what 9mm to buy?

hi all, I already own a smith m&p 45 and Ruger p95 and I think I'm looking for another 9. I love my m&p 45 for many reasons, one of which being I'm a lefty. not too happy with the feel of the p95 after having it about a year. I am looking for another 9, primarily for accuracy and reliability in the $400-600 range, and also with ambidextrous controls. Something I can get a lot more experience shooting handguns with, that isn't as costly as 45. 1st time poster, so I'm not sure if the poll will work.
right now considering:
FN FNP
S&W M&P
Springfield XD
Glock 17

also open to other suggestions.

Welcome to the forum. All of the guns listed would be good choices. In addition I'd add to your list the Kahr line, especially the larger TP9. The Walther P99 or PPQ is a very nice, yet underrated, handgun. The tried and true Beretta 92fs is another fine gun.

Of the ones listed I picked the FNP-9.

+1 on the Walther P99 and PPQ.

If you're looking for a range gun, I don't really see the need to go with a polymer option unless you just specifically want a particular model. At that price range, I would look into a base CZ75B and have the custom shop or another reputable CZ smith do an action job and perhaps install the competition hammer and SAO trigger as well. The result will be a very accurate, reliable, and comfortable to shoot gun with a fantastic trigger - i.e., just about everything you want in a range gun.

Springfield xdm

Aside from the FN pistol I have had personnal experience with the other pistols you have listed. All three are reliable but you might also want to consider the CZ or the Kahr pistols.

Beretta 92. I wish I had purchased mine years ago.

You forgot to list some of the best: CZ-75, Browning Hi-Power, Beretta 92, S&W 5906, etc.

+1 on the Walther P99 and PPQ.

I concur. These are probably the best two 9mm pistols available at the ~$550-&600 price range. The only real decision is the trigger. Do you want DA/SA (P99AS) or glock-style (PPQ)?

From your list I would pick the FNP9. But, as has been mentioned check out the Walther P99 and PPQ. The P99 is my favorite polymer pistol.

CZ 85b. Same as the 75b but has the ambidextrous controls. Very well known for it's accuracy.

FN is going to be releasing the FNS 9 soon.. It has certainly caught my interest... give it a look:

http://www.fnherstal.com/index.php?id=269&backPID=263&productID=172&pid_product=295&

CZ 75B, CZ SP-01 Phantom(Polymer) or a CZ Shadow.

I am selling my XD9 to help fund a CZ Custom Shadow Target in 9mm.

I have to say that I am a Glock guy and you can't go wrong with a good 9mm in Glock but I have to tell you I found a gun that I just can't get enough of and absolutly love. I bought this gun on a wim. It's the S&W SD9mm I love the feel of this gun, the trigger is great for defense, it's accurate and nice looking gun. It's the same size as the Glock 19 and shoots excellent. Take a good look at these SD's they are really nice and they are about 400.00 dollars. 16 rounds, night front sight and one of the most comfortable grips in my hand. I have owned much more expensive guns but S&W created a real sleeper here. It's really that nice.

+1 for CZ85b.

My vote goes for the Smith M&P, but, CDNN has the trade in 3rd Generation Smith 5906 and 6906 for $299.99 and $329.99 respectively, if I wasn't trying to put money back for an AR, I would definitely buy 1 or more of those.

So back to the gun store for the usual suspects they push? Try one of these instead of the same old same old.

Browning Hi Power
CZ-75 variant (PCR, P-01, 75B, 85B, etc)
HK P7 PSP (German police surplus pistols are still a steal)
Sig P229
Walther PPQ
HK P30

Of the gun choices shown I have a FN FNP9 and have experience with the G17.
I don't like Glocks and no longer recommend them to new shooters.
The FN is a decent low cost gun but is made rather cheap. It's OK but I wouldn't buy it again.

I make it a point to not recommend ANYTHING but some mid range to low cost guns I have and like are,

the Beretta PX4 Storm, including the sub compact.
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x464/Bell-helicopter-407/PX4anssubcompact.jpg


CZ RAMI and other CZ pistols.
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x464/Bell-helicopter-407/CZRAMI.jpg
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x464/Bell-helicopter-407/CZ40PTLR2.jpg


Beretta 92.
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x464/Bell-helicopter-407/Beretta92FS-1.jpg


Ruger LC9.
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x464/Bell-helicopter-407/RugerLC9.jpg

Ruger SR9C.
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x464/Bell-helicopter-407/RugerSR9C.jpg


and a real under $400 sleeper is the ATI C92. I like this gun so well I bought three. Friends bought another six.
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x464/Bell-helicopter-407/ATC92.jpg

G17 and/or G19, Gen 4s.

M&P9.

What about the ruger sr9c? It's has a 10 round carry mag and 17 round extended mag. I picked mine up for $400 and I'm more than satisfied with it. The newer sr9 has the same trigger as the compact but in a full size frame.

All the guns you have listed are made of plastic with lawyer triggers. For the same money you could get a quality gun like a CZ or Beretta. For a bit more, you could get a Hi Power.

Glock 19 or 17.

+1 on the beretta 92. Smooth shooting gun.

What about the ruger sr9c? It's has a 10 round carry mag and 17 round extended mag. I picked mine up for $400 and I'm more than satisfied with it. The newer sr9 has the same trigger as the compact but in a full size frame.
I wasn't familiar with the Ruger SR9C when I first saw it at the local gun store. The trigger is actually what sold me on the gun.
I understand the trigger on the SR9 was bad but Ruger corrected the problem.

I just picked up a SR9c today. Put 50 rnds through it and it worked flawlessly. The trigger feels good to me and has ambi safety and mag release. I would recommend it to anyone. I bought for carry so I'll see how that works out. Need an IWB holster first.

XDm
I like the grip on the XD"m" better than the XD. But I have 3 xd's a XD9sc, XD9, and a XD 45 Tactical oh and a XDm 3.8" 45 Compact. New and almost forgot. I have a FNP-45 also, like the xd better, I have a Glock 21sf, like the xd better. I have a couple of 1911's, like the 1911s best, better trigger and feel in my opinion. Downside is capacity.

Of the ones listed, I chose the FNP-9. However, why only plastic guns? What about a nice CZ 9mm?

Steel baby eagle or cz75.

Just my 2 cents...

For the price, I have to also second the ATI AT92C. Just an absolutely beautiful gun. $300 and a Beretta 92f Centurion in every sense of the word, other than the price. Oh and of course it says Beretta no where on this pistol.

Mine however did come with a 15rd Beretta magazine. The mag reads: PB Cal. 9 Para. Made in Italy. I am assuming that this is a Beretta mag, as it is identicle to my friends Beretta 92fs magazine.

Glock 17 or 19, Ruger SR9/SR9c. If you go with one of those you will be very happy.

I picked other and other being a CZ75. These things are amazing pistols.
Ever get a chance try one out

Cz-75, Cz-85 (ambi), CZ phantom (polymer), pretty much any other cz model...
=)

I wouldn't rule out the SR9/SR9c or XD. Both have good triggers for a striker fired pistol.

I am a Glock fan, so I voted for the Glock 17. I feel it is the pinnacle of what a combat handgun should be and it is the standard for the 9mm.

I say the glock or the beretta,because parts are easy to come by.

Thank you all for the advice. Update, got a 92fs, very happy with it. wish i could have updated the polls to add 92fs and cz. I'm from Cali, so a lot of the suggestions aren't exactly legal here :( walther ppq, xdm,

I was carrying a Browning Hi-Power in 9mm but wanted to go with something a little lighter and smaller. I chose a S&W M&P 9c. I got it without the safety. I like the feel of it and it is a nice shooter. I'm using Federal Premium 147 grain JHP. It's in your price range too.

If you haven't done any reasearch, look at the new fns-9 great feeling firearm.....striker fired, no hammer.

I'd go with a glock but the fns is nice.

FNX-9. I like DA/SA capability.

+1 on the FNX or FNS. These have a very well placed ambidextrous slide lock/release and an ambi (not reversible) magazine release. If I were a lefty, I think I'd really appreciate an ambi mag release, seeing as how I'd probably be at least somewhat accustomed to adjusting to a right-handed release. With an ambi release, it's a win-win.

interesting that nobody posted pictures of their Glock or XDs. They are not too nice to look at but they are rugged as hell. Personally I prefer the Springfields. My XD9 subcompact is amazingly accurate for a short auto and has never malfunctioned.

My vote would be to go for the M&P9 since you already have and like the M&P45. I recently got an M&P9c and am now considering the 45

springfields xd and xdm's are good shooters just don't appear to be as reliable as a glock. the parts are stamped metal. I mean look at who uses glocks vs. xd's.

Like i said, good shooters feel good in the hand, just not for me.

I myself am a Glock guy , but a friend recently bought a Sig 2022 for right at $400.00 and I really like it ! Kevin