never owned an auto

[knute]

Have three wheelguns, never owned a auto. I'm gathering that the polymer guns will have more recoil than a stainless and so on? looking to purchase under $500 for a cc. Looking at the sigmas, glock (yes, overpriced), springfield.....and a range to go try one first is about 3 hours away. Please help a newbie to autos...also thinking a .40 is in order, possibly a .45

[rilkil23]

I have a Springfield XD40 and it is fantastic. I have the SR9 from Ruger and it is a great gun. I've never had a Glock but I hear a lot of people love them. I am interested to see what is released at the SHOT SHOW on Tuesday next week.

[mark1616]

You can find a Glock for under $500 out the door. I find the model 23 to be the perfect autoloader for carry.

The Ruger SR40c is a close 2nd and less expensive.

I didn't like the Springfield XD series, but if you find a 1911 used for under $500 grab it!

[WR Moore]

Check out the M&P line, the trigger is very much like an extremely well tuned revolver.

If you're using quality ammo, there's no significant terminal performance difference between any of the commonly used service calibers. If you don't put the bullets in the right place, it doesn't matter what you're using. Get something you can shoot well and can afford to practice with.

[JJEH]

First off all, good choice to go with an Auto

Check out the SD40 as well as the M&P in 40 cal.
Both are great guns. The SD is way below $500.00 but the M&P will be around it.

[Ken NC]

If you would consider a 9mm (the route many take for a cc auto), my son and I both have an M&P 9mm compact and are very pleased with it. The recoil is just fine (though I see threads that say it is much more in the 40 compact). And you can always put in +P rounds. Right around 500 new, with the S&W warranty, great reliability, and concealable.

Going from revolvers to autos, you may want to give close attention to the reliability question.

My son got his used, in the factory box with papers and the extra mag, for 400. The early ones apparently had some issues with the mag release (loaded mag could drop out after first shot) but his is fine, and I understand this can be resolved with a phone call to Smith and replacement mag release (just saying so you can research this in advance if you choose to go this route).

[SMSgt]

More recoil than steel? That's true to some extent but a poly pistol in 9mm is far from unmanageable. I shoot a Glock 30 .45 and recoil is very managable. I also shoot a 6906 in 9mm and I don't feel the G30 is much different. "On target" follow-up shots may be quicker with the 9mm, but only in little ticks on a stopwatch.

I haven't shot the M&P pistols, but I will admit they point more naturally than my Glock does, but not to the point I'd dump the G30 for a M&P. With the interchangeable backstraps available on both, either should fit most hands.

[BW64]

SR9c is a great ccw gun. With the 10 round mag it fits almost all hands. Trigger is like butter! Great on follow up shots! Hides very neatly at 4 oclock for me in a JMG holster!

[mbliss57]

I have the M&P .45 and it is wicked accurate and easy to shoot. The M&P .40 would be about the same if you wanted a smaller round. Both around $500 new. I also bought the Ruger SR9C but.. I have to say it is back at Ruger being fixed because of FTL problems from day one.. So when it returns I will have it up for sale...

[fiasconva]

Knute, I have a stainless 5906 and a polymer M&P9. I cannot tell the difference in the recoil between the two of them. Both are full sized pistols so you may find a difference in compact ones.

[knute]

Like I said, never owned one and know absolutely nothing about them. I'll try and get some knowledge here and let it soak in. I'll have to get to the store and fondle some and see what feels right. Keep reading on this forum and some others and try and make an educated decision. Living on the ocean and using as a cc, I'm thinking stainless makes sense as all my wheels are stainless, and I'll always have my 649 as a bug, love that that lil guy. Thanks folks, appreciated.

[mrsig]

I am an old wheelgunner myself but love my M&P 9 and my Glock 23. Very reliable.

[Will Carry]

Welcome to the dark side Knute! The three brands you need to look at are Smith and Wesson M&P (avoid Sigmas), Springfield XDs and Glocks.
If you have a lot of money then H&K makes the best. Sig also makes a great pistol. Then there is Ruger, Beretta, FN, Magnum Research and CZ. All of these manufacturers make fine handguns.

Stay away from Taurus, Hi-Point, Bersa, EAA, Kel-Tec and Kahr. Even though these manufacturers make some great firearms and many people lover them and I will probably get hammered for saying this.

[ol' geeser]

If you are new to semi-auto pistols STAY AWAY from the glock. Too easy for an AD. Take an afternoon and go to the range, rent several guns you might be interested in, get some instruction and 'choot 'em...

Read all you can about the various pistols before hand...maybe even strart off with a 22 for familirazation then on to the center fires

[RHINOWSO]

It'll cost ya, but HK for the win.

[Wee Hooker]

Originally Posted by knute

Have three wheelguns, never owned a auto. I'm gathering that the polymer guns will have more recoil than a stainless and so on? looking to purchase under $500 for a cc. Looking at the sigmas, glock (yes, overpriced), springfield.....and a range to go try one first is about 3 hours away. Please help a newbie to autos...also thinking a .40 is in order, possibly a .45

As somebody who grew up whith wheelguns (and still preffers them for many needs), I'll pass on my thoughts. For what you describe, I'd go with the M&PC in 9 or 40. ( I preffer the 45 over the 40 but it's a bigger gun. ) It will bring you into a very capable compact, lightweight semi auto with much of the user friendly simplicity and reliability (Read: use under stess) as you'd get with a revolver. In my experience the M&P also has a milder recoil cycle for it's weight than many semi's due to bore access and great ergonomics. FWIW when I'm not carrying a J frame 38, I'm carrying a M&P 9C. Second choice would be a Glock 26 but the glocks just don't fit me quite as well.


p.s. TRY BEFORE YOU BUY ( expecially in regards to calibers). What looks good in specs or pushed by a salesman may not work for YOU.