GUN: Sig SP2022 $349.99 shipped. (free shipping on everything thru 5/14)

TU for gun deal!

How is this gun for a new gun owner?

Quote from Steel_Fajitas : How is this gun for a new gun owner?

It will become a keeper. You may covet and buy other guns but you'll end up keeping this. Glock is another in this realm but Glocks almost never go on sale.

All guns require maintenance as far as cleaning, etc. Keep it cleaned up and you should not need to bring it to a gunsmith.

Assuming you have narrowed down the category of what you need to "handgun" or are just generally looking to break into recreational shooting, it is an excellent choice. Read the wiki on this model; at this price, it may be the best value for its kind out there, period. 9mm is pretty easy to handle and cheaper ammo, but if you have roaming street gangs in your area, I'd probably go .40. I am not even going to discuss zombies, but that's always a consideration.

Quote from Steel_Fajitas : How is this gun for a new gun owner?

the DA/SA pull are polar opposites.
DA heavy and VERY long, SA is light and has excellent feel.

Quote from The_Yosh : Assuming you have narrowed down the category of what you need to "handgun" or are just generally looking to break into recreational shooting, it is an excellent choice. Read the wiki on this model; at this price, it may be the best value for its kind out there, period. 9mm is pretty easy to handle and cheaper ammo, but if you have roaming street gangs in your area, I'd probably go .40. I am not even going to discuss zombies, but that's always a consideration.

Not an argument, just asking an honest opinion...would you find the stopping power of a 40 over 9 more beneficial that the extra magazine capacity of the 9? (in the context of street gangs)

Quote from blahblahyoutoo : the DA/SA pull are polar opposites. DA heavy and VERY long, SA is light and has excellent feel.

Absolutely. My wife can't pull the DA, but I love it in that it really gives you time to focus on the first shot. The DA basically serves as the "safety" on this model.

Quote from mtbikr : Not an argument, just asking an honest opinion...would you find the stopping power of a 40 over 9 more beneficial that the extra magazine capacity of the 9? (in the context of street gangs)

Many variables can be thrown into that equation, but as a personal opinion, no. Generally speaking, you've got to get up to about .45 to stop a determined, well-sized opponent with a single non-lethal shot. The shock to the nervous system is enough to incapacitate so long as you don't hit an outer appendage. Regardless of what some people say, 9mm is not a pea-shot, and I would prefer for the combination of being skilled and comfortable with my handgun and having the extra 3 rounds over the .40. But that's me. You know there's the feel factor, too -- lots of people I talk to just feel like .40 is that nice middle ground.

And I know I said I would not mention zombies, but let's all just get one of THESE [youtube.com]

Quote from mtbikr : Not an argument, just asking an honest opinion...would you find the stopping power of a 40 over 9 more beneficial that the extra magazine capacity of the 9? (in the context of street gangs)

Meaning if you are in a street gang, or if you have to defend yourself from one?

9MM used to be (and still is in some cases) the standard issue caliber for LEOs and military, but after many incidents where many (10+) hits and the targets were not down (the firefight in Miami in the 80's when the cocaine drug war was getting hot was one of the key incidents), many went looking for a better round, that is when the 40 S&W was born I think. It is a more powerful round for sure, it is a 10MM short (where the 10MM is an EXCELLENT round, tops in terms of stopping power before you get to exotics like .44, .454, etc.), but capacity and cost for pistols that could handle the hot 10mm and magnum rounds was a factor. I believe that after many trials, the .40 was selected as the main choice for many agencies as the standard round because it was a good compromise for standard issue. Some still go with 9MM, some .357 Sig (like air marshals), some still stil with .38SP/.357/.44 revolvers . Glock .40 I believe is the most common issue weapon for LEOs nowadays. That said, many agencies also allow for personal weapon purchases for primary carry or BUGs, and many choose the hotter or magnum chambered pistols.

IMO, what is more important is shot placement and the round type, i.e. FMJ vs. HP, etc. with good shot placement and a round that is made to stop an adversary, (FMJ are not designed for that for example), either round is adequate. The problem is that for anyone (LEO or civvie), being in a firefight is a very stressful situation, so hitting someone where you want is not as easy as it sounds, so going with the more powerful round gives you a better chance even if you don't hit exactly where you want, or the adversary is wearing armor, etc. For my personal carry(s), I have lasers on all of them (helps when/if I don't have time to get a sight picture, but am needing shoot from the hip straight from draw), and my ammo for carry and HD is all purpose built for man stopping (Hornady Critical defence, Speer Gold Dot, Hydrashok, there are many). I default to compact .40, although I also sometimes carry my 9SC because it is even smaller (I made a bad purchasing choice, I got an xDSC 3" 9MM, shoulda got the .40).

My main carry piece though is actually a .380 with Hornady crit defense, which is a smaller than caliber than even 9 (but close), and it is only 7+1 or 6+1 depending on which mag I have. BUT, it is a Sig P238, which is an EXTREMELY easy carry gun because it is so small, thin, etc. that it is extremely easy to carry/conceal, even in shorts and a tank top, and it is also extremely accurate and easy to fire because it has some weight to it(i.e. recoil absorbed by weight makes it easier to maintain your sight picture for quicker follow up shots). Sig announced a P938 this year which is only a half inch longer and is chambered in 9MM, I already have one on order . Even when I am carrying something else that is still on me as my BUG cos it is so easy. Being armed with *anything* is better than not, as much as some like to detract from the .380, .32 cal, .25, etc., no one wants to get shot with any of them .

For HD, I prefer 12 guage pump (I have Mossy 500 and 590 SP with 18.5 and 20" barrels, cylinder bore and 7+1) with either #4 or 00 (or rounds with both #4 and 00 I am thinking about, wanting to go to the range with and pattern and see how they work), where 1 shot down is much higher chance, without worrying about collateral damage *as much* (neighbor, family, etc.). WHen in a firing situation at home though, ALWAYS try to have your family behind you if you can, and fire towards the front of the house vs. the sides (assuming you live in suburb, appt, etc.) to also minimize risk of unintentional injury. And DO NOT use rounds like 5.56(m193, or dear God not the MK318 or M855), 7.62, etc. for home defense, those are designed for war zones, and can travel through MANY walls and for long distances. There have been many incidents where family members and even neighbors have been shot (some mortally) by inexperienced shooters in HD situations (Google for stories, incidents like this are ammo for gun control unfortuantely and need to stop). I have on my list to get one of those new 12 gauge (Kel-Tec?) that has 2 tubes, so that depending on where I am, and what walls are behind my adversary, etc, I can switch between #4 or 00, #4 for if there is a possibility of over penetration, and 00 if the rear is clear. One round from one of those is like emptying a clip into someone from a small/medium caliber pistol .

I have to 2022 in .40 and it is sweet to shoot. The recoil is very easy to handle. Like some have said, the .40 is a great defensive load; I hope nobody has to ever find that out.

The only thing that a new shooter really needs to get use to is the fact that this gun does not have a physical safety switch.

Thanks yosh & Mike for your input and info. I am looking for a HG (second one, I had a Ruger P85 years ago which I liked), perhaps a range gun to start with, but I will soon have a carry permit so will be looking at something comfortable (as well?).

I have averarge (I think) hands and have found many of the sub compacts uncomfortable, grip too short and feel like I wouldn't have control.

Wish my local range would offer up a "buffet" so to speak, so I could try several without rendering me unable to afford the actual purchase.

I one of the these in a 9mm. It is a very nice handgun for the money. $350 is the best price I've seen on this model.

Quote from mtbikr : Thanks yosh & Mike for your input and info. I am looking for a HG (second one, I had a Ruger P85 years ago which I liked), perhaps a range gun to start with, but I will soon have a carry permit so will be looking at something comfortable (as well?). I have averarge (I think) hands and have found many of the sub compacts uncomfortable, grip too short and feel like I wouldn't have control. Wish my local range would offer up a "buffet" so to speak, so I could try several without rendering me unable to afford the actual purchase.

dry firing one at the local store will be as close as you can get.
problem is most stores do not stock these, as they aren't that popular.