first handgun

[lionxheartxsd]

Just looking around today at the gun store for home defense handgun, not into spending that much..

One person recommended me the S&W MP40 or 9mm. both with the same price. $399 with $50 rebate or receive 2 extra magazines.

I dont really know anything about handguns. This is not my first gun purchase, I have 12 gauge shotgun.

so which of the 2 is stronger, reliable, accuracy wise, etc.

Safety first, i know that for sure. But I want a brief response.

THanks

[KW Gary M]

Originally Posted by lionxheartxsd

Just looking around today at the gun store for home defense handgun, not into spending that much..

One person recommended me the S&W MP40 or 9mm. both with the same price. $399 with $50 rebate or receive 2 extra magazines.

I dont really know anything about handguns. This is not my first gun purchase, I have 12 gauge shotgun.

so which of the 2 is stronger, reliable, accuracy wise, etc.

Safety first, i know that for sure. But I want a brief response.

THanks

Are you sure it was a S&W M&P 40 or 9MM for $399 with $50 rebate and 2 extra mags and not a S&W Sigma? M&P's are usually a lot more than that. If you can get a M&P at that price jump on it quick. If it is a Sigma stay away. They are crap. For a first handgun I would go with the 9MM out of the two because it's easier to control. If it is only for home defense and not carry I'd go with a 4" barrel .357 Magnum. You can practice with .38's and load the Magnums for defense. A revolver is much easier for a new shooter to use and is pretty much maintenance free. Taurus and Rossi make some nice revolvers under $400.

No matter what you get invest some time and money into some lessons. Most ranges have NRA Instructors. Shooting a handgun is a lot different from yout 12 Gage. With any gun the most important word is safety and knowledge will increase safety.

[Billyz]

+1 on the .357 wheelgun for a first handgun.

[lionxheartxsd]

Originally Posted by KW Gary M

Are you sure it was a S&W M&P 40 or 9MM for $399 with $50 rebate and 2 extra mags and not a S&W Sigma? M&P's are usually a lot more than that. If you can get a M&P at that price jump on it quick. If it is a Sigma stay away. They are crap. For a first handgun I would go with the 9MM out of the two because it's easier to control. If it is only for home defense and not carry I'd go with a 4" barrel .357 Magnum. You can practice with .38's and load the Magnums for defense. A revolver is much easier for a new shooter to use and is pretty much maintenance free. Taurus and Rossi make some nice revolvers under $400.

No matter what you get invest some time and money into some lessons. Most ranges have NRA Instructors. Shooting a handgun is a lot different from yout 12 Gage. With any gun the most important word is safety and knowledge will increase safety.

you know what. i think its sigma..not M&Ps

[Metronome]

For someone who isn't that into shooting for pleasure, and is looking for a quality home defense handgun, the two that come to my mind are the S&W SW9VE in 9mm(or the SW40VE in .40 cal) and the Ruger P-95. The SW9VE or Sigma pistol have a polarizing reputation, and I believe offer a lot of gun for the money. The Ruger, while a little chunky, is also very reliable and will outlast 99% of their owners when cared for properly.
If you are sold on an autopistol, those are the most affordable new options, but I would also second the vote for a quality revolver in .357 Magnum/.38 special - an excellent combination for learning on.

[samuel]

KW:excelent advice,especially on the lessons. ,,,sam.

[lionxheartxsd]

i heard that for Sigmas...the trigger is long, or when you pull the trigger, it takes time.?

[Metronome]

Originally Posted by lionxheartxsd

i heard that for Sigmas...the trigger is long, or when you pull the trigger, it takes time.?

The actual length of trigger pull is similar to other popular handguns, it is just more in line with a revolver style trigger. The pull weight is closer to 9 lbs of force, since the actual striker is being pulled back and released, which is unlike say a Glock or a Springfield XD which is partially cocked by the action of the slide. Think of having to pull the plunger on a pinball machine.

[roggom]

I have a Sigma 40 and find it to be very dependable. My 15 year old daughter can hit center mass without issue. IMO I feel the long trigger pull allows a milliseconds of assurance that you intend to destroy what you are aiming at.


Now on the other hand, I also purchased a revolver, because it is simple point and shoot. This works well with my wife.

Mine is a S&W, but I have read great reviews about the Charter Arms Magpug and it can be found in your price range. Uses 357 or 38 special ammo. http://www.charterfirearms.com/produ...Pug_73521.html


As you see my decision is based on what my family can shoot as well, this gives me peace of mind when I travel.

[KW Gary M]

Originally Posted by lionxheartxsd

you know what. i think its sigma..not M&Ps

Sigma's have a trigger pull that you need to be a weight lifter to shoot and makes it very tough to be accurate with. If you want to stay under $400 try a Taurus, Kel-Tec, Witness or I still say go with a .357 Mag 4" barrel for a first handgun. Taurus makes some great guns or if you can spend a little more a Ruger GP 100 will be in the mid to upper $400's and is my favorite revolver I have ever owned.

[lionxheartxsd]

i did a little research on the Rugers...kinda like the Ruger p95?

i'll check the Ruger GP 100 next.

so NO on the S&W Sigma 40 and 9mm?

which would you guys prefer, the Rugers or the Sigmas?

[KW Gary M]

Originally Posted by lionxheartxsd

i did a little research on the Rugers...kinda like the Ruger p95?

i'll check the Ruger GP 100 next.

so NO on the S&W Sigma 40 and 9mm?

which would you guys prefer, the Rugers or the Sigmas?

Ruger over Sigma for sure. Sigma is a very poorly made gun in my opinion. Buy a Taurus, Kel-Tec or Witness over a Sigma. If budget is the issue have you considered a used XD, M&P or CZ? My XD's are my favorite Autos.

[lionxheartxsd]

Originally Posted by KW Gary M

Ruger over Sigma for sure. Sigma is a very poorly made gun in my opinion. Buy a Taurus, Kel-Tec or Witness over a Sigma. If budget is the issue have you considered a used XD, M&P or CZ? My XD's are my favorite Autos.

i dont like buying anything used. specially if it's my first product to buy.
so how does it go with hand guns. which one is the more power? 9mm, then 40, then 45?

[KW Gary M]

Originally Posted by lionxheartxsd

i dont like buying anything used. specially if it's my first product to buy.
so how does it go with hand guns. which one is the more power? 9mm, then 40, then 45?

.45 is most power but toughest to handle for newbe, .40 is next in power and recoil. 9MM is least power but still plenty of power to stop an attacker and easy to handle. With the .357 you can shoot .38's to practice with less recoil and then .357's when you need the added power. Like getting 2 guns in 1.

[HopLax7]

I'd agree with the above posts that a couple lessons will be a big help. When I first got into handguns I had a few buddies that were/are gun aficionados that were able to help me with how each gun operates, what to do with malfunctions, cleaning etc.

I think a revolver would be simpler and easier, but not necessarily better, or necessary as a first pistol.

I would also recommend staying away from the Sigma. Don't own one, but have shot a couple, and didn't care for it, nor have I heard great things about reliability.

Have you looked at any Glocks? You can get them in about any caliber, and in each of those calibers, full-size to sub-compact frames. Alot of people don't like the polymer frame, or say the double-stack magazine is bulky, but to me it fits great, and I have yet to have any malfunctions 2,000+ rounds and growing by the week. Glocks have a very simple take-down procedure so they are easy to clean and use universal parts and technology throughout much of their lineup. It makes getting parts and accessories very easy (for example the mag-well plug I got is universal, the laser sight I got would fit any compact or full-size Glock, magazines within the same caliber are universal so a G17 mag would work in a G19 or a G26 [not the other way around though] and conversions to multiple calibers are an option).

One thing I did that you might look into is a Glock 32 with a 9mm conversion barrel and Glock 19 spare mag. This lets me carry the Glock 32 that shoots the .357 sig round (which is great in my book)... but in 15 seconds, swap a mag and a barrel and shoot the cheap 9mm ammo at the range... then in 15 seconds swap back to .357 personal defense rounds as my carry gun.

I own a variety of handguns from Taurus (autoloader and pistols) to Kimber 1911s, kel-tec p11, and everything in between (well, not everything, but several)... and at the end of the day, the Glock 32 is what I trust my life to.

[Metronome]

I will say the Ruger P-95 and the Smith & Wesson SW9VE are both made by domestic manufacturers that stand by their products as well as are more than capable of dealing with issues that could arise. Both are durable designs that have been adopted and used by our military forces (5000 Rugers and 22,000 Sigmas); and I hear they are specific to their needs of durability and reliability. For the money they are a lot of gun. My vote goes to Ruger, but only slightly.
I don't like to recommend any imported brands such as Taurus, even though they offer a warranty, I have heard too many nightmare stories; but your mileage may vary.

[shooter1]

I shoot a lot of IDPA comp. see alot of guns in action. I never saw a sigma that worked very well at all. I have seen lots of Glocks and they all run very well. If you can you would never be sorry you bought that Glock.

FYI- Lots of good advice here. Good luck.

Other guns observerd and used that I recommend
springfield armory XD's
smith and wesson m&p's

[lionxheartxsd]

so any Glocks would do it?

[KW Gary M]

Originally Posted by lionxheartxsd

so any Glocks would do it?

People seem to love Glocks or really dislike Glocks. I fall into the dislike class. Rent one side by side with XD and M&P before you buy one. Shoot all 3 and decide yourself. I have no use for a Glock but that's just my opinion.

[Bookman]

A Glock Model 17 or 19 in 9mm will serve you well as a house gun. Glocks are a proven design.
But for safety and 100% reliability, I agree that a revolver is best. A .357 magnum gives you the most versatility, but any good .38 Spl. loaded with +P ammo will work.