Posted on 06/19/2015 5:23:06 PM PDT by Skooz
Best advice is to see if you can find one to try before you purchase... either find a buddy who has one or find a shop that has it in stock and will let you dry fire.
I decided not to get one because it was DOA - double action only, and it had a heavy trigger pull.
That actually made me LOL
Modern hollow points are negligible in terms of difference between 9mm, .40, and.45.
I like 45 but 40 is a nice step down that even without a good mushroom will still have a punch. 9mm is favored mainly for capacity. If it’s ccw, 9mm might be good due to capacity. Though I’d prefer as large as I can get.
Check out Lehigh for some great frangible ammo that will destroy soft tissue and end most any threat.
Modern hollow points are negligible in terms of difference between 9mm, .40, and.45.
I like 45 but 40 is a nice step down that even without a good mushroom will still have a punch. 9mm is favored mainly for capacity. If it’s ccw, 9mm might be good due to capacity. Though I’d prefer as large as I can get.
Check out Lehigh for some great frangible ammo that will destroy soft tissue and end most any threat.
I’ve been looking for the comparison video I ran across but can’t find it unfortunately. It compared 10 similar pieces including that S&W, Walther, Glock...they fired all of them with the same ammo. 3 guns made it to 1000 rounds without misfiring, the Taurus 709 among them. MSRP was $304. They spoke highly of it.
I have a Glock in 9mm and .40 S&W. I prefer to shoot the 9mm because the lower recoil has quicker follow up shots with greater accuracy. The 9mm holds more rounds, too.
Agreed....
I owned on of those VTAK models and was NOT impressed except for its trade value. The sights were great, the ergonomics were great, the functionality was great. The most important part, the trigger...not so much.
I like the S&W .22LR M&P Compact.
Small, light (15oz) and zero recoil even when loaded with CCI Stingers.
I like my Kimber Ultra Carry II .45ACP as well. 25oz and a fairly compact profile for a large caliber.
http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/ultra-carry-ii/ultra-carry-ii
The S&W 40 is nice but it weighs 24oz and you might as well have the step up to the 45.
The M&P pistols are a good choice. A bit tougher and heavier than the SD series with a better trigger.
I’d suggest the 9mm since the ammo is a lot less expensive than the .40 cal and there’s perceptively less recoil. Less recoil is good.
I have a Sig P229 in .40 S&W. Its a good handgun but if I had to do it again I’d get a 9mm and I would take another look at the Glock. Recoil management is easier with the 9mm which means that you should be able to maintain accuracy and trigger control when engaging your target with multiple shots. The Glock’s barrel’s low profile means that your grip will be higher and closer to the centerline of the bore which also aids in recoil management.
I’m not familiar with the Shield but sub-compact pistols tend to be snappier and less accurate due to their shorter sight radius and their lighter weight. Plus it is a single stack if I’m not mistaken.
I’d consider different options especially if it is your first handgun.
Just my .02 cents worth.
My.02
GO to a range and rent a few guns. Don’t just buy what people tell you to buy. Go shoot them yourself, in both calibers, maybe even revolvers. Then decide based on reliability, ammo/cost considerations.
You can get a Lonewolf 9mm barrel for your 229 and have best of both worlds.
P.S. With good quality hollow points the wound channels of the two calibers are nearly identical.
Another thing to look at. Ruger revolver.
In my mind there is exactly one .40 that doesn't shoot like too much gun stuffed into a 9mm frame. H&K.
Its the only .40 I've ever actually enjoyed shooting.
” Even big guys report that .40 has an uncomfortable recoil.”
I have a .40. Never bothered by the recoil and I am not a big guy.
Glock 23. .40 cal. IMHO, the best handgun on the market.
What have you shot!
Go to a range and shoot multiple guns multiple times.
I always recommend starting with a revolver.
I’ve been considering that option but wasn’t familiar with the Lonewolf. The one I’ve been looking at is the Bar-Sto barrel. Thanks for the tip, I’ll check it out.
Is it for concealed carry or home defense or just for fun? Concealed carry generally go with the smaller frame size for solely home defense you can get away with a larger frame/longer barrel for better accuracy. If you can find a range where you can rent the exact, or as close to as possible, model you’re looking at getting it will give you a better feel. When I was looking at purchasing my first semi-auto pistol, for concealed carry, this is what I did and so glad I did. The 9mm S&W jumped around in my hand and I had a hard time controlling it. The 9mm Glock was perfection for me. I have since “upgraded” to a .40 Glock that I find comparable, in comfort of shooting and accuracy, to the 9mm.
And for his last birthday I got my husband a Beretta PX4 Storm in .45 auto that is a real pleasure to shoot, but in my mind too large for concealed carry.
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