Originally Posted by jfrink2

Hi! I see that one your guns is an XD40. Do you like it better than your 9mm? I'm trying to debate whether to get a .40 caliber or 9mm gun for my first. I know the 9mm is cheaper but which one is more fun to shoot?

Thanks!

I find the 9mm Luger and .45ACP much more enjoyable to shoot than the .40S&W.

Originally Posted by TOF

Hi JF2

If you want a fun to shoot gun buy the 9MM. If you want to put Bear and or Bad Guys on the ground buy the .40S&W.
Enjoy.

I would never depend on anything that doesn't at least end in "Magnum" or have a 16" barrel for bear. I hear bear get mighty upset when anemic pistol rounds are fired at them.

Originally Posted by Revolver

I find the 9mm Luger and .45ACP much more enjoyable to shoot than the .40S&W.

+++1

Originally Posted by Revolver

I would never depend on anything that doesn't at least end in "Magnum" or have a 16" barrel for bear. I hear bear get mighty upset when anemic pistol rounds are fired at them.

"Big" Bear are the reason I carry a pocket knife for backup.

Well, whenever anyone asks me in person what to get for his/her first gun,
I recommend a .22 because the ammo is cheap and recoil is usually
manageable. Rugers, either revolver or semi-auto, are very good low
cost/high qualilty guns.

On the other hand, I do not recommend a Walther PPK, PPK/s or PPK/S-1 to
anyone who does not have any experience with semi-auto handguns.
These are definately not first timer guns. The caliber is small (.380acp aka
9mm Kurtz) but the guns are so small that recoil is noticable.

So, get her a 22 rim fire and let her shoot the heck out of it. Then let her
move up to a center fire is she wishes.

Good luck, have fun, and be safe!