Buying first handgun

Sequimite · #1

I read the recent 9mm thread with great interest. I used to spend time hunting and have fired a number of shotguns and rifles; however my handgun experience is limited to a S&W 38 and a 25 caliber semi-automatic that originally belonged to my great grandfather.

I want a single pistol to use for everything: everything being SD for my family and dogs from coyotes, mountain lions and criminals. I enjoy target shooting but will probably only do enough to stay comfortable with the pistol. I'm thinking pistol rather than shotgun because I'm much more likely to have the pistol at hand when in need.

After playing with a lot of pistols at the local gun shop, this most comfortable grip was a Browning Pro / FNP made by Fabrique Nationale de Herstal. In general I determined that I want a full sized grip, as opposed to a compact like a Sig 239, but that aside from the grip the overall gun should be as small as possible.

Since I'm establishing a relationship with the local gun shop I want to spend the extra money to buy it from them. They are selling the FNP 40 with three 14 shot mags and two 10 shot mags for $450. It has been on sale often in the last year or so since being replaced by the FNX 40.

I was thinking of buying a 9mm, but have verified that the 40 caliber ammo costs just slightly more and am warming up to the idea of the heavier caliber.

The gun is very similar to a Sig 228 in it's DA / SA trigger system and controls.

I think that's the basic info so I'm ready for the wisdom to rain down.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_FNP

add-> I also favor the looks and it does have a Spyderhole of sorts.

Mojo51 · #2

have you had a chance to shoot any guns that interest you? I would try to shoot as many as possible. I would go with the .40 IMHO

Mako109 · #3

I haven't handled the Browning Pro or FNP models you mentioned but just thought I toss in the SigSauer P2022 for your consideration if you haven't already looked at it. It's roughly in the same price range, dimensions, and has a similar appearance. Available in 9mm, 357 Sig, and 40 S&W. It also comes in a two-tone version. I'm extremely pleased with mine, a real tack driver and a pleasure to shoot.

http://www.genitron.com/handgundb/DB-Ha ... sp?ID=2289

Heespharm · #4

Hands down the best hand gun I've handled is a 1911 but my springfield
xdm shoots just as accurately and is loads easier to upkeep and more reliable...

Sequimite · #5

The Sig 2022 is the one I targeted after reading the 9mm thread and researching the various recommended pistols. I have not handled it yet, but will before making a decision.

I know it's a good idea to shoot before buying, but being in a low population rural area, I may not get the opportunity to do that with either the FNP 40 or the Sig 2022. Given my lack of experience I question how much I would learn from a trial as well. I'll probably need months with the pistol to get to know it.

SQSAR · #6

Both the weapon and the caliber are very subjective and personal things. Fortunately, there are a lot of good weapons out there that will serve you well, , the FN you mention being one of them.

Personally, I like 40 over 9mm, but I don't think you can go wrong either way. For the weapon, I've become a HUGE fan of the Smith and Wesson M&P series. But, ultimately, it comes down to what others have suggested: handle, and preferably fire, as many as you can so you can form a more informed opinion prior to slapping down your cold hard cash. More importantly, no matter which weapon/caliber you opt for, , , you MUST train as much as you can with both the weapon and any particular holster you choose so using it is second nature.

19cohiba75 · #7

Heespharm wrote:Hands down the best hand gun I've handled is a 1911 but my springfield
xdm shoots just as accurately and is loads easier to upkeep and more reliable...

+1 on the XDM :D 9mm holds 19+1 is GREAT !!!!! 40S&W is 16+1 and 45ACP is 13+1 :D The compact version gives you the best of both worlds with the compactness for CCW with the short grip and the ability to go to the long grip with the extension on the magazine. Springfield just announced they are coming out with the 45 in the compact version very soon

Also if you buy any Springfield Armory XD or XDM pistol before the end of Nov 30 2011 you will get 3 free magazines and a mag pouch free :D
Regular 4.5 edition :

Compact 3.8 version :

Compact with the grip extension on :

RIOT · #8

go to a shooting range and rent the guns youre interested in before you buy.

.357 mag · #9

RIOT wrote:go to a shooting range and rent the guns youre interested in before you buy.

THIS!! On a side question. Why no revolver? .38/.357 is a great combo.

Sequimite · #10

.357 mag wrote:THIS!! On a side question. Why no revolver? .38/.357 is a great combo.

Originally I was thinking of a revolver but the more I read about the reliability of the name brand semi-automatics, the more I wanted the advantage of having 14+ shots with quick reload. Nearby ranches have had sheep killed by mountain lions and if I ever had to stop one I'd want as much firepower as I could get.

On the northern Olympic Peninsula there less than 300,000 people scattered across 250 miles and only two very small gun shops. There are two Sigs at one gun shop and none at the other; no 2022 on the entire peninsula. So unless I find a place in Seattle that rents them and drive for two hours, I can't shoot one. One shop is selling the FNP-40, but again there isn't one to shoot. It's good advice, but I'll probably have to take a chance without range experience.

Heespharm · #11

Sequimite wrote:Originally I was thinking of a revolver but the more I read about the reliability of the name brand semi-automatics, the more I wanted the advantage of having 14+ shots with quick reload. Nearby ranches have had sheep killed by mountain lions and if I ever had to stop one I'd want as much firepower as I could get.

On the northern Olympic Peninsula there less than 300,000 people scattered across 250 miles and only two very small gun shops. There are two Sigs at one gun shop and none at the other; no 2022 on the entire peninsula. So unless I find a place in Seattle that rents them and drive for two hours, I can't shoot one. One shop is selling the FNP-40, but again there isn't one to shoot. It's good advice, but I'll probably have to take a chance without range experience.

Um as far as mountain lions you'll want 40 at least if nOt 45... And if ur at a range to engage a mountain lion they could probably get you before you put them down... Get a shotgun!

oldschool · #12

You can't go wrong with a Glock. It is the most widely used semi-automatic handgun, and for a good reason.

The smaller 9mm Glock 19 is my favorite. I don't see a reason to go over 9mm unless you're going to war or something. Yet, for mountain lions the .40 may make sense.

Here are the specs for the 9mm and .40 Glock models:

Sequimite · #13

oldschool wrote:You can't go wrong with a Glock. It is the most widely used semi-automatic handgun, and for a good reason.

The smaller 9mm Glock 19 is my favorite. I don't see a reason to go over 9mm unless you're going to war or something. Yet, for mountain lions the .40 may make sense.

Here are the 9mm and .40 specs of both Glock 17 and Glock 19:

One thing the shops do have are Glocks. I will admit that I was put off by their looks, plus I found them very uncomfortable to grip. However, the new series 4 Glock 17 does have a comfortable grip so I may have to look at them again.

Azwaiian · #14

You can't go wrong with the handgun of your choice, nor the caliber, but I would like to suggest either a Glock or a Springfield XD pistol. Both handguns are easy to shoot, clean, and maintain. The aftermarket parts, magazines, weapons light, holsters, barrels, sights, etc. are huge for each gun. They are both high cap mags as well and have an awesome reputation for reliability.

Either way, I think you will be happy with a FN or the gun you choose. Good luck.

Sequimite · #15

Heespharm wrote:Um as far as mountain lions you'll want 40 at least if nOt 45... And if ur at a range to engage a mountain lion they could probably get you before you put them down... Get a shotgun!

Ideally that's fine, but I'm not going to carry a shotgun when I walk the dogs in the field at night.

coonan · #16

When I hear the word mt. lion I would not go with anything less than a .357 mag. better yet .45 long colt,41 or .44 mag. Firepower is not only how many rounds you can cram in a magazine.It is how big they are and shot placement is important. Above .357 was right a good combo .very versatile. If you do not like a revolver which I think are better because they do not fail to feed- eject or extract.look at the coonan .357 auto. but do not go up to a mt. lion under gunned. Better yet a shotgun.you can not get more versatile than that. And cheaper in the long run .Good luck and good shooting.

.357 mag · #17

Mountain loins are thin skinned. .38,9mm is fine.

coonan · #18

I know many guides .DNR agents, and law enforcement from my profession and we have talked a length about such matters and after looking at cases regarding mt. lions and wild farrow hogs being shot in self defense or hunted you will not find any of them going with a sub cal. lions might be thin skinned like a deer but a deer is not trying to kill you. They are full of adrenaline when they are in attack mode and have killed men after being shot by said cal. firearms. Those small cal. rounds are not safe at all.

DCDesigns · #19

Hey Seq., by your requirements, it sounds like you need something a little bigger than a .40... IF Mountain Lions are a legit threat, and likelihood of encounter is high enough to go armed, then that needs to be your focus. A .40 might do it, buy why take the chance? You should perhaps look at Glock 10mms. (other makers make 10mm, but seem to be hard to find) 10mm is a step up from .45 IMO, and it is essentially a longer .40sw with more punch (the .40 smith was actually the result of the 10mm being shortened) IF you can handle recoil no problem, a 10mm glock would tick all your boxes as far as firepower (both capacity and power), would serve well for home protection, as well as fending off wild animals. 10mm is the way to go in my opinion.

VashHash · #20

I say go with the 40. 10mm isn't easy to find ammo for and its not. Gonna be cheap. You want to be able to practice with your pisttol and have some ammo on stock. If the 10mm was more readily available I would have bought one but its not easy to find the ammo. I carry an xdm in 40. Great gun I've even dropped it in water and mud and tossed it around in a field. No malfunctions of any kind so far.