Home Defense / Concealed Carry Advice Requested

[richard13]

Hello everyone. This is my first post here.

I am relatively new to guns in general. I have taken an 8 hour safety course and have been to the range a couple times with rentals. I have also obtained my CPL.

I'm now getting ready to purchase my first handgun and I've narrowed my focus to a few M&P and Glock 9mm models. I'd rather an S&W from a style and overall feel point of view.

I am primarily looking for a gun for Home Defense but I am also interested in possible CC. I'm wondering if there are models that fit both of these applications? If so, which would you recommend? Or is it more common to have two different guns for these jobs?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Aahzz]

Eventually you may want multiple guns - most of us do. However, as a beginner, you're best suited with one gun that suits you well and putting further cash into ammo for more practice and training. If it fits your hand well, the M&P 9c is comfortable for range, has decent capacity, and is fairly easy to conceal. I always recommend 9mm as the caliber for a first gun because ammo is affordable and available for practice, and modern 9mm hollow points are extremely effective for defense.

 

[Dave686]

I usually recommend a .357 mag revolver for home defense (The original Point & Click interface for all skill levels). Everything is application driven and no one gun will fill all applications.

However if I had to pick one gun for home defense and carry it would be a toss-up between the M&P 40 full-size and the M&P 40 compact.
The full size can be hard to conceal (I don't open carry); but it can be done.

The Compact is a little easier to conceal for carry and can use full size 15 round mags when in a home defense application.

We have all been through this and it's why we have several guns. Good luck with your new, very expensive, hobby.

40S&W is just my personal preference I haven't owned a 9 in 20 years. Use whatever caliber you feel most comfortable with and can afford to shoot…. a lot.

 

[Houdini1953]

Welcome to the forum hope you learn much and feel at home here. I bought my first auto in 1982 before that it was all revolvers 38 caliber as well as a 357 Magnum while in the US Navy. My first auto was a Smith & Wesson Model 59, then a couple of years ago while working in another part of town I was passing a gun store everyday to and from work so I decided to have a look around. The M&P9 caught my eye and just the feel of the gun was enough to make me go ahead and buy it.

If you get the opportunity then I would buy the new M&P Shield in 9 millimeter, but they are hard to find and the 40 caliber are even harder to find. I do not own a Shield YET, but it is only because they are so hard to come by, my local gun store has my telephone number and will call me as soon as they get one.

This weapon is quite small and will conceal well and with a decent factory hollow point with at least 115 grain bullet it is a great defensive round. Also great is Speer Gold Dot 124 grain hollow points or Magtech 124 grain hollow points!

 

[sheepdawg]

A 9mm. is hard to beat for a first handgun. I think the compact MP9 would be a good choice for carry but for home defense get a short barrel pump shotgun.

 

[ponchsox]

The M&P9c is a very versatile gun. You can use the 12 round mag for concealed carry and use a full size mag with grip extension for home defense. It also has a rail for to mount a light/laser.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Hello everyone. This is my first post here.

I am relatively new to guns in general. I have taken an 8 hour safety course and have been to the range a couple times with rentals. I have also obtained my CPL.

I'm now getting ready to purchase my first handgun and I've narrowed my focus to a few M&P and Glock 9mm models. I'd rather an S&W from a style and overall feel point of view.

I am primarily looking for a gun for Home Defense but I am also interested in possible CC. I'm wondering if there are models that fit both of these applications? If so, which would you recommend? Or is it more common to have two different guns for these jobs?

Thanks for your help!

You indicated an M&P as a possible choice. I think the M&P 9 compact is an excellent choice.

It is easy to conceal and you could buy a full size 17 round magazine and use an X-Grip adapter for home use. IMO, a full size grip is important for a house gun.

If a spouse/girlfriend will have access to the gun then you will have to consider her thoughts as well. But again, the 9 compact will probably suit her just fine.

 

[SoleShtr]

I agree what others have said about getting the M&P9c and getting the X-Grip adapter and full size mags. Best of both worlds, you have a carry gun with the 12 round mags and a home defense gun with full size mag. Can't go wrong.

 

[RobzGuns]

Finding a good all-around pistol, as mentioned is a tough decision.
Since you narrowed it down to either a Glock, or an M&P, rent both again, together if you can, so you can do a side-by-side comparison and see which is more comfortable for you to shoot. While some take to the Glock grip angle very easily, others can transition to it very easily and others hate it.

If you decide to go S&W, you've already read all the raves about the Compact.

If you end up going Glock, many agree that the G19 is their best All-Around 9mm. Also... While Glock doesn't have a compact system that comes with 2 mags (flush & extended), with the G26, you'd have a very good 10 round Carry pistol and you could use G19 mags with an extension sleeve (similar to the M&P9c with X-Grip).

The hard part is seeing which system is more comfortable for you to shoot, train with and actually carry.

 

[richard13]

Hey! Thanks so much to everyone that has replied so far.

I am strongly considering the M&P9c and was pretty set on it until S&W came out with the Shield. I'll admit I am getting caught up in the excitement about it!

I like the Shield's small size. I'm also intrigued by the word of mouth that it has a great trigger. My problems with the Shield are that I feel it is specifically targeted at CC. Also, since they are scarce right now I would be hard pressed to find one to rent let alone buy.

As other's have pointed out I have more options with the 9c (greater default mag capacity, ability to use full size mags, lights, lasers, etc.). I have also actually shot the 9c and liked it just as much if not a little more than the Glock 19.

I'm wondering about the trigger though. Most people I've seen in YouTube videos talk about how much better the Shield's trigger is compared to the 9c. Some people have claimed that this new trigger would be implemented on the rest of the M&P line. When I called S&W they flat out denied that there was a difference in trigger at all so I don't know what to believe.

Ok, well, I think I have a little more thinking to do but appreciate the warm welcome and help with this.

 

[Houdini1953]

Buying a compact gun of any brand as long as it is Glock or Smith & Wesson is a great idea for the fact that if you plan to conceal carry your firearm then compact like the G19 or sub compact like the G26 makes sense in the fact that you can always use a larger magazine when needed but with the full size guns this is not an option.

I started a thread about this very subject http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/238279-why-should-you-buy-compact-m-p.html if you click the link to that thread you will get even more information as well as opinions about this subject. I am still waiting for me to be able to get a 40 caliber Shield here locally, but they are almost impossible to find at all at least here in my area!

 

[StatesRightist]

There is only one home defense gun, a 12 Gauge shotgun. A pistol is nice to be able to grab if surprised etc, but depending on a pistol as your first line home defense gun is a mistake. Buy the M&P to carry, but spend another $350 on a Mossberg 500 or a Winchester Defender, otherwise you are under armed.

I agree with whoever said a .357 for a HD pistol. They can lay uncleaned or oiled for a year, collect dust etc and still go bang. They are simple to use and bleary eyed nighttime wake-ups make simple the best idea.

Every man ought to own a 12GA pump, a .22, a .357, a 9mm and an AK-47 as an initial start-up entry into the shooting world. They are the simple basics that once mastered allow you to competently move into more advanced weapons.

JMO...

Welcome to the Forum, it's always to see a new shooter join the ranks!!

 

[Red_Ryder]

I just went through the same thing. After the first of the year, I decided I wanted to purchase a handgun, primarily for home defense. At first, I thought I wanted a Glock but at the suggestion of the gun shop salesman, I decided to try the M&P, also. Since they had both guns for rent, I fired both and the clear choice for me was the M&P 9mm. It just felt better in my hand and my wife could grip it better than the Glock. It's not really a "concealed carry" gun but that's not what I bought it for. That being said, I am now looking at a SHIELD for concealed carry. I highly recommend firing all your potential choices and choose the one that works best for you. Cheers!

 

[Shielded]

Finding a good all-around pistol, as mentioned is a tough decision.
Since you narrowed it down to either a Glock, or an M&P, rent both again, together if you can, so you can do a side-by-side comparison and see which is more comfortable for you to shoot. While some take to the Glock grip angle very easily, others can transition to it very easily and others hate it.

If you decide to go S&W, you've already read all the raves about the Compact.

If you end up going Glock, many agree that the G19 is their best All-Around 9mm. Also... While Glock doesn't have a compact system that comes with 2 mags (flush & extended), with the G26, you'd have a very good 10 round Carry pistol and you could use G19 mags with an extension sleeve (similar to the M&P9c with X-Grip).

The hard part is seeing which system is more comfortable for you to shoot, train with and actually carry.

+1 on the above

 

[crofoot629]

If I was starting from scratch I'd go with a mid-sized S&W M&P with frame mounted safety.

However it's a little late for me to switch horses midstream having spent an LEO career with Glocks and an IPSC "career" with 1911's.

I've T&E'd the M&p's and liked them. I'm one of the few who likes a frame mounted safety.

At this time I usually carry a Govt Model 1911 in the winter and a Glock 26 in the summer and a New York reload of a J-Frame.

Emory

 

[Houdini1953]

There is only one home defense gun, a 12 Gauge shotgun. A pistol is nice to be able to grab if surprised etc, but depending on a pistol as your first line home defense gun is a mistake. Buy the M&P to carry, but spend another $350 on a Mossberg 500 or a Winchester Defender, otherwise you are under armed.

I agree with whoever said a .357 for a HD pistol. They can lay uncleaned or oiled for a year, collect dust etc and still go bang. They are simple to use and bleary eyed nighttime wake-ups make simple the best idea.

Every man ought to own a 12GA pump, a .22, a .357, a 9mm and an AK-47 as an initial start-up entry into the shooting world. They are the simple basics that once mastered allow you to competently move into more advanced weapons.

JMO...

Welcome to the Forum, it's always to see a new shooter join the ranks!!

I do own a pump 12 gauge Mossburg Cruiser and yes as far as home defense it is spectacularly effective but so is having a 45 or 40 nearby in your nightstand or under your pillow in some sort of holster or even better in a holster that hides hanging off your bed. The AK47 I am not so sure about because of the range and power of that weapon it is more for warfare than home defense, and talk about over-penetration and where the bullet goes after the initial target?

But the OP was asking about a handgun for HD I suppose he already has one 12 gauge shotgun of some sort so I responded with handguns for HD which at the minimum I would choose a 9mm with a decent round capacity!

 

[StatesRightist]

I do own a pump 12 gauge Mossburg Cruiser and yes as far as home defense it is spectacularly effective but so is having a 45 or 40 nearby in your nightstand or under your pillow in some sort of holster or even better in a holster that hides hanging off your bed. The AK47 I am not so sure about because of the range and power of that weapon it is more for warfare than home defense, and talk about over-penetration and where the bullet goes after the initial target?

But the OP was asking about a handgun for HD I suppose he already has one 12 gauge shotgun of some sort so I responded with handguns for HD which at the minimum I would choose a 9mm with a decent round capacity!

Don't get me wrong, I was not speaking to the AK as a HD gun, but as a primer for becoming a knowledgeable gun owner. The AK is a fun/shtf gun, not a HD gun, neither is the the .22.

I was addressing the newbie aspect more so than the handgun choice.

 

[JJEH]

If so, which would you recommend? Or is it more common to have two different guns for these jobs?

Thanks for your help!

Welcome aboard.

It all depends on your budget. For the first handgun, a 9mm is just fine. I personally prefer .40S&W.

If your budget allowes you to get more than 1 handgun, I would advise to do so. If not, go with a M&P9c and get some good ammo.

To have a 12ga shotgun for home defense is always a good help.

Remember, you can never have enough firearms at home

 

[TxM&P9]

Hey! Thanks so much to everyone that has replied so far.

I am strongly considering the M&P9c and was pretty set on it until S&W came out with the Shield. I'll admit I am getting caught up in the excitement about it!

I like the Shield's small size. I'm also intrigued by the word of mouth that it has a great trigger. My problems with the Shield are that I feel it is specifically targeted at CC. Also, since they are scarce right now I would be hard pressed to find one to rent let alone buy.

As other's have pointed out I have more options with the 9c (greater default mag capacity, ability to use full size mags, lights, lasers, etc.). I have also actually shot the 9c and liked it just as much if not a little more than the Glock 19.

I'm wondering about the trigger though. Most people I've seen in YouTube videos talk about how much better the Shield's trigger is compared to the 9c. Some people have claimed that this new trigger would be implemented on the rest of the M&P line. When I called S&W they flat out denied that there was a difference in trigger at all so I don't know what to believe.

Ok, well, I think I have a little more thinking to do but appreciate the warm welcome and help with this.

I wouldn't say the Shield has a great trigger, but rather a decent trigger. Is it better than the regular line of M&P, yes.

Don't get discouraged about the M&P9c's trigger. It's not terrible like a Sigma. Plus you have the added benefit of adding aftermarket parts from Apex. A huge advantage.

If I were you I would go with the M&P9c. Shoot it awhile and then if you want "great trigger," go with Apex parts. Cannot go wrong.

 

[wheelgunguy]

Ah how I envy you.I bought my first handgun over 30 years ago and I still remember how much I enjoyed the research and selection process and the excitement of finally going and buying it and taking it to the range.It's still a lot of fun but there's nothing like your first.

I think you have got a lot of good advice in the previous posts.I am a revolver guy and a big fan of the .357 revolver as a great all around gun for a new shooter or a veteran.The thing is when you start talking about concealed carry most .357s that conceal easily are smaller framed guns and don't absorb recoil as well as medium framed guns that are a little harder to conceal and are heavier.I suggest to rent a 686 or something around that size and see what you think.You may find it's not the best all around gun for you right now or you might.Either way they are awful fun to shoot.

I also believe a striker fired compact 9mm would suit you well.They are a lot cheaper to shoot and with an extended mag are very versatile.You are looking at quality firearms and I really don't think you can make a bad decision.One of the good things about guns is if later on down the line you're not enjoying one as much as you would like quite often you can sell it for a large percentage of it's purchase price.Or if your like a lot of us just go buy another one.You can never have to many guns.

Enjoy the process,practice a lot,and stay safe.

Make sure and let us know what you get(pics are good) and give us a range report.Welcome in advance to the wonderful world of handgun ownership.