First handgun... what do you all think?

[osis32]

if it's for fun/home defense you definitely don't want a smaller handgun. there's only drawbacks and no benefits. the real reason there are smaller handguns are for people of smaller stature but mostly concealability. that is not your concern with your started use. get a g19 sized gun minimum (which yes I know is technically a compact). there's no reason to get an odd ball caliber or a smaller than normal gun.

[wpage]

The 9x19 luger is the choice round. Go try out a few pistols and see what feels good in your hand.

[NIKSD]

For good first all around handgun-

Full size /shoots easier, less recoil, easy to load and manipulate/
Cheap and available caliber ammo, effective in HD situations-9mm hands down
Cheap and available magazines
Gun that feels good in your hand, and one that you shoot good
Available aftermarket modifications

Look at Glock 17/19 or full size CZ

[etwinam]

I love my shield, that being said I don't shoot it very often. A full sized gun will much better to shoot and enjoyable. Like stated above G19/17 or XD9 are my suggestions.

[stevebla]

Don't forget a .22 at some point.

[Lonestargrizzly]

Get alock 19

[aye_dre]

If I had to choose among the two you mentioned it would be the shield.

But if I were in your shoes, I'd go with sig sp2022 can be bought for $500 new. If you can save a bit more I'd go for a CZ P01.

[xblax619]

i agree with the others. get a glock

[mnichols]

Go bigger.
XD, SD9VE, glock

[OCEquestrian]

The Springfield XD is probably another good first gun.. also in 9mm

[BigPimping]

Glock 17 playa.

[HKVP9]

I would listen to everyone in this thread, the Shield is a great gun, I carry one daily and have over 5k rounds without any malfunctions, it also shoots very well for a small handgun. I would only get the shield if you NEED a small handgun, it's not "fun" to shoot and takes a lot of practice to get proficient with. If it weren't for the fact that the shield is an excellent conceal carry handgun, I probably wouldn't even own one.

For a first handgun, my vote goes to the XD9 Tactical. It's an inexpensive, reliable, great shooting handgun. The extra length in barrel and slide will help with recoil and give a longer sight radius allowing for slightly more accurate shooting. I'm not a big fan of XDs but the XD9 Tactical is the only one I would ever consider owning in that line of pistols, anything else XD, I prefer a Glock instead.

If you can stretch your budget, the CZs are really where you want to be at, but then again, all of this is personal preference. At the end of the day, the decision is yours to make, Good luck!

[sitruc]

I know the rebate is a selling point (or rather buying point?) for the Shield, but take it from me, someone who bought a subcompact as their first handgun (Glock 26); start off with at least a compact or full-size. It is too difficult to learn good fundamentals while fighting all that recoil in a subcompact frame. It honestly took me 3 range trips and 300+ rounds to get the fundamentals down and to be able to consistently hit in the general vicinity of where I was aiming because of how much recoil there was. I kept anticipating the recoil and my shots were all hitting low & left. In fact, I still do it sometimes, so I dry-fire until it goes away.

Purchase a 9mm, don't get a .40. 9mm HD ammo is now effective enough to be a better alternative to .40 (better as in cheaper, more ammo options, etc.).

If money is an issue, like others have said, get a used Glock 19/17. They are beater guns and can take a lot of abuse. It's a perfect choice for a first handgun. Most people will not keep their first handgun (or at least as their only handgun) and constantly trade in/up for different models as they grow bored. Your only goal is to get the basics down with gun #1. Become proficient with gun #1, then move on to gun #2 and then become proficient as well, then repeat.

Sorry if this didn't help, but I now tell everyone I know/everyone who asks to not start off with a polymer subcompact as their first handgun.

[sffred]

For $500 look into a RIA 1911 or a Glock

[Red-Osier]

I'm in a bit of a pickle right now. I've finally saved enough money to where I feel like I can finally spend an ok amount of money on my first pistol (~500).
There's two main contenders and they are not exactly similar.
1. S&W m&p9/40 shield

2. Radom p64

I like them both because they are relatively powerful compacts. One is new, the other historic. They are also both pretty sweet deals. Radom will be about 350 all said and done, m&p will be about 370 after rebate.
The rebate is too sweet to pass up but I have no idea how many of those Radoms will be left, and they are mint.

What do you guys think? Any other contenders? I live in the East Bay Area if you guys know of any deals. Thanks

Save a little more and get a Beretta 92fs.