Need some help

In December I am turning 21 and finally going to be allowed to purchase a handgun. Im looking more forward to owning a handgun rather than being able to drink... legally, I'm not a big drinker as it is... I've digressed.

I've been doing a lot of reading and trying to figure out a good first handgun to own, but it feels like the more I read the more confused I get. Price is a factor as I'm going to be dropping a lot of money on a new camera lens pretty soon, and I am still out of a job due to my most recent reconstructive knee surgery.

My girlfriend's brother just purchased a Glock 21 which felt like a nice handgun when I fired it. To continue with the Glock idea I was thinking about possibly picking up a Glock 22 as my first handgun just because it was recommended to me by a few people. On the contrary, I've heard from a few people that they do not like Glocks. I've also fired a number of other various guns, but a couple were Kimber's which I know already as being out of my price range.

As I continued my research I found that the Sig 229 is really a talked about pistol, further research pointed out that that it had a price tag of 900 or so dollars. I've also heard good things about HK and at this point I'm having a hard time deciding what would be a good first gun. Something that is well priced and something that is reliable.

I know that to each his own and it depends on how the gun feels to me, but I'd like some pointers about where to look. You all are obviously much more experienced than I am, and therefore I value your opinion. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm open for any suggestions, but my price range is probably under 650... maybe I could push it upto 700.

Regards,
Chris

[Peregrino]

This question has been flogged to death here. In fact - the horse is hamburger. Use the search button. BTW - pistols are as personal as your girlfriend's underwear. Nobody (with any experience) will ever tell you what to get. Your price range is a significant constraint. That said you should probably research the Springfield XD9 or XDm. Don't buy anything until you've had an opportunity to shoot a representative sample. Most local shooting ranges have rental firearms. Money spent educating yourself up front is money saved in the long run.

(FWIW - I recommended the 9mm because ammo's cheap and it's easy to learn with. There is a selection of quality bullets [search button] that make it an effective defensive round too.)

[Trip_Wire (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Peregrino

This question has been flogged to death here. In fact - the horse is hamburger. Use the search button. BTW - pistols are as personal as your girlfriend's underwear. Nobody (with any experience) will ever tell you what to get. Your price range is a significant constraint. That said you should probably research the Springfield XD9 or XDm. Don't buy anything until you've had an opportunity to shoot a representative sample. Most local shooting ranges have rental firearms. Money spent educating yourself up front is money saved in the long run.

(FWIW - I recommended the 9mm because ammo's cheap and it's easy to learn with. There is a selection of quality bullets [search button] that make it an effective defensive round too.)

Good advice; however, I see the poster iives in NJ, so he can not use HP ammo. This might be a good reason to invest in a .45. The SIG 220 would fill the bill nicely.

thanks to the both of you... and I used the search button. I honestly say I've tried searching through here and google and as I mentioned I confused myself. I really just wanted to see what you all had to input and sure enough I came across 2 more pistols.
Thank you for the help you guys

[JJ_BPK]

Originally Posted by cszakolczai

I honestly say I've tried searching through here and google and as I mentioned I confused myself.

Go to your local indoor range and get what ever NJ wants in the way of NRA weapon/pistole safety course(s) and start the application precess.

Then every weekend go and rent any thing that piques your fancy, get a box of ammo, and practice the 7 yd target until you have a 3 inch group for a full mag.

In lew of renting, invite your relatives & friends that own & carry to see what they fancy. Just make sure to buy them a box of ammo,, don't mooch, it's very tacky..

Good luck, Have fun, be Safe..

PS: Get your parents permission BEFORE you bring a weapon into their house, assuming you still live at home... If you don't live at home, check your rental/lease/dorm agreement. Most have specific exclusion clauses for weapons..

[AF Doc]

Agree with above posters that this subject has been covered in this forum, but I'll add $0.02.

You didn't say why you wanted a pistol. If it's just to learn to shoot and do some plinking, I'd go with a .22. Have you checked ammunition prices lately? .22 LR can't be beat for a cheap day of shooting or small game hunting. Think about it.

Originally Posted by Trip_Wire

Good advice; however, I see the poster iives in NJ, so he can not use HP ammo. This might be a good reason to invest in a .45. The SIG 220 would fill the bill nicely.

I could fire the gun in PA due to the fact the range in PA is only about a half hour from my house.

So at this point I guess I could use HP ammo if I shoot the gun in PA (did some reading on it)

While I have this thread at the top... I have another question for you... I know that you recommended the 220, what about the Sig P250? I've just finished reading some reviews and people seem to like it... have any experience with it? It also seems like it can be modified to accept many different calibers.

[El Cid]

I thought the no hollowpoints for NJ thing was a semi-urban legend. Something about it's illegal to use HP's in a crime (typical left wing legislation).

[Trip_Wire (RIP)]

Originally Posted by cszakolczai

I could fire the gun in PA due to the fact the range in PA is only about a half hour from my house.

So at this point I guess I could use HP ammo if I shoot the gun in PA (did some reading on it)

While I have this thread at the top... I have another question for you... I know that you recommended the 220, what about the Sig P250? I've just finished reading some reviews and people seem to like it... have any experience with it? It also seems like it can be modified to accept many different calibers.

I have no experience with the SIG 250. I have a ton of experience with the SIG 220. So, I'll stick with that choice.

As, for the HP ammo, it is not lawful for civilians or retired LEO's to carry or use HP ammo in NJ. If you ever plan on carrying a concealed weapon with a CCP in NJ, a 9MM without HP ammo is not a good choice, IMO. I see no reason to use HP ammo in PA for target practice. The only reason to purchase and/or use HP ammo is for self defense.

If all your going to do is target practice a .22 pistol like the Ruger shown, would do the job at a lot less expense. You might also consider a high end pellet pistol like the Walther, for practice and /or fun.

http://www.airgunsbbguns.com/Wather_...er-2256003.htm

[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

Originally Posted by cszakolczai

Im looking more forward to owning a handgun

Why?

Originally Posted by Jack Moroney

Why?

Well I'm not a big drinker so turning 21 doesn't do much for me there, and I really enjoy going to the range. Right now I use other peoples pistols and rifles. But I just really look forward to being able to have a rifle for myself. I've always enjoyed archery and shooting and things of this nature, I know I'm weird as my girlfriend and parents love to tell me.

Originally Posted by Trip_Wire

I have no experience with the SIG 250. I have a ton of experience with the SIG 220. So, I'll stick with that choice.

As, for the HP ammo, it is not lawful for civilians or retired LEO's to carry or use HP ammo in NJ. If you ever plan on carrying a concealed weapon with a CCP in NJ, a 9MM without HP ammo is not a good choice, IMO. I see no reason to use HP ammo in PA for target practice. The only reason to purchase and/or use HP ammo is for self defense.

If all your going to do is target practice a .22 pistol like the Ruger shown, would do the job at a lot less expense. You might also consider a high end pellet pistol like the Walther, for practice and /or fun.

http://www.airgunsbbguns.com/Wather_...er-2256003.htm

I agree with the airgun and the .22 pistol, but I'd like to get something that also acts as a tool for self defense later on down the road. That might sound a little ridiculous coming from a non military member but I feel that having that safety net there, would be nice to have at home, and while I'm at it, I'd rather buy one gun that I can take to the range for target shooting and self defense rather then buying 2 guns. One for target shooting and one for self defense.
Granted the ammunition would add up in price, but one needs to become familiar with the weapon they are shooting.

And I know it sounds a little crazy for a soon to be 21 year old being excited to buy a gun, but I've always been a mechanical person and guns have always interested me. I enjoy going to the range and I'd really just like to stop renting a gun and finally have my own to save money on renting and something to call my own.

Chris

also, about the hollow points... something confuses me... a person cannot carry hollow points which is fine, but why can we purchase hollow points? If you can't use it or carry it there is no reason to really even allow the person to purchase it. NJ's gun laws are insane.


Oh and I really appreciate all the information thus far. I am really liking that pellet pistol the more I look at it.

[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

Originally Posted by cszakolczai

Well I'm not a big drinker so turning 21 doesn't do much for me there, and I really enjoy going to the range. Right now I use other peoples pistols and rifles. But I just really look forward to being able to have a rifle for myself. I've always enjoyed archery and shooting and things of this nature, I know I'm weird as my girlfriend and parents love to tell me.

My question has more to do with what it is you desire for the ultimate use of the weapon. The reason for the weapon, the frequency of use, the proximity of where you can shoot, your budget, safety, legal considerations should all fit somewhere in the equation. Answer those questions, to yourself please, and you have taken a good step in the direction of what it is that suits you. Apparently, from your post, that you not being a big drinker means that you have already started and think that breaking the law a little is okay. Not sure that if that attitude washes over into other areas of your life but if it does I don't want you anywhere near me or mine with a firearm. Just a thought, not a moral judgement.

Originally Posted by Jack Moroney

My question has more to do with what it is you desire for the ultimate use of the weapon. The reason for the weapon, the frequency of use, the proximity of where you can shoot, your budget, safety, legal considerations should all fit somewhere in the equation. Answer those questions, to yourself please, and you have taken a good step in the direction of what it is that suits you. Apparently, from your post, that you not being a big drinker means that you have already started and think that breaking the law a little is okay. Not sure that if that attitude washes over into other areas of your life but if it does I don't want you anywhere near me or mine with a firearm. Just a thought, not a moral judgement.

I appreciate the help and the comments. I'd like to just clear it up that I haven't broken the law here. I am a Hungarian citizen along with being an American citizen so when I travel back to Europe every year I am legal to drink. Many of the people I know would take advantage of this fact and get completely drunk every night but I don't find that appealing in any way. So in essence I really haven't broken any laws that were created by the United States, this is how I can make the statement that I'm not a big drinker. I have the opportunity and the right to consume, but I choose not to.

I appreciate your help though and the comments in this thread have really helped me with deciding. Thank you to everyone who posted.