Just received my LTC. Looking for a 1st gun suggestions

[gzkrutoy]

I live in MA, and after wasting hundreds if not thousands of $ traveling to NH to target practice, rent their guns and buy their bullets, I decided to get my own LTC and join a local club.
I've shot all the different caliber pistols over the years and am leaning towards a 9mm semi automatic pistol as my first gun.
Based on some research, I was thinking Glock 17 or Ruger SR9, both in 9mm.
I've shot Glocks and like how they feel and perform, but not a big fan of the magazine release and the fact that there is no safety of any kind.
I've shot another Ruger, I think it was a .357 and liked the features and the price. I love the look and feel of the SR9, but never actually shot it.

What do you guys think? Or can you suggest another well rounded, comfortable and accurate gun which is legal here in MA of course.

Any suggestions or opinions are appreciated.

Gene

 

[TheRoland]

I'm in a similar situation, and got a P229 in 9mm recently. I really like how it feels, the Sig reputation, and the mid-size frame. It has no manual safety, but the visible firing pin block and the 10-12 pound double-action first shot (they're usually DA/SA) makes up for my mental need for a thumb safety in a way that Glocks don't. I can see the the double-action pull being responsible for some flyers, but at 7 yards, the flyers are still going to be hits.

The downsides are that the grips are pretty big (I can't reach the mag release without moving my hand slightly), and the cost is high. I'm not yet sure how it shoots.

 

[Bob P]

The 229 shoots beautifully. If the 229 is too big for your hand, try a 239. In 9mm the mag holds 8 +1 (single stack) and you can get an extend mag that holds 10 - it just makes the grip a little longer which may affect concealability.

I've a 239 and I love it to death. I also had an M&P9 full sized and was very happy with it. I'll be 100% honest and say I feel more 'comfortable' carrying the SIG with the DA/SA action vs the striker action of the M&P (and by extension the Glock) which is the main reason I switched over. It's purely psychological as one is really no 'safer' then the other but since it's going to be YOUR gun, you need to be comfortable with it.

 

[scooterguy]

I'm relatively new to shooting, but I would suggest getting a beretta 92FS, it's an awesome firearm to shoot, looks badass, has a manual safety, and decently priced. You also can't go wrong with a G17, esp. with high cap mags. I used to be hesitant with pistols with no manual safety, but you get used to it after having them around a while. The SR9 is fine if you've handled it and liked it, my only dislike about it is the damn manual safety attached to the frame, I've cut my hand a plenty on racking that thing. S&W M&Ps are also great and decently priced as well. Sigs are bigger and beautiful if you have the coin to spend on them. Go fondle whatever you want at a store and pick whatever feels best in your hands!

 

[TheRoland]

Cost is an issue with Sigs, but you can find them used for around $650, even in good condition. It sounds like you're not going for conceal-ability, so the P226 is also an option.

Scooterguy's the Beretta 92 is a good call, too. I really wanted one; they're pretty, and cost 200-300 less than a Sig new, and just feel great, but the slide-mounted safety was a deal breaker for me. I spent literally 20 minutes in a store trying to figure out how to disengage the safety in a hurry, and just couldn't get it. Larger thumbs or smarter people might do better.

The SR9 is neat. I'll get one eventually. The thin Ruger will offset the thick Sig. They seem to get ignored allot in the "What gun should I get" discussions, maybe because they have more recoil/less weight?

 

[ASHDUMP]

Cost is an issue with Sigs, but you can find them used for around $650, even in good condition. It sounds like you're not going for conceal-ability, so the P226 is also an option.

Scooterguy's the Beretta 92 is a good call, too. I really wanted one; they're pretty, and cost 200-300 less than a Sig new, and just feel great, but the slide-mounted safety was a deal breaker for me. I spent literally 20 minutes in a store trying to figure out how to disengage the safety in a hurry, and just couldn't get it. Larger thumbs or smarter people might do better.

The SR9 is neat. I'll get one eventually. The thin Ruger will offset the thick Sig. They seem to get ignored allot in the "What gun should I get" discussions, maybe because they have more recoil/less weight?

I have a PB 92FS and I know what you mean about the safety. I've learned to actually disengage the safety by pushing the safety forward with the bottom of my thumb rather than lifting it up with the top of my thumb. (I hope that made sense)

I love this gun as it is my first. It is a bit heavy to conceal for long periods of time though.

 

[Zarathustra11]

just my two cents but I would also highly recommend the P239 or the M&P series of gun, however, my personal opinion is that if you do choose one of these guns you purchase it in the .40 caliber because you give yourself the option of being able to purchase conversion barrels to shoot 9mm in the future, if you were to purchase the 9mm you may be stuck with that caliber (at least with the M&P).

My first gun purchase was an M&P 9c, I absolutely loved every aspect of the gun: price, accuracy, comfort, carry options, warranty, etc but I quickly grew out of the 9mm and wanted something more powerful and that's when I realized I should have gotten the .40 and purchased a conversion barrel for the 9 (for around $100 you have two guns basically). Luckily, I was able to sell my gun and buy the same model in .40 without losing any money, but if I did it over again I would have purchased the .40. As Roland stated, cost is what prevented me from getting a Sig but my brother owns the 239 so I'm able to shoot it regardless and it is a fantastic gun.

 

[TheRoland]

I quickly grew out of the 9mm and wanted something more powerful and that's when I realized I should have gotten the .40 and purchased a conversion barrel for the 9 (for around $100 you have two guns basically).

If you expect to shoot both ranges/competition and to carry defensively, this is great advice for almost any gun. I'll almost certainly pick up a mid-sized .40 for defensive use at some point, and I'm going to look pretty stupid if it ends up being a P229.

If you never intend to own a 40, and don't want to spend 100$ and wait a few weeks to get a 9mm barrel/mags, then never mind.

 

[Ham Slam]

Carry guns: Sigs, glocks, S&W m&ps,
Shooting for fun: S&W revolvers

See what fits your hand and what you like and buy it.

Also, you can't kill a charging bear with a 9mm incase you were wondering.

 

[appraiser]

In MA, as far as bang for the buck, a M&P in 9mm, sent off to Greg Derr for a trigger job is a good value.

If you have more money to spend, then a Sig or a Beretta would be my other suggestion.
I think I saw someone had a Beretta 9000s up for sale for reasonable money in the classified section. I got one recently and really like it, even more than my M&P40c.

As much as I like Glocks, unless you find one in the 400 dollar range they are not worth paying over MSRP for.

 

[Keystone]

Also, you can't kill a charging bear with a 9mm incase you were wondering.

You sure about that?

First gun depends on what you are looking at a gun for...I'm also looking for a first gun, and am seriously considering a medium frame .357 revolver, either a S&W 686 or a Ruger GP100. Both are high quality guns, and from I've read, if you care for them your grandkids'll inherit them.

 

[lupis42]

Also, you can't kill a charging bear with a 9mm incase you were wondering.

Oh come on, a bear could totally choke on most large frame, hicap 9mm pistols. I leave the method of getting them into the bear's throat to you.

 

[jenlynn724]

Not a S&W M&P.. paperweights.. Just sayin

 

[Acme.Armament]

I agree with Jen. They key thing with a handgun is that you are COMFOTABLE with it whe you are gripping it.
I do have a G23 and a few G22's in stock and I will be open this weekend. I also have two Ruger SR9's.
Adam

 

[EddieCoyle]

I've shot Glocks and like how they feel and perform, but not a big fan of the magazine release and the fact that there is no safety of any kind.

Why do you need a safety on a DA pistol?

 

[jenlynn724]

I have a glock, with an extended mag release, it was very easy, and cheap to do.

 

[Masterguns]

can't go wrong with a sig, im partial to the 226

 

[matt]

There's a NES member shoot in S. New Hampshire tomorrow morning through afternoon. Go green tonight and go to the shoot. You'll have an opportunity to try lots of stuff if you ask (bringing a little ammo is a good idea too).

Pig roast included in the entry fee.

Matt

 

[Gammon]

Not a S&W M&P.. paperweights.. Just sayin

I have shot Glock and M&Ps extensively and prefer the M&P. I added extended mag releases to both of my Glocks and agree it was an easy swap. I don't feel it will be necessary to change the mag release on my M&P 45.

 

[gerrycaruso]

If you buy a Glock ,Sig or a Beretta you can get a .22 conversion kit. This allows you to shoot the same gun with cheap ammo. I should have my Tactical Solutions .22 kit for my 1911 in a few days. It's not cheap but it's a good one.

 

[Chrisg67]

my suggestion would be get a G19 if you plan to carry in the future (if you decide to go glock). i bought a M&P9 fullsize for my first pistol last year, and ended up trading it for a glock 23 because i wanted a more powerful round, and something a bit more compact to help conceal. still comfy to shoot, but the handle was about 3/4" shorter.

I've shot Glocks and like how they feel and perform, but not a big fan of the magazine release and the fact that there is no safety of any kind.

false. there is just no manually operated safety...but that is the point of DA

 

[SigSauer76]

Sig 229

A Sig 229 is what I bought for my first gun and I love it. Carrying isn't an issue as long as you are wearing a coat. Shoots nice. I would recommend that if you get the 9mm you buy the personal protection ammo when you carry.

 

[richc]

Sig 226 was my first and it is a great firearm. Shot it last night and it still feels good in the hand (with added Hogue grips). And you can get preban mags that hold up to 20 rounds or so.