New Guy Seeking Gun Advice

/\ This is sound advice. Many people will recommend a gun to others based SOLELY on the gun THEY acquired. That's more like providing self-validation for their purchase rather than offering advice to you.


It generally sounds something like this, " I have a (fill in the blank) and it is the best thing since sliced bread". I think You should get the same thing. (because that will reinforce my purchasing decision.)


Decide what you want FIRST and then seek that particular firearm.
You'll be happier in the long run if you don't act impulsively.

 

You asked for it

overwhelmed?

For the most part I am hearing good advise here ...

my .02 would sum up the pertinent high points of previous posters.

Talk to the FIL

Lean towards a revolver such as 357 - it will shoot the lighter 38 special ammunition with reduced recoil and still have the ability to handle rounds with a little more punch with moderate felt recoil. The simplicity of a revolver makes the case over a more concealable semi-auto in a panic situation - when you grab for it you have no routines to follow - point and pull the trigger. Remember how you felt, thought, reacted if you have ever been in a panic, flight situation? Brain disengages, pure instinct takes over ...

Go to classes

Go to the range and shoot the smaller caliber pistols
- avoid "short for their caliber" guns - increased recoil
- avoid large caliber guns - increased recoil

For someone learning, safety is number one, training is number two (both mental and muscle) - if recoil induced flinching begins early on it is very difficult to ever eradicate. Flinching primarily starts from heavy recoil guns such as short 357's, 44 revolvers with hot loads, or the 45 which is too large for many hands.

Remember:
It is not how many shots you take; it is first how the bad guy sees the weapon in your hand and reacts, second how well you put the bullet where it needed to be placed. I've killed enough with the lowly 22 to respect that little bullet.

 

Fair enough. But while my first protection handgun was a G27 (Semi Auto Subcompact .40), I traded it for a S&W60 (5 Shot Jframe revolver .357mag), and just bought a G19 (Semi auto compact 9mm for EDC). I dont win or lose anything by OP siding with me. This is coming from my experiences from learning as a kid to teaching other adults how to use them. I'm just glad people making suggestions are being humble and honest instead of saying "I have a 1911 .45 because they don't make a .46 rah rah rah". I think we've been giving great advice and I haven't been hearing too many biases.


and the best part of this is, people are giving reasoning as well as pros and cons to most of their suggestions.

 

Definitely try as many guns out as you can. I would recommend having a full-size pistol for home defense and then a smaller handgun for concealed carry. IMO, S&W M&Ps are very good pistols. I have a full-size M&P 40 for home defense and a 9mm M&P Shield for concealed carry.

 

True, and when I introduce and train new shooters to the world of handguns, the two platforms that I recommend are some type of DA 38/357 revolver or a Glock. If they are seeking a home defense weapon my first recommendation is a pump action 12ga. shotgun.
I've just seen way too many people in gun stores that are preyed upon by the sales clerk. Somehow, they ALWAYS have the perfect gun for that new shooter in the display case. I don't blame the clerk for doing their job and selling what they have but it would serve the customer well to have a solid idea of what they are looking for before they seek it.

 

I'm in Cypress, though plan on going to Spring Guns and Ammo, which has a range, to test out a variety of pistols. The wife and i are both going, finding what feels best in a revolver and concealable pistol, then shooting them.

Whichever works for her, she'll get and what i feel comfortable with, i'll get. We'll both take an Intro and one-on-one instruction course and then CHL course in February/March.

I'll keep you guys updated with any questions or what we decide to purchase.
Hope guns aren't like wheeling and modding, otherwise we'll go bike.

 

Definitely don't buy a gun based just on others experiences. As others have said, go and try some at a range.
My personal preference is my M&P 40 with 4.25" barrel. For target practice, fmj rounds are fairly cheap, hollow points and frangible rounds for home protection. This is just MY preference based on how it feels in my hand and I like that the only safety on mine is the trigger.
The most recognizable sound is that of a 12ga pump shotgun. My Mossberg 500 sits in my closet loaded with PDX 12. And for the ultimate SHTF, dragons breath is in the gun safe (not for indoor use).

 

keep your eye out for the S&W Bodyguard .38 special. Integrated laser sight from factory. its got a very small grip, but that makes it more concealable. i personally didnt like it, but its very popular on the self defense market, and with good reason. Smith & Wesson makes great great great products and this particular one you can buy for under 400 bucks out the door.

 

Agree with most of the above except the specific recommendations.

Rent, borrow, and fire as many different ones as you can get your hands on.

If you have friends or family that have CCW guns and holsters, see if they will let you try them on your typical clothing and see how they fit you. As subjective as guns are for each person, IWB holsters are even more so.

Pocket holster and small 9mm or 38spl may work great in cargo shorts, but may look like you've got a big gun in your pocket in your jeans you usually wear. Be prepared to change your wardrobe some.

Absolutely agree with a NSSF or NRA First Shots class. Then after you get your gun and CCW license (if needed), a real self defense pistol class.

 

This^

OP, you've got my number, just hit me up. I know a few places that we can go that rent various guns, and I can get my hands on a few. I need to go to the range anyway!! And yes, guns are like mods. :/ I'm looking at turning 2 more of my rifles into SBRs and getting suppressors for 2

 

Also look at Senate Bill 864: https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/RSD/CHL/Legal/newlegislation.htm

God Bless Texas. Federales try to make laws more stringent, Texas says FU, and shortens the class and does away with the revolver/SA segregation.

 

.380s are perfect for new shooters and your wife will be comfortable shooting it.

 

The new Glock 42 Is great! It's a .380 round that is comfortable to shoot and has good ballistics. They just came out about two weeks ago after their unveiling at SHOT show. Picked one up for me and the wife. It's a simple gun that you won't have to fumble with external safeties, reliable (see YouTube torture videos on Glocks), low recoil (less worry for females), less than $450 after taxes, and a good size (smaller than my j frame S&W revolver and small enough for a front or back pocket).

 

Moe's at 1130 I'll bring it if you can come.

 

when they make a single stack 9mm that gets the same reviews as the 42, i'll pick one up.

 

A .40 caliber handgun is good bang for the buck (no pun intended). 40 cal ammo is normally on the cheap side so it is semi-decent for target practice, but it also provides more energy transfer and stopping power. For your price range, the Springfield XD series is an excellent choice for quality and affordability. If you're willing to spend a bit more, Sig Sauer's P226 and P229 are fantastic.

Most importantly, practice practice practice. A firearm is no good to you if you cannot use it by instinct or muscle memory in a high stress scenario.

 

I second the full size for home defense and subcompact for concealed carry. I've had a Springfield Armory .40 next to the night stand for 4 years and last year bought a Taurus PT 111 Pro G3 9mm for concealed carry. My carry piece fits my hand very well has 12rnd capacity with adjustable sights and it was $320 out the door. 800-1000 rounds without a hiccup. Before the Taurus I had a Walther PPQ 9mm, beautiful gun that I couldn't shoot for shit. Goes to show that even a $650 pistol may not always be the best. I've got several friends who have shot my Taurus and felt impressed enough with it to buy one for themselves. Good luck with your search and practice all time.

 

...any qualms w/ the PPQ?... of all the handguns I've handled, ...it's got the best stock trigger, ..haven't actually shot one though..