Turning 21 soon. Looking to buy a handgun? What ya think

Glock any cal. W/ mag extensions

 

M&P is a good everyday carry gun but if you're just looking for a nice first pistol in .45, I would look into the 1911 models.

 

Compact pistols generally do recoil harder than full-sized models, so if small stature is a concern of yours you may actually want to go with a full-sized weapon. Most of the pistols that you named would be fine, try several out and find one that fits your hand, many have interchangeable backstraps which help. I like .40, but then again, I get it for free it's a good balance between power and capacity. You might consider taking some classes (aside from a basic ccw course) to learn proper technique, it's much easier than unlearning bad habits later on.
If it was me, I'd probably pick up a S&W M&P. 40, the pro model has an amazing trigger, but the more important thing is to budget for ammo and training so that you will be able to effectively use whatever you decide on.
Good luck!

 

this trigger, sear etc gets rave reviews from the M&P crowd https://apextactical.com/store/product-info.php?pid54.html ...i want to pick up one but im saving for an AK47 first

 

I have both a Glock 30 (mini .45) and a Glock 27 (mini .40). Recoil is NOT an issue with either of these due to Glock's dual recoil spring system. It works so well Glock eventually incorporated it into their new "Gen4" version of their entire lineup - including the full frame models.

I love the 30 - deadly accurate @ 10 yards (30ft), great car & home defense gun. However, for carry, I go with the 27.

My wife has a 27 too. She's quite good with it at the range - easily racks the slide and has no issues with trigger-pull &/or recoil - which is saying alot considering she has the hands of a 9-year-old and is quite petite. Usually, Glock grips (double-stacked) require large hands to hold properly - the 27 is an exception.

Hope that helps. Good Luck w/your purchase!

 

For a new gun owner a Glock 19 makes all kind of sense. The manual of arms is realtively simple, the gun is accurate and reliable and the 9mm round is quite a bit easier to handle than a snappy .40 or the even more powerful .45. Get some training and experience before moving up to a larger round.

I carry a 19 to a 23 and it concealed on a daily basis, generally in the 4 o'clock position in an IWB holster. Extra magazine at 8 o'clock. Covers well even when wearing khaki shorts and a T-shirt.

 

I plan on going to look at some tomorrow so hopefully I can get a better idea and see what your guys thoughts are. I think I'll probably stick with a 9mm or.40 cal...

Glocks seem to be very popular choice around here so I will definitely take a gander at them. I know I don't want something extremely compact nor do I want something very large. Like I said, I plan on getting my ccw, but I doubt I will carry everyday as I go to school and work and rarely am out of my car (that is not to say something couldn't happen, but just saying).

Also, many have mentioned the"1911" models. What exactly is meant by this, is it a certain type of gun or category? Can someone clue me in?

Also, glock seems to have all sorts of numbers (27,30,23,19,17..etc) Is that just different models and calibers and as you go up does the caliber go up or is it random?

 

1911 is a style of pistol

as far as the glock model numbers they have a chart to show what number denotes which size and caliber on their website

 

1911's are heavy....about 40 ounces some people carry them daily i have a sig sauer 1911 but i dont carry it every day....i carry it more when im dressing up tucked in shirt with an outside waist band holster etc

 

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... ^^^ ... FWIW ... Another idea here ... I have a Walther PPK .380 S/S and I love this gun. (The old James Bond Movie Gun). It has a great feel for people with smaller physical body frames too.

I love the feel and punch of it ... however, it won't have the "knock down power" of a .40 or a .45. But with enough fast & accurate rounds on target, it's game over anyway. And it is super easy to carry too.

PS ... Some of the German (and other European) Law Enforcement Agencies carry it as their first weapon and/or weapon of choice. Ammo is cheap too as I think that it is basically a "9mm short".
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I would strongly recommend Glock, it is my carry gun in Az, I have a Glock 22 for my main carry and a Glock 27 for my backup/ CCW (conceal carry weapon). It is a great all around gun. One nice thing about Glock is the ability to use the larger mag from my Glock mod 22 in my 27.. I dont know of any other manufacture that allows this..
The debate regarding caliber has ranged for years and will continue.. In my opinion anything larger than 9m is good.. I choose to carry a 40 vs 45 due to the added rounds I can carry..
The great thing about this country it is your choice! I will say one thing as advice.. The gun is not something you flash or use to threaten, it is there to save you or someone elses life!
Have fun!

 

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That's probably my next pistol (for home defense) .. will be a Sig 1911 .45.

I am probably on this earth today, because of an old, beat up 1911 Colt ACP .45 that never malfunctioned (even in the mud & the water).
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I LOVE my sw99, also the more expensive model (not by much) is the p99.

Available is 9mm, .40, and .45.

I have the .40 variant courtesy of a nevada highway patrol retired sidearm. Shes my daily carry.

single, AND double action.

 

I have a sig p250 compact 9mm. I really like it.

It's double action only, so it has a longer pull, but its very smooth and breaks clean. It holds 15+1 in 9, btw.

Look up the 250. It's pretty cool. You can change barrels and slides to change the caliber between 9,40,and 357. You can change grips between compact and full size, too.

It's the one I got about a week after I turned 21. Iv put about 500 rounds through it and love it more every time I take it out. I plan to carry, but iv been a cheap ass and haven't bought a good IWB holster yet. Anyone have good suggestions for a holster?

Also, whoever said that police carry 40 and 45, true. The army carries 9 though. Food for thought.

 

this is a 1911, you will not want to carry it every day, it's heavy as hell, many do and many swear by it, i carried mine for a year untill i started my quest for a better every day carry pistol

 

I was able to make it to the local gun shop today to take a look at several different styles & such.

Checked out the glocks, not really crazy about the look or feel of them. I know they are a popular choice, but I just wasn't diggin them. The guy who helped me said you will either like em or ya wont, that simple...

Kimber: Definitely a gun I'd love to own, but they all are .45's, and with ammo costs, I don't want to be breaking the bank. I'm sure I will own one in the near future though.

H K: I could take or leave these guns. I haven't really heard much about them, they felt good in my hand and I liked they styling of them,anybody own one?

Sig: Took a look at a sig 226 .9mm, probably my favorite one I checked out.

S & W: Tried the MP line with both a 9mm and 40. The 9mm they had had laser sights which I thought was very intereesting. Definitely liked that. HOwever, the guy said it is not good to start off with laser sights as it can cause bad shooting habits...

I'm leaning towards a 9mm due to ammo costs as I want to be able to shoot a lot and get in as much practice as possible. I realize the sig 226 may be a bit large for cc, but I was definitely fond of that gun..The guy also showed me a ruger lc9 for cc, subcompact, nice feel in my hands, decently priced as well.

Anybody have the sig 226 or sw mp line ??? Your thoughts/suggestions?

 

no mention of the walther p99 .40

ammo isnt to bad if you buy on sale, and in bulk. I generally try and target with my buddies 22's.

 

i have an M&P in 40 caliber full size and 9mm compact i like both...i like the 40 caliber because you can buy a 9mm barrel and some 9mm mags and shoot that or get a 357 sig barrel and it uses the same mags as the 40caliber....ive seen brand new M&P's for 400$ and if you want a crimson trace laser they can be had on Amazon/ebay for about 150$

 

i like the P99 anti stress its a sweet gun

 

I don't believe they had an Walther's there. I haven't heard much about them on here...I am definitely leaning towards a sig or s&w...just want some more input first...