Having trouble deciding on first and only handgun

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Dusty Boots

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I’m mostly a long rifle guy but my wife has had an M&P 9mm for years that I’ve shot every now and then and am familiar with. However, I’d like to get my own now for when we go to the range together. My thought process has taken me down a couple different paths but I can only justify buying one handgun, hence the difficulty.

My first thought was I should stay with 9mm because it’s cheaper to shoot and I’m hoping I can shoot it quite a bit and it would be nice to only have to stock one pistol caliber in the house. On the other hand, since I can only have a max of ten shots in a mag, why not get something in 45 ACP?

I’m about 95% sure I want to stay with a striker fired pistol for simplicity sake but I really like the single action mode in the da/sa guns I’ve tried and a Sig P226 would be sweet. If I decided togo with a striker fired 9mm I will probably go with a Glock 17 or 19 as I do shoot them well and everyone seems to have one so parts and knowledge would be plenty. On the other hand, everyone has one. If I decided to go with a .45 that’s where things get a little more grey so I’m not sure which direction I should go. I really want to keep it under $900 new or used doesn’t matter, and I’d like parts availability to be decent. So my question for you guys is, if you could have only one, what would it be? Thanks for any insight on anything I may not have considered.
 
The Sig P227 in .45ACP is a heck of a nice gun but will likely bust your budget unless you get a very good deal on a used one. As far as a striker fired pistol, I really like the M&P45, and the new 2.0 version should be sweet, and can be found at good prices...I plan to pick one up in the near future myself. Those are the two .45 pistols that I'd recommend...I have both and couldn't tell you which I prefer over the other.
 
Try and get to one of the rental ranges: spend the money trying what they have. I found out that heavier guns were easier for me to shoot naturally (Sig, 1911, etc) and the polymer ones were a problem. Lots of people will say to get one make & model over another, shooting is learned and you can learn to shoot anything... they would likely be right, but why not get the jump by shooting what already gives you a physical and/or mental advantage?

This advice on trying handguns at a range and actually shouldering a shotgun before buying are my only two OCD advice I give in this sport & hobby.
 
Dusty Boots said:
I’m mostly a long rifle guy but my wife has had an M&P 9mm for years that I’ve shot every now and then and am familiar with.
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Since you are familiar with the M&P series does an M&P45 appeal to you? If you reload I would say get a revolver in .44 Mag and you can load it for everything from pop gun loads to thermonuclear level.


Mark
 
Your wife already has a 9mm, so I would go with another caliber. I'd say go with a pistol chambered in .45 ACP.

M&P 45 series are good pistols, as well as the Walther PPQ M2 in 45.

Both of these are polymer pistols, however out of the box, trigger on PPQ is amazing. Only downside is availability of spare mags. It does come with two mags.
 
I got a Glock 17L. L for long slide, and it is long. It also has a lighter trigger and a larger slide release. I believe the sights may be different as well. They are only made in limited runs so there is a bit of a unique factor.
 
Thanks for the advice fellas. I realize this a bit like asking what size shoes do you think would fit me best? I hadn’t considered a revolver as I think I’d prefer an auto loader, however I do reload for my 308 so something in 44 mag does intrigue me. My local gun store has an M&P45 (version 1) on sale right now, however I guess I thought I’d we were to get another M&P I should get a 9mm so we could share mags and whatnot, but I’d like to get something a little different ideally. Thanks for the thoughts guys, keep it coming.
 
Handguns are like potato chips: you can't have just one ;-})>

Pick one for your first, and be patient for the ones that spring up like mushrooms (or Timmie's locations)

I'm please with my SIG 226 in 40S&W, as well as my 1911, High Power, revolvers....
Find one that feels right in your hand, and it'll work just fine.
 
Hmmm...under $900 and striker fired and maybe something a little different. What about:
  • Walther P99 in 9mm or .40
  • H&K SF9
  • SIG P320 (there are some good looking deals on the EE right now)
  • Maybe one of the new Beretta striker-fired pistols?
  • FN FNX .45 (not striker fired but a .45 that would be a bit more unique)
 
I would highly recommend a jericho 941 in 9mm. Trigger and balance is superb. Excellent sights, built very tough for military use. You get a lot of quality for the money.
 
No one can answer your question definitively OP.

Buying ONE and only one handgun is like buying the one puppy from a litter. It’s the one that catches your eye and tugs at your heart. You’ll know instantly when you see the ONE.
The problem is on your drive home, you’ll spend the entire time wondering if you made the right call! That’s why a true gun nut never just has one gun. We want to save them all!

PS Having said that, if I could only keep ONE handgun that I currently own, it would be one of my Glocks. I’ve shot many handguns through my shooting career. The Glock is the only one that has never failed and it’s also the one I have the most experience with. I would certainly recommend you at least give it a thought. Would I recommend you buy it? No! That decision is yours alone to make.
 
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OldDude said:
Handguns are like potato chips: you can't have just one ;-})>

Pick one for your first, and be patient for the ones that spring up like mushrooms (or Timmie's locations)

I'm please with my SIG 226 in 40S&W, as well as my 1911, High Power, revolvers....
Find one that feels right in your hand, and it'll work just fine.
Click to expand...

so true. Got 1st dec, it was taking to long to arrive so got another jan, than march decided needed 22 pistol, than april found a sweet 22 Sauer and sons revolver, and now after 10 months up to 4
 
Dusty Boots said:
...I can only justify buying one handgun, hence the difficulty.

... it would be nice to only have to stock one pistol caliber in the house. On the other hand, ... why not get something in 45 ACP?

... want to stay with a striker fired pistol ... but I really like the single action mode in the da/sa guns ...a Sig P226 would be sweet.

...If ...a striker fired 9mm ... probably ... a Glock 17 or 19 ...
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You might be able to hold yourself to owning only one handgun at a time, but in your own words, it's obvious you are not going to have only one handgun. So don't worry, you just have to decide which one to get first. Then later you can admit you don't want to let it go and you can get on with buying the rest of them.
 
I'm looking at either the Glock 21 or Springfield Xdm , both in 45 and both below $900. Dantes has a pretty sick price on a Glock 21 atm
 
I own a bunch myself - revolvers and pistols in several different calibers - I think the smartest and best choice all around is the G17 or G19 ..9mm is cheaper to shoot (which equals more trigger time for me), good ballistics and smooth shooting, and often available and easy to find. I definitely shoot my 9mm's more than anything and of those it's the G17. Also, the Glock reliability factor and good resale value (if you ever decide to sell it) make it a win-win for a single pistol to own. ..I do really like my HK SFP9 but I still would take one of my Glock17's with me if I only could keep one. Hope this helps! Good luck!
 
if the wife has 9mm then get a 45 acp so you can have both calibers to use and try .> Glock 21 gen4 soft shooting pistol guarantee
 
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