Being new to handguns....

[hogwylde]

How does one know what is considered to be a good make? Sure I know of the bigger named companies such as Glock, S&W, Colt, Sig Sauer, etc...but I recently bought a magazine and while thumbing through it, I cam across a ton of guns I had never heard of. How does one know if they are any good? Are there certain things to look for?

 

[Treo]

Wow that is a really broad question. The named companies you mention all have good reputations and that is a good place to start. When I become interested in a particular gun I research it I look up reviews I look on gun forums under the “list the worst gun you ever owned” threads.

I also make it a rule to never buy a gun I can’t see and handle first like off the net.

 

[wizard]

Price is generally a good indicator of quality, but not a guarantee! There are some "new" gun mfg. out there that have a very good products and are just so new that they don't have a big following. Research is your best friend. Some guns are overpriced, but the company reputation demands a premium price. Indicators of quality are: A smooth action, crisp trigger, good fit and finish, no sharp edges/corners, good balance. Always handle a firearm before you buy it.

 

[B2Tall]

Google "customer reviews" for whatever make/model you're considering. You can read what people like you and me think of the gun. Ignore the gun magazines when it comes to their "opinion" on a particular firearm. Considering how much money such publications accept from gun manufacturers in the form of advertising $$$, they can hardly be objective and truly critical when it comes to reviewing a gun. "Gun Tests" may be the only exception. They accept no advertising and they pay for the test guns out of their own pocket.

I'll open up a can of worms here and say that there's no way I'd trust my safety to a Taurus. They produce too many lemons although you're just as likely to get a good one from Taurus as you are a bad one. You should be fine with any of the major brands. Find something that feels good in your hand and maybe go to a range that rents pistols. No matter what you buy, put a couple of hundred rounds through it at the range before you start relying on it for self defense. All guns, especially auto-loaders, have a break-in period.

 

[B2Tall]

Price is generally a good indicator of quality, but not a guarantee!

Good point. Kimber is one of the more expensive brands out there and highly respected but from what I've read they've produced some runs of real dogs.

 

[hogwylde]

Kimber is a brand that I hadn't heard of until I read about them in a magazine as well. I am looking to spend about $400-$500. Could I get a decent gun in that price range?

 

[Treo]

Kimber is a brand that I hadn't heard of until I read about them in a magazine as well. I am looking to spend about $400-$500. Could I get a decent gun in that price range?

You can get any number of decent handguns in that range. A Rock Island Armory 1911 for one

 

[missoak]

My brother & my son have S&W Sigmas. I have shot both ( 9mm & 40 ) & they are decent for the $$$
Before you commit, check out "BUDS" on line for prices. Good starting point.

 

[Iam2Taz]

If this is your FIRST handgun purchase, I would avoid anything 1911. They are exceptional guns. However, the 1911 can require some extra loving care.
Stick to the name brands for your first one. M&P, Glock, Ruger, etc. I would stick to a 9mm if you want a defensive gun. A .22 learn with. Read everything you can. Rent one or two of the ones you are most interested in. You will find out really quick, if it is what you thought it was going to be like.
You need to answer some questions for yourself.
What am I going to use the gun for? target, home, concealed carry?
How often am I going to shoot it? Weekly, monthly, daily, semi-annual?
Cost of ammo?
Do I like to tinker with things or set it and forget it?
How does this gun fit in my hand?
How comfortable am I with recoil?
The answers to these questions, will lead to another set of questions. These could go on and on. As noted above, once you narrow your choices down to a few. Go to some of the shooting websites and read everything you can on your choices.

 

[Deserteagle]

Kimber is a brand that I hadn't heard of until I read about them in a magazine as well. I am looking to spend about $400-$500. Could I get a decent gun in that price range?

For $500, go with a Glock. For the most part they are very reliable guns and they come in every size and caliber you could imagine. All within your price range. Believe it or not, but most cops carry Glocks which are $500 guns.

 

[Rich_S]

My brother & my son have S&W Sigmas. I have shot both ( 9mm & 40 ) & they are decent for the $$$
Before you commit, check out "BUDS" on line for prices. Good starting point.

Sigma is widely considered to be the biggest POS Smith ever made. YMMV....

 

[hogwylde]

Went to hit reply and accidentally hit "like"...oops! As if I know the difference in models! But what Rich said validates my point. I would have naturally assumed everything S&W made was top quality which apparently is not the case. I think Sig makes a beautiful handgun but I had a hard time with the slide yet the Glock felt perfect although I did not shoot it.

I was liking the Ruger LC9 and thought it was an awesome piece but am not liking some of the reviews I have read.

 

[xenaxdsc]

And see, I really like my Ruger LC9, and wear it in a Crossbreed SuperTuck holster everyday all day. But see, in a way it doesn't matter to you that I like my gun because what matters is that you like your gun. But when you're new, there are scads of choices and you're trying to figure out how to make that choice. Reading everything you can about the different features of guns is good, but the bottom line is you have to try out the guns to really know what works for you. And even then, what feels good one day at the range may not feel good on another day. But at least if you rent and fire a lot of different makes and models, you will be making an informed decision. In the meantime, the advice previously given in this thread is excellent regarding reading what you can and then searching for reviews. At least that will give you an idea of what others like and dislike. However, remember that you may not find the same pros and cons as others.

I have to agree that reading magazines is good to get a feel for what's out there but I agree with the poster who said you can't take for real everything you read because the magazines (and TV gear shows) always love every gun they show. They never point out features that might not be good, so you don't really get a complete picture.

Read, fire, read, fire, then choose and buy a gun. And don't worry, your first purchase it won't be your last.

 

[Rich_S]

Went to hit reply and accidentally hit "like"...oops! As if I know the difference in models! But what Rich said validates my point. I would have naturally assumed everything S&W made was top quality which apparently is not the case. I think Sig makes a beautiful handgun but I had a hard time with the slide yet the Glock felt perfect although I did not shoot it.

I was liking the Ruger LC9 and thought it was an awesome piece but am not liking some of the reviews I have read.

Many manufacturers have their dogs and the Sigma is Smith's. You know about Glocks in Mass. right? I'd stay away from them. The Smith M&P is a good choice. Sigs are good also but expensive. If you don;t like the LC9 the SR9c is a good choice.

 

[Caribou]

I like the Glock but it is not what I like it is what you like. As mentioned above hold a bunch of them before you decide and rent them if you can. If you can't find a place to rent pistols then go by a range and ask shooters what they shoot and why. If they offer to let you try their gun take them up on it. You also need to decide which round to carry. I carry the 9mm because it is the least expensive round save for the .22. This allows me to shoot more for fewer dollars and practice is all important. The recovery time is somewhat less also giving you a slightly faster second shot.

There is a perpetual argument as to whether 9mm, .40, or .45 is better. I have heard it said that this is at least a two beer discussion. In truth a keg would only end the discussion till you woke up. Whichever you choose you will be right... for you. The studies I have read suggest that these will all do the job with hollow point ammo and proper shot placement.

Decide what you want to do with the gun. Around the house and the range only I would pick a full size pistol i.e. Glock 17 or Ruger SR9. To also carry concealed I would pick a Glock 19 or 26, or the Ruger SR9c. This list is far from complete and is just intended to give you a starting point.

Once you pick your caliber and pistol then you need to look into training. I hope you have as much fun with this as I do.

 

[unclewayne17]

I have a 40 Glock and a 380 S&W for CC. I like the Glock target and winter carry because of the size, the 380 for times when I don't wear heaver clothing. Just try a few out and see which one you like best, it will save ypu a lot of time and money with guns you don't really care for. Good luck.

 

[LiveBlues]

Sigma is widely considered to be the biggest POS Smith ever made. YMMV....

That was experience with the Sigma .40 I bought. I was glad that I was able to sell it.