Originally Posted by EWC88

So now I'm looking at other guns such as berrettas, glock, etc. My dilemma is I do not know what caliber or what brands are good and not crap! So I'm asking for advice on some good brand names that will not put me down in the bank ($1,000) and also what caliber you think.

Don't buy anything just yet. Take some time to educate yourself about the current crop of firearms. When you're ready to take the plunge, go with a 9MM. There are just a ton of really excellent models from so many fine manufactures. You really can't go wrong. Try to shoot as many models as you can. Before you buy anything, go to youtube and do a search on any model you're interested in. You will find a ton of gun videos there, over 2,000,000! But I warn you. Watching these videos can become addicting. It is for me.

Happy shooting and always be safe.

Don <><

S&w and Ruger are the top two USA manufactures. Glock numbers are even bigger but the industry data base doesn't break down by caliber like they do for USA manufacturers. As for sig their numbers are good but some are made in USA and others imported

I would look closely at the sig 226, the glock 34 and the FNH 9

Thanks hideit, I will see if my local gun shop carries any of those in rentals to give a try.

Question, this might be dumb but oh well lol. Does it matter what kind of bullet I fire? Like what brand and makes? Will that make a difference in reaction to gun?

no dumb question is this forum
we're here to help
i don't have a lot of knowledge to ammo sensitivity

one other thing - remember the sig 226 actually won the army tests in 1985 - the gun that is - they lost the contract due to the Maintenance bid was higher than Beretta's

I tend to stay away from any cheap ammo...Tula, Wolf, etc.........you don't say what caliber? As far as reaction...If you mean recoil, yes it matters...example....I shoot mostly .40 cal.......If I shoot 180 gr., there is less recoil than if I shoot 165 gr....faster bullet, more recoil.

Originally Posted by EWC88

Thanks hideit, I will see if my local gun shop carries any of those in rentals to give a try.

Question, this might be dumb but oh well lol. Does it matter what kind of bullet I fire? Like what brand and makes? Will that make a difference in reaction to gun?

Also, some firearms have a longer breakin period than others, and some are more finicky with certain types of ammo.

Originally Posted by berettabone

I tend to stay away from any cheap ammo...Tula, Wolf, etc.........you don't say what caliber? As far as reaction...If you mean recoil, yes it matters...example....I shoot mostly .40 cal.......If I shoot 180 gr., there is less recoil than if I shoot 165 gr....faster bullet, more recoil.

You've received some very good advice so far. When you buy a firearm, stick to a major brand. You simply cannot go wrong with a Beretta or a SiG.

Some will poo poo the 9mm caliber, but it's more about shot placement than caliber. If you aren't any good shooting a gun, then you should reconsider buying one.

Having said that, even poor shooters can get to be very good ones, by just practicing.

Originally Posted by EWC88

Does it matter what kind of bullet I fire? Like what brand and makes?

For practice, just use the cheapest stuff you can find. If you shop around on the internet, you can find 9MM for around $200 per thousand, or $10 a box. For self defense buy one box of something like Hornady Critical Defense. Shoot just a few to make sure they function OK in your gun. Then pray that you never ever have to fire another one as long as you live.

Happy Shooting

Don <><

Well far as caliper I'm still debating on which one. But I figured I'll do this rental process first to try different guns and calipers to judge what I would like to get. I was asking about bullet make and brand because I didn't know if it would make the gun feel different, and if it does should I try a cheap bullet with it or a more expensive one weather to get a clean feel or stronger. So do you guys think regardless of caliper and gun I should get higher grade bullets or cheaper?

Originally Posted by EWC88

Well far as caliper I'm still debating on which one. But I figured I'll do this rental process first to try different guns and calipers to judge what I would like to get. I was asking about bullet make and brand because I didn't know if it would make the gun feel different, and if it does should I try a cheap bullet with it or a more expensive one weather to get a clean feel or stronger. So do you guys think regardless of caliper and gun I should get higher grade bullets or cheaper?

For practice, all I ever shoot are my lead bullet reloads. Again, use the cheap stuff for practice, and get just 1 box of the good stuff for serious social work. A cheap 147 grain 9MM and an expensive one are gonna feel exactly the same when fired. You wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

Don <><

Is that same in a 40 caliber? Cause I will be trying a variety of guns and calipers on Monday to figure what I'm going buy.

I suggest you get some inexpensive FMJ ammo from Walmart in 9mm, .40 and .45 then rent the guns in different calibers and shoot them to see which caliber will work best for you. I myself like the .45 ACP round but other people like the 9mm or .40SW. For target shooting, I prefer the 9mm because 9mm ammo is easier to find and it's cheaper than the .45 & .40 rounds.

Ok cool thanks a lot everyone for everything being answered! I am just trying make sure my first gun is something I will love and is good! I'm hoping all the suggestions of guns my local gun shop/range carries all the kinds listed. I know I will probably have more questions so be prepared to see this thread increase lol. I will update results after trying rentals out.

I think it's kind of funny, that a lot of people suggest using CHEAP ammo....spend a few bucks more, and shoot something of a bit higher quality, saves you troubles down the line.......I see people using cheap ammo, and a week later, they're asking why their firearm keeps misfiring, stovepiping, FTF, etc.

I've never really seen any cheap ammo. But, I have seen less expensive ammo.

If you happen to have a firearm that you've shot a lot of rounds thru, and you know it functions just fine, then yes, go ahead and buy some less-expensive ammo and see if it cycles fine.

But, if I buy a new gun, I'm gonna put good ammo thru it, if for nothing else, just to make sure that the gun functions correctly.

I'm going to suggest something different a revolver 38/357 use it for target pratice self defense and when camping fishing for snakes or animals that can threaten your life and limb. Is easy to use and very reliable. Suggest S&W or Ruger

The FMJ ammo at Walmart are not "cheap", they're just inexpensive/less expensive and are great for target shooting. I use the ammo that cost $1 or more per round for personal defense and get the ones that cost $10-$15/box of 50 for target shooting.

So I think I'm going go with a 9mm for my first gun, then through time I'll get a .40, .45, .357, etc. Now I need to figure what! My local gun shop/ shooting range has only a glock and berretta for 9mm in rentals so I'm watching a lot of videos online on different guns to choose. I have been liking the walther ppq but not sure yet. My lgs has one and I've felt it and it feels good, but that's different from feeling it shooting. So kinda in bind and looking at buying blindly a little, mostly going off videos. So any suggestions shoot away so I can watch videos on them.

Check out the Ruger SR9.....got all the safeties, good price point, good sights, good trigger.......

If you are undecided on which caliber to go with for your 1st gun, I suggest you shoot some at the range to see which one you will like best. I like the .45 ACP better than the 9mm but 9mm ammo is cheaper so I practice more with it. I agree the 9mm is a good choice for 1st gun. I have the SR9 and the SR9c in stainless. Both are excellent 9mm pistols.

Originally Posted by hideit

no dumb question is this forum
we're here to help
i don't have a lot of knowledge to ammo sensitivity

one other thing - remember the sig 226 actually won the army tests in 1985 - the gun that is - they lost the contract due to the Maintenance bid was higher than Beretta's

That's BS. The sig 226 did not actually win the army tests(the gun that is), the M9 and Sig 226 were the only two to pass the requirements and trials held in 1984 not 1985. In January of 1985 the M9 was adopted as the official sidearm of the U.S. military mainly do to under bidding Sig(which in my opinion are over priced) and having a plant in Maryland up and running. What part of the test did it win? Reliability, durability, etc? According to Beretta the M9 was held more reliable than the Sig 226 during the trials, but ask Sig and they will probably give you an opposite answer.

I am set on 9mm for my first gun, then through time it will be other sizes and what not. I have shot a 9mm before and .45 and I did like both but I think right now a 9mm will be logical. It just depends what!

Go 9 mm Glock, it's the best.
If you are inexpert, remember that glocks doesn't have safetyes.
Bye