Time to buy a pistol

[jrebel]

Does that sight have any significant advantages during the daytime as well?

Absolutely.....in less than ideal light it will help tremendously.  If you are in old growth timber, dusk, dawn, cloudy weather, etc. etc. it does not need to be dark for there to be a huge advantage to having these sights.

Optimal light....no advantage. 

[mossy8352]

For a Ruger this is what I used for the Tritium sights

http://shopruger.com/Sights/products/18/

12964 and 12966, you most likely will need a gun smith to remove the old sights and reinstall your new ones from $25 - $ 35 to me would be a normal cost and well worth it.

[Band]

I guess I need to find those in a store and look them over.  Are they essentially like fiber optic sights (like I have on my bow)?

[jrebel]

Similar to fiber optic.....while at the same time no comparison.  Don't skimp and buy fiber optic sights for any pistol.  They are great for bows and muzzleloader only in my opinion.

It would be an awesome concept to have a tritium single pin bow sight.

[mossy8352]

No the main difference is the fiber optic sights (like on your bow) need some light to be of any benefit for vision where the tritium sights create their own light thus they are superior for low and no light situations. Yes it would be good to look at them in person but not all shops carry both in stock.

[Band]

Ok, thanks guys, more research ahead for me.

[mossy8352]

Have you ever had a compass or wrist watch that glowed in the dark so you could use it or tell the time with out any other light source? That is the difference!

[jrebel]

Most gun stores will carry both....just ask to see a Kimber.  Most Kimbers have tritium night sights.  Fiber optics are everywhere.  Ask the gun story to allow you to see them in complete darkness.....most will take you to a closet or bathroom.  They are amazing. 

[Bofire]

  You have received alot of good advice. I note it is your first pistol/revolver. Have you thought about a .22 rimfire? so you could afford to learn to shoot it? Thousands of rounds is a good learning tool . Get the bigger gun next year??
My two
Carl

[Band]

You have received alot of good advice. I note it is your first pistol/revolver. Have you thought about a .22 rimfire? so you could afford to learn to shoot it? Thousands of rounds is a good learning tool . Get the bigger gun next year??
My two
Carl

I've thought about getting a .22 in addition to this gun for the reason you've mentioned, but there are too many cougar tracks within walking distance of our cabin during the winter to continue walking around there unarmed.  And there are wolves in the general vicinity as well.

[Band]

I was curious how long it took to act on my intention to buy my pistol after first deciding to do so.  Only 27 months.   Hey, what can I say, I spend a lot of time weighing my options before shelling out cash.

So anyway, I ended up buying a Ruger SR22 last year simply to plink and get inexpensive pistol shooting practice.  Love that gun, by the way.  And then I finally bought an M&P 9 Shield recently and took it out for my first shooting session.  I think I'm going to like that gun quite a bit and it fits the criteria I was looking for so I'm happy with the purchase.

Next step is to buy the right holster for the M&P and I'm hoping for a few suggestions from you folks to help me navigate the myriad options available for one that will suit my needs.  Here is the criteria I'm looking for:
- comfort while walking through the woods in all types of weather and ambient temperatures
- easy accessibility
- prefer the ability to carry while wearing shorts
- prefer not to have to buy a gun belt but realize it may be necessary (not really sure?)
- reasonable cost
- concealability is not important

Suggestions, please.

[CP]

This:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/751846/desantis-mini-scabbard-belt-holster-s-and-w-m-and-p-shield-leather?cm_mmc=pf_ci_google-_-pf_ci_google-_-pf_ci_google-_-pf_ci_google&gclid=CIiTmdikzMYCFdKFfgodLWILag

[pianoman9701]

Hard to go wrong with any of the Springfield XD series.  .40 S&W would be my caliber choice, based on your description an XD subcompact in .40 will give you 10 rounds (9+1) with the compact magazine, 26 oz empty.

My XD .45 is a double stacker. 14 rounds of ammo will impress a wolf pack or a tweeker. Make sure you have a holster system which will make carrying comfortable. A shoulder holster is a good choice because it keeps the weight off your hip while you're hiking.

Buy it before your wonderful city council starts getting their pieces of silver for it.

[Band]

This:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/751846/desantis-mini-scabbard-belt-holster-s-and-w-m-and-p-shield-leather?cm_mmc=pf_ci_google-_-pf_ci_google-_-pf_ci_google-_-pf_ci_google&gclid=CIiTmdikzMYCFdKFfgodLWILag

Simple holster with glowing reviews.  Shoot, that might be the one right there.

Looks like it requires a gun belt.  I've never even looked at those before - what kinds of places would a person go to buy one?  Are there standard belts that are sturdy enough to be used as a gun belt?

[Band]

Buy it before your wonderful city council starts getting their pieces of silver for it.

Not my city council.  I don't live in the city and wouldn't if you paid me!  Oh, and try to keep up, we're past the gun buying phase and on to the holster phase now (see reply #85).