Getting a first gun for my CHL. S&W 9mm or .40?
03-29-2012, 12:55 AM
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Getting a first gun for my CHL. S&W 9mm or .40? Just like the title says. Which would you recommend for a good self-defense gun? I know the. 40 is more powerful, but is it much harder to shoot?
03-29-2012, 05:15 AM
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Go to a range. Most will have rental guns. Its well worth the cost to try different guns in different calibers to get a gun thats right for you. Both of your choices will work. The 9 will have more shots in the magazine and is $3-5 cheaper per box of ammo. Chose the one you are more confortable and accurate with. I doubt this will be your only gun. You'll eventually look for another. 
I started with a .40 subcompact and later picked up a little .380 for pocket carry. May get a concealable .45 now since we have recently added that caliber. Have you considered where and how you are going to carry?
I started with a .40 subcompact and later picked up a little .380 for pocket carry. May get a concealable .45 now since we have recently added that caliber. Have you considered where and how you are going to carry? 
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03-29-2012, 07:04 AM
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I heard the S&W 9mm had a heavy trigger. The. 40 is the same way? The guns in particular are the sw9ve and sw40ve. The reason I'm interested in these is because I can get either for just over $300 and it's not a Taurus...
03-29-2012, 07:48 AM
#11
Go to a range. Most will have rental guns. Its well worth the cost to try different guns in different calibers to get a gun thats right for you. Both of your choices will work. The 9 will have more shots in the magazine and is $3-5 cheaper per box of ammo. Chose the one you are more confortable and accurate with. I doubt this will be your only gun. You'll eventually look for another. I started with a .40 subcompact and later picked up a little .380 for pocket carry. May get a concealable .45 now since we have recently added that caliber. Have you considered where and how you are going to carry?
I started with a .40 subcompact and later picked up a little .380 for pocket carry. May get a concealable .45 now since we have recently added that caliber. Have you considered where and how you are going to carry?
03-29-2012, 09:59 AM
#13
Both have similar long throw, heavy pull triggers.
But it's like a clutch pedal ... once you get used to the weight and the catch point, it's really not a big deal.
If you have sevearl models and types, then yes, it is a little annoying when compared to an XDm or even the Ruger pictured above.
Now for a $3-400 gun ... new ... you aren't going to find anything that comes close to match grade mechanics.
I was at a gun show in Ft. Worth a couple weeks ago and a vendor had a dozen Smith 6960 Police trades.
$300 ... TDC purchased and never issued. A little heavy, but a great shooter.
Follow the sound advice already shared ... go to a range ... rent a few guns ...
03-29-2012, 10:07 AM
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If you have no prior gun experience I'd say start with a 9. They are Easier to shoot and learn with imo. My bro just recently went and got his chl w/my xd 40 and he said he hated how hard the gun recoiled. I like it personally but everyone different. Hit the range and find whats comfortable for you.
03-29-2012, 10:51 AM
#16
Any info on this? I was gonna buy my buddys sigma .40 for $150 with a bunch of hollow points, this a good deal? Its my first gun so kinda looking for something cheap until I can afford something nice.
Last edited by CamaroSS27; 03-29-2012 at 11:00 AM.
03-29-2012, 11:01 AM
#17
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I had one and the trigger pull was ridiculous. After 20 rds, your trigger finger felt like it did the Olympic Decathalon! HORRIBLE! Every shot after that my hand would start to shake. Couldn't get a good shot group and it was so discouraging for a new pistol shooter like me. I even tried the trigger spring mod but ended up with misfires and headaches. This was my second pistol. My first was a Ruger P90 in .45, but the trigger pull on that is so long, like waiting for the end of War and Peace. I though I was upgrading by going with the SW9VE, but although the trigger pull distance was much shorter, it took like 12 pounds of pull. Ended up trading it for a loss at a gun show, just to get rid of it. Sold the P90 too, broke even on that one.
Ended up getting a Glock 34 in 9mm from a friend for~$550 and couldn't be happier. Trigger pull is about half that of the SW9VE. Shot groups are tight! Not to mention, the rail can take any attachments. I was upset that the SW9VE had a proprietary rail that wouldn't fit any standard lasers/flashlight attachment. That pissed me off.
I've heard good things about the Ruger SR9c as well. Looks nice too.
As for 9mm vs. .40, I think either is a good round. I like the fact that my glock holds 17+1 in 9mm. The first one may not kill, but the other 17 will tear some s4*t up.
Hope this helps. Long story short --> I would stay far away from the SW9VE or SW40VE.
03-29-2012, 11:04 AM
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Ehh.. the price is right on spot and kinda on the cheap end. I would say for a cheap pistol to keep in the truck/car its okay, but I wouldn't trust it as a home protection pistol. Maybe I'm spoiled with my Springfield XD .40, but after shooting the XD for the last three years and then shooting the S&W, it was dissapointing. The XD is a .40 cal with the same ammunition.
Research the S&W sigma trigger and slide problems.
I hope this helps.
Research the S&W sigma trigger and slide problems.
I hope this helps.
