| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| EMERSON |
Posted - 04/02/2012 : 14:24:48
Hi everybody,
I am new to this forum but I am going to be buying my first handgun soon and was wondering if anybody had any imput about what kind to get. It will be a 9mm but Im not sure about the exact gun. I am thinking I want the Kahr CW9 but others have advised me towards the Springfield Armory XDS or SIG Sawyer. I want a smaller size because I am only 5'5" and weigh about 130. Also I have pretty small hands. Opinions from someone whos maybe shot all of these or something?
Thanks  |
| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| rambosky |
Posted - 04/23/2012 : 08:41:42
My wife likes to shoot and carry the Walther PPS. |
| kerribrown |
Posted - 04/23/2012 : 07:38:54
I started out with my husbands g19 that I carried for awhile, until I found the 27. I love Glocks, so I went through a lot of them to find what I liked. The 19 was great, but was hard for me to conceal, as I'm 5'5 and 115#. The 27 is easier for me to carry, I don't like the capacity as much, but I can carry 10 .40s, and that works or me. Some gun shops will let you fire theirs before you buy, even if they don't have a range, they have the hookups with private land. |
| mondan |
Posted - 04/22/2012 : 21:57:01
++1 on all the great advice everyone has given. I also have a few cents to donate. If there are no ranges close by that rents handguns you could try taking a course that provides a sampling off firearms or even friends that may have a few. A good place to start is the Internet with a search for NRA certified I instructors in your area. Good luck! |
| Thenomad13 |
Posted - 04/22/2012 : 20:52:44
Sorry to be chiming in so late, but I'm fairly new to gun ownership and wanted to put my 2 cents in. Last July, I decided that I wanted to purchase a handgun. My husband and all his friends were giving me a million suggestions as to what to get. I wanted a gun that was low on recoil and fairly inexpensive. I've never really shot before and was afraid of what would happen if I didn't like it. I am so unfortunate that there are not very many ranges that rent handguns around me. All I had to base my decision off of was my friends' handguns and reviews on the Internet. Very frustrating. I ended up purchasing my XDm 9mm at that point. I do not regret it a bit. My biggest suggestion is to read the forums, especially this one to see what other people are thinking about the many handguns out there. It's a big investment and a lot of research should be done before the purchase. If you are fortunate enough to have a range near you that rents out handguns, definitely take them up on it. You won't regret it. :) good luck. One more thing before I go: I understand that you're small but I suggest a full framed gun for your first purchase. It's so much easier to shoot. I now have my beretta nano which is also a 9mm for carry. My experiences with the XDm made my nano so much easier to master. :) |
| StrangeBird1911 |
Posted - 04/09/2012 : 15:17:19
If you are new to shooting pistols, consider a full size 9mm (Glock 17 or 19) to build up skills. I found my CW9 hard to shoot well at first. After working on basic skills with a G17, I went back to the Kahr and shot a lot more accurately. |
| akiratubo |
Posted - 04/08/2012 : 12:52:27
My mother is smaller than you and greatly enjoys her CZ-75. The DA trigger is a long reach but she has no trouble hitting a man-sized target at close range out to 15 yards with the first shot.
The CZ comes in compact versions that can be concealed well. It is also available with a decocker instead of a thumb safety. Just another option to try. |
| hornet |
Posted - 04/08/2012 : 10:49:03
Remember, smaller guns have a greater perceived recoil than a larger gun in the same caliber. If you are a new shooter than you should buy a gun that you will enjoy shooting often. Small guns like the snub nose revolvers, LC9 and Keltec PF9 can be very uncomfortable to shoot. Follow the advice above and find a range that rents guns or a friend that will let you borrow theirs. |
| chokol8cuvrdantz |
Posted - 04/08/2012 : 09:17:34
Sounds like everybody's covered the basics. Yup. Shop around. Visit gun shops, pawn shops, and anywhere else that sells firearms. Hold all of them until you find one that you like. Then hold some more. You'd be amazed how much a gun that looks exactly like another brand will have a completely different feel in your hand. Good luck! Let us know what you come up with! |
| Glock26Dude |
Posted - 04/07/2012 : 09:05:43
+1 for try before you buy. Also, take as many classes as you can afford. For concealed carry, I have a Glock 26 and a Kahr CM9. Both are excellent, small weapons. For fun and home defense, the larger cousins (G19 or G17 and CW9) are good. I don't have one but I have heard great things about the S&W M&Ps.
Welcome! Carry always! |
| Jane Doe |
Posted - 04/04/2012 : 17:33:48
I am the same height/weight as you. I own a Sig Sauer P239 & a Ruger LC9. They are both very fine guns for me. The Ruger is my carry gun as the Sig is too large for concealment. If you aren't looking specifically for a carry gun, I think you would be quite pleased with the Sig. I agree with the suggestions of handling/shooting the guns first but, unfortunately, that is not always an option. Perhaps that's why I now own three 9's and one revolver!
I'm excited for you on your first purchase. Don't know what your price range is but if, down the line (as I'm sure the first will only lead to more) you are seeking quite possibly the finest 9mm available, I would recommend the Kimber Pro Aegis II. I love mine!
Good luck with your pursuit.
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| mattinglyt |
Posted - 04/02/2012 : 16:52:37
Spend the money to go to a range that will rent you the guns that fit you best and shoot them to see which ones you like best. It is money well spent and that is the only way you're going to find one that fits you best. Most places will also have a couple holsters of different brands on hand and will be happy to help you try them on with an unloaded gun and see which ones fit you best. Personally, I prefere good leather holsters since they wear a lot better than the plastic one.
The 9mm will be a good caliber to get but when it comes to a carry round for it make sure you stick with the 147grain bullets as they will have higher weight and kinetic energy. Please for heavens sake, stick with a service caliber.
Check out this link for "new carry" options CLICK HERE and here for our
Terms Of Service
And most and foremost, have fun, be safe and good luck. |
| 1813Anschutz |
Posted - 04/02/2012 : 15:37:57
Start with actually handling the wide variety of handguns on the market and then narrow your search down by what guns FIT well into YOUR hand and yours alone.
Take notes on the top three and then see if you can live fire those three. Base your decision on fit first.
Randy |
