Macsak, you're not going to back me up here? We need to convince him that an HK VP9 is so much better than a Glock

I also am a fan of the VP9 

also, a lot of people will recommend glocks.  my gripes with glocks are that a good portion (maybe most) glock owners end up changing out their trigger and their sights for something aftermarket.  when you start adding up those costs, glocks aren't as cheap as everyone makes them out to be.  i don't know what the difference is in price between a glock and a vp9, but i'm sure that the difference is only marginal in light of the cost of the upgrades.

as always, asinapple speaks the truth
difference in price between a glock with upgraded sights and trigger and a VP9 is negligible

I also am a fan of the VP9 

as always, dogman speaks the truth

I'll agree with what others said,  see if you can try before you buy.

I'd also consider getting a full-size metal framed gun for your first gun, but I'm biased as they're my own preference. They may weigh more, but that'll help when you're learning and you're not likely to be able to legally carry it very far in Hawaii. If you do want a polymer gun though, I'd go for a Glock. They're pretty much the standard against which all others are judged. You can't go wrong with any of the full size or compact models (17 or 19), but I'd skip the subcompacts (26) for a first gun.

Finally ready to make a purchase of my first handgun for home defense. Wife and I took the safety class through HDF in 2014 and have our affidavits.

I've been reading around a lot, but feel very lost and for some reason I keep finding myself back on the Kaneohe Gun Shop website lol. I know, I know...I've read a lot of the musings, feedback, criticisms, and the thread here about him etc. but I kind of like his style lol. I've been reviewing his page on equipment recommendations at www.kaneohegs.com/inventory_gear.htm

On that page I feel like he made some good observations which are in-line with all other sources, start with a 9mm. So I've decided on the Glock 19 for the smaller frame, I believe we shot that at Koko Head in our class.

The question I had was regarding his recommendations on getting .22 caliber guns for practice, fun, teaching. Is it really that necessary to get 22's...I keep reading that the ammo is hard to find but that it's adequate for training purposes, more cost effective. Is any of that true? He even recommends to get .22's for rifles but I'm trying not to get too far ahead of myself.

I've never bought ammo or anything so my inexperience leaves me feeling empty headed. I'm operating on a small budget as I can make the first gun purchase out of savings, and about $150max a month towards saving towards additional guns, ammo, parts, etc. Wish I had more to work with but it's the best I can do 

Welcome, you picked a solid choice for your first handgun.  Even though you think you don't have a large budget, there's a lot of dry practice you can do at home without spending a ton of money on gadgets.  When you're at home and got nothing to do, practice drawing and reloading empty mags.  Draw, click, reload, repeat, you can even do it from slide lock.  Congrats again and hope to run into you at one of the HDF shoots.

Maybe check out xring and rent a vp9, g19 and g17

You may want to check out Honolulu Firearms also. You can rent and try out some different firearms there. May seem a little $$ at first, but better you buy something that you feel comfortable shooting, not just holding in your hands at a store. Also if you purchase a firearm from them, I believe you get some kind of discount on range membership, but don't quote me

I have a Glock 19, as well as a 23 (.40 caliber). Nothing wrong with the 19 at all. I wouldn't mind a Walther but that is another topic.

I have 3 .22 guns, a Ruger mark 2, a revolver, and a simple semi-auto rifle (Ruger 10-22). They are cheap and fun to shoot. Not the best practice for simulating a 9mm under stress but any training is better than no training. They do make .22 kits that will fit on a Glock frame which would add some level of increased practice effectiveness but I have heard they can be finicky about what ammo they like. Have to read reviews I guess.

Anyway, you can't .22 guns for good prices and ammo is cheap, plus it doesn't take up much room to buy a thousand or more! I might get another .22 but I might not, who knows.

No CZ love?   

as always, asinapple speaks the truth
difference in price between a glock with upgraded sights and trigger and a VP9 is negligible

===============
I like the feel of the HKVP9 out of the box.
Glocks....not so much.
I had to do the trigger on my G17.
In my opinion,  you should not modify your defense gun like that.
My G17 is not my defense gun.

Welcome, you picked a solid choice for your first handgun.  Even though you think you don't have a large budget, there's a lot of dry practice you can do at home without spending a ton of money on gadgets.  When you're at home and got nothing to do, practice drawing and reloading empty mags.  Draw, click, reload, repeat, you can even do it from slide lock.  Congrats again and hope to run into you at one of the HDF shoots.

   Anyone in the know, (obviously Bota) knows dry practice is where it's at and is advised by all legit instructors.
No ammo cost, do in your own home, builds muscle memory and firearm familiarity.
   All you need is a couple mags and some snapscaps/dummy ammo.
We strategically put post it notes around the house where discharged projectile ''may" go to practice.

  No need to rent to try, go to both FunShoots. 

 The fact that you've " decided on the Glock 19" primarily because "my wife could shoot it well." is a good start. 
(Keep her happy and you'll get less flak when you buy more guns  )

  With your "$150 max a month towards saving towards additional guns, ammo, parts,", pick up a .22 conversion ( again I recommend the TSG for keeping the gun more to actual 9mm weight  and their service has been great) and you'll keep your budget down.
This will also be an advantage when you bring your daughter into the game as then you'll be buying ammo for three!

for  practice gun - Airsoft. Can practice all day everyday for minimal costs and in the comfort of your own home

I recently bought my first handgun also.  I got a HK VP9.  This was my reasoning why I bought it:

1) My wife is a lefty and the VP9 is ambi
2) Since this is my 1st handgun, I figure I'm going to put a lot of rounds in it learning the fundamentals.  So 9mm is cheaper than .40; 45, 357, etc...
3) Didn't get a 22 because recoil control is a big factor when learning
4) It looks cool
5) Revolver limits # of rounds and reload time is slower and more difficult under stress

In the end it's a personal choice.  But if you do want to modify your handgun, there are so many glock options available compared to other firearms.  So tacticool is a factor also.

5) Revolver limits # of rounds and reload time is slower and more difficult under stress

This guy doesn't seem to have a problem with revolvers.

So tacticool is a factor also.

Going down the wrong path already.....  Spend the majority of your money on training and ammo.  The gun should be the cheap part.  And if you find that you're doing really well at shooting and satisfied, it means you're not challenging yourself enough.

This guy doesn't seem to have a problem with revolvers.

Sure...  But "this guy" is also a cyborg or an alien or something else not entirely human.   

The guy in the video has at least 100K rounds of practice.  So a noob to handguns won't be able to do that and will have an easier time with a mag fed pistol.

Live from Honolulu, it's the 6:00 news
Tapin' two little homeboys singin' the blues
One talkin' paint, the other one money
And they're so full of shit that it ain't even funny

buy what you want. Whether it be cosplay tacticool or real deal self defense. In my experience tacticool cosplay faded real quick because in reality I don't do Tier 1 hostage rescues around the world, nor am I Jason Bourne.
So all the gear I got from my Call of Duty cosplay phase sits or I sold it over the years. It was cool - tacticool 
If its something you like - buy it. Shoot it. "Murica!

I guess everyone has their own reasons for getting a gun, and there is no wrong reason.  Well as long as it's legal.   Cosplay, Cowboy shooting, collecting, etc.

But if your main reason for getting a gun is self-defense or wanting to be a good shooter, then training and practice is what you need.  A lot of people get distracted and overestimate their abilities.

I have no professional training....


(Actions seen above not recommended, but apparently that lady has balls the size of coconuts)

Buy a gun you and your wife enjoy shooting. 9mm is the perfect caliber for that.
Then get a .45 
(You'll surprised how soft shooting and accurate a lot of .45s are)

Live from Honolulu, it's the 6:00 news
Tapin' two little homeboys singin' the blues
One talkin' paint, the other one money
And they're so full of shit that it ain't even funny

buy what you want. Whether it be cosplay tacticool or real deal self defense. In my experience tacticool cosplay faded real quick because in reality I don't do Tier 1 hostage rescues around the world, nor am I Jason Bourne.
So all the gear I got from my Call of Duty cosplay phase sits or I sold it over the years. It was cool - tacticool 
If its something you like - buy it. Shoot it. "Murica!

In that case, i want the mele weapon from any fps ever made. 1 hit and done. A knife will defeat an RPG.

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