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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: gwgn02

. . . maybe even revolvers.

+2

Oldplayer


41 posted on 06/19/2015 5:50:38 PM PDT by oldplayer
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To: Skooz

I have both a Glock and an S&W and prefer the Glock for 9.
You should look at the XD 40 if you want a very smooth action with surprisingly little recoil (less than either of my 9’s. As others have suggested shoot them at the rnage before you buy.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/xd-series/


42 posted on 06/19/2015 5:50:53 PM PDT by outofsalt ( If history teaches us anything it's that history rarely teaches us anything.)
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To: Skooz

I second the “rent at range” choice when choosing. That is a most solid experience before buying anything. Happy shopping!


43 posted on 06/19/2015 5:51:30 PM PDT by NCDave (AKA, "That idiot over there")
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To: yarddog
I personally would go with a Sig or Glock but that is more personal than anything else.

Glock's the better choice. 9mm ammunition is pretty plentiful, I don't own any .40 cal handguns so I can't speak to the availability or cost of that ammo.

44 posted on 06/19/2015 5:51:47 PM PDT by usconservative (When The Ballot Box No Longer Counts, The Ammunition Box Does. (What's In Your Ammo Box?))
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To: Skooz

In before someone labels you something unkind for not buying a .50 cal handgun...

; )

Congrats on your purchase and wishing you safe shooting!


45 posted on 06/19/2015 5:52:20 PM PDT by Caipirabob (Communists... Socialists... Democrats...Traitors... Who can tell the difference?)
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To: Skooz

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/654_910/products_id/411555619/Used+Guns/Police+Trade-Ins

Full size police non-issued / 3 mags. Still a good size for carry. And good deal. IMO


46 posted on 06/19/2015 5:53:53 PM PDT by NCDave (AKA, "That idiot over there")
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To: gwgn02
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.

Best advice.

47 posted on 06/19/2015 5:55:01 PM PDT by usconservative (When The Ballot Box No Longer Counts, The Ammunition Box Does. (What's In Your Ammo Box?))
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To: CivilWarBrewing
“Also, why not a Glock?”

Glocks are great I like them and use them but for a rookie it may be problematic. Glocks are very unforgiving of bad or careless handling and for a rookie it may be better to go with a Sig or even a quality revolver till skills improve

48 posted on 06/19/2015 5:56:18 PM PDT by Polynikes (What would Walt Kowalski do. In the meantime "GET OFF MY LAWN")
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To: MileHi

“4/6” .357.”

Yep. My first handgun.


49 posted on 06/19/2015 5:56:47 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo (You Don"t Need To Wait For The Next FReepathon To Make A Donation.)
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To: nonliberal

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

I like mine.


50 posted on 06/19/2015 5:58:07 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo (You Don"t Need To Wait For The Next FReepathon To Make A Donation.)
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To: Skooz

I’d also suggest finding a range that has rental guns so you can try out various models and decide what you like best.

The outdoor range I like has 15-20 handguns for rent but you have to purchase ammo with the rental. A local indoor range here has what looks like about 100 rental pistols available.

As an aside, a .38 special revolver has about the same recoil as a 9 or 40 if you want to try a revolver.


51 posted on 06/19/2015 6:00:01 PM PDT by JJ_Folderol (Diagonally parked in a parallel universe...)
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To: US Navy Vet

“.45 ACP when you care enough the SHOOT the VERY Best!”

http://www.tactical-life.com/gear/45-acp-vs-9mm-ammo/#bsum-9mm-win


52 posted on 06/19/2015 6:01:37 PM PDT by TexasGator
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To: umgud

That’s what I use when I’m hunting androids or physically enhanced clones.


53 posted on 06/19/2015 6:02:56 PM PDT by 1010RD (First, Do No Harm)
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To: Skooz
Lotsa nice carry weapons out there.

Do yourself a favor and give a look to the Springfield Armory XD series...I've spent some time with the XD40 subcompact (three-inch barrel, .40 cal, double stack, 12 round magazine).

Terrific little brute of a gun that will allow you to shoot surprisingly well with a little practice. Tough like a Glock but the handle is better designed (for me) and it does have the grip safety.

54 posted on 06/19/2015 6:04:34 PM PDT by Fightin Whitey
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To: Skooz
I know FR is populated with experts

Yep, yer gonna get all the opinions from the neophytes to the hardcore commandos citing "center mass", "double tap" and all such neat commando words................

My advice? Just find a handgun that you feel comfortable with........

55 posted on 06/19/2015 6:04:39 PM PDT by Hot Tabasco (War IS the answer! Peace activists never liberated anything or anyone....)
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To: Skooz

Take a class from a reputable supplier that also offers classes. Have the instructor/ supplier bring both weapons to the class. Shoot both of them, one at a time, but at varying distances and situations. Make sure that you can draw your weapon just as fast with the bigger gun, as the smaller one. Which one is gives you the most accuracy? If both are equal then go with the bigger gun. You don’t want to carry a gun that you are afraid to use, are clumsy with, or aren’t accurate. My instructor explained to me that you only have around a 50% accuracy rate in a real setting as you do during practice. Then, once you purchase it, make sure that you at least practice several times a year.


56 posted on 06/19/2015 6:05:57 PM PDT by notpoliticallycorewrecked ( Girls with guns have more fun.)
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To: MileHi

I went back to my model 19 as my carry gun.


57 posted on 06/19/2015 6:10:22 PM PDT by Farmer Dean (stop worrying about what they want to do to you,start thinking about what you want to do to them)
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To: gorush

The HK USP made it to 35,000 rounds without a failure.


58 posted on 06/19/2015 6:12:20 PM PDT by Farmer Dean (stop worrying about what they want to do to you,start thinking about what you want to do to them)
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To: TexasGator

I have several .40s and they are a joy to shoot. The M&P Shield design is probably the issue.


59 posted on 06/19/2015 6:13:07 PM PDT by muir_redwoods (Freedom isn't free, liberty isn't liberal and you'll never find anything Right on the Left)
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To: yarddog

Love the Glock 9mm. Also have S & W. Hard to go wrong with either.


60 posted on 06/19/2015 6:13:11 PM PDT by conservativejoy (We Can Elect Ted Cruz! Pray Hard, Work Hard, Trust God!)
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