Looking for our first handgun

[Amishman44]

Initially, from your statements, I would recommend a Glock 19 in 9x19! It's a great little pistol that will meet all of your 'needs' as stated...for a starter pistol. It's a combat proven, very accurate, reliable gun.

As far as kids go...we too have small kids in the house...so we have a good bedside safe and anything that's not in the safe is empty and locked up!

My wife and I both have Compact Glock pistols...she has a G-19 and I have a G-23 in .40 S&W! The thing we like most about the Glock pistols are 1) we do NOT keep a round in the chamber in the event that should one of our children get their hands on one of the guns, they cannot injure nor kill themselves nor their siblings (I will live with the belief that I have 1.5 seconds to chamber a round should I need it rather than the known risk of having a child injure or kill themselves or a sibling because I left loaded...and we train that way) and 2) the Glock (1-1/2)) DAO trigger pull...which is VERY consistent! With the Glock trigger, the first shot is the same as every other shot from the pistol!

I like the 1911 pistols...but refuse to have one around the house until my children are (much) older and better understand guns, their uses, and their inherent dangers!

I highly recommend the Glock 19 pistol for a first gun!

 

[mrortega]

Initially, from your statements, I would recommend a Glock 19 in 9x19! It's a great little pistol that will meet all of your 'needs' as stated...for a starter pistol. It's a combat proven, very accurate, reliable gun.

As far as kids go...we too have small kids in the house...so we have a good bedside safe and anything that's not in the safe is empty and locked up!

My wife and I both have Compact Glock pistols...she has a G-19 and I have a G-23 in .40 S&W! The thing we like most about the Glock pistols are 1) we do NOT keep a round in the chamber in the event that should one of our children get their hands on one of the guns, they cannot injure nor kill themselves nor their siblings (I will live with the belief that I have 1.5 seconds to chamber a round should I need it rather than the known risk of having a child injure or kill themselves or a sibling because I left loaded...and we train that way) and 2) the Glock (1-1/2)) DAO trigger pull...which is VERY consistent! With the Glock trigger, the first shot is the same as every other shot from the pistol!

I like the 1911 pistols...but refuse to have one around the house until my children are (much) older and better understand guns, their uses, and their inherent dangers!

I highly recommend the Glock 19 pistol for a first gun!

Can Amish have Glocks? I agree 100% on your decision to not have a round in the chamber. I don't think the one-in-the-pipe or not applies in this case. Your children's safety trumps all else. Good for you, sir. (Now, how do you secure your weapon in your buggy? )

 

[jdg0724]

Thanks for all the help here guys, I've finally decided on the Springfield XD9 Sub-Compact. It seems like it'll be great since it'll work for CCW and it comes with an extended mag to make range time easier. Plus.. it's on sale right now for $499 at Gander Mtn.

HOWEVER.. I went into purchase it today, but they couldn't sell it to me because I'm on a FBI background check delay? It could take up to 8 days to hear back.. What could cause this? I don't have any kind of violent criminal record or anything like that. SO AGGRAVATING!!

I have a Springfield XD9 Subcompact and I love it. The only upgrade I did to it was putting Fiber optic Night Sights on it(Tru Glo TFO) which made a huge difference. I actually bought this pistol for my 12 year old son to practice with but I have found myself carrying it quite a bit. It has minimal recoil and is very accurate and has a decent trigger on it. $499 seems a little high price wise though, but you are most always going to pay more at Gander Mountain.

 

[jdg0724]

I own a ruger sr9c and it is an awesome gun.... however I will say that the slide is VERY stiff and might be difficult for a smaller female to rack.

The slide is also pretty stiff on the XD9 Subcompact. Make sure your wife can rack the slide. My son has a little difficulty manipulating the slide on our XD subcompact.

 

[nullvalue]

$499 seems a little high price wise though, but you are most always going to pay more at Gander Mountain.

That's actually on sale, normally $549. Have you seen it lower anywhere else? I haven't, though I've read some posts where people said they picked one up for $350?? Also the 9 mos 0% financing they're offering right now makes my wallet happy.

 

[nullvalue]

I own a ruger sr9c and it is an awesome gun.... however I will say that the slide is VERY stiff and might be difficult for a smaller female to rack.

The slide is also pretty stiff on the XD9 Subcompact. Make sure your wife can rack the slide. My son has a little difficulty manipulating the slide on our XD subcompact.

Thanks for the heads up, didn't seem too bad in the shop but will have my wife give it a try when we get the PROCEED (hopefully!?) back from NICS.

 

[jdg0724]

That's actually on sale, normally $549. Have you seen it lower anywhere else? I haven't, though I've read some posts where people said they picked one up for $350?? Also the 9 mos 0% financing they're offering right now makes my wallet happy.

Plainfield Shooting Supplies should have them for cheaper. If i remember, they should be in the mid $400 range. I am probably going back in there tomorrow. I will do a price check for you. Or you could call them at (317)839-6095.

 

[jdg0724]

Just saw one in the classified section for sale. Springfield XD9SC
Corey Coffman
317 nine four six 2422
coreyandholly (at) yahoo (dot) com
$425 obo SS Indy.

That seems to be a good deal.

 

[Tactical Flannel]

I'm a little late to the party but did you consider a .38 revolver?
The females I've helped in learning to shoot typically responded well to heavier frame 9mm (Beretta 92FS and Glock 17 in this case) and either of my S&W .38's in a 4 and 2 inch barrel with steel frames.
I know .38 was not one of your criteria but it is an option meeting most of your others. I know there is always the capacity, ammo cost, concealability, etc... arguments but it might be a future consideration.

Stay safe

 

[rlidgard]

i would also go with the m&p or xdm. they both have innerchangeable backstraps for u and your wifes comfort. or save a little and get a 1911. but good luck

 

[toddcraft33]

I have a safe(gun vault) on the nightstand next to my bed. You can keep your gun loaded, and the kids would not have access to it.

 

[bulldogg]

the ruger or the p22 is good to start with. you might look at some revolvers for the wife. never misfire and low recoil, just a thought. saftey first for her. if you get something to big for her she may not like to shoot.

 

[billybob44]

Late to the 6 page party..

Given that it sounds like both of are new to firearms, and that the shooter is the primary safety, I wouldn't get hung up on multiple safety devices. A long double-action trigger and some classes would be your best bet.
Used guns are generally a good buy and might leave you enough to buy a second pistol in .22. Besides the striker fired semi-autos that have been mentioned (glock S&W SR/SRc or M&P etc) You might want to look at Kahr too. Revolvers can't be beat for simplicity--no way to accidentally leave a cartridge in the chamber. If you have a revolver chambered in .357mag. it will also accomodate ammo in .38 special, which can be anything from mild target loads to +P defense rounds.
Since you want the pistol for HD, rapid access will be important, so look into the various pistol lock boxes. Some have push button combination locks and some even have biometric finger print locks!
Check out the training part of this website.

This is post #26-Kind of late for the "Best" all around House Gun..

I'm a little late to the party but did you consider a .38 revolver?
The females I've helped in learning to shoot typically responded well to heavier frame 9mm (Beretta 92FS and Glock 17 in this case) and either of my S&W .38's in a 4 and 2 inch barrel with steel frames.
I know .38 was not one of your criteria but it is an option meeting most of your others. I know there is always the capacity, ammo cost, concealability, etc... arguments but it might be a future consideration.

Stay safe

I'm awful late to the party also.

My recommendations for a new hand gun owner for years has been a good used .38 Special or .357 Magnum revolver.

There are a whole lot more positives to this selection than any (.22 caliber included) other semi-auto listed.

A 4" Model 10 S&W .38 Special revolver will handle all of the requirements listed in the original OP's post, and leave a lot of $ for ammo/holsters to boot...JUST my 2 cents..Bill.

 

[It'sAllFun&Games]

-I have never seen any pistol that is 100% ambidextrous. I have yet to see a pistol with a slide release that isn't on the left although this is moot since you can just rack the slide. Many models have magazine releases that are configurable for either right or left handed release but not both simultaneously.

See the FNP-45 tactical. Actually, almost all the FN pistols are 100% ambidextrous.

 

[SheriffMedic95]

I'd go with a low caliber like 9mm and if you aren't familiar with firearms, go with a safety. Don't forget your locks around your kids too! S&W M&P is a good, reliable gun. If you are wanting something cheaper, Bersa makes decent starter guns. Most guns are ambidextrous. Best way to see what you like is go to a respectable gun shop and look around, for a list of good guns shops, go to the Gun Shop of the Year thread (not sure what all is in NWI).

 

[cbseniour]

Look at the Ruger P95, its a bit big for a 9 but that helps with recoil. It has an amidexterous safety/decocker and works DAO or SAO

If you can spend a bit more Beretta P92 is a very easy gun to shoot and learn to shoot well with.