Recommended Caliber for First Handgun

[Connor44]

Hey all,
I'm looking at getting a M&P, and I've been looking at the .45, but I keep getting told to go with the 9mm...From my experience with both, I shot the .45 better then the 9mm..Is this common or just plain dumb luck? Granted It was the first time shooting the full size version of both, (I've shot my aunts M&P 9c and dont like the feel of the compacts since i have a large hand).
I'm hung up on getting a .45 but wanted some insight from experienced shooters before I take the final plunge and purchase my first handgun, its not something I'm taking lightly, and I want to make sure I make the right decision..
P.S. I'm headed to the range this sunday to test fire the M&P .45 and 9mm again...
Thanks for the help everyone..

 

[Rowlette]

A 45 will always be smoother.

 

[scooter123]

Don't get hung up on the caliber, choose whatever works best for you.

 

[fyimo]

Buy the one that fits your hand the best and comes on point the easiest and then pick a caliber you feel comfortable with and buy it. Then practice , practice, and more practice.

 

[hangnoose]

FIRST HANGUN?

HANDS DOWN A 22 LR. Walk before you run. learn to shoot well with several thousands of rounds, which would cost you way more than the gun in 45 or 9mm. & don't pick up bad habits by starting with a larger caliber. Get a larger gun once you get the skills. Unless you have money to burn.

 

[one eye joe]

FORGET ABOUT THE 9MM ! ! ! GET YOURSELF A RUGER 22/45, WHICH IS A WELL MADE .22LR SEMI-AUTO, THAT IS MODERATELY PRICED. THE FRAME OF THIS GUN MIMICS THE FRAME OF A FULL SIZE 1911 IN .45ACP. WHILE YOU ARE FAMILIARIZING YOURSELF WITH SHOOTING A SEMI-AUTO HANDGUN, HAVING A BLAST, AND HONING YOUR SKILLS, YOU WILL BE TRAINING FOR THE DAY WHEN YOU WILL STEP UP TO A FULL SIZE .45. THE RUGER IS A WONDERFUL GUN. IT WILL BE A LIFELONG INVESTMENT. I'VE HAD A MARK II (A PREDECESSOR, BUT ESSENTIALLY THE SAME GUN) WITH A RED DOT ON IT, FOR 40 YEARS. IT WILL STILL SHOOT COMPETITIVELY AGAINST ANY GUN ON THE LINE. HERE IS A LINK……..
Ruger® 22/45? Rimfire Pistols

 

[smokindog]

You answered your own question, you shot the 45 well and you liked it!

Hey all,
I'm looking at getting a M&P, and I've been looking at the .45, but I keep getting told to go with the 9mm...From my experience with both, I shot the .45 better then the 9mm..Is this common or just plain dumb luck? Granted It was the first time shooting the full size version of both, (I've shot my aunts M&P 9c and dont like the feel of the compacts since i have a large hand).
I'm hung up on getting a .45 but wanted some insight from experienced shooters before I take the final plunge and purchase my first handgun, its not something I'm taking lightly, and I want to make sure I make the right decision..
P.S. I'm headed to the range this sunday to test fire the M&P .45 and 9mm again...
Thanks for the help everyone..

 

[oligoodday]

Pick one up that's the most comfortable for you to shoot. It's also seems your more accurate w/ a 45 then go for it. I'm sure eventually you'll have both calibers in no time.

 

[brucev]

If you are interested in pistols, buy a Ruger Mk. II or III and learn to shoot it. Once you have developed the fundamental marksmanship skills that are foundational to successful handgun shooting, then move on to the 9mm or whatever. Be aware that most compact pistols will be more of a handful to shoot regardless of the caliber. In a full-sized pistol, the 9mm will be more easily mastered. For anything other than as raw material for articles written for gun magazines, the 9mm will handle just about any need you will face at the range or anywhere else. If you want to get a .45 ACP, etc. fine. But, develop the basic marksmanship skills that you will need for successful handgun shooting by starting with a quality .22 LR pistol. It is the best money you will ever spend. The lessons you will learn using it will last you a life-time. Sincerely. brucev.

 

[TheFactor]

Your getting some great advice here . Not a lot I can add except pick the one that feels the best in your hand and Your most accurate with . Like some have mentioned don't get hung up on the Caliber so much and be more concerned with placement/accuracy .
I like "almost" all calibers but which gun with what caliber makes a big difference to . Most 9s from my experience can have a short muzzle flip , 45 acp seems to push back more towards you with Similiar muzzle flip but not as "poppy" if that's even a word lol.
Just go the range and have fun and good luck with your choice .

 

[bikendan]

I chose the 40FS, due to its ability to shoot 3 different calibers.
Just had to get a 9mm barrel, a 357 Sig barrel and some 9mm mags.

 

[murphydog]

Since we are spending your money :

If you are sold on the M & P platform and like the .45, by all means get that one. In a sane world where .22 LR is not 10 cents per round I would also suggest a .22 M & P as an understudy, but making the case for this is more difficult unless you can find inexpensive ammo for it. It might be worth trying one out at your range in any caae. Good luck in your decision and please let us know what you decide.

 

[Ranger98]

If it feels good,shoot it ....

 

[MyDads38]

I shoot both the 9mm and 45 acp; you'll probably end up with both anyway! Just pick one and go & enjoy!

 

[supplier]

gun w/o practice spells disaster when used for SD/HD. prepaid to shot 1000's or round before you'll feel comfortable, and practice after that. so you need to accommodate cost of the gun, ammo and range time into your first purchase. I have three 9mm ones (each was a step up in features), one 380acp and one 22lr. my CD are 380acp and 9mm my HD is 9mm, my range guns are 9mm PRO and 222lr

 

[silentflyer]

Another vote for a quality .22, begin there and work your way up.

 

[Llando88]

Hey all,
I'm looking at getting a M&P, and I've been looking at the .45, but I keep getting told to go with the 9mm...From my experience with both, I shot the .45 better then the 9mm..Is this common or just plain dumb luck? Granted It was the first time shooting the full size version of both, (I've shot my aunts M&P 9c and dont like the feel of the compacts since i have a large hand).
I'm hung up on getting a .45 but wanted some insight from experienced shooters before I take the final plunge and purchase my first handgun, its not something I'm taking lightly, and I want to make sure I make the right decision..
P.S. I'm headed to the range this sunday to test fire the M&P .45 and 9mm again...
Thanks for the help everyone..

My thought would be to spend a minute, and decide what is your reason to buy this gun. No one can really decide "for you" unless/until you lay out your goals for this purchase.

Range? Competition? Self Defense? Hunting?

 

[Protected One]

You answered your own question, you shot the 45 well and you liked it!

Slo: "Are we there yet?"
Lt: "Yeah, we're there"

 

[Donn]

Don't get hung up on the caliber, choose whatever works best for you.

^^^ This ^^^ Best advice you'll find here or anywhere else.

 

[Arik]

I'm not a proponent of buying 22lr. I believe in practice with what you carry. A Ruger that mimics a 1911 is not the same thing as a M&P, be it in 9 or 45. That said ....be honest with yourself. ...if you can't afford to practice with a 45 or a 9 get the 22.