it and kind of want to start researching purchasing one.

We were shooting a SIG Sauer 226 9mm. It was the one that had a 15 round capacity.

As someone who knows dick about guns, I was looking for some suggestions on starter pistols to possibly purchase. That gun apparently is a pretty high rated one and maybe it is a good beginner one, but damn just googling the cost is like $1k so I don't think I'd spend that much.

Anyone have suggestions on what other ones may be good to start with? Definitely looking for a semi automatic pistol that would be "similar" to that, just not as expensive.

Oh and I also have to convince my wife to be okay with keeping a gun in the house. She is pretty against it but she is interested in going to shoot with us one time so that will either change her mind or make her firm probably lol. I tried to explain to her that if I had one it wouldn't be out loaded in a drawer and that it would be locked up away unloaded, but she was still very iffy about it.

And please, I'm not trying to make this a "gun debate" thread to keep that crap out of here. Just looking for some advice.

 

[lxskllr]

I was gonna be funny and link you a starter pistol. Figured amazon would have one. Didn't showup on the first page, but my recent purchases, and recommendations were on the bottom. The recommendations are full of wtf

 

[YBS1]

Since you mentioned the P226, check out the Arex REX zero 1 S.

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[GoodRevrnd]

For a starter, probably an XDm, just for the amount of stuff you get with it for the price. Obv try shooting everything first to make sure you like it.

 

[IronWing]

I was gonna be funny and link you a starter pistol. Figured amazon would have one. Didn't showup on the first page, but my recent purchases, and recommendations were on the bottom. The recommendations are full of wtf

Everything you need for the perfect murder. The NES I'm not sure about.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

I would probably go to a large indoor range where they rent stuff and get some first hand experience with makes/models before taking any one-off recommendations here. Just because I have a preference I would never recommend it to someone else because everyone is different.

 

[purbeast0]

I would probably go to a large indoor range where they rent stuff and get some first hand experience with makes/models before taking any one-off recommendations here. Just because I have a preference I would never recommend it to someone else because everyone is different.

Is that a pretty common thing? Ranges renting out guns? And they have a pretty good variety to try? This one was a small indoor one with like 24 or so lanes. They did have a little side room that looked like a store, that I didn't go into, so I wonder if they rent them there. This place also made you buy ammo there and it was pretty expensive according to my buddy.

EDIT:

Well shit, I looked on their website and they do rent guns out so that is an option too.

 

[YBS1]

It's fairly common. You should probably try out the H&K VP9 and Walther PPQ if possible as well, those are generally considered the best of the striker fired guns in the price range you seem to be after. Generally most ranges will require you to purchase ammo from them only when renting one of their firearms, I've not been to one that requires it when using your own. Though some don't allow steel or aluminum cased ammo, brass only.

Is that a pretty common thing? Ranges renting out guns? And they have a pretty good variety to try? This one was a small indoor one with like 24 or so lanes. They did have a little side room that looked like a store, that I didn't go into, so I wonder if they rent them there. This place also made you buy ammo there and it was pretty expensive according to my buddy.

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[purbeast0]

It's fairly common. You should probably try out the H&K VP9 and Walther PPQ if possible as well, those are generally considered the best of the striker fired guns in the price range you seem to be after. Generally most ranges will require you to purchase ammo from them only when renting one of their firearms, I've not been to one that requires it when using your own. Though some don't allow steel or aluminum cased ammo, brass only.

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When I went there, they made me watch a 20 minute video and take a little quiz, and in the video I remember them saying that it's a county regulation as far as making you buy ammo at the range.

 

[boomerang]

Finding one that feels good in your hand is important. Years ago I went to the range with a half dozen guys and between them, they had close to two dozen handguns. Both pistols and revolvers. Out of them all, the Springfield XD felt the best to me and I was more accurate with it and that's what I ended up buying. I ended up buying the M model which in retrospect was a waste of the additional money. I later put a trigger kit in it which was very much money well spent for me. It helped that I was able to do that myself.

The problem with two of you going to the range and sharing the same handgun is that what feels right in your hand may very well not feel right in your wife's hand. I later bought a Ruger LC9 without ever shooting it and it has proven to be a huge mistake. It's too small for my hand and I have no accuracy with it whatsoever. Poor accuracy to the point of embarrassment. I should spend the money on an extended magazine and give it a try before selling it.

The last time I went to the range I decided to take the XD(M) too and with it my groupings were tight and right where I wanted them.

I tell these stories to make the point that the firearm feeling right in your hand is important.

 

[purbeast0]

Finding one that feels good in your hand is important. Years ago I went to the range with a half dozen guys and between them, they had close to two dozen handguns. Both pistols and revolvers. Out of them all, the Springfield XD felt the best to me and I was more accurate with it and that's what I ended up buying. I ended up buying the M model which in retrospect was a waste of the additional money. I later put a trigger kit in it which was very much money well spent for me. It helped that I was able to do that myself.

The problem with two of you going to the range and sharing the same handgun is that what feels right in your hand may very well not feel right in your wife's hand. I later bought a Ruger LC9 without ever shooting it and it has proven to be a huge mistake. It's too small for my hand and I have no accuracy with it whatsoever. Poor accuracy to the point of embarrassment. I should spend the money on an extended magazine and give it a try before selling it.

The last time I went to the range I decided to take the XD(M) too and with it my groupings were tight and right where I wanted them.

I tell these stories to make the point that the firearm feeling right in your hand is important.

Yeah I can see that. I don't want to get a revolver though that is for sure. It's just not the type I am really interested in. I shot one when I was younger (357 magnum) and just remember that thing having a crazy kick lol. But in general, that's just not the style I'm going for. I prefer the style that is like the one I used. I'm not even sure if there is a name for that "style" of pistol. I definitely really liked the "feel" of the one I shot though, but then again I don't have much to compare it to.

As for what feels good for me and not my wife, I don't think she is going to really get "into" it at all. I more wanted to take her because she showed interest, and also to show her that as long as you are safe and taking safety precautions, just how safe it can be to handle a gun.

 

[purbeast0]

Also, when/if I eventually do get to purchasing one, what is the best way to go about purchasing one? Is there like an "amazon" in that space? Or is buying at local stores better in this situation?

 

[Kaido]

On a tangent, you may enjoy the VR version of the gun range: (not joking)

https://store.steampowered.com/app/450540/Hot_Dogs_Horseshoes__Hand_Grenades/

You'll need a Vive VR kit ($500), the game ($20), and a good gaming computer (with like a GTX1070 or newer), so there's some hefty up-front investment initially, but it has over 150 weapons with accurate simulation & it is a surprisingly engaging experience (it's hard to capture that idea in the video previews). Just throwing that out there as an alternative to consider (like in case your wife shoots your idea down, pun intended)...it's actually a really cool simulator, and you get to play with virtually everything, anytime you want. The tactile feedback & virtual mechanics are second to none. If you really want to get crazy, Subpac sells a transducer backpack as well (punches your back with vibrations when you shoot, pretty awesome!).

 

[YBS1]

That's just going to depend on the gun stores in your area, I'm lucky to have one really good dealer near me so I purchase more than half of my firearms locally. Try Gallery of Guns Gun Genie to get an idea of the prices of any particular gun you're interested in for the FFL dealers in your area. They carry a tremendous selection of brands, though not everything, Kimber comes to mind offhand.

Also, when/if I eventually do get to purchasing one, what is the best way to go about purchasing one? Is there like an "amazon" in that space? Or is buying at local stores better in this situation?

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[gorobei]

Everything you need for the perfect murder. The NES I'm not sure about.

seriously?
you get them to play the NES while you mix the obviously toxic insta-snow into the spicy noodle soup which covers the off flavor. when they get sick you stab them with the knife and dismantle the body with the bow saw using the tape measure to make sure the pieces are small enough to fit in the amazon box everything was shipped in. you then use the confetti ball to celebrate the perfect murder.

 

[purbeast0]

On a tangent, you may enjoy the VR version of the gun range: (not joking)

https://store.steampowered.com/app/450540/Hot_Dogs_Horseshoes__Hand_Grenades/

You'll need a Vive VR kit ($500), the game ($20), and a good gaming computer (with like a GTX1070 or newer), so there's some hefty up-front investment initially, but it has over 150 weapons with accurate simulation & it is a surprisingly engaging experience (it's hard to capture that idea in the video previews). Just throwing that out there as an alternative to consider (like in case your wife shoots your idea down, pun intended)...it's actually a really cool simulator, and you get to play with virtually everything, anytime you want. The tactile feedback & virtual mechanics are second to none. If you really want to get crazy, Subpac sells a transducer backpack as well (punches your back with vibrations when you shoot, pretty awesome!).

Only VR I have and plan on having is PSVR.

 

[gorobei]

the general rule for 1st gun purchase is:

• figure out how much you are willing to spend
• take half of that and spend it on the gun
• take the other half to spend on lockable storage, eye/ear protection, paper targets, cleaning kit and patches, lubricant/solvents, additional magazines, and ammo, lots and lots of ammo, in fact most of that other half will be going towards ammo and range time.

 

[Lanyap]

Yeah I can see that. I don't want to get a revolver though that is for sure. It's just not the type I am really interested in. I shot one when I was younger (357 magnum) and just remember that thing having a crazy kick lol. But in general, that's just not the style I'm going for. I prefer the style that is like the one I used. I'm not even sure if there is a name for that "style" of pistol. I definitely really liked the "feel" of the one I shot though, but then again I don't have much to compare it to.

As for what feels good for me and not my wife, I don't think she is going to really get "into" it at all. I more wanted to take her because she showed interest, and also to show her that as long as you are safe and taking safety precautions, just how safe it can be to handle a gun.

You might want to take your wife to a shooting range and rent a low recoil .22 or .380 and let her try them. Not trying to be sexist but women don’t usually like the big calibers, at least not the first time they go shooting.

 

[bigboxes]

I have a H&K VP9. You'll fall in love with how well it fits your hand. If that doesn't do it, it comes with 3 backstraps and six sideplates to customize the grip to your hand. If I had to recommend another semi-auto handgun, it would be the Walther PPQ.

 

[MrSquished]

Your wife will change her mind once she realizes having a gun makes your dick bigger.

 

[BoomerD]

Guns, pistols, rifles, shotguns, can be great fun...as long as they're handled safely and properly...

I haven't been out to make a bang stick go "pew, pew, pew" in a very long time...

I'm not anti-gun, although I DO support reasonable gun laws that are enforced fairly across the board.

 

[DigDog]

I am so envious right now.

 

[purbeast0]

I have no interest in concealed carrying and am not even sure what the laws about it in MD are, which I'm sure a quick google search would tell me.

Another question I have...

As I've been just doing some casual research, I noticed on some websites selling guns that it had a "hand" as in, right handed or left handed, detail about the guns. Is that a thing, that guns are "left handed" or "right handed?" I'm left handed myself so that stuck out because on the website I saw, it showed right handed guns only, but that didn't make much sense to me.

 

[YBS1]

There are specific left handed rifle models. It's not really applicable to handguns, though if you shoot left handed make sure the model you're interested in has either ambidextrous or reversible controls.

Since you're not interested in concealed carry at the moment for this pistol and want it more for home/range. You owe it to yourself to make sure one of your rental choices is a quality 1911 of some sort. That way at least you'll have a good basis for comparison to all the other pistols you'll try. Just ask them for their best shooting, reasonably priced (they can get crazy expensive) 1911 (This will likely be a Kimber or Springfield Armory).

I have no interest in concealed carrying and am not even sure what the laws about it in MD are, which I'm sure a quick google search would tell me.

Another question I have...

As I've been just doing some casual research, I noticed on some websites selling guns that it had a "hand" as in, right handed or left handed, detail about the guns. Is that a thing, that guns are "left handed" or "right handed?" I'm left handed myself so that stuck out because on the website I saw, it showed right handed guns only, but that didn't make much sense to me.

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[gorcorps]

Just because I like joining in on conversations I have experience with, but this is nothing that hasn't been said before:

Go back to the range and rent some guns. Everybody has different hand shape, size, and comfort level which makes it hard to recommend one gun over the other. The reason there's so many is because there's enough of a market for that many. Each gun is going to have a different trigger feel as well.

For the price though, I would strongly consider trying out a Ruger SR9 if they have one to rent. I don't have one, but when I borrowed my brother's I was shocked at how good it shot right out of the box for such a low cost. There's a lot of Ruger products I don't like, but if I was suggesting a starting gun that has a low cost, I would suggest trying one if you can. I'm also a fan of the Springfield XD series (I have an XDm). Also relatively inexpensive, but not as much as the SR9 I believe. My favorite gun is above your price range, but to me was well worth it... a CZ SP01 Shadow. That thing is friggin amazing.

I don't really shoot much anymore though, and when I do, it's pretty much sporting clays. Punching holes in paper while stationary kind of lost its luster after a while, but shooting moving targets with a shotgun has always been fun. Not sure if you have a sporting clays course around you, but if so try it out sometime.