If this is your first pistol or first one in a while, I'd say get 2.
A .22 and defense pistol.
Like mentioned everyone needs a .22 and you can plink all day long as fast as you can reload on $10-$20 of shells.
A pistol is alot different than shooting rifles or shotguns. You have to mentally be comfortable setting off a small explosion in the palm of your hand, .22 is great for the mental prep. Be sure to make double sure to shoot the defense every week too.

 

Since we are on the subject of .22 now, what are you guys sporting in the .22 category? Buckmark and Ruger seem to be pretty popular. Anyone else shooting something different they want to share? I'm looking to pick one up for giggles soon. I like the Walther to be honest.

 

I have a Smith & Wesson 22A, it's a great range gun, shoots alright, dependable, fits fair with only slight mods.

Not a good carry gun at all. Cant find a holster that fits it very well. Most are to snug. Also the rear sights are like razor blades, carrying on your hip, they will cut your forarm to piesces while walking. In rear waist band the ywill cut your back while sitting. In low light conditions the sights hide most targets and they do hide small targets all the time. A couple drops of glow paint helped low light some.

My other .22 pistol and also favorite to shoot is the Ruger Mk II
No complaints at all, it's just like pointing my finger, really doesn't need sights because it's simply that easy.

 

Another vote hear for the Springfield XD. I have one in .40 cal and I love it.

 

i carry with me an ak-47 and that thing is great it shoots anything you want and never misses but its hard to carry it around all the time

 

ktex, I don't have a .22 handgun currently..

I grew up with a Colt Woodsman, very similar to the Browning Buckmark. I can't even guess how many cottontails and squirrels I took with that pistol.

I have several .22 LR rifles, my favorite is a Marlin Golden 39.. this is without a doubt the most accurate rifle I've ever fired. Without the scope I can take rabbits with head shots at about 75 yards, no problem. With the little 2X scope they aren't safe at 100 yards.. I won't shoot at game over 100 yards with a .22 LR.

Years ago, this was a different time, when car radio antennas had a little round chrome ball on the very tip.. A friend and myself used to make bets on how many shots to hit the little thing, generally from about 10 to 15 yards away. And yes, we wouldn't even think of firing if there was anything downrange.
Anyway, I could pretty much hit that little thing with no more than two rounds. The Marlin 39A is a special rifle, get a used one if you can. They've stopped using the Micro-Groove rifling.

 

Good info. Now where am I going to find a used one? Anyway I grew up with a MK as well, but I was just looking to pick up something to shoot targets with. A rifle is always fun, but I was thinking about a pistol since I'm already spending time at shooting ranges with my new XD-9

 

I have a P22, the Target model with the 5" barrel. It's not as accurate as a heavy barrel Browning or Ruger, but it's more than good enough to lay waste to pop cans from 10-15 yards out.

 

Look into the Smith & Wesson model 360. It's chambered for 357 or 38. A great carry gun as it only weighs 12 oz.

 

I would go with a Beretta 92FS 9mm....looks awesome, feels amazing in your hand, very quick and easy to field strip and clean and is one of the most accurate 9mm I have ever fired...plus, you see a lot of them in the movies It is a little more expensive though, 600-750 depending on materials you prefer. You get what you pay for though...

My dad has a Heckler and Koch USP40 9mm...amazing gun as well! It is very popular with cops...German made, VERY light, and perfect as a carry gun. Very simple gun that is bullet-proof(no pun intended)....It is also pricey, about the same as the Beretta...but it will fire perfect every time.....it also breaks down in about 20 seconds....

Goodluck bro.

 

A good friend of mine has the 92FS, I really don't think it is worth the money paid for one huge issue. I think the trigger feels terrible. For that kind of money the trigger should feel reasonably smooth, especially since both the Springfield XD and the Taurus 24/7 are considerably cheaper, just as reliable and have triggers that are awesome when compared to the 92FS. I don't think that this is a bad weapon overall, just overpriced for what you are getting.

 

I agree.

 

Vote for (Since I have)

Sig Arms P229 (40 cal) primary
Sig Arms P239 (40 cal) compact backup
Rock River Arms AR15 (not a handgun obviously) but when you need more...
Smith & Wesson 686 .357 Magnum (ROCK SOLID revolvers)

I love how Glock did the 'upgrade'

 

I have wide hands with short fingers, on a 92/96 it is hard for my trigger finger to reach when the hammer is down. The Vertec model has a narrower grip and a light rail. This version fit my hand so well I had to buy one. Something to consider if you want one of these.

 

I've had a 92F since '93, put several thousand rounds through it. It's one tough pistol, I'll give it that. No signs of wear anywhere other than some bluing rubbing off.

You're right though, the trigger is terrible. I've never measured it but the SA pull "feels" like more than 6lbs to me. Breaks nice and crisp, but way too heavy. The DA pull is at least twice that.. you really have to crunch the damn thing.

One thing not mentioned so far is how almighty BIG and HEAVY the thing is. There are far better choices for a piece in 9mm.

The only reasons I've kept it is that it was a gift and the weight does make firing it a pleasure. And it's pretty accurate.

And is the military about to re-bid for an issue pistol? And all signs point to a return to the .45 ACP in some configuration.