New guy with pistol questions.

[Bud11]

Joine the site recently and originally was thinking of a revolver as my first gun. Looked at the Sigma Series .40 S&W and the 9 MM today. Looks like they may be a nice first gun and are reasonably priced. Did some internet research and still not sure exactly what the differnce is between the calibers. From what I have seen, they are very similar.

So, would this be a good first gun for range practice and home protection? Is one of the calibers better for a new guy to guns? Besides the numbers, is there a reliabilty factor or other reason the 10+1 capacity is better than the 16+1 or 14+1 models shown on the S&W website for me? Also curious what "+1" means in the capacity. Thanks for any help you can provide me. Bud

 

[8th SPS USAF]

New guy

+1 means one more rnd. Like one in the chamber and rest in mag. Read up on the MP. I would buy the MP over the Sigma. Try both at the local
gun shop. Also with the MP 40 you can get a conv bbl to shoot 9mm .
I did and it works fine. Just a thought. Sigma has a harder tigger pull.
Welcome

 

[vista461]

10 rd mags are for states with a magazine capacity restriction. Definitely rent some guns at the local range. For some .40 is too much, a hit with a 9 is better than a miss with a .40.

 

[Bud11]

+1 means one more rnd. Like one in the chamber and rest in mag. Read up on the MP. I would buy the MP over the Sigma. Try both at the local
gun shop. Also with the MP 40 you can get a conv bbl to shoot 9mm .
I did and it works fine. Just a thought. Sigma has a harder tigger pull.
Welcome

Will be going to the local range next week to see what they have to shoot. Looked at the MP 9mm compact and it does look like a nice gun. Bud

 

[Titegroups]

For a first pistol the full size 9 is the way to go. Recoil is mild, ammo is cheaper than 40 for the needed practice. Forget about saving money on the sigma and buy a M&P, the more you shoot the more you'll appreciate the better trigger. Whatever you buy try to fire the gun before the purchase, what feels good in the hand may not be what works best for you when actually putting it to use. Try other brands also. Try a revolver, many people are more accurate with them.

 

[Lost Lake]

If you get the compact, you can use the full size magazines with an adapter that will make the gun feel like a full size, yet you will also have a compact for carrying.

 

[LedFowl]

Personally, I would start out with a 9mm. It's cheaper to shoot, if nothing else. Even if you bought the perfect pistol for your needs, chances are that other handguns will follow (can I get an AMEN?). One of those can be a .40, but I think you'll always be glad you have that 9 you bought when you started out.

I've owned a Sigma 9mm for about a year, and I've fired an M&P 9mm. You're comparing - depending on where you buy it - a $300 pistol to a $500 pistol. The trigger on the Sigma is longer and harder: 10 lbs plus vs 6.5 lbs. After that, it's a good gun, IMHO.

Oh. And I have an M&P 9mm on order.

 

[Lost Lake]

Keep in mind that you can buy a .40 M&P and drop a $65 replacement 9mm barrel in it and have two guns in one.

The M&P .40 can be had online for $398 shipped to your FFL.

 

[Bud11]

Personally, I would start out with a 9mm. It's cheaper to shoot, if nothing else. Even if you bought the perfect pistol for your needs, chances are that other handguns will follow (can I get an AMEN?). One of those can be a .40, but I think you'll always be glad you have that 9 you bought when you started out.

I've owned a Sigma 9mm for about a year, and I've fired an M&P 9mm. You're comparing - depending on where you buy it - a $300 pistol to a $500 pistol. The trigger on the Sigma is longer and harder: 10 lbs plus vs 6.5 lbs. After that, it's a good gun, IMHO.

Oh. And I have an M&P 9mm on order.

Very cool! Bud

 

[wahvtec]

you could probobaly dig up a NIB 915 for less. thats my first pistol and i love it

 

[Badkarma 1]

Personally I'd look seriously at the SD9. It's an "improved" Sigma in my opinion and has a much better trigger!
And I'm very comfortable with a 9mm for defense use, just use good ammunition like Speer 124gr+P or the Federal 115gr standard pressure round. Dale

 

[Bud11]

The SD9 looks like a good gun with some very nice features. Bud

 

[18DAI]

+1 on the S&W 915. More gun for less money. Regards 18DAI.