If I have never driven a car before, what good is it to go to the local dealer and getting into and out of a bunch of cars without driving them/without knowing how to drive them? What car am I most likely to leave with? The one he tells me to, whether that is because he needs to clear it off the lot, makes the most commission off of it, has a personal attachment to that brand/model, or maybe because it is what he thinks you want. Now, to make it even more interesting, what if he barely knows how to drive?
It’s not any different with guns, most gunstore employees (unless you happen to live close to a good one) aren’t impressive shooters, don’t spend a great deal of time actually shooting, don’t have hands on experience with actually getting people to use their firearms well, and are some of the greatest purveyors of gun myth and misconception on the planet.
Take a look atty what the leading trainers in the country use. Take a look at what the largest police contacts are for. Most people don’t know what to look for as far as “feel”, but with work just about anything will feel right.
My brother is just getting into guns and shooting. Complete novice. He wants a carry handgun. This is the advice I have given, and what he is going to do (he is not local to me, unfortunately)
Take an NRA basic handgun class.
Try as many guns as are possible during the class.
When renting/test firing, and when fondling new stuff from the case, I suggested he specifically check out: 9mm compact/sub compact Glock, XD and M&P and S&W 642 + Ruger LCR
If the basic class goes well, consider a follow up/more advanced class as soon as possible. If feasible, select and purchase a gun before the more advanced class.
I’ve gotten slammed for this here before but here goes:
carry and combat performance are only part of the handgun equation-most people starting out should get a gun that promotes lots of inexpensive practice, has good sights and trigger and allows you to learn proper technique BEFORE moving to a gun for CCW or home defense. While I have my share of glocks and they do make good entry level combat guns, they are probably not the best to learn the fundamentals on, with the spongy long trigger movement arc and big blocky sights.
I will always maintain it may not be high speed or the latest tacticool thing but a good solid 22 target pistol that allows you to master the fundamentals is still the place to start.
Too many people try to run before they have crawled and walked with pistol shooting- If you feel the need for a defensive firearm right away sure get a glock or m&p or whatever, but it should be coupled with a good 22 training gun.
THIS - despite my low post count, I’ve been a lurker on M4C for years… possibly the best, most concise, summary of the proper mentality (in my humble opinion) needed for “initial” handgun/longun purchases.
Buy something well regarded in the right community (read: M4C, et al), and shoot the heck out of it (not a couple hundred, but a couple thousand rounds, minimum, downrange). If in a year or two you become proficient enough by training often enough, THEN consider comfort/performance improvements that can be had through alternative weapon systems. Each system has it’s benefits and drawbacks, and you’ll find fanbois supporting/knocking brands to validate their own purchases.
Ultimately, while no one can tell you what works for you, there’s no need to make simple, costly (in terms of dollars), mistakes early - get a worthy combat pistol and shoot it.
While I like the platform was surprised to see so many recommendations for PPQ.
I thought about this for awhile, and it really is a great first handgun. There are ZERO accuracy issues with it, has a phenomenal stock trigger, it’s entirely ambi so no messing around for lefties, no mag release issues because you aren’t engrained into any one style, no issues with being picky about ammo or grip that I have experienced, it’s ergonomic and adjustable to smaller or larger hands, it’s really a great first gun platform.
The obvious things the PPQ lacks is a lot of aftermarket support, like options for cutting up the grip, sights, etc. But imo those things are mostly beyond the first handgun owner anyhow.
I mean, I’m pretty sure almost no one here would for the OP recommend a stippled Gen3 Glock17 with a Glock19 sized grip reduction, a fiber front sight / black rears, a match barrel, undercut frame and the slide stop cut off.
… So, yea, PPQ is actually a really fine choice for a first handgun.
I have several Glocks and they have all been great. My Gen 4 17 has been flawless since Glock updated its parts last November. My November built Glock 19 has been running great with no issues. Although the Gen 3 and 4 Glocks have had issues the past couple of years, all of my newer Glocks have performed well. With the addition of the new Apex Extractor the new Glocks should be good to go.
The Walther PPQ is another great gun that has been tempting me lately. If I was not so dedicated to Glocks I just may buy one of these. When I shot the PPQ it really impressed me with its accuracy and great trigger.
Go find a range and try as many models as you can. Good luck.
I meant to address my post to Monarchos but I misread something somewhere. It was probably my dyspepsia, you know, where you read letters & numbers backwards and get them switched around.
Most of that 9mm ammo has already been taken care of, but thanks for offering
Glocks will likely not FEEL good the first time you pick them up, and I still don’t like the hump position. But, they are quote shootable and accurate - and that is what counts.
The G19 and MP9 are very different. The MP9 grip is slim and slippery. Try the Gen 4 Glock - it has great texturing. If I don’t hold my strong thumb WIDE over my weak hand, I get slide bite with a Glock in a hearbeat - not so with the MP. I use a GFA on the G19 and it corrects the hump and adds more beavertail. Glock seriously needs to add SLIGHTLY more beavertail and 1mm of plastic at the rear of the frame. This would allow the HIGHEST hold and make the gun 50% better. 100% better would be to change the hump.
