Need your help on a new pistol

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bemgolf

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I am interested in getting my first pistol and have done some extensive research. I just wanted to validate what I have learned on this subject, and to get more educated by some that have way more experience than I have.

I am really looking to purchase my first real pistol maybe by the end of this year around “Black Friday”. Maybe I can get a good sale on one or maybe someone could tell me the best time of the year to purchase my first pistol.

I realize that some, if not all of this is subjective to who is purchasing the gun, and just like in anything we have we typically are bias towards your own products. I have held guns before so I am not a complete newbie but would like to be better acquainted with the subject so when I go to buy one I will have a better grasp on what to look for and what not to say.

I have made a list of my top ten guns that I prefer, and the top 5 from this list have been researched to death. I have no knowledge of their shooting ability other than you tube productions and the list is on looks alone. I must say they all look great.

I would like feedback on caliber also. I was told that the 2 most common are the 9mm and the .40 Smith & Wesson, and there is not that much difference in placement on a target from these 2.

The .40 is bigger and is more fun to target practice with. I would like to know if this statement is true.

Also I heard that the .40 Smith & Wesson being bigger might not be a good selection for home defense do to its better to get it in your target than to place it behind them. This to me makes sense but to be honest looking back at my 47 years on this earth and never having a break in anywhere I have lived I am willing to roll the dice here.

This gun will be for target practice more than self-defense. Would a .40 Smith & Wesson be too much for a newbie or would my range practice get me caught up pretty quickly with recoil and placement?

The 9mm and the .40 Smith & Wesson are the 2 I am considering in the list of guns below. Any good and bad on the pistols listed and anything else I should know before going to purchase my first hand gun.

As far as carry I am not looking to carry at this point. I feel it is better to get accustomed to the gun world first and if I make that important decision at a later date I could just purchase a more concealable pistol at that time.

Right now I am favoring a mid to full sized, service pistol with the ability to add a light/laser comb. Any knowledge or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

My top 10 in order. The Ruger was my leader, but several reviews said the butt, which is ugly, kept hitting your knuckle on the recoil and they said this could be problematic for a new shooter. I love the look of the Springfield XD Mod 2. Any thoughts?

Springfield XD mod2
Springfield XD
Springfield XD(M)
Springfield XD-S
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield
Walter PK360
Ruger American
Glock 17/22
Glock 43
Glock 42
 
I would say that the most common handgun cartridge is actually 22lr, followed by either 9mm or 45ACP with 40 SW pulling in somewhere in 4th place.

among the models you've listed below I would personally recommend the Springfield XDM in 9mm. I've handled a few XDs over the years, I've owned on XD, 3 XDMs, and an XDS, I still own one XDM and an XDS. they are all solid guns, but the XDM has higher ammo capacity than any of the other guns on your list. in my opinion it has the best trigger on the list. the ergonomics, at least in my case are second to the XD mod 2 and possibly the M&P but have always been great fit for my hands regardless. honestly, I would say you would be hard pressed to make a poor decision with any of the above models but XDM is my recommendation.

I do tend to recommend 9mm over 40 for a first time handgun. recoil is more manageable with the 9 and ammo is much cheaper so it's more cost effective to learn on.

one last piece of advice would be to find an indoor range that rents handguns and rent as many guns as you can from your list, that should give you an idea of some features that the guns have that you like and what you don't like. should narrow the field a little bit.
 
I've never heard that 40 is more FUN to shoot. More recoil, muzzle rise, and loudness isn't more fun in my book. Also with the modern advancements in bullet technology the 9mm has benefited the most and is now ballistically very close to 40. With the advantage of less recoil and muzzle rise equating to more accurate follow up shots and greater capacity many civilians, law enforcement, military, and FBI are all moving back to 9mm.
Of your choices steer clear of the Walther Pk380. It is actually made by Umarex and not a true Walther. The PPS, P99/P99c, and PPQ are all amazing German made true Walthers and I recommend any of those over anything on your list. Not a fan of Glock, or XD personally. Hate Glocks grip angle and boring look. The Shield is great but the PPS M2 beats out the G42/43 and even Performance Center Shield in every comparison I've seen. World class ergonomics and reliability and versatility with the 3 different mag options 6,7,8 rds all with different length base plates. The Ruger American is OK but ugly as hell in my opinion and too new to have a proven track record. The SR9/SR9c would be a much better choice.

So For a single stack definitely the Walther PPS M2 9mm.
Double stack compact the Walther P99c or M&Pc, Ruger Sr9c in 9mm all will also accept the full size mags of there larger counterparts.

For full size the Walther PPQ or P99, the PPQ has the best striker fired trigger on the market. It's amazing. Nutnfancy called it a sniper's pistol. And hickok45 said he would have to TRY to miss with it. Both raved about the ergonomics and trigger. I Also like the M&P9, or Ruger Sr9 in 9mm. If you go with Glock the 17 or 19 is the most versatile Glock. Whichever feels better in your hand.
Since your not planning on Carry I wouldn't bother with any of the Single stacks or double stack compacts I recommend as the only advantage over a full size is the ease of concealment. They are much less fun for the range and the low capacity is a negative on the range and home defense.
 
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Strongly recommend 9mm to start. .40 SW has much stiffer recoil. Police agencies nationally are shifting back to 9mm for this reason--less wear on the guns, easier for officers to qualify.

The Glock 42 and 43, and the Springfield XD-S are more carry guns than the range/house type gun you seem to be looking for. So is the Shield.

The XD Mod 2 in 4-inch Service model is fine. Especially if you like it. Less expensive than the XD(M) series, also a bit handier.

One thought: an XD or Glock 22, both .40 caliber. You can definitely get a Lone Wolf 9mm conversion barrel for $100 for the Glock, it drops right in, and I believe XD should have a reputable maker with one as well. Firestorm? I can definitely vouch for Lone Wolf / Glock.

Despite what I said to start, both XD service model and Glock 22 have relatively mild recoil for .40 cal pistols. You can also experiment and get lighter recoiling loads, like Ruger ARX and most 180 grain target loads. If you get the 22 and then get a Lone Wolf .40-to-9mm conversion barrel, add a couple of 9mm mags and you have two pistols in one. Just a thought. If you get one caliber and don't want to do this conversion, get a 9.
 
My suggestion is also 9mm if you're dead set against a .22lr for your first handgun.

From your list I suggest the XDm. Second choice would be any of the other XD's.

If the M&P had been full size I would have put it on the top of the list.

If a Sig P226 had been on the list I wouldn't have suggested any alternates. ;)
 
[B][/B]Need your help on a new pistol

Despite my distaste for the Xd it is still an excellent pistol. Not a fan of the grip safety on the rear of the grip that needs to be pressed when shooting. I don't like the looks but clearly you do so that's all that matters. Go with a full sized 9mm though. And definitely take a gander at the Walther PPQ and P99. Really amazing guns and pretty sexy in my opinion. James Bond even used a P99 for a bunch of the Brosnan and Craig films.
P99
http://14544-presscdn-0-64.pagely.n...ds/2015/10/ga005-walther-p99-daniel-craig.jpg
http://www.waltherarms.com/wp-content/uploads/Walther-P99-AS-2796325-ls-angle.jpg
PPQ

http://www.waltherarms.com/wp-content/uploads/ppqm2-left.jpg

PPQ (top) and P99 (bottom)
http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq64/LowSpeedHighDrag/photo1.jpg
 
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bemgolf said:
I am interested in getting my first pistol and have done some extensive research. I just wanted to validate what I have learned on this subject, and to get more educated by some that have way more experience than I have. . . . .
Click to expand...
Welcome to TFL!
bemgolf said:
. . . . This gun will be for target practice more than self-defense. . . . . As far as carry I am not looking to carry at this point.
Click to expand...
If what you're really looking at is a home defense and range pistol, I'd suggest mid-sized handguns and up. Bigger, heavier guns soak up recoil better and offer a longer sight radius. Those things make them easier to shoot well. The guns on your list are all made by reputable manufacturers, but some are better suited for carry than HD and range.

The lowly .22LR doesn't offer much in the HD department, but I'll suggest it for practice. 9mm is the cheapest centerfire pistol round out there, and it'll run you somewhere between 20 and 25 cents per round, IME. If you can find .22LR (which has been difficult since ~2008), you can pick it up for 10 cents a round or less. In learning to shoot, there's no substitute for time behind the trigger. I don't own a .40, so I'm afraid that I'm not up on current ammo prices on that. I took a quick look at an online vendor, though, and see .40 target ammo at ~27 cents per round.

I don't own any of the models on your list, but I know a little about them from research and reading. with that caveat, let's turn to your list:
  • Springfield XD mod2 --> With all of the XD, and XD(M) models, my question will be, "what size?" I like the XD/XD(M) line and have shot a couple of them, but for HD and range, stick with mid- to full-sized. No need to beat yourself up practicing with a subcompact if you're not actually going to carry it.
  • Springfield XD --> see above
  • Springfield XD(M)--> see above
  • Springfield XD-S --> Good pistol and a surprisingly soft shooter, but it's definitely a carry pistol.
  • Smith & Wesson M&P Shield --> Good pistol, but definitely a carry pistol.
  • Walter PK360 --> Did you mean PK380? I don't know much about this one, but for HD and the range, I'd definitely go with 9mm over .380. The few .380s I've shot all kicked like mules and while I'm not a ballistics expert, my understanding is that 9mm clearly outperforms .380.
  • Ruger American --> I love Rugers, but this one's brand new on the market and since you're looking for your first handgun, I have to suggest that you let someone else be the beta tester.
  • Glock 17/22 --> Solid, reliable HD and target guns. See if you can get out and shoot a couple. Some folks just HATE how Glocks feel in their hands.
  • Glock 43 --> Relatively new on the market, but seemingly getting good reivews. I haven't shot one, but I'd like to.
  • Glock 42 --> See my comments on .380 above.
 
I would say that you need to get yourself to a range that rents guns and shoot as many as possible.

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the XD series pistols. I just don't care for the feel of them. If I'm going down the road of a polymer pistol, it's going to probably be a Glock. That being said, I had a chance to fondle a Ruger American Compact at the LGS and it may be coming home with me soon.

I prefer 9mm over 40, but I'll take either.
 
From your list, the only one I've owned is the Shield in 9mm.

For a first gun, I would not be looking at .40. I would look at 9mm or possibly .45. I'm not suggesting that you wouldn't be able to shoot a .40, but many people find them more difficult or unpleasant to shoot as compared to the others.

You didn't indicate your price range. Also although you didn't specify, I'm assuming you are thinking about new purchase since you mention Black Friday deals. You also didn't indicate your location, so I don't know if you are limited in available items.

There are many used but like new guns available and if you shop around you can get a great deal on them. Some you also may want to handle to see how they fit you are:

HK VP9
HK USP or USPc
HK 2000
Walther PPQ
Sig P320
Sig 2022
Beretta 92 (all metal so little heavier)
Sig P226 (also all metal)
Sig P229 (also all metal)
 
[B][/B]Need your help on a new pistol

OP Scratch the 1st 4 and the last 5 from your list and go 40/45 cal
and your search is done.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
OP, you would be well served to take a common-sense approach and consider taking the NRA Basic Handgun Safety course with a rental gun, to learn the fundamentals and see how well you can group your shots on a target. After you take the course see if you can rent some of the guns on your list at your local gun range.
 
9mm is fine for HD, target practice, and future carry needs. It will be the cheapest centerfire pistol round. It will have the lowest recoil and highest capacity. Therefore, I would recommend 9mm as your cartridge.

All the pistol brands in your list are well known and high quality. The Ruger American may turn out to be very good, but it is too new yet for a consensus, in my opinion. The Walther PK380 has some detractors because it is not made in the traditional walther firearms factory but instead made in the umarex factory, which company makes air guns. Apart from this, in centerfire pistols, Walther is in the top tier.

Since you have no desire to carry as yet, I would filter out all the single stack guns from your list, and chose one of the double stack full size guns. Alternatively, you might consider one of the compact versions of the full size guns because they usually feature magazine compatibility with their full size stable mates. This can give you target, HD and carry capability in the same gun.

From your list, I'd go with one of the double-stack springfields or glocks. Probably the XD mod 2 because you mentioned you like it, or the glock 17. Either would serve you well.
 
If you have not owned a pistol before, or shot them much, I would definitely suggest you get some live-fire experience before you start researching specific models on the internet.

For just about any model pistol you can mention, you will find opinions on the net that it is the greatest ever, or it is crap. The same goes for pistol cartridge calibers. The internet will not tell you how a pistol is going to feel in your hand, that the recoil will feel like for you, or how accurate the pistol will be in your hands.

A fundamental consideration you need to make prior to considering specific pistol models is what is the best trigger mechanism for you. Do you want or not want an external safety? Pistols come with fundamentally very different trigger mechanisms. The striker-action pistols like Glocks have become very popular. These have a consistent trigger pull shot to shot and usually lack an external safety, although there are non-Glock striker-action pistols that do offer the option of an external safety.

There are single action pistols that require the hammer to be precocked either manually or through slide reciprocation before the trigger will drop the hammer. These pistols have external safeties and typically a light, short, and crisp trigger pull and break. Examples include some SIG Sauer P series pistols, the venerable model 1911, and the Browning Hi-Power.

Double action only (DAO) hammer-fired pistols have a long trigger pull that is often heavier than that of most striker-action pistols. The hammer will not stay "cocked". The hammer is cocked by pulling the trigger and then immediately released. The trigger action is constant shot to shot but these pistols can be more difficult to shoot rapidly because of the longer trigger pull and long reset. These pistols typically have no external safety.

Traditional double action (TDA) or double action/single action (DA/SA) pistols usually have hammers (the striker-fired Walther P99 is an exception) and if the hammer is not already cocked, pulling the trigger will cock and release it like a DAO hammer-fired pistol. The slide reciprocation will cock the hammer after each shot so that subsequent trigger pulls will be single action. The SA trigger pull is much shorter and lighter than the first DA trigger pull. These pistols typically have either an external safety, a decocker, or a lever that both decocks the pistol and puts it on-safe.

Striker-action pistols are probably the quickest and easiest for new pistol shooters to master. The trigger pull is consistent and there is usually no external safety to mess with.

Single action pistols are the easiest for some people to shoot accurately. The trigger action is consistent and the trigger pull is typically lighter, shorter, and crisper than stock striker-action pistols. But these pistols require mastery of the external safety. Decocking them on a live round in the chamber also requires some degree of mastery.

Double action only, hammer-fired pistols have a consistent trigger pull, but most new shooters need to master the long trigger pull. It is more difficult for many to master keeping the sights aligned and the sight picture steady during that long trigger press.

Traditional double action pistols require shooters to master the first double action shot and the transition from the double action to the single action shots. There is also typically a decocker and/or safety to master. These pistols can therefore require more training to fully master than the others.

Many on this forum and others will tell the new pistol shooter to "just get a Glock" or some other striker-action pistol. What type of trigger action is safest for the new shooter has been debated endlessly but not everyone agrees that a striker-action pistol is the best choice for the new shooter from a safety standpoint.
 
I have 40's and 9's. The recoil feels about the same to me, though I am a very large person and YMMV. 9mm is significantly cheaper. They both make holes in things.

For range and HD I prefer a big steel pistol. A long barrel gives you a long sight radius, which makes accurate shooting much easier. A heavy pistol soaks up recoil and is easier for me to keep on target. The lighter-weight ones would be easier to carry around all day, but if you're not going to carry it, heavy is your friend.
 
To add to the recommended pistols in my first post I forgot to mention the Beretta 92FS and Sig Sauer P226 or P229. Both excellent range or defense guns!
 
If I were you, I would do 2 things.

1) Buy the XD MOD 2 9mm. Great gun. Give yourself 6mo or so of dedication to this gun. After that, you will be locked to it like an old friend. .....or you will be able to clean it up and sell it for a good price. That experience will get you much closer to perfect!
The XD9 is a great combat style pistol, durable, accurate, high mag capacity, safe and fun to shoot.

2) Buy 1-3 cases of 9mm ammo. At the current $220 per case, it won't get much cheaper and you will shoot it!
 
1. 9mm vs. .40S&W. 9mm is generally less expensive meaning possibly more "trigger-time" at the range. Self-defense-wise, the current thought is the caliber makes little difference with the latest jacketed hollow point (JHP) ammo, as long as one can hit the human-threat-target with it.

The .380 caliber is generally considered marginal to weak for self-defense. Therefore, this rules out the Glock 42, as previously noted by another.

2. This leads to another point in recommending something to someone. I don't know anything about you, other than it'll your first handgun. In other words, cost & time may not be an issue for you depending on who you are or what you do. Fill out your profile before posting next time.

3. What's fun for you could be just work for others regardless of the caliber.

4. I'm unfamiliar with a "Walter PK360". No such firearm.

5. I also agree with not buying the still new-to-market Ruger American. AFAIK, the Ruger American was not released in .40, btw.

6. I'm a Glock-guy. I don't recommend the Glock 43 as your first handgun. To me, this is a carry or backup gun and not particularly fun or interesting to shoot. I use it for a backup gun to my issued G17Gen4.

I do recommend the G17(any gen) or G22(Gen4 if possible). The G22gen3 was issued by my employer for ~15+ years until we switched to the G17Gen4. The Glocks work. They seem to have the easiest availability of parts, should you ever need parts. I'd choose Glock even if it wasn't mandated and supplied by my employer.

7. I don't have any experience with the Springfield XD-line or the S&W Shields, although I understand they're fairly popular and many folks like them.
 
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