Need your help on a new pistol

Many rental ranges require you to purchase the ammo from them. You usually pay a fee per gun and per half hour of time. May need to purchase some targets. Just browse the rental guns and pick as many as you want to try, probably best to limit to 3 at a time and purchase any cheap 115g or 124g FMJ ammo. Bring eye and ear protection or buy it there if you don't have any. They should have disposable ear plugs for a buck or so. Have you fired and handled guns before? If your not familiar with how to load and operate them you shouldn't feel ashamed to ask for some guidance.
 
Buy a full sized model of the pistol that you like; renting and shooting at the range before you buy is great if you can. 9mm will be less expensive to feed, but if you want a .40S&W, go ahead and get it. Standard 180 grain target rounds aren't too much more recoil than a 9mm, and some of the 155 & 135 grain rounds are fierce!

And the next time you buy, you'll need a .45 ACP. And the next time another caliber. And so on....
 
Rental procedures and prices vary by location... Some may offer a cheap "try before you buy" if they have the gun available for rental.

Some shops may let you try several for one rental fee if you are only shooting 10-15rds thorough them.


If you contact a good instructor, for an "introduction to handguns" course, they should bring a variety of pistols to try. Look for some kind of credentials/certifications, like NRA or NSSF... "Former cop" does not mean they know firearms well, there are many who do not know much beyond the limited focus they had in their yearly training. Same goes for bubba next door, but if you ask questions based on what he says on the forums, and get similar responses, then they may be a good source of info.


If you shoot a DA/SA pistol, make sure you try it in both modes. (many hammer fired pistols are DA/SA)


Metal framed guns are usually a bit more expensive than poly guns BTW, but that is not universal. It is more costly to produce one on average.

If you decide you like hammer over striker, there are models available in metal frame and poly frame. Just ask if you want some suggestions.
 
Generally, you will have to go with somebody to use the range as a suicide prevention rule or bring your own gun. It is a good idea to have a mentor anyways. In addition, it is a good idea to receive basic hands on instruction like the nra basic pistol course, first.

Without sounding condescending, indoor ranges are inherently dangerous places where the shop will expect a trained leader in each stall at minimum.

Also, on another note.....with the election close, it would be a good idea to have 2000 9mm or 1000 40 s&w on hand post election so you have 2017 ammo, as a hedge against another possible run on ammo. 9mm will likely go out of stock fast, where 40 may just go to minimum stock or intermittent out of stock. I will always have s 40, for this reason.
 
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We ask about your location here at TFL, because state laws vary widely. For example, in NY, I don't think you can even handle a gun in a gun store without your NY Firearm Owners ID (by whatever name it's called). In some states, there's a roster of acceptable firearms for purchase. In Chattanooga, TN, I don't think you'll run into anything like that.

For a newcomer, getting some training or instruction is really important. Look for an introductory course. We were all beginners at one time or another. It was just further back in ancient history for some of us than for others. ;)

Rentals: As far as I've ever been able to tell, just about every range that rents guns makes you buy their ammo for their rental guns. That's to keep renters from blowing up their nice rental guns by shooting handloads of questionable origin and composition. (Aka "a Ziploc bag of gun show reloads")

Each range will have slightly different procedures. At one near me, I show them ID, sign in, and am assigned a lane. At a second one, they make first-time visitors to the range (whether renting or bringing their own gun) watch a safety video. At a minimum, you can expect to show some ID, fill out some paperwork (which will ask whether you're legally allowed to possess a firearm, among other things), read and acknowledge some safety rules, get eye and ear protection (every range around here provides it for free, but it's not high-quality gear), and pick out the gun(s) you want to shoot. You may have to buy targets, or that may be included in the price.

Call the range in advance and just visit with them about their procedures. I've done it when I wanted to go to a newly-opened range here. You won't be the first person to do so, and you won't be the last.

Good luck and please keep us posted.
 
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.
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Thank you pblanc.

bemgolf,
Which came first, learning to play golf or buying golf clubs?
Learning to drive or buying a car?
 
Forgive me if I'm being redundant or too far off the initial question. I've been trying to follow this post but doing piecemeal and may have missed things.

I totally agree on taking courses and renting a few to test drive. But I can't help thinking that a totally new shooter should benefit greatly from getting 22LR pistol to start. The recoil would be nil. There are some very accurate ones out there in both auto and revolver formats. Most will fall under his price ceiling. It would also allow for some very inexpensive practice, $0.06/round is quite common.
 
Nice list. I think that some others were also suggested, but if you have done your research and settled on this list, then let's look at your list and see where I can comment:

9mm vs. 40: I started on 40. I have gravitated to 9mm simply b/c there is (currently) cheaper practice ammo available and more capacity in the magazines. I don't think either round is wildly easier to shoot. I carry a 40 in the woods and 9mm in the city.

Springfield XD mod2
Springfield XD
Springfield XD(M) -->I had one in 40. I loved the capacity. It balanced well. It was very accurate. Full size in all respects: length, weight, capacity. I liked it.
Springfield XD-S -->This is single stack. The grip is smaller and textured very aggressively. Max magazine capacity is 9 (in 9mm). This is a carry pistol more than a range pistol. Very accurate and dependable in my experience.
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield --> another single stack carry pistol. Small capacity. Feels great in the hand. My friend has one and likes his.
Walter PK360
Ruger American
Glock 17/22--> friend of mine has the 17 and she loves it. This is a very dependable and solid choice as a compromise between size, capacity and weight.
Glock 43
Glock 42

Whatever you choose to buy, I would recommend buying a 22lr caliber pistol in a similar form factor as your choice. For example, if you buy a M&P or Ruger American, you should look at a Ruger SR22. If you buy a pistol with a lever mag release like a Walther P99as or an HK v9, you should consider, a Walther P22. This will allow you to practice with low-recoil rounds so that you can practice your form using cheaper ammo and extend your range time.
Be aware that most 22 lr semi-auto pistols are finicky on ammo, but the gain is worth the effort.

Good luck and happy shooting
 
Ive skimmed through most comments and I will probably repeat a lot of what has already been said but heres my $.02...

You have stated 3 calibers on the guns listed and I strongly recommend sticking with 9mm. Its effective, available and cheap compared to the rest. 40 is not bad but also not as cheap. 9mm is a great round and so is 40 but since 9mm is cheaper I havent seen a need to get a 40.

I have shot almost every gun on your list and think you have a very good, well thought out start.

I would remove these from your list for what you have stated as your preference:
Springfield XD-S
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield
Walter PK360
Glock 43
Glock 42
Glock 22
Ruger american

I would remove the 380's because your going to spend twice as much to have half the fun. 380 is not cheap and is not very enjoyable to shoot to begin with.

I would change these:
Ruger american > ruger sr9
Walther pk380 > walther ppq

And I would add these:
Glock 19
Smith and wesson m&p9
Canik tp9sf
Ruger markIII or 22/45

So the new modified list now looks like this:
Springfield XD mod2
Springfield XD
Springfield XD(M)
Ruger sr9
Glock 17
Glock 19
Walther ppq
Smith and wesson m&p9
Ruger mark II or 22/45


Having fired all these on the new modified list I will go ahead and give my thoughts:

The ppq is the best option hands down. Extremely accurate, amazing trigger all around great gun but it is a little higher price(though not by much).
The springfield mod 2 feels almost as good as the ppq and has a slightly worse trigger, still a great shooter, I thoroughly enjoy shooting this gun, a buddy of mine owns one and it is a smooth shooter.
Another friend of mine owns the xdm 3.8 compact and its also a great shooter! I think the grip texture is a little rough but not anything to dissuade me from recommending it. You will not be going wrong with this or the mod 2.
I wouldn't give much thought the the standard xd when the mod 2 is almost the same price and definitely an upgrade.
I removed the ruger american for many of the same reasons already stated. I owned the ruger sr9c and cannot say enough good about them. I just prefer my firearms to not have a safety. but the sr9 is a great shooting gun. I regret selling mine.
The Glocks are where I have settled down. they just work. I have a glock 19 and it would be the last gun i ever sold, but its not my go to gun for anything at this point. I have CZ's i like for the range and I carry a smith and wesson shield for my CCW but if I could only have one gun my 19 would be it. I have shot the 17 a lot and the 19 really isnt giving much up and is easy to carry if you ever decided to conceal carry.
The smith and wesson m&p9 is a great gun as well. I have thought about adding one to my collection just because they feel good in the hand and they shoot well. Also apex triggers are amazing and I would buy a full size m&p just to put the apex kit in.

Ok my last two wildcards:

The canik tp9sf will give every gun above a run for their money and costs almost half of what some of the others are askiing. Great first gun! It is a well made amazing shooter that is in the $350 price range.

The ruger mark III and 22/45 : yes these are 22s, but as stated by many other people these are the best way to get into shooting. If I were starting shooting and I could afford a walther ppq or some of the other guns people have recommended above, I would purchase both the ruger 22 and a canik. You can commonly find a ruger mark III for $300 or less used and some in that price range new. Having a dedicated 22 target pistol will allow you to learn more about shooting that just about anything else and they are a ton of fun!!

My vote goes to the two wildcards, also its worth mentioning that all the guns mentioned hold their value pretty well and will resell without much loss down the road if you change your mind.

Glad to see some new interest in shooting! You will love it no matter the firearm you choose!

EDIT: I also think renting them and trying them is important but not everyone is able to do that so at least try and handle each of them either at a gun show or a local gun store and seeing which feel better to you.
 
Welcome,
First off, I would pick 9mm over 380 or 40.
I own XD mod 2 .45 and XDm 3.8 9mm. I much prefer the XDm trigger to that of my Glock 27.

Glock 17 is a great gun but I am surprised you didn't include probably the best regarded Glock by many which is the Glock 19.

I would also suggest that you hold a Walther PPQ in your hand and ask yourself how it feels. PPQ would also have the best trigger by far. The CZ75 P-01 would be another but I am assuming by your list you don't want metal frame. But those are guns that normally when you hold them the first words out of mouth is wao, this feels great.

I would pick either the XDm 9mm or XD mod 2 in 9mm. Once you drop the .380 and 40, there are no bad choices and is more what you prefer.

If your list had the Glock 19, that would have been my choice.
 
1. 9mm

2. Go to a firing range that rents guns and try out as many of the above as you can to determine which you prefer.
 
The Xd's already have a preset striker not fully cocked and the trigger safety dingus. The grip safety is just completely unnecessary
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Glocks are not fully cocked and the trigger pull completes cocking. XD's are fully cocked.
 
As others have said, stick with the 9mm to start. You'll learn MUCH better habits shooting with something lower recoil.

Actually, if this is truly your first pistol, you might be better served with a 22LR. Seriously. For a new shooter, even the blast/recoil of a 9mm can be surprising and I've seen people develop bad habits from day 1 reacting to greater than expected recoil. Once you're proficient with the 22, move up to 9mm.

You'll end up buying both anyways, might as well do it in the proper order :)
 
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