First time pistol Purchase

[Andrew716]

Hello everyone,
Here it is tax time, and I am looking to purchase my first handgun. I will be using it for carry, and for home defense. My girlfriend (5'1" and no more then 135lbs soaking wet) MUST be able to handle it. She shot a Glock 9mm and did just fine. I have 3 Brands to choose from, and would like some help deciding.

First, and my favorite, M&P9c. This is a 9mm, so obviously the boss can handle it, and it is compact, so I can carry it. I have read only 1 bad review about this gun...after searching about 6 different forums. The only thing keeping me from buying it right now is the brother-in-law. He is a corrections officer here at the local county jail, and he says many officers have had jamming problems and say they have a "crappy" construction. Neither of these have I noticed in my short history doing research.

Second, is a Taurus. This is recommended by local dealer, who happens to be a friend. I know the 1911's are highly respectable, and from what i see, priced about the same. Anyone with pros and cons?

Third, is the good old Glock 19, also in 9mm. Friend of mine has a Glock 22, and loves it. Have heard MANY good things about Glocks. Any pros and cons here?


I plan on spending no more then $700, if that makes any difference.

 

[polekitty]

Maybe I'm just prejudiced. I do like 1911's. But, especially, I REALLY like a safety on the gun. Of course, there is something to be said for a pistol (like a Glock) that acts like a revolver, just goes bang if you pull the trigger. Of course, if the Glock trigger is pulled by something other than your trigger finger it still goes bang! That part I don't like! Glock has a much lighter trigger than a revolver. I have a Taurus 24/7 Pro. Has the safety I like. Decent trigger pull. A girl can rack the slide. Reliable? So far I've probably fired several thousand rounds and haven't cleaned it yet---well, I did run a patch through the bore about a month ago! 9mm needs good JHP "self defense" ammo, if you can find any. Personally, I prefer my "1911 style" pistols. Steel--weight helps cushion recoil. Double stack. Wide grip spreads the shock around. I have two, and they are downright pleasant to shoot. Actually, my full size 1911 seems (to me) more gentle than my 9mm plastic pistol. Do you especially want an auto-loader? Revolvers (almost) never ever malfunction. For carry, remember the only part that is hard to hide is the grip. I carry my 1911's (full size & mid-size) in my inside pants holster. And here also is another thing to think about: Color. Stainless is bright and shiny and harder to hide. My "little" one is dull black--I like that. With the large size bullet coming out of my 45acp 1911's I feel safe using ordinary, Geneva Convention fmj "ball ammo." Cheap. Easy to find almost anywhere.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

Considering your price range, M&P or Springfield XD, I personally will never own a Taurus auto. One advantage of the M&P is the backstraps, they come in different sizes and switch out quickly. They allow the gun to be used by both of you(I'm assuming you have different sized hands).

 

[Glockman17366]

I'd go for the simplicity and reliability of the Glock 19

 

[Andrew716]

Yes, i would prefer an Auto loader. With the ligher trigger pull, compared to a revolver, it will be easier for the girlfriend to use. I have a safe, so the kids wont be a problem, I hope.


What do the entry level 1911's run? I know prices range by area, but just to get a rough estimate.


Thanks for the quick responses guys!

 

[polekitty]

P.S.---"what I like"

Sorry, I got a bit "long winded!" and didn't mention any particular brands. The 1911's I own have gone up dramatically due to currency rate of exchange. But, have you looked at the Sig 250? It costs just a tad more than the M&P. But, you can later (if you like) buy other components and change you 9mm to a S&W 40, or a 45acp, and you can change the grip size to fit almost any hand. Litterally, you can have three different guns, only one serial number! You have small bore (9mm) or BIG bore (45acp) and sizes to fit nearly any hand size. If I wanted another 9mm I think that's the way I would go.

 

[sprice]

!!glock!!

i absolutely love the glock 19. but for self defense that you and your girlfriend can handle i would suggest the .40 smith and wesson caliber.

but if anything along these lines i would definetly go with a sig- even if it is used.

I cant beleive you even mentioned taurus.

 

[easyrider604]

Entry level 1911 .45acp like the Rock Island Armory Tactical will run you about $400 if you are patient and lucky. Entry level price with mid level features.

Shooter size will not matter if your girlfriend is mentally able to handle guns in general. My wife is shorter than 5 feet and was 100 lbs, at the time, she shot her 1911 .45 in club matches.

 

[Andrew716]

haha, i didnt mention the taurus, the dealer did. Sry, i am new to all this, so i guess I broke a golden rule?

 

[walt501]

From the "interpersonal relationships" files comes this thought. Your girlfriend already "did fine" with the Glock. Now if you purchase something else and she doesn't do as well with it, you're going to hear "you should have got the Glock" for a long time. So, you either get the Glock or make sure she first tests another pistol and likes it before you make the purchase.

 

[moi_self26]

Of the ones that you listed, I would go for the M&P....... I highly advise AGAINST the Taurus.

 

[SouthronBoy]

No, you didn't break any rules. Some people just don't like Taurus is all.

I've got a Taurus snubbie. I like it fine. Their 1911 gets good reviews, but I've never fired one.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

For carry, Beretta 92FS. Good enough for the Army, good enough for me. Mine shoots very well, functions with perfect reliability, and carries 15 in each magazine. The last one I bought (I've bought several) was $350 for a 99%-plus gun in original case with extra magazine.

 

[Quadkid]

have her try out a 1911. I was dead set on getting a polymer frame pistol as my first handgun. I tried out the XDm9 and beretta px4 9mm and liked them ... UNTIL i shot my first 1911. The recoil was only a little more than with the 9mm. I ended up finding a Springfield 1911 used for cheap at Cabelas this weekend.

 

[22-rimfire]

I like the Glocks myself for simplicity and reliability. You can shoot them dirty and they work just fine. There is a reason so many police forces use them.

For me I have trouble concealing a Glock; even the small one. You go much smaller in size and you have the recoil issue. My choice is the Smith 642/442 because I'm lazy and carry in my pocket. I can't say I enjoy shooting it much however. I love the Glock 23 (40 S&W) but don't carry it. It would be my choice for open carry.

 

[UpInSmoke]

Go with the 19 and you will have plenty of money left over.

 

[Andrew716]

Just a question, where do you all open carry? I cant think of many situations I would want to have everyone knoe that i have a gun....

 

[Duke of Doubt]

I carry concealed, but before I got my concealed firearms permit I used to open carry here and there by sticking a .380 into my rear waistband (that's legal here). I didn't do it very often.

 

[22-rimfire]

The only place I open carry is out in the woods or out tramping around the farm or along a stream. All of these locations are rural and not urban. I feel a gun should be concealed in an urban environment.

For me it has always boiled down to a number of guns for different purposes. I like the airweight Smith Revolvers. (Not trying to convince you to choose a revolver vs a pistol.) There are some new pocket sized pistols now. But they all have the problem of recoil. Concealed carry is a business use of a gun for me. It is carried for one reason >> self defense; I can tolerate a little recoil for my safety. I shoot larger framed guns for fun.

 

[Andrew716]

Thanks for your help guys, you all give great advise. But, now the problem is, i still have 3 great guns to choose from. lol. A 1911, MP or a Glock. I am afraid I am going to have to shoot them all to find the perfect one. Which, I planned on doing anyways.

 

[22-rimfire]

Shooting them if you can is always a good idea. I tend to just follow my gut and just buy something. If it doesn't work for me, I buy another and another and another. That is how the pile grows. There are a lot of folks that are very happy with the 442/642 revolver as a carry piece. They are safe, simple to operate (like the Glock), and easily concealable in a pants or coat pocket.

1911's are good guns. The cocked and locked and so forth thing is not something for beginners. I believe you will be happier with the Glock as a first gun. It would be between the Glock and M&P for me.

 

[Andrew716]

rimfire, with that response, i think i will go with the M & P. Thanks!

 

[usmarine0352_2005]

.


Pros: None




Cons: It's a Glock.




Hahaha.



Just kidding. Good guns, I just don't like their mechanics. They have a very angled love it or hate it grip. I like 1911 style straight grips, much more user friendly and ergonomical.

.

 

[usmarine0352_2005]

.


What about a Springfield XD in 9mm?



It's a great gun, can be bought with or without a safety and is about $400-$500 new?


Great shooting gun, built off of a 1911 style and relatively cheap.




I'd take her to a gun range, let her shoot all of the guns that you decide you may want to buy, find which one you both like and get that one.



Shooting one gun is nice, but once you shoot a couple, you may find that there is really a gun that you like better then the others.

.

 

[Rem700SD]

Understand that when you purchase that first gun you are acquiring a new addiction. This will be your first pistol, but it will NOT be your last. You WILL get more as funds allow.

That said, get the Glock 19. Simply put, it's accurate, and it works. At the last gun show I've gone to, they were all sold out. It's that popular.

The GF may like the Glock 17 better than the 19. More mass in the gun means less recoil.