New member from Illinois (yes, I know; please don't laugh!)

Hi there,

I'm new to the forum and practically new to handguns.
Basically, my only experience is qualifying with a .38 while in the Air Force (many years ago), and a small amount of recent target-shooting with my son's 9mm and .45 semi-auto.

Like a lot of folks these days, my wife and I want to pick up a couple of handguns for home protection and a bit of backyard target shooting.

We took a handgun orientation class this past week at a local gun shop, and learned a lot; but I still have no idea what to buy, other than leaning toward a semi-auto rather than a revolver, just because of capacity.
At the class, we fired a .22, 9mm, a couple different .40 cal, a .45 and a .38.

I had my best results with a Glock Model 22 (.40 cal), with a 3-pound trigger pull.

I'm sure that I'm opening a gigantic can of worms by asking for opinions about a first gun choice, but I'll do it anyway.
(Perhaps the introduction forum isn't the best place for that question, though. If someone can redirect me, I'd much appreciate it.)

Thanks!

Doug

Welcome...

To answer your question about were to start.

New to Handguns Area

Firstly, are you sure that the Glock 22 had a 3 pound trigger? If it did, it had been pretty highly modified. I would not recommend a Glock with a 3 pound trigger for self defense. Keep it above 4.5 pounds and in your state, you may want to leave it OEM factory stock for legal liability reasons (not an issue in my state).

Go to any range and rent a few pistols try a S&W M&P, Sig SP2022, Glock and others as well, might want to keep any Glock trigger unmodified at first until you have more experience with it as the safety is part of it. A choice on this or any forum is very subjective 9mm is a good first choice as ammo is cheaper to practice.

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Originally Posted by SouthernBoy

Firstly, are you sure that the Glock 22 had a 3 pound trigger? If it did, it had been pretty highly modified. I would not recommend a Glock with a 3 pound trigger for self defense. Keep it above 4.5 pounds and in your state, you may want to leave it OEM factory stock for legal liability reasons (not an issue in my state).

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Yep, I'm certain.
All the guns we fired were the instructor's personal weapons; he had the trigger modified. He mentioned how the mod is done; but my head was already spinning, so none of that info soaked in.

I stopped into another store this afternoon just to gather more info, and the salesman said exactly what you mentioned, about not wanting such a light pull for home defense; 4.5 was what he recommended, and I see how that makes sense in a high-stress situation.
They didn't stock much, but they did have a Sig SP2022, which I really liked; the $450 price was attractive, as well. Hicap 15 round magazine is a plus.

-Doug

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chessail77

Go to any range and rent a few pistols try a S&W M&P, Sig SP2022, Glock and others as well, might want to keep any Glock trigger unmodified at first until you have more experience with it as the safety is part of it. A choice on this or any forum is very subjective 9mm is a good first choice as ammo is cheaper to practice.

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Thank you!

Welcome from the Great Northwest.
my first thought would find a range that rents firearms and spend a few day and yes money and try as many as you can handle in that few days and as many that look and feel good in your hands and maybe some thing for you wife also. She may not like or be ready for what you would like so if she is into it think about what she would like and have her try them out too. then buy what you like and can shoot and like to shoot. Then practice practice and the practice again.
Havefun and shoot safe
JT

Welcome to the site!

Reducing the trigger pull on a Glock is really not required for any common use, short of bullseye-type accuracy competitions; most folks just never take the time to learn how to use the stock trigger properly. For a slightly lighter trigger pull, you could look at Glocks models 34 or 35; they have a competition-style 4.5 pound trigger connector installed at the factory, and combined with their longer sight radius and extended magazine release button, are fine choices for general-purpose handgun uses.

Thanks everyone for the advice!

Due to time constraints (I'm a self-employed toolmaker, and I work seven days a week) and the fact that I would have to travel out of town to find a shop where I could try some rentals, I think I'll just go with the Sig SP2022.
And for fun, I think I'll also get the S&W 22A-1 that my wife enjoyed shooting. Ahhh...togetherness! :-)

See you all on the forum!

-Doug

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dougw

Hi there,

I'm new to the forum and practically new to handguns.
Basically, my only experience is qualifying with a .38 while in the Air Force (many years ago), and a small amount of recent target-shooting with my son's 9mm and .45 semi-auto.

Like a lot of folks these days, my wife and I want to pick up a couple of handguns for home protection and a bit of backyard target shooting.

We took a handgun orientation class this past week at a local gun shop, and learned a lot; but I still have no idea what to buy, other than leaning toward a semi-auto rather than a revolver, just because of capacity.
At the class, we fired a .22, 9mm, a couple different .40 cal, a .45 and a .38.

I had my best results with a Glock Model 22 (.40 cal), with a 3-pound trigger pull.

I'm sure that I'm opening a gigantic can of worms by asking for opinions about a first gun choice, but I'll do it anyway.
(Perhaps the introduction forum isn't the best place for that question, though. If someone can redirect me, I'd much appreciate it.)

Thanks!

Doug

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First off, hello and welcome! Secondly, you should buy and use the gun that you do the best with, reguardless of caliber or type. Just My Humble Opinion.:smt1099

Hello and welcome to the forum from Stone Mountain Georgia

Welcome Doug.

I was in Elgin Ill for about 50 years, now in Colorado. My brother still lives around that area. Gat near Dundee I guess rents guns. Don't know which area of Illinois you're at. And I have another brother out here that is a tool maker / mold maker. Owns his own shop.

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Originally Posted by Younguy

Welcome Doug.

I was in Elgin Ill for about 50 years, now in Colorado. My brother still lives around that area. Gat near Dundee I guess rents guns. Don't know which area of Illinois you're at. And I have another brother out here that is a tool maker / mold maker. Owns his own shop.

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Thanks!

I'm in Freeport; about 60 miles west of Elgin. We have a son In Denver, and he likes his firearms; he says he'll never live in IL again.

I went to buy that SP2022 today, and it sold on Sunday.
I don't think I want to wait two weeks for the dealer to get another one, and I'm not sure what I'll do now. Too busy this evening, agonizing over the presidential election. :-(