I'm military and I'm going to be moving to MA on orders. I also want to buy my first pistol to start learning how to shoot and perhaps get an LTC-A for carrying.
I'm looking at the S&W M&P 9mm to start as it seems to get good reviews and looks like it could be a good starter. From what I can tell there are four models on the S&W website (M&P9L, M&P Compact 9mm, M&P 9mm and M&P9c - Compact Size, Thumb Safety). From my reading I think the M&P9L is out because I don't need the 5" barrel, and that leaves the regular and compact size. I'm leaning to the regular, again based on my reading here and elsewhere as for a first pistol from what I understand I want a normal size, not a compact.
Just to start looking, I went online (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/manufacturers_id/31/sort/3a/page/1) to the S&W page. I have some confusion, as I found what I think are 4 different versions of the standard size M&P 9:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/31/products_id/38990
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/31/products_id/43717
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/31/products_id/43717
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/31/products_id/37121
So, my question is two-fold. First, is buying online for a first gun a bad idea? I don't think I know what I want to any large degree, so going to a store may not help much and may cost more. Second, in either case, what version of the M&P9 should I go with, or is there a better option out there? It seems that there are either older gun versions online, or "versions" that the stores make (i.e., 10-round magazines) to be in compliance with various state laws, using S&W parts.
Thanks for any help, I appreciate it. Note that I'm looking for the 10-round version due to MA law. I don't want to deal with pre-ban vs. post-ban magazines at this point.
I'm looking at the S&W M&P 9mm to start as it seems to get good reviews and looks like it could be a good starter. From what I can tell there are four models on the S&W website (M&P9L, M&P Compact 9mm, M&P 9mm and M&P9c - Compact Size, Thumb Safety). From my reading I think the M&P9L is out because I don't need the 5" barrel, and that leaves the regular and compact size. I'm leaning to the regular, again based on my reading here and elsewhere as for a first pistol from what I understand I want a normal size, not a compact.
Just to start looking, I went online (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/manufacturers_id/31/sort/3a/page/1) to the S&W page. I have some confusion, as I found what I think are 4 different versions of the standard size M&P 9:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/31/products_id/38990
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/31/products_id/43717
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/31/products_id/43717
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/31/products_id/37121
So, my question is two-fold. First, is buying online for a first gun a bad idea? I don't think I know what I want to any large degree, so going to a store may not help much and may cost more. Second, in either case, what version of the M&P9 should I go with, or is there a better option out there? It seems that there are either older gun versions online, or "versions" that the stores make (i.e., 10-round magazines) to be in compliance with various state laws, using S&W parts.
Thanks for any help, I appreciate it. Note that I'm looking for the 10-round version due to MA law. I don't want to deal with pre-ban vs. post-ban magazines at this point.