Deciding on a 1st handgun

Erickat · Feb 3, 2018

So, I'm about 3 - 4 weeks away from getting my HQL - and have always liked the CZ 75 Shadow (although I've never seen one in person). Now they have the Shadow 2 - which I am interested in - but maybe as a 2nd gun, as the price is well over $1200 - not counting the FFL transfer fee, since nobody in maryland seems to have one.

While taking the HQL training, I was shown several various sizes & models of handguns to "check the fit" - and some were way too large, hard to operate without 2 hands etc.. and then I was shown a Springfield XD-E - which seemed to be just right - slide easy to operate, controls reachable by thumb, way lower priced than the CZ - and for now, it's the top candidate for my 1st handgun - BUT... I haven't seen / handled any others - and had always thought I'd get a Glock - or a Smith & Wesson - or CZ.... Went to a gun show in Bel Air today, but didn't get the same attention as I did with the instructor at his shop - was kind of on my own to browse, hold, no information, pro or con - kind of a waste of time.

Anyway - my plan is to work w/ the guy who gave the training & likely buy the Springfield XDE from him & work with him to understand what other models might be right for me (after 30 days).

Does anyone have an opinion on the XDE, CZ Shadow 2, or other recommendations?

These are some of the recommendations I found online for a 1st 9mm

Glock 19 9mm Semi Automatic Pistol.
1971 Browning Hi Power 3” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by ~Steve Z~
CZ 75B SP-01 Shadow Competition 9mm Handgun.
Smith and Wesson M&P Shield 9mm.
3/365” (CC BY-ND 2.0) by MWE.Daniel.
SIG P226” (CC BY-ND 2.0) by cb_agulto.
P99” (CC BY 2.0) by redirecTed.

gwchem · Feb 3, 2018

Shadow 2 is a serious first gun. Its 100% for competitive shooting, do you intend to shoot uspsa? Its too heavy for idpa.

I'd recommend you get an sp-01 then change the hammer and recoil springs. That's halfway to a shadow for half the cost.

Ranchero50 · Feb 3, 2018

Stop by a couple local gun stores and see what feels right in your hand. What feels right and is ergonomic to operate. If it doesn't pass those two standards it won't shoot well or be enjoyable. Close your eyes, manipulate the controls. Check the site picture etc. Only once everything feels and functions correctly am I interested about how it looks.

I bought a Kahr single stack 9mm because it was smaller for a CCW type pistol. It didn't feel that great in the store but I felt like I could get 'used' to it. I didn't and it isn't much fun to shoot either.

mdoffroad · Feb 3, 2018

I am far from a "Glock Fan boy" and I have BIG hands so maybe opposite of you. I ended up in a Glock17 as it fit me NICELY, you may want the 19. Why Glock? Parts, anywhere... anytime.. gunshop? they will sell Glock parts. They are no nonsense. Your first gun will be abused and hurt... you wont feel bad about a composite one. Get a nice gun for your SECOND gun

EliteContent · Feb 3, 2018

Glock 17

Then go from there.

Steelersfan · Feb 3, 2018

Can't go wrong with the g19/17. The new 5th gens have ambi slide release and reversible mag catch so lefties rejoice. I went with a Ruger American 9mm and wish I went g19

mdoffroad · Feb 3, 2018

Dont get me wrong.. I bought a .40 M&P for my first..... I resisted the "me too" of owning a Glock... sometimes.. the mainstream is mainstream for a rEASON lol...

davsco · Feb 3, 2018

hit a range that rents a variety of handguns. feel and fondle them all and shoot your favorites.

that said, glock is a great way to go. not the sexiest by far but they always work, very reasonably priced, and a ton of variety of accessories and the like (holsters, mags, different sights, etc). glock 17 or 19 in 9mm are good starts.

Blacksmith101 · Feb 3, 2018

First decide what you want to do with your handgun. There are many uses with a wide range of requirements (home defense, hunting, IDPA, bullseye, silhouette, plinking, cowboy action, fast draw, etc.) no single arm is right for all.

Second take a trip to a range that rents handguns and actually fire as many as you can (take notes).

Third come back here and tell us what you want to do and what you liked and disliked about the guns you shot.

We will have lots more and better input once we have more information.

Forth narrow the recommendations down and try those specific guns.

By this time you will have a wish list and the start of a fine collection.

To counter all the plastic gun recommendations I'll go old school and recommend a revolver as a first hand gun because they are simpler to operate and maintain and will teach you all the basics with fewer variables, unless you are primarily interested in a discipline that necessitates a semi automatic.

By the way go to the Introduction Section and introduce yourself.

r100rsman · Feb 3, 2018

Get the CZ SP-01 Best hand gun i own.

gizzard · Feb 3, 2018

buy a 22 for your first handgun. cheap to shoot, perfect your skills

INMY01TA · Feb 3, 2018

Is this gun for home defense or concealed carry? Do you have a carry permit? If not I wouldn't be looking at the M&P Shield or the XDe. I'd get a double stacked 9mm.

MigraineMan · Feb 3, 2018

Ranchero50 said:
Stop by a couple local gun stores and see what feels right in your hand. What feels right and is ergonomic to operate. If it doesn't pass those two standards it won't shoot well or be enjoyable.

I can't emphasize this more. If it doesn't fit your hand, you will hate it. (You'll have to work a bit to turn-off the high-pressure product marketing influence.)

Additionally, don't get emotionally attached to your first pistol. It's likely to be "wrong," and that's okay because you won't really "get it" until you shoot it a bunch. There's an awful Catch-22 associated with shooting (or driving, or playing guitar, etc.) You don't know what you want/need until you shoot a bunch, but you can't shoot a bunch until you get a firearm in your hand.

Rob R. · Feb 3, 2018

Stop by a couple Local stores and see inventory..
Many shops in Maryland have very little inventory and handle mostly transfers.
If I were you I would head to the Harrisburg NRA great american outdoor show and see/fondle a whole lot of guns you won’t find at your LGS

The shadow II and Springfield are worlds apart. Shadow II is one of those guns most all would have in their collection if it weren’t for the $1000-1200 tag

Lot of great options out there. Glock 19 Gen4 was my first choice and no regrets other than annoyed glock released a gen5 not even a year later.
Guns are very subjective so long as it’s a reliable it’s all preference. Atleast the majority agree using the 9mm caliber overall, helps narrow down the choices

george g. · Feb 3, 2018

Check out the Canicks,fair priced and shoot great if tight on money.I also recommend the S&W M&P and the FN fns.

Fredcohunter · Feb 3, 2018

Cant go wrong with a Glock, they just work. My personal favorite though is the H&K VP9

danb · Feb 3, 2018

If you like the CZ and it feels right, get that. Wont go wrong with it, it will spoil you for other guns.

There are various models of the 75 SP01 so I don't think that you need to get the Shadow or Competition level one. I think that the basic model starts around $650 about the same as the XD. The difference between $650 SP01 and Competition is a whole lot of things you wont notice until you practice a lot. Any of the basic models will outshoot a newb. I am not a Springfield XD fan. CZ 75SP01 is a fantastic gun. I am not a Glock fan either. Some people swear by them, I swear at them. The only other gun on your list I'd consider is the Sig 226. Sig 226 is a proven, reliable gun and you cant go wrong with that either.

AlanInSilverSpring · Feb 3, 2018

mdoffroad said:
I am far from a "Glock Fan boy" and I have BIG hands so maybe opposite of you. I ended up in a Glock17 as it fit me NICELY, you may want the 19. Why Glock? Parts, anywhere... anytime.. gunshop? they will sell Glock parts. They are no nonsense. Your first gun will be abused and hurt... you wont feel bad about a composite one. Get a nice gun for your SECOND gun

Just piling on here........ it's all about how it feels in YOUR hand.

My first semi was a G17 and even there there's options. Aside from everything else said about the benefits of a Glock one of the selling points of the gen4 is that you can add backstraps to make the grip bigger but unlike this guy I have very small hands and the gen 4 was already too big but the gen3 was a little smaller and fit me nicely so that's what I went with. Additionally, I like to "play" a lot and a Glock gives you more magazine choices too, like the 50 round drum

I later on got an XDS and love that gun too. Fits my hand perfectly. Only drawback is magazine capacity

lilgibby · Feb 3, 2018

Glock 19 is the way to go for all the reasons allready listed.

holesonpaper · Feb 3, 2018

The CZ and practically any Glock are solid choices - but for me, the ultimate is a p226. Sure, it's pricey and a tad larger and heavier than some - but once you get accustomed to, from that point forward, you'll compare all your handgun purchases to the p226.

Deciding on a 1st handgun

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