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.
I have the 9mm Shield as my carry/truck gun. I like the trigger better than my Glock, not as much as my Colt. I’ve put about 700-800 rounds through it the last few months Since I bought it and haven’t had any malfunctions at all, and have used several different brands and types of ammo. Easy to take down and reassemble.
Save your empties, and get set up to reload as soon as you can...
Serious combat handgun that’s concealable, powerful and has a track record that covers two world wars and a host of lesser conflicts....hmmm, what could it be?
I can’t imagine the ballistics of a 9mm handgun cartridge being that good at 100 yards, even out of the longer barrel.
I love Glocks, but read a few FR threads on Glocks before getting one, especially as a first handgun. The vast majority of adults who shoot themselves do so with Glocks. If you are careless, even once, that particular design is unforgiving.
I recommend the Bersa. Well-made, well balanced, reliable firearm with a nice single-action trigger.
Hard to go wrong with an S&W. I’d get the 9mm if I were you.
Carry my 23 in my right front pants pocket, 15 rd mag in the left, and no one ever knows they are there.
Piston is in leather sleeve, rough side out, to prevent accidental trigger problems.
Energy is down to by about half,But it will shoot a 4 inch group at that distance-which is good enough for pop cans.
If she wants energy at 100 yards,she’s got an M1A.
That’s my youngest daughters’ carry piece. She thought it would be a better piece than Daddy’s Model 39-2. I will concede that it is a better cc weapon.
I have many hand guns, but my 9 mm shield is one of my favorites. I chose 9 mm over .40 because I had another 9 mm already and didn’t want t to start buying another type of ammo.
I like mine. .40 S&W I selected. Goes with me everywhere. Bought a second.
I have a .40 Shield and full size M&P40. Don’t have a problem with either trigger or recoil. However, the cost of 9mm ammo is considerably less.
Honestly, I’m not sure.
Israeli Arms is known for their enthusiasm in big bore semi-autos so they might build “one”.
I don’t think they would sell it.
Might be a photoshop.
I just imagine that slide slappin back an forth just a few times before it takes out my face.
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield is a good choice. Get 9mm.
The Glock 26 is comparable - and a little smoother (IMHO) and higher capacity mags. M&P Shield is cheaper, but not that much.
First, rent and shoot ‘em at a range. Try b4 you buy.
One gun which often gets overlooked is the Browning Hi-Power in 9mm. The Belgian ones have been pretty much priced out of my market but I have two Argentine Military ones which are dead ringers for my 1969 Belgian made guy, at least mechanically.
The Argentine guns are real Brownings as they paid the fee for the right to manufacture the guns and therefore got FN support in setting up their prodcution line.
The Argentine models do not have the beautiful blue finish but they have a much more practical military finish.
I have always found the Browning Hi-Power to be easy to hit with. It also feels better in my hand than any other gun period except maybe one model CZ.
The Browning is also dead on reliable. You can buy 15 round mags from Mec-Gar which fit even with the butt. Also 20 and 30 round mags are available but they do protrude.
Get an M&P c, instead of the shield. Ten rounds. A little wider.
I concur with the .45.
Although I have a inordinate number of .44’s and .45’s, a 9mm with proper (147 grain self defense rounds) is an exceptional choice. Bullet technology has made it a perfectly reasonably choice.
An air gun?
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