pistol suggestions please

Another vote for a Glock 9mm, G17 or G19. The 9mm ammo is affordable and available at most sporting good and gunstores.
 
+1 Glock 19/23. Fun to shoot, light to carry, proven proven proven reliability! Top of my “only one gun” scenario list.
 
wildmanh said:
Go to a range, try out a ton of different guns in different calibers. Figure out which ones you like and then buy one of those. If you don't have a range where you can rent guns, at least feel them at a store first. After you buy your pistol, practice, practice, practice! A defencive pistol course is also a good idea.
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+1 :thumbup: So many pistols have different size grips because of magazine capacity that they have started including grip panels with the firearms. Follow wildmanh's advice, find an indoor range, rental on handguns usually runs $5-$10 / hour, & this will give you a better idea of grip size, shooting control, & recoil because of different size barrel lengths. Good luck with your new purchase.
Be safe.
p.s.: My vote is for Glock #26 for C/C, & #34 for home.
 
Some things to consider. A Glock or other double stack magazine gun may or may not fit your hand. A gun has to fit. If it doesn't, speed and accuracy will suffer. The gun also has to fit your life style. Having to wear a jacket, vest or untucked shirt all the time is a hassle. A smaller gun in the pocket is so much easier. You can also have a hand on it if you think there might be even a possibility of trouble. You can't always do this with a gun on the hip.

As for me, I've switched over to revolvers for two reasons. While a revolver can lock up or jam, they do not do so as frequently as semi-autos. Light weight semis are especially prone to "limp wristing." While no manly man wants to admit this could be a problem for them, it MIGHT be a problem if you're wresting on the ground or someone is trying to drag you from your car by your hair. A good firm grip might not always be available.

The other reason I've switched to revolvers is the cost of ownership. Conventional wisdom holds that you should put a minimum of 500 rounds of your carry ammo through a semi-auto without malfunction before trusting it. I am currently using Corbon DPX for carry at about $36 per 20 rounds. Running 500 rounds through a pistol sets me back $900 before I can even carry it.

For me, it's a S&W 642 (.38+P) in the front pocket.
 
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Don't even think about buying your first carry gun without shooting it and five others first.

You might buy a Glock, and discover that the grip angle is all wrong and you naturally shoot high.

You might buy a little lightweight snub, and the punishing recoil means you never practice with it.

You might buy a full-size pistol (1911 Government, USP, Beretta 92…) and the weight or size makes you leave it at home.

You might buy a little LCP and not be able to hit anything because it's too small to hold.

Heck, you might buy a compact, lightweight wonder nine and not be able to get your hands around the fat double-stack grip!


Try as many guns as you can get your hands on, and be prepared to buy several holsters and maybe several more guns for different situations.
 
Another point: compact for concealment, fun to shoot, and home defense are three conflicting requirements.

I might suggest a compact 1911 for carry, and a full-size 1911 with light rail for fun and home defense — the weight and size makes a difference. (E.g., Colt Rail Gun and Defender).

Or a full-size revolver — S&W 686P or 327TRR — for home and practice, with a little 642 or 442 (heavier is good!) to carry.

Some of us can get away with carrying a 3lb steel gun that will do the job for all three tasks, but it will be, as Clint Smith says, "comforting, not comfortable".
 
BBQ BOY said:
Glock 23 but you may like the ergonomics of the Springfield XDm
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I like my Glock 19, but a Springfield XDM 9mm is in the shop for night sights and I have to admit that it feels better in my hand then the Glock.

I have never shot a XDM, so I can't say anything about how it shoots, but they always get good reviews.

Another pistol that feels really good to me is the CZ 75 series. Again, I have never shot one.
 
holygoat said:
Don't even think about buying your first carry gun without shooting it and five others first.

Try as many guns as you can get your hands on, and be prepared to buy several holsters and maybe several more guns for different situations.
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+1. Shoot first and you'll have fewer regrets later.

holygoat said:
Another point: compact for concealment, fun to shoot, and home defense are three conflicting requirements.
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Conflicting maybe, but those characteristics don't necessarily exclude each other. I think there are more than a few handguns out there that are concealable, fun to shoot and useful for home defense, and will do a good job at all three to boot. Sure you can always find a gun that you think is superior in a particular category and not quite as good in another. However, I think it is just as easy to find a gun that will be the 90% solution in all 3. YMMV.
 
I have shoot the xd .45 its nice havnt shoot a glock I have heard there are lite waight would that increse recoil?
 
Glock 26
You can always make a 26 bigger (mags, barrel), but you cant make a 17 smaller.
FWIW If you go to Glocktalk.com you'll see how so many people prefer the 26 over the 17 and 19. Not only that, a lot of people seem more proficient with the compacts too.
 
maxamisprime , I agree with the others find a range that rents or friends that will loan guns out and shoot a lot. Depending on your size you can probably conceal a lot more pistol than you think. You may just need a few minor wardrobe adjustments. I'm 5'11" at 200# and I can conceal just about any full size pistol I want IWB. My 2 pieces in rotation are Kimber Compact Stainless and a variant on the Browning Hi-power. In summer wearing shorts & t-shirt.
I gave some thought to getting a smaller gun then concluded that I wouldn't want to carry anything I wouldn't want to shoot in competition (steel plates, bowling pins, IDPA etc.) because the stakes in THAT game are too high.
If I went to a "lighter" gun it would be a Glock 17/34 or Springfield XD tacticool
 
maxamisprime "I have shoot the xd .45 its nice havnt shoot a glock I have heard there are lite waight would that increse recoil? "

Basics ergonomics do make a difference. Generally more weight=less perceived recoil (the 2 pistols I listed above are 32oz unloaded, 38oz fully loaded)
Also the .45 has more of a push feel to its recoil a than does the 9mm or .40 which to me feel more like a sharp kick
 
+1 for Sig P220 Carry .45 DA/SA.
Honorable Mention: Walther PPK .380 for light days.
 
I would look at the Kahr cw9 also. Great gun for concealed carry. It's a little snappy on the recoil but very concealable.
 
holygoat said:
Don't even think about buying your first carry gun without shooting it and five others first.

You might buy a Glock, and discover that the grip angle is all wrong and you naturally shoot high.

You might buy a little lightweight snub, and the punishing recoil means you never practice with it.

You might buy a full-size pistol (1911 Government, USP, Beretta 92…) and the weight or size makes you leave it at home.

You might buy a little LCP and not be able to hit anything because it's too small to hold.

Heck, you might buy a compact, lightweight wonder nine and not be able to get your hands around the fat double-stack grip!


Try as many guns as you can get your hands on, and be prepared to buy several holsters and maybe several more guns for different situations.
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Something I agree with. People recommend Glock like they're going out of style. As formidable as they are, they are not for everyone. I know plenty of folks, myself included, who hate how the grip feels.

TRY before you buy.

As far as my suggestion, try a Smith and Wesson M&P9 compact.
 
wildmanh said:
Go to a range, try out a ton of different guns in different calibers. Figure out which ones you like and then buy one of those. If you don't have a range where you can rent guns, at least feel them at a store first.

After you buy your pistol, practice, practice, practice! A defencive pistol course is also a good idea.
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+1. find something that you like and feels comfortable. hopefully you have a range nearby that allows rentals. bear in mind, however, that 9mm is for sissies; get a .45acp. the taurus 145 is nice, less than a glock and fun to shoot.
 
My vote goes to any XD or Glock pistol. While other brands like Sig, Kimber, H&K, etc. are excellent and legendary in their own right, they are not budget friendly.
 
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