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So, I've decided on the handgun I'm going to buy. Opinions? (Vanity)
The Bizarro World of The Skooz | 6/19/2015 | Skooz

Posted on 06/19/2015 5:23:06 PM PDT by Skooz

After doing due diligence researching a high quality, yet affordable, handgun for concealed carry purposes (as well as the first handgun I will own) I've decided on the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield.

I'm still not sure if I'll go with the 9mm or .40. Any ideas on that?

Like I said, this is my first ever handgun purchase, having owned only rifles and shotguns in the past, so I think this will be a fine starter handgun for a middle aged rookie.

I know FR is populated with experts and I greatly value your opinions. Please advise. Thanks.


TOPICS: Hobbies
KEYWORDS: banglist
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To: Skooz

Best advice is to see if you can find one to try before you purchase... either find a buddy who has one or find a shop that has it in stock and will let you dry fire.

I decided not to get one because it was DOA - double action only, and it had a heavy trigger pull.


21 posted on 06/19/2015 5:38:08 PM PDT by Tamzee (Man is not free unless government is limited. ~~~ Ronald Reagan)
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To: umgud

That actually made me LOL


22 posted on 06/19/2015 5:38:20 PM PDT by Roos_Girl (The world is full of educated derelicts. - Calvin Coolidge)
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To: Skooz

Modern hollow points are negligible in terms of difference between 9mm, .40, and.45.

I like 45 but 40 is a nice step down that even without a good mushroom will still have a punch. 9mm is favored mainly for capacity. If it’s ccw, 9mm might be good due to capacity. Though I’d prefer as large as I can get.

Check out Lehigh for some great frangible ammo that will destroy soft tissue and end most any threat.


23 posted on 06/19/2015 5:39:31 PM PDT by Bogey78O (We had a good run. Coulda been great still.)
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To: Skooz

Modern hollow points are negligible in terms of difference between 9mm, .40, and.45.

I like 45 but 40 is a nice step down that even without a good mushroom will still have a punch. 9mm is favored mainly for capacity. If it’s ccw, 9mm might be good due to capacity. Though I’d prefer as large as I can get.

Check out Lehigh for some great frangible ammo that will destroy soft tissue and end most any threat.


24 posted on 06/19/2015 5:39:32 PM PDT by Bogey78O (We had a good run. Coulda been great still.)
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To: Skooz

I’ve been looking for the comparison video I ran across but can’t find it unfortunately. It compared 10 similar pieces including that S&W, Walther, Glock...they fired all of them with the same ammo. 3 guns made it to 1000 rounds without misfiring, the Taurus 709 among them. MSRP was $304. They spoke highly of it.


25 posted on 06/19/2015 5:40:20 PM PDT by gorush (History repeats itself because human nature is static)
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To: Skooz

I have a Glock in 9mm and .40 S&W. I prefer to shoot the 9mm because the lower recoil has quicker follow up shots with greater accuracy. The 9mm holds more rounds, too.


26 posted on 06/19/2015 5:40:58 PM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (A free society canÂ’t let the parameters of its speech be set by murderous Islamists.)
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To: yarddog
I personally would go with a Sig or Glock but that is more personal than anything else.

Agreed....

I owned on of those VTAK models and was NOT impressed except for its trade value. The sights were great, the ergonomics were great, the functionality was great. The most important part, the trigger...not so much.

27 posted on 06/19/2015 5:41:29 PM PDT by papertyger
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To: Skooz

I like the S&W .22LR M&P Compact.

Small, light (15oz) and zero recoil even when loaded with CCI Stingers.

I like my Kimber Ultra Carry II .45ACP as well. 25oz and a fairly compact profile for a large caliber.

http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/ultra-carry-ii/ultra-carry-ii

The S&W 40 is nice but it weighs 24oz and you might as well have the step up to the 45.


28 posted on 06/19/2015 5:42:21 PM PDT by Ouderkirk (To the left, everything must evidence that this or that strand of leftist theory is true)
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To: Skooz

The M&P pistols are a good choice. A bit tougher and heavier than the SD series with a better trigger.

I’d suggest the 9mm since the ammo is a lot less expensive than the .40 cal and there’s perceptively less recoil. Less recoil is good.


29 posted on 06/19/2015 5:44:03 PM PDT by JJ_Folderol (Diagonally parked in a parallel universe...)
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To: Skooz

I have a Sig P229 in .40 S&W. Its a good handgun but if I had to do it again I’d get a 9mm and I would take another look at the Glock. Recoil management is easier with the 9mm which means that you should be able to maintain accuracy and trigger control when engaging your target with multiple shots. The Glock’s barrel’s low profile means that your grip will be higher and closer to the centerline of the bore which also aids in recoil management.

I’m not familiar with the Shield but sub-compact pistols tend to be snappier and less accurate due to their shorter sight radius and their lighter weight. Plus it is a single stack if I’m not mistaken.

I’d consider different options especially if it is your first handgun.

Just my .02 cents worth.


30 posted on 06/19/2015 5:44:59 PM PDT by Dogfaced Soldier
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To: Skooz

My.02

GO to a range and rent a few guns. Don’t just buy what people tell you to buy. Go shoot them yourself, in both calibers, maybe even revolvers. Then decide based on reliability, ammo/cost considerations.


31 posted on 06/19/2015 5:45:30 PM PDT by gwgn02
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To: Dogfaced Soldier

You can get a Lonewolf 9mm barrel for your 229 and have best of both worlds.


32 posted on 06/19/2015 5:46:16 PM PDT by gwgn02
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To: Skooz

P.S. With good quality hollow points the wound channels of the two calibers are nearly identical.


33 posted on 06/19/2015 5:46:51 PM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (A free society canÂ’t let the parameters of its speech be set by murderous Islamists.)
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To: Skooz

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/70240/Ruger+5718+SP101+KSP-321X+5RD+357MAG38SP+%2BP+2.25%22

Another thing to look at. Ruger revolver.


34 posted on 06/19/2015 5:47:23 PM PDT by NCDave (AKA, "That idiot over there")
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To: muir_redwoods
We sell lots of both at the shop where I work. Even big guys report that .40 has an uncomfortable recoil.

In my mind there is exactly one .40 that doesn't shoot like too much gun stuffed into a 9mm frame. H&K.

Its the only .40 I've ever actually enjoyed shooting.

35 posted on 06/19/2015 5:47:42 PM PDT by papertyger
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To: muir_redwoods

” Even big guys report that .40 has an uncomfortable recoil.”

I have a .40. Never bothered by the recoil and I am not a big guy.


36 posted on 06/19/2015 5:47:57 PM PDT by TexasGator
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To: Skooz

Glock 23. .40 cal. IMHO, the best handgun on the market.


37 posted on 06/19/2015 5:49:21 PM PDT by nonliberal (Sent from a payphone in a whorehouse in Mexico.)
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To: Skooz

What have you shot!

Go to a range and shoot multiple guns multiple times.

I always recommend starting with a revolver.


38 posted on 06/19/2015 5:49:29 PM PDT by TexasGator
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To: gwgn02

I’ve been considering that option but wasn’t familiar with the Lonewolf. The one I’ve been looking at is the Bar-Sto barrel. Thanks for the tip, I’ll check it out.


39 posted on 06/19/2015 5:49:46 PM PDT by Dogfaced Soldier
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To: Skooz

Is it for concealed carry or home defense or just for fun? Concealed carry generally go with the smaller frame size for solely home defense you can get away with a larger frame/longer barrel for better accuracy. If you can find a range where you can rent the exact, or as close to as possible, model you’re looking at getting it will give you a better feel. When I was looking at purchasing my first semi-auto pistol, for concealed carry, this is what I did and so glad I did. The 9mm S&W jumped around in my hand and I had a hard time controlling it. The 9mm Glock was perfection for me. I have since “upgraded” to a .40 Glock that I find comparable, in comfort of shooting and accuracy, to the 9mm.
And for his last birthday I got my husband a Beretta PX4 Storm in .45 auto that is a real pleasure to shoot, but in my mind too large for concealed carry.


40 posted on 06/19/2015 5:50:23 PM PDT by Roos_Girl (The world is full of educated derelicts. - Calvin Coolidge)
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