First handgun, 9mm

[mc21]

Hello everyone, I've been lurking for a while and finally got my new id since i just moved here. Somehow I wasn't aware of the gun laws here and it would have been much easier to have gotten a handgun then move into cali but it's too late for that. After trying out many pistols I have somewhat decided on the HK USP 9mm. I've read that this gun was designed for the .40 s&w though and not sure if I will be missing out by going 9mm. Also since I'm somewhat new, I am not sure having such an expensive handgun as my first is a good idea. Just wanted to get some opinions. Thanks!

[nightwolf0215]

Wecome to calguns! I just started recently too. And from my experience, taking it slow by checking out guns at the shooting range is a good idea before buying anything. My preference for guns have changed drastically over the 2 months that I started into this. The first gun that I bought is now being sale without a single shot fired through it. And the second gun I bought is also under the same fate.

I can tell you that 9mm is fun to shoot without killing ur budget. So if you can, get a 9mm.

For the HK I will let others comment on it for you.

[dkthree]

Get a .40 if you know you want a .40 cal. If you're not sure, get the 9mm and be happy.

[tbhracing]

Don't pick 9mm because it's cheap, buy because it's effective.

As for makes and models, you gotta try them out for grip comfort and accuracy at the range.

[mc21]

Wecome to calguns! I just started recently too. And from my experience, taking it slow by checking out guns at the shooting range is a good idea before buying anything. My preference for guns have changed drastically over the 2 months that I started into this. The first gun that I bought is now being sale without a single shot fired through it. And the second gun I bought is also under the same fate.

I can tell you that 9mm is fun to shoot without killing ur budget. So if you can, get a 9mm.

For the HK I will let others comment on it for you.

Well I wanted to go with 9mm so that I can improve my aim without breaking the bank. Although I'm not sure how much difference in effectiveness they will have in a SD or HD situation. I've check out quite a bit of guns over the last month or so. Sig's are out for me as the trigger just do not do it for me. I was pretty set on the XD for a while but then after looking at some more pictures of it on here, it just seem so ugly. The S&W M&P doesn't fit my hand well. The grip goes too far down and feels awkward for my left hand/offhand when I hold the gun. Glocks are out because I seem to aim low with it and I think it's due to the grip angle. I just don't want to drop a grand on a gun that I don't end up liking/keeping.

Get a .40 if you know you want a .40 cal. If you're not sure, get the 9mm and be happy.

Thing is, I don't know what I want. I've only shot 9mm and it seems fine to me.

Don't pick 9mm because it's cheap, buy because it's effective.

As for makes and models, you gotta try them out for grip comfort and accuracy at the range.

I know that comfort and accuracy is dependent on person. My question was more along the lines of is purchasing a higher end handgun as the first a good idea? What if I do something stupid and mess it up? Would have been a cheaper mistake on a cheaper gun. What if I don't end up liking it? Would have been a cheaper mistake on a cheaper gun.

[Zula]

9mm is just fine for hd. USP is a fairly large gun though and I would look at the compact version if it was me.

[mc21]

9mm is just fine for hd. USP is a fairly large gun though and I would look at the compact version if it was me.

I actually quite like the size of the full size. Would there be any benefit from the compact size if I do not plan to conceal carry?

[cwin]

The HK was originally released in .40 but I don't think that it really makes a difference. I had a 9mm USP but I found that it wasn't for me and my smallish hands so I sold it pretty quick. I have to say that I wasn't to pleased with it personally, although I may be in the minority. Most people swear by HK and the USP series.

[zfields]

I actually quite like the size of the full size. Would there be any benefit from the compact size if I do not plan to conceal carry?

Just comfort. Sometimes the smaller grip helps.

I'm not personally a USP fan, never felt right to me.

[duc71]

have you try CZ75B? it is all metal a little heavy compare to glock 17 but I shot better than my glock 17 and it is same price & reliable as glock , for me I like them both but may be you should try to rent and shoot to see which brand is better for you. magnum ranger in rancho cucamonga rent $10/each + $15 for 2hrs... just my 2cent

[Zula]

I actually quite like the size of the full size. Would there be any benefit from the compact size if I do not plan to conceal carry?

The smaller gun is easier for ME to manipulate, but maybe that's not the case for you, so yeah go for it. The USP has a fantastic reputation and I don't think you'll regret it.
I used to be a .45 guy only, but myself and many others have come around on the 9mm. I enjoy shooting it more than .45 and the ammo is a hell of a lot cheaper.

[PandaLuv]

9mm>.40

If the gun was designed for .40, it can take 9mm just fine. Great gun and great caliber, enjoy.

[mc21]

have you try CZ75B? it is all metal a little heavy compare to glock 17 but I shot better than my glock 17 and it is same price & reliable as glock , for me I like them both but may be you should try to rent and shoot to see which brand is better for you. magnum ranger in rancho cucamonga rent $10/each + $15 for 2hrs... just my 2cent

I've held it and dry fired it but not actually shot with it. It felt pretty nice and is one of the other options if I decide not to blow all my money on the USP haha. I've already spent quite a bit on rentals to even come to the partial conclusion of the USP. Everywhere I have been seems to charge per gun instead of per hour like where I am from. I was able to just swap out all of the guns they had at $8/hr. I just got a membership at DGM but they didn't seem to have that much on rent. They had 4 glocks but I'm not a glock person. They have the XD which I like overall but don't really like the look of it. They had the USP which I did test fire 2 mags. This was the Santee location so I'm not sure if the San Diego one had more of a selection.

The smaller gun is easier for ME to manipulate, but maybe that's not the case for you, so yeah go for it. The USP has a fantastic reputation and I don't think you'll regret it.
I used to be a .45 guy only, but myself and many others have come around on the 9mm. I enjoy shooting it more than .45 and the ammo is a hell of a lot cheaper.

At almost double the cost for ammo, I just think this is where quantity outweighs quality (which not everyone would even agree the .45 is better).

9mm>.40

If the gun was designed for .40, it can take 9mm just fine. Great gun and great caliber, enjoy.

Looks like most people are going with "just buy it" stance. I will be at the gun shop tomorrow and will probably come out with a receipt.

[tbhracing]

Add- Check out the Sig SP 2022. For me, the pistol feels like it was custom made for my hand. I don't know how Sig does it, but the 2022 is a winner for me.

[mc21]

Add- Check out the Sig SP 2022. For me, the pistol feels like it was custom made for my hand. I don't know how Sig does it, but the 2022 is a winner for me.

Thanks for the suggestion, but for some reason I am just not a huge fan of sig. Shot one and handled many, but it never felt right.