I've been reading thru the different threads in this forum for several months and have gained a great deal of knowledge from you all. I’ve done so much research on the internet, gun magazines, forums, gun friends, etc that I’ve learned more than I could ever have hoped to gain (and possibly confused myself at the same time!). After all of that, I still am unsure on what to do. Here is my dilemma:
I am looking to purchase my first handgun. I have been around guns and shot many rifles, shotguns, etc. I consider myself competent with guns, gun safety, and responsibility of owning guns. I have several at home now. All are put away in a safe place and stored separate from their ammo. Problem is, I have never owned a handgun and my experience with them is pretty limited. Other than a few here and there, haven’t spent too much time shooting them either. Everything I’ve read on this forum and others is “to go try each one out” , go “to a range and rent one of each”, etc. Great advice, but we don’t have a range anywhere within a couple of hundred miles that has rentals. I have numerous buddies that have several handguns, but none have the ones I’m looking at. (Most of their guns are older models or more expensive guns). I’m looking to spend somewhere between $400 - $600. I have narrowed my search to a .40 caliber. I’m also almost certain that I want a polymer frame gun (for cost, durability, ease of cleaning, weight for CCW, etc). This will start out as my home defense gun. But I am also wanting to get my CCW in the next month or so, so it would probably end up being my EDC gun too. My wife and I are expecting
(and she’ll soon quit work to be a stay at home mom) so I don’t really have the funds to buy one now and get another one then. Sure, I hope to own more at some point, but for now, this is my only “intended” handgun purchase. I shot a few handguns my coworker had. He really likes his Ruger LCP .380. It was ok, but not really something I want. I want a full size frame. It shot ok and I had ok groupings with it at 7 yards, but it was too small in my hands. I didn’t feel like I could get a comfortable grip on it. Everyone I’ve talked to has tried to convince me to go the “pocket carry” route. As I said though, this will also be my home defense gun, so I’d like a full size…and not to start any caliber wars, but I don’t really like the .380 for the “best” choice in SD calibers.
I also shot his .40 Sig. I think it was a P220, but haven’t been able to find one to match the description of his on any websites. It was DAO and I think held 10 +1. I got really good groups at 10 yards, had great recoil, easy to handle and fun to shoot. It had no safety and no de-cocker. Enjoyed shooting it and shot well with it. I tell you this just to give you an idea of what I’ve shot and how it worked for me. I’ve also shot a KelTec 9mm and it was ok too. Wasn’t that impressed with the gun, but didn’t have any issues with it.
When I first started this “journey”, I really thought I wanted a striker – fired pistol, but am not 100% sure now. I have gone thru the whole array of checking out Glocks, XD, M&P, Taurus, XDM, and so on. I like the fact that there is less to get caught on clothing without having a hammer. I also like the idea of constant trigger pull (instead of the DA/SA action). I didn’t like the Glock grip or trigger system, the XD seemed muzzle heavy and chunky, and I don’t really like the idea of not being able to cycle the slide or fire if the grip safety isn’t engaged. (True in a perfect scenario it should always be engaged…but if I’m wounded, or in an altercation, I’d prefer it fire without having the “ideal” gun hold”).
But the last couple of weeks, I’ve been checking out a few hammer fired pistols too. I have held and “played” with all the guns mentioned above and the two that I’ve narrowed my search down to. I just need some advice now on which of the two I should get….and no…unfortunately, “get them both” isn’t a viable option.
My first choice and the one I was initially drawn to is the full size M&P 40. I have heard so many good things about the M&P series. It felt great in my hand and seems to be a great gun. They’re getting great reviews and it seems as though all the problems they initially faced (mag drop problems, feeding issues in the 45’s, issues with the compacts) have been fixed. Every account I’ve heard of S&W’s customer service has been great. Many times those having to send in their guns have had them back (and fixed) within the same week. Often S&W has thrown in a free mag for the trouble. Seems like a company who values their customers. And I haven’t seen (or don’t remember) what their warranty is, but I was under the impression it was a lifetime warranty – please correct me if I’m wrong. I’ve spent many, many hours reading on many different forums, magazine websites, etc reading about how great the M&P is. when I held it, it felt great. Everything seems really good about the M&P. Great price, dependability, reliability, good reputation. And….it’s made in America! In fact, I’ve had a hard time finding any issues with the M&P – and I’ve tried. Even spent time on the M&P forums to see if I could. The only “issue” I have with the M&P (without having actually shot one) is the fact that it lacks any form of external safety. YES, I KNOW….safety is keeping your finger off the trigger , using your brain, and following the 4 rules of gun safety. I know that it could be something that many don’t want because it complicates the issue of just pulling the trigger. (Some mention in the heat of the moment having to remember the safety as a knock against it – and rightfully so). However, with this being my first gun and with plans to CC with it, I’d feel a little more comfortable (at least at first) with an external safety. We’re all human and all (unfortunately) have moments of stupidity…and I like the thought of knowing there is one more thing to protect me against those moments. I know…you should never count on any mechanical safety to “protect” you….but the reality is, sometimes they do/and have. I plan on carrying IWB in a Crossbreed Supertuck (I’ve read so many good things about them too!). So, having a safety as I’m re-holstering, clearing clothing, etc gives me a little more piece of mind at this point (I’m sure as I get more comfortable carrying, it won’t be as big of a deal). I plan on carrying full mag +1 because I understand that things happen quickly. So…I like the M&P…love everything about it, just not sure about it without an external safety for the reasons mentioned above.
The other gun I’m considering is a totally different platform. It’s the Berretta Storm PX4 .40. Like the M&P, I’ve spent a great amount of time researching this gun. Spent many hours on the Berretta forum. It’s a DA/SA action. I love the fact that the “F” version has a safety/de-cocker. I never thought I’d want the hammer, but after shooting the Sig, I kind of changed my mind about it. I liked that I could also visually see the “break” point on the trigger with the hammer. It has a ½ cock position, uses the rotating barrel design, and is supposed to be one of the most accurate defensive guns. The rotating barrel is supposed to help with recoil. It also has 3 interchangeable palm swells, ambi features, etc (just like the M&P). The good parts are the external safety (and as I get more comfy with it I can progress from DA action to cocked and locked in SA. It’s ready to go at all times, but has more safety features than the M&P I think), rotating barrel reduces feed problems and increases accuracy, adjustable palm sizes, etc. It also would be carried in a Crossbreed supertuck. But now the bad….while I hope I never have to use it, I haven’t heard such great things about Berretta customer service. It seems at best that they are hit and miss…and turnaround time for having to send a gun to them varies greatly from a week or two to several months. Their initial warranty is 1 year and then if you send in your registration card, they’ll throw in another 2 years….so, 3 years total. Additionally, they seem to still be having some growing pains (as is to be expected with a new firearm). I’ve read several reports of trigger sting in the .40 (in fact, there was a large thread on the Beretta forum about this). While Beretta stepped up to the plate and replaced those pistols, I don’t know that they have the issue contained and remedied at this point. Some were having mag drop problems, some complained of the finish. ( I do understand in a carry gun that the finish will experience some wear – gives it character right, but I’d like the finish to stand up against the normal stuff.) I really like the operation system/platform of the PX4…and the reviews have also been very favorable, but I worry about the issues they still have and if I experience one of those issues, how/if Beretta will stand behind their product…and how long that will take (as I said, this will be my only handgun for now). So a great gun at the factory isn’t going to help me. but I really like the safety/decocker on it too.
Both guns are available locally, both are within about $10 - $20 of each other (so price isn’t an issue). I’ve actually seen great deals on both at Buds. They are very similar in weight, height, length, capacity, etc. I’ve heard so much about the M&P and different agencies around the country going to it. Haven’t heard as much about the PX4 and not nearly as many agencies using it…in fact have read of some having issues and “suspending” their use of it when they first came out. Why isn’t Beretta pushing the PX4 more? If it’s as good as those who have it say it is…then it should be giving the M&P, XD and Glocks a serious run for their money.
So there it is…my dilemma….which would you chose and why? Would you want the M&P or the PX4? Which makes more sense for my use? Which do you think is more reliable? Should the lack of an external safety prevent me from getting the M&P, or is that just a mindset change that will occur with time and getting use to CCW? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated…and sorry for the long post…just wanted to give you as much background as possible. Thanks in advance for your help!
FOM
...i thought i was finally coming close to ending that part of the deal 
. I'll have to check out the FNP...I've seen the ads in the gun mags I've looked at. how do you like yours? Haven't heard much about them.
