What pistol should I get?

[Gaiseric]

In the next few months I'm going to get a new pistol, but I'm not sure what to get. Any ideas are welcome. As it stands I'm thinking Springfield XD or a 1911(unsure of what brand). I like to get feedback before I buy a gun. Ideas, opinions, or experiences all help my process. I'm trying to avoid buying a gun then finding out there is a better one for the same price or less(happened to me before).

Info:
Needs to be California legal
Leaning towards a semi-auto
Can only have up to 10 rounds in a magazine
Preferably 9mm, .40, or .45(I am open to others)
Thumb safety is a plus
600-700 bucks is my budget not including fees and tax

edit: This isn't my first gun and I've been shooting for 5-6 years. I have the Handgun Safety Certificate. The gun wouldn't be for concealed carry(at least not for awhile) it would be for target shooting/home defense(Already have a shotgun, this pistol will replace the 9mm I have now as the gun I keep by my bed)

 

[lemiel14n3]

Well, for my two cents, I've always been a revolver kind of guy. And the feeling of firing off a .44 mag is something that cannot easily be described in words.

But, check out a few gun stores, talk to the guy behind the register, and see if you can get a few shots off in a firing range before you buy.

 

[Gaiseric]

Well, for my two cents, I've always been a revolver kind of guy. And the feeling of firing off a .44 mag is something that cannot easily be described in words.

But, check out a few gun stores, talk to the guy behind the register, and see if you can get a few shots off in a firing range before you buy.

I've used a .44 a few times and it is a lot of fun.

 

[Wolf-AUS]

Well, for my two cents, I've always been a revolver kind of guy. And the feeling of firing off a .44 mag is something that cannot easily be described in words.

But, check out a few gun stores, talk to the guy behind the register, and see if you can get a few shots off in a firing range before you buy.

I agree with this guy, I'd definitely buy a revolver, because to be honest, I don't find pistols that much fun to shoot anyway. So if you're going to shoot you, you might aswell look like a badarse while doing it.

But if you're certain you want a pistol. I don't think you can go past a 1911, in which case I'd probably buy a Colt M1911A1, although the Smith and Wesson SW1911 is pretty damn cool too.

Not sure as of prices, because I'd never own a firearm, can't be fucked cleaning them.

 

[Mazza35]

You should buy a Gattling Pistol

http://image12.webshots.com/13/0/35/16/152803516SCnYrA_ph.jpg

 

[Adam Galli]

You wouldn't be able to buy a Colt M1911A1 for 600 bucks unless someone you know is selling it for that price. M1911A1s run in the thousands of dollars price range. If you want a weapon that looks like a M1911 look in to the Colt 1991 series they run about 800- 900 dollars.

Colt 1991 Features:

.45 ACP
7 + 1 capacity
Aluminum Trigger
White Dot Carry Front & Rear Sights
Standard Thumb Safety

 

[Gaiseric]

Certain 1911s are expensive I know. I have seen some go for 500-800 like a Taurus or SA G.I. model. Colts are out of my price range and I didn't mean I was buying a vintage model.

I wouldn't get a S&W 1911 because I used one and had a real shit experience with it.

I never actually looked at .44 mag with an intention to buy so I've never looked at the price tag at the gun store I go to. Next time I go I'll take a look.

 

[bl4ckh4wk64]

Finally an advice thread I can answer! It all depends on what you want to use it for, how much you want to train for it, etc.

I'm extremely biased however as I've been training with a Sig 226 for a few years now and I love the thing. It's extremely easy to clean (not something you can say about a few 1911's) it's fast and it's chambered in an easily controllable round. (9mm) It's also built for a right handed shooter, so if you're a lefty you're screwed. And they're also pretty expensive.

2nd option would be a Beretta 92, easy disassemble, easy clean, 9mm.

Both of these are CA legal (I live in CA as well) and here's a little trick I've learned. magazines that hold more than 10 round per mag are illegal to sell, buy, or trade in CA. However, due to the NRA doing their jobs, they're not illegal to own and when crossing the border between Nevada, people don't care if you bought some and are bringing them to CA (as long as they're not in sight), that's how I got my 15 rounders for my Beretta.

In closing, it all depends on the person holding the gun. If you don't like how it feels, don't buy it, no matter who tells you what.

 

[Gaiseric]

Finally an advice thread I can answer! It all depends on what you want to use it for, how much you want to train for it, etc.

I'm extremely biased however as I've been training with a Sig 226 for a few years now and I love the thing. It's extremely easy to clean (not something you can say about a few 1911's) it's fast and it's chambered in an easily controllable round. (9mm) It's also built for a right handed shooter, so if you're a lefty you're screwed. And they're also pretty expensive.

2nd option would be a Beretta 92, easy disassemble, easy clean, 9mm.

Both of these are CA legal (I live in CA as well) and here's a little trick I've learned. magazines that hold more than 10 round per mag are illegal to sell, buy, or trade in CA. However, due to the NRA doing their jobs, they're not illegal to own and when crossing the border between Nevada, people don't care if you bought some and are bringing them to CA (as long as they're not in sight), that's how I got my 15 rounders for my Beretta.

In closing, it all depends on the person holding the gun. If you don't like how it feels, don't buy it, no matter who tells you what.

Used a Sig and Berreta once years ago don't remember how they shot or felt. The way a gun feels definitely is important. Thanks for reminding me of Sigs I totally forgot about em. I know there are some cheaper Sigs are they any good?

I do like the NRA(except when they send me junk every damn week).

Never actually considered maintenance before you mentioned it. I got to keep that in mind.

 

[bl4ckh4wk64]

I have no idea about the cheaper ones, never used em.

On a side note, have you passed the HSC? If not, you have to in order to buy a handgun, so in that time you could save up for a really nice handgun. But what I really want to stress is that you should go to the place you're going to buy it and just ask to hold it, see how it feels etc. Thats really the best way to choose.

 

[Gaiseric]

I have no idea about the cheaper ones, never used em.

On a side note, have you passed the HSC? If not, you have to in order to buy a handgun, so in that time you could save up for a really nice handgun. But what I really want to stress is that you should go to the place you're going to buy it and just ask to hold it, see how it feels etc. Thats really the best way to choose.

Yeah I did that last year. I'll make a point of holding all the potential pistols.

 

[LetalisK]

In the next few months I'm going to get a new pistol, but I'm not sure what to get. Any ideas are welcome. As it stands I'm thinking Springfield XD or a 1911(unsure of what brand). I like to get feedback before I buy a gun. Ideas, opinions, or experiences all help my process. I'm trying to avoid buying a gun then finding out there is a better one for the same price or less(happened to me before).

Info:
Needs to be California legal
Leaning towards a semi-auto
Can only have up to 10 rounds in a magazine
Preferably 9mm, .40, or .45(I am open to others)
Thumb safety is a plus
600-700 bucks is my budget not including fees and tax

Depends, what is it for? Is it for target shooting? I'd go with a .357 magnum revolver, personally. I just like shooting it more than anything else and you can give it some .38 specials(maybe it's the other caliber I use, I don't remember) if you're wanting a challenge in control. It will wear you out with the higher caliber. I can't say anything about its accuracy, I just enjoy it. For concealed carry(I don't even know if you have it in California), I use a Glock 26. It doesn't have a safety switch on it, but I just don't keep a round in the chamber. 9mm is great for concealed carry too since they tend to be more concealable guns and the effective difference between 9mm and .40 or .45 isn't as much as people would have you believe, especially if you're using hollow points, which you should be for personal defense. I got my Glock 26 for around $400. If you're getting one for home defense, don't. Get a nice cheap $200 shotgun. It's more effective and easier to use.

edit: If you're just doing it for fun target shooting and you're worried about money, just go find a cheap 9mm. You can get one for just a few hundred bucks and the ammo is pretty cheap.

edit2: Yeah, I think I had my calibers mixed up. I think the .357 is more powerful than the .38s. Just get a revolver that can shoot .357 and you should be able to shoot .38 specials with it too if you don't feel like breaking your hand.

 

[Gaiseric]

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I think we do have concealed carry but I was told a few years back "that you might as well become a cop it would be easier."

I would use the gun for target shooting, home defense(I have a shotgun and another pistol the new one would replace the old), and maybe if I go camping/hiking(in an area where carrying would be legal of course). I guess jack of trades.

I'm trying to stay open minded, so I don't get dead set on one gun and ignore a better one. This happened 3 times... yeah.

 

[CommanderKirov]

CZ 75 Compact

But than again I tend to favor it since my grandfather had the first version and it was one fine piece of weaponry.

Although I have to admit I have no idea on the laws in America concering weaponry. Here in Poland I had to go through hell and high water to get my permit.

 

[Gaiseric]

CZ 75 Compact

But than again I tend to favor it since my grandfather had the first version and it was one fine piece of weaponry.

Although I have to admit I have no idea on the laws in America concering weaponry. Here in Poland I had to go through hell and high water to get my permit.

I have seen those before, but never really asked about them.

Thanks, if you hadn't posted I would not have thought about a Cz. After a quick look at their website they have a lot of things I am looking for and in my budget.

I am glad I made this. I've gotten some good ideas so far.

 

[pubbing]

The sig p226 in .40 caliber is a very good weapon. It is smaller than a clunky 1911 and packs a good punch in .40. Its molded grips also feel very good in hand.

 

[Gaiseric]

Going to gun store tomorrow to see what they have in stock, ask some questions, and check prices.

Thanks to you guys I am going to pay more attention to guns that, for whatever reason, I have not paid enough attention to.