Another new guy looking for guidance

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erikivy

New member
Hello all, this is my first post, so go easy on me. :) I’m brand new to the forum and pretty new to guns in general. I grew up around them and shot a few here and there over the years, but just bought my first one a couple of weeks ago. It’s a little S&W 22A and I’m having a ball getting acquainted with it. I’ve been reading and reading and reading for several days now and am amazed at the sheer volume of information on this site. It truly is a wonderful resource.

I can already tell that I will eventually want something more potent than the 22A. At the moment, I’m leaning toward a poly frame .40S&W like a Beretta Px4 or perhaps a S&W M&P. This will initially be for home defense and eventually for CC, but I’m not in a rush to start carrying. I’ve read with great interest the debate between plastic guns and all-metal ones, and I’m willing to consider either. What I am looking for is some all-metal alternatives to the two weapons listed above. The P226 looks like a pretty close fit, but I’m sure there are other good candidates out there. Also, I like the idea of a compact or even sub-compact (LOVE the Px4 SC!) and would especially be interested in those kinds of suggestions. I tried searching (honest!), but I guess I suck at it. I think the trick is picking the right key words but I clearly failed. Anyway, if anyone has some suggestions, I’m all ears.

Thanks in advance.
 
I would recomend seeing how well your .22 works in an actual mugging, and gathering data from that to use in your purchase decision for a larger caliber.
 
My recommendation is to find a range with a nice handgun selection and rent a few. Buy a couple boxes of .38sp and 9mm. That should cover most gun brands and "designs". You can look at the caliber variations on a theme later.

When you sort it out to your top 5 or so, list them and I'm sure you'll get a ton of opinions.
 
I would recomend seeing how well your .22 works in an actual mugging
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Dude, you got a weird sense of humor;)

I like the PX4 myself, have only handled the .45 version though - but as aesthetics are important for me, I'll keep my 92.

Bersa Thunder 45 is about the same size if not a bit smaller. It's all-metal and much more inexpensive.
 
I would recomend seeing how well your .22 works in an actual mugging ...
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It's the most frustrating thing. I've approached at least a half dozen strangers in the more blighted parts of town with a similar proposition. I've said, "Hey, check this out. I'm going to convince my friends, once and for all, that a .22LR is a viable self-defense weapon by actually shooting a mugger and getting his first-hand reaction to the event. Now, I'm going to walk up this here street and pretend to mind my business. I want you to attempt to mug me. I am then going to riddle you full of holes and I want you to tell me if it is enough to persuade you to stop. It's kind of like that Bill Engvall skit, but without the shark or the sign ... right, never mind. Ok, ready? Let's proceed then."

Not a one has ever played along, dang it. :confused:

As to the OP's question: There seems to be another flood of police trade-ins (3rd Gen S&W autos) out right now, so you might want to check them out for a really good deal.
 
I think you should add the Springfield XDm series to the list of polys you're looking at!
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Thanks to you, I just did. :) That's a very nice looking gun.


My recommendation is to find a range with a nice handgun selection and rent a few. Buy a couple boxes of .38sp and 9mm. That should cover most gun brands and "designs". You can look at the caliber variations on a theme later.
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I'll give that a shot, but I'm in a somewhat isolated/rural location. I have applied for membership in the local gun club, so hopefully I can get some exposure that way.


There seems to be another flood of police trade-ins (3rd Gen S&W autos) out right now, so you might want to check them out for a really good deal.
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Any hints where to look? Gunbroker? Local gun shops? Gun shows? Am I on the right track?


Thanks to everyone for your thoughts. Keep 'em coming!
 
My first suggestion is to try to handle and preferably shoot as many different pistols as you can before making up your mind about what to get. Or you can just spend lots of money buying different ones until you find the one you like. I suggest staying with the major brand names. Sig Sauer, Beretta, Smith and Wesson, Ruger, CZ etc. I prefer to carry a 9 mm. Recoil is less then a .40 so you can get back on target faster and the ammo costs a lot less too. The Sig P229 is very similar to the P226 and is a little smaller. That makes it a little easier to carry. I find the P225/P6 works well for me. I may not have as many rounds in the magazine as I would with most of my other pistols but, I think it has enough and one extra magazine is always a good idea. The P225 is smaller then the P229 (width and weight) so is even easier to conceal.

I also have a 22A-1 and it is a lot of fun to shoot. I like wood grips on mine more then the plastic/rubber ones it came with. They are very accurate and cheap to feed.
 
I love my sig p226, but if you are truly new to shooting I would suggest a glock. Consistent trigger pull easier to train with and very reliable. My sig is more accurate but you have two different trigger pulls to master. For new guys and even some professionals glocks work the best :)
 
It's hard to answer these question because in the end, choosing a weapon is a very personal thing. What shoots well for me may not shoot well for you.

As a rule, buy quality. Stick with the majors.

As for Poly vs Steel, that argument was really settle a very long time ago. I lived through it once. Both are just fine. The big difference is weight. Heavy guns are nice to shoot, not so nice to carry. I carried a 1911 A1 for one day. Went back to the Glock. For me, I like the lighter frames.

These days I like the XD, the S&W MP, or the Glocks. Sigs are fine weapons, as are Berettas. You really can't go too far wrong with these companies.

Little things will decide the issue. How does the gun feel in your hands? Close your eyes and bring the weapon into "ready" position and open your eyes. Are the sights in a good position for your eyes? Are there sharpe points and corners on the weapon? That kind of thing.

Best wishes
 
Thank you to everyone for your help. I have a line on a used M&P 40 at a very reasonable price. It appears to be in like new condition and I will make arrangements to check it out in person in the near future. I've handled one before and it's a great fit for my hands. If I don't go through with it for whatever reason, I'm sure I'll be back for more input.
 
The m&p is my favorite polymer, and 3rd gen. Smiths are my favorite metal guns.

It all comes down to what you are comfortable with. We can all sit here and tell you what we would get and why, but you have to make the decision. So I would say take your time, research plenty of different guns, fondle them at the shops, and shoot them if you can.

Good luck
 
I dislike DA/SA so that is why I don't recommend the PX4 (I'm trying to learn it anyway, though). I am actually interested in getting the M&P VTAC in .40. Check out that gun. I don't think that gun is the best for concealed carry, though. Check out some of the compact and sub-compact M&Ps if you like them.
 
Simple DA only type semi auto pistols, concealed use...

As a starter or entry level concealed firearm, I'd get a well made small frame 5 or 6 shot DA only revolver like a Ruger SP101 .357magnum, a S&W model 642 .38spl +P or a Ruger LCR .357magnum.
These snub revolvers conceal well, are easy to clean/service and have the power to defend you in a high stress lethal force event. You can add a CT laser-aiming grip or get custom plate/coating work done too. This will keep the metal firearm from wear/rust/etc.
If you feel you can carry or use a pistol, check into a few compact type DA only models like the Kahr in 9x19mm or .40S&W, the HK P2000sk LEM(law enforcement modification) or the small SIG Sauer P239 DAK SASII in .357sig or 9x19mm. 3 dot night sights and/or a Crimson Trace lasergrip can help those sidearms also. The SASII treatment means the P239 has no rough or sharp edges. Many pistolsmiths & armed professionals suggest carrying a defense pistol that can feel like a "well used bar of soap". ;)
Rent or shoot a few brands if you can to find what you can use best. Learn & understand your local area's gun & use of deadly force laws. Keep your carry or defense sidearms clean & check them often so you are not dealing with any problems in a critical event. Good cleaning/lube products include Mpro7/LPX, Eezox, Ballistol, Gunzilla. Hoppes # 9 bore cleaner & Butch's are popular too.
For more details see: www.Brownells.com www.Natchezss.com www.NRA.org www.gunlawguide.com www.paladin-press.com www.handgunlaw.us www.eezox.com www.mpro7.com www.gunvideo.com www.galls.com
 
For CC, think small with simple controls like a Kahr, Sig DAK. If you feel like it needs an external safety, look for something like the HK USP or 1911 type safety which are frame mounted with an easy downward movement to disengaged with the thumb.

For CC, Kahr CM9, Kahr CW9, Sig 239 DAK, maybe Sig 250 Subcompact.
Medium to full size - HK P2000 (DA/SA or LEM), SIG P22x (DAK or SA/DA), maybe FNX, Walther P99 (AS or PPQ). Used S&W 6496.
 
Lots of good advice and several viable options already presented. I will only add two things to consider:

(1) In the Beretta PX-4 lineup, the subcompact does not have the rotating barrel like the compact and full sized pistols. The rotation of the barrel absorbs some of the recoil energy and makes the pistol shoot noticeably softer, according to those who have shot both versions a lot. This may be an even bigger factor if you stick with .40 over 9 mm. (I am in the category mentioned by an earlier post: my followup shots are significantly faster and more accurate with 9 mm, so that is my carry choice. Is that a third point?)

(2) Extra weight, as in steel versus polymer, is bad when you are lugging it around on your belt but good when it is absorbing recoil. Mass is only one of several design factors that affects perceived recoil, but it is not insignificant. You are going to have to choose which is more important to you.

Ultimately it is your nickel, so choose what you like. Not everyone chooses the same set of priorities and likes/dislikes, or there would only be one brand of handgun on the market. Viva la diferencia.
 
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