I'm buying my first handgun. I would like your input please.

Question

I know that I want to purchase a .40cal handgun. I like the Springfield XD and Sig Sauer P250 and Sig P229. Which do you think is the best first pistol? Do you recommend something else? My price range is $500-$800. Thanks.

Answer 1

The best one is the one that fits your hand when you're in the store trying it out.. :)  I've taken so many men and women to the store to get their first gun, and every single one of them has bought a different one than the one they had picked out from their research, every single one.

It's no good if you can't hold it comfortable and shoot it accurately, and they all fit everyone's grip a little different.  

(My oldest son lost a $50 bet with me... he was SOLD on a sig, and got a totally different make and model.  

Answer 2

Can't really recommend something if we don't know what you want it for.

If it is something that you want to carry for self defense, get a revolver, preferably .357 Mag or .38 Special.

Most people don't follow through with the extensive training and practice needed to obtain and maintain competence with an auto pistol.

A .38 Special is more than adequate for defense, has low recoil, is extremely accurate, easy to learn and operate, and fires the most common and least expensive ammo (you can afford more practice). A .357 gives you the option to fire the very powerful .357 ammo as well as being able to fire .38 Special ammo.

I prefer Smith & Wesson revolvers (the older ones without those asinine key locks) but Colt and Ruger are also very good.

If you MUST have an auto look at a 9mm. It has less recoil than the .40 while still providing more than adequate power for defensive purposes. Its also cheaper to feed.

When my employer switched us from 9mm to .40, the added recoil increased our number of "problem" or marginal shooters (those who frequently fail qualification and have to be retrained) by about 50 percent.

I've carried and used several police issue Sigs over the last 20 years so I can safely say that you should Buy A Glock!

Answer 3

I have a P-228 and love it.  I have shot the P-229 and would highly recommend any of the Sigs.

Answer 4

Hello Wizard. Although you have some very good opinions here above me, I would still like to add just a little bit more from my side.

Something to consider is ergonomics. A fancy term that means something "fits" your hand and is a natural pointer. Go into a gun shop and literally handle all different types of weapons. Hold the empty weapon at your side, pick a point on the wall and bring the weapon up to eye level. See what naturally seems to be pointing directly at your "target".

Some people have better ergonomics with autos and some with revolvers. This is strictly a personal preference. I can on and on about the various pros and cons of each. Fewer shots with the revolvers, more jams and bad magazines with the autos, etc. etc. But it still boils down to what you personally like.

Given that you have already stated you want an auto, we can limit our choices in that catagory. The .40 cal is nice choice for most people since it has the knock down power of the .45 but less felt recoil, making it more manageable in rapid tac-tac fire. The other advantage of the .40 is that it is a flat pointed bullet, giving it EXCELLENT kinetic shock.

Kinetic shock can be compared to dropping a stone into a pond of water. After you drop the stone, you will see ripples spreading outward from the point of impact. Those ripples are called kinetic shock. The human body does the exact same thing. A slow, fat and heavy bullet will have far greater shock over a smaller and faster bullet. This was the basic downfall of the 9MM bullet in law enforcement when they first decided to go with higher capacity when breaking away from revolvers. The 9MM travels too fast and punched straight through. If you didnt hit a vital organ, the person would bleed out internally, but they were still functioning. A .40 will knock them down and out.

As far as your stated choices of autos here, the Springfield XD is an excellent combat weapon, decent handling and nice ergonomics. My main complaint with this weapon is a 25 pound slide spring. Yes, it means you  can use VERY hot ammo, but it also means a VERY strong pull to rack the weapon. That can be a drawback in a combat situtation.

The Sig P250 is another excellent choice. This is a brand new concept being tried out using a "univerasl" frame so you can change the weapon into three different calibers by purchasing the slides, mags and barrels. Gives a far greater versatility without having to buy three different weapons.

The Sig 229 is a great .40 but doesnt have the interchangability of the P250.

I wouldnt offer a personal opinion of what you should buy for yourself as stated above. This is something you need to decide based on what you can handle comfortably. The size of your hand, body weight and strength are major deciding factors in weapons selections.

Another thing you might want to try is talking to friends who own different handguns. Go shooting with them and try their weapons using live ammo at a range. This is the ultimate test for you.

Regardless of your final choice, take a handgun safety class, buy a couple of extra magazines ( never own just one mag for a weapon) and practice shooting safely.

I hope this helps and you can find it useful

Answer 5

I have a SigSauer PP226 and have for over 25 years.  absolutely love the weapon

Answer 6

I personally Liket he XD better. But Sigs are a great firearm. I am not a fan of the .40 caliber as that was my first handgun and it had a snap recoil I did not like. I think the 9mm and .45acp are much more smooth.

I would go with the XD though.  

Answer 7

I agree with njmotorcop; a revolver is the best gun for basic home protection.  Also, you never indicated why you prefer the .40 caliber; probably because you read a few gung-ho articles in a gun magazine. The fact is the .40 cal isn't the cat's meow, it's better than nothing but the .45 and the .357 are better for defense.  If you're really trying to find out what the best gun for you is, go online and do some deep research, and don't be so eager to jump on the "gotta have it now" bandwagon.

Answer 8

The brands that you have listed are all reputable.  I prefer the Glock model 22, which is chambered in .40 S&W.  This weapon has definitely proven itself as it is used by numerous polce agencies across the U.S.  You can pick one up for anywhere from $450-$520.