About a particular gun.?

Question

I'm interested in buying my first pistol. I have been researching guns for the past 3 months or so. and i have come to the conclusion of buying the Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm....ne way, i've been looking at these guns at different stores. and found out there are the standard ones, and the standard ones w/ a "grip" laser beam.....and of course the laser ones are more expensive. Now I want the gun for personal protection, aswell as going to the range. my question is if u are owning ur first gun, would u buy one w/ a laser??? is it even worth the extra money?

Answer 1

If you want the gun for personal protection, the laser pointer would be better as in a dramatic situation you could easily aim if you didnt have time to do anything else really, although even in these situation you have to be careful and make the right decisions, even though you may only have seconds.

Answer 2

Any caliber or handgun that grips well and feels comfortable is OK.  I would start with a 9mm.  The laser is a waste of money and not practical, don't get one, learn to shoot with open sights.  The Beretta 92FS, SigSauer 229, HK USP, Kimber, are all good shooters!!!

Answer 3

as stated before, get a 22 to learn with! no laser! gun shop just wants the buisness of selling you the ammo! get a shotgun for protection

Answer 4

9mm is the way to go for your first pistol. Although a s&w  auto probobly isnt your best choice. If you want a s &w you should stick with a revolver in .357 (you can also shoot .38 special) If you have your heart set on an auto, you should look at glock, ruger, etc. which should be in the same price range.

Answer 5

Learn to use the iron sights first. You don't want to start right off the bat relying on lasers, because if they malfunction during a moment you need it, you'll be screwed.

Answer 6

I'd get a Browning hi-power 22 to learn how to shoot first... good gun and ammo is 10X cheaper than 9mm

Answer 7

The folks that make the lazer grips think they are.  I'm not so sure.  Those lazer grips are pretty expensive.  Most gun fights take place within the length of a room.  If you can't hit a man sized target within 15 feet, a lazer will do you very little good.  That's just my opinion.  If it were me, I'd spend the difference on ammo and get in some extra range time.  I'm sure you will get someone who will differ with me.  So, think the answers over and make your best pick.

Answer 8

A laser is a nice accessory, and in low light, it is awesome. But, it requires batteries, and in a personal defense weapon, I believe in the K.I.S.S. principle (Keep It Simple Stupid). Meaning that, batteries fail, electronics go out, and usually at the worst time. Also, the laser works both ways, it allows a bad guy to see exactly where you are as well. I prefer a set of "night sites" on my firearms for low light. I can see them because they glow in the dark, but the bad guy cannot see them. For a person like my father who is losing his eyesite, lasers make it much easier for him to defend himself without having to see those tiny sites with his weak eyes.

shoot safe

Answer 9

I am a long time rifle and pistol instructor.

You need a laser like a fish needs a bicycle.

Your first pistol needs to be a 22 auto.  Something like a Ruger MkII with adjustable sights.  This will allow you to use inexpensive 22 long rifle ammo as you learn marksmanship skills.  This will also be the pistol people at range will recommend - since the added noise of centerfire pistols makes them only allowed a few times per week at most ranges.  22's are usually good any day.

Learning to shoot with a 9mm will run you into the poor house.  You need a 22.

I wear a Galco shoulder rig for my personal protection pistol.  Most all of the comfortable fitting rigs and holsters are made of leather and nearly all will not accomodate a pistol with an attached laser.  You are pretty much stuck with a butt ugly and very uncomfortable Fobus holster if you want to have the laser connected.  

You cannot use a laser at an indoor range.  They are forbidden because the light can relfect off of shinny metal and hurt the eyes of other people.

Hope this helps

Answer 10

You would be better served with night sights

Anything that teaches a new shooter not to use the standard sight is a bad thing in the end

Laser sights are just one more thing to go wrong in the Murphy infused world of self defense and SHTF situations