Advice on first time buy?

I did actually think about that...and M&P's aren't too terribly expensive right now compared to other guns of the same quality.
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A friend of mine has an M&P and loves it (heck, I like it as well...they are good guns). However, he tried out my XD, went out and bought one and has since "retired" his M&P. But, this is his story..not yours. You decide.

The M&P fits like a custom glove though.
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Now, if you want a truly sweet fitting, sweet shooting weapon and can spare the coin, Id take a hard look at the Sig Sauer P226 or P239, given your apparent caliber preferences. Other than that, as I have mentioned before, Id continue looking at the XDs (if double stacks are your thing).

Regardless, whether it be Smith and Wesson (though, current models are overrated as far as Im concerned), Sig Sauer, Springfield Armory, CZ, Ruger, Kahr, etc., etc., just go out and shoot them all (if you can rent them) and decide for yourself. To me, spending $800+ on a handgun that shoots well and fits you well, in the long run, beats the heck out of regretting the fact that you spared a few hundred bucks yet wound up with something only so-so. But, then again, blowing that same $800+ on a weapon that is, in essence, not much better than the $500 alternative is not a great thing either.

My final advice: Pick the caliber you desire based on your ability and need...then try out an assortment of handguns within this same caliber and go from there. All else is just speculation and personal preference (per the advice of others).
 
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I believe the law is that you can not purchase from an FFL. You may be able to purchase FTF from a private party depending on state laws.

Look at a Glock or sig 40 cal. You can buy conversion barrels to 9mm or 357 sig for as little as $100 from lonewolf and there are some other more expensive ones available also.
 
For the third time, I Don't Like Glocks. And I think I'm going to go with the M&P, because if I ever feel like changing Caliber, I could buy a barrel and mags, and I've already shot the .40 in IDPA and did fairly well. And besides, its several hundred less for something that can really compare to plenty of other quality handguns.
 
For the third time, I Don't Like Glocks.
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Don't ya love innernetz forums?:p

Here's your problem, though: As an 18 year old, you can't buy a handgun from an FFL, though you can obtain one in an FTF transfer (to my knowledge).

So, you can't just walk in to somewhere and shop the smorgasbord that the firearms industry has presented to the gun buying public. You have to take what you can get from the newspaper or other venues for the next 3 years.

So... you can wait until an M&P shows up on the used market that you like... or your can increase your options. You mentioned liking the XD. I'd also recommend you look at CZ-75 pistols as well. Probably Browning/FN Hi-Powers, too.
 
You probably like the gun more than the ammo. I'd go 9mm in gun you like. Why? Easier to shoot, ammo is cheap and available. With quality ammo, the difference for personal protection is insignificant. Another neat gun is a CZ P07. I would with a compact version of anything you buy, e.g. Glock 19 vs 17. That way when and if you decide to carry you have a gun you can use more easliy.
 
Well my dad handloads 9 and .40, so they're both pretty available for me. And what caliber I'm shooting out of that gun, because the .40 in the Smith feels like less recoil than the 9.
 
well, if you examine the recoil of the two rounds there's a lot that comes into play. Such as the weight of the bullet, the power of the load and the gun's mass. Firing a .357 with a heavy bullet out of a snubby is going to recoil much harder than a light bullet fired out of a full size frame. The same goes with autos. If you fire a .40 with a light bullet out of a heavier gun than you're going to notice less recoil than a light gun firing a heavy 9mm bullet. I suggest you try as many different handguns with as many different loads as possible (but that can get as costly as buying a new gun). I prefer the snappy recoil of a 9mm myself, as I can place more shots on target than I can with the push of a .45.

The characteristics of the recoil is different, too. You'll notice that .40 and .45 push back more than 9mm, where as 9mm snaps more. It's really up to you which you're more comfortable with and in which gun. I prefer shooting all steel guns like Sigs and 1911s over tupperware like P99s, M&Ps and Glocks because the heavier guns have less noticeable recoil for me. It's all personal preference, though. The P99 feels much nicer in hand than a Sig does for me, but all the tupperware that I've fired has been much harder for me to control than a 1911 or Sig.
 
Like the man said, go with what feels comfortable in your hand(be it .22lr, or .38 spl, or .357 Magnum). If you like the way it feels, you will want to shoot the pistol, and practice with it.
 
Like the man said, go with what feels comfortable in your hand(be it .22lr, or .38 spl, or .357 Magnum). If you like the way it feels, you will want to shoot the pistol, and practice with it.
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+1

A .22 is highly recomended as a first gun.
 
The thing is though, I've shot so many different guns, that I have a pretty good feel for what I want, so I'm not looking for a starter gun, but a first gun.
 
Icore

I would get an 8 shot 357 magnum with moon clips and 4'' barrel
you can shoot .38 or 357, carry concealed (if legal), hunt small game and deer at short range shoot ICORE and steel challenge.
If you dad reloads you will only need dies to get started.
No one has ever not been able to resale a 4'' .357 smith and wesson.
I have never heard anyone say I wished I had not bought that gun.
They are only going up in price.
 
Aren't automatics illegal??

They are not accurate anyway. If you don't go with a revolver, get a semi-auto pistol like the ones you are contemplating. Whatever feels good to you. You may want to research more about the S&W M&P. I do agree they feel great in my hand but a lot of police departments went to the M&P and are having issues now.
 
J.Kendall:
Try renting as many guns as you can.
Regarding the M&P, a range near me rents one out and I've yet to hear of a single problem with their rental. I liked it, myself, but not as much as a full steel gun like a 1911 or Sig.
The M&P is fast, relatively small, light, easy to point and comfortable. It's dead on accurate (not on the follow ups for me) and looks pretty cool. You can get them in .40 and 9mm (IIRC) and they've got great ammo cap.

If you can, I'd suggest checking out Sigs, as well. Right now J&G has the Sig P6 for about $350 and it's a worthy investment. It is a single stack, so it only holds 8 rounds, which is a detriment to some, but I don't mind the low-cap myself. I don't feel that I'll ever be in a situation where I'll need to reload, let alone use all 8+1.

I hear you on the Glock issue, I like them, some don't. They feel nice in my hands, but I prefer a more familiar grip angle. If that's the case, you should check out the Springfield XD line. They're croatian military service pistols that are built (IMO) better than Glocks and are safer (IMO) than glocks. You can even get an XDm, which holds TONS of ammo. They're available in 9mm and .40 as well. To me, they're a more comfortable, safer Glock.

I'm also with you on the revolver issue. A lot of people prefer revolvers because they're simple, easy to clean and never fail. Strange thing is: a good auto never fails, either. Well, sometimes they misfeed, but with good factory loaded SD rounds, you'll generally avoid that issue.
 
J

A good Springfield or Sig in the .40 as both are great weapons. Try each one in your hand and see which on feels the best. If you know of a range that rents guns or a friend then try shooting one first (Thomme provided some great advice also). I prefer the SIG but don't rule out the Springfield.

I am with you concerning the Glock!!!!!

Welcome and Happy Birthday. I have been 18, 35 time already!
 
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I revolver will never fail.
A good semi auto with good ammo can still fail. FACT

A Springfield XD is a nice gun. If you like the way it feels in your hand better than a Glock then it might be for you.

At first I looked at the Springfield almost bought one. I didn't want to go with Glock just because everyone else has one and there are many other great guns out there. I fired a few 40 cal sub compact Glocks and didn't like the way they fired or the way they felt in my hand. At the last minute I decided to try a Glock 19. It felt better in my hand than the 40 cal and shot with less recoil so I bought it and I love it.

Everyone has there own opinion but I would highly doubt that the Springfield is built better than the Glock. The hand safety on the Springfield isn't for everyone and doesn't necessarily mean it is safer.
 
I think that everybody in America has almost bought an XD. I did the exact same thing. I went to by a Springfield XD9 and instead bought a Sig P6.
 
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