[AIKIJUTSU]

Originally Posted by chriswolfe

Found the gun ruger p94 40 cal I shot over 1000 rounds today and that gun felt the best

Ruger is a good strong, reliable piece. .40 S&W is a good defensive caliber. Be prepared, though .40 S&W ammo is more expensive than 9MM.

[gearhead396]

Originally Posted by therewolf

Another vote for the 92. Either the 92FS, or the new 92A1.

Great at the range, for HD, you can even carry them, with

a little effort. Never had a FTF or FTE on either of mine, they

are easy to clean, and I haven't found ammo yet they

wouldn't cycle. Redundant safety- ambidextrous thumb, decocker, and DA,

little wonder they are still popular with LE.

+1 to the whole statement with mine

[sweeper22]

Originally Posted by chriswolfe

Trying to find a good reliable gun to start with I'm think a 9 mm but don't no brands need some ideas

This is how I'd start your search...

1) In your mind's eye, is the gun you want polymer or metal framed?

2) Figure out what size of frame you'd like...portability and concealability vs max capacity, ballistics, control.

3) Consider preferred controls (trigger, safeties, ambi, etc).

4) Find a pistol with the above attributes that fits your hand well.

5) If you're on any kind of budget, also buy a similarly designed 22lr.

6) Pactice, practice, practice...with both guns. And practice some more. Good shooting is about positive habits and muscle memory.

It's important to recognize that for the first 4 points, there are no wrong answers. It's about finding a reputable gun that suits your needs and wants. 9mm is a great starting point. Other calibers can work too. What's perfect for myself or those above will quite likely not be perfect for you. But I like CZ when it comes to steel, Sig for alloy, and Springfield XD/XDm or S&W M&P when it comes to tupperware. Plenty of other great options out there, those are just my preferences.