First 9mm handgun??

[PirateRadio]

Hi everyone! I'm new here and to guns in general.

I just got my FOID a few days ago and I plan on getting a .22 Rifle in the near future but I was also thinking of picking up a 9mm handgun as well. I realize this topic has been cover a million times as I did do a search for it. But I was hoping to get a dialog going so I could as questions as they came up.

As far as the 9mm goes, I'm looking to keep it under $600 either new or used. The ones I was looking at are....

Glock 19
Springfield XD
Beretta 92FS

Any comments and comparisons on these guns would be appreciated. Also feel free to throw in any that I haven't listed. Like I said, I'm totally new to this.

 

[Constantine-p89]

Springfield XD.

 

[Sgt.Dusk]

How about CZ75B
Cheap and made to last.

 

[Quoheleth]

If you like the Beretta, try the Taurus PT92. It's a lot less expensive, runs forever, and has frame-mounted safety as opposed to slide-mounted.

Q

 

[PirateRadio]

I'll check out the CZ and the Taurus! Thanks guys!!

This may be a stupid questions, but does anyone know of anyone makes a 1911 in 9mm that isn't real expensive?

Also, what is the verdict on Wolf ammo?

 

[Nightwing]

^ I'd also like to know!
it's the cheapest online but I've heard a lot of bad about it.

I'm sure it's great for beginner starter ammo during target shooting, but I also have heard it causes more jams, and it's really inconsistent.
Anybody have the facts on Wolf?

 

[milo z]

Cheapest 9mm 1911 is the Springfield Loaded - I see the target sight (fake Bomars) model at gun shows for a tick under $800.

I've got an older one with all-black fake Novak fixed sights (now they use tritium 3-dot) - great, great pistol. Possibly my favorite 9mm.

the other 9mm pistols I currently own, all at or around $500 (or well under - the M&P sells for $399 at gun shows around here and you get a $50 rebate on top of that):

Glock 19 - crappy factory sights, a very nice trigger (it feels crisp - either I got a good one, or Glocks are unfairly maligned on this), very accurate for a ~4" barrel

CZ 75B SP-01 - not a big fan of the Tru-Dot night sights, but they're workable. Heavy as a brick, so there's little or no felt recoil. Fantastic ergonomics in the grip area - only complaint is that on the decocker model (like mine), there's not an easy way to grip it thumbs-high. Reliable as heck.

S&W M&P9 - full-size, Novak 3-dot sights that I want to replace if/when I can get Heinie Straight-8s on it. Trigger is light and smooth but with a spongy break - not as accurate with it as the CZ or the Glock (or the Springfield). More complicated to field strip than the Glock, but feels better in the hand. Mine may be developing an issue with the slide locking back on empty (~1200 rounds in) - need to test it more to be sure.

and three others I've shot but don't own (or don't own anymore):

Sig P226 - ~$540 through their factory refurb/demo program. Good trigger, a little lighter trigger pull than the CZ in double-action mode. Didn't see any advantages to it over the CZ, so off it went.

Beretta PX4 Storm - good DA/SA pistol, pretty cheap, not really anything to recommend it over others options on the market, but nothing to knock it either

Springfield XD9 - not a big fan of the XD series. They don't balance well at all in my hand, but the grip is OK.

 

[milo z]

I've shot a little Wolf in 9mm, but there's not enough of a savings over Sellier & Bellot brass, Blazer Aluminum or Monarch brass (Monarch is made in Serbia I believe) locally to merit buying it. Seemed kind of dirty, not terribly accurate.

 

[Geno]

Of the 3 you listed, I would go the Glock 19.

Doc2005

 

[strat81]

Of the 3 you listed, I would go the Glock 19

+1 to that. 9mm 1911s get pretty expensive. You might consider a High Power if you want a JMB 9mm classic.

CZ-75B is another fine pistol.

 

[PirateRadio]

Thanks for the rundown, Milo!

 

[glockman19]

Of the 3 you listed, I would get the Glock 19.

Me too

 

[Black Majik]

Honestly, if I was starting out and getting my first 9mm handgun things would be different. I would be looking at a Smith and Wesson M&P fullsize. Those pistols are just so sweet at a great price currently. The gun fits the hand really nice, and it's the softest shooting polymer handgun I've shot to date. With a Dan Burwell trigger job at $50 bucks, it's a great value. But, I hate using the word value, because it makes the gun seem cheap. Instead... it's just THAT good of a gun.

Otherwise, +1 to everyone else. Of the guns you listed. Glock 19

 

[dasmi]

Can't go wrong with a Glock, that's what I prefer from those you listed. My brother has a CZ-75 which is quite nice, but it's a different animal than the Glock. I shot a 92 once, wasn't a fan. I think it's a beautiful, elegant weapon, just not my thing.

 

[PirateRadio]

The only thing that worries me about the Glock is that the only safety is on the trigger....

 

[wisocki]

Get the 92. Tests have shown that it is more reliable than the CZ, the Glock, and the XD. I have a glock 19, a XD, and a 92. The glock and XD can jam with bad ammo. I have never had my 92 jam, and all i use is the ****tiest ammo you can buy. The 92 is a bit bulky but it is still a phenomonal hand gun.

 

[Black Majik]

The only thing that worries me about the Glock is that the only safety is on the trigger....

The best safety is the one between your ears.

 

[jklinstein]

Of the ones you listed, get the Glock 19.

It offers advantages in having a proven history and being light and concealable.

Store it in a holster, and learn to keep your finger WAY out of the trigger guard unless you're preparing to fire it.

 

[Thernlund]

Breezed over the responses and I didn't see the FNP-9 mentioned. Worth considering, IMO.


-T.

 

[Snagglepuss]

My first handgun was a Glock 19. I rarely shot it any more due to 1911 fever but I will never sell it. A great gun to learn with and one hell of a shooter. Never had a single problem. The price is right too. I picked up mine for under $465 at TopGlock.com

 

[ewayte]

Glock, because if you ever want part with it, there's a ready market for used ones.

 

[mekender]

personally not a fan of the glock... but they are good guns and they dont have many problems....

for your price mark, why not look at the new ruger SR9... $400 and that gives you $200 to spend on holster, ammo and extra mags...

 

[possum]

simple answer for me i would take the xd. i have 2 and i love em. you would be well served with all the above but the xd is my pick.

i have owned a glock 19 and it didn't fit me well. great guns just not for me.

i don't care much for da/sa and just don't like the 92's, and they are too big for my hand to shoot comfortably.

you should really try to rent or at least get a feel for all the above and see what you like best.

 

[tbtrout]

Of your choices the XD. To add one in the same price range, I would go with a CZ.