I am planning on taking OGC's next safety course so I can purchase my first handgun in HI. While I was growing up in California i regularly shot a good variety of different handguns. While I do have a few in mind I would like some insight to help me in coming to a decision.

IWI Jericho 941 (Magnum Research Baby Eagle [Steel]) in .40S&W <-----A gun i've wanted for a long time
Ruger P345        <------"my" first handgun growing up In Cali was a P85, loved it but looking at .40 or .45
Springfield GI .45 or Mil Spec   
CZ P-06   <---I've heard a lot of good things about them but have never shot one yet



 

Hearing anything, good OR bad, is only a small fraction of the equation.  First and foremost, get a bunch of guns in your hands.  Gun shops, gun shows, ranges (to test drive is best) but let your hands help you make the decision.  What fits and feels comfortable in your hands.  Can you easily reach the controls>  How's the weight for you?  Brand hype is PURELY subjective.  Everyone has an opinion and you know what they say..........

Form your own based on the facts of your own experience.  Considerations should include:
*your price range tolerance
*intended purpose (may influence any capacity considerations)
*reliability record and recall status (do your homework after you narrow the list down)
*availability of ammo in your area for the caliber you choose (not going into the "Great Caliber Debate" here or now)
*how does it feel in your hands

I like Sigs but I don't recommend them straight away because my hands are NOT the same size as everybody elses.  They just work for me best and I learned long ago that what fits well and feels comfortable, you will shoot most "naturally".  I bought a Beretta 92S shortly after my P226.  It shot pretty good but whatever I did I could never get it to group as well as I could with the Sig.  Pachmyer grips, weightlifting glove, whatever.  Everything I did made NO difference.  I eventually sold the Beretta, lesson learned.

Nothing wrong with Beretta or that gun.  Fact is, no gun is perfect because the human factor varies significantly and in so many ways.  Peoples hands are different sized and finger lengths are not consistantly equal.  What works for one person may not for you because your needs and preferences may be different than THAT person telling you Brand X Model such-and-such should be what you get.  Fanboi stuff aside, that information isn't totally useless.  Hearing about how it functions, impressions of it's wweight both static and during recoil and all those other bits of information may trigger interest in Brand X and model whatever.  Then the homework on your part should begin.  DO your due dilligence and find out what will work best for you.  The best way to make an informed decision is to get all the information you can before you make a purchase.  Once you buy it, if you don't like it, you will regret making that "snap" decision because "so-and-so" said it was the best thing since sliced bread.

The best advice I can give is to get a bunch in your hands and "feel them out".  If you can "test drive" them, so much the better.  Friends, ranges that rent and so on will only provide you more information so you can make a better informed decision.  No Brand hype machine beating a drum from me to you.  Good Luck.

Growler hit the nail on the head. You have to pick it up and feel the ergos of the gun. Pick what fits your hand best, having a decent trigger would be nice too. That being said, 1911's and the s&w m&p with small insert are tops for me in best feel and natural point followed closely by the cz82 (I love these! but not your caliber...yet )

Good luck my man, you have a hard decision ahead of you.

I am planning on taking OGC's next safety course so I can purchase my first handgun in HI. While I was growing up in California i regularly shot a good variety of different handguns. While I do have a few in mind I would like some insight to help me in coming to a decision.

IWI Jericho 941 (Magnum Research Baby Eagle [Steel]) in .40S&W <-----A gun i've wanted for a long time
Ruger P345        <------"my" first handgun growing up In Cali was a P85, loved it but looking at .40 or .45
Springfield GI .45 or Mil Spec   
CZ P-06   <---I've heard a lot of good things about them but have never shot one yet

Of the guns you've stated...

Jericho: basically a CZ-75 clone but a damn good one. One of the most underrated pistols made. A little dated though as far as technology goes.

Ruger P series: solid guns at great prices nowadays. They are however, as ugly as sin. Blocky and awkward ergonomics.

Springfield GI / Mil Spec .45's: excellent guns as far as base 1911's go.

CZ P-06: this is the hidden gem of your choices. I've fired the P-06 extensively and absolutely love those guns. It's got the legendary ergonomics of the CZ-75 but has modern styling and features.
Of all the guns you've chosen, those is the one I'd buy.  You definitely won't be sorry.

Thanks for the load of insight guys. I have fired a 1911 before and had the chance to hold a Jericho at a gun show on the mainland and liked both for different reasons. While I have wanted a good starter 1911 I have a feeling it will come down to a face off between the 941 and the CZ, with the Springfield probably being my eventual 2nd purchase. Do any other shops on Oahu other than Magnum bring in Magnum Research firearms/IWI?
I'm sure once I'm at OGC to take their class more options might jump out at me from their display cases, but for the time being i'll continue to research my current list of options. Also, who sells CZ on Oahu?

Pretty much any gun shop on Oahu can bring in any gun.

The best prices I've encountered so far on ordering guns are from Security Equipment and OGC.

They seem to mark them up the least.

Pretty much any gun shop on Oahu can bring in any gun.

The best prices I've encountered so far on ordering guns are from Security Equipment and OGC.

They seem to mark them up the least.

This.  OGC or SE.

I'll definitely go with OGC since I'm most likely taking their safety course. And if for some reason they can't get what I want ill find it online and use them as an FFL.

I'll definitely go with OGC since I'm most likely taking their safety course. And if for some reason they can't get what I want ill find it online and use them as an FFL.

 Good idea. Carter will make sure you get what you want.

Thanks again guys for all the input. I just signed up for the OGC class on the 30th, can't wait.

To post a slightly different opinion, I'd put all those guns you're looking at on hold and pick up something chambered in .22.

.22s are cheap and easy to practice with, ammo is inexpensive, and you'll have plenty of time to practice while you're looking for a good deal on your ideal pistol.

I find myself ignoring all my other guns ever since I got my .22s.

Disregard if you're looking for a self defense pistol though

I also highly recommend .22s for the sake of shootability and economy. If you are going to only have 1 gun for everything, a 4" .357 Mag revolver is hard to beat for versatility. It will shoot wax, plastic and rubber bullets for inddor practice and pest control. It will handle up to 180gr full magnum loads for hunting. I've used it in both PPC and IDPA competition.

I will probably end up with another rimfire pistol in a few years. My dad bought me a Ruger .22 pistol when I was growing up, it was fun but I enjoyed the 9mm and .44 alot more

Narrowed the options down to 2

Baby Eagle/941 [9x19 or .40]  or either the CZ P01 or 75 compact. I have a feeling it will come down to one of CZ's but we'll see what happens.

Narrowed the options down to 2

Baby Eagle/941 [9x19 or .40]  or either the CZ P01 or 75 compact. I have a feeling it will come down to one of CZ's but we'll see what happens.

I like the looks of the Baby Eagle.  I couldn't shoot too accurate with it, but I would say that's more me than the firearm.

Do you own a Mustang?   

Narrowed the options down to 2

Baby Eagle/941 [9x19 or .40]  or either the CZ P01 or 75 compact. I have a feeling it will come down to one of CZ's but we'll see what happens.

Remember, the Baby eagle is a copy of the CZ.

The CZ P01 is the "next gen" CZ-75.

The CZ-75 is the originator, one of the most copied guns ever.

Tough decision?

My choices would be...

1) CZ-75 (If you've never fired one, it will surprise you how perfect it feels)
2) CZ P01 (Having modern touches makes a perfect gun even perfecter)
3) Baby Eagle (Why settle for a copy if you can have the original)

After the safety course is over at OGC on the 30th I'll be looking. We'll see what they have at the time.

OGC should have my Baby Eagle on Saturday and hopefully I can go into HPD on Monday. I decided on the full size steel frame chambered in 9mm..Can't wait to get back to KHSC

Depends on what handguns Eugene uses at the safety course something there might change your mind.  After taking Eugene's course I wound up buying an SA 1911 Loaded. 
 

haha Ox!  that was the first 1911 I bought from Eugene when he ran the other shop