First Hand Gun Purchase *First Post*

[billped]

OP, let us know where you are and someone may volunteer to meet you, show you some guns, let you shoot them, and you'll save a ton of money.

[Milsurp1]

For home defense a light rail is very valuable. Try the CZ P-01, it is on roster and very ergonomic.

[Full Clip]

Nothing wrong with a Springfield XD as a first firearm and is great for home defense. I recently picked one up and chose it over the Glock for a few reasons. I preferred the grip angle over the Glock, felt like the sit and finish was a little more refined, and it was quite a bit cheaper thank the Glock. I used that money to buy a rail mounted Olight and some extra mags. Also ended up putting on some Trijicon XD HR sights and have to say this pistol is super fun to shoot. Dead accurate and nearly no recoil. Took it to the range the other day along with a 1911 and Beretta M9A1 and was super impressed with the XD9.

Also an XD fan (also like the grip), but recently (finally) bought a G34.
The 357 suggestion is a good one for reasons stated.
OP, did you wife have any trouble racking the slide or fully loading mags?
If so, a revolver might be a better option.
Also try a Smith M&P pistol at your range before buying.

[opie4386]

Or any of the CZ handguns.

[dmo171]

Beretta 92fs like Mel Gibson and Bruce Willis.

[Vinnie Boombatz]

Beretta 92fs like Mel Gibson and Bruce Willis.

Not a great choice especially if his wife was having trouble with the Glock 17. 92FS is a big gun with a huge grip and a heavy DA trigger pull. OP also stated he doesn't want to make any mods or replace any parts.

[five.five-six]

XD9 is a fine first and only firearm


The main advantage at a OP's leveal of a Glock is the after market custom parts but if you are going to leave it stock, a XD is a fine choice. IIRC, the XD has replaceable grip backstraps to fit your hand best.

[Dano3467]

While many love there Glocks.

Your wanting your wife to use this also. I fined that a lot of women prefer revolvers.

An why not, they are simple, easy to load & shoot. The #1 thing is (seems anyway) most women can't, or don't want to rack the slide.

An if they have a FTF, it becomes too much for some. A revolver, however, just pull the trigger again & a fresh round is rolled into position, & boom.

You can get yourself something you'll like later (Glock, 1911, or what ever)

Just a thought....

[357manny]

[CSACANNONEER]

I suggest finding an instructor who can give you and your wife a beginning handgun class using his/her firearms. That way, you'll both get some instruction and hopefully shoot several different handguns. What area of the state are you in?

[CheapBloke]

For home defense pistol, I'd get a 45 than a 9 due to less penetration... but I could be wrong...

guesstimator, opinionator, and commentator.

[Enzo rules]

Welcome to Calguns. There is a lot of good information in this forum. Look at the Ruger LCR for home defense.

[Tere_Hanges]

My father and I had a lot of arguments in the past on firearms. Thus, my falling out on using it. Without getting into the details, I would much rather purchase one then asking him for one of his. You may quickly realize that I was not a big gun fan when I was younger and in a way I'm still not. In all of this, I do realize that we don't live in a perfect world, which is why I'm here.

Did the arguments stem from your father being a racist white pro2A Trump supporter? Unfortunately, the right to possess a firearm for personal protection is political. Very political. The funny/sad thing is the 2A should not be political at all.

I highly recommend you join the CRPA and NRA as they are the only reason you can even consider buying a firearm.

Now to your question. You are going to get people recommending 1911s, CZs, 10mms, .45s, revolvers, super expensive "off roster" guns, all kinds of crazy ish. Ignore them and go for a striker fired polymer pistol in 9mm. Dont overthink it. Its really not that complicated.

Thanks, to CA libtard politicians, you dont have much to choose from. Its either the Glock, XD, or SDVE. You could also go with a PX4, SP2022, or P2000 for a hammer fired option.

9mm is very expensive but .40 is just too much recoil for your wife.

Welcome to Calguns hope you can mend the relationship with your father.

[StandardFinn]

Hey Angelo! Welcome!

The unfortunate problem you'll have asking gun enthusiasts about what gun you should get is that we all have our bias', we all have different hands and we're all looking for something different out of the tool we've decided to buy and be loyal to.

Get a cz 75b 9mm probally easier to find right now and a better gun. All metal means less recoil, easy to clean and has a safety

For home defense a light rail is very valuable. Try the CZ P-01, it is on roster and very ergonomic.

Beretta 92fs like Mel Gibson and Bruce Willis.

I would second all of these comments - My father recently wanted to get a handgun and I took him on a similar path and he settled on the CZ 75B. It's a wonderful shooter and has an outstanding track record with the community. But, for a new shooter, the slide is not as ergonomic as a Glock or Sig slide and it could prove difficult for your wife to operate. I have a 92FS and LOVE the gun, but it's not for everyone as Boombatz pointed out.

Not a great choice especially if his wife was having trouble with the Glock 17. 92FS is a big gun with a huge grip and a heavy DA trigger pull.

Before you make any purchases or get swayed into anything, go to the range and simply ask to handle the guns. I have a range near me that has their rentals on display in a case and they will gladly oblige in letting you check any/all of them out. They have sigs, beretta, glocks, S&W, you name it. The way the gun feels in your hand is important, but more than that I would say that your comfortability with operating the controls and being able to engage the trigger effectively in a stressful situation should be paramount in your decision. In large part, for someone that isn't shooting often, you're going to have a similar experience with most handguns in the way they shoot: you pull the trigger, the gun goes bang and whips around in your hand. Until you shoot more often and with different types of guns, you're not going to really be able to tell the difference in how one gun handles recoil in comparison to another, or the weight difference, etc. Especially if they're so similarly sized and made (Springfield XD and G17 are very similar guns).

I know money is a factor for you, but I can't implore you enough to simply take a beginner's class for pistol with your wife and rent some guns they have available. You could probably mention your situation to the instructors and they would be able to set you and your wife up with a gun suited to you and your wife's physicality. I have massive hands and the Beretta 92FS mentioned above is almost too small in the grip for me be comfortable with. I look at some of the glocks and would have a hard time getting enough surface area to my liking on those guns.

With all that said, my suggestion to you and your wife is that you should probably look at mid sized (or straight up compact) striker fired guns - while I don't think that a DA/SA trigger is a limiting factor, most stock DA pulls are going to be a bear for your wife to get past (especially if she's not practicing regularly) and it's not worth the risk for the use you're intending it for - and you don't plan to mod the gun which could help. From there, the world is your oyster, every reputable brand of gun manufacturer makes a compact/mid-sized striker fired gun, so find the one you feel comfortable holding and your wife can reliably operate and that should be your choice.

If you want a bias'd opinion - give special consideration to the CZ P-01, Sig Sauer P229, Beretta 92FS Compact. Personally I like an all metal frame, and I like the safety of a DA trigger compared to a trigger safety on a striker fired. But, that's all personal preference. You could also look at smaller 1911 models, but I don't know much about them.

Go slow, find some friends who own guns and shoot theirs, and you won't go wrong. Best of luck!

[bubbala]

A Beretta px-4 is kinda midsize,for the mrs. And is easier to control than most tilting barrel lock -ups.
Good luck!