Choosing New Handgun

I am looking to purchase my first handgun in a few weeks. I have been looking at the Glock, Springfield, and M&P. This isn't a thread on which one is the best because I've read many times on here to choose the one that feels the best to you. My problem is I haven't chose a caliber yet and don't think I will truely get a proper conclusion by chosing one gun in one caliber and another in a different. Should I go one day and rent all three in the same caliber to chose the right manufacturer and then go and shoot the different calibers? Or will choosing one in each caliber be a decent way to choose also.

Any help will be appreciated as this will be my first handgun.

Thanks

Since you're a new shooter, you should probably choose 9mm.

- 9mm ammo is less expensive so you can practice more for your money.
- 9mm recoils less than the others, so your learning isn't as inhibited.
- 9mm is perfectly adequate for defense with good JHP ammo (despite those who will tell you that only .40 is the Thunder Hammer of Thor).

My preference for a first handgun is a .22. They give you lots of practice rounds at a significantly lower cost. The best prices I can find for .45 ammo is just under $12/50. My "good" .22 ammo is $13/500. It doesn't break the bank to go out and through 500 rounds. .22's also allow work on fundamentals without significant recoil.

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I'm trying to decide between the 9mm, 40, and 45 ACP. Leaning more towards the 9mm or 45 ACP. I use to shoot my cousin's 40 Ruger with a softer recoil spring and just didn't really like it. I intend to be a .22 also to practice with unless I buy the 9mm. My dad has a .22 that I could always borrow also.

About choosing which brand though. Should I rent all three in 9mm to see which one feels best in my hand or would renting one in 9mm and one if 45 ACP matter much?

9 here I go again talking to much.

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Originally Posted by dh80

About choosing which brand though. Should I rent all three in 9mm to see which one feels best in my hand or would renting one in 9mm and one if 45 ACP matter much?

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I'd try to compare like item with like item - try to get the same caliber, whichever it is. If you can, look objectively at the calibers first, decide which you want, then try to find the guns in that chambering.

I would go for the 9mm. Rent the different manufacturers and decide which one fits you better. Also I read in the newspaper that there is or is going to be a shortage of 45 caliber ammo due to the war. I guess this means that the price of 45 ammo will go up, and 9mm ammo is inexpensive compared to the 40 and 45.

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Originally Posted by hargroder

I would go for the 9mm. Rent the different manufacturers and decide which one fits you better. Also I read in the newspaper that there is or is going to be a shortage of 45 caliber ammo due to the war. I guess this means that the price of 45 ammo will go up, and 9mm ammo is inexpensive compared to the 40 and 45.

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The price of all ammo is going up. But why would .45 - specifically - go up more than others? It's not like we issue .45 ammo to anyone except a comparatively very few special operations units. We probably go through 3000 times more 9mm ammo over here than .45. Hell, I have never even seen a .45 here except on the belt of a single private security contractor.

The .45 does use more lead, copper, brass, powder, etc., than the others, but it is already proportionately more expensive anyway.

Mike Barham, I don't know why the article singled out 45 caliber. I only repeated what was printed. 45 should be more expensive because as you said it uses more lead, brass and powder. By the way, Thank you and all the service men past,present,and future for our freedom. The sacrifices that you make are not going unnoticed-I pray for your safety.

Thanks for the recommendations. When I get back home I'll rent my choices in 9mm. I just might leave with a 9mm that day hopefully.

The advice here is great. I was in your exact situation a couple of months ago dh80. I ended up with a M&P in .40 sw. I would probably get a 9mm now in retrospect. There is a good difference in the price of ammo. Once you start going to the range you will want to go again and again, it's fun. It does get kind of expensive though. I just ordered a 22lr pistol to make my shooting more affordable. Good luck. The guys here are knowledable, helpfull, and patient with noobs like us.

My first handgun (a few months ago) is a Nighthawk Talon 5.0 .45 which I like very much. But the cost of ammo is crazy.

Next purchase was a S&W .22lr revolver with a 6" barrel. Followed by a S&W MP 9mm subcompact.

I put 50 rounds through either the 9 or .45 for ever 100 through the .22 at the range. That way I get to shoot everything without breaking the bank.

It may not improve my accuracy as quickly as sticking with one gun, but it is fun alternating.

I'm going to get a better 9mm for the range than the subcompact and use it more than the MP. Maybe a Sig 226 or another 1911. This weekend, I hope.

I might not be a good shooter. but I am enthusiastic!

There is definitely a difference in the recoil of the 9MM, .40 and the .45. I got a 9MM for my first Center fire pistol, and it went through 3 family members before one liked it. I would suggest renting a 9mm, .40, and .45 all in the same kind of gun, and see which caliber you like, and then start looking for the right gun. Granted, 9mm is cheaper, but if you don't like to shoot them, you can always cut the cost of the other calibers by reloading.

I think your right P97. My dad has a 9mm and a 25 that he doesn't shoot at all so I can always borrow them to practice with. I think i am going to rent the three in the same caliber and once I chose which gun, I'll also rent that one gun in different calibers.

I know I meantioned the Glock, M&P, and Springfield. Do you think it's worth looking at the Sig also. I have always seen the debates between these three but there seems to be alot of people with Sigs and enjoying them also. Don't want to neglect any other chooses.

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Originally Posted by dh80

Do you think it's worth looking at the Sig also. I have always seen the debates between these three but there seems to be alot of people with Sigs and enjoying them also. Don't want to neglect any other chooses.

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Sig, along with H&K, make some of the finest handguns in the world. However, they won't throw them down range any faster, nor will they be any more reliable than a Glock, but they are more expensive. Just depends on whether or not you want an all-metal gun.

I don't own a Sig or HK because I view that type of pistol as mere tools, and I can get what I want for less money by buying a Walther or Glock. Speaking of Walther, you might check out the P99....

PhilR.