Choosing 1st pistol, Suggestions???

T

tony1B

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Hi all,

I am looking to purchase my 1st pistol. I do Not expect to going to the range frequently. This is more of a home protection gun.
I am looking for the a low cost pistol without breaking the bank!
The Sigma looks like a lot of gun for the money.
Suggestions please.

Thanks in advance,
T
 
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Learn to shoot a pistol well if you ever expect to use it for defense.
Since ammo costs $, many people learn the basics on a .22.

A Sigma is an adequate, reliable, defense pistol. I use them for centerfire trainers.........and you still have to learn to shoot. A handgun is a weapon, not a talisman.
 
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Go to a gun shop/range that rents guns, ask, rent different guns. Too many people buy the first gun they find or one their "friend" recommends. They are not one size fits all. I know it seems expensive, but you are buying this to protect your life or the life of your loved ones! Only you can decide that value.
 
Whatever you decide to get shoot it every couple of months to stay aware of how it handles so when and if you need it you are prepared.
 
Tony, first, welcome to the forum!:)

I could recommend several good pistols to be your first.

But, if you're interested in the mighty sigma, go for it. IMHO, of all the striker fired autos without an external safety lever, the sigma is probably the safest due to the trigger design. It is a no frills, safe defense gun and based on my experience, reliable as snot!

As others have stated, whatever you get, learn the gun and practice. Then, practice some more. If you are a new shooter, it might be a good idea to get some professional training, a safety course etc...

Let us know what you decide.

Lee
 
Please, Tony, consider a good S&W REVOLVER as your first weapon. A K-frame or L-Frame 357 Magnum or 38 Special can be found used at fair prices.
A Double-action revolver is simple and easy to understand, thus master. It is easier than any auto to learn to handle and carry SAFELY. It is reliable with any ammo and gives it's user a mechanical advantage at close contact.
When one finds himself in a dangerously stressful situation it is realtively easy to remember how to use one's DA Revolver: POINT AT PROBLEM; PULL TRIGGER; REAPPLY AS NECESSARY
I own, carry , train with, and use all manner of firearms. When arming my wife and daughters I chose S&W 38 specials for them. DA revolvers are much easier to master and are solid and reliable.
 
gkitch said:
Please, Tony, consider a good S&W REVOLVER as your first weapon. A K-frame or L-Frame 357 Magnum or 38 Special can be found used at fair prices.
A Double-action revolver is simple and easy to understand, thus master. It is easier than any auto to learn to handle and carry SAFELY. It is reliable with any ammo and gives it's user a mechanical advantage at close contact.
When one finds himself in a dangerously stressful situation it is realtively easy to remember how to use one's DA Revolver: POINT AT PROBLEM; PULL TRIGGER; REAPPLY AS NECESSARY
I own, carry , train with, and use all manner of firearms. When arming my wife and daughters I chose S&W 38 specials for them. DA revolvers are much easier to master and are solid and reliable.
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I agree with the above statement. Your first handgun for home defense should be a double action revolver. My home defense handgun is a S&W model 10 4 inch heavy barrel 38 special. I shoot at the range on the average of once a month. At least 100 rounds of 158gr ammo through the revolver. Also, I practice with the ammo I would us for home defense in the revolver at least every two to three months. The worst thing a person can do is buy any handgun and put the gun into the safe and not even practice. Its very unlikely that a person will survive a self defense situation if she or he is not familiar with their home defense gun. Even with a shot gun a person needs to practice.

Good luck with your decision,
Howard
 
^x3 - I was thinking the same thing. IMHO can't beat a good reliable
.38 Special or .357 as a starter gun. That was my first choice, and I didn't have anyone to really introduce me to pistols, so practicing and learning with that gave me the confidence to defend my home as needed.

Of course it also created a bit of a monster as it also was so much fun the next thing I know I'm at the gun shop every weekend either buying or wishing!
 
Tony,
Do you have any training?
Who else lives in the house?
Home, Apt, Condo, farmhouse?
How much will you practice?
 
Great suggestions guys. I live in a single family home with 1 kid (age 6). I agree that a revolver is probably the best. Not to knock revolvers at all nor sound ridiculous, but they just do not appeal to me. Thus I feel that I will not use it much. I like the look and feel of a semi auto. I do plan on going to the range a couple time a month. Maybe more at first to learn the gun. I did have a mossberg shotgun pistol grip a long time ago and may get that as a second gun.
Very interesting comment on the Hi-Point. Why are they so low cost???
 
I have to join the chorus on this one. First, if you're not going to dedicate the time to be proficient, love yourself and your family enough not to use a handgun. Stick with that shotgun with the appropriate load. Second, if you're determined to have a handgun, get a good revolver in 38 or 357 then load it with 38s that won't overpenetrate....and whatever you decide, make sure your wife knows how to shoot. She's pretty likely to be the one who'll need it in a pinch. Consider a 16 or 20 gauge shotgun with a pistol grip.
 
comment on the Hi-Point. Why are they so low cost???
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The design is cheap to manufacture, being a simple blow-back design. They are heavy and difficult to take apart for cleaning. That much is simple fact.

You can start a fist fight about them when you get into discussing buying one as your only pistol for defense. Some people swear by them, others swear at them. I have one fellow that uses a .40 Hi Point for IDPA matches, and until this last match it worked pretty well. This month he bought white box 165gr truncated cone ammo, and it jammed several times on each stage. He dug around in his bag and found some 180gr round nose, and it fed OK with it. The other people that have tried IDPA with one have since bought different guns or just quit coming. I am fortunate enough to afford whatever I want, and the Sigma is my floor in pistols, since reliability is not really an issue with them. Some people don't mind an occasional hiccup; that drives me crazy.
 
I took your advice guys and found a range with a gun rental shop. Tried 3 guns (Sigma .40, FNH .40, and M&P 9mm). I had difficulty grouping with the sigma. I did not seem to mind the trigger at all. I had a little better luck with the FNH, but thought the trigger was to sensitive. I swapped back and forth a few times with the Sigma and FNH with the same results. Then went to the M&P. This gun fits like a glove. My first 10 rounds were right on target! Tried 50 rds more. Nice and groups well. Can someone please tell me if the caliber makes a difference on accuracy? Could the sights have been off on the Sigma as I tried to compensate where it was hitting the target
 
Good advice from above members. Take a NRA 1st steps introduction to basic pistol course from a NRA instructor. They are listed on the NRA web site under firearms training and insert your zip code for the nearest class. The instructor wil assist you in choosing the right gun for home defense. I agree, if you do not have a great deal of experience, the revolver would be the way to go for both you and your family. There are plenty on the market and the prices are steadly increasing. I am partial to smith and wesson and you can't go wrong with a revolver.
Nick
 
tony1B said:
I took your advice guys and found a range with a gun rental shop. Tried 3 guns (Sigma .40, FNH .40, and M&P 9mm). I had difficulty grouping with the sigma. I did not seem to mind the trigger at all. I had a little better luck with the FNH, but thought the trigger was to sensitive. I swapped back and forth a few times with the Sigma and FNH with the same results. Then went to the M&P. This gun fits like a glove. My first 10 rounds were right on target! Tried 50 rds more. Nice and groups well. Can someone please tell me if the caliber makes a difference on accuracy? Could the sights have been off on the Sigma as I tried to compensate where it was hitting the target
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I don't believe that the caliber itself determines the accuracy in and of itself, but rather the caliber affects the shooter, which determines the accuracy. In all likelyhood, if you put all three of those guns in a stable bench rest, they would all hit with reasonable accuracy. You most likely manage the 9mm better with the reduced recoil and, thus, shoot it better. If you practice a bit, you can master the .40 and shoot it fine also.

One other thing, the bullet weight (for a given caliber) can actually move the POI some. I've been told the .40 was originally developed for a 180g bullet and, thus, is more accurate with that size. Not sure on the 9mm. If you were simply striking high or low, then it's possible changing bullet weight could help.
 
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