Thinking of Taking the Handgun Plunge

[BiloxiPoke]

A little background: I’ve gone shooting numerous times in my life with friends and acquaintances, so I’m not new to handling firearms. At the same time, I wouldn’t call myself an expert. I do know how to handle them safely, which is half the battle.

Anyway, I’ve never actually owned a firearm. Up until this point in my life, I figure I’ve done just fine without one. I really enjoy shooting, but never felt compelled enough to go buy one. I’m thinking I might finally “see how the other half lives” and give this a shot, so to speak. Note: I don’t really plan on carrying.

My budget is not large, and I think I’ve settled on picking between the Ruger Security-9 or the Walther Creed. (Regardless of what I pick, I do think I want to go 9mm.) I’m a little torn about external safeties on the guns. I think it might be a nice feature to include for my first one, but I’m open to ones that don’t have external safeties (hence my interest in the Creed).

Anyway, just wanted to ask for your guys’ thoughts or recommendations for a good first handgun that I might not have otherwise considered.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ostatedchi]

The best handgun is the one that feels good in your hands and you feel comfortable shooting (and is safe and reliable of course). That's all that matters. Everyone loves Glocks. I tried them and it just didn't fit my hand. The grip was uncomfortable and large. I'd never enjoy shooting it so I would never get good with it.

You might add a Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm to your list of models. I have both the compact and the full frame. Easy gun to use and clean.

 

[SlingBlade]

I have a Kahr 9mm and 380. Great subcompact models and very pocket friendly.

M&P 9mm are nice as well.

 

[OrangePhish]

The best handgun is the one that feels good in your hands and you feel comfortable shooting (and is safe and reliable of course). That's all that matters.

You might add a Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm to your list of models. I have both the compact and the full frame. Easy gun to use and clean.

This is absolutely correct and probably some of the best advice you'll get. Many shooters prefer certain brands, makes or models but it really comes down to what works for you. Know your purpose before you make a purchase. Capacity is King when it comes to home defense, and as a daily carry weapon, size does matter.

Regarding the two you mentioned that you are considering, both companies make good quality firearms but both of these models are what are considered 'entry level'. As a new shooter, it might make zero difference to you, but a seasoned shooter will be able to tell immediately. Both will work just fine, but as was mentioned before, find one that fits.

From the perspective of someone that has sold hundreds upon hundreds of handguns, Sig Sauer and Smith & Wesson are the two most popular brands of pistol and both companies make quality products. M&P 9 and Sig P320 are both great options to consider.

 

[Ostatedchi]

Regarding an external safety. Lot's of opinions.

IF you aren't going to be using the gun as a conceal and carry weapon, then you probably aren't going to be going around with a round already chambered. In that case, I don't think an external safety is really needed.
IF you are going to use it as a conceal weapon; then, you should probably carry it already chambered. Then, you might want an extra safety. However, even this is disputed. If you are in a situation where you need to use it, you don't want to have to fiddle with a safety. Moments matter.

Whichever you choose, just practice flipping it on and off with no loaded ammo. Maybe even get some dry fire blanks that allow you to sit in your chair watching TV and practice.

 

[BiloxiPoke]

Thanks for the tips, guys! I’ll look into the M&P as well.

Any thoughts on the Springfield XD line?

 

[OrangePhish]

Thanks for the tips, guys! I’ll look into the M&P as well.

Any thoughts on the Springfield XD line?

Outstanding quality firearms. Their XDM series is used by many in shooting competitions.

 

[Scirocco]

A little surprised no one has brought up the striker vs hammer fire option. Specifically, the double action/single variety.

I carry appendix, so went with a hammer. I feel totally safe chambered and safety off with the long, heavy pull required in double action.

A lot of good options in hammer fired 9mm. Beretta PX4 storm, Sig P290 (dao), Springfield XD-E, Bersa TPRC9, the new Taurus TH9c, etc.

Previous poster is spot on regarding comfort in the hand.

PS. Hope the basketball team makes the best out of these suspensions and open tryouts. The tryouts thing is always a cool story unique to college athletics.

 

[BiloxiPoke]

A little surprised no one has brought up the striker vs hammer fire option. Specifically, the double action/single variety.

I carry appendix, so went with a hammer. I feel totally safe chambered and safety off with the long, heavy pull required in double action.

A lot of good options in hammer fired 9mm. Beretta PX4 storm, Sig P290 (dao), Springfield XD-E, Bersa TPRC9, the new Taurus TH9c, etc.

Previous poster is spot on regarding comfort in the hand.

PS. Hope the basketball team makes the best out of these suspensions and open tryouts. The tryouts thing is always a cool story unique to college athletics.

I actually just went by a gun store on my lunch break to get a feel for the Walther Creed. It’s a Hammer-fired double action, and the guy working there said it was one of the smoothest triggers he’d ever felt. Said it felt like a striker-fired gun. I tried it and I gotta say, it was pretty sweet. I think if I can get a 16-round Walther for ~$300 then that’s pretty tough to beat.

 

[SquinkY5786]

I have the Springfield XDM 40. Really like it

 

[OrangePhish]

I actually just went by a gun store on my lunch break to get a feel for the Walther Creed. It’s a Hammer-fired double action, and the guy working there said it was one of the smoothest triggers he’d ever felt. Said it felt like a striker-fired gun. I tried it and I gotta say, it was pretty sweet. I think if I can get a 16-round Walther for ~$300 then that’s pretty tough to beat.

That's very tough to beat!!

Once you get one, you should seriously consider taking the handgun carry class and get your license. The class (if it's any good) will cover a lot of 'do this but don't that' areas of handgun (guns overall) ownership. A good instructor will spend a lot of time talking about deescalating a situation and when it's appropriate to go ahead and stop the threat.

Once you have your license, whether you are a daily carry person or not, it's nice to know that you if you go somewhere and want to carry or have the gun in your car, you can, legally.

Good luck!

ps. Let us know when you 'pull the trigger' on a purchase.

 

[100TonsofOrangeFury]

A little background: I’ve gone shooting numerous times in my life with friends and acquaintances, so I’m not new to handling firearms. At the same time, I wouldn’t call myself an expert. I do know how to handle them safely, which is half the battle.

Anyway, I’ve never actually owned a firearm. Up until this point in my life, I figure I’ve done just fine without one. I really enjoy shooting, but never felt compelled enough to go buy one. I’m thinking I might finally “see how the other half lives” and give this a shot, so to speak. Note: I don’t really plan on carrying.

My budget is not large, and I think I’ve settled on picking between the Ruger Security-9 or the Walther Creed. (Regardless of what I pick, I do think I want to go 9mm.) I’m a little torn about external safeties on the guns. I think it might be a nice feature to include for my first one, but I’m open to ones that don’t have external safeties (hence my interest in the Creed).

Anyway, just wanted to ask for your guys’ thoughts or recommendations for a good first handgun that I might not have otherwise considered.

Thanks in advance!

Look, I don't like to get into the personal business of other posters, but your initials isn't MW, KJ, or MC is it?

 

[BiloxiPoke]

Look, I don't like to get into the personal business of other posters, but your initials isn't MW, KJ, or MC is it?

I just got it. Well played.

Know any good parking lots in the area?

 

[BiloxiPoke]

That's very tough to beat!!

Once you get one, you should seriously consider taking the handgun carry class and get your license. The class (if it's any good) will cover a lot of 'do this but don't that' areas of handgun (guns overall) ownership. A good instructor will spend a lot of time talking about deescalating a situation and when it's appropriate to go ahead and stop the threat.

Once you have your license, whether you are a daily carry person or not, it's nice to know that you if you go somewhere and want to carry or have the gun in your car, you can, legally.

Good luck!

ps. Let us know when you 'pull the trigger' on a purchase.

Thanks! I’m actually taking a class this weekend.

And purchase will have to wait until I get my drivers license switched back to an Oklahoma one. Used to live out of state for several years and my OK license expired while I lived there. Dang. I plan on remedying this soon enough.

 

[Ostatedchi]

I'm not a big fan of hammer fired because the movement distracts my eye as I shoot. But, for some reason I want a 1911.

 

[osuengineer]

What are you going to do with it -
Are you going to conceal carry?
Leave it in the truck?
Competition shooting?
Take it to the range every month or so, every day?

No bad suggestions above, but knowing goal/purpose may help guide.

 

[BiloxiPoke]

What are you going to do with it -
Are you going to conceal carry?
Leave it in the truck?
Competition shooting?
Take it to the range every month or so, every day?

No bad suggestions above, but knowing goal/purpose may help guide.

Primarily range and home. I’m taking the class to get some further education, and if I ever decide I want to carry after all, I’ll already have the license.

I thought I had my mind made up on which gun I was focused on, but I’ve been reading a lot tonight about the Canik TP9SF and I’m very intrigued. Oh well. This is what I get for going down the rabbit hole.

 

[OrangePhish]

Primarily range and home. I’m taking the class to get some further education, and if I ever decide I want to carry after all, I’ll already have the license.

I thought I had my mind made up on which gun I was focused on, but I’ve been reading a lot tonight about the Canik TP9SF and I’m very intrigued. Oh well. This is what I get for going down the rabbit hole.

Walther over Canik.

Every.Time.

 

[BiloxiPoke]

Walther over Canik.

Every.Time.

Any reason you say that? I’ve learned the Canik has almost a cult like following. Overhyped?

 

[Winston Havelock]

Never fired a Canik but I have a good friend who raves about them

 

[OrangePhish]

Any reason you say that? I’ve learned the Canik has almost a cult like following. Overhyped?

They have a cult following much like Hi-Point has a cult following. The only people that seem to like either one are people that own them. Having worked retail for a number of years I've seen a lot of problems with both brands.

The following is copied from a reviewer that knows his stuff and has reviewed darn near every firearm out there.

"Despite an overall positive experience, I wouldn’t be too quick to encourage anyone to buy a Canik TP9SA right away. It’s not that there’s anything significantly wrong with the TP9 as much as the fact that I still don’t quite know what to make of Canik as a firearms manufacturer. I would be happy to trust this particular TP9 since it has more than proven itself at the range, but that’s just a sample size of one. Until there are more of these pistols out there in the wild being used and abused, I’m remaining skeptical that a mass produced handgun offered at this price point could be made with consistent enough quality to recommend it without some hesitation.

If you’re able to afford to spend another $75 or $100, your options open up to some brands that have more established reputations, domestic factory support, and wider aftermarket support in the form of sights, spare parts, holsters, magazines, and other accessories. But for someone on a tight budget, that extra $100 might mean doing without training ammo or a range membership for a while. For those times when you can’t stretch your budget, affordable guns like the Canik TP9SA have a lot of appeal. If all of them are as reliable as the one I received, then it’s probably the best value in the striker-fired full-size pistol market."

 

[BvillePoker]

I am travelling more and thinking about possibly getting something for my wife to have under the bed. Any suggestions there?

 

[BiloxiPoke]

I am travelling more and thinking about possibly getting something for my wife to have under the bed. Any suggestions there?

People like to hate on Taurus, but I’ve been reading lots of good things on their G2c. It’s 9mm and not too big. Plus it’s like $250.

 

[Ostatedchi]

I am travelling more and thinking about possibly getting something for my wife to have under the bed. Any suggestions there?

My suggestion here is a hammerless revolver.

Something like.
Smith and Wesson MODEL 642 LS - LADYSMITH

Or Ruger LCR 9mm

 

[GoPokes43]

The best handgun is the one that feels good in your hands and you feel comfortable shooting (and is safe and reliable of course). That's all that matters. Everyone loves Glocks. I tried them and it just didn't fit my hand. The grip was uncomfortable and large. I'd never enjoy shooting it so I would never get good with it.

You might add a Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm to your list of models. I have both the compact and the full frame. Easy gun to use and clean.

The Glocks weren't comfortable for me either. I went with the H&K VP9. Very comfortable; interchangeable grip sizes; ambidextrous. Light and short trigger pull. I like it a lot.

 

[cactusjackosu]

I carry the Springfield 9mm. I love it. Very basic but its what I used for my conceal and its just been the one I like. I shoot a lot of others but I haven't switched yet.

https://www.springfield-armory.com/products/xd-service-model-9mm/

 

[Marshal Jim Duncan]

I am travelling more and thinking about possibly getting something for my wife to have under the bed. Any suggestions there?

The Judge by Taurus.

 

[Marshal Jim Duncan]

I carry an XDm 9MM; great, easy to fire handgun. My wife has the XDs 9, which is slightly smaller. When we're traveling I've been known to carry my FNX .45 in the truck or in our Fifth Wheel. That gun fires so smooth for a .45.

My wife's uncle recently had a new small Sig Sauer that would be a great carry weapon and he raved about it. And he has a LOT of guns.

 

[EvilPOKES]

I carry an XDm 9MM; great, easy to fire handgun. My wife has the XDs 9, which is slightly smaller. When we're traveling I've been known to carry my FNX .45 in the truck or in our Fifth Wheel. That gun fires so smooth for a .45.

My wife's uncle recently had a new small Sig Sauer that would be a great carry weapon and he raved about it. And he has a LOT of guns.

Love the small Sigs.

I carry an M&P Shield in 9mm. Fits me just fine and shoots well for me.

 

[TPOKE]

I am travelling more and thinking about possibly getting something for my wife to have under the bed. Any suggestions there?

12 gauge. Aim in the general direction and fire.

 

[H Town Poke]

Really good advice in here so far. Go to a local range and rent a couple of the guns you are thinking about and shoot them. Stick with a major brand and you will be ok. I prefer a striker fired 9mm with no external safety. If you are not going to carry it then size isn't as important. My primary home defense handgun full-size G17 with night sights and a flashlight. I carry everyday and recently switched from a S&W Shield to a Sig P365. With the extended mag I can carry a total of 13 rounds. It comes with night sights and also has a much better trigger than my Shield . If you are near OKC I would be happy to go to the range with you and let you shoot some of mine.

https://www.sigsauer.com/products/firearms/pistols/p365/

Once you find a gun, then next step is to get a safe. Especially if you have kids. Budget for it and make it part of your purchase.These are pricey but worth the money.

https://www.hornady.com/security/rapid-safes/


The biggest mistake I see men make is not taking the next step and getting some training. Especially if they are going to carry. We tend to think shooting is somehow in our DNA and we dont need anyone to show us how. Take a basic course at first, then take an advanced one. IMHO the first time you have to defend yourself shouldn't be the first time you have ever drawn from concealment, addressed malfunctions, shot on the move, engaged multiple targets, ect.

If you do decide to carry. conceal it. Only A holes open carry.

 

[OrangePhish]

Really good advice in here so far. Go to a local range and rent a couple of the guns you are thinking about and shoot them. Stick with a major brand and you will be ok. I prefer a striker fired 9mm with no external safety. If you are not going to carry it then size isn't as important. My primary home defense handgun full-size G17 with night sights and a flashlight. I carry everyday and recently switched from a S&W Shield to a Sig P365. With the extended mag I can carry a total of 13 rounds. It comes with night sights and also has a much better trigger than my Shield . If you are near OKC I would be happy to go to the range with you and let you shoot some of mine.

https://www.sigsauer.com/products/firearms/pistols/p365/

Once you find a gun, then next step is to get a safe. Especially if you have kids. Budget for it and make it part of your purchase.These are pricey but worth the money.

https://www.hornady.com/security/rapid-safes/


The biggest mistake I see men make is not taking the next step and getting some training. Especially if they are going to carry. We tend to think shooting is somehow in our DNA and we dont need anyone to show us how. Take a basic course at first, then take an advanced one. IMHO the first time you have to defend yourself shouldn't be the first time you have ever drawn from concealment, addressed malfunctions, shot on the move, engaged multiple targets, ect.

If you do decide to carry. conceal it. Only A holes open carry.

All of what he said, to infinity and beyond.

I too recommend the Sig P365 as a daily carry. I carry a fancy little tricked out Glock daily but will be switching to the Sig P365 soon. I had the opportunity to shoot one a couple of weeks ago and color me impressed. Trigger is MUCH better than the Glock, the capacity is higher and my grouping with the Sig was significantly better.

 

[Cowguy]

Surprised so many of you shoot nines.

 

[H Town Poke]

Modern 9mm self defense ammo has really come a long way and it's cheaper to shoot. At the end of the day shot placement is king. I am faster and more accurate with 9mm than with .40 or 45.

 

[zthiel]

I have the FNS 9 and it is a great gun, comes with 3 17 round mags and easy to clean. I got my wife a sig P238 and its about as sexy as they come, shoots fantastic for such a little weapon! Looking into the Sig P365 but there may be a few issues with it. Where would be a good place to take your concealed carry tests? What does that cost including the license?

 

[Pancreek1]

I'm not a big fan of hammer fired because the movement distracts my eye as I shoot. But, for some reason I want a 1911.

I think everyone should own a Colt army issue 1911 as a second gun. I love having a clip in the gun and 3 more in my pockets. I have lots of other guns, but if i want to go out side at the ranch or inside the range and enjoy shooting, it is hard to beat.

 

[Deepfork]

I have a S&W MP compact 9mm but it’s a little bigger than I want to conceal. My carry is a S&W .380 Bodyguard. A little heavy on the trigger but I like that because I don’t use the safety. Shoots very nice groupings,

 

[Ostatedchi]

I have a S&W MP compact 9mm but it’s a little bigger than I want to conceal. My carry is a S&W .380 Bodyguard. A little heavy on the trigger but I like that because I don’t use the safety. Shoots very nice groupings,

I shot that 380 bodyguard and didn't like it. Too snappy for my like.