opinions on which handgun to get?

[pix905]

I am looking at getting my first handgun when i get home from Afghanistan. I was leading toward the M&P 9, but after reading a little on here it seems like most people prefer the Glock 19. Which is better in your opinion? Or if you think something else would be a better first handgun what is it and why? Thank you.

 

[eagleeyes]

assuming you are military, what kind of pistol do you carry if you do whilst serving? too bad they don't let you keep your service arms when you get out ......seems to me they should imo........but i wouldn't know which gun would be a good carry piece for you ......just try out those that interest you and make a choice..best wishes and welcome to the forum

 

[SGB]

I'm a big M&P fan and favor it heavily over the Glock. However I'm not you, so the best course of action is too find and shoot both to determine which you like best.

 

[XfNujNplhaib]

I got a 19 and love it! But I'm planning to get a M&P Shield, if I can get my hands on one. Good luck!

 

[Stephen O Livingston]

Go with the Springfield XD!!!! It is an extreme duty weapon and can handle about anything you throw at it.

 

[RonaldGAdams]

The first question to answer is "for what are you going to use it?" If EDC then the small Glocks or new Shield but if for competition, the larger Glocks or Springfield...the M&P is a good gun too but I'm not a fan of the unmodified trigger. As SGB said, tho, rent whatever suits your fancy before you buy.

 

[Noemarmolejo]

Hey, first I'd like to say is thanks for your service. I use the following:

XD 3.8 in 9mm
Ruger sr9c
XDs .45
Sig Sauer p238
I don't like the glock grip angle, but that's just me. They ate reliable and time tested.

 

[Noemarmolejo]

Sorry. ......are......

 

[The_Outlaw]

I am looking at getting my first handgun when i get home from Afghanistan. I was leading toward the M&P 9, but after reading a little on here it seems like most people prefer the Glock 19. Which is better in your opinion? Or if you think something else would be a better first handgun what is it and why? Thank you.

You cannot go wrong with the Glock 19.

I still own my Gen 2 Glock 19 (It's 19 years old) and it still looks and performs as good as it did when I bought it new.

 

[craigguinn]

if you are going to cc and you are not set on the 9 mm i would recommend something in .45, the glock 36 is a small single stack easy to conceal. springfield just came out w/ the xd-s which is also a .45 and is supposed to be even smaller than the glock 36. i normally carry colt .380 but i am going to upgrade to one of the above for the power of the .45. nothing against the 9,i just prefer the knock down capability of the .45.

check them out.

 

[Ryan.moran]

you wont get an answer here. the glock lovers will praise the glocks. the m&p lovers will stand by them. all of these things are personal preference and opinion. your best bet is to go to a gun store and handle as many guns as you can (if its legal in your state) or even go to a shooting range that might rent handguns so that you can test different ones out.

i have a ruger sr9c and i love it. great feel in hand, accurate, reliable, and good size for concealed carry. but like i said thats just my opinion but it is another option for you.

 

[sig_man]

One more opinion - go with either a 3 inch or 4 inch 1911 - they are a little heavier, but worth it

 

[Numenor]

Springfield XD-40sc:
- better grip than the Glock 27
- .40 is a good compromise between brute power of the .45 and capacity of a 9mm
- grip safety

 

[mbaatc]

I like Springfield XD 40 subcompact

 

[misunderstood]

Tell shop owner to line up glock m&p xd and any other he thinks falls in line. Close your eyes pick each of them up and dry fire. Which ever one feels best buy it. Just give it a shot. Dont like what you picked then go by name brand.

 

[KMAN1931]

I carry my Glock 17 all the time, but I'm a big guy. My advice is to try a few pistols out, join a club, lots of guys are more than happy to give you their advice and if you're at the range they wouild probably let you squeeze off afew rounds too. Read all the reviews you can find online (take them with a grain of salt some people just can't be pleased). Foir me a pistol purchase is a big deal, even if I have the dough I gotta get clearance from the tower so I have to make sure I'll be happy with the purchase. Hell I like the window shopping almost as much as the actual shooting. I reccomend a glock for several reasons, they have a fair price tag, they are very durable, easy to break down (to individual parts even), there is a zillion after market accessories to choose from, and most are reasonably priced, depending on where you live you can buy high capacity mags that are preban (New Yorker here so that was important to me). Some products on the market for glocks really seal the deal for me, namely the trigger reset kits. These allow you to replace the stock trigger block with a trainer trigger block that resets itself after each pull. The benefit here is being able to pull the trigger a bazillion times without damaging the gun or spendinga dime on ammo. Accuracy comes down to pulling that trigger for most people, learning your trigger is the single most important aspect to shooting a pistol, IMHO. Anyway there is ofcourse many many questions you'll have to ask yourself but I hope I helped a bit. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Iam2Taz]

This is a common question that can only be answered by you.

I have a G19, but it is my last choice. I have Colt LW Commander. It has the best trigger system and feel, but being a 1911, it can be finicky. So you need to have some (a little) mechanical savvy to own and run one. That said, I recently purchased the XDm in 3.8 compact .45. It has been outstanding. I have shot the M&P as well. Of those choices, 1. Would be the XDm, tied would be the Colt and the M&P, last would be the G19. It does have an unusual grip angle that takes some getting used to.

As noted above, rent them or find a friend who has one to shoot before you buy.
Good Luck and Thank you for your service!

 

[gunsandgardens]

I like Springfield XD 40 subcompact

Drooool..... I love this weapon. I carry the M&P 40 and it has been nothing short of flawless with everything I throw at it and would recommend it to anyone looking for a full size but this thing is a beauty! Springfield has really stepped up their game and raised the bar when it comes to semiautos. After getting to fire it, I can see why they don't last very long in the local shops. A 3 inch that comes in 9mm and 40......I think the first word of this post explains how I feel about it.

 

[TheDoaner]

I've shot most of the guns mentioned thus far. I'd recommend getting the model that feels and fits best in YOUR hand. Glocks are almost indestructible but only the Gen 4 17 really fits in my hand. If you intend to carry concealed there are a whole lot of other factors to consider. M&P is an ergonomic hit for a lot of folks. If you decide on the M&P then you might consider an Apex M&P Duty/Carry Action Enhancement Kit from Apex Tactical. It makes the trigger pull and reset really sweet! Thanks for your service.

 

[cluznar]

Take a good look at the full size Ruger SR9 and also the SR9c.