Reccomend a pistol

that would be a suitable first-time 9mm. I want to get a good 9mm to keep around the house. Was thiking XD, but any other suggestions are greatly appreciatted.

List in order of what is most important to me on this pistol:

-ease of operation (Safety, mag release location)

-Capacity

-Barrel length (Not over 5")

-Balance

-Price ($600 max)

Thanks 45Guy

Check out the new Steyr M9A1...been renting one the last few times out to the range. Once you get used to the sights, it's a really nice handgun ;)

45 Guy, there are plenty of options out there. First question, its a house gun, so will you be the olny user, or will a significant other or late teen/young adult/adult child also be using it? If so it needs to fit everyone's hands who'll be using it, not just yours. I'd go to the gun shop and take whoever else will be using the pistol with you. Handle Berettas, Springfields, SIGs, Glocks, CZs, Rugers, Brownings, S&Ws, Walthers, FNs, H&Ks, Tauruses, and anything else they recommend. Find what fits everyone's hands. Then you'll have a base group for comparison. Next find a range that rents some of the pistols you're looking at and spend a little money to see what you, and the other users if there are any, shoot well and enjoy shooting. Consider what type of action you're comfotable with; SA, DA/SA, DAO, striker fired (Golcks, XDs, and the like), and you'll have a good idea of what will work. Also consider night sights, a pistol with rail and adding a rail mounted light, or a good handheld like those offered by Surefire and Streamlight. Most modern autoloaders are easy to operate & maintain, have 4 to 5 in. bbls, and large capacity magazines. $600 will get many of the new, and almost all of them used in very good condition. Balance and ergonomics are subjective, so the shop and range trips will let you see what you like. Keep us updated with you're considering.

CZ75B

Ruger p95 might not be a bad deal for you, even the new ones like i had are well under the price that you stated, they are hi-cap, abi mag release, points natural. Safety/ or decoker depends on what you want. and the barrel is 3.9" so that sounds like it matches what you are looking for! check it out!

Had fun with my P85 today. Rugers are accurate and 100% reliable, built like a tank. 9mm has gone up a little. Thinking about crankin' up the old Dillon in 9 again if it goes up much more. Still, it's not much over 6 bucks a box, still a lot cheaper to shoot if you don't reload than any other center fire.

Since you're a 45guy you might be familiar with 1911s, and if so I suggest a Browning Hi-Power.

jmm

Possum made a good point I forgot. I also need it to be AMBI since my mom is lefty and everyone else is righty. Thanks for the great suggestions.

cz85b

you didnt talk about what caliber you wanted. Glock 17, Beretta 92FS, CZ 75B are all reliable handguns, fairly low recoil, lots of rounds, and not budget busters.

Of the 3, the G17 is the easiest to operate, no external safety to worry about.

glock 19
15 rd mags
4.00 barrel

and oh yea
its a glock:neener:

No offense The-Fly, but I mentioned 9mm twice in my first post.

Thanks 45Guy

CZ 75 variant of some sort...

you didnt talk about what caliber you wanted. Glock 17, Beretta 92FS, CZ 75B are all reliable handguns, fairly low recoil, lots of rounds, and not budget busters.

Of the 3, the G17 is the easiest to operate, no external safety to worry about.

I'd also add the G19 (nice compact package), the Sigs p229, p228, p226, and p239. You may need to ge the SIGs used but you can find "certified" used ones that are in 98-99% condition. The XD you mentioned is great but I'd get it in stainless steel (rust/poor finish quality has been the only problem associated with Xd's). Also conisder the CZ P-01 and other cz75 variants.

For $600 you can buy a great 9mm pistol.
-David

Have had experience with both the G19 and the XD-9 and I'd go with the G19 1st and then the XD. Both good guns but I prefer the Glock trigger over the XD.

The CZ format is pretty hard to beat in 9MM. I have an 85 Combat which is excellent. You guys can't get the Tanfoglios with adjustable sights I don't think but the EAA Witness you get are finished off a bit nicer than the CZ's IMHO and are great shooters as well.

The CZ is a great design and I have had nary a FTF in either of my two examples. Guns are well made and very accurate. While I love my FN HP's the D/A design of the CZ has it's advantages. CZ makes a variant for virtually every application.

Take Care

Bob

You can't go wrong with these pistols. I bought mine for 400 dollars. It's been completely reliable and a joy to shoot. Not a single hiccup in 650 rounds so far. 16+1 capacity, 4.7" barrel. Large all steel frame makes it seem like there is not kick.

Not to mention, she's a beaut'!

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a367/killer56/CZ1.jpg

You wont be unhappy with this gun.

For a gun you don't plan on carrying and such, I don't see that plastic guns offer you any real advantages. For a gun in the home and for the range, I personally find steel to be much more desirable.

I would say a Browning High Power, but where I live you might, if you're lucky, find one in decent condition used for under $4-500, but new ones these days are at or over your budget limit, and used ones are fairly scarce.

But, CZ has generally similar lines to the BHP, and provides an insane amount of gun for the money. A basic CZ-75 will run you closer to $400, and the SP-01 or -01 Tactical are still in your price range as well.

I also need it to be AMBI since my mom is lefty and everyone else is righty.

An ambi mag release is one of the main features i look for in a handgun, though i am right handed i use the mag release on the right side of the frame, i use my pointer finger to manipulate the mag release, and drop the mag, while i pull another mag out of the mag carrier. i have found that i am much faster at reloading that way, plus i stay pretty much on target, doing it that way!

Tough to beat the CZ 75B for price, ergonomics, and trigger.

Glock 17 or 19--in a good holster.

My choices in a 9mm pistol have been boiled down to either Glocks or Brownings so they are what I'd recommend. How they fit your hand would be a deciding factor. If both were too large, then the Kahr K-9 would be a good choice.

The Browning may need some slight modifications depending on your preferences for operation, but are fine, battle proven pistols.

For the best all around, reliable, easy to use, out of the box ready to go 9mm, I'd pick the Glock 17. The model 19 or 26 would work also. ;)

You mention that you're drawn to the XD. If the XD feels good to you, no reason not to get it. It's ambi, more inexpensive than most of the other good options (except CZ), and is a very popular model.

If you've handled the other options and the XD still feels good to you, I'd go with your gut.

-MV

For home protection I'd get a new SIGarms P-226 DAK-R model 9mmNATO. The SIG is first rate and the new DAK design is good for CC/protection use. The R models have a 1913 rail on the frame to mount lights/lasers/etc. This would be a good idea for home protection. ;)

The HK P-2000 and P-2000SK models(LEM type) are good too. They offer a small concealable pistol that has been proven.

Rusty S

SIG P239 in 9mm Small, lightweight, easily concealed, legendary accuracy, quality, and trigger feel.

I vote Springfield XD9. Mag release is on both sides and there is no thumb safety so it will be easily useable for rightys or leftys. Very reliable and comfortable to shoot. The CZ-75B is also a great gun and very affordable but it is not ambi. All of it's controls are on the right side.

For around the house... a Ruger. I prefer the P89 but there is the 95 and you can still find the 93's and 94's around. Then, on what you've saved over other models, buy a holster, ammo, range bag etc... or start saving for your next pistol!!

The CZ-75B is also a great gun and very affordable but it is not ambi. All of it's controls are on the right side.

But the CZ85 is ambi.

A 9x19mm pistol for the house.In your price range, I'd choose a smooth Beretta 92FS or any of its variations(Vertec, Type M, etc.).Or a used Sig Sauer.Don't forget about the Glocks either.They shine in 9mm.:)

Reccomend a pistol



that would be a suitable first-time 9mm.
SIG 226 or 229

-ease of operation (Safety, mag release location)

There is no manual safety, it is a decock only firearm so you have nothing to worry about in the heat of the moment when there is a home intruder. The mag release is where it should be and easy to access one handed, the slide release is easy to access, etc.


-Capacity

The mag holds 15 rounds in the 226 and 13 rounds in the 229.

-Barrel length (Not over 5")

4.4" on the 226, 3.9" on the 229.


-Balance
They feel great in my hand.

-Price ($600 max)
Depending upon where you live you might find new SIGs in the $600 range. If not (you can't around here either), you can get a CPO SIG for under $600. The CPO means "Certified Pre Owned", it is kind of like the certified used cars, except it is SIG and not the dealer doing the inspection. It gets inspected by a factory gunsmith and if it needs work it is done, then it gets a 1yr factory warranty. Great way to get a great gun at a reasonable price.


Later you say you are looking for ambi controls. Very few makes give you anything ambi but the safety. On the SIG there is no manual safety to worry about and since you decock the gun long before there is any threat having that as ambi is somewhat less important. I think (though I'm not 100% sure) that SIG is one of the guns where the mag release can be removed and reversed for left handed use (if not, it is pretty easy to learn to hit the mag release with your trigger finger if you are left handed).


Honorable mention:

Since many people here mention various CZs I'll put in my 2cents. I have had a CZ 75B for some time and a buddy has had his CZ 85 Combat for some time. CZs are affordable, nice guns, accurate, and (more or less) reliable. They aren't nearly as nice as SIGs though, but if you really can't afford a SIG the CZ is a nice way to go. The barrel is about 5" (I've seen some figures that say 4.9") so it is within your criteria and you can go with the compact if you wish it to be a little smaller. It holds 15 rounds in the older factory mags and 16 in the newer factory mags (the full size mags will fit the compact with the mag hanging out the grip, for flush fit the older mags hold 13, I'm not sure off hand if the newer mags have added a round like the full sized mags). Most people find they fit their hands very well. The CZ 75 is a right hand gun, no ambi controls (it can be had in decock only models so you don't really need ambi controls, I don't know if the mag release is reversable but I don't think so). The CZ 85 has an ambi safety and slide release. Since you are willing to go to $600 I'd go with the SIG over the CZ (I do think the SIG is worth the extra bucks over the CZ), though if you want to save some money the CZ is a very good option as well.


Others have mentioned various Rugers. I have not had good luck with Rugers. The Ruger KP89 I used to have was 100% reliable but not very accurate at all. The Ruger KP345 I currently have is the other way around. If I was to consider a Ruger, the only one currently on my list to consider is the P95- they have a reputation of being quite reliable and fairly accurate and they are bargain priced so it isn't too big a gamble (if you have other weapons for self defense until the Ruger has proven itself).

I don't think that the XD's have a finish/rust problem with the newer one's anymore. They are great gun's. That being said, my favorite 9mm is my Ruger P89.