Best multi-purpose handgun for newbie?

[loganbarker30]

Glock or M&P are ready to go out of the box

 

[EOC]

Springfield XDM 4.5 Model

 

[EOC]

Whatever you get, don't skimp on getting a good holster for your carry style.

 

[bassmatt]

1st Put your hands on as many pistols you can and figure out what feels best in your hand. Most manufactures make the same frame with different caliber and barrel combinations. Once you find the one that feels best its time to choose the caliber and barrel. Don't get stuck on a "bandwagon" ie glock,xd,m&p although these guns are quality guns do not make your choice based on the "my brand is better than that brand talk"
Matt

 

[SIGnature45]

Newbie = XDM. It has the most safeties on it. Until you get comfortable with handgun use and operation, you need the safest gun. The XDM is safe and reliable with multiple safeties including a grip safety so your hand has to be gripping the gun for it to go off (not dropped or something like that)

 

[Hohn]

I second the recommendation to just touch a bunch. You will feel it when one of them melts into your hand and you know it's "your" gun.

For my smallish hands, the HK P30 is the *perfect* grip, but too expensive

It's really hard to go wrong with a G19 Glock. It's just big enough to be very shootable, just small enough to wear. This kind of gun represents the best all-around compromise there is.

Not that you have to get a G19-- just consider it as an archetype.An M&P9c, Kahr PM9, Sig P239, etc are all in the ballpark.

How the gun feels in your hand is 80% of the whole choosing process, imo.

 

[LANShark42]

"most" guys here will likely point you to a 9MM.

Tons of good ones, Beretta, Glock, Smith M&P.......

The better/more diserable.......boom, the higher the price.

^^^What he said. But don't forget to look at the Ruger SR9 and SR9c too. You'll like the price better and they have some safety features that are, IMHO, good for someone (like me) new to shooting. I just bought my first gun - the SR9c. I REALLY like it. Good luck finding ammo though...

 

[~Jeff~]

+1 on the SR9C. I love mine. It's small enough to conceal easily, takes larger mags for more capacity when you want it, reliable, and quite a bit cheaper than a G26.

And oh yeah, American made

 

[Adrenaline Junky]

I like the Glock 26. It conceals well and shoots good.

 

[kings650]

Thanks you for great advices. I have decided to go with 9mm caliber gun, just not sure which one. I have shot my friend's ruger sr9 and like it very much. It felt right on my hand and price was decent, at least back then. I am also interested in kel tec p11 or pf9 because of their price, but I heard so much conflicting stories about them. Any one has a personal experience with them?

 

[rgoodin]

Are you planning on carrying it?

subcompact 9mm is what I would recommend

 

[dangar]

If the SR9 felt good in your hand, then I'll give another recommendation for the SR9C. Size and performance are very good.

 

[Kentuckypilgrim]

Amen Dbrier! I have a s&w 6906 and a s&w 65-3 3 inch revolver.

 

[firecadet613]

Get an XDm compact. With the extended magazine, it turns into a full size. Compact mag, its a compact size grip.

 

[Tomc1947]

I know that no one will agree with me, but her goes anyway.

I was looking for a 9mm and cost was a issue so I looked at KelTec and it's competition. I finally bought a SCCY CPX-2 a couple of weeks ago and I have no regrets. I know their older models really sucked but they have done lots of re-engineering and seem to have corrected the problems with the original CPX
The gun feels great in the hand, clean lines and I've shot around 300 rounds and so far, it's working just fine, not one FTF or FTE.

Not bad for 300 bucks today.

 

[Cannonfodder333]

If you can get one I would recommend the Springfield emp 9mm. Great weight, look, size, and feel

 

[saintnick81]

If the SR9 felt good in your hand, then I'll give another recommendation for the SR9C. Size and performance are very good.

+1. Pick up my sr9 today and I m stoked. Handled the sr40c at the store and would have loved to have gotten the 9c but they didn't have any in stock.

 

[Boonl1776]

Any well made 1911 by a reputable manufacturer is a safe, reliable, and reasonably accurate first gun.

 

[Warsaw214]

I would think about summer carry as well... I picked up a .40 cal Glock 23. What's nice is 9mm, .357, and .22 conversions are readily available. It's nice for 3-season carry, but you'll need to wear loose shirts so as not to print to obviously in summer months

 

[Birds Away]

So many choices. Have him pick.

CZ 75 with additional 22 barrel and slide?

Ruger or Smith .357 and shoot .38s?

A .32?

That's the ticket right there. A CZ 75B with kadet kit is the perfect combination for what you want.