[The Freeholder]

If things go well, I may be in the market for a 9x19 (Lugar, Parabellum, whatever you want to call it) to add to the safe, to fill in a perceived gap between .22, .32 and .45. I've been doing a little preliminary looking, and now I'm looking for your input.

I don't want a Ruger for a number of reasons. They may be nice guns (or may not be), but no Rugers.

I don't want a 1911 in 9mm. I'm a bit of a purist on 1911s.

A Browning Hi Power Ml III is on the short list, in no small part since I like JMB's 1911. I understand about the trigger pull, but that can be dealt with.

The Beretta 92 I have some minor experience with. Seems like an OK gun.

I've perused the Search feature, and find the CZs reccomended a lot.

Don't really know much about the pluses/minuses of a Glock. Ugly suckers, though. :rolleyes: But I won't rule them out just yet.

The Smith & Wesson 952 looks interesting, but I know squat about them.

The Sig P226 seems popular with LEOs, but other than that it's another "I know squat" routine.

It does seem that used 9mms are something of a glut on the market right now. One dealer I talked to opined that it is the influx of Homeland Security money into PDs enabling them to move up to .40s. I'm hoping for a bargain.

So guys, let me have some opinions here--how should I spend my hard earned cash?

[swjr72]

I got my CZ-75B used for around $300 I really like it and can shoot very accurately

[Zak Smith]

I have two BHPs and have owned 3 CZ's. The BHP is a finer pistol, and MUCH easier to CCW. More reliable in my experience, also.

http://apollo.demigod.org/~zak/DigiCam/YostBHP/small/141_4104_img.jpg (http://apollo.demigod.org/~zak/DigiCam/YostBHP/?medium=141_4104_img.jpg)[ link to LARGER image ] (http://apollo.demigod.org/~zak/DigiCam/YostBHP/?medium=141_4104_img.jpg)

Don't overlook the Glock 19 or SIG P226. Both are excellent pistols.

[MoeMentum]

I'm looking for another 9 myself, its between a Sig 228 and a CZ-75 compact with the decocker. I already have a Beretta 92 FS, and love it.

[Kacerdias]

I second the recommendation for the CZ-75B. I carry one in .40 S&W and it's a dream to shoot - and I didn't have to sell internal organs to afford one. :)

[mainmech48]

Personally, I like the CZ platform. 75-B, 85, P-01 or the Tanfoglio clones. Best ergos of any TDA, IMO, and you get the option to carry in Condition 1 on any but the P-01 if you like.

Hard to go wrong with a HP. A bit boxy in the grip to me, but a set of aftermarket grips cure that. I've never really understood why it's always referred to as a pure JMB when its final production form was done by Dieudonne Saive, a Belgian at FN. (flame suit on)

3rd generation S&Ws are great bargains right now. The heavy influx of LEA trades in various sizes and guises make getting a nice one easy and cheap.

Lots of folks love der Glock. Pricey new, due to demand, but dead-nuts reliable. Refurb trade-ins are less expensive, if just as homely and boxy. Aftermarket doodads out the wazoo, too.

As I'm sure you'll be hearing from the SIG and HK partisans, and I own neither, I won't stick in my $0.02 as it's been formed from very limited exposure to a single example of each.

[Mason]

I have had nothing but success with my Glocks. I have both a 17 and a 19. With 15+1 rounds and almost nothing to snag on, the 19 makes a good choice for CCW. For some reason, every Sig that I've fired seemed to ride high in my grip so I've never owned one. I prefer the Taurus 92/99 over the Beretta for one reason only, I dislike having to move the safety up to disengage. I like the frame mounted safety on the Taurus where you move it down and your thumb ends up in the right shooting grip. If you want a gun that looks pretty, go with a 1911. If you want a gun that works, go with a Glock. They are the only pistols that I have owned that shoot good right out of the box and continue to after thousands of rounds.

[orangeninja]

I would like to get a HP except for the fact that I have large hands. As such, I would recommend the following in order of my percieved accuracy and handling:

CZ 75B
Sig 228
Sig 226
Springfield XD any length
Glock 17
Beretta 92

[cookekdjr]

My recommendation:
Go to a big gunshop. Pick up and hold the Sig p228, p226, and p239. Also check out the Beretta 92, CZ-75, and Hi-Power (as well as Glcok and any other 9mm that strikes your fancy).
See what feels best in your hand. You might consider trying as many as you can at a rental range or borrow from friends.
Then, I'd check the latest CDNN catalog. They have great deals on used, factory certified excellent condition Sigs, as well as the lowest new HiPower prices I have seen. Find out what other sources have discounted prices on new/used guns.
Then buy what you like the best for the price.
Good luck,

David

[JoeHatley]

The Smith & Wesson 952 looks interesting, but I know squat about them.

http://www.iowatelecom.net/~hatley/952_r.jpg

You mentioned that you were hoping for a "bargain". If that means a low price, you'll have to keep looking. However... if your budget will allow, the 952 is a fine value compared to the prices of the full custom guns it can shoot with.

I'd highly recomend it.

Joe

[chaim]

Is your 9mm going to just be for fun at the range or will it share home defense and CCW duties with your other guns?

If it is for defense I'd go with a safety as close to your other guns as possible. If you carry a 1911 don't get a S&W or Beretta with a frame mounted decocker/safety that works backwards (and likewise, if you carry a DA/SA gun with decocker don't get a HP with 1911 style safety).

If it is just for fun, then everything is on the table.

-CZ 75B or variation. Great gun, amazingly accurate, reliable, great ergonomics, great price. Hard to go wrong. You can get it with the standard 1911 style safety for "cocked and locked" carry which also allows you to decock it manually, or you can buy one with a decocker if want to carry/shoot DA and don't trust decocking manually with your thumb (like decocking a revolver).

-FN/Browning HP. A classic, a SA, reliable, accurate, great ergonomics.

-Used 3rd gen S&W or S&W value series (PT910). Good guns, accurate, reliable, good fit and finish, etc. About the only thing not to like about these is the darned decocker/safety that is mounted on the slide and work backwards (up is fire, down is safe).

-Beretta 92. Great gun. A little big for some hands, but it fits mine well, so be sure to pay attention to fit when you handle or get to shoot one.

-Taurus PT92. If you like the Beretta, but don't like S&W style decocker/safeties this has a great safety (up for safe, down to shoot and frame mounted, further up to decock- many options from decocked and safe, decocked and safe is off, to "cocked and locked"). Based on what I've heard from people who own them I'd say they are as reliable as the Beretta parent design, nearly as accurate, but fit and finish isn't quite as nice (a compromise but at a few hundred $ less...).

-Taurus PT911. Mid-sized 9mm, good for range but suitable for carry as well. Very reliable, accurate, and inexpensive gun. Often neglected, but worthy of consideration.

-SIG, HK, and others make good 9mms, but I don't know as much about them so I won't comment.

[dmallind]

Bargain 9mm?

I hear the Steyr angels calling again. M9 slightly larger than Glock 19, S9 slightly smaller. Take your pick.

Steel-lined polymer frame. Great ergos. Nice trigger compared to the more well known consistent pseudo-DAO trigger pull Austrian marque ;) In fact a really nice trigger period. Not 1911 nice but hey it's not an SA only.

Most instinctive and useable sights I've ever looked at let alone used.

Nice trigger guard-mounted safety if you don't quite trust a chambered Glock style action.

Takedown and cleaning a snap. Well made, accurate, reliable so far.

And the bargain part? How's $269 from CDNN sound?

http://www.katsko.net/Firearms/Misc/StyrS9.jpg

[BlkHawk73]

While a bit pricey, I'd say go with either a HK P9S or find a P7 series moel. No finer 9mm IMO. Well, ok but the P210 is very pricey.

[armoredman]

What operating system do you like? If SA only, then your choices are a little limited, but remember both the EAA Witness CZ clone, and the excellent original CZ 75 can be carried cocked and locked, with safety close to 1911 location.
I CCW a CZ75 PO1 every day with no problem, in AZ heat. Love it - reliable accurate and carries so easy. My wife shot it once....she want's one for herself, now, too!

[Gixerman1000]

I don't want a Ruger for a number of reasons. They may be nice guns (or may not be), but no Rugers.
Shot a few and they were decent but not on my list right now.

I don't want a 1911 in 9mm. I'm a bit of a purist on 1911s.
I haven't shot one but I would like to keep all of my 1911's in 45 (maybe 38 super)

A Browning Hi Power Ml III is on the short list, in no small part since I like JMB's 1911. I understand about the trigger pull, but that can be dealt with.
I own a BHP and it's a great shooter, a real classic.

The Beretta 92 I have some minor experience with. Seems like an OK gun.
I own two, large but very nice, accrate and reliable.

I've perused the Search feature, and find the CZs reccomended a lot.
I own a 75B, accrate and reliable.

Don't really know much about the pluses/minuses of a Glock. Ugly suckers, though. But I won't rule them out just yet.
I own a Glock 10mm, 40sw & 357sig but not in 9mm yet but I love shooting a friend's G17 and hope to have one soon. My others shoot great.

The Smith & Wesson 952 looks interesting, but I know squat about them.
I own one and it's the smoothest and most accurate 9mm that I have ever shot but it's pricy and more of a target pistol than one for carry.

The Sig P226 seems popular with LEOs, but other than that it's another "I know squat" routine.
I have shot a few and I like them, I have one in 9mm on the way. You might like the Sig P228, it's a little smaller than the P226 and a great shooter, I love mine.

------------
JoeHatley

Very nice!, here's a pic of mine
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/Gixerman1000/SWPC952.jpg

[ppcrusa]

I have tried a few 9mm's over the years. Here is the list:
Smith&Wesson 915
Ruger P89
Ruger P95
Sig P239
Glock 26
Glock 19

Out of all those, I only own two of them.. The Glocks.
The Ruger P Series has a terrible trigger on them.
The Sig was 100% reliable, but again, the trigger on it felt to me like air. No feedback. This hurt me in the accuracy department.
When I bought the Glock 26 all things changed. It has been the most accurate 9mm I have ever owned. It has never had a malfunction of any type. It has shot all ammo I've put through it. (CCI Blazer FMJ, WWB, Speer Gold Dots, Winchester Silvertips, PMC Starfires, etc.)
The weak point of a Glock is the factory sights. They are plastic. The rear sight is ok, but the front sight is the problem. Of all my handguns I have EVER owned I never thought enough of one to purchase night sights. But I tried the Ameriglo Smooth Slope sights and am very happy with them. The installation was very easy and required to tapping, beating, or sight pusher tool. All the tools are included with the sights. To me, the G26 and Smooth Slopes are a good combo. A Glock 26 or 19 can be bought here for $499. Sometimes less if you luck up.
The Glock 19 I have is the newer one of the two, and I have not put many rounds through it (Less than 200). It shot fine with no malfunctions either. I just replaced the sights.. Can you guess with what??? Smooth Slopes. Have not shot it yet but plan to this weekend for final alignment. I like the 26 because I know it will perform if I need it. The 19 I like too, but I have not shot it enough to form that "bond" with it yet. Some people hate polymer frames. For a long time I confined myself to all steel weapons. But nothing has been as good for me as these Glocks.
And also there are many places online that sell all sorts of things for Glocks. Spare parts, custom parts,etc. Which also brings up another good point... Glock parts are very easy to replace. It's really easy to work on the Glocks. Out of the box they have no equal however, as I have found out. I recently went through a bad 1911 cycle and finally got a good one.
I'd like to end this by saying in the beginning when Glocks were starting to gain ground I shunned them ignorantly based on the fact they were "plastic" and they were "ugly".. I've learned since then and realized that looks are not always what you need.. It's reliability and performance. I get that from my Glocks. I'll give anything a chance. But not found an equal to my 26 yet.
Try one out.. You will see what I am talking about.

[popeye]

I think I'd see if CDNN has any SIG 228's left. If you don't like them find a High Power. I've got both of those but I carry a G19 with NS.