Advice on first time buy?
- Thread starter J.Kendall
- Start date
gearchecker
New member
Mr. Kendall,
Now that you're 18 we can start calling you that.
I believe that you're on the right track. I love Glocks, but they don't fit my big hands and I can't shoot them worth a crap. I have trouble with the grip angle on them.
I bought a S&W 9mm and an XD45. They're both excellent. I've fired the M&P and I feel they're trustworthy easy to maintain and affordable.
The fun part is which to choose, 9mm or .40 to start.
I'd start with the .40 you'll get used the push very quickly and then the 9mm won't be a bother. The noise level will be reduced by the hearing protection you wear, so it really doesn't matter how they sound with either pistol.
Your choice - so far your on the right track. Make sure we know what you get.
So the Glock lovers can tell you that you made a mistake, and get it out of their system. Then everybody else can congratulate you on a fine handgun purchase.
Glock owners often, (but not always) remind me of BMW owners anyways.
Now that you're 18 we can start calling you that.
I believe that you're on the right track. I love Glocks, but they don't fit my big hands and I can't shoot them worth a crap. I have trouble with the grip angle on them.
I bought a S&W 9mm and an XD45. They're both excellent. I've fired the M&P and I feel they're trustworthy easy to maintain and affordable.
The fun part is which to choose, 9mm or .40 to start.
I'd start with the .40 you'll get used the push very quickly and then the 9mm won't be a bother. The noise level will be reduced by the hearing protection you wear, so it really doesn't matter how they sound with either pistol.
Your choice - so far your on the right track. Make sure we know what you get.
So the Glock lovers can tell you that you made a mistake, and get it out of their system. Then everybody else can congratulate you on a fine handgun purchase.
Glock owners often, (but not always) remind me of BMW owners anyways.
Well when I get the last of the cash scrapped together, I'll let you know what I end up getting. And I think I want to go and rent the M&P 9 just to see how different it feels than the .40.
And JoePa 150, by automatic, I mean semi-auto. Not fully auto. That would be a little harder to get my hands on.
And JoePa 150, by automatic, I mean semi-auto. Not fully auto. That would be a little harder to get my hands on.
Last edited:
Legionnaire
New member
Welcome aboard. Lots of good advice in this thread. Couple of thoughts:
First, I don't agree with the general recommendation that a first handgun should be a revolver. Think through what you want your gun for, and decide which is the better platform for your purposes. If you plan to use a semi-auto for range and self-defense, by all means legally acquire a semi-auto as your first gun. If you think you're more likely to move toward revolvers, that should be your first acquisition.
Second, while it's not a "rule" in my book, I do often recommend that a .22 be a first handgun, simply because they tend to be less expensive (unless you want a quality .22 revolver) and cheap ammo makes for a lot of inexpensive trigger time developing skills that will serve well when one moves on to larger calibers. Again, not a hard rule, and if you've already shot handguns extensively, a .22 makes a good subsequent addition if not a first purchase.
Third, .40S&W is a great cartridge. Most handguns available in 9mm have a .40S&W counterpart that is close (if not identical) in size. The Glock 19 and Glock 23 are a good example. The .40 has comparatively snappy recoil that many dislike, but if you're comfortable with it, go for it.
Fourth, handle and shoot as many different models as you can before making a final decision. There are far too many options out there for anyone here to make a definitive recommendation. I can tell you what I like, but I can't tell you what YOU will like! So you need to find a handgun you can shoot comfortably.
Let us know what you decide on, and pics are always welcome!
First, I don't agree with the general recommendation that a first handgun should be a revolver. Think through what you want your gun for, and decide which is the better platform for your purposes. If you plan to use a semi-auto for range and self-defense, by all means legally acquire a semi-auto as your first gun. If you think you're more likely to move toward revolvers, that should be your first acquisition.
Second, while it's not a "rule" in my book, I do often recommend that a .22 be a first handgun, simply because they tend to be less expensive (unless you want a quality .22 revolver) and cheap ammo makes for a lot of inexpensive trigger time developing skills that will serve well when one moves on to larger calibers. Again, not a hard rule, and if you've already shot handguns extensively, a .22 makes a good subsequent addition if not a first purchase.
Third, .40S&W is a great cartridge. Most handguns available in 9mm have a .40S&W counterpart that is close (if not identical) in size. The Glock 19 and Glock 23 are a good example. The .40 has comparatively snappy recoil that many dislike, but if you're comfortable with it, go for it.
Fourth, handle and shoot as many different models as you can before making a final decision. There are far too many options out there for anyone here to make a definitive recommendation. I can tell you what I like, but I can't tell you what YOU will like! So you need to find a handgun you can shoot comfortably.
Let us know what you decide on, and pics are always welcome!