I am looking into getting a S&W .40 cal 410S. I am wondering what your opinions are on this gun or brand. Also what would the difference be between a 9mm .40, .45 for a first hand gun what should i get, i like the .40 cal look but the 9mm and others looks close. Is there any guns you would recommend i am open to suggestions.
More info about yourself would be a help in giving you an opinion of value.
Age?
Size?
Handicaps?
Right or left hand (then compare the guns' features for that aspect)?
Prior experience with firearms?
..........for starters.
With all considered I would suggest finding a firearm you are comfortable with....confident in....and with which you can hit your target.
I have a theory...any gun that intimidates you and you can't handle might be useless to you when it comes time to put your abilities and training to the test.
Remember...people in the line of protection and committed shooters put countless hours of training and mental conditioning into the ability to compitently handle a their firearm.
The S&W line are decent handguns but each line of handguns has pros and cons and I would suggest going to a range where you can rent a variety of makes and calibers and then make a more informed decision.
As a rule of arguement some will say the larger the caliber the more effective that round would be in self protection but given all considering that idea I would say that totally depends on the gun, the shooter's pshycological and physical state, the training, the ammo, the person you are trying to eliminate as a threat, and the circumstances under which it is being used (just to name a few).
Once again the shooter's confidence in the gun and their ability to aptly use it is what is ultimately going to get the job done.
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Turning 22 in January, the gun will be a birthday present to myself. I am a big boy, 5 foot 11 inches weighing in at 250. Right handed, never shot handguns only fired shotguns. The man at the gun shop said it would be a good choice because of the safety features, no mag in won't fire, safety decock feature, it is a 40. cal, i plan on shooting normal rounds for fun and experience but i will also have a clip with hollow points or a round that will put someone down if it comes down to it. I like the weigh the S&W looks, the 1911's look good in all guns but i like the S&W .40 cal design. Glock is nice but i can not get over the plastic composite design of the handle and stuff, seems weak since my friends seat belt rubbing on his glock wore a little grove in the handle.
Some of us are not fans of the magazine disconnect. I would rather not have one more complicated system in there that could cause it not to fire, and I'd like to be able to fire mag or no mag. Seems silly that the rationale that a cop who's losing control of his gun could more easily drop the mag than shoot the perp.
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Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf
I totally agree with battlerifle3, "the less complicated a thing is the better it is". Consider what Dale has said too, he has it right about down to a "T". What good is a powerful handgun if you don't like to practice and consequently be a poor shot with it ?
Don't let the brand dictate what you buy, of course you might want to research and get someone Else's opinion about a gun and see if you are satisfied with its features and such, but ultimately you'll have to handle the firearm your self to see how it feels. Find a place where you can rent and shoot, this might help a lot.
If this is your first, assuming you didn't buy it yet, a 9mm is fun, cheap, and easy to shoot. You'll be more interested in going to the range more and more.
Having said that, I also think your second if not your first hand gun should be a good 1911. Just my .02 $.
I would suggest you not get "model specific" until you've handled more handguns. You'll find that a few of them will feel much better in you hands than the rest. Zero in on those. Most manufacturers offer several calibers in a given frame style, so that decision can come later. I could give you my opinion, but my shoes may not fit you. Looking is half the fun.
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Freedom has a flavor the protected can never taste
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I vote for the 1911. Simple, indestructable and tons of after market goodies to improve it as you go. And I prefer the recoil of the .45 over the .40.
And you can buy them in a material that seems to have disappeared from semi-auto handguns. Its ALL steel!
Dont blast me for that last comment. I have shot polymers many times without problems. I just like all metal.
Take a Sig for a spine just to check it out. They even have one in .22 LR. I used to be a glock fan but I picked up a sig and never looked back. Look around.
I always recomment going to a gun show to people looking for their first handgun. Get you hands on a lot of different weapons, find what feels good in your hand. Pointability, ergonomics, etc, etc. Like Jay said, don't get brand specific just yet. I have several different handguns for different purposes, but the one I stake my life on everyday is my Glock 21 .45 auto. But then again, it's my personal preference and I'm a BIG fan of Keep It Simple Stupid. No hammers, no external safeties, and I can shoot better with it than any other handgun I own.
I always recommend going to a gun show to people looking for their first handgun. Get you hands on a lot of different weapons, find what feels good in your hand. Point-ability, ergonomics, etc, etc. Like Jay said, don't get brand specific just yet. I have several different handguns for different purposes, but the one I stake my life on everyday is my Glock 21 .45 auto. But then again, it's my personal preference and I'm a BIG fan of Keep It Simple Stupid. No hammers, no external safeties, and I can shoot better with it than any other handgun I own.
I agree with "Copper" on everything except the Glock. I would not recommend the Glock for your first handgun. Way to easy to accidentally discharge the weapon if you are unfamiliar with handguns. (I personally own a Glock - so don't kill me "Glock" guys) I would avoid the magazine disconnect. What happens if you have to use the pistol and accidentally drop the mag during the heat of the moment? - your dead! The other way- you will at least have one shot! I would go with a 9mm for the first pistol. Ammo can be had for about $5 a box compared to $10 for .40cal. Practice and shot placement will be more important than power early on.
The grip angle is very important on determining the proper fit of pistols. You want one that naturally points - without major adjustments by you. For example, a glock naturally points high for me, so I don't carry a glock. The HK USP naturally points dead on for "me" so that is what I carry. Bottom line, buy what feels good and natural and stick with a good name brand. If you don't know brands, you can post another tread here for comments - we are never short on advice. Remember to keep you offhand thumb away from the slide when firing! Also, don't overlook a good .357 S&W revolver as a first pistol option! Enjoy!
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For self-protection, I'd get a .40 cal. (Manufacturer is personal taste, I like springfield and Ruger)
Target shooting, I'd get a 9mm. .45's are great for target shootin, but the ammo is not cheap like the 9mm. .45's are the best all around gun in my opinion because I've had lots of .40's and I just prefer .45.
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Paramedic/Firefighter
sks forever
FMF Corpsman
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Those .40s are powerful little pieces. They do pack a punch and if you are unfamiliar with guns, it will be too much. 9 all the way for first timers. Nevermind , get a .50 cal Desert Eagle
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Paramedic/Firefighter
sks forever
FMF Corpsman
Proud Father and Husband
Proud American!!
From what I've read on that caliber, Semi-auto pistols can be finnicky about particular ammo and magazines. A good make for CCW might be the Kahr .40--it has rated highly in the journals, and I like how it feels in my hand--.40 cal is a good load, though recoil in a light weight gun will be a factor.
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Beautiful Noisy Deadly Machines--What's Not to Like? :assult:
Plenty of good suggestions have already been given above. All are good points. The best points that stand out to me are: 1. Fire several guns to find one which feels good to you, 2. Read as much about your preferences as possible to learn their pro's and con's, 3. Determine your budget, 4. Buy the gun, and 5. Practice, practice, practice.
Wise words Ox. Accurate shooting is a perishable skill, so practice often as you can. I highly recommend buying practice ammo (FMJ) in bulk from either catalog or a gun show, it will seem expenisive at first, but it will save you big bucks in the end.
