Looking to get my first handgun

[CT77]

kablamo-I appreciate what you are saying. I've had safety courses and own some shotguns. I'm a pretty big deer hunter. This gun will be primarily for home defense and an occasional visit to the range. I don't plan on carrying it. Not a bad idea to go to a refresher course though!

As far as used ones, you are right! There IS a reason you don't see many. When people get their hands on a kick butt gun, they don't want to let it go!

The search continues...

 

[Lost Lake]

I recommend getting either the M&P9c or a 3913. Both are nice guns, the 3913 has a better trigger and is a classic, but the 9c is quite versatile using both small mags for carrying and full size mags for range and home protection. Adjustable back straps allow it to fit your hand.

The full size can carry a nice size weapon light if you want one. I keep one on a M&P40FS in my nightstand.

Sig Sauer also makes a good 9mm that doesn't cost a whole lot but is a good gun.

 

[Denversteve]

There are many great choices. Examine your budget. If your budget will allow for an M&P then you can't go wrong. If $200 or so matters look (compare the two) at the SD9VE which is also a fine weapon but 1/3 less.

 

[had2]

I went through the same process a little over a year ago...selecting my first handgun for HD. After extensive research, I got the M&P 9mm FS without the thumb or mag safeties. The points have been made that this gun is customizable with three grip sizes, and the low bore axis means that the barrel sits low above your hand causing less muzzle flip and recoil. This gun points very naturally and is easy to shoot well. I understand that the new M&P's are coming through with the improved trigger introduced in the Shield. I have not upgraded my trigger, and the one annoyance is that it lacks a distinct reset. This has been corrected in the new design, making the M&P a true winner and a great first pistol. It is a striker fired gun so that once a round is chambered by retracting the slide, every trigger pull is the same. On most hammer fired guns, the first trigger pull has to retract the hammer (double action), and on every shot after that the hammer is cocked by the rearward movement of the slide (single action). So, there are many excellent features on this gun, which s why it became my first pistol. I highly recommend it as yours.

 

[britgina1095]

Oh this is so true

WARNING! M&P's are addicting. You can't get just one,

I bought my full size M&P 9 about 4 months ago. Now I have the .22 (much cheaper to shoot at the range). I just got my Shield this weekend. Next I think will be the .45

 

[britgina1095]

I also went through this process over the last 6 months. I shot many different guns at the range. First thing I figured out was I wanted the 9 mm. With the combination of power, recoil, expense to shoot, my wife could also handle this made my decision easy. Then I shot the m&p, flock 17, Springfield XD, Ruger, and Baretta. My range had a great selection of rentals. The m&p I kept coming back too for all those reasons I said before. It was really accurate, easy to shoot, and very little kick. I own 3 m&p's now and carry my full size and about to start carrying the shield.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Hello all! New to the forum! I'm looking to get a handgun mainly for home protection and to take to the range now and then. After a lot of research, I know I want a 9mm made by Smith and Wesson. My question is, what is the difference between the M&P series and the standard 9mm? The price is higher I see and I like the all black look of the M&P. Just looking to get some info. Also, some have thumb safeties, some don't (thoughts on thumb safeties?), round size is different, etc. I do want a bigger gun (4.25 barrel), so again, any opinions, comments are appreciated. Thanks!

If it is your first handgun, I suggest you get a 22 pistol and learn to shoot pistols first. Once you have the basics down, it is always a great option for cheap practice.

How about an S&W Model 41 or a 22A or a Ruger Mk III or 22/45?

The M&P in 9mm is a good choice if you want to go right into a centerfire, but I would not get the M&P with the key lock, the magazine safety or the thumb safety. The one I would recommend has a SKU Number of 209301. 209331 is the same, but with a third magazine and a holster and magazine pouch included.

 

[FireManDan]

I just purchased my M&P 22 pistol and really like it. I figured I'd use this pistol to become familiarized and comfortable with these guns before getting the M&P 9. I'm glad I did. Even after I go to the 9mm I'll have the .22 for cheaper practice and just plain fun plinking!

 

[OLDSTER]

Welcome to the forum from North Dakota. I've got nothing more to add to this thread

 

[Table_Max]

Also, some have thumb safeties, some don't (thoughts on thumb safeties?), round size is different, etc. I do want a bigger gun (4.25 barrel), so again, any opinions, comments are appreciated. Thanks!

I wanted my FS 9mm to have a thumb safety AND a mag safety, couldn't find one with both and got a better deal on the one with the thumb safety about a month ago. Just like everything else with this gun, the design of the thumb safety is better than most. Just like the mag release, the safety is ambidextrous and can easily be disengaged while you are holding the gun in a ready to fire position. I'll actually use my off hand to engage it when I am done firing.

This is a terrible time to try and find one for sale at a decent price so if you can afford to wait, you should be able to find a better price on the gun....not to mention the ammo. Keep your eyes open, but don't plop down too much for the gun if you don't feel a need to have it immediately.

 

[RandomGuy]

Howdy from northern California. I just got my first gun in early January and I couldn't be happier with my choice of the full size M&P 9. I've put close to 1k rounds through mine since getting it and have found it to be accurate, comfortable, reliable, easy to clean and just a whole lot of fun.

I think the advice in this thread is spot on...save your pennies, get an M&P, buy some Frog Lube, and TAKE A GUN SAFETY/TRAINING COURSE (half day class is fine - your range or LGS probably offers them), then go shoot some holes in paper and try not to smile too much.

 

[Jesles777]

I went to my local range and tested 4 guns in four calibers. The M&P full size in 9mm felt "home" to me so, that's the one I finally decided on. Great gun and, after almost a year (and a few other purchases after that) she still feels like home!

 

[Tdaddy1979]

The M&P 9 FS is my first owned gun. I love the feel and I love how it shoots. Of all the research I did before I bought the gun. I wish I would have researched how tough it would be to find extra magazines for it and I was at sea since November so I missed all the hoopla about ammo shortages. I didn't know just how bad it was until I bought the gun. That said, I have been able to find ammo here and there. I guess the moral here is look at "every" aspect including the things you may not necessarily think about.

 

[rwsmith]

I made a mistake

I made a mistake when I bought my first gun because I thought it was going to be purely for home defense, with me shooting it just enough to keep in shape. Instead, I found out that I really liked shooting just for recreation. Ultimately I had to trade in my model 10 snub (though it was one great gun) and got a 686. Not that you should buy either of those, just think about everything that you will be using it for.

 

[David White]

I chose the S&W M&P .40 caliber. While 9mm ammo is scarce, I can always seem to find .40 cal everywhere I go.
I am planning to purchase the S&W .357 Sig drop in barrel. I won't need new magazines as the .40's mags are also used for the .357 Sig.
At last look on Midway's site, the S&W .357 Sig barrels are only $77 + shipping and handling!
So for about $83 bucks, I have two calibers to shoot with a SUPER easy conversion.
Just take off the slide, remove the .40 barrel, slide in the .357 Sig barrel, replace slide and Rick and roll!
(.357 Sig ammo is often available as well!!)