So I just turned 18, and in the state of Michigan, It's legal for me to own a handgun. I wanted something in either 9mm or .40. My dad has a S&W M&P in .40, and a Glock 19 in 9mm. After shooting both of those, I ended up taking a liking to .40. Anyone have any advice what to look at for my first buy?
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Advice on first time buy?
- Thread starter J.Kendall
- Start date
SigP6Carry
New member
There's gonna be a lot of contention in this thread. You can't legally purchase a handgun, but you can be in possession of one. There's gonna be a lot of posts about how it'll be a straw buy if your dad buys it for you and all that, but... whatever. My advice would be to go with .40 S&W because of the abundance of ammo and lower cost of it. It may just be a regional thing, but EVERYTIME I go anywhere to look for ammo all I can find is .40S&W. Well, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but I do find ALOT of .40S&W on sale.
I personally prefer 9mm because it's something I fired before I bought my first handgun and it's snappy, rather than pushy, in the recoil department. But it's personal preference.
I personally prefer 9mm because it's something I fired before I bought my first handgun and it's snappy, rather than pushy, in the recoil department. But it's personal preference.
I would buy a 9mm because of the lower price in ammo. Also regardless of what caliber you get, no handgun round has enough stopping power. Proper placement is more important. I feel that with a 9mm's recoil and the ability to shoot more (lower price of ammo) increased my accuracy. I wouldn't buy into all this "tough guy" is better talk. You may get a lot of that when you are shopping for guns.
As far as brands it really comes down to what feels good in your hand. You also have to decide what purpose are you buying a gun for (range gun, home defense, concealed carry if your old enough) and your price range. I think as long as you stick to the major brands you will be ok as far as reliability (Glock, HK, CZ, Sig, S&W, Beretta).
Also once you buy one go take a class or too so you know the basics. I just took one and I have been shooting since before you have been born.
As far as brands it really comes down to what feels good in your hand. You also have to decide what purpose are you buying a gun for (range gun, home defense, concealed carry if your old enough) and your price range. I think as long as you stick to the major brands you will be ok as far as reliability (Glock, HK, CZ, Sig, S&W, Beretta).
Also once you buy one go take a class or too so you know the basics. I just took one and I have been shooting since before you have been born.
scorpion_tyr
New member
How a gun handles and fires will vary from gun to gun, but if you like .40 S&W then go with that. It's my personal preference and it makes a bigger hole than 9mm. As far as guns go, check out the FNP-40. I love mine and recommend it every chance I get.
As previously stated you will find it a great hassle to legally become in posession of a handgun. My advise would be to do it legally. The risk may be small, but you still run the risk of losing your right to bear arms for life if you do otherwise.
As previously stated you will find it a great hassle to legally become in posession of a handgun. My advise would be to do it legally. The risk may be small, but you still run the risk of losing your right to bear arms for life if you do otherwise.
If you like 40 stay with 40. It's a very nice caliber. If you're like most of us you will eventually own several handguns, but 40 is certainly a good round to begin with. My first handgun was a Sigma 40ve. Very nice gun and I still have it. Currently I'm carrying a Smith Wesson 3rd generation all steel 4046. Another very nice handgun and it's 40 caliber as well. Don't overlook CZ. They make some very nice 40's.
Well being in Michigan and being 18, I can actually purchase one. As long as it's not from a federal shop. In a federal shop I can't even handle a gun, much less buy one. And the M&P is my preference over the Glock because it fits in the hand better. Another gun I was looking at was the Walther P99, and I was wondering about both .40 and 9mm. Another thread in these forums said that the .40 had a bit much muzzle flip, but the 9mm fired just fine, and fit the hand nice too.
SigP6Carry
New member
The Walther P99 is a fantastic handgun. But... what gunshops can you go to that aren't FFLs?
About 15 minutes from my house is Silver Bullet Firearms. Great shop/range that was started by a few family friends, and was introduced to me by my dad. I go in there every so often and check out the new arrivals since I'm still saving up the money. I've been doing a lot of research into what I want too. I think I'm going to test fire the p99 at the range to see how it feels.
and Thomme, what calibre do you have it/shot it in?
and Thomme, what calibre do you have it/shot it in?
SigP6Carry
New member
I've not shot one, but I've played with them enough at stores. I don't have the cash to spend on a P99. It's a very ergonomic and natural feeling handgun that's fullsize without being "big." I'd love to get some range time with one, but I'd imagine the M&P shoots very similar to it (I have spent time with an M&P).
Well, I guess the M&P would fire like the P99 QA, the P99 AS would be my first choice. The DAO seems kind of... useless to me. But, I have spent a lot of time with P99s in shops and know that as far as ergonomics go, it's spot on. In terms of build and components, it's pretty much your normal tupperware. Factor in a trigger setup similar to a standard Walther, light weight, huge mag capacity, fairly compact size and beautiful craftsmanship and you've got a GREAT gun. I've yet to hear a single bad thing about them.
Well, I guess the M&P would fire like the P99 QA, the P99 AS would be my first choice. The DAO seems kind of... useless to me. But, I have spent a lot of time with P99s in shops and know that as far as ergonomics go, it's spot on. In terms of build and components, it's pretty much your normal tupperware. Factor in a trigger setup similar to a standard Walther, light weight, huge mag capacity, fairly compact size and beautiful craftsmanship and you've got a GREAT gun. I've yet to hear a single bad thing about them.
Cold Steel
New member
I, too, strongly recommend a revolver and especially a .357. A good revolver lasts forever and needs little maintenance, while an auto needs occasional parts replacements like extractors and springs (many change their springs every 5,000 rounds or every five years).
If you're going for an auto, I, too, like the 9mm. The .40S&W was supposed to be a major step up and was supposed to replicate the stopping power of the .357 125gr JHP. It was a good try, but it just hasn't lived up to expectations. Not only has it proven less effective as expected, the 9mm has actually improved with better bullets and loads.
You can go with a Glock, which is durable and will last, but it's boxy and has no safety, which I don't like. Every agency and department that has gone to Glocks from more conventional guns have seen a significant increase in the number of accidental shootings. So you need to obey all the rules.
I have a Smith & Wesson 5906 that I like, but also like other makes and models. The 1911 pistols tend to be too expensive for my taste and represent an older design, but again, it's personal preference.
If it were me, my first gun would be a .357 mag revolver followed by a Ruger Mark III .22LR.
If you're going for an auto, I, too, like the 9mm. The .40S&W was supposed to be a major step up and was supposed to replicate the stopping power of the .357 125gr JHP. It was a good try, but it just hasn't lived up to expectations. Not only has it proven less effective as expected, the 9mm has actually improved with better bullets and loads.
You can go with a Glock, which is durable and will last, but it's boxy and has no safety, which I don't like. Every agency and department that has gone to Glocks from more conventional guns have seen a significant increase in the number of accidental shootings. So you need to obey all the rules.
I have a Smith & Wesson 5906 that I like, but also like other makes and models. The 1911 pistols tend to be too expensive for my taste and represent an older design, but again, it's personal preference.
If it were me, my first gun would be a .357 mag revolver followed by a Ruger Mark III .22LR.
I guess I should have added that I really don't like the Glock, because it doesn't feel very good in my hand. I have handled an XD, and that felt pretty nice. The M&P fits like a custom glove though. And a revolver isn't really what I'm looking for. I have shot several though, and they are fun, but I would prefer an auto.
inSight-NEO
New member
I think everybody's first sidearm should be a revolver. Much easier to learn good shooting habits, single action first then double action. Wait to make a pistol your second gun.
Good advice, but not always applicable. New shooters can become frustrated quite easily, and revolvers (with their heavy trigger pull) can add to this frustration..assuming the use of DA or DAO. Now, if they shoot a DA/SA in "SA" mode all of the time, perhaps they will not become as frustrated. However, Im not sure if I agree that one should begin with SA as this can become somewhat of a crutch. Believe me, I know as this is how I started out. This led to a slight resentment/inability to compensate for DA which took me quite a long time to overcome. This may not seem like a big deal, but for those who may one day CC or keep a weapon around for HD...it could be. Besides, while DA practice can certainly be a bit more to deal with, if just starting out, I think that, in a way, it almost "forces" one to pay much closer attention to the core mechanics of shooting vs. becoming too reliant upon a light trigger pull to compensate for other mistakes. Now, if one insists on having DA/SA capability, I think the best option would be a semi-auto (depending on model, of course) as it would start out with DA for the first shot and then go SA from there on. With the revolver, a hammer pull is required after every shot (for SA). Not very effecient IMHO.
Either way, I think beginning with a 9mm is a decent bet. Its relatively cheap to fire, does not offer too much recoil and after all is said and done, can make for a fine CCW or HD weapon. The trigger pulls also seems, on average, to be a bit easier to cope with vs. many revolvers in stock form. Now, in terms of going with "traditional" style SA/DA or DAO (or DAK if speaking of the SIG), I cant say.
However, for instance, my wife started out with a DA/SA Sig P239 9mm and while she shot it very, very well, she opted for the DAK version even though she found this a bit more difficult to hit shoot. Reason being, given her desire to own a DAO revolver one day, she felt it best to have a semi-auto offering action closer to that of the revolver...for consistency/practice concerns.
Either way, revolver or semi-auto. I think whats "best" is what feels best/shoots best within the hands of a beginner (which is, of course, very subjective as we are not all made/do not think the same). All the advice in the world wont mean squat if the user just does not "feel it" when shooting a particular caliber or platform. Best thing is to find what "feels" best and shoot, shoot and shoot some more. Almost any weapon can be learned with enough practice. Now, one may find that, upon purchasing their first weapon, they later come across a different caliber/make/model which seems even better than their original choice. Thats OK...Just take what you have learned and apply it to the new weapon. Calibers/models/platforms may change, but the core mechanics of shooting apply to all of them. Point is, above all else, whatever you choose...just use your head, dont be in a rush, enjoy the process and shoot the gun...often!
Now for me, in terms of brand, I like the Sigs and the XDs. The Sigs are generally the best shooters (in my hands at least), but are quite expensive and as of late, their reliability/quality has become suspect. But, I have yet to personally encounter any such issues and therefore, still consider myself a Sig fan. Regardless, in terms of overall quality, shootability, feel, features (all for a small price), I find the Springfield Armory XD hard to beat. Sure, they dont feel as sweet as the Sigs, but these guns are tanks....and accurate ones at that. If I were wanting a revolver, Id probably go with the Ruger GP-100.
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ScaryWoody
New member
If you go with the M&P in .40 you could always get a conversion barrel to 9mm later on. I did that with my G23 to be able to shoot 9mm and save some dough.