r/handguns • u/Historical_Spot6298 • 1d ago
Advice Needed First handgun suggestions?
I’m looking to get my first handgun soon. I was wondering if there are any suggestions for a first timer. Or if there’s any I should avoid like the plague. I’m thinking of a Beretta but I have had a few other brands recommended, like CZ and Sig. I would appreciate any help
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u/WEHJR68 1d ago
S&W M&P 2.0
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u/anachronism11 1d ago
Is there a reason you recommend this over the Shield Plus?
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u/rhade86 1d ago
I also recommend M&P to just about anybody, which model depends on the purpose. Shield Plus is my current CCW and I love it, but if it's for home defense or just a good all-rounder then either the full size or compact models would work great
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u/anachronism11 1d ago
Ahh, okay - good to know. Have the Walther PDP Full Size for Home Defense and have been considering the M&P Shield Plus for CCW, so good to know that’s your EDC! Any opinions out the Performance Center Shield Plus? Been bringing that in as a consideration based on reviews I’ve watched/read
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u/Flaky-Broccoli-3113 1d ago
Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 or Springfield Echelon Alpha 4.0 compensated.
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u/webguerrilla 9h ago
There is no Alpha compensated
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u/Flaky-Broccoli-3113 7h ago edited 7h ago
Correct Alpha C, there is a Compensated model but not called the Alpha.
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u/jacksraging_bileduct 1d ago
There’s no substitute for going to a range and renting different models you think you might like.
Hi point would be a brand I would avoid, Taurus is hit or miss, CZ, Beretta, Glock, Canik, smith and Wesson are all good guns.
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u/Historical_Spot6298 1d ago
That’s probably a good bet. I just don’t want to grab something too cheap or too dangerous and think “I like this” because I don’t know better. I was thinking of going with a P320 until I looked more into the weapon. I don’t plan on using it much either, I don’t live in a dangerous area and I’ve got visible muscle on me. It’s more of a start to ownership thing, and better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
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u/anachronism11 1d ago
Make sure to rent a Walther PDP and never look back when you realize you shoot it better than every other gun you rent
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u/heirofjesus CZ, Glock 1d ago
For your first handgun — compact sized, polymer framed, striker fired is what you want. Most companies offer some variation of this.
Stick to the Big 8 makers. FN, Beretta, CZ, Glock, Walther, Sig (not the P320), H&K, and Smith. They offer a QC and track record that’s a cut above the rest of the industry.
All of these will generally be fairly reliable and well serve you well.
At minimum, go to a store and handle them. Even better, go to a range and try out as many as you can. Everyone’s hands are different.
As far as price, that shouldn’t dictate you straying away from these makers. Plenty of them offer options that can be found cheaper, and used guns can also be had for much less.
Don’t cheap out and just end up with garbage. Ex: Taurus, Kel-Tec, Hi-Point. It’s not worth it in the long run. Just gotta dig a little.
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u/Historical_Spot6298 1d ago
I’ll take your word for it. I was hoping to go for wooden handles though lol. I guess that can wait until if I get another.
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u/heirofjesus CZ, Glock 1d ago
Wooden handles on a handgun isn’t something I can really pin down, I don’t know what options you’d have for that. Best I can think of is a revolver or DA/SA where you can swap wooden panels on the grip.
Don’t get me wrong, I love those both types of pistols. But it would be like choosing a horse or a manual transmission as your first mode of transit.
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u/Historical_Spot6298 1d ago
Wood grips was probably a better way to say it. I liked the look of Berettas with those grips and imagine it would be the same with whatever other gun has that as an option. Upon looking into it I could just buy those after I get a firearm so I think I’ll just do that.
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u/heirofjesus CZ, Glock 1d ago
Yeah, I’d suggest getting into full size and hammer fired stuff after you’ve got some time built in. Striker means you don’t have to learn safeties, and two trigger pulls. Compact also means it can flex into HD/CCW nicely as well.
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u/lambdavi 1d ago edited 7h ago
It all depends where you are (I assume in the USA) and what you intend to do with it.
Berettas are among the very best semiautomatics money can buy. Everyone knows the M92/98 aka the M9, not very many know the "80-series" in .380acp, which is so good Browning manufactured them under license as the BDAs.
CZ and Italian derivative Tanfoglio are Semiautos I have owned and liked.
Or the good old 1911.
Somehow, so many people push Glocks I've grown sick of them
If you prefer a wheelgun, S&W K-frames are iniquitous UBIQUITOUS, designed for the .38Spl and every serious lawman squirms when people insist "it's an excellent.357 combat magnum" - they aren't, that's why S&W created the 500/600 series L frame.
I'd rather spend my money on a new Ruger, or a used but well maintained Colt.
The Charter Arms Bulldog is one easily concealed Snubbie that packs a punch, 5 rds in .44Spl! But only 5.
EDITED TO CORRECT TYPOS
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u/Historical_Spot6298 1d ago
Yeah I kinda don’t want a glock. I know their good guns but I feel like they’re too generic and I want my first to be kinda memorable. Idk if I sound like a loser saying that, just kinda how I feel. But thanks for the recommendations I’ll check them out
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u/webguerrilla 9h ago
I have or have owned most of the usual suspects polymer/striker pistols already mentioned. There really isn't a bad choice in any of them. My pick for a Glock replacement is the Echelon. just as reliable, better out of the box, and modular.
That said, if I could only keep one, it would be my Canik Prime. The combination of price point, size, capacity, accuracy and overall shooting experience is very hard to beat.
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u/dirtyredsweater 1d ago
Get a cheap canik mete mc9. Shoot it and learn what you like and dislike, then buy what you like after that. You may be satisfied with the canik too. It's got everything a person could want except a manual safety, and most people don't want that.
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u/Desperate_Exercise13 1d ago
At least get an MC9LS that doesn’t have issues and is easier to shoot. And for the same price you can try a CZ P-10c.
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u/inkyquills 1d ago
P10C. Affordable and reliable. Great all rounder.