First time pistol questions

K

KBrun

New member
Ok guys, I'm relatively new here and have a question about pistols. I was recently offered a trade of one of two pistols for an item I have valued at about 600 dollars.
The first pistol is an S&w M&p 40 shield. He valued this at 350 with a holster.
The second pistol is a s&w m&p 40 full size. This gun was valued as an even trade. It also includes a holster.
So my questions:
1. Are these fair values? From my slight searching they appeared to be fairly in line with what I'm seeing.
2. Which would be a better first pistol for myself?
The shield is about 4 months old, and the full size was originally bought when it was first released. Thoughts?
 
What do you want to do with it? Sub-compact .40s are not a great place to learn good fundamentals.

Consider caliber, ergonomics, use, reliability before you look for a good deal.

Frankly those prices seem a tad high to me for used.
 
Palmetto state armory has full size M&Ps on sale for $400 currently.

I see them new for $500 regularly.


Compact pistols are generally not a good first pistol choice.

I recommend against 40 for a first pistol. It can be done, but the added recoil can be harmful to learning good technique.


I really like the M&P pistols, and recommend a new one, as the triggers have been improved.

But I understand that if you do not have the money and are looking to make a trade, this may be your only option right now.
 
Well the trade just turned into a cash deal, so I'll be getting cash for my item. Tgst being said, what would you look for in a first pistol? I've read several articles but there is nothing like first hand experience!
 
marine6680 said:
Palmetto state armory has full size M&Ps on sale for $400 currently.



I see them new for $500 regularly.





Compact pistols are generally not a good first pistol choice.



I recommend against 40 for a first pistol. It can be done, but the added recoil can be harmful to learning good technique.





I really like the M&P pistols, and recommend a new one, as the triggers have been improved.



But I understand that if you do not have the money and are looking to make a trade, this may be your only option right now.
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Gunbuyer.com also has full size and compact M&Ps for $400. The price on the Shield isn't too bad but that's way over the mark for the full size.
 
MarkCO said:
What do you want to do with it? Sub-compact .40s are not a great place to learn good fundamentals.

Consider caliber, ergonomics, use, reliability before you look for a good deal.

Frankly those prices seem a tad high to me for used.
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More then anything this will just be getting my toes wet so to speak. Learn the basics, and get some experience.
 
KB, since you've moved to a cash purchase and assuming full sized is OK you have a wide range. For first pistol I'd recommend sticking the "top tier" manufacturers (those that make handguns for military & LEO contracts), and that's a varied list: S&W, Springfield, Glock, Beretta, SIG, Walther, CZ, and I'll put Ruger in the list even though they focus on commercial market. Not including H&K due to cost. Others make good guns, but their quality control is just a step below the top tier.

Today's striker fired models will be good learning handguns, and will serve your needs for decades. Almost too many choices, you'll want a model that fits your hands and with the features (safeties, sights, loaded chamber indicator, etc.) that you like.
 
I can buy a new S&W M&P .40 full sized for $475 out the door, including all taxes and fees.

The .40 Shield is $375 new.

Pricing on both is from Davidson's GunGenie.

The deal he is offering on the Shield is OK, the M&P is too high, unless you value the holster at $125 and are wiling to pay him the full new-gun price for his used gun.

If he is willing to go $350 on the Shield, he should go $450 on the M&P.

In general I would be more likely to recommend a 9mm to a first time shooter just due to the lower cost of ammo so that you can afford to practice more, and the lower recoil.

The .40 out of the smaller Shield will be pretty snappy, though if you plan to carry concealed at some point the Shield is easier to carry.

The .40 out of the full-sized will be more tame.

If you are just learning to shoot, the full-sized would be a better choice for range time and ease of shooting. The issue becomes if it's going to be a "first gun" or an "only gun."

First gun, sure, get the big one. More fun for range time, makes a fine home defense gun, and if you are willing to dress around it would make a very effective carry weapon.

Only gun, then you need to think about what it will be used for, and if carried, how you plan to carry it. In which case the smaller gun might be more ideal.
 
If you are set on a pistol, go to the store and hold a few and see what they look like - then shoot the ones you like if possible.

Then, ask yourself what its for. Is this for home protection, concealed carry, the range, all of them? If for home defense then you can get a full size gun. Otherwise if for concealed carry then maybe you want a subcompact. But your goal will make a difference. The person at a gun shop will help you with this.

As others have said, go 9mm for your first pistol. Its cheap, easier to shoot, and you can buy it everywhere. But to each his own. I just prefer 9mm over most other rounds but its all my personal preference.

As far as brands, there are tons of them out there. Just do your research and see what fits you best. Once you know more about what you are looking for ask here and you will get tons of advice. All brands have their hits and misses. I prefer not to buy the first generation of a gun unless its been getting stellar reviews.

You could always take an NRA course too and see if you can try out different guns.
 
First pistol...there are several good choices and all have their plus and minus.

I shot Glocks for years and kind of ignored the fit and ergonomics. When I finally ventured away, I tried a bunch and settled on the M&Ps. I have several M&P9s and they are very good and with aftermarket parts can be made much better.

I would suggest you get to a rental range and try several full sized 9mms before you buy one. I would also explore if you want this just for range plinking, you might want to take a class or you might want to shoot one of the action shooting sports.

I would certainly look at these: Glock 17 and 34, S&W M&P9 (and Pro), CZ P09, Ruger SR9, Sig P320, Springfield XD. They are all reliable with a warranty behind them. They are all reasonably accurate. You are looking at what fits you, the controls you prefer and just what you like. You can also try a 1911 in 9mm if you like them. I do, but I tend to not recommend them as a first pistol.
 
More then anything this will just be getting my toes wet so to speak. Learn the basics, and get some experience.
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I would recommend going with a full sized gun for that. It is easier to handle, absorbs more recoil, and you can put some real practice time in without beating yourself up. If you intend to carry in the future, and you don't want to have to buy a new gun for that purpose, something in a compact size would also be good, but I still say stay away from the little single stacks. A small double stack like a PT111, or Glock 26/27, would be the smallest I would recommend. An M&P compact or Glock 19/23 size would probably do better for you, though. Lots of options in that size category, so there is plenty of opportunity to find one that fits you well, which is a really important factor for a gun you will be using as a learning tool.

If you do decide that a single stack is the best fit for you, I would say you might want to consider 9mm over .40. You will be able to practice more with less expense and hand pain, and it is still a perfectly good defense caliber.
 
We can all recommend various firearms, many times they are what we prefer.

As you are getting your toes wet so to speak, you are best taking notes from what has been posted, going to your LGS and put as many of guns as you can in your hands. See what feels best to you, not what feels good to me or anyone else on a forum.
 
Ok, so I'll list what I believe I should be looking for:
9mm
Full size
"top tier" brand (probably used in my case)
These seem to be the top 3 recommendations. Any thing I'm missing?
 
KBrun. That's pretty much it. But don't sleep on the larger compact models (like the Glock 19) though. If you can get your hands on a few they might balance better for you (they do for me) and they shoot as well as a full size.
 
If I were a new shooter and wanted to learn on a excellent 9mm platform without breaking the bank, I would be looking long and hard at CZ75b's, Beretta M9/92's, Glock 19's and S&W M&P's. They typically range from under $500 to $550 or so new in box with a new in box M&P just over $400 which is a pretty good deal.
Try and check your local ranges and see what they have for you to rent and like mentioned earlier in the thread try and take a class, its a lot of fun and will help you quite a bit.
 
As long as you're not in a hurry to buy, be sure to research a little about striker-fired and hammer fired differences. Also, differences between DA only, SA only, DA/SA, etc. And also whether or not you think an external safety (thumb or grip safety) will be necessary or appealing to you.

And, as you read and learn, go check out various example of each at your local gun store. Seeing and feeling the various differences will solidify in your mind what you've read.

Then, if possible, go to the range and live fire examples of the ones that feel best to you (by borrowing or renting) before you buy.
 
jmhyer said:
As long as you're not in a hurry to buy, be sure to research a little about striker-fired and hammer fired differences. Also, differences between DA only, DA/SA, etc. And also whether or not you think an external safety (thumb or grip safety) will be necessary or appealing to you. And, as you read and learn, go check out various example of each at your local gun store. Seeing and feeling the various differences will solidify in your mind what you've read. If possible, go to the range and live fire examples of the ones that feel best to you (by borrowing or renting) before you buy.
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Good point... Any other specific things I should be researching? Seems like a good list here. Like I said I'm no hurry so I don't really care if it takes 6 months to make a decision. I just want to make the right decision!
 
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