I am looking to be a first time owner - MI - looking for suggestions

[wasrjoe]

IMO a good .357 revolver would serve you well. You can put some .357 hollowpoints in there and it's a great little SD gun - and you can shoot .38 special for target practice. Revolvers may not be the best CCW guns (IMO at least - since they are not the thinnest things in the world, and I like thin for CCW) but they definitely fit the bill.

My first handgun a Makarov, which is a great little gun and would also suit your purposes. However, if I had to do everything again I would get a decent .357 revolver before my Makarov, or any semi-auto. (This is assuming limited funds.)

 

[Super Trucker]

If you look at the Glock also take a look at the Springfield XD it is a little cheaper than a Glock and I like the grip better.

 

[ExtremeDooty]

With a revolver, you can quickly make sure it's loader or not just by looking at it. Not to mention they are easy to shoot, and you don't have to fieldstrip them, to clean it.

Not to belabor the point, but with an XD you can tell if it's loaded with one in the pipe by feel without having to look at it. You can also field strip an XD in 5 sec, if you're taking your time.

Nothing wrong with a revolver, I have a Taurus 605, same size as the 85, but I can shoot 38's and 357's. That makes it good for a bedside or pocket carry. I like having options.

The XD is definitely more fun at the range.

 

[Jason Demond]

I know there are a lot of guns now with loaded chamber indicators, I am partial to revolvers, and my first response shows that.

I must say first of all, that I hate LCI's and internal locks. I go out of my way to not buy a gun with them on. The only gun I ever had, that had a lock and a LCI was a Taurus PT111. It was a good enough gun, but it didn't really do anything for me. The LCI was small and hard to tell if the gun was loaded.

I guess if one were to buy a gun with a real substantial LCI, they could look into the new Ruger pistol.

All my HD guns are revolvers; I am just a revolver guy.

Though I do carry a 15+1 round, S&W Sigma in 40 S&W.
The Sigma’s are good guns, and would serve all the criteria listed by Sawyer.

 

[Jehzsa]

CDNN has used Sig P225s for $369.99. Choose the handpicked($20.00) and you have an excellent condition, very accurate, versatile, durable, reliable handgun. Choice of 9mm ammo can't be beat. Anywhere from tracers to specialty, and everything in between.

 

[bama1911]

For a first gun. A revolver would be my choice. Don't have to worry about jams, if a round is chambered, or a safety. Cost less, leaving more $ for ammo.

 

[TK73]

Another vote for the revolver!

I'd recommend to get a S&W M686 "Distinguished Combat Magnum" or an M66 "Combat Magnum". I bet, both will serve you very well. Even if you plan on purchasing semi-autos in the future, I think you'll be glad to have either one of these fine sixguns around.