Been gun shopping, any suggestions?

I've got my permits in hand and ready to buy a gun. Revolver or semi-auto? .380,9mm,.40, .45?
I've been to the gun range with my brother and a friend, kinda like S&W MP 9mm.
Though that's in the $550 + range.
These are 3 I've narrowed the search down to:

S&W SD 9mm or .40 $360
FNP 9mm or .40 $356
Sig Saur 9mm or .40 $347

Any experience with these? or Suggestions?
Thanks

 

I'd save another $100 and go with the Springfield XD 40SW 5" (I prefer the 4" but unless you're carrying, I'd go with the 5") and throw on a PRP trigger kit. The 5" will allow for a slightly higher velocity, less recoil due to slightly heavier weight and longer sight radius for easier aiming (unless you just suck). The 4" is easier to carry on a CCW, but if it's just for range/home protection the 5" will suit you well.

If it wasn't lethal, I'd probably have sex with mine.

 

When that gun blows, the results are bit on the terminal side.

 

Dodger,

A full size or compact pistol in .40 S&W? It seems to be that you are looking for a general purpose handgun for self-defense.

Where do you live that you require a permit to purchase a handgun? The Northeast? Insanity. I cash and carry, myself. AMERICA!

I do think your prices are a bit unrealistic for a new handgun purchase. If you can come up with $350, you can wait a bit and come up with the ~$500 for a new pistol. $500+ is the going rate for a new brand name pistol. Sig Sauer pistols tend to cost upwards of $600 new, in my experience.

A better option would be to find a used pistol online through a website such as GunBroker. You can find one you like and have it sent to your gun shop for pickup. Used pistols, unless treated with complete disregard, are just as good as brand new pistols minus the cosmetic damage they receive from holster wear, banging around in the safe, etc. I tend to buy gently used pistols and spend the money on upgrades such as night sights.

.40 S&W is a solid performer as far as service caliber cartridges go. Is there any particular reason that you've chosen it over 9mm? 9mm is the most common handgun caliber in the world and is the least expensive caliber on your list, thus offering you the ability to use the inexpensive training ammo to practice at the range. The gun is only as useful as you are good at shooting it. For those unfortunate situations where you have to point your pistol at a human being, a solid 9mm defense load (such as the Federal 124-grain HST hollow point) will do the same job as a .40 S&W.

Why is Glock not on the table? A used Glock 19 would be an ideal starter pistol that would never become obsolete.

 

We require a permit in NC. The three I listed are all new"brand name" pistols. Granted, after shipping and a transfer fee, they will all be close to $400. I like the S&W MP 9mm. I can get it locally for around $450+ tax.
I would love to find the Glock 19 used. A friend of mine (X-military, father X-law enforcement) both swear by Glock.
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I looked at gunbroker.com and too much hassel dealing with an auction. The prices I saw were at cheaperthandirt.com

 

Ironically cheaperthandirt tends to be one of tje most expensive places to look. I recommend gunbroker for an avg price, then budsgunshop for a below average price. Save up the 550 for a good pistol. Its worth it.

 

Watch for rebates. Sugar Daddy got a sick rebate on my birthday present... My PPS is my favorite ever. He prefers it sometimes because it fits better in the glove boxes of our cars and in the rear waistband, where he likes to carry. I prefer it over our Glock 17 (or 19, but I'm pretty sure it's a 17) because my hands are smaller. SD's hands are fairly typical and the Glock fits him well. I like shooting both, but much prefer the PPS. I think he got a rebate around $100?

 

Buds Gun Shop looks interesting but Cheaper than Dirt still looks better. Though the $435 + tax S & W MP .40 gun show price still looks like the best deal. the FNP .40 may be my future pistol......
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I fired the Glock 19 at the range yesterday and really liked it. Very comfortable grip....

 

Well, if you are going for low cost, I can never recommend the Makarov enough. inexpensive, reliable, damn near unbreakable, and great for everyday carry and home defense. The only down side is depending where you are 9x18 ammo can be a bit of a bitch to find. Aim Surplus normally has good prices on it though. If you are set on one of the three you listed though, my advice is to hold off buying long enough to try all three at the range. A few bucks for a rental can save you a few hundred dollars of regret later. If you are willing to go up the $550 mark, I would recommend the Springfield XD 9 though. Great gun, and easy to shoot.

 

I'd agree with Seer666 - if you decide you want a 9mm, the springfield is great. I'm not a big glock fan and personally, I'll take the springfield over any glock any day.

http://www.the-m-factor.com/html/specs_9.html

^you can view all the stats for the different models of the XDm off of this page including compact. See if you can fire one or more at the range on rental and see what you think. The XD series is straight sex. The XDm series is straight orgasmic. The m series will probably cost around $100 more but you can't go wrong with either IMO.

 

Well, I am looking at cost. Though those three guns I mentioned are all 500 to 600 in the local gun stores. If I can get a 600$ gun for 400$, that's a deal, not a cheap gun. And the Springfield XD 9mm is $395 0nline. It has some great reviews. I'll add it to my wish list. Thanks

 

I am not a fan of grip safeties. Perhaps I suck at shooting, but I've had times where I drew from concealment and couldn't fire because of the damn grip safety. The XD has a grip safety. I've never shot one, but some of my friends love them.

 

The grip safety was actually one of the points that made me go with it over the Glock. I have 3 year old twins, and anything that makes it harder for them to do any damage if heaven forbid they get a hold of it is a good thing. Also, it FORCES you to use a proper grip. This is one of the reasons I think it's a great first gun for someone.

 

I also have had very good experiences with gunbroker. I have heard good things about budsgunshop too. Grabagun might be worth checking out as well.

There's tons of of used glock19's and glock 22's on gunbroker.

 

QFT. It was a big selling point for me as well.

In the end, everyone is different so pick the gun you like the most, but if you do pick up an XD or XDm, I would seriously recommend putting on a PRP trigger kit. Trust me on this one.

 

Uhhh yeah.... about grip safeties. I was neutral on them until I read a thread somewhere else where a bad guy shot the good guy in the hand and the good guy then didn't have enough strength remaining in his hand to get a good grip on his 1911 to disengage the grip safety. I can try finding the thread later, but needless to say I personally will never have a grip safety on a handgun I carry.

here it is: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/988015_My_CCW_Shooting_AAR__Now_with_Moar_Graphic_Pics_on_pg_29_and_30.html

 

And that is why you also train to shoot off hand.

 

Certainly. Personally though I prefer eliminating obstacles on a gun that may hinder me from saving my life. I know I'm kind of strange like that.

 

It all depends on your situation. In mine, having safety there is a bonus. Might be for Dodger as well. All depends on where you are in life and what you need.

 

Jesus Christ.

Getting a pistol with a grip safety because you have children is like getting jack stands for your car when it's parked at home because you have a Border Collie: dumb as fuck and completely unnecessary. Weapon safeties such as grip safeties (XD), selector switches (AR-15), thumb safeties (1911), trigger safeties (Glock) are all mechanical devices that can and will fail when the owner / operator is neglectful with weapon status and/or storage.

I see common sense is more expensive than a Springfield XD.