Rookie questions

[Chris Rhines]

Any thoughts on the Sig P250. Retail is about $399.

Not a good gun.

Look, I can see that you want to control your costs at the outset, and that's a good thing. But if you buy one of these bargain-basement pistols and try to run it in competition, you'll be screwing yourself over. You'll be stuck with a pistol that's unreliable, hard to shoot, or both. You'll have a tough time building your skills, because your gun will be holding you back. Finally, when you get completely sick of the gun, you won't be able to sell it for anything near what you have into it.

You'll come out ahead if you get one of the pistols recommended above. A Glock 17 or 34, or a CZ P-09, would be my suggestion. You'll have a gun that you can shoot and train with pretty much forever, with just a minimum of maintenance. Either of these guns can be had for around $500.

[RJ]

I live in Stallings NC which is just south east of Charlotte NC.

Where are some good locations or websites to pick up a used glock, M&P or a CZ?

Jay - I don't know if it helps with your decision, but you might want to be sure and weigh in the cost of ammo for a year, for what you plan to shoot, vs. the original cost of the pistol.

The answer might surprise you, enough so that a higher price point pistol might start to make sense.

I might make one more suggestion: in 2013, before buying my first handgun, I went to the local range and shot almost every different 9mm semiautomatic pistol available.

I learned that shooting is much more instructive in selecting a firearm than internet research, and in particular, what fits *you* might not be what you think.

[BJJ]

I listened to an interview of Greg Hamilton on Jack Donovan's Start the World podcast recently. Greg runs Insights Training in the Seattle area. His recommendation for someone starting out was to buy a Glock 9mm, either a 19 or a 17. Invest in good initial training and shoot a few thousands rounds of ammo. He says at that point you'll know enough to figure out what's going to work you and you can buy a different gun if you feel like you need to.

The good thing about having a gun that works is you can worry about your skills rather than the gun.

[RJ]

I listened to an interview of Greg Hamilton on Jack Donovan's Start the World podcast recently. Greg runs Insights Training in the Seattle area. His recommendation for someone starting out was to buy a Glock 9mm, either a 19 or a 17. Invest in good initial training and shoot a few thousands rounds of ammo. He says at that point you'll know enough to figure out what's going to work you and you can buy a different gun if you feel like you need to.

The good thing about having a gun that works is you can worry about your skills rather than the gun.

Having just gone through 4,000+ rounds and two guns in two years, there is wisdom in this post.

There is so much good going on in a Glock 19 for a new shooter, it is scary.

I will say though, that an M&P, Sig P320, Walther PPQ, or HK VP9 would also all be excellent choices for a noobie, IMHO.

[rob_s]

There is nothing "special snowflake" about guns that are not Glocks.

They are just not Glocks, which for many is a good thing.

and if he's never owned a gun before, how is he to know the difference?

[Failure2Stop]

One great thing about owning a Glock is that you can shoot GSSF with it.
GSSF returns a lot of $$ to individual shooters.
As an aside, GSSF is a good way to break into competitive shooting. Very controlled, no movement, no holster work, standardized courses of fire.

As above, there a a few decent pistol choices, but the gun is really low on the list of things that make the individual competitive.
Whatever you get, more important than what is is, is how much you work with it.

[HCM]

I live in Stallings NC which is just south east of Charlotte NC.

Where are some good locations or websites to pick up a used glock, M&P or a CZ?

The buds gun shop website offers lay away / 180 days to pay/make an offer features. Law man's supply in Raleigh often has Police Department trade in guns but most of them will be 40 or 357 caliber rather than 9 mm.

I would stick with 9 mm as if you are actually shooting, practicing and training your ammo cost will quickly exceed the cost of the gun. Guns are durable goods so buy once / cry once applies. find a range with rental guns and try shooting as many of your potential choices as possible.

The advice for a Glock 9 mm is solid. Also since you are looking to purchase two guns, you and your son might want to look into joining the Glock shooting sports foundation. I believe GSSF numbers are able to purchase one or two glocks per year at "blue label ". ( LE/military) pricing of $398.

If for some reason you don't care for the Glocks, the Smith & Wesson M & P, the HK VP 9, and the Sig P320 are all good choices. If you prefer a double action/single action the CZ PO 7 and PO 9 are all solid choices. The VP9 runs about $600 if you shop around. You should be able to find any of the other guns I listed for around 500

[JFS811]

Thanks for all the responses. They all have been helpful.

Any thoughts on a Springfield XD9?

[RJ]

Any thoughts on a Springfield XD9?

Opinions are...mixed.

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread....ht=Springfield

[ReverendMeat]

Thanks for all the responses. They all have been helpful.

Any thoughts on a Springfield XD9?

Check out Rich's link above. For a first handgun that you'll likely trade in for something else later, the XD is fine. They can be found for pretty cheap and you'll be better off than you would be with a Taurus.