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What one to choose

  • Glock 19

    Votes: 22 50.0%
  • S&W MP9c

    Votes: 9 20.5%
  • Ruger SR9c

    Votes: 8 18.2%
  • S&W SD9ve

    Votes: 5 11.4%

New First handgun

14K views 54 replies 27 participants last post by  Danoobie 
#1 ·
Im looking to purchase my first handgun, mainly for home defense and to keep in my truck. I plan on carrying but I have not gotten my carry permit yet. Ive narrowed my search down to 9mm and compact. I do not want a full-size or sub compact yet I plan on buying more guns down the road so i want my first one to be one that does it all. Ive narrowed it down to the glock 19, sw mp9c, or the ruger sr9c. Ive done a lot of research and everywhere i look it says glock and im leaning towards glock just because they are easy to use and I like the size of the glock 19 its not to small and not to big. Ive shot a glock 26 and a glock 17 and the grip angle and ergonomics really did not bother me. Ive also seen a lot about the sd9ve. Price isn't really a factor but i do not want to spend more than $700 right now but i want to get something that will last and is easy to use.
 
#4 ·
I hate to be that guy that suggests a totally different gun but here goes. Check out the Walther P99c. Right around $500 with a lifetime warranty. It's a DA/SA striker fired gun with a decocker. Truly excellent trigger. Extremely accurate. As reliable as any Glock but sexier IMHO and world class ergonomics. Very versatile like Glock as well. Comes with two ten round mags, one with pinky rest, and one flat base. You can also use full size 15rd mags from the P99 with a grip adaptor giving you greater capacity when not concealed and a full length grip. And down the line if you ever get a full size P99 or PPQ M1 it will accept the mags from either of them. I really can't say enough good things about it. Oh and James Bond used the full sized version in a bunch of the Pierce Brosnan films. Here's mine


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#5 ·
Oh yeah, if we are allowed to think outside of the list there are a number of pistols I would recommend before the four listed by the OP.

The Walther P99 is one. Some others are the SIG P320c, the HK VP9, and the Steyr M-A1 and probably the Beretta PX4 Storm compact.
 
#6 ·
Bear in mind that shooting a pistol is not easy to learn, nor is it easy to do well.
The best thing that a new shooter can do is to make the learning process easy on himself/herself.

Compact handguns are more difficult to shoot effectively and well than are full-size pistols.
Therefore, it may not be such a good idea, to start out with a compact gun.

Equally, lightweight polymer handguns are also more difficult to shoot well.
Heavier, all-metal pistols absorb recoil in their mass, and are much easier to learn to shoot.

You may find it hard to believe, but it's not all that difficult to carry and conceal a full-size, full-weight handgun.
If you want to end up carrying a concealed weapon, you have a lot to learn first, and a lightweight, compact pistol is not a good learning tool.
 
#7 ·
Bear in mind that shooting a pistol is not easy to learn, nor is it easy to do well.
The best thing that a new shooter can do is to make the learning process easy on himself/herself.

Compact handguns are more difficult to shoot effectively and well than are full-size pistols.
Therefore, it may not be such a good idea, to start out with a compact gun.

Equally, lightweight polymer handguns are also more difficult to shoot well.
Heavier, all-metal pistols absorb recoil in their mass, and are much easier to learn to shoot.

You may find it hard to believe, but it's not all that difficult to carry and conceal a full-size, full-weight handgun.
If you want to end up carrying a concealed weapon, you have a lot to learn first, and a lightweight, compact pistol is not a good learning tool.
That is a good point. I have looked at full size handguns too maybe a glock 17 or mp9. I'm open to all suggestion not just what I listed above. Thank you

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#10 ·
I recently brought home a Glock 23, Gen 4. I have a Lone Wolf barrel and three Magpul magazines that let me set it up for 9mm practice. I like shooting both 40 cal. and 9mm with it and it is a comfortable gun for me. It is the first modern handgun that I own, and it is my first semi-auto. I have run 550 rounds through it (combined), and I like the way it feels. Saturday I expect to run some more 40 and 9mm rounds at a wooded property that I have. The purpose of my trip is to sight-in a couple rifles for whitetail season. What a great morning it'll be.....:smt023
 
#13 ·
Have you had the chance to Czech out CZ PCR, or 75 Compact, or if a rail is needed, a CZ P01?

You have a nice list, I just don't want you to miss these often overlooked gems.
Plus 1 for the CZ line of top tier handguns. For a medium size, I'd be looking at the PCR model with the decocking lever. For full size, it would be the CZ 75 BD, also with the decocker. Sometimes CZ gets overlooked I think because the Czech Republic was under Soviet domination for so many years. Czechoslovakia was formed after WW1 and became one of the worlds leading supplier of military arms such that it was one of the first countries overrun by Nazi Germany in WWII so Hitler would have the additional factories and know how to make arms from pistols to tanks. I remember one of the very finest bolt action rifles I ever owned was based on the Czech small ring Mauser action in 257 Roberts Ackley Improved. It was smooth as silk and a real nail driver. That Czech action was always in demand as a base for building wonderful sporters.

Rent and shoot a Cz 75 (or variant) and I think you'll see why many consider it so comfortable and their first choice. Worldwide, I believe they are carried by more military and police departments than any other sidearm. Several companies import CZ 75 clones from Italy, Turkey and who knows where else. The Italian Tanfoglio line as well as the Turkish Canik or Tristar are all clones. They are probably just fine, but I'd get the real thing from CZ.

Take care,

Craig
 
#16 ·
The G19 would be a good choice if it fits your hand.
I never picked up (or shot) a Glock that felt good in hand but they seem to work for many people, just not me.

Ruger has very good CS and they'll take care of you if there is EVER any problems with one of their guns. No time limit!
Only thing about the SR9c, too many reports of FTF with them.
I personally know of three that had to go back to Ruger because of light strikes. So there is that.

I have no experience with the S&W MP9c so I got nothing on it......

Good luck with your search.



Sam
 
#17 ·
Bicycle part Wood Gas Bumper Metal
The CZ line is more pricey, and worth it. The 75b if you like a larger pistol, or the P-01 as a more compact model. Either one will suit your needs. I have used both to qualify on the Law Enforcement Standards Board shoot. Both guns are superbly accurate at 25 yards.
 

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#19 ·
I chose the SW22 Victory for my first pistol. I decided late in life to get a pistol after watching guy after guy have a ball at the range shooting all kinds of pistols
I wanted to start with a target pistol. Also easy to field strip.
So far I have put about 200 rounds of all kinds of ammo and it is a nice semi-auto.
I now have all winter to decide on a 9mm target. Right now I am leaning to the S&W M&P Pro 5".
The only problem I see here is keeping enough ammo to feed my pistol and my long guns.
Hope there are some good sales during the winter.
 
#21 ·
For the list of firearms he listed I recommend the Ruger SR9 only because he is new to carrying a gun an this gun has a red flag that pops up when it has a bullet in the chamber .
A Walther p99c was mentioned a very nice conceal carry gun I carry its twin the Smith an Wesson Sw990L
I love the gun very compact handles recoil well . My daughter carries the Smith SD9ve this gun shoots well an easy to modify the trigger pull weight on reducing it drastically . the Smith an Wesson MP9c is a very nice gun . The Smith an Wesson M&P9 with the ported barrel is a nice choice I have the Smith an Wesson M&P 40 with the ported barrel an the gun handles real nice .the two guns I would have trouble choosing between if I was updating mine would be the Beretta Px4 Storm or the Walther p99c these two guns are well built have options to make fit your hand better by changing butt plates an handle recoil well both are easy to maintain. Glocks I never liked them never have never will so I kind of ignore they exist .
 
#22 ·
Not sure why Guns have decockers . but Every gun I know that has a decocker is a double action semi automatic like the Beretta 92/96 . With the double action you can hit the decocker releasing the hammer while a bullet is still chambered to fire pull the trigger an the gun cycles as normal.The bullet fires an the hammer is set to strike again with the slightest trigger pull . decocking at this point again leaves the bullet chambered but requires a full length trigger pull to fire and recycle the weapon .
Without a decocker as soon as the bullet is chamber the gun is ready to fire . With most guns you don't have a safety. pulling on the trigger from a little pressure to some pressure will surely fire the round an unless you plan on firing it would be dangerous to leave a gun with one in the chamber with no decocker or safety so most gun manufactures designed their triggers to require along hard pulls to prevent accidental firing . Some manufactures add a trigger lock in a trigger to assure its a finger pulling on the trigger an not a piece of clothing . when you add option to a handgun you add dollars so the cheaper the gun the less safety features . double action or single action that's preference more than anything the more you learn about guns an use guns I think the more you lean toward double actions .
 
#23 ·
Not sure why Guns have decockers . but Every gun I know that has a decocker is a double action semi automatic like the Beretta 92/96 . With the double action you can hit the decocker releasing the hammer while a bullet is still chambered to fire pull the trigger an the gun cycles as normal.The bullet fires an the hammer is set to strike again with the slightest trigger pull . decocking at this point again leaves the bullet chambered but requires a full length trigger pull to fire and recycle the weapon .
Without a decocker as soon as the bullet is chamber the gun is ready to fire . With most guns you don't have a safety. pulling on the trigger from a little pressure to some pressure will surely fire the round an unless you plan on firing it would be dangerous to leave a gun with one in the chamber with no decocker or safety so most gun manufactures designed their triggers to require along hard pulls to prevent accidental firing . Some manufactures add a trigger lock in a trigger to assure its a finger pulling on the trigger an not a piece of clothing . when you add option to a handgun you add dollars so the cheaper the gun the less safety features . double action or single action that's preference more than anything the more you learn about guns an use guns I think the more you lean toward double actions .
.
ithink an object can disengage the trigger thingy and fire the gun, why wouldn't it. A pencil,etc, there have been such incidents
 
#25 ·
...the more you learn about guns an use guns I think the more you lean toward double actions .
There are two different kinds of "double-actions":
• There's one in which the trigger action is exactly the same for every shot, called double-action only (DAO).
• There's another in which the trigger changes from a long, hard first-shot pull to a short, lighter single-action pull for all the rest. It's called traditional double-action (TDA).

Because beginners will have quite enough trouble mastering even a trigger action which always remains the same, I suggest that a new shooter would best be served by either a single-action (SA) trigger or a double-action only (DAO) trigger.
The second-shot transition between trigger actions required by TDA triggers just makes the job harder, and, I believe, is unsuited to a beginner.

Having been trained on SA pistols (M1911A1), and having used them extensively in competition, I was led to believe that the SA trigger was the proper one for beginners. In terms of competition shooting and of target shooting, I still think that way.
But after many years of concealed carry, using both SA and DAO guns, I have come to the conclusion that a beginner who wishes to learn self-defense shooting will best be served by being trained from the very beginning to use a pistol with a DAO trigger mechanism.

After a lot of experience has been gained, the shooter becomes capable of making a well-reasoned choice, and may wish to switch to a different system.
I, for instance, went in quite the other direction from my own recommendation: I changed from a DAO pistol to a SA one, for carry in my "senior years."
 
#26 ·
I agree with you . The reason I prefer a double action like the Beretta 96a1 0ver a SA like the Smith Wesson SD9v . Once a round is chamber the Beretta being decocked requires a full length trigger pull but is still ready to fire also the decocker acts as a safety when engaged an the gun can not be fired although a round is chambered . With the SD9V an many of other guns on the market that are SA hammerless once a round is chambered the gun is ready to fire most dont have safety's of any kind an the only way to make the gun safe is to pull the magazine an empty the chamber . The safest way to carry this type gun is not to chamber a round until your ready to shoot . Which in a life or death situation takes valuable time . The scary part is everyone is buying guns an getting license to carry . Most big retail gun dealers are only interested in selling a gun an most people don't realize they have a choice . So we have thousands of amateurs carrying in most cases the cheapest gun the store has an when you go cheap you give up options ,reliability on jamming issues an safety features .I have several handguns I carry for self defense I prefer the Beretta 96a1 . My wife an adult children all carry . Most carry a double action of some kind but one daughter prefers the Smith N Wesson Sd9VE she has been involved with guns all her life an is very familiar with all her options but she prefers this gun .. So in the end it will always come down to what a person prefers .
 
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