[Sinkhole]

1911. it's the only weapon in the list not 9mm and with a manual safety

The 1911 he shot was 45 but the M17 also has a manual safety.

Don't forget to consider the P-07 by CZ.

That is an option too. I have been considering one myself to go alongside my P 10 C they do use the same magazines.

 

[LoProfile]

CZ P-07 compact
Most definitely

 

[stratplexi]

G43X or G48….you stated your in a state that limits capacity and these are excellent, reliable, and can serve home defense or carry. Hard to beat given the price cap of $500.

 

[Barbarosa99]

I would look for a lightly used CZ 75 PCR, then you would have the best!

 

[njdevl]

…What would you suggest?

For my money, one of those beneath the radar sub-$400, 10 or 17-rd Steyr M9A2-MFs

 

[Hdw325is]

How about a Tisas 1911. They get great reviews, and in a capacity limited state, you may as well carry a 45.

 

[mountiefan4]

I have an acquaintance who is new to shooting. He is looking to buy his first handgun. He has taken his safety classes and obtained his pistol permit. We have gone shooting with another friend and let him try several different firearm brands and types. Between me and my buddy, he has shot my P320C, and P320 X compact with a Wilson grip module, M17, CZ P 10C. S&W M&P Shield Plus, S&W M&P 9c, Shadow Systems MR920 Combat, My buddy's G19, and 1911. He liked both P320's, the P 10C, MR920, and Shield Plus but liked the larger guns the best. We have kind of honed in on a 3.5"-4" 15-round compact is where he wants to be for his first gun. We are in a capacity-restricted state so when I refer to 15-rounds I am referring to typical size. This gun will primarily be used as a home defense/training pistol. Concealed carry is not a goal for this gun. So that being said his wife has given him a hard limit of $500 out the door for the gun alone. He has asked for recommendations in that price range for guns he can go rent to try and possibly buy. He wants his first gun to be new, not used, and optics-ready would be a plus but not required. I told him I would have to do some looking and let him know. So I guess I asking for a little help here with suggestions. My shortlist given to him so far is as follows.
CZ P10c
Beretta APX A1 Compact (side note I am grabbing one of these next month as a B-Day present to myself)
IWI Masada
What would you suggest?

I would recommend starting off with a .22 Pistol, with iron sights.

This way he can learn trigger control and sight alignment; all this while not being concerned with Recoil. Once he masters the above, then he can move up to a 9mm,.45 ACP, .44 Mag, or a .454 Casull.

 

[Zellig]

All the “options” you listed are striker-fired….is that a requirement?

A Bul Cherokee Compact (or full size) can be found for $250. Ergonomic, good shooters.

Frankly, for a new shooter (especially in a home defense situation), I’d recommend a DA/SA as a starting point. A little less likely to have an unintentional discharge in a tense situation.

Fully agreed.
With first criteria being first time pistol owner followed by sub compact I would have concerns. Sub compact pistols are for many difficult to shoot well. A colleague decided a G26 Glock would be best. After only a few weeks time he traded it in for a Sig P229 and has been very happy with the decision. He shoots it well and appreciated the DA/SA relieving his anxiety of the striker fired pistol perceived increased potential for a AD/ND.
When cost is a primary constraint one mist sometimes have to settle and often settling on a potential life saving product is not prudent.
Owning a pistol is a serious decision. Choose wisely and always try as many models and calibers as possible. Don't let the cost of a couple of nights out for dinner and a movie stand between what you shoot well and are satisfied with or what came in under budget.

 

[Navy87guy]

How about a Tisas 1911. They get great reviews, and in a capacity limited state, you may as well carry a 45.

Or a 9mm… 😉

(That’s an $800 gun, though).

There’s also Taylor & Co (made by Armscor) - this one was $350 (but not optics ready):

 

[Koyote]

Already purchased it... IWI's 17+1 MASADA! $499 out the door. That included taxes and no call to NICS as I have a CCP.

 

[Shootsalotof22]

I have an acquaintance who is new to shooting. He is looking to buy his first handgun. He has taken his safety classes and obtained his pistol permit. We have gone shooting with another friend and let him try several different firearm brands and types. Between me and my buddy, he has shot my P320C, and P320 X compact with a Wilson grip module, M17, CZ P 10C. S&W M&P Shield Plus, S&W M&P 9c, Shadow Systems MR920 Combat, My buddy's G19, and 1911. He liked both P320's, the P 10C, MR920, and Shield Plus but liked the larger guns the best. We have kind of honed in on a 3.5"-4" 15-round compact is where he wants to be for his first gun. We are in a capacity-restricted state so when I refer to 15-rounds I am referring to typical size. This gun will primarily be used as a home defense/training pistol. Concealed carry is not a goal for this gun. So that being said his wife has given him a hard limit of $500 out the door for the gun alone. He has asked for recommendations in that price range for guns he can go rent to try and possibly buy. He wants his first gun to be new, not used, and optics-ready would be a plus but not required. I told him I would have to do some looking and let him know. So I guess I asking for a little help here with suggestions. My shortlist given to him so far is as follows.
CZ P10c
Beretta APX A1 Compact (side note I am grabbing one of these next month as a B-Day present to myself)
IWI Masada
What would you suggest?

I see a bunch of P320's (new) on GB. Ranging from compact to full sized for under the $500 limit. I have both a 9mm and a 40 S&W/357 Sig that are "lights out" accurate and never have had a FTF or FTE or "negligent discharge". I am an NRA Certified Pistol instructor with more years of experience than most people both in LE and teaching firearms use. I always recommend they give the "320 class" (or any handgun they are interested in) a try first before buying anything. While some eventually get other types of pistols quite a few have gone with that recommendation. They are easier to take down for maintenance and upgrades are easy to do after the fact. Most (students) add a underbarrel light for home defense.

 

[Lancer L5 AWM]

Sig p320c, 9mm, 15 round mags, black, $399:

https://www.sigtalk.com/threads/sig-p320c-9mm-black-15-round-mags-399.451403/?post_id=6444807#post-6444807

 

[hiketheball]

P320C, and P320 X compact with a Wilson grip module, M17, CZ P 10C. S&W M&P Shield Plus, S&W M&P 9c, Shadow Systems MR920 Combat, G19, and 1911. He liked both P320's, the P 10C, MR920, and Shield Plus

• The CZ 10C. a new, old style (not optics cut) are in the $400-$450 price range in my area.
• Used. A CZ 75 Rami was asking $400 on Armslist. The Rami is out of production and can only be purchased used. The 10C can also be purchased used. Noting that few people keep and use their first pistol, a used one mitigates the $$$ loss of transferring a firearm.

 

[NDG12]

i can understand wanting to keep costs down, but the hard/fast rule of 500 bucks is not a good idea.
Considering these tools can make the difference between life & death for you & loved ones, skimping out does not make sense. He should get the piece that he feels he shoots the best with & that tick the boxes for reliability, & capacity.
When it comes to your family, dont be pennywise & pound foolish.

 

[DirectDrive]

"but liked the larger guns the best"

After reading that, I immediately think of G19 because in the "compact class", it's just down from full size.
But then there's a slight problem, why carry a 15-round size pistol when your state has a 10 round restriction ?

Answer : Slimline
And namely, G48 which has a G19 "footprint" but is "slimmed down" to match its single stack 10 round magazine.
Essentially it's a single stack G19.

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[SouthernBoy]

So the choice is get killed by a bad guy or get killed by his wife. I don’t like those offs at all! 😎

?? Why on earth would his wife kill him? [I know, just being a might facetious]

Maybe he should respond to his wife by putting a limit on how much she can spend on shoes and how many she can own. Seriously, where does his wife get off telling him how much he can spend on a gun for personal SD? Hell, he might wind up having to protect her then having second thoughts about doing this [again, being facetious]. But seriously, if he/they can afford it and it is reasonable then he should get what he wants and what works best for him.

 

[Sigmen Freud226]

I have seen Beretta 92x compacts locally for less than 500. I would go with that option if you’re open to the superiority of DA/SA.

 

[sigshooter355]

Battlehawkarmory.com has new P320c models for $399.99. You could probably find a Glock 19 for a similar price if you dig around. I'd suggest a Ruger MKIV .22 auto for a first handgun. After a few thousand rounds then consider adding to the collection.

 

[F.A.78]

?? Why on earth would his wife kill him? [I know, just being a might facetious]

Maybe he should respond to his wife by putting a limit on how much she can spend on shoes and how many she can own. Seriously, where does his wife get off telling him how much he can spend on a gun for personal SD? Hell, he might wind up protecting and having second thoughts about doing this. But really, if he/they can afford it and it is reasonable then he should get what he wants and what works best for hiim.

Well, it seems possibly redundant. She already has a perfectly good EDC in the form of his balls. 🧐 (Such an underrated smiley. It works for so many situations)

 

[PaulWVa]

I got this SIG 320 Sub-Compact, new, for $485.00 from my LGS. I did move up to a medium grip mod with the rail from the too small module that came with it. I also changed to an APEX flat trigger to stop the trigger bite I was getting. And I had this little CT-206 laser that I played with on several guns ... it found a home on the subbie ... it was like it was made for it. A TALON grip cover and Obsidian extended base pad completed the project. A great little shooter with 12+1 and easy to carry around.