YAGT Reco me a pistol

[Alone]

Meh, none of this information is worth a damn, to be honest. The only way you'll know is by holding it, and shooting it. It can be the most accurate, compact weapon on the market, but if you don't feel comfortable holding it, it's nearly useless.

Go to a gun store and find one that feels good (weight/size/etc) in your hand. Narrow your choices down to 3-5 for comfort, then take them out back to their range and test them out. At that point you can come back and ask for advice between your preferred models, but I guarantee that once you fire the right one, you'll know it without having to ask.

 

[boomhower]

Go to a range that rents and try out a variety and see what you like. Anything 9mm or .38 and up has enough stopping power for a carry gun. Everyone is going to recommend what they like and what works for them. That doesn't mean you will like it or it will work for you.

Don't rule out revolvers. You don't need 15 rounds in a CCW gun, if six rounds of .357 won't get the job done you aren't aiming correctly. For a new shooter they are a great option, you can't screw it up. No malfunctions to learn how to clear. Won't bind if pressed against the bad guy.

Personally I am a Glock whore and carry one daily. My next handgun purchase is going to be a revolver, probably an LCR.

 

[duragezic]

Get a big Deagle with some clips.

You'll probably really want to try some out before purchasing. Some people love the feel and shape of a Glock while some hate them.

Semiatuo ones I hear recommended most often are the Glock 26 or 27, Glock 36, Keltec PF9, Keltec P3AT, Ruger LCP (I think this looks a little nicer than the P3AT), various Kahr in 9mm and .40sw.

There's the S&W M&P compacts, the SR9 compact, and Springfield XD compacts, but they may be a little big for CCW for me. While I'm sure a USP compact or P228 would be a great gun, I think it'd be too big and heavy for me to carry (as well as way too expensive!).

Check out nutnfancy on Youtube for pretty much the best and most in depth reviews on most of the guns listed above.

 

[Squisher]

I own a Kahr PM40. It is one of if not the smallest .40 cal not a derringer. I wouldn't say it kicks like a mule, but it's not a gun to spend a day at the range with. You shoot it enough to feel a level of comfort with the weapon. What it gives up in comfort firing it gives back in it's comfort level carrying. If given a choice I would buy it again, but you need to figure out where you draw the line.

 

[PrinceofWands]

I don't like blocky/bricky feeling carry weapons, so if you do ignore this. For a full size duty weapon Glocks and 1911s are great, but not for me for concealed carry. For me the Taurus Millennium Pro PT140 (or PT145 is you prefer a .45) is hands down the best choice. Inexpensive, comfortable, accurate, easy, reliable...just doesn't get any better.

 

[pontifex]

Czech out a CZ P-01, CZ 2075, CZ 75 Compact

 

[shortylickens]

I carry a Ruger LCP. If thats too small and you prefer a 9mm, the Ruger LC9 is coming out soon, and probably be in stores by the time you can get it.

If you want something a little more classical for CC I recommend the Glock 26/27.

 

[shortylickens]

Also:

www.Vagunforum.net

Find your local equivalent and join up. Start asking questions.

 

[Triumph]

A bit OT because this is a little large for a carry weapon, but what do you folks think of this deal:

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F1Glk17&name=Glock+Mod+17+9mm+Handgun&groupid=3

Glock 17 with night sites police turn in, $389. Used glocks seem to go for 400+, ad the night sites and it looks like a pretty good deal.

 

[Zargon]

Hehe, love how I never had trouble with classic XBox controllers.

I didnt either, loved the sizxer for less crinking in my wrists

and I have small hands


that price for the 3rd gen g17 is nice.

thats a little more than I paid(by the time it goes through FFL and shipping fees) than I paid for my austrian gen 1 glock 17


the main reason I would recommend 9mm over 38, 380, or 32, is price

9mm is a 'better' round and costs ALOT less to shoot. after 9mm I would go 45acp, as 40sw costs alot as well

 

[amddude]

Glock, 26 (9mm) or 27 (40). They are small and easy to use, and super reliable.

 

[Texashiker]

Taurus 709 slim in 9mm - its a single stack 9mm, 3 inch barrel, Capacity 7 +1. Once you hold it, you will really like it.

I bought a 709 about a month ago for my concealed carry permit - took it over to my brothers house, who is also a deputy sheriff. My brother also liked the feel of the 709, and he carries a pistol full time.

http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=686&category=Pistol&toggle=&breadcrumbseries=700

A good gun forum is PerfectUnion - http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/

Glock, 26 (9mm) or 27 (40). They are small and easy to use, and super reliable.

For a first time pistol owner, my personal opinion - a glock is one of the worst pistols you can own. The lack of a manual safety means there is no second layer of security.

When you drive a car it pretty common to have an air bag and wear your seat belt. Because studies show that 2 layers of security are better then 1. Same thing goes with a glock. There is no second layer of security.

 

[Zargon]

When you drive a car it pretty common to have an air bag and wear your seat belt. Because studies show that 2 layers of security are better then 1. Same thing goes with a glock. There is no second layer of security.

dude you are the safety



better to learn the right way than to depend on a piece of equipment alot of guns don't have.

never have your finger on the trigger of a hot weapon unless its pointed at something you intend to shoot

 

[Texashiker]

better to learn the right way than to depend on a piece of equipment alot of guns don't have.

Manual safety is a requirement for all of the firearms I purchase.

never have your finger on the trigger of a hot weapon unless its pointed at something you intend to shoot

That is just common sense.

 

[bruceb]

FNP-40 or FNP45 are very nice. Also the Beretta 90-TWO series in your choice of caliber. Or you can opt for a Sig Sauer which is what the US Secret Service carry.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Momentum is what is responsible for recoil. Now take most of the velocity of the 9mm and most of the mass of the .45 and you get the recoil of the .40, if that's any indication

It's a very awesome round, just very unwieldy for an unsuspecting first timer. As much as I swear by it, I have to admit that I can get better accuracy from a 9mm or .45 when rapid firing even with the big heavy clunky dual recoil spring USP.

.40SW isn't awesome. It's a solution for a non existant problem.
Modern quality ammo from 9mm to .45ACP have ballistics close enough that any of them make sufficient self defense choices. What it comes down to is comfort/quality of the gun you choose, and recoil.
9MM is pretty tame and easy for anyone to control out of a compact or fullsize gun, IE Glock 19 or Glock 17 sized.
.40Short and Weak, err I mean SW, doesn't perform much better than 9mm, but has a hell of a recoil. Though I shouldn't call it recoil, as it is more prone to muzzle flip which makes follow up shots a little more difficult.
.45ACP is the largest of the rounds, but because the guns that shoot it are typically heavier, the recoil is mitigated and isn't bad at all.

Basically, the 9mm is a snap, the .40SW is a flip, and the .45ACP is a push
I would advise against getting a .40SW as your first handgun.

Personally I use have a HK P2000 and a Sig p228 that I use for carry. My SW1911 is a fullsize and I find the slide to long to comfortably carry so it is just a range toy.
I also have a Taurus M85UL and a Diamondback P380 that do pocket carry duty when I can't wear a fullsize gun.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Go to a range that rents and try out a variety and see what you like. Anything 9mm or .38 and up has enough stopping power for a carry gun. Everyone is going to recommend what they like and what works for them. That doesn't mean you will like it or it will work for you.

Don't rule out revolvers. You don't need 15 rounds in a CCW gun, if six rounds of .357 won't get the job done you aren't aiming correctly. For a new shooter they are a great option, you can't screw it up. No malfunctions to learn how to clear. Won't bind if pressed against the bad guy.

Personally I am a Glock whore and carry one daily. My next handgun purchase is going to be a revolver, probably an LCR.

Revolvers offer arguably more reliability, but longer trigger pulls and usually heavier pulls, which can affect accuracy for an unskilled shooter.
I would love to find a 4" Ruger GP100 in .357Mag. That is my favorite revolver of all time.

Though you could go with a Mateba semi-auto revolver. If I have the money when one actually shows up on Gun Broker I'm going to be all over it like a fat kid on a twinkie.

 

[alkemyst]

cars and guns are totally different purposes. Cars are supposed to be safe to the occupants and others, guns are supposed to be deadly.

Airbags have been proven not to save the lives they were billed too...still being deployed as the revenue behind them is good.


I like the .40. My dad had a lot of 1911's, 9mm and even a .357sig. My brother a Sig .380 which is really nice, but feels light as far as stopping power. Definitely easy to carry though.

I do realize the feel of the gun firing is more psychological to the shooter than the effectiveness of the gun. Most of my shooting though is for fun. If I ever have to make a kill, I am sure any of the .380, 9mm, .40, .45, .357sig will do the job.

 

[Unheard]

My daily carry is a Kel-Tec P3AT, .380 semi auto, in a pocket holster. My other carry gun is a Glock G26, 9mm. If you want a 9mm in a small frame, take a look @ the Kel-Tec PF-9. It's a beast to shoot, but you don't buy a carry weapon to take to the range every day now do you?

 

[Zargon]

Manual safety is a requirement for all of the firearms I purchase.

good for you

 

[FDF12389]

Get a 9mm Kahr that is comfortable for you. Also try a M&P Compact, or XD Mini

^ By far my three favorite carries.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

I don't like blocky/bricky feeling carry weapons, so if you do ignore this. For a full size duty weapon Glocks and 1911s are great, but not for me for concealed carry. For me the Taurus Millennium Pro PT140 (or PT145 is you prefer a .45) is hands down the best choice. Inexpensive, comfortable, accurate, easy, reliable...just doesn't get any better.

I wouldn't trust a Taurus semi-auto to protect myself.
I've broken 2 of them in stores just handling them. I find that people that recommend a Taurus semiauto do so purely for a cost reason.
If cost is a concern, go with a Ruger P series or find a used Glock.

 

[Texashiker]

It's a very awesome round, just very unwieldy for an unsuspecting first timer.

When the 40 came out, I was one of those people that jumped on the bandwagon and bought one. The pistol I bought was a Ruger P91 DC (DeCocker). To be perfectly honest, from the very first time I shot the 40 I did not like it. And I do not consider myself a "first timer". My buddies and I used to go to the range and shoot over 1,000 9mm, several hundred 45acp, and lots of 357 magnum in a single day.

When my wife and I divorced she kept the Ruger P91. That was 10 years ago and I have never bothered to replace it.

In the past 10 years I have shot several different types of pistols chambered in 40, and I have yet to find one I like.

The recoil of the 40 is too harsh for my taste. When I fire off a round, I find myself dreading the recoil and the "snap". 9mm and 45acp fit my taste just fine.

.40SW isn't awesome. It's a solution for a non existant problem.

+1 on that

The 9mm and 45acp have been battle proven for what,,, 75 years before the 40 was developed? Both have served in 2 world wars and conflicts all over the world. Both have been shown to be very effective.

It appears to me that Smith & Wesson developed the 40 to get their name into the ammunition market.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

When the 40 came out, I was one of those people that jumped on the bandwagon and bought one. The pistol I bought was a Ruger P91 DC (DeCocker). To be perfectly honest, from the very first time I shot the 40 I did not like it. And I do not consider myself a "first timer". My buddies and I used to go to the range and shoot over 1,000 9mm, several hundred 45acp, and lots of 357 magnum in a single day.

When my wife and I divorced she kept the Ruger P91. That was 10 years ago and I have never bothered to replace it.

In the past 10 years I have shot several different types of pistols chambered in 40, and I have yet to find one I like.

The recoil of the 40 is too harsh for my taste. When I fire off a round, I find myself dreading the recoil and the "snap". 9mm and 45acp fit my taste just fine.




+1 on that

The 9mm and 45acp have been battle proven for what,,, 75 years before the 40 was developed? Both have served in 2 world wars and conflicts all over the world. Both have been shown to be very effective.

It appears to me that Smith & Wesson developed the 40 to get their name into the ammunition market.

The .40S&W also known as Short and Weak was the respons to the FBI's testing of the 10mm round they were issuing. Many agents found the 10mm to harsh to fire and many, mostly women, couldn't physically handle the gun because the 10mm round is long and made the grip to big on the gun.
So they shortened the case, took some poweder out of it and kept it 10mm wide and called it the .40SW. In doing so they took away the stopping power of the 10mm and essentially created a gimped 10mm that wasn't much better than a 9mm.

 

[Zargon]

I wouldn't trust a Taurus semi-auto to protect myself.
I've broken 2 of them in stores just handling them. I find that people that recommend a Taurus semiauto do so purely for a cost reason.
If cost is a concern, go with a Ruger P series or find a used Glock.

I put a 1000 rounds or so through my PT111 Millenium Pro. It wont shoot hyrdashock or feed some of the other extremely ramped JHP's, but it feed everything else just fine. I would guess a little work on the feed ramp would fix that though.

I shot a 24/6 Pro and it was *very* nice, however I did not put a serious amount of ammo through it.

I bought the PT111 from a cop I knew, and she reported no odd FTFs or jams, beyond some with their range ammo, which I have shot, and is fed reloaded garbage and has atleast a bad primer per box of 50.

she simply upgraded to a subcompact glock 9mm(the # eludes me)


I know alot of LEO's by doing IT work in public safety, so I am knee deep in cheap 22's and 23's and I dont own one because I just dont like 40 that much.....and its pricey

I love my buddys 40sw beretta carbine though, but I wish it was 45 or 9mm