First Handgun Purchase

[whitefeather]

Quote"

"I just fail to see the NEED for cocked and locked..."


That will open a can of worms on this forum.

How you carry is purely your choice. However, the M&P with our without a manual safety is a safe gun to carry with a round chambered.

Besides my XD, I have an HK USPc in .40S&W. It is a Variant 1 with a manual safety/decocker. I am a fan of decockers because you can chamber a round, decock, leave the safety off and have a gun that is ready to fire in double action mode. The HK is completely safe to carry in DA mode. It takes a very deliberate pull to complete the DA process (draw back the hammer and trip the sear).

 

[HippieMagic]

Yeah I thought of DA/SA but some DA pulls seem like an insanely heavy pull.... I saw that one of the SIGs had a 10lbs trigger pull in DA... I have never actually pulled a trigger that heavy but it seems a bit excessive... I may be too picky considering this is my first handgun purchase and is going to be $600 of my money... who knows... I just want something that will serve me well, fit good, shoot accurately, and go bang when I pull the trigger. I am kinda leaning towards night sights after thinking it over... they may not make a big difference but I guess they will be there if I ever need them there or want them there...

I want to pick up some snap caps too to help me with certain drills and practice... Is there a video anywhere that shows the difference in handgun calibers on ballistics gel? I mean everyone keeps talking about their best round for personal protection but I have never been able to find a video that shows just what that difference is... I mean I haven't seen one that shows a 9mm, .40S&W, .357SIG, and .45ACP side by side into gel...

 

[David E]

I don't know if I would personally carry a gun cocked and locked regardless... I mean what if it falls out on accident in a crowded place and some kid picks it up?

To be blunt, if you "accidentally drop the gun out of your holster," and some kid picks it up BEFORE YOU DO, then you shouldn't be packing ANY type of gun.

I just fail to see the NEED for cocked and locked...

That's because you do not understand it.

Maybe a .357 revolver would be better suited for you.

.

 

[HippieMagic]

What can go wrong will... That is just how I see it... I am not saying you are wrong to carry it cocked and locked I just prefer not to... I fail to see the need for me to personally do it is what I meant by my statement. I mean maybe if it was the end of the world or we were being invaded it would be different but the crime rate here just isn't high at all...

I did have a friend that was carjacked at gunpoint a few years back... kinda made me realize there is a need for a handgun for self defense even in a world where you think you are fairly safe... I am far from irresponsible in any way and I honestly have never in my life had a firearm accidentally discharge... I grew up around them daily... I am just a cautious person I guess...

 

[David E]

What can go wrong will...

Right. That's why _I_ carry a gun !

It sounds to me that you need to take a "tactics" class or similar before buying or carrying a gun.

Rob Pincus posts on here and would be a good class to attend..

.

 

[HippieMagic]

You need to stop taking it so offensive... I grew up around handguns and firearms in general... I know how to handle them and keep them safe but I know that accidents happen... nobody is immune from them... it is just my choice to not carry them with a round in the chamber... I am in rural WV... our crime rate is like ONE theft in 3 years here... your location may be different. I am also going to be taking a tactics class since it is required by law to actually get the CCW permit... It is hardly needed though... this isn't my first time USING a handgun it is my first time PURCHASING one.

I believe I will be picking up the S&W M&P in 9mm with night sights now. It seems to be the best for what I am looking for.

 

[BCRider]

HippieMagic, up where I live handguns are not carried around other than to the range and then it's in a locked case. But even I know that if you're using this for self defense you want a round in the barrel ready to go. But like you I draw the line at the idea of "cocked and locked". I know it'll raise a bunch of replies but I'd rather not have the hammer ready to slam into the pin if the safety was somehow slipped.

But not all DA/SA guns are horrendously hard to pull on DA. My CZ Shadow is a bit light given that it's meant as an IPSC ready match gun but even a duty DA pull at short range such as under 10 feet is going to do just fine. And with a duty like DA pull even I would feel safe at carrying with a round in the pipe.

I've shot an M&P and found it to be a pistol that fits my hand well. For our target only shooting with no concealled carry at all I PREFER a steel framed gun but if I had to pack something around on my hip all day an M&P would not be a bad choice. More kick than the heavier all steel options but decently compact and can do the job.