Reco for first Gun?
 

Just applied for my firearms permit in NJ... I have 2-3 months to decide what to buy according to the woman at the station.

I was thinking a 9mm for my first one and have been looking a lot at Sigs.
I ideally want to stay in the sub-1k price range and would really like to be around $500-600. I looked at Sig's website and saw that they had some nice stuff... the P250 interests me but I am concerned that the interchangeable parts make it not only more complicated to a novice (although the set it and forget it mentality would probably ensue) but it might make for more potential problem points. I really like the look of the P220 Match Elite but I think that is a bit above what I need at the moment.

Can anyone recommend a 9mm in that relative price point? I'd really like something with a steel body like the P220 with the same type of contrasting black grips.

Open to any suggestions!

Also, I think I want a full size, not a compact.

You cab get a Glock-19 for around $450 usually. That's the 9mm compact. Glock is very reliable, lifetime warranty, and tons of drop in parts to upgrade when your ready. If you have the money though, I recommend Smith & Wesson M&P .40, arguably the best all around pistol out there.

Love my sig 226. I love the looks on peoples faces after they shoot it. If you spend the extra money now and get one of the best, you won't be tryin to sell it a few months later. Make sure to get a gun that feels good in your hand. Trigger pull weight is just as important. Navy seals like the 226 for a reason

Would you guys recommend a pistol or shotgun for a first/only firearm?

for what use? from the sound...............maybe home defense:stirthepot:

Perhaps

in this case personnel preference, i carry an hk and for the home an 870 12 gauge with a nitro mag will do the job

you have any experience with any firearms?

Buy a 22 and learn to shoot. Then work your way up. Don't listen to gun mags.

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My 12yo started with a nine. He shoots better than me.

I made the mistake of buying a 45 first. I kept it but got a 9 to work on marksmanship. I love my 1911 though.

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I like Glocks for simplicity and reliability. They just work. A Glock 19 would be a good choice if you want a "full size" in 9mm. Technically it's a compact but you'll be able to get a full grip. Try the 17 if you really want a full size. I personally carry a 26 (subcompact) every day and like it very much.

Someone asked about a shotgun... the Remington 870 is a good one. I'f you're looking for something to fill a home defense roll I'd get the 870 Express. 18" barrel and extended capacity tube.

Whatever you get make sure you take the time to learn it inside and out and practice, practice, practice!

I couldnt say it any better than this.

I have the Glock 26 (9mm) and the Glock 27 (.40mm). For home defense, I have the Remington 870, nothing's gonna scare an intruder like the sound of me cycling my shotgun, and placing that slug or buckshot in the chamber getting ready to put some heat in that azz..:tup:

The advice above is sound.


My own diatribe, in extremely general terms. Specifics will vary:

1) NOTHING tops a shotgun for home defense. There are combat shotgun "courses" that can be watched on the internet. Keep a side saddle with varying ammo options (slugs for barriers, buckshot for perps) and PRACTICE. While people tend to think it's a "spray and pray" gun, it truly isn't. Within about 30ft, where most people practice their handguns at a slow-fire range, the pellets are aligned in a group about the size of a balled-up fist. For the next 30ft, they spread to the size of a salad or dinnerplate, depending on choke and gun. If you have to shoot much farther, consider a full choke or a rifle.

A 1.125 oz load (standard 12g) delivers just under 500 grains of lead at speeds of 1300+ FPS. To compare it to a 9mm pistol shooting 127's, that's roughly the energy deliverance of four rounds at once! In addition, each pellet has decreased cross-sectional density, so higher potential for delivering the energy on target, rather than penetrate.

Don't buy larger than 2 3/4" shells unless you're goose hunting. Get the shortest, heaviest, highest-capacity gun you can find. The intent is to reduce recoil, which can rival .270 rifles. Shooting a huge 3 1/2 out of a 7lb shotgun is akin to firing a .378 weatherby magnum rifle, a literal "elephant gun", with over 60ft-lbs of recoil. I also prefer automatics, where the action soaks up recoil, as well as takes the idiot factor out of pump-action.

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2) If you don't want a shotgun, consider a light rifle. I have a much longer essay on this one, spared for purposes of this conversation. I'm a 5.56 proponent, as well as a bullpup proponent. You'll find hundreds of different viewpoints out there if you look.

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3) As far as pistols...
Determine what purpose it will serve.
Actively explain to yourself why you're picking a pistol over the two above options. (Usually, people want a carry / car gun.)
Research cost of ammo.
Research suppressors if you're interested in it one day.
Is there a .22lr equivalent for super-cheap practice?

Most importantly, go to a gun store and try them out. Hold every single one that fits your description. Some people love higher grip angles. Others place importance on sights. Some need thinner profiles and lighter weight.

For my own gun, I went with a Taurus PT99, 9mm. Full stainless steel, adjustable sights, 5in barrel, 17rnds, and HEAVY. Over the last several years, I've put about 4-5k rounds through it without a single issue. I chose it over the Beretta 92FS due to the placement of the safety, and didn't see a difference in quality between the two to justify the extra $200.

Sigs, glocks, Springfield, HK, FnH and berettas I'd place in the "highest tier" of brand name, excluding short-run exotics like Kimbers, Nighthawks, Wilson etc.

Ruger, Taurus, higher-end S&W autos, Walthers (new ones made by S/W) would be a solid second choice with no regrets.

AVOID: Cobra, Jimenez, Jennings, Llama. Make sure you pay at least $350, and you'll be ok.

Did the OP make a decision yet? If so what did you get?

I have a Springfield Armory 1911 38 super which has the same hitting
power of a 357. The 38 super bullet is very fast and has a flat flight path
and hits hard.....
But as a carry and hide weapon I would say a 380 auto for about $300-350
would be small enough to tuck in side your belt under your shirt, but
still have enough mag to old about 10 rounds. Its all about what fits
for you.....

Be very careful with that carry Lic,,,,,what decision you might make in
a split second will be judged for days and weeks by 12 others, regardless
weather the shooting was justified or not...
Never show your gun as a threat, or verbally threaten someone that you
have a gun!!!! If you fear for your life, then pull and shot to kill, not
to wound.....never shot to wound. There is only one excuse and one only
to pull and shoot and that is if your life or someone else s life in your mind
is going to die if you don't. You don't have the right to interfere if a crime
goes down in front of you, again unless your life or someone else s
is threatened. Only law enforcement officers can stop a crime....we can
only be good witnesses....:tiphat:

Enough preaching, sorry I got carried away, I just feel its a very serious
privilege to have a carry lic and carrying a firearm for defense.
Good luck

Nothing yet guys. My references just sent back their letters so I'd imagine im about 1.5-2 months off. After that I'll look for some of the recos at retail shops. I'm told you can't even hold a gun at a shop in nj until you have your purchasers card.

:shakes head:

Is that not true?

agougen - there really isn't a carry license in NJ... it exists but in the same way as God or the East Bunny does... people believe it in but no one has actually seen it.

Get a Glock!

Well still waiting on my permit.. was told by the local range that my town has an "anti-gun" secretary that handles all the paperwork... seems about right for NJ.

Luckily I am told that by law they have 30 days to reject your application and I am at 2 months so it will eventually get here.

My father got his a few weeks ago (already had the shotgun/rifle permit) and he ended up with a Beretta PX4 9mm... paid around 5-550... seems like a solid little gun, came with extra mags, some swapable backstraps and a garbage speed loader.

I shot a Glock but can't get beyond the non-ergonomic style of it (maybe I just didn't have a good model). Also shot a Sig (226 I think?) and while I liked the gun, it didn't justify the price inflation to the novice shooter. If I was more experienced maybe I would have a different opinion.

I might just end up getting the PX4 (in Inox) but I am told by the shop I have easily another month or two before I get the permit.

I'd like to try some of the S&W and also some variations of .40 and .45s but my initial impression is that the 9mm is a good place to start and should have enough stopping power against all but the heaviest of meth heads.