First Hand Gun Purchase *First Post*

[ojisan]

Stirring the pot for caliber? Uh sure... whatever floats your boat.
And I said Pistol, not Revolver. Unless if you think a revolver is a pistol lol.
guesstimator, opinionator, and commentator.

Sorry you took my post as serious...I was joking about bringing in the old 9mm vs .45 endless debates.
I should have included a smiley so here it is now:


Yup, the OP is talking about a Glock for him and his wife but his wife has small hands and already doesn't like shooting the Glock.
Revolvers have a thousand choices for grip sizes and shapes, it's easy to fit any hand size.
As has been commented on by many other posters and myself in other threads, those who are not into guns often prefer revolvers for their simplicity of operation.

If the Glock 17 9mm is beating her up, then a heavy steel revolver shooting .38 target wadcutter ammo is going to be as easy as it gets unless they drop down to .380, .32 or .22LR.

This is why I recommended the .38 / .357 revolver, and especially as a first (and maybe only) gun for a new owner.

[mikeyr]

Do you think a .357 would be adequate for her as well? I know the true way of finding out is renting one at the range, but it is pricy. I don't want to rent one when I know she will say she doesn't like it after taking the first shot.

The beauty of a .357 is that she can shoot it with mild .38spl and you can shoot it with .357mag. .38 is really soft and easy to shoot and a bad guy shot with a .38 will still go "ouch". so she will not feel under-powered defending herself with a .38. Rest of the time, you can load it with .357.

Another thought is that during a actual defensive situation, she will be so full of adrenaline that she wont notice the recoil of the .357 (I am not sure I believe that, but I have heard it so many times there has to be some truth to it)

Its also generally more reliable to shoot a revolver, yes they can lock up, but its far more rare than a misfeed in a semi. Bonus is that its far easier to learn for you and her, less practice at the range is needed, but you should still go once a year at least. Don't worry about reloads, of course practice them at the range. Statistics clearly show that the majority of gun fights are finished in 2-3 rounds (there are of course exceptions to that) but I for one am perfectly happy with HD weapon being a Colt SAA with 5 rounds in it, although my backup weapon in my office is a semi with a few mags, the SAA is by the bed.

[CheapBloke]

Sorry you took my post as serious...I was joking about bringing in the old 9mm vs .45 endless debates.
I should have included a smiley so here it is now:


Yup, the OP is talking about a Glock for him and his wife but his wife has small hands and already doesn't like shooting the Glock.
Revolvers have a thousand choices for grip sizes and shapes, it's easy to fit any hand size.
As has been commented on by many other posters and myself in other threads, those who are not into guns often prefer revolvers for their simplicity of operation.

If the Glock 17 9mm is beating her up, then a heavy steel revolver shooting .38 target wadcutter ammo is going to be as easy as it gets unless they drop down to .380, .32 or .22LR.

This is why I recommended the .38 / .357 revolver, and especially as a first (and maybe only) gun for a new owner.

Sure sonny.
[emoji6]

guesstimator, opinionator, and commentator.

[CornStrategy]

[FNGGlock]

Lots of interesting info. In the current climate the XD 9mm with 4" barrel is probably not a bad choice, you will be able to get it at a much better price than Glocks.

Operation is just as simple as the Glock and the grip safety may be a good idea for a HD handgun with less experienced users. I actually like the 3 dot sight on the XD better than the Glock bucket crap (first thing most people change on a Glock).

Get some extra mags, ammo (practice and HD) practice with both and make sure the gun runs fine on both types of ammo, don't just get HD ammo and never test it in the handgun. Make sure to get some basic maintenance items to clean and lube it. Also consider how you will store and have it ready for quick access for HD, think about a light on it or at least get a powerful LED flash light you can easily hold in one hand with a rear button to store by the handgun.

Keep in mind that your handgun is just part of the cost. Here is a simple list to think about.

- Handgun
- Spare mags
- Defense Ammo - Hollowpoint and such - get at least 50 rounds to test and practice a little with it. Enough to fill 2 mags for home defense and at least 2-3 mags to test/practice with
- Practice/Range - Ammo consider at least 200-300 rounds - You will probably go through it a lot quicker. Figure at least 100 rounds per range/practice session.
- Cleaning and maintenance kit with oil, etc
- Storage/safe for at home with quick access
- Lockable case to transport said handgun in
- One hand rear button flashlight
- Ear and eye protection for range use

Lots and lots of training, practice, etc - this can add up quickly, especially when you see how quickly ammo is used.

Remember to thank the CA politicians when you have to pay high DROS fees, wait 10 days, pay extra to buy ammo and all the hassle, and limitations we have in CA.

[Wheellock]

Welcome! I would add to the mix a question. Are you ever going to carry it around or will it sit by the bed for the bump in the night?

If not, you could consider a rifle. M4 style, they are easier to use than a pistol, easier to keep pointed in the right direction.

[BigPimping]

Glock, XD9, Px4......all good. Just don't drink the 1911 Kool-Aid. It's just a money pit. Get something that works especially if you're a first-time shooter.

[Mr. Blue]

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/handguns/c/cat139633?q=%3Arelevance%3AState+Compliance%3ACalifornia%2BCompliant&text=#

Right now sportsmans has both the G19 and SAXD9. Price is $470 and $550 I think. The G17 will restock a few times this week too. SW seems to hold back inventory so their website is completely dry.

[mrfobbyaccent]

Hi Everyone,

For starters, belated Merry Christmas and a soon to be Happy New Year. I'm sure no one here will argue that next year is looking better than this year.

Just want to express my gratitude to everyone that provided me awesome advice and comments. This is truly a very informative forum.

Verdict, shortly after posting this, I went to my local outdoor sportsman shop to obtain my FSC. After obtaining it, I took a look at what pistols they had in stock and they had 3 glock 19's in OD green. I would have preferred all black, but I don't really care how guns look. I just need it to do it's job if that situation arises (praying/hoping it never does).

Glock wasn't my first choice, but it wasn't my last. Based on everyone's feedback, it seemed to me that choosing what I wanted wasn't going to be an option, it was getting what is available because almost nothing is.

I gripped it and I immediately felt how small it was compared to the glock 17, but I actually liked it. I knew smaller wouldn't hurt because my wife's hands are small, so I'm sure she wouldn't mind it. FYI, she wasn't with me when I purchased it.

It was ready for me to pick up yesterday, but I'm going to pick it up this weekend and go straight to the range to let my wife get acquainted with it before it goes inside our home.

Again, thank you for all the advice!

[boattail]

Congrats

[Rex Ho]

Enjoy..have fun shootin most important ..good choice.

The wife chose the 19 also.. they make conversation kits to shoot .22 as well..which is little easier to find at the moment and practice with

Now you need a his and her gun lol

[JamesH]

Handguns are like mass produced clothing, IMO. You have to "try them on" before making a decision. You and your wife should try out different guns, in different calibers and select the one that fits best. And then train a bunch.

[gunhun]

OP. Congrats on your first gun and actually finding one at reasonable price. Strongly recommend a weapon light, eg TLR1, not only for the light but to also add a little more weight to the frame. May help mitigate recoil/muzzle flip a little bit and reduce risk of limp wristing - things relevant especially for your wife.

[five.five-six]

I think if it’s your only gun and you won’t practice much then a gun with a consistent trigger pull is your best bet and also one without any manual safeties so it’s just “point and shoot”. I think a polymer, striker-fired 9mm is the way to go, either Glock or XD series, however I do like the idea of a 4” 357 magnum revolver with 38 special loads, S&W 686 or Ruger GP100.

If you’re not going to train with your firearm, I’d say just put 911 on speed dial and invest in one of those pre-paid burial plots. I hear you can save a lot of money if you pay in advance AND you get to make all the decisions, alleviating your loved ones of that burden in their time of grief.

[Sean D]

Get the glock and a mossburg 12 Ga. while your at it