This video came out a few days ago, but it's pretty much how I feel about gun selection.



That said, I'm all about trying out different guns and the individual deciding what is right for them.  For me, I came to pretty much the same conclusion as the Bot does in this video a while back.  I'll still try out different guns, but I have stuck with my Glock 17 since nothing else has yet to draw me to change.  The PPQ has come close and I think the CZ P10c and one of the P320 variants might, but not yet.

In any case, this is a great time to get into firearms.  Many excellent choices to choose from as well as opportunities for training. 

As for affordability, I learned quickly that the cost of the gun is the least of my "worries" as a shooter.  It's the ammo costs!   

friend of mine may be getting his first handgun, he's not quite sure yet
he already has an AR.  on occasions brings up "what's a good handgun to get?"
so I'm trying to give options that fit his needs, which are:  affordable, home defense gun so doesn't need to be compact, probably 9mm so ammo is cheaper, good ergonomics
so far I suggested:
Glock 17
CZP10
HK VP9
Springfield XD
S&W M&P
Ruger GP100 (just threw that in bc I'm a Ruger fan, he probably won't go for a revolver but I think its an excellent HD gun)

what other options would you guys add?
thanks.   

This was me like 2-3 months ago.  Narrowed my list down to G17, CZp10, HKVP9.
Shot the three and Glock 17 felt the best, HK was a close 2nd.  May end up getting one later on down the road.

Looks like theres a lot of Glock 17 fans in here. 
 

I have a G19 Gen 4 and it has a couple thousand rounds through it.  Not a single malfunction.  I have been to FS several times and have seen four malfunctions occur during range time.  None were Glocks.

nobody has mentioned this one. I've never fired one but I've always wanted to.  a lot of people really like this platform.
what do you guys think about a CZ75?

nobody has mentioned this one. I've never fired one but I've always wanted to.  a lot of people really like this platform.
what do you guys think about a CZ75?

I have a CZ Custom shop SP-01 Shadow and love it. In really wanted the base SP-01, but couldn’t find it on stock. Was on a waitlist at SEC for over a year. Ended up getting the Shadow when one came in. It’s a little pricey.

It’s a heavy gun, but that really helps with mitigation of felt recoil. Many will say that the ergos are awesome, but for me they are pretty good, but mostly since I’m used to shooting Glocks. I think the base guns go for around $600-700, but they are hard to find. At least they used to be.

nobody has mentioned this one. I've never fired one but I've always wanted to.  a lot of people really like this platform.
what do you guys think about a CZ75?

Not a fan, the slide rides low, so less grip.

Can it be learned, yes it can.  But still not a fan.

I got the CZ 75 SP-01 specifically for competition, but I wouldn’t hesitate to use it for defense. Not my first choice for a defensive handgun, but it’s been a proven performer. Just not quite as widely in the US. The frame does leave less purchase for slide, but it does offer other performance benefits. Like many things for firearms, gotta find what works for the individual.

I got the CZ 75 SP-01 specifically for competition, but I wouldn’t hesitate to use it for defense. Not my first choice for a defensive handgun, but it’s been a proven performer. Just not quite as widely in the US. The frame does leave less purchase for slide, but it does offer other performance benefits. Like many things for firearms, gotta find what works for the individual.

Picked up 5k rounds of 22 at Security on Friday.  They had an SP-01 Tactical that I was fiddling with, been on my list for a while.... think I'm gonna have to pull the trigger on that.  Just need to sell that damned revolver lol. 

Picked up 5k rounds of 22 at Security on Friday.  They had an SP-01 Tactical that I was fiddling with, been on my list for a while.... think I'm gonna have to pull the trigger on that.  Just need to sell that damned revolver lol.

Go for it!  Another LIFE instructor bought one around the same time I got my Shadow version.  I didn't get to shoot it, but I know he's taken it through at least one handgun course.  Another instructor has a different Shadow version as well, so quite a few shooting them now.  I mean they aren't primary guns, but I think their features are being appreciated. 

i don't really care for glocks.  i was shooting someone else's glock this past weekend and it gave me a small amount of slide bite.  i think i shot maybe 4-5 rounds through it, but that was enough to knock the top layer of skin off my shooting hand.  thankfully, there was no blood.

i don't really care for glocks.  i was shooting someone else's glock this past weekend and it gave me a small amount of slide bite.  i think i shot maybe 4-5 rounds through it, but that was enough to knock the top layer of skin off my shooting hand.  thankfully, there was no blood.

Was that in a full size (17, 22) or compact (19, 23) Glock?  You must have some bear paws for hands because I've seen some guys with meaty hands and they seemed to shoot them fine.  If that's the only hangup, the newer Gen Glocks have an extended beavertail grip panel and the Grip Force adapter (there might be another) for other Gen Glocks.

Was that in a full size (17, 22) or compact (19, 23) Glock?  You must have some bear paws for hands because I've seen some guys with meaty hands and they seemed to shoot them fine.  If that's the only hangup, the newer Gen Glocks have an extended beavertail grip panel and the Grip Force adapter (there might be another) for other Gen Glocks.

it was a full size, Glock 34.  I've had this happen to me with the the 9mm and 40 cal glocks.  i haven't tried the beaver tail backstraps.

keep in mind that i also get hammer bite from non-beavertail 1911s.

it was a full size, Glock 34.  I've had this happen to me with the the 9mm and 40 cal glocks.  i haven't tried the beaver tail backstraps.

keep in mind that i also get hammer bite from non-beavertail 1911s.

I see.  I haven't shot a non-beavertail 1911 in a while.  The only guns that I've shot that threaten slide or hammer bite is Walther PPK and a CZ that looks kinda similar.

What handguns do you prefer? 

it was a full size, Glock 34.  I've had this happen to me with the the 9mm and 40 cal glocks.  i haven't tried the beaver tail backstraps.

keep in mind that i also get hammer bite from non-beavertail 1911s.

Do you have chubby hands?  Not teasing, legitimately curious.

Do you have chubby hands?  Not teasing, legitimately curious.

TFP - He really isn’t teasing. More like drawing on personal experience.

I see.  I haven't shot a non-beavertail 1911 in a while.  The only guns that I've shot that threaten slide or hammer bite is Walther PPK and a CZ that looks kinda similar.

What handguns do you prefer?

if i had to buy my first handgun right now, i would buy a VP9 or a p30, depending on whether i had a preference for hammer or striker.  i think that those are better than most others that are at a similar price point so it would satisfy the "affordable" requirement in this discussion topic.

i prefer the euro paddle mag release over the button.

since hawaii does not really allow concealed or open carry, i would prefer a handgun with a full metal frame to help with the recoil, which can be quite substantial for new handgun shooters.

ideally, these would be my preferences for a first handgun:
 - steel (preferably) or aluminum frame - for the added mass
 - double stack magazine - because the tapered top (feed lips) makes reloads easier than single stack guns
 - euro paddle mag release
 - ergos similar to the VP9 or PPQ
 - striker fired or single action only trigger
 - longer barrel in the 4.5 to 5 inch range


i don't have chubby hands, but i do wear a size XL glove.

if i had to buy my first handgun right now, i would buy a VP9 or a p30, depending on whether i had a preference for hammer or striker.  i think that those are better than most others that are at a similar price point so it would satisfy the "affordable" requirement in this discussion topic.

i prefer the euro paddle mag release over the button.

since hawaii does not really allow concealed or open carry, i would prefer a handgun with a full metal frame to help with the recoil, which can be quite substantial for new handgun shooters.

ideally, these would be my preferences for a first handgun:
 - steel (preferably) or aluminum frame - for the added mass
 - double stack magazine - because the tapered top (feed lips) makes reloads easier than single stack guns
 - euro paddle mag release
 - ergos similar to the VP9 or PPQ
 - striker fired or single action only trigger
 - longer barrel in the 4.5 to 5 inch range


i don't have chubby hands, but i do wear a size XL glove.

Cool. Sounds like you put quite a bit of though into your choice. The P30 was prettt pricey last time I saw them in stock. My first handgun was a HK USP 40c. I prefer the thumb mag release, but I’ve always been interested in the VP9. Just would need some time with the paddle release. Still messes me up on the rare occasion that I shoot my HK, but the VP 9 seems like a solid choice.

if i had to buy my first handgun right now, i would buy a VP9 or a p30, depending on whether i had a preference for hammer or striker.  i think that those are better than most others that are at a similar price point so it would satisfy the "affordable" requirement in this discussion topic.

i prefer the euro paddle mag release over the button.

since hawaii does not really allow concealed or open carry, i would prefer a handgun with a full metal frame to help with the recoil, which can be quite substantial for new handgun shooters.

ideally, these would be my preferences for a first handgun:
 - steel (preferably) or aluminum frame - for the added mass
 - double stack magazine - because the tapered top (feed lips) makes reloads easier than single stack guns
 - euro paddle mag release
 - ergos similar to the VP9 or PPQ
 - striker fired or single action only trigger
 - longer barrel in the 4.5 to 5 inch range


i don't have chubby hands, but i do wear a size XL glove.

Those aren't hands, they're bear paws lol.

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as voted by TFB viewers top 5 semiauto pistols of all time:
5.  Sig P226
4. 1911
3.  CZ 75
2.  Browning Hi-Power
1.  Glock 19

all great choices.  I would've placed the 1911 hgher
for a new shooter the Glock is hard to beat.  a lot of accessories for the Glock.  hard to narrow it down to 1 handgun

Gov Ige should help us with an affordable handgun program like housing, since they believe that housing is a right. Well, the 2A is a right too. 

Every Hawaii citizen should be entitled to a Glock 17 or 19.