[Geno]

Hi all.
I am planning to buy my first handgun.
I am a complete newbie.
Shot few times Sig P250 with my friend (his gun) and that's all the experience i have.
I want to get an advise what gun should i get.
I think i need something simple to use and reliable.
I don't want to spend more then $700-750.
Sorry if there is not enough info, but like i said i am new to this.
Thanks.

[mesinge2]

Any XDm and you'll be happy.

I have about 1,800rds down the tube and if has worked out very well.
Here is a review of my XDm 45:

I've got to tell ya I was always of the mind set that I would never
own a tupperware gun, but was I wrong! The first thing I noticed
shooting it was that is was surprisingly soft shooting, however the
grip was small. I have odd bear-paw hands and I had to swap out the
backstrap to the largest size at the range.

After the swap, the gun felt like my Colt Combat elite with the arched
housing only thicker. I brought an assortment of Hollow Point ammo
just in case it didn't like something. I WASTED MY MONEY! It shot
Speer GD, Hornady XTP+P, and Corbon JHP+P just like it was FMJ ammo.

And as for accuracy, I had it loaded to 13+1 and I could only see 11,
maybe 12 holes in the target. Which means that 2 to 3 rounds went
through the same holes. I shot a total of 310 rounds of which 60 were
hollow points and the rest were Magtech FMJ and Winchester FMJ (the
light ones that look like JSWCs). After all that I was amazed at how
soft shooting it was, It makes my Defender seem like a torture device.

Not a jam

I could not be happier with this gun. My only complaint is that my Colt is going to get lonely!
http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/f59/range-report-45-acp-springfield-xdm-45-a-28825/

I have been carrying it in a Tagua Open Top Quick Draw Leather Belt
Holster made for a H&K 45 Auto. It actually fits perfectly. I picked it
because H&K have larger trigger guards. Plus, its only $35 shipping
included.


http://www.taguagunleather.com/new/quick-draw-leather-belt-holster-p20

[Jo da Plumbr]

Originally Posted by Geno

Hi all.
I am planning to buy my first handgun.
I am a complete newbie.
Shot few times Sig P250 with my friend (his gun) and that's all the experience i have.
I want to get an advise what gun should i get.
I think i need something simple to use and reliable.
I don't want to spend more then $700-750.
Sorry if there is not enough info, but like i said i am new to this.
Thanks.

For simple and reliable look at revolvers.

Best bet is to go to a range that rents and try different kinds. Only you can decide what works best for you.

[danf_fl]

+1 on a revolver as the first.
It may not be fancy, may hold only so many bullets (that maybe a good thing), some say it is out of date, but you can't beat it.

Learn the basics with the revolver, then transition to the semi-auto.

[WDB]

Originally Posted by Jo da Plumbr

For simple and reliable look at revolvers.

Best bet is to go to a range that rents and try different kinds. Only you can decide what works best for you.

Yep what he said

Good luck, take your time, shoot several and find what fits you best.

[luckyg]

Originally Posted by Geno

Hi all.
I am planning to buy my first handgun.
I am a complete newbie.
Shot few times Sig P250 with my friend (his gun) and that's all the experience i have.
I want to get an advise what gun should i get.
I think i need something simple to use and reliable.
I don't want to spend more then $700-750.
Sorry if there is not enough info, but like i said i am new to this.
Thanks.

Here's what I recommend:

Go and rent all of these compact polymer-frame 9mm pistols:

Glock 19
Ruger SR9c
S&W M&P9c
Springfield Armory XD9 compact

Choose the one that you shoot best.

You can't go wrong with any of these guns.

[Jpyle]

Originally Posted by mesinge2

Any XDm and you'll be happy.

I have about 1,800rds down the tube and if has worked out very well.
Here is a review of my XDm 45:




I have been carrying it in a Tagua Open Top Quick Draw Leather Belt
Holster made for a H&K 45 Auto. It actually fits perfectly. I picked it
because H&K have larger trigger guards. Plus, its only $35 shipping
included.


Quick Draw Leather Belt Holster - Tagua Gun Leather | Gun Holsters, Leather Holsters, Pistol Holsters, Western Holsters, Shoulder Holsters, Glock Holsters.

NJ...15 round limit, XDm is verboten...well not the .45ACP.

[BigScoot11]

Originally Posted by luckyg

Here's what I recommend:

Go and rent all of these compact polymer-frame 9mm pistols:

Glock 19
Ruger SR9c
S&W M&P9c
Springfield Armory XD9 compact

Choose the one that you shoot best.

You can't go wrong with any of these guns.

I completely agree with this. When i made the plunge on my first i did almost the same thing. Just make sure you can rent them to shoot so you know how it feels in your hand on the firing line not just at the case lol.

[danf_fl]

Unless you are experienced, go get some training (someone taught you how to drive, didn't they), then go to a range that offers rentals and rent different guns (after you had a chance to see how they fit).

When we suggested revolvers, this was (in my case) a suggestion based on over 40 years firearms experience (with 30 years as an instructor).

[JonM]

from the perspective of looking at it as a total new person to guns would a revolver is exactly the same as a semi-auto. there is nothing that makes a semi-auto more difficult to learn than a revolver. they are just different. that is all.

for a noob transitioning from one to the other can be difficult but to someone starting they gotta learn one or the other first.

however i think a person is better off starting on semiauo pistols.

semi you gotta learn to manipulate a magazine and slide
revolver you gotta learn to manipulate a speed loader and cylinder

i would say a revolver has slightly more things to learn that require slightly more coordination. usually involving good technique in empty and refilling a cylinder. under stress and fear reloading a revolver can be an extremely difficult if not impossible task. if its just range shooting it really doesnt matter.

reloading a revolver requires a person to align six objects with six holes. reloading a semi requires aligning one object with one hole.

i recomend semi-auto over revolver for self defense simply because most people arent going to spend oodles of time making the movements to clear spent rounds from a cylinder and reloading a reflex. its easier to load and reload a semi with little or infrequent practice.