First time gun owner looking for help please?

L

lithnights

Inactive
Hi all,
New poster here hoping to get some advice if you don't mind. I will soon be a first time gun owner. I have done tons of research online (including these boards), spoken to a couple friends who own guns, and visited two gunshops.

This gun will be for self defense to keep at home, shoot at the range, and carry occasionally (when I need to travel to less than desirable areas).

I want to purchase a 9mm but it seems there are so many options so I am trying to narrow them down. Here are my criteria:

- Reliable
- Price. I don't want to (nor think I need to ) spend more than $600 or so. I don't mind paying more for quality, but I don't want to spend money I don't need to.
- Something not too large. While I don't plan to carry this too often, I do want to have the option and I figure the smaller it is, the more likely I will actually carry.

I have seen certain 9mm mentioned over and over for good conceal/carry. Some include..

Glock 26 or Glock 19 (little larger than 26)
S&W 3913 or 3914
Sig P239
Kahr MK9 PM9 CW9 or P9
Kel tec pf-9 or p11
S&W SD9

I plan to make more visits to shops, hold more guns, and rent a bunch to shoot. But I'm trying to narrow it down a bit instead of spending hundreds of dollars renting a dozen or so guns. So here are my questions..

1. Based on my criteria, what do you think of the guns I list? Do you have other suggestions?
2. Should I buy used or new? I'm sure this is subjective.
3. Is a manual safety a good idea or not? I've heard both sides of this argument.
4. Are there any other things I should keep in mind as I decide on a gun?

Looking forward to some good discussion!

Thanks in advance!
 
Look at the Ruger SR9c also; it fits your criteria. In my state it comes with both 17 and 10 capacity magazines.

I'd also suggest putting the Walther PPS as well as the P99 or 99c with the AS trigger on your consideration list; however, those are going to be toward the top of your budget, and may exceed it if you are looking at "OTD" (out the door) price. Depends on what deals / sales you may find.

Definitely shoot them if you get a chance: in particular, the P99 has great ergonomics for most people, and the AS trigger is one of the nicest in a production pistol.
 
Great feedback. I've heard of the CZ75 as well as the Ruger SR9C. I'll add these to my initial list to replace some of the ones on my list.

I did some quick research on the Walther PPS and like you said, I think it may be out of my price range. With that said, if they have one at the gunshops I go to, I'll definitely hold and perhaps shoot.

Any other feedback is welcomed.

Thanks all!
 
Personally I like the S&W 3913 the best. I had a Glock 19, and gave it to my father when I bought the 3913. The Glock shot a little better, but did not carry as well as the single stack 3913. Here in California a ten round magazine law exists. There is not that much difference in a 10 round Glock Vs an 8 round 3913n in my opinion ... at least not enough to overcome the carry factor. Even so, neither are a pocket pistol.
 
Glock 17 was my first handgun - I think a 19 would also be a great choice.

I am not a Kool-Aid drinker (Own 2 Glocks, 2 HKs, 2 Walthers, 1 Steyr, 1 Sig), but for a new shooter, who is trusting his life to one gun - get a Glock.

HK/Walther/Sig is out of your price range, Steyr is a great choice but I wouldn't recommend for carry purposes, which leaves Glock.

I would hazard a recommendation of the FNP-9 as well - great gun, and around $350 after rebate it is a steal.
 
something else to consider: how do you normally dress/carry yourself? if you wear form fitting clothes, or business attire, i would consider a sub-compact for sure. if you wear a combo of clothing, and wear shirts un-tucked, i wouldnt rule out a full size model. also, you NEED to hold and shoot each gun you are seriously considering to know if your hand is too small or too large for particular models, as well as becoming familiar with the kick that some guns produce.
 
So many choices, so many guns

Have you looked at a Smith & Wesson M&P9c? I carry that or my Glock 19. I don't feel under gunned with either. You have to carry what is BEST for you. Go rent / borrow and shoot as many guns as you can. You'll find what works best for you. Good luck and BE SAFE.
 
"Something not too large. While I don't plan to carry this too often, I do want to have the option and I figure the smaller it is, the more likely I will actually carry."

This statement is so true... Warning! I'm a Kahr CW9 fan... Perfect size and weight for easy CC, reliable, durable and - though light - it's not TOO recoil-snappy for my strong carpenter hands so gives me nice range sessions too.
As I've stated here before... so you know "my bias"... I don't like ANY heavy guns... I'm too old to lug them around... and I actually LIKE the feeling of some substantial recoil when I'm shooting... Can't help it... Gun preferances are so personal,eh?
 
Also look at some of the offerings in the Springfield Armory XD or XDm series.
Although it's a little larger caliber, I really like my Springfield Armory XD40 Sub Compact.
 
Don't stress too much

Don't stress too much over this, trying to figure out "the exact right one".

Before all is said and done, you will be guaranteed to have a couple. One better than another for a specific purpose, or a specific look/feel.

They multiply.
 
Stick with 9mm for your first handgun.

* S&W - M&P 9
* Ruger SR9 or Compact Version
* Kahr PM9
* Glock 17 or 19

Compare all of them and see which one feels natural and rent a couple of them at the range before purchase.
 
9MM choice

There really arn't any Bad weapons in your short list.

I'd suggest:
1 - See how each of them fits your hand and if possible, shoot them at a range that rents guns.

2 - Consider an advantage that the Glocks have -- most Glocks can use a .22 adaptor (new slide/barrel and magazine) that replaces the 9mm parts.
Cost - initially probably around $200.00, but you gain the option of shooting inexpensive .22 caliber ammo using the same trigger/frame.

Within two or three years, if you enjoy shooting, you'll have spent more on ammo than you did on the weapon.
With this option -- you can go to the range and shoot XX rounds of 9mm and then shoot another 100 rounds of .22 without going broke.
You also get a handy .22 to use when teaching new shooters.
.
 
S&W 3913. This is a good solid gun. No funky trigger dingus safety like the glock. I don't like Glocks or Glock-type guns for 1st guns - most 1st time gun owners won't carry a Glock with one in the chamber. With the Smith, this is not a problem.

I really think the S&W 3913 is a good fit for what you want.
 
If you live in California I'd go with the 3913 or 3914. If you don't the Glock 19 would be my first choice. It's easy to fire, but you have to be really careful if you keep the chamber loaded, which you should. The reason being if you touch the trigger the gun will fire, even holstering it care must be taken to not let your shirt get wrapped in the trigger guard.
 
If you want to carry in a front pants pocket, then Kahr PM-9. I don't own one but I'm pretty sure it's small enough. Instead of the PM-9, I chose a Smith & Wesson model 642 (revolver) for my right front pants pocket. If you're going to use a belt holster, then a full-size pistol can be carried with a tuckable inside-waistband-holster. With this type of holster, you can conceal with a shirt hanging out or with a jacket or with a shirt tucked.
 
"most 1st time gun owners won't carry a Glock with one in the chamber"

im not so sure about that, because im a 1st time gun owner, and i carry my 17 with one in the chamber. it all comes down to trigger control. a 5.5lb trigger isnt something you accidentally find, and pull.
 
You have a good list, especially after adding the Ruger that was suggested above. No one addressed your question about safeties yet, so:

Safety or not is a rather basic choice based solely on personal preference. Personally, I want everything as simple as possible when under stress: pull trigger --> bang. If you pull the trigger while aiming at an armed burglar after being awakened at 2 AM and it doesn't go bang, how long will it take you to think of clicking off the safety, and what is the BG doing during that time? If you are very accustomed to safeties, you will remember it, and if you aren't, you may have a problem. I grew up shooting revolvers. I own one range pistol with a safety, and darn if I don't forget to flip it now and again. Pull trigger, no bang, @#$% and an embarrassed grin - no other consequences. My carry pistol is a Glock because of its lack of thumb safety and consistent trigger. But there are lots of choices out there because there are other people with differing opinions. People at the other extreme from me, who have never had a pistol without a thumb safety, flip it off as they draw, with no more thought than they give to tying their shoes. Your choice is the one that matters.
 
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