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TOrrock
04-16-10, 22:26
Just wondering what your first handgun was, whether you bought it yourself or whether it was issued to you or was a gift.

Mine was a Springfield Armory M1911A1, purchased in 1988 when I was 17. My father filled out the 4473, but I paid for it with money I had earned working at the indoor range. This was back when you could have any flavor of 1911 from Springfield you wanted, as long as it was what became known as the "Mil-Spec".

It was a great gun and I really enjoyed field stripping it and then detail stripping it, all the intricacies that make a 1911 a 1911. I got oil stains on the pages of the reprint of the 1943 edition of Small Arms of the World that I had going over the 1911 section.

So, what was your first handgun? Did you buy it yourself or was it issued to you?

30 cal slut
04-16-10, 22:28
The day I turned 21 I marched into a gun shop and bought a Ruger P-85. I already had a bunch of long guns and was so excited about getting my first pistol. Even more excited than being able to legally to go a bar and grab a brew.

It was a a downward spiral from there. :D

Robb Jensen
04-16-10, 22:28
Glock 17 Gen 1. I paid for it and my dad did the paperwork. 1987, I was still in high school.

Jay Cunningham
04-16-10, 22:29
Glock 23 that I purchased in 1992 I believe.

citizensoldier16
04-16-10, 22:30
Great thread idea!

Mine was a brand new 2nd generation Glock 17 in the "tupperware" style box. It was my 18th birthday gift from my father, and I still have it. It has shot countless rounds in both range sessions and IDPA matches, and hasn't failed me once.

I have received 3 guns as gifts, all from my father...a 20g 870 magnum youth model for my 12th birthday, a 12g 870 super magnum for my 15th, and the G17 for my 18th. Three guns I will never sell, and will likely pass on to my future children.

The first handgun I purchased with my own money was a G19 (used) that I bought 3 days after I turned 21.

Business_Casual
04-16-10, 22:31
S&W Model 10, I bought it at a gun show and paid way too much for it back then, probably all of $150.

B_C

ghettomedic
04-16-10, 22:32
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/wootenjones/truck018.jpg

Star PD .45

jaxman7
04-16-10, 22:32
I was 15 and was just crazy about two movies, Die Hard and Lethal Weapon. Well guess what handgun I wanted, a Beretta 92. I begged and begged my grandfather. After much debate with him and LOTS more of firearms safety he decided that if I would work and pay for half he would pitch in the other half. I've got very found memories of shooting that thing with Pop.

5pins
04-16-10, 22:51
My first was back in 86 when I was 21. It was a Colt Peacekeeper .357 mag. What a piece of crap. This was back when Colt was having union problems and it showed.

S391
04-16-10, 22:55
I was 18 in 1986 and I bought a AMT Hardballer stainless 1911 from a friend. Once I got it back from the warranty center it shot pretty well.

tpd223
04-16-10, 22:56
First I had given to me;

H&R model 999 6" Great little gun, wish I still had it.

First I bought was a 4" stainless Security Six in .357mag, later became my first duty gun.

ThirdWatcher
04-16-10, 22:56
Smith & Wesson Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman w/ 6" barrel. My Dad gave it to me when I got out of the Army in 1976. I probably put more rounds through it than all my other weapons combined. I wouldn't part with it for anything (especially since Dad has been gone for four years now).

LOKNLOD
04-16-10, 22:57
Ruger P90.

Ak44
04-16-10, 23:01
Glock 19 and my dad's 380 Llama :D My big brother taught me how to shoot. And now the tables have turned as I am teaching him now haha.

PrivateCitizen
04-16-10, 23:04
1993 pre ban W, German SIG Sauer P228. The pistol to have.

CCW until 2002.

Sold it, miss it. Wish I'd kept.

eo500
04-16-10, 23:31
Beretta 96 D Centurion, the only gun I regret buying. I wish I had done more research on how long the trigger pull is. I'd like to get rid of it, but it seems like it's worth more than the $280 that all of local dealers have offered.

Hersh
04-16-10, 23:34
High Standard Supermatic Citation.

skyugo
04-16-10, 23:45
glock 19, as soon as i got a job after moving to colorado. :D still got it, shooting it lots.

DocGKR
04-16-10, 23:57
One of my professors, Dr. Fletcher Craig, was an accomplished pistol shooter who guided me on my first pistol purchase--a Colt Series 70 1911 customized by Ed Brown in classic IPSC style with two tone finish, Bomar sight, 3.5 lbs trigger, very sharp checkering...

When I received my Navy commission in 1986, I sold the Colt to purchase a Beretta 92F and S&W 38 that I subsequently used in Police Academy.

montanadave
04-17-10, 00:03
Smith and Wesson model 645 .45ACP in stainless back in the early 1980s. I'm not positive, but I think this might have been S&W's first .45 auto. Still have it and used it during a handgun course a couple of years back. Nary a hiccup.

Bought the 645 and a Ruger Single Six at the same time. The ex-wife made of with the Ruger but I think I got the better end of that deal.

MichaelD
04-17-10, 00:06
Full-size S&W M&P9, followed two months later by an M&P9c.

Yes, I am definitely a newbie compared to most of you here.

em2b96p
04-17-10, 00:29
Sig Sauer p229 .40s&w

This was taken the day after I bought it. 2 weeks after I turned 21.
http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/44436/2190459610087935229S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2190459610087935229iJrqOw)

ColdDeadHands
04-17-10, 00:38
Walther P38

TheSmiter1
04-17-10, 00:54
Sig 226 in 40 back when I was 19.

cathellsk
04-17-10, 00:59
4" blue Ruger GP100, first year production, back in 1986 when I was all of 14 years old. My brother's was at the same time, he got a Smith & Wesson 4" nickel 586.

jhs1969
04-17-10, 01:04
1986, 16 years old, Auto Ordnance 1911A1. Save my allowance and summer work money.

kaltblitz
04-17-10, 01:08
I purchased a Luger P-08 on my 21st birthday. I actually put it on layaway a few weeks earlier in anticipation. My follow up purchase was my factory K-Kote finished Sig 226 purchased a month or two later when I had scraped up some more pennies.

I still have both guns.

padwan
04-17-10, 01:19
My first handgun was a gift. Colt Scout SA revolver, but the guy installed a S&W adjustable rear on it.

Bubba FAL
04-17-10, 01:24
Tanfoglio TZ75 (Italian copy of CZ75) purchased in 1987. Still have it. High polish blue isn't much good for a carry gun, but it shoots great and fits my hand like it was custom made for me.

kmrtnsn
04-17-10, 01:29
S&W 659

DocHolliday01
04-17-10, 01:40
Glock 21, in which i just sold a few months ago to help fund my Nighthawk purchase.

556A2
04-17-10, 02:51
CZ-75B

Great handgun, but traded it for a Glock 19.

BigRed82
04-17-10, 03:01
I was a latecomer to handguns. 2007.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/jaronhudgins/Firearms/IMG_2594ps.jpg

jwperry
04-17-10, 03:18
USP 40 full size...I bought it when I was 21 and right after I got my carry permit. I sold it shortly there after for a Glock 17, much easier to carry!

Socom
04-17-10, 03:21
My first handgun was a HK Mark23 .45ACP. Very nice well build piece of german quality. Nice weapon for the 'big-handed' shooter. ;)

ThirdWatcher
04-17-10, 06:19
My first handgun was a HK Mark23 .45ACP. Very nice well build piece of german quality. Nice weapon for the 'big-handed' shooter. ;)

I admire your taste in weaponry.

sro579
04-17-10, 06:41
S&W Model 39-2

usmcamp0811
04-17-10, 06:55
My first handgun was a Beretta 92FS that my folks got me as a high school graduation present.

PT Doc
04-17-10, 06:58
S&W model 10-5 that my Dad brought back from Viet Nam in '67. He believes it was probably originally issued to a pilot/air crew member. He got it off an NVA officer who no longer had any use for it.

Socom
04-17-10, 07:01
At this moment i own two; a Beretta 92FS and a CZ 75 SP-01 Shadow, both 9x19mm. The CZ i use for IPSC competition.

karmapolice
04-17-10, 07:30
My first handgun was a Glock 22 at 18, I paid for it dad filled out the paperwork.

f.2
04-17-10, 07:37
226-9

never had a gift gun.

madisonsfinest
04-17-10, 07:39
Gen 2 Glock 17 issued in 99.

lindertw
04-17-10, 07:40
a used Beretta 92FS from a pawn shop; sent it to Ernest Langdon for trigger work (~summer of 2000).

dbrowne1
04-17-10, 07:56
Used Glock 17 (Gen 2) in 1997. Still have it, was my daily carry up until a few years ago.

It's got some old school, barely glowing trijicon night sights and is nicely worn. I'm hanging onto it for a lot of reasons, one of which is that it will probably be considered "retro" in another 10 years.:D

RogerinTPA
04-17-10, 08:07
In 1985, S&W 559, traded for 669 a few months later.

markm
04-17-10, 08:13
M1991-A1. Bought it myself when I turned 21. I was shooting at a very young age, maybe 5 years old or so. But the Colt 45 was my first gun of my own.

CaptainDooley
04-17-10, 08:16
Ruger P94 in .40 S&W. I bought it from my brother-in-law when I was 19. Sold it to buy a Springfield Armory Loaded 1911 which was sold to get my current carry piece - a S&W M&P 9FS. Just bought my first gun with "new money" since that first one - the wife got an M&P9c...

djegators
04-17-10, 08:19
Gen 2 GLOCK 17, purchased new in '93 after some buddies in school got me into guns, and I got my CCW. I still have it, still shoot it.

My 2nd gun was a Norinco MAK90, bought at wholesale. Still have it, still shoot it.

Moose-Knuckle
04-17-10, 08:51
When I came of legal age (21) to purchase a handgun the first one I bought for myself was a Ruger 22/45 Mark III (P512MKIII) Blued with 5 1/2" Bull Barrel. Still out of my guns it's one of my favorites to shoot!

Aristogeiton
04-17-10, 09:20
Ruger Single Six .22 LR/.22 Mag.

First auto was a SIG P229 in 40 S&W

Dragon Slayer
04-17-10, 09:29
In Israel it was a Star 9mm went with me in the Yom Kippur War and in the reserves. In the USA 35 years ago it was a S&W revolver Model 12 Airweight 2 inch 38 Special (I still miss that gun).
First auto in the USA was a Colt Commander 45 ACP.

Redhat
04-17-10, 09:33
Colt '70 series Gov't Model.

Others have come and gone, but that one stays.

Issued - M9

A-Bear680
04-17-10, 09:49
An Ithaca 1911a1 was the first handgun that I actually owned.

svsv
04-17-10, 09:51
davids p-380 . i got in trade at a pawn shop...:(

althor
04-17-10, 10:05
I thought there would have been more .22s on the list. Mine was a Browning Buckmark Micro. I eventually sold it to my brother to get him started and have since vowed to never sell a gun again... maybe.

woody d
04-17-10, 10:06
a standard Ruger Mk I...my father gave to me when i turned 10 (in '84)....ive loved the Ruger rimfires ever since

Kool Aid
04-17-10, 11:32
HK USP .40 Compact. Having no shooting experience, the .40 looked good on paper and the compact platform seemed to be the best compromise for range and carry. The hobby took off like wildfire, and about a year later the .40 was traded toward several more specialized pistols and reloading equipment.

welchtactical
04-17-10, 11:55
New in box stainless Colt Gold Cup 1911. Great shooting gun. Ran it through classes, and carried it at work. It was a gift from a friend who later comminted suicide. After he died I took the gun into work with me at the gunshop I was working in and had our gunsmith (big 1911 guy) go back over his, buff out the little scratched and such. A few days later his son (not a shooter) said he wanted the gun his dad had gave me. I didnt wanna argue it with him. I met him and gave the pistol to him, which he then threw into the open window of his truck, bounched off the seat and into the floor board. I'd bet money it ended up in a pawn shop. Hurts me to think about it now.

Alpha Sierra
04-17-10, 11:58
Smith & Wesson 915. Gift from a neighbor.

BigT
04-17-10, 12:26
My first was a Beretta 92. A gift from my grandfather when I was 19. Old style with the frame mounted safety. Sold it a few years later to buy a Glock 17.

First gun I bought myself was my Colt Series 70 Gold Cup.

User Name
04-17-10, 12:32
Thirteen years old I was given a S&W model 66 with a box of Silver tips from my father. I had my own gun safe. As I father now to a little boy he won't be getting a hand gun at 13. At least it will never be in his possession except when I am around. But my dad was a little different. My first purchase at 21 was a 228.

SHIVAN
04-17-10, 12:45
H&K USP40 Fullsize Variant 1.

exiledtoIA
04-17-10, 12:58
High Standard Sentinel MK IV 22Mag, 9 shot DA revolver.
Lost it to my first wife, but she also had to take the cats.

francis
04-17-10, 13:00
the month I graduated from college (i put in for the permits the end of my senior year), I bought a used Ruger Security six and a Glock 19 new. Those were my first handguns.

Peanut
04-17-10, 13:37
My first and still own is a Sig Sauer P226. Purchased in 87.
The slide is stamped as made in Tysons Corner, VA.
I believe thats where SIG first set up shop in the US.
The slide, Frame and barrel are all stamped with the serial number.

Carried it for work before the Dept issued SIG as the duty weapon

militarymoron
04-17-10, 14:15
Colt officer's model .45 in '85. birthday present from my parents. first gun i paid for myself was an AR-15A2 in '85 or '86.

opmike
04-17-10, 14:24
Mine was a Ruger P89. I don't really have much use for it these days, but I won't ever be selling it.

colt191145lover
04-17-10, 14:26
1998 I was 12 and I wanted a 1911 ...My older cousin who I looked up to was a cop and carried a HK USP .45 on duty and talked me into getting one he had found for sale in the paper. It was used a bit, but it came with 6 magaziness 800 rounds of ball and 300 rounds of 230gr Gold dot for $700 I had saved $400 and got the rest on loan from my little brother , he always had money when we were younger...

I carried it on the farm and shot the crap out of it but never really did like it much being I have small hands, so I finally got a Springfield mil spec 1911 when I was 16 and traded the HK for a Sig 229 to the same cousin who found it for me:D

CoryCop25
04-17-10, 14:27
For my 16th birthday (1991), my father bought me a CZ75 and a case of ammo. I shot the hell out of that pistol!

Loup Garou
04-17-10, 15:25
Russian Makarov. Good, reliable gun. Entered a steel plate competition back in Louisiana with it, found the 9X18 round would not knock over an 8 inch steel plate at 25 feet. Traded it in for a stainless Colt Gold Cup, which I still have. 45acp knocked the plates over just fine. :D

ROCKET20_GINSU
04-17-10, 15:54
Used Glock 22, Gen II at a gunshow in Tulsa Oklahoma in 2005, when I was brand spanking new 2LT attending my Artillery Officer basic course at FT. Sill. Drove 3 hours just to get there with a bunch of buddies with the intention of finding a G19, but unfortunately they didn't have any. I decided that I had to have a glock that day so I bought the used G22 on my own. Only put a couple of hundred rounds through it before I sold it, but it ran fine for me. I've since converted to all my glocks to Gen III 9mm's :D, hope to add a Gen IV in the future.

Good thread!
GU

RAM Engineer
04-17-10, 15:57
Colt 1991A1 at age 16.

Sry0fcr
04-17-10, 16:46
A Springfield Armory XD SC circa 2004 it was a 21st birthday gift to myself. I shot the hell out of that thing back when 9mm was .11c/round.

IMIRanger
04-17-10, 17:11
My first was a glock 19. I still have and I Love it more everyday. I bought it as my concealed carry when I lived in NC.

orionz06
04-17-10, 17:13
G23, I left in the middle of a college class to go get it, had a beer on my way back, got beer spilled on me at the bar, and returned to the class having the teacher notice I was gone AND notice that I smelled like beer.

MechEng
04-17-10, 17:14
Colt Series 80 1911 45 ACP that I bought back in 1990. I still have it tucked away somewhere in the back of my gun safe.

SteveL
04-17-10, 17:40
Mine was an Astra A-100, which is a Sig Sauer ripoff. The decock lever completely broke after about two weeks and the dealer took it back for a full exchange and I got a Beretta 92 FS instead. No problems ever with that weapon.

Coiffio
04-17-10, 17:43
My dad gave me a last year of import Walther PPK in .22LR when I was in my early teens. It was very much the ideal first handgun for me at that age. I still got it and you couldn't give me anything to get rid of it. I don't care if someone used rust remover and ate all the bluing off. It goes bang every time and I have too many memories of shooting it with my late father.

luvmy40
04-17-10, 18:20
The first hand gun I ever shot was a Charter Arms .22 revolver.
I was Issued an M1911 in the Army in '86.
The first one I actually owned is a Llama commander size 1911 copy. I bought it at the Stuttgart Rod & Gun Club in '88. That Llama still sees a good bit of range time.

SOT364
04-17-10, 18:45
I had arraigned to go see the late, great Col Jeff Cooper for training in the "general defensive handgun." Got a Springfield Mil-Spec, kramer holster, belt, mag pouch, and a bunch or WR 47d's just 2 months before the class.

Called up Novak's and asked to speak with the late Joe Bonar (on recommendation from a friend from 7th Group). I told him what I wanted done (a lot of work at the time) and told him I needed it in under 2 months. He laughed and told me that his waiting list was over a year long. I explained that I was going to receive training from Col Cooper. Joe said "son, send me the gun and it'll be back to you in under a month." It was back in 2 weeks door to door.

Shot it in that class and over 30 others, carried it just about everywhere. It is on it's third set of internals, third barrel, and third finish (wore off park and hard chrome, its now a 2 tone roguard/np3). The only original parts are the frame, slide, grip safety and old school cool Gunsite low mount.

I still have it and shoot it better and faster than any other handgun ever. That thing is magical.

subzero
04-17-10, 20:37
I bought a used Glock 17 in 1997 at the Bealeton Gun Show. I had to sell it less than a year later because I needed money for textbooks. I took a bath on it too. I bought myself a 10/22 a couple of years later, but it met a mysterious end.


I miss that 10/22.

Oscar 319
04-17-10, 20:56
Growing up I had access to the 2-3 dozen S&W revolvers in the family, a Hi-Power and Grandpa's 1911.

The first handgun that was actually mine was an issued S&W 6906 in 1996, which I later purchased back (for about $200) when they were replaced.

The first handgun I purchased myself was a Browning Buckmark, which I still own. It has about 1,234,512,002,050 rounds through it. :D

pcauwels
04-17-10, 20:59
Browing Hi-Power Canadian Surplus back in 1984 when I was 14.
Worked all summer for it.

Got stolen my senior year of high school by a drug addict...

Bob RI
04-17-10, 22:30
Dan Wesson M715 357mag purchased in 1985

jklaughrey
04-17-10, 22:51
Star single stack, 9x19. It was my dad's BUG when he was LAPD. I learned on this when I was about 5 or 6 when he took me to the range. Then was given to me on my 10th birthday, along with a Mossberg 500 12 ga. I love my dad for teaching me the basics early in life.

13F3OL7
04-17-10, 23:09
The first handgun I purchased was a Smith & Wesson Sigma chambered in .40 S&W. Maybe not the best one in the world, but I never had problems with it.

snaf
04-17-10, 23:25
my first handgun was a beretta px4 .40s&w type g which was my first and probably my last .40s&w gun i own.

Burdy
04-17-10, 23:26
Glock 22.

K.L. Davis
04-17-10, 23:26
There were several handguns in our home, but the first one that was really "mine" was one that I bought when I was 14 or 15 - a Ruger Security Six in .357 Magnum

SmokeJumper
04-17-10, 23:42
S&W 4506-1 .45 with Trijicon night sights and Hogue rubber grips. I paid $600 out the door brand new. It was my first carry gun and it was a beast.

Avandir
04-18-10, 05:44
Last year, the day I turned 21 I marched into my local fun store and threw down $500 or $600 I can't remember, for a Taurus PT1911. About a month later I bought a SA 1911 Milspec. My buddy and and I were going to the range outside Fort Hood in Lampasas. We stopped at Academy to grab some ammo and when we came back out, his truck was in flames with both my 1911's inside, his Sig 228 and M4-gery. There was literally nothing left but a few pieces of the frames. The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Fast-forward a couple of months, I walk into my local PX and throw down $800 for a brand new HK P2000V2 in 9mm with my half of the insurance money my buddy got for his truck and the rest is history.

eternal24k
04-18-10, 09:18
bought a W German P226 when I turned 18, literally have never had any failures, went to Glocks and 1911s and have came back after needing a standard platform for me and my gf to train on and fell back in love with it.

Abraxas
04-18-10, 09:25
My first was a Walther P99. I bought it back around 2000. I had wanted one for a long time. I still have and like the gun. I don't know why I just had to have it.

Nevermiss
04-18-10, 09:29
S&W Model 29 Nickel plated 357 with a 6 inch barrel. My dad gave it to me when I turned 20 yrs. old. That was 21 years ago.

The first one I purchased was a Glock 21 about 5 years later.

HeavyDuty
04-18-10, 09:43
My 21st birthday cash went for a new S&W 586 the next day.

mnagant762
04-18-10, 09:47
Used Glock 23 dealer sent the paperwork out early so it would be back in on my 21st birthday.

jmp45
04-18-10, 09:51
Ruger MK I

rdc0000
04-18-10, 09:58
Colt 70 in 9mm in 1981. Traded a marlin 22 carbine and $200. The gun shop was happy to get rid of it as I had watched it for about a year until I turned 21. I finally traded it in 2006 I made enough money for a CZ 75 2 cases of ammo and more cash in my pocket.

Thomas M-4
04-18-10, 10:00
Glock17 police trade in.

CoryCop25
04-18-10, 11:03
Used Glock 23 dealer sent the paperwork out early so it would be back in on my 21st birthday.

Did the exact same thing on my 21st! Back when there was a 3 day wait. I bought a S&W 410. Could not afford a 4006. I traded my Remington 03-A3 and a few bucks for it. Damn I was dumb when I was young! That 410 lasted only a few months! Traded up for a G19(still have it)!

jtb0311
04-18-10, 11:25
While home on leave in August 1997 I bought a Colt M1991A1. At the time, I didn't even know the difference between a Series 70 or 80, just that I wanted a 1911. I'd wanted one since watching Magnum PI at age 8.

Still have that same one (some work has been done), and in fact shot in in LAV's 1911 Operator's Course (https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=32267) last June. I don't plan to ever let it go.

Noodle
04-18-10, 11:32
A Walther P22 got me started. It was ony trouble from there. Glock 19, Walther P99, HK45, and a CZ SP-O1 in .40.

Jake Bauer
04-18-10, 12:59
My Sig P220

canucksvt
04-18-10, 13:04
My first pistol I ever purchased was a 2nd generation Glock 19. I bought this pistol in 1994 upon turning 21. Over the years, it has fired more rounds than any other firearm I own except for my Ruger Mark II.

I recently purchased a 3rd generation Glock 19 which is now my concealed carry firearm that replaced the 2nd generation G19. I did a complete tear down of the 2nd generation pistol and returned it all back to 100% stock configuration. I removed the 3.5lb connector, Trijicon night sights, SS guide rod, and smooth trigger, which all were transferred to the 3rd generation pistol. The 2nd gen pistol is going to be a gift to my nephew when he comes of age.

bnanaphone
04-18-10, 13:16
My first was a S&W model 22A rimfire with the laminate wood grip a week after turning 21. I was not really into guns at that time but wanted something for plinking.

Right after that I bought a 6" Colt King Cobra .357 just to have a little more "knock down" power.

condition 1
04-18-10, 13:29
Browning High Power in 1981, still have it.

pac022
04-18-10, 13:31
my first pistol to own was a browning buckmark standard with the slad sided barrle. shot that thing till the plastic mag catch wore out then replaced it with a metal one. no more problems...except one. i now own several pistols lol.

PRGGodfather
04-18-10, 13:51
My first one (given to me) was a Colt Diamondback 4" .38 Special. Still have it. It is a beautiful gun, but a little delicate as a self-defense piece.

First one I ever bought (21st birthday in 1985) was a Colt Combat Commander. Still have it, and it's been through a few changes. It's currently a Novak Custom.

I will pass them both onto my kids, along with all the other guns.

SWATcop556
04-18-10, 15:30
The first handgun I shot was a Colt series 70 1911 that my father had. The first gun that was given to me was a Walther PPK that had belonged to my grandfather when I was 15.

The first one I bought was a Kimber Custom Classic (series 70 Clackamas) which was modified by a local smith when I turned 21. My dad also gave me his old Colt on the same bday so it was a two handgun bday. I still have all three in the safe.

TOrrock
04-18-10, 15:41
I'm seeing a lot of 1911's, Glocks, and a few Beretta's as firsts.

Not nearly as many revolvers as I thought there might be, that's probably a generational thing.

RogerinTPA
04-18-10, 15:53
I'm seeing a lot of 1911's, Glocks, and a few Beretta's as firsts.

Not nearly as many revolvers as I thought there might be, that's probably a generational thing.


Agreed. I never quite warmed up to revolvers earlier in my life. As a former Army Aviator, we used to be issues S&W M10s, before the Berettas. I and anyone else for that matter, couldn't hit shit with it, it was so inaccurate. I shot much better with the old 1911A1s previously. If I could get a 7 or 8 shot .357 with a slick as snot, 6 pound DA trigger, I'd be all over it.

subzero
04-18-10, 16:30
I've never even owned a revolver. Wheelguns and I don't get along.

Huggies
04-18-10, 16:38
Glock 22

hazmat25
04-18-10, 16:54
back in 2002 i was 15. I wanted a beretta 92fs. I ended up getting one of the first M9 editions. I saved from my part time job and my dad did the paperwork

graffex
04-18-10, 17:02
Bought a Glock 17 on my 21st birthday ;)

VaeVictis
04-18-10, 19:13
I got my first gun when I was 18, had my dad fill out the paper work for a Springfield XD 9. The trigger sucked something fierce at first but after I broke it in, it turned into a really nice shootin gun. Although, I now wish that I had picked up that baby eagle instead, not to say that I dont like the XD it's just that now I really want a jericho and no one is importing them anymore.

Vendetta
04-18-10, 19:59
XD9 Service for me. Dumbest decision I have made regarding any type of weapon. I got smart and traded it off for a Glock 19, haven't looked back.

kornbread402
04-18-10, 20:08
I started shooting very early. My first handgun was given to me by my father for Christmas when I was 10, a Ruger Single Six 22. The first one I bought was a Ruger P-90 45.

GermanSynergy
04-18-10, 20:12
Browning Hi-Power back in 1999...

tracker722
04-18-10, 20:40
*********************

G34Shooter
04-18-10, 21:41
H&K USP40 Fullsize Variant 1.


Same here:
http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad251/SShenaniguns/Old%20guns/48a79a20.jpg

metallic
04-18-10, 21:47
My first handgun was a Browning Buck Mark that I received for a Christmas present when I was 12. My first centerfire pistol was a Glock 27 that I received for my 21st birthday. I ended up selling both because I needed the cash, but I only miss the Browning. I have a ton of fond memories hunting nutria rats with it while growing up.

The first handgun that I bought with my own money was a Sig Sauer P226, which I bought to replace the Glock. I learned my lesson last time and this one will only be sold as an absolute last resort. I've also added a Kimber Pro TLE II and a Bersa Thunder .380 to the collection over the last few years. Next gun on the list is either a P238 or a wheelgun.

Dr Dues
04-18-10, 22:02
S&W 29-2, in 1979.

Norinco
04-18-10, 23:19
Sig Sauer GSR Revolution 1911. Mom did the paperwork.
Over 90hrs of roofing...(in mid summer) paid for it.
Now im after an M&P9 Pro :D

QuickStrike
04-19-10, 00:29
I bought a springfield "Mil-spec" the day after I turned 21 in 2005.

Had to special order it when I insisted on getting a new 1911. The place I got it from sucks ass, and I haven't been back there since!

It was also the first gun I've ever shot. Not being introduced to firearms by anyone, I got into guns from reading the web and playing video games (Resident Evil for the original Playstation). :cool:

mattjmcd
04-19-10, 00:33
Smith 469.

jrmymiles
04-19-10, 09:06
All thru jr high and high school I had wanted a Glock. Late 80's / early 90's. I finally turned 21 and rushed out and picked up a G19. Its been 14 yrs and I have had bought and sold everything from Taurus to HK. The ole G19 is still my fav.;)

BigPaulie
04-19-10, 09:15
Granfather's WW2 Luger

Ranger325
04-19-10, 10:15
Mine was a 6" blue Colt Python.......................... 1980, Fayetteville, NC.

TEXAS_GLOCKER
04-19-10, 14:23
Ruger P89....in '95. Man the trigger on those guns sucked. Got rid of it after a year and went to a Smith 905 I think it was, then a 4006. Sold them and boughtmy first Glock, a Glock 23. Been shooting Glocks ever since, besides the Smith airweight in my pocket. I love my Glocks!!:D

1911pro
04-19-10, 14:41
Ruger stainless New model Single Six convertible given by my father around the early 80s.

William B.
04-19-10, 15:42
My dad got me a Colt Cadet .22lr when I was about 7. That's what he taught my sister and I to shoot on. Obviously, though, I didn't get to enjoy it unless he was supervising me. The first pistol I actually bought myself was an old, beat-up S&W 66. I still have the Colt Cadet and shoot it a lot.

kbi
04-19-10, 15:51
My 1st handgun was a USP ( Universal sh**** pistol ) when I turned 21 back in 96.

onado2000
04-19-10, 20:43
I turned 21 in 1993 and bought a Sig 229 (.40) NIB, a few days later a Sig P230 and a HK USP 9. I still have all 3 of them.

The Dumb Gun Collector
04-19-10, 20:49
My dad allowed me to buy a P7M13 when I was 18. I traded it for an new Nickel M8 a few months later. I still have that old girl.

Argus
04-19-10, 21:14
S&W 910; bought it in 1995 shortly after starting my first job after college. Traded it several years later on a Beretta 92fs. The Smith was a decent pistol; reliable and reasonably accurate. Nothing special, but I kind of wish I'd held on to it.

Pappabear
04-19-10, 22:12
Clint Eastwood was the Salesman. S&W 44mag. In 1986. I can remember shooting in the range and putting the targets at 60 yards and was lucky to get it on paper. Of course I was discouraged I was not making head shots like on TV. Mine had an awesome bue finish and wood grips.

JacksonDavion
04-19-10, 23:04
Beretta 92FS in 2005. I have a lot of Air Force officer friends who influenced that decision. It also didn't hurt that it was the only pistol at the time I actually knew the name of, courtesy of Resident Evil (original PlayStation). Now it spends most of its time in the safe, although, my better half seems to have a soft spot for it.

m98evolution
04-19-10, 23:20
My Dad's old Glock 19 was given to me when I went to college.

Honu
04-20-10, 02:57
1979 one of the first ones to get a Ruger Redhawk :) fun gun to shoot
until then I was more into rifles as I was only 16 so my dad did the paperwork

also bought my first glock in 1982 :)

YVK
04-20-10, 08:48
H&K P7M8, bought brand-new in 2005, still own it and probably will never sell.

PdxMotoxer
04-20-10, 11:38
Mine was a grad present from my older bro of a used Ruger Single Six .22 LR/.22 Mag. (later realized he took the Mag cylinder and i have 2 .22 LR cylinders)

When i turned 21 i bought a used Benelli 9mm auto from a gunshow
but ended up selling and buying a new Ruger P89dc that still sits in my nightstand.

I figure if i run out of ammo i can always beat the holy snot out of them with it.
that damn things weighs enough. lol


I still have both rugers and NEVER had any issues with either.

glocktogo
04-20-10, 11:48
My first was an early 80's Browning Hi-Power. The one with the adjustable rear sight that had a tendency to fall apart as you were shooting it. Swapped for a Millet rear and a set of Pachmayr's, then carried it for years.

I bought it with my boot cam check from the Corps. My mom signed the peperwork and I was off into the world, armed and definitely dangerous back then. :D

Safetyhit
04-20-10, 11:57
My first was a new Ruger Blackhawk .22 magnum single action I got at around 15.

crusader377
04-20-10, 15:45
Beretta 92FS Inox

It was a gift from my father when I was 20.

m1ajunkie
04-20-10, 15:55
Just bought my first handgun yesterday for my 21st birthday. Went with a SW MP9. Shot 100 rounds today, and it ran great and feels great. I can't wait to be able to shoot as well with a handgun as I can with a rifle.

TOrrock
04-20-10, 17:11
Just bought my first handgun yesterday for my 21st birthday. Went with a SW MP9. Shot 100 rounds today, and it ran great and feels great. I can't wait to be able to shoot as well with a handgun as I can with a rifle.


Congratulations and Happy Birthday! :cool:

RogerinTPA
04-20-10, 17:40
Just bought my first handgun yesterday for my 21st birthday. Went with a SW MP9. Shot 100 rounds today, and it ran great and feels great. I can't wait to be able to shoot as well with a handgun as I can with a rifle.

Good on you and nice selection! Happy B-day!

CobraBG
04-20-10, 17:54
In 1986 I bought a new Colt Government 1911 in SS. I was thrilled and showed it to friends at work who were all gun owners. I left it on my desk and returned to find one of them had disassembled it and left it in pieces for me. :D

I learned how to assemble and disassemble it then.

Joe R.
04-20-10, 18:13
1985, Smith model 13. Still have it though it doesn't see much use anymore. First duty gun was a Smith Model 64. Carried that for several years before we finally switched to semi-autos. Yup, I'm old...

tarkeg
04-20-10, 18:22
I'm seeing a lot of 1911's, Glocks, and a few Beretta's as firsts.

Not nearly as many revolvers as I thought there might be, that's probably a generational thing.

I agree. My first handgun is a Ruger Super Single-Six .22/.22 mag convertible with a 9 1/2" barrel that my father gave me. I was 15. I say "is" because I still have it and always will. However, the day I turned 21 I picked up the Colt Government Model 1911 Series 80 that I had been paying off for a year. That was 1986. I still have that one also!

YATYAS
04-20-10, 21:59
My first handgun was issued to me by the Marine Corps.

The Beretta M9 9mm. . . The thing jammed all the time, but what can you expect from a pistol with probably a million rounds through it. Very accurate though.

My first purchase was a G22 w/ night sights.

Dunderway
04-20-10, 22:10
Ruger Single Six. Still have fun shooting it.

Copis
04-20-10, 22:20
1990
22yrs old
First-Ruger service six revolver in 357 Magnum
Second-S&W 4506

2010
20yrs later
Exclusively Glock 9mm

Toonces
04-20-10, 23:34
My first pistol was an AMT Hardballer Longslide when I was 15. My money, and my Dad filled out the paperwork. Mom was not overly impressed. I still have it.

If only I knew then what I know now. Predictably, it wouldn't feed anything and rattled. It went back to the factory and now it feeds anything, but still rattles.

It is very accurate. With me shooting it, it holds its own in 25 yard Bullseye against my reworked Colt. It came with easy to see Millet sights, and the the barrel to slide lockup is tight. With the long sight radius, it is a very easy pistol to shoot well.

Taguin
04-21-10, 09:15
KE date coded

SIG ARMS P220 .45ACP

Still have it, looks like I dragged it with my truck a city block or so.

Al U. 5811
04-21-10, 09:19
Beretta 92F. I was a 21 y/o LCPL.

Boss Hogg
04-21-10, 09:35
Glock 19 that I got in summer 1994. Then this damn thing called Federal AWB legislation was passed.

I still love that Glock and shoot it frequently. It now has TruGlo sights and I can't bring myself to have it stippled.

19852
04-21-10, 09:48
S&W Model 18, .22 revolver. I paid for it, dad signed for it. I still have it and my kids will get it.

sdacbob
04-21-10, 10:45
S&W Model 28 Highway Patrolman 4'' .357 Magnum. Bought it in the early 70's and had it stolen a few years ago.

ForTehNguyen
04-21-10, 10:53
Springfield XD9 Service

Palmguy
04-21-10, 11:53
Springfield XD9.

lovetashoot
04-21-10, 12:00
Colt Trooper Mk III. Nickel Plated. Gift from granddad when I was about two (circa 1977).

Seagrave7
04-21-10, 19:57
SIG 226 .40cal

Adam0331
04-21-10, 20:08
Back when I first got to the fleet I was an 18 y/o PFC and was issued an M9.
My first purchase was a Glock 23.

duckdog_3a
04-21-10, 20:10
My first gun was a Ruger P-85 that I got for a graduation present from high school. I still have it to this day!! Will never give it up. too much sentimental value.

Eddiesketti
04-21-10, 20:32
I bought a Springfield XD 40 when i got out of service in 2005. It shot well but i wasn't happy with it. Ended up getting something way better.

cougar_guy04
04-21-10, 21:18
Springfield XD-45, wanted a Sig P220 but somehow got talked out of it. Still have it, but it's in the Ghost Fleet for now.

Bought it with my own money. Came home from school the night before my 21st birthday. First stop was the DMV to get my new DL, second stop was the local gun-store. Then, another trip that Wednesday to pick my gun up thanks to the State of Chicago.

RB-S13
04-21-10, 21:28
Glock 19

Rider79
04-22-10, 08:11
Kel-Tec P11 :mad:

rickb210
04-22-10, 10:35
Dan Wesson 4" .357 Magnum. Early 70's.

Skang
04-22-10, 23:23
HK P30L. the first and only one..yet

doughnut
04-23-10, 01:47
A used Sig 229 .40 purchased in 2005 as a college graduation present to myself.

crusader4x
04-23-10, 02:33
A Walther P99 in .40 in 1997. Had to get it after watching Tomorrow Never Dies. Then 12 years of nothing because the spouse didn't think I needed anymore guns.

Got a BCM Middy last September, four weeks after she served me with divorce papers and left me so she can pursue an old boyfriend.

Contemplating either a Five-seveN, Glock 35, and H&K P2000 soon...

TomMcC
04-23-10, 02:41
Colt Gold Cup (1971), it cost a $190 brand new.

rrpederson
04-23-10, 02:51
this is a great thread idea. my dad always owned a lot of guns and always had them around the house, but the first gun i ever bought with my own money was a colt 1991a1 that my dad had built from the ground up. i was 17 at the time in 2001. i still have it to this day, and to this day, no other pistol i have ever shot, owned or even touched ever fit my hand as well as that 1991a1. here it is today, still the same as when dad built it.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t319/rrpederson/002-1.jpg

Gentoo
04-23-10, 05:36
Star BM 9mm bought in the wake of Katrina.

Mark/MO
04-23-10, 06:00
A Ruger Single Six convertible I got when I was 17, much like Templar. I cut firewood all one winter to get the money. My Dad took the money I'd saved and bought it for me, a 6 1/2" blued model with the Bicentennial markings. I still have it and probably always will.

Beachboy
04-23-10, 17:36
S&W 4" Model 15, given to me by my parents in 1975 when I graduated from high school, just before my 18th birthday.

13MPG
04-25-10, 16:20
My grandpa gave me an H&R .22 when I was 10(ish) It was a great little gun and it went everywhere with me.

When I turned 21 I bought a Beretta 92.

CLHC
04-25-10, 16:24
Just wondering what your first handgun was, . . .So, what was your first handgun?
Beretta 92FS

. . .whether you bought it yourself or whether it was issued to you or was a gift. . .Did you buy it yourself or was it issued to you?
Bought it as a "gift" to myself. :p

Kuro Ookami
04-25-10, 16:38
My first pistol was an M&P9. Still learning how to use it, haha.

VHinch
04-25-10, 21:11
Beretta 92FS, bought for myself the day I turned 21.

BMWguy206
04-25-10, 21:17
My first handgun was a Glock 35 and bought it as a 30th birthday gift to myself. Damn this is an expensive hobby.

Ruff Shod
04-25-10, 21:54
First handgun I bought was a Dan Wesson 357 Mag with a 4" interchangible barrel. I didnt have the other barrels. Got it for $150. I was way too young to have it!

First issued handgun was a Remington Rand 1911. I wish I had it. It was tight!

Mark-VA
05-02-10, 18:42
My first handgun was an FEG P9R. I bought it myself sometime around August of 1994. It seemed like the best soon-to-be-banned high-capacity pistol I could afford at the time.

C0WB0Y
05-02-10, 19:01
First pistol I shot was a Remington .22 revolver.

First pistol I owned was Grandpa's service 1911.

First pistol I purchased was a Beretta 92FS.

DasBulk
05-03-10, 00:05
First shot: Sig 226 .357sig. My brothers duty weapon. I was something like sixteen or so I think.
First one I bought: HK USP45F. Still have it and its my go to gun.

Last bought was my Glock 19 and its my current carry gun.

desertdisciple
09-05-10, 04:31
First...Was a Colt 32 Police Special.
(was a "hand me down" that I should have kept!)

1st purchase was a S&W 5906...
(another I wished I'd not traded in!)
:blink:

pv18463
09-05-10, 06:13
My first pistol was a Glock 30 that I bought. It served as my CCW pistol for many years.

GLOCKMASTER
09-05-10, 06:26
The first one that I ever purchased was a Browning Hi-Power. I wished I still had it.

polymorpheous
09-05-10, 07:53
1st handgun:
Rock Island Armory 1911A1 Tactical.

Sold it and bought a Glock 17.:D

SIGguy229
09-05-10, 09:10
When I graduated college and earned my commission, I went out and bought a SIG P226/9mm and an M-1 Garand.

orlanger
09-05-10, 09:27
S&W Model 64-1

Wish I still had it.

demkofour
09-05-10, 09:38
Had my eyes set on a 6" Model 28 Highway Patrolman but when I saw that 8 3/8" Model 29-2 in bright blue, well, it came home with me. Like many already said, I wish I still had it...:(

Loner
09-05-10, 09:45
The day I turned 21 I bought myself a HK USP Compact 9mm.

t1tan
09-05-10, 09:50
My first was a Glock 19

LHS
09-05-10, 09:52
My first pistol was a late-80s-vintage Springfield 1911 tuned up by Dave Peagram. Peagram was hot at the time, and it seemed like everyone who mattered had one of his blasters. I was stoked when Dad gifted it to me. Then I discovered that I had the only Peagram gun that wouldn't run. I'd shot at least a dozen of his builds, and they all ran like sewing machines except mine. It was very sensitive to taper crimp and bullet design, and malfunctioned frequently. I credit that gun with whatever skill I have with tap-rack-bang drills. Eventually, the barrel link separated from the barrel and locked the gun up hard. Bad barrel (original SA), I guess. When we dropped in a new barrel, the gun magically started running like a champ. Unfortunately, by that time I'd lost all confidence in the weapon, and had gone to a 1st-gen Kimber for IDPA, and eventually got a Wilson CQB.

JonInWA
09-05-10, 09:57
After over 10 years as an Army officer, my first gun that I purchased was a 1960s vintage German military/police surplus Walther P1, purchased at one of the excellent Texas gunshows back in the day (early 1990s). I had fun with it, ended up having a local gunsmith make 3 dot sights for it, and while I certainly didn't exactly set any marksmanship records with it at Fort Hood, our French Army liaison officer showed me that it was a tack-driver. That was my first clue that it's both Indians and arrows that are important factors in the shooting equation.

Best, Jon

davidz71
09-05-10, 10:34
S&W mdl. 19 357 mag. with 6" barrel purchased in 1974. It was bought mainly to practice the fundamentals to become proficient with our S&W mdl. 10 service revolver. I sold it to a friend and purchased a Colt Python 6" which I promptly traded in on a S&W mdl. 66 with 4" barrel for carry. While the Python was slick, I could never shoot it as well as the K frame Smiths. I later traded the 66 in for a mdl. 686 with 4" barrel and added a 2 1/2" and 6" to the stable. I'll never get rid of them. All were purchased with money from working.

kjdoski
09-05-10, 10:37
My first, bought with my own money in 1988 in Columbus, GA; was a Sig P226 9mm. It was a great pistol, and I wish like heck I'd never sold it...

Regards,

Kevin

TwoSqueeze
09-05-10, 11:17
First one was a crappy High Standard 1911 officer model. It was before I knew that a handgun should not have a stoppage every other magazine:suicide: Got rid of that thing as soon as possible.

-TS

donlapalma
09-05-10, 11:18
My 1st handgun was a Springfield XD9 which is now long gone due in large part to what I have learned here. She did shoot good though. It's interesting how I've evolved as a shooter and gun owner.

LSK
09-05-10, 11:33
Colt Ser. 70 Government model 9mm. For use with home stored govt ammo. 45 auto was next pistol.

dvdlpzus
09-05-10, 11:47
Mine was of course a Ruger P85. :D Still have it, no issues. Around 35k through it. Mostly a safe queen now.

newyork
09-05-10, 11:57
Glock 37 with night sights. bought it with my money. 2005. Sold it for something else.

telecustom
09-05-10, 12:00
Gen 2 Glock 19, got it 10 yrs ago and still my CCW of choice.

murphy j
09-05-10, 12:06
1990 - I was issued a Reminton Rand 1911. About a year later we turned in all 1911s for brand new right out of the wrapper Beretta M9s.

2004 - I jumped on a deal from a friend for a Charles Daly 'Champion length' 1911. It was a Phillipine made gun and I didn't know any better. It was a definite learning experience. Since then it's been nothing but reliable out of the box guns or custom 1911s built by one of my best friends, a former protege of Armand Swenson.

natebick
09-05-10, 13:27
My first pistol was a Browning Buckmark .22 which I still have and shoot on a regular basis. It was a gift from my Dad when I was a kid and one of the pistols I learned to shoot with.

wes007
09-05-10, 13:35
Mine was the SW40VE that I bought for $300 from buds awhile back. I still dont think its as bad of a weapon as everyone makes it out to be :cool:

bradb55
09-05-10, 21:26
It was an Interarms R9 9mm Para, Hungarian Arms Works. I loved that pistol. Sold it. got it back and sold it again. If I ever get it back it will not be sold again.

Nugentforoffice
09-05-10, 21:28
My 21st birthday present to myself was a Ruger P95DC

Quiet-Matt
09-05-10, 21:33
1997, Mine was a Ruger P95 also. That thing was a tack driver.

The_War_Wagon
09-05-10, 21:59
S&W 1006 - summer of '91. :cool:

I was 24, & those Norma full-house loads were callin' my name. Only took 6 mos. of steady practice, to hit what I was aiming at, too! :p

misanthropist
09-05-10, 22:05
A series 70 Colt for me...it was given to me by a close friend who had had a little work put in to it by a competent smith.

Gave it to another good friend a few years later when I left the country.

Darnok
09-05-10, 22:12
Bought new in September 1967 a Browning .380, sold it around 10 years later.

Photo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Browning_Model_1955.jpg

Konrad.

An Undocumented Worker
09-05-10, 22:19
My first handgun was a S&W 22A-1, I used it for general marksmanship practice, and familiarizing myselft with handguns.

I didn't get into guns untill about 2007, and none of my family members were into guns and did not own any. Although I was familiar with shooting rifles and shotguns through scouts as a child.


Any how, Not long after getting the 22A-1 I picked up a CZ PCR aka 75D compact, for use as concealed carry, and expanding my newfound hobby/appreciation of our second amendment rights.

So far it has proven to be reliable and accurate over the 3000 rounds that I've put through it.

The smith has since been sold due to reliabilty issues and replaced with a CZ 22 conversion kit for my PCR.

hworang00
09-05-10, 22:53
First handgun I bought was an XDm 9mm. I walked in on a whim and was like...Meh I have an CCW, I might as well buy something. Heard great things about the XDm, and considered a glock but it just didn't feel right in my hand and the XDm felt wonderful so...still have it...shoots amazingly...buddy of mine that passed and I were supposed to get pistols together so I bought it in honor of him. :)

Urabus23
09-05-10, 22:56
Bought my Glock 23 the day I turned 21.

usmcvet
09-06-10, 00:31
My first pistol was a 92FS '92 I was 20. Shortly after that followed by a S&W 686. The day my 686 came in was snowy and cold. I went to local sand pit to shoot and forgot ear plugs. Man my freaking ears were ringing after shooting a box of. 357. I loved those big revolvers.

I sold both shortly to fund a G23 (my first duty gun) duty belt and uniforms. As a part time deputy I had to buy everything myself. I was too young and excited to realize how much that sucked!

I never carry it any more but will have it for ever. It is my safe.

I have enjoyed readin this thread. Especially all of the fond memories of kearnin to shoot with fathers and sons and grandparents and grandchildren. I am building some of those memories with my son now.

Magic_Salad0892
09-06-10, 00:59
Glock 17.

MadcapMagician
09-06-10, 06:15
My first pistol was a Ruger 22/45 given to my on my 16th birthday. I've shot what seems like a million and a half rounds out of it.I have many great memories with it.

My first purchased pistol was a Glock 19. Ironicaly enough I only got the Glock because I couldn't find the XD I wanted. Now I've got a fleet of Glocks and won't give an XD the time
of day.

usmcvet
09-06-10, 06:55
I shot my "first gun" the other day with my son. It had ben about ten years and it brought s smile to my face. The smell and sound of the action brought back so many memories. I used to shoot a brick a week through my Model 60 Marlin. I was so accurate wih that thing because of all the practice with it

mnoe82
09-06-10, 07:19
First one was an XD. I bought it the day the AWB was lifted. I didn't know a THING about guns at the time nor the AWB. When I went in the gun store to buy it, it was shoulder to shoulder and I thought "Wow! Must be having a sale or something?"

hank2165
09-06-10, 07:57
1988...
Glock 17 Gen 1. Still going strong maybe 7k through it. Still love those stock sights.

19852
09-06-10, 09:27
S&W model 18, .22 revolver, 4" barrel. I saved up the money, dad filled out the paperwork. I'll never part with it, dad has been gone since '86.

pdb
09-06-10, 10:24
EAA Witness .45 ACP, the full sized steel one. I bought it off of gunbroker.com for $275 shipped in 1998, about 2 years after I moved down here from Canada. I can stiill remember taking my NC pistol permit down to the store and being absolutely convinced I'd get arrested or something. But I paid my transfer fee, filled out the 4473 and walked out with hot sexy death in my sweaty hands.

Freedom, eh?

The best thing I can say for it is that it reliably put bullets through paper in patterns resembling groups. Too bad it did so about 6" low at 10 yards. The front sight was so low I just aimed high. I'd like to say that it taught me to avoid uncommon, POS pistols, but I had to go through a Norinco 1911, a FEG High Power, a CZ-52 and a Beretta 8045F before I finally smartened up and bought a bunch of 9mm Glocks.

What can I say, I'm a slow learner.

RD62
09-06-10, 10:24
When I turned 21 I bought the then brand new S&W Sigma .40.

It was surprisingly accurate and I never had a problem with it. I sold it a few years later to finance a 1911.

UCFiveOh
09-06-10, 13:19
HK USP in .40 that I bought from my best friend, who had just purchased a new one with the stainless slide.

I later carried it as my first duty gun as a reserve LEO.
http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy252/ucfiveoh/SDC12308.jpg

nrose8989
09-06-10, 15:46
First handgun was a HK USP .40 that my dad gave me when I was 18.

A couple months later, I bought a Kimber TLE II (I paid for, dad filled out the paperwork).

The USP is long gone. The Kimber sits in the safe as a project gun.

theblackknight
09-06-10, 15:55
My M&P 9mm. Bought it in april of 2008 along with 300 rounds of PMC bronze to get intimate with it.

I fitted some Bowie Tac operator sight on it that summer long before they were all the rage.

It's about to get stippled too.

rathos
09-06-10, 17:41
Ruger MKII with a 10 inch bull barrel. My dad bought it for my brother and I to shoot squirrels, robins and other pests in the orchard. Not only did we get the ammo for free, but he paid us a dollar a pest. Still have it, but we keep it on the farm.

The first pistol I ever purchased myself was a Taurus 24/7 9mm. I shot the hell outta that gun and would still have it, but it was stolen a few years back and replaced with a beretta 92 which proved to be quite a bit more accurate and sexy looking.

willowofwisp
09-06-10, 18:05
Glock 30SF

j1n
09-06-10, 18:11
Sig p226 9mm

just got it last week. going to start competing in USPSA when i get better with it. :D

82ndtrooper
09-06-10, 20:55
I tbink it was 1984.

Springfield GI style 1911 .45 ACP. Still have it today.

Army Chief
09-06-10, 21:12
Smith & Wesson Model 669 in 9mm. This was circa 1986, when this was a very cool little gun.

AC

JSGlock34
09-06-10, 21:17
Smith and Wesson 5903 - 9mm DA/SA with alloy frame. I really liked the 3rd generation S&W pistols, but I shoot striker fired and single action pistols much better.

MGD
09-06-10, 21:24
glock 17. bought it myself in college. never owned any firearm until then.

Army Chief
09-06-10, 21:25
I should probably have added that my first duty weapon (LEO) a couple of years later was a S&W 639. I always found it curious that our department bypassed the higher-capacity 659, but in those days, the future of the double-column magazine was open to debate, since we all "knew" that these magazines were inherently less reliable.

My, how far we've come ... though it occurs to me that I still tend to carry single-stacks (1911, P7).

AC

SeriousStudent
09-06-10, 21:52
I was 14 years old, and my grandfather traded for a used Colt 1911 for me. We lived on a cattle ranch in West "by God" Texas, and just about everyone open carried all the time.

I remember walking into the bank in Alpine with my grandfather when I was a small boy. He would have a Colt 1911 locked and cocked on his right hip, and a Buck 110 Folding Hunter knife on his rleft.

The only thing they ever said was "Hi Gus, how can we help you today?" :D

I guess the world was a different place 40 years ago. If you wanted a good defensive pistol, you either had a Colt 1911, or a S&W .357 revolver.

I have my dad's Colt 1911 that was made in 1954 sitting in the safe. When my daughter turns 21, it's hers. She's 17, and loves shooting it.

JR TACTICAL
09-06-10, 22:00
SW model 19 K series, given to me by my father after my first child was born, I have been obsesses with firearms since. Thanks dad

obucina
09-06-10, 22:10
A Stainless Ruger Single Six. I received it as a christmas present in 1987..I was 6! The first handgun I purchased with my own cash was a slightly used HK USP-C .45. I was my first big ticket purchase after graduating college. I later sold it and got a Springfield Loaded 1911.

Blastard
09-06-10, 22:15
My first rimfire was a Ruger MKI standard. First centerfire was Colt M1991A1. Good times.

chilic82
09-06-10, 22:20
Ruger 10/22. Still have it to this day. It's a blast to plink with.

TOrrock
09-06-10, 22:26
Ruger 10/22. Still have it to this day. It's a blast to plink with.

Handgun? :ph34r:

fp2000h
09-06-10, 22:32
Not knowing much about firearms, my first purchase was influenced more by pop culture than any type of consumer research if anything. I rented a Glock 19, shot it, and then purchased one NIB immediately afterwards. I eventually put night sights on it and still consider it one of the best fighting platforms developed.

Of course, now I know a lot more about other handguns and have had the opportunity to play with a lot of different platforms. Glock was the first. I've owned a 19, 37, and 26. I would definitely own either a 19 or a 26 again.

8200rpm
09-07-10, 01:02
January 15th, 1996 for $859.27 OTD while still in college :eek: (stupid noob mistake). Never (over)paid so much for a handgun since.

http://a.imageshack.us/img291/3300/img1942.jpg

Army Chief
09-07-10, 05:46
Agreed. I never quite warmed up to revolvers earlier in my life. As a former Army Aviator, we used to be issues S&W M10s, before the Berettas. I and anyone else for that matter, couldn't hit shit with it, it was so inaccurate.

An excellent point. Coming from the same background, I remember both the Colt and S&W .38s that were issued to aircrews -- thought I might have seen a Ruger once, too -- but all of them left a negative impression, and were viewed largely as throwing pieces at the time.

Later, I did buy a S&W Model 60 (Chief's Special ... though I never picked up on the irony of that until now), and thankfully, that changed my perspective on wheelguns a bit.

AC

rob_s
09-07-10, 06:37
Ballester Molina (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballester-Molina) and then a 4" 686 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_and_wesson_686).