First off, I just wanted to say “Hi” :wave: and this forum is a great resource. Been lurking for a while now and finally just joined up.
As someone who is just looking to get into handgun ownership and carry, I’m putting together a list of the things I am fairly sure I want in a first handgun. While my budget is very limited (as in I’m only going to have one pistol for a while) and I am working towards a CCW, I would like to stay with quality brands and have no problem justifying a slightly higher initial cost in order to have the quality.
I’m leaning heavily towards 9mm to start with, mainly for capacity, ease of shooting, lower practice ammo costs. However, I’m not averse to the larger calibers (.40S&W, .45ACP) if I can use barrel conversions to practice with. Of course, I will only select a larger caliber if I know I can shoot it well.
I’m not a small guy – 6’ @ 250 lbs. My hands are not small either, with long fingers that have no problem wrapping around full-sized frames and using the controls with relative ease. The only issues I have are being a lefty in a righty world (no biggie) and lack of time & familiarity manipulating said controls.
To this point in time, I have handled some, but shot none… yet.
Have fondled a G21SF and feel like I could conceal it well.
I like the feel of the Sig P226 but think it’s too big for EDC and had no ambi controls.
The HK P2000 was very nice. Pointed very naturally for me.
The FNP-9 also felt very good and pointed well.
It seems that compact versions of these would suit me well, but I have no confirmation yet.
I’m going to get a chance to shoot an HK .45 Tactical this Monday so I’ll know more about HK in general. Will also get a chance to shoot the G21 & G34 the same day so that should help.
In my research, I have been looking at: Glock, HK, XD & XDm, Sig, M&P, and FNP.
I’m really looking to get my hands around the XD/XDm’s, a compact M&P, and a wider variety of HK’s & Sigs, although the Sigs I’ve seen don’t seem to have ambi controls, so I may rule them out altogether.
I am looking to the members here for any recommendations, experiences, and advice about brands and models that fit my criteria*:
1. Ambidextrous mag release, decocker/manual safety (if equipped), slide release (optional)
2. Caliber conversion capable (optional but will help practice greatly)
3. Concealable (IWB preferred)
4. DA/SA, SA, DAK (or similar)
5. Accessory availability (holsters, sights, mags etc)
*Not in order of importance
I’d really like to learn more about the Springfield XD & XDm in compact sizes as well as the M&P9 and 9c.
Any advice, suggestions, and experiences that you can share with me are greatly appreciated. This is especially true for those of you that may EDC any of these.
Thanks for your help.
As someone who is just looking to get into handgun ownership and carry, I’m putting together a list of the things I am fairly sure I want in a first handgun. While my budget is very limited (as in I’m only going to have one pistol for a while) and I am working towards a CCW, I would like to stay with quality brands and have no problem justifying a slightly higher initial cost in order to have the quality.
I’m leaning heavily towards 9mm to start with, mainly for capacity, ease of shooting, lower practice ammo costs. However, I’m not averse to the larger calibers (.40S&W, .45ACP) if I can use barrel conversions to practice with. Of course, I will only select a larger caliber if I know I can shoot it well.
I’m not a small guy – 6’ @ 250 lbs. My hands are not small either, with long fingers that have no problem wrapping around full-sized frames and using the controls with relative ease. The only issues I have are being a lefty in a righty world (no biggie) and lack of time & familiarity manipulating said controls.
To this point in time, I have handled some, but shot none… yet.
Have fondled a G21SF and feel like I could conceal it well.
I like the feel of the Sig P226 but think it’s too big for EDC and had no ambi controls.
The HK P2000 was very nice. Pointed very naturally for me.
The FNP-9 also felt very good and pointed well.
It seems that compact versions of these would suit me well, but I have no confirmation yet.
I’m going to get a chance to shoot an HK .45 Tactical this Monday so I’ll know more about HK in general. Will also get a chance to shoot the G21 & G34 the same day so that should help.
In my research, I have been looking at: Glock, HK, XD & XDm, Sig, M&P, and FNP.
I’m really looking to get my hands around the XD/XDm’s, a compact M&P, and a wider variety of HK’s & Sigs, although the Sigs I’ve seen don’t seem to have ambi controls, so I may rule them out altogether.
I am looking to the members here for any recommendations, experiences, and advice about brands and models that fit my criteria*:
1. Ambidextrous mag release, decocker/manual safety (if equipped), slide release (optional)
2. Caliber conversion capable (optional but will help practice greatly)
3. Concealable (IWB preferred)
4. DA/SA, SA, DAK (or similar)
5. Accessory availability (holsters, sights, mags etc)
*Not in order of importance
I’d really like to learn more about the Springfield XD & XDm in compact sizes as well as the M&P9 and 9c.
Any advice, suggestions, and experiences that you can share with me are greatly appreciated. This is especially true for those of you that may EDC any of these.
Thanks for your help.