Need Help Choosing First Pistol

Status
Not open for further replies.
P

PipSqueak

Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2022
Messages
4
Not new to firearms or pistols, however this will be the first one that I have owned after recently being approved for an unrestricted pistol permit. I am hoping to find something that's practical for concealment, yet isn't compromised in it's shooting ability by it's size (I want to be able to fit my whole hand on the grip). I also want something with a manual safety since that is what I have trained with and I do not like the feel of a bladed trigger safety or a hinged trigger. I know that with the market shifting to favor striker fired pistols, those are becoming less of a common feature in current models. DA/SA is fine, but if it is then I would rather just have a decocking lever instead. I'm hoping to find a nice striker fired model since the trigger will always have a consistent pull. Also the newer stuff is usually lighter, which facilitates carrying.

These are my desired features:
- 9mm
- Compact size (or at least a full grip)
- Manual Safety/Decocker
- 10+1 capacity (more is illegal where I live)
- Optics ready (preferably with suppressor height irons available for co-witness)
- Accessory rail for light
- Would like aftermarket upgrade options for future tinkering

Does this exist?

The closest I could come up with that met all my needs was an Sig M18 MS with Carry X slide for suppressor height irons. I also like the looks of the Sig P228/9. I'm sure that my options are going to open up significantly if I look at more DA/SA stuff. I know there are some things I will have to make concessions over, and that's okay. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions or knowledge that anyone is willing to share. Thanks!
 
P226 or maybe the P228, or maybe one of the Beretta 92's would be my choice there. All are good to go out of the box and are good shooters.

The optics might be an issue with those though. I have a couple of different guns that take a suppressor, the Beretta being one of them, and I just use the normal height sights with them. They shoot just as well if you shoot both eyes open.

I really dont consider them to be compacts, but their smaller versions (P228, etc) really arent that much smaller. The full size guns are easily carried too.
 
CNobbe said:
M&P compact 9s have safeties, tall sights, and are optic ready. Lots of upgrades out there.
Click to expand...
+1
I have a first gen 9C and after 10 plus years of carry the grip is too slick for me to deal with, it was lacking when I bought it but years of wear and crawling around under trucks/tractors etc. has buffed it out shiny. Tried talon grips, but it still wasn't quite right and I keep wearing the bottom edge off. Local shop had the M2.0 compact on sale this week and I bought one. I love it. The traction to the grip is perfect, trigger is plenty good for me but can easily be upgraded, and the size is a nice compromise between shootable and concealable. I think an M&P compact would be an excellent first/only pistol.
 
Thank you for the replies everyone. Are there versions of the S&W M&P without a hinged trigger?
 
First question is what are you looking to spend? Then how will you be carrying it, As a former cop a safety can be deadly unless you're able to draw and release without thought. a lot of guys got into a pinch with SW 59 series of guns where the decocker doubled as a safety. Then you mentioned optics ready? and light? for carry purposes aside from being harder to conceal, unless you can carry open where are would be bulky, 99% of street encounters fall in the the 21 foot reactionary gap, which shows if some charges at you from 21 feet, you have 1.5 seconds to draw and fire before being stabbed, so you want sleak and free of anything that will hinder you. light and optics while might be of use in the competition world, or in a situation of cllearing a structure at low ready, but getting it out quick would be a worry. As for a Sig, you can't go wrong, I carried a P220 45 on duty for years and they're as reliable as it gets. I've never been a fan of plastic striker pistol, so i'd go with the P229 Elite Compact, and they actually have a seperate model for that asinine 10 round bit. Shows the stupidity of the left. I only have 8 in a 45, or 6 in a 357, I was always amazed at the thinking processs. If 10 rounds saves murders over 15 i really wanna see that math, because I God forbid how to shoot someone and its not over in a double tap, theres a problem. lol Hope my opinon is worth something. Good Luck
 

Attachments

  • 229-enhanced-elite.jpg
    229-enhanced-elite.jpg
    41.7 KB · Views: 5
PipSqueak said:
These are my desired features:
- 9mm
- Compact size (or at least a full grip)
- Manual Safety/Decocker
- 10+1 capacity (more is illegal where I live)
- Optics ready (preferably with suppressor height irons available for co-witness)
- Accessory rail for light
- Would like aftermarket upgrade options for future tinkering
Click to expand...
Langdon Tactical Beretta 92 Compact Elite LTT https://langdontactical.com/92-elite-ltt-with-rdo-slide/

If you prefer polymer frame the Beretta PX4 https://langdontactical.com/ernest-langdons-px4-black/
 
What do you think is wrong with a hinged trigger and how do you know it will be wrong on your first pistol?

I hardly notice it on mine and I have been shooting solid triggers on 1911 for a long time.
 
PipSqueak said:
Thank you for the replies everyone. Are there versions of the S&W M&P without a hinged trigger?
Click to expand...
I don't know of a completely flat trigger (like a 1911) for the M&P, but if you don't like the hinge you can get an Apex trigger that is a straight trigger with a safety lever in it. Personally I don't notice the hinge on the M&P, and find it less bothersome than a bladed trigger.
 
Other than optics, this should work. You will probably like the overall ergos more than with most gun 'brands' which are Not a CZ ---

I would have suggested my CZ PCR (75D with no rail), except that it is a basic version.

PigSqueak: You might realize that the chance of simply spotting any P-O1 or 75 D in a gun store, in order to try the ergos , can be pretty rare.
If you can not adjust to a somewhat 'gritty' DA trigger (when decocked), the pros at Cajun Gun Works can modify the triggers. The mag release is rather stiff, but so what....

So many gun owners seem unable to make a modest adjustment to Anything which is not optimum. They are Very fortunate that few stick shift :eek: cars are still around.


17837-DEFAULT-l.jpg
 
Last edited:
I just went through a similar process to buy my first concealed carry gun. My goals were similar being both concealable, and including a manual safety. IMO the 2 best choices for you are the Sig Sauer P365, or the Hellcats.
They're both concealed size, striker fired polymer guns that come with a manual safety. They also offer both micro or subcompact sized offerings (P365 & Hellcat) along with compact sizes (P365 XL & Hellcat Pro).
I would look for a retailer with a large inventory to go see and feel a nice selection of guns so you can at least pare down the options. BTW since I'm a smaller guy @ 5'8" & my primary goal was concealability, I wound up with the P365. I've had it for a week, and I've only been to the range once, but so far so good even though it's taking me a lot of reps to get used to a gun this small.
 
PipSqueak said:
practical for concealment, yet isn't compromised in it's shooting ability by it's size (I want to be able to fit my whole hand on the grip) ... 9mm ... Compact ... Manual Safety ... 10+1 capacity ... Does this exist?
Click to expand...
Compact pistol easy to conceal that shoots like a full-size pistol with full hand grip ... without compromise. Wow, a dream pistol. :p

Yes, they do exist but you may need to adjust your "features" expectations. :)

What looks good on paper don't always translate to holes on target or your shooting comfort/enjoyment. (It's why so many people have multiple guns or sell most of them and keep just a few ;))

My "best" suggestion would be to actually test fire the pistol models with features you desire and see which produces greatest accuracy fastest and choose the one you like the best (This has been my practice with past several decades helping people choose their target/match/defense/carry pistols and often they end up choosing pistols that were totally different from what they initially "wanted/desired" simply based on marketing/word-of-mouth because everyone's hands are different :)).

If you cannot test fire range sample pistols, then you risk finding out that you may not like the pistol after shooting it and may sell it or trade it for something else.

If you are looking for accuracy, try this out. While dry firing the pistol (Get permission from seller and clear the pistol first), watch the front sight and choose the model or particular sample that moves/jumps the front sight the least or preferrably one that doesn't move the front sight.

Why?

I found if I start out with a pistol that doesn't move the front sight out-of-the-box, as the pistol trigger parts break in/wear, it is more accurate than same model pistols that move/jump the front sight. Think about it ... 1/8" inch movement of front sight will translate to scatter of inches on target depending on distance. ;)

When I shot USPSA, we had many "Bring your other factory stock gun to test" days during our practice sessions where we got to run other shooters' pistols through the same match stages to provide comparative accuracy and recoil impressions. I was a die hard 1911/Sig 226 fan/shooter but when I tested a Glock 17 I never shot before, I got faster stage time with comparable "double taps" than my Sig 226. Puzzled, I repeated the stages with faster and faster times. (I quickly sold the Sig and bought a Glock 17 to happily shoot over 120,000 rounds before replacing it with two Glock 22s to replace 1911 to better meet major/minor power factors)

Based on some of your criteria, S&W M&P9 Compact 2.0 produced respectable 1.22" to 3.64" groups at 25 yards, better than many full-size pistols - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...most-accurate-9mm.906663/page-4#post-12324744

For me, closest I could get to "compact" carry pistol that shoots like a full-size pistol with full hand grip is Glock 23 with 40-9mm conversion barrel for cheaper 9mm practice option. But that's me. (And I like M&P pistols ... until my sister took my M&P40 to shoot matches and my M&P45 was gifted to wife's friend due to left-handed controls ... :oops:)
 
Last edited:
I have become a big SIG fan the last few years, they seem to do a great job on keeping their hands on what the shooter currently wants. The 210, 220, 229 and 226 pistols are all metal and you can get higher optic ready grades and Grey Guns has up grades to take you to the Moon ! If you want to limit yourself to 10 rounds = single stack , the 210 and 220 are designed for them. The quality control and warranty is very good from Sig , parts are abundant .
That said IF I was buying a first all metal pistol , like my son in New Jersey just did, I would most certainly get the new New Beretta 92xRDO Compact . It is optic ready, can come as a 10 round mag gun from the factory and has all the upgrades the Military proven 92F series has only better. The price is lower than the Sigs. $600 dollar range New .
92x-compact_rdo_listing001.jpg
92x-rdo-compact-1.png
 
I thought OP wanted a striker fired pistol?
PipSqueak said:
I'm hoping to find a nice striker fired model ... Compact size
Click to expand...
Hence why I suggested S&W M&P9 Compact 2.0.

And although OP didn't like hinged/bladed trigger, you can always replace the trigger.
LiveLife said:
PipSqueak said:
I do not like the feel of a bladed trigger safety or a hinged trigger
Click to expand...
Yes, they do exist but you may need to adjust your "features" expectations.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
LiveLife said:
I thought OP wanted a striker fired pistol?
​
Hence why I suggested S&W M&P9 Compact 2.0.

And although OP didn't like hinged/bladed trigger, you can always replace the trigger.
​
Click to expand...
I can't think of a non plastic pistol with a decocker that is striker fired .But if striker fired with non bladed trigger is require along with optic ready then this : Sig M18 , polymer but very sweet package $650
pix938773157.jpg
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
  • Poll
Carrying a DA/SA pistol with manual safety off?
Replies
16
Views
1K
Exmasonite
E
P
  • Locked
9MM DA Pistol
Replies
19
Views
693
Dobe
D
Good Ol' Boy
  • Locked
Safety Off Carry
2 3 4
Replies
82
Views
3K
9mmepiphany
9mmepiphany
P
  • Locked
Concealed Carry 9mm Auto Pistols
2
Replies
31
Views
3K
MICHAEL T
M
E
  • Locked
Decocker/manual safety or striker for CCW
2 3
Replies
52
Views
3K
Homerboy
H
Back
Top