Looking to get my first handgun

[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!!)