Need advice on gun #2

[coachcash86]

I currently own the Shield 9 as my only gun. But I've got the itch. Problem is that I want them all, so prioritizing what I "need" for gun #2 tricky. I'm a gun owner for two reasons: 1. shooting is fun and 2. Home protection. I don't yet carry. I'd all but had my mind made up on the 22C for a couple reasons--ammo cost, about the same size as my shield so "practice" would be similar, adding a light on the rail for the second home defense gun, wife could shoot it easy if she ever wanted to start. I kicked around the idea of a BG 380 when they were crazy cheap around Black Friday. If I decide to carry, I think I'd be more apt to pocket carry. Here's the kicker--it's going to be xmas from my wife and inlaws. In the conversation about the BG, my father in law offered to go even on either the 22C I wanted (new) or give me his Sig P238 (it's excellent condition, less than 100 rds). Thoughts?

 

[garddogg56]

In hope not to confuse you I'd go with the free Sig even though I own both but only EDC my BG 380.

 

[bigwheelzip]

In a shootout between only those three guns, the Sig wins in my book. The Sig P238 is one of the easiest semi-auto slides to rack, so your wife could manage it without a struggle. It's very high quality and very easy to conceal.
The Hogue rubber grips for it help maintain control when shooting the snappy .380 round.

Hogue Inc.

 

[JL Murray]

Glock 19 gets my vote for a next gun

 

[TX-Dennis]

P238 is the way to go. Way better shooter than the Bodyguard. Keep in mind, though, that the little Sig is SA only similar to a tiny 1911. You may not feel comfortable pocket carrying cocked and locked. If that is the case, then the Bodyguard may be a better choice despite its much worse (to me) trigger.

I'm not fond of most 22LR pistols (other than the Ruger Mark series) Many are unreliable and frustrating to shoot. I'm not saying that is the case with the 22 compact, though, since I haven't shot one.

 

[Steved13]

I want them all

My vote...get them all. Tell the wife I said it was OK

Sig is a great gun and +1 on easy slide, also worth more $$$

I really like the way I shoot M&P's though, so I might get the BG in your shoes. Ask to borrow the Sig and see how you like it.

 

[kramden]

We had a BG for a short time. The trigger pull was terrible. So long you pull the trigger on Friday and it fires on Saturday. Eventually went with a Glock 43 for my wife and I went with a Shield 9mm in the PC edition. We love both of them.

 

[BAM-BAM]

That Sig is a nice offer from the FIL.........hard to pass on.

A couple of options to think about:

the new Ruger Mk IV....... .22lr (finally a ruger that's easy to reassemble and clean).......the Ruger .22 auto has set the standard for .22 autos for 65 years.

A good .38/357 revolver..... a 36/60/442 for carry or a General purpose 4inch 686.

 

[Bozz10mm]

Take the free Sig, then buy yourself a Ruger Mark IV.

 

[Bonephish]

Sig P238 is the best quality pocket .380 you can own. If you want a .22 pistol for fun and defense, consider the Ruger SR22.

 

[coachcash86]

Thanks for the opinions. I'm leaning towards the sig, but the fun of the M&P 22C still appeals to me. I'm betting I end up squirreling a little away here and there and end up with both.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Never turn down a free Sig . . .

 

[Mister X]

Since home protection is one of your priorities, I'd recommend getting a more substantial pistol than what you have or what you're considering.

A full size M&P 9 or even an M&Pc. Glock 17/19 are nice options as well.

 

[Rastoff]

Interesting. 13 replies and not one has asked the question; how much do you have to spend? I mean, it's easy to recommend another gun, but if you can't afford it, what's the point?

 

[Mac123]

Hmm... these are all good problems to have! Definitely go for the free P238, awesome little 380, You can shoot that regularly at the range with hogue grips much over a BG. Depending on the budget I'd get a Ruger 22 or spend some $$ on a Sig P226 or M&P for the range/home defense.

 

[jrs70]

Well, you know you will not be able to stop at two.

 

[nocents]

free......say again...free..and it's a Sig....heck I'd take free Kel-Tek

 

[5150ds]

Take the free sig and buy a Remington 870.

 

[vulcan73]

This is a no brainer...the Sig wins, HOWEVER, 380 ammo is very expensive. You won't be at the range often with any 380 unless you are a reloader. I suggest you take the P238 (I have one and carry it on the motorcycle only due to it's flat profile, etc...) and invest any play money into reloading equipment and supplies. With the ability to lower ammo cost to a few bucks per 50 rounds, you can take the leap into your next gun from there.

The Sigs slide is easy to rack but like many small slide guns, they can be picky about ammo. I find that my Sig P238 reliably cycles with hot 380 loads. For carrying, I use HP-38 and 90 grain Hornady XTP's. Commercial loads like Federal Hydrashok and Magtech Guardian Gold also cycle it reliably.

 

[CBStuard]

HOWEVER, 380 ammo is very expensive.

Finally someone said it. Look at .380 ammo prices and decide if you want to bother. For me, I don't see the point. You like your Shield so upgrade to a M&P9c. You get a couple of the 12 rnd mags w/ it and buy 3-4 of the 17 rnd mags and X-grips to go along w/ them. The 9c is a great carry gun w/ the small mags and a great HD gun w/ the long mags.

 

[Gomez93]

As mentioned, 22 pistols can be finicky but they are a blast to shoot and inexpensive. If you end up going that route, just find a ammo it likes and keep it clean. In my experience, the 22 rounds rated in the 1400fps range will cycle most any pistol.

 

[coachcash86]

Thanks for all the input. It's going to be a xmas gift so my wife and inlaws would halve the $350 ish of the new 22C if I go that route, or my wife would pay her half ($175 ish) to my FIL for the Sig which is still a steal. I'm leaning Sig, but want to handle it a little before I decide. I'm know I'm comfortable with the MP platform, but I don't have experience with the 1911 style. Bottom line, the Sig is a better gun with regards to quality and value and is where I'm leaning. But like somebody else said, I know I won't stop at 2.

 

[Roadie]

Definitely take the Sig at those prices. Then be like everyone I know and try a Glock 19 - seems everyone I know has one (except me). For things that go bump in the night at home get a 12 gauge.

 

[shutupdata113]

If you don't carry, then why don't you sell the shield and buy a full size service pistol. Way more fun at the range. I recommend a SIG 226 or a Beretta 92 fs....I could go on...

 

[wwit]

I had the same sort of question in my head. I already had a 9mm Shield 9mm Performance Center, but wanted a full size as well.

I decided on the full size Performance Center 9mm Shield with ported barrel and a threaded barrel. I found it on sale for $659.00 delivered to my FFL on slickgun.com. Picked it up this AM.

 

[Cardboard_killer]

I'm know I'm comfortable with the MP platform, but I don't have experience with the 1911 style. Bottom line, the Sig is a better gun with regards to quality and value and is where I'm leaning.

If your wife is going to shoot it, be sure to include her in on the decision. As the gun isn't new, go out and shoot the sig first to see how you like it. You may not like it. If possible, I'd recommend going to a range that rents pistols and rent a few. It will cost some money, but will be worth it so you don't buy something you end up disliking. This isn't a recommendation or a warning, just my personal preference: I don't care for the 1911 platform (although the removal of the grip safety takes away one of my gripes) especially for a new shooter, and I don't care for the 380 round (I'd rather have a 32, but prefer 9mm).

For home defense, if you don't want a long gun, I'd go with a full sized or compact pistol, like the M&P 9 or 9c. Personally, I don't like the trigger on the M&Ps, but I am a trigger snob. The best trigger on a striker fired pistol is the Walther PPQ, which also has similar ergonomics as the M&P, but is $100 more.

It's the golden age of handguns in the US. The choices are endless, whether it be a used S&W wheel gun, to a Swiss copy of a CZ, to a Korean take on a S&W auto, there is a handgun for everyone. And prices are quite low--M&P 9 on sale for $386 shipped at grabagun.

 

[greerstyl]

FS M&P9 same caliber keep it simple. Great all around fun for target, HD, my wife's favorite gun too. Best of all worlds IMO. can customize over time for one reason or the other.

 

[bigwheelzip]

..... wife could shoot it easy if she ever wanted to start....

If your wife is going to shoot it, be sure to include her in on the decision.
The choices are endless.....

For a novice female, the number of semi-auto slides that she is able to rack may be limited. Until I developed more hand strength and better technique, the P238 was the only semi-auto I tried, that I could operate without great difficulty.

If the decision includes her ability to operate the firearm, it may narrow the field, especially if she's not going to dedicate a fair amount of time in practice.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

I have large glove size hands and the p238 is difficult to hold in that it's small. Hold it first. The mag release WILL pop mag out if you pocket carry without a pocket holster.

.......and now you need a revolver!.....

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

 

[coachcash86]

I'd say I did pretty good. Santa-in-law had all kinds of extras I didn't know about. (Wife chipped in $200 for her "half")