help me pick the right handgun

[Lazarus]

I'd go with the 9mm the first time around but I like shooting my friend's .380 (Beretta Cheetah) which wouldnt be a bad gun for your wife.

[jtkratzer]

Originally Posted by Niner4Tango

Jeez, how long they been doin' that?!?

Is that legal?

Yes, they passed laws, so did New Jersey...don't know or care how long, I don't live there.

Originally Posted by orangevol

I agree with Niner4Tango...go with the 9mm if this is your 1st handgun. The extra recoil of the larger calibers may make you or the Misses uncomfortable...this may discourage you from spending fun time at the range

I'm surprised that so many people are just throwing out a caliber as "the recommended caliber" for "first time/new" shooters.

My first semi auto, and first pistol above a .22lr was in .45 ACP and I love it. Your wife might like the .45 acp better than the 9mm or the .40 s&w. Put all calibers in your hand and pick one. It doesn't matter at all what anyone else thinks. As long as you can feed it, and you like it, that's all that matters.

My wife is just under 130 lbs, 5'7", and this past weekend she shot a Kel-tec in .380, XD9 sub compact, a 1911 in .45 acp, my XD45 compact, a single action revolver in .45 Colt, AND a .44 MAGNUM. NO PROBLEM. Just shoot what's good for you.

Originally Posted by Mephis

If you seriously doubt you'll ever be in a suitation where you'll need to take down a drugger on PCP who wants to kill you, you really wouldn't need 45. If the gun will be shot a lot on the range, you certantly don't want .45, no matter how accurate it is the current price of 45 ammo is INSANE.

That boils it down to 9mm or .40. I wouldn't suggest either over the other because their advantages and disadvantages pretty much weigh them out equally.

The only time I'd suggest 45 is to someone in a combat enviorment or someone shooting for competition.

Read the above post about picking what works for you. Don't put a price on safety and quality. If you like the .45, work it in the budget to shoot it enough. If you like the time-tested, military-approved .45 ACP, then go with that. If you like the 9mm, get that. The felt-recoil is different between all three calibers. The size and weight of the gun are going to have a huge impact on how the recoil feels, keep that in mind.


I wouldn't recommend the .380 unless you have to have something along the size of a PPK or a Kel-tec...ammo is more expensive, less powerful, and not as available as the 9mm.

[Niner4Tango]

I'm surprised that so many people are just throwing out a caliber as "the recommended caliber" for "first time/new" shooters.

Of course, you are right.

I am a very recent convert to 9mm. I remember the first time I shot a Glock about 15 years ago I thought the 9mm was a useless pipsqueak (and the Glock was crap, at this time I was a dye-in-the-wool magnum revolver guy).

Recently I wanted to get a gun for my daughter and bought the XD 9 Service. Truthfully, the first time I shot it I thought the recoil was more harsh than my XD 45. The next time I went to the range with it, I realized it actually was a lower energy recoil, but a somewhat snappier feel. Now, 9mm is currently my favorite fun gun caliber. It's cheap, low energy recoil and adequate for self defense, so I'm a little over-enthusiastic about it.

So, really, if you want to be careful to get the one right caliber, you should go shoot them. Not one range session but a couple. Go shoot. Then go back in a week and see if your experience changes.

Or...just buy an XD, and get ready to want more!

[jtkratzer]

Originally Posted by Niner4Tango

Of course, you are right.

I am a very recent convert to 9mm. I remember the first time I shot a Glock about 15 years ago I thought the 9mm was a useless pipsqueak (and the Glock was crap, at this time I was a dye-in-the-wool magnum revolver guy).

Recently I wanted to get a gun for my daughter and bought the XD 9 Service. Truthfully, the first time I shot it I thought the recoil was more harsh than my XD 45. The next time I went to the range with it, I realized it actually was a lower energy recoil, but a somewhat snappier feel. Now, 9mm is currently my favorite fun gun caliber. It's cheap, low energy recoil and adequate for self defense, so I'm a little over-enthusiastic about it.

So, really, if you want to be careful to get the one right caliber, you should go shoot them. Not one range session but a couple. Go shoot. Then go back in a week and see if your experience changes.

Or...just buy an XD, and get ready to want more!

I felt the same way about the 9mm. I don't think it's too small or insufficient, especially with quality HPs...

I was surprised when I shot a Glock 17 about how the 9mm felt a bit snappy. I personally prefer the feel of the .45, but I'm also seriously considering a Kahr PM9 or MK9 as a smaller, easier to conceal piece with tucked in shirts.

This discussion over caliber is as bad as the Ford/Chevy argument. The best advice any of us can give, no matter how much we like our particular caliber is for the person to go shoot them all and pick for him/herself.

[Alpental]

I love these caliber debates. I would say go with 9mm. I recently got my first handgun- xd service 9. The BIGGEST issue for me was the price of ammo. None of the other Calibers felt that much better shooting to justify the price and I feel 9mm, with the right defensive ammo, is effective for personal defense. As a beginner I felt the 9mm was the tamest and would be a good introduction into the world of handguns.

Check out this site:
http://www.greent.com/40Page/ammo/9/9mm-advoc.htm

[StereoGuy]

Where in Ca are you from? I would be glad to let you shoot my 45compact. I'm always looking for a reason to go shoot. I'm in orange county if that is close to you.

[Jmanwit]

Originally Posted by StereoGuy

Where in Ca are you from? I would be glad to let you shoot my 45compact. I'm always looking for a reason to go shoot. I'm in orange county if that is close to you.

I too am in orange county (Anacrime) and I have a .45 tactical. The range for you, if you are Orange county, is the Orange County Indoor Range.
http://www.ocindoorrange.com
They have a 9 and .45 XD. Their .40 is out of commision. Don't know why. It's a good range, and I am thinking about getting the pass. 190 bucks for a year, with unlimited range time and gun rentals. Ever been there stereoguy? I love it.

[StereoGuy]

No I haven't been there but I might try it. I go to on target in laguna niguel.

[orangevol]

Originally Posted by Mephis

If you seriously doubt you'll ever be in a suitation where you'll need to take down a drugger on PCP who wants to kill you, you really wouldn't need 45. If the gun will be shot a lot on the range, you certantly don't want .45, no matter how accurate it is the current price of 45 ammo is INSANE.

That boils it down to 9mm or .40. I wouldn't suggest either over the other because their advantages and disadvantages pretty much weigh them out equally.

The only time I'd suggest 45 is to someone in a combat enviorment or someone shooting for competition.

Blazer brass .45 box of 50 is $10.97 at Wal*Mart...this is not insane???

[Mephis]

Originally Posted by orangevol

Blazer brass .45 box of 50 is $10.97 at Wal*Mart...this is not insane???

At my wal-mart they were $15. The blazer brass .40s were $9.27 though. I usually just get the winchester 100 round boxes, I might get a few blazer brass boxes next time I have some spendable income though.