Recommendations for first Handgun?

[LoneWolf]

Wife and I will be buying our first handguns....we are long time hunters, long rifles all calibres, blackpowder, etc...know very little about pistols...

She wanted a baby Glock but looked and liked the sig-sauer more. 9mm.

We have land in WV for practice and target but we really aren't big time target shootes,,,use our rifles as tools.

Reason for purchase: concealed carry and defense & occasional target shooting for proficiency.

I'd appreciate your recommendations on models, calibers (and why), sights, etc. Both for a "His" and a "Hers" first time purchase.

Thanks

The Big Boo

P.S. I run to the traditional, love good wood, classic looks,,,,but we both need something comfortable and
easy to carry and conceal.

[OakRidgeStars]

Welcome to VGOF, Big Boo

You mentioned Sig Sauer, how about the P229?.

http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/ShowCa ... oductid=63

[Username]

For you: Sig 250 (if you want 9MM)



For her: Ruger LCP

[zephyp]

I highly recommend you find a range that rents handguns. That way you and your wife can try several out before spending money to buy one or two or three....

Welcome to VGOF !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LoneWolf]

Welcome to VGOF, Big Boo

You mentioned Sig Sauer, how about the P229?.

http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/ShowCa ... oductid=63

Yes I think she got to handle that and changed her mind about the Glock. Thanks..

[gunderwood]

I prefer my Glocks to my SIGs for concealed carry. Any of the plastic framed guns will be lighter and light is highly recommended if you are going to conceal carry. Less of an issue for open carry IMO. Striker fired weapons like Glocks or the XDs are better IMHO. Hammers and anything else that juts from the pistol is prone to catch on clothing and will slow down your draw. That being said, I find my 1911 to have no problems. The shape, size and angle of the beaver tail/hammer seem to mitigate catching on anything. Compacts are the perfected size; sub-compacts are good too, but tend to be harder to control and fire accurately. I always recommend that if you can conceal a compact, do that over the subs. I have both and always carry the compact over the sub, unless I have no choice. Sometimes carry the sub as a backup.

I always recommend new hand gunners get a 9mm. You have lots of guns, you will buy another handgun. The single most important thing is practice. 9mm lets you practice for half the cost of the other common, semi-auto, defensive handgun rounds (.357SIG, .40S&W, .45ACP). Today's high tech hollow points make any of these four rounds good. Yes, those other calibers are "better," but not enough if you would practice less. If you shoot enough the money saved in one or two years is enough to purchase another handgun anyways. The lower recoil of 9mm will allow you to teach yourself good habits IMHO.

Walmart carries the Winchester White box 100 round value packs, $20/9mm and $30/45ACP (approx.). .357SIG is about $25 per 50 and the .40SW varies between $30 and $35 per 100. It adds up.

I have ankle, IWB, hip, thigh, etc. I prefer hip holsters with retention. Don't worry about it too much as you will end up with a collection and choose depending on the situation and your mood. I think Galco is a good cost vs. quality compromise. Get a good carry belt. Probably the #1 thing to make carrying comfortable. If it isn't comfortable you will more than likely leave it at home.

Edit: SIGs are great guns and they are higher quality than a Glock/XD. Their price tag shows it too. I find most things are harder to conceal due to bulk (gun thickness) than a Glock or 1911. Put them side be side and it is obvious, but I am amazed how much easier it is when wearing light clothing.

[LoneWolf]

For you: Sig 250 (if you want 9MM)



For her: Ruger LCP

That Ruger looks nice...I'll have to show it to her....

Thanks

The Big Boo

[LoneWolf]

[quote="gunderwood"]I prefer my Glocks to my SIGs for concealed carry.

Much thanks...lots of good info in your reply.....like I said I don't know much about pistols, but I am a research nut before I buy anything.....

The Big Boo

P.S. I try not to buy too many rifles...my latest puchase a Savage Model 40 in 22 hornet for varmit control. Perfect tool for my 100-150 yard shots in the field and low noise/no recoil.....a turkey with a big head may also find itself in trouble come season in another month...They've been out on the field line all winter...

[JC420IN]

If you like the Ruger LCP you might want to also check out the Ruger SR9C 9mm, I tried one out the other day and I liked it enough that I'm thinking of getting one for C/C.

[bossgvr4]

Walther PPS = the single stack Glock never made !

[BluemontGlock]

Bossgvr4 hit on a great pistol IMHO...
the Walther PPS is a THIN .40 S&W...carries easily, and once you get used to the mag release, you will prefer it...

Gunderwood gave an awesome rundown...
and althought i believe he is correct on the "you will buy more guns",
I really like and prefer .40 or above for self defense,

an example of this was the pentagon shootings... 9mm vs. .40's...
and then we get into the discussion of shot placement, which require practice, which gets into cost, and we are officially full circle...

And i say all of this above, AND I STILL sometimes carry a P22 (22LR pistol for ease of concealing and weight, and plus i figured out that it sits perfectly out of sight in my a stash spot in my car) so don;t let me get all technical on you...sometimes you just want to change it up a little... the point being to have the tool with you that you need, when you need it.

GOOD LUCK & WELCOME!!!!!!

[9MMDerringer]

My girlfriend bought one of those Ruger .380 semi's. As a matter of fact she brought it to the VGOF meet and greet at the Springfield range a short while back. She likes it alot, and it is her carry weapon. I shot it at the range it was pretty accurate. I created a nice size hole in the head of my target at 7 yards with one magazine. It does have a little kick (recoil), but nothing that someone would not get used to. .380 is a pretty decent defense round for a conceal~hide gun as well.

[gunderwood]

an example of this was the pentagon shootings... 9mm vs. .40's...
and then we get into the discussion of shot placement, which require practice, which gets into cost, and we are officially full circle...

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob93.html

This is a great article on caliber and ammo selection. Certainly there is more margin for error when choosing ammo for a .357/.40/.45 than 9mm.

Bottom line is this. They are all handguns and are all underpowered.

[zephyp]

I'll say it again in a different way. You need to feel and test different guns to find the one you are comfortable with and that fits properly. Find a range that rents those you might be interested in and check them out. You wont be sorry. Otherwise you might just end up with more guns than you bargained for, but thats not always bad...

[newdovo]

P.S. I run to the traditional, love good wood, classic looks,,,,but we both need something comfortable and
easy to carry and conceal.

I know that you mentioned semi-autos, and the previous posts have focused on that. But here's another option.
S&W J-frame Airweight Centennial (Model 642). Wood service grips and a Tyler T-grip added to fill in the space. .38 Special +P. Classic looks.

642.jpg (13.65 KiB) Viewed 2859 times

Parry

[graybeard321]

go to a gun show, pick up every gun you can to find 2 0r 3 that feel good in your hand then go to range that rents handguns and shoot a few . My wifes carry gun is a ruger sr9. its light and easy to shoot. good luck

[devilfish]

A revolver is a great starting point, it will keep things simple. Also if your wife is going to carry in a purse, a concealed hammer revolver will function while still in the purse if she were to need it in a hurry. Like the others have said, go to a show or shop or maybe someone you know and find what feels good in the hand. Then if you can go somewhere to shoot something your interested in that should help finalize the decision. Also consider how it will be carried. A full size 1911 is awesome but during summertime in shorts and a t-shirt its no so concealed carry anymore. With whatever you decide on, practice with it how you plan to carry. A handgun training class that covers concealed carry will teach alot about the subject and will usually count towards your permit also.

[graybeard321]

A revolver is a great carry gun, I carry 327 mg and 38 special neither of which i would recommend for a beginner. The concealed hammer guns have a long trigger pull and much more felt recoil that a light weight 9mm semiauto. as Dk has said you need to go to range and shoot a few till you find something that works for you. LoneWolf what part of VA are you in?

[Diomed]

I highly recommend you find a range that rents handguns. That way you and your wife can try several out before spending money to buy one or two or three....

Strongly second this. Trying is the only way to be sure. You can even handle a gun and think it's the best thing since sliced bread, but when you get out and shoot it, it's just not right for you.

An example - my mom really liked the Sig P232 after handling a few at shops and shows, so I got her one. When she actually got to shoot it, she found the snappy recoil to be really unpleasant on her arthritic wrists. We went to a rental range and she tried some Glocks and wound up really like a subcompact (26), which surprised me; I would never have gotten that for her of my own accord. My point is, you have to get out and shoot something to know if it's really for you.

[LoneWolf]

A revolver is a great carry gun, I carry 327 mg and 38 special neither of which i would recommend for a beginner. The concealed hammer guns have a long trigger pull and much more felt recoil that a light weight 9mm semiauto. as Dk has said you need to go to range and shoot a few till you find something that works for you. LoneWolf what part of VA are you in?

Northern Virginia, close to Blue Ridge Arsenal.

the Big Boo