First Handgun Purchase.

[MNGunGuy]

Annnndyyyy! Dan from the shiz..

Hah! Hi Dan

Jonah! We should all do a range day sometime soon.

[XDM45]

XDM45- I'd love to take you up on your offer. Just gotta look at my schedule in this coming week. I've had some trigger time with a subcompact XD9 and a full sized XDM9 and they just didnt feel as solid as I'd like in my hand. Maybe since I was shooting for fun and not to evaluate a potential purchase I overlooked something. Hopefully we can figure something out soon, as I heard about a used XD45 at Bills in Circle Pines for $450. I'll PM you at some point to see what works well for you!

Thanks a ton! Your offer is very much appreciated!

Photogpat- Same! I appreciate all the support immensely!

Sounds good man. I haven't been to the range in awhile, so I'm due to go. No worries let me know when. We can go to BPR.

[fabb600]

In regard to Dan's question as to why I'm looking to carry a larger gun. In my personal comparison at the range (for what that's worth) the Sig .380 is very accurate for a compact gun of that size and I really like the single action trigger better than most stock double actions that seem to pull forever. BUT, I've noticed that many defensive/tactical handgun courses prefer you bring something larger than a .380. Not sure if it's an accuracy thing since most .380s are going to be compacts/pocket guns or that most defensive experts just think you should be carrying something with more punch?

But I've borrowed a friends Glock 17 for one defensive course and then used my CZ 75b Shadow Target (not a carry gun) for my second course. For further courses I take this year I want to use my actual carry gun so I figure it's time to step up to a 9mm. The other reason is simply the cheaper cost of shooting 9mm vs the others.

I'll probably go with a CZ compact since it's closest to my target gun. But I do think the M&P pro is a really good value too and it fits my small hands well so... I'm actually heading to Bill's Robbinsdale in the morning to shoot them both for a last comparison. If I could find a damn CZ Compact, CZ P-01 or possibly a M&P Pro in stock somewhere I'd buy it this weekend!

[dogan529]

huge M&P fan here just an fyi i love them... and yes i own glocks, 1911's and one XDm...to each there own i know, i am just a fan of the M&P. I have had my M&P .40 full size for a little over 3 years and i shoot ALOT, I have never had a failure to fire, failure to feed, chimney ETC. Actually to think of it i have never once pulled the trigger and it not gone off (as long as it is loaded ). It is one of the few weapons i KNOW will fire when i need it..well thats my two cents... now i am broke i need to go back to work

[AutomaticAron]

HUGE thanks to all who replied and gave their 2 cents! I settled on a full size S&W M&P40. One factor was the awesome price for the LE trade-ins on Buds ($449 shipped). Another was just how damned comfortable those things are in the hand! It just fits me perfectly. At first I wasn't going to consider a .40 S&W but I figured that while I do have experience with 9mm and .45, it wasnt enough experience to the point that I couldn't acclimate to a different caliber.

I'm taking her to Bills on Monday morning to try her out with a couple boxes of American Eagle and then looking at getting my permit sometime in the next couple of weeks!

Again, thanks to all who offered advice and even the use of their personal firearms and ammo. It was all taken to heart and incredibly appreciated!

[XDM45]

HUGE thanks to all who replied and gave their 2 cents! I settled on a full size S&W M&P40. One factor was the awesome price for the LE trade-ins on Buds ($449 shipped). Another was just how damned comfortable those things are in the hand! It just fits me perfectly. At first I wasn't going to consider a .40 S&W but I figured that while I do have experience with 9mm and .45, it wasnt enough experience to the point that I couldn't acclimate to a different caliber.

I'm taking her to Bills on Monday morning to try her out with a couple boxes of American Eagle and then looking at getting my permit sometime in the next couple of weeks!

Again, thanks to all who offered advice and even the use of their personal firearms and ammo. It was all taken to heart and incredibly appreciated!

Thanks for the update. I recommend going elsewhere than Bill's for the range. There's a post on here showing some full auto resting on the tables behind the firing line. Due to that and the rent-a-boomstick crowd there, I'm boycotting the range and will alert everyone to the dangers of the range. photos don't lie.

For the record though.... here they are again:

http://i.imgur.com/KfJtAY9.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/pbroYDc.jpg

It's your life, your call, but I won't recommend it.

[Tronster]

I recommend a full size in 9mm for a first handgun. Easy to hold, mild recoil, longer sight radius and full grip. After you gain sufficient skill and pistol handling, you can shop for an ideal carry handgun.

If you want a first handgun that can be carried (though I think it's a tad thick), and learn to shoot with, a Glock 19 is a good start.