First gun buyer. Need help deciding

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Cig guy

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Hey everyone, this is my first post on this forum. I'm looking to buy my first hand gun and desperately need help choosing one. I'm really torn between these 3 guns. The first gun I've ever shot was a Sig P226, and as you can tell by my name, I love Sig's. I would instantly drop all these and go buy a P226 but I just dont have $900 to drop on one. So im forced to go with one of these:

I also listed some pros/cons that I've been reading around the forums too.

1. Sig SP2022 9mm - From what I've been reading, Sig quality, reliability, accuracy without the usual Sig price. Durable, theres a video on youtube with a guy shooting 5000 rds through it. Nothing bad on it, Just dont know about the 3.86" barrel, I would prefer it to be at least 4". Dont know if it affects anything though.

2. FNH FNP-9 9mm - Heard they are excellent, high quality, and durable guns. Only thing I hear thats wrong with them is stiff recoil spring, so it doesnt like 115 gr, but thats only with about 1/4 of the owners. Weak mag springs too, so the slide doesnt lock back when empty and this can also lead to feeding problems. Most owners dont have a single problem at all.

3. CZ 75 SP01 / Phantom 9mm - Usual CZ reliability, durability and accuracy. Woud love to get the SP01 but its easily $100 more than the other ones I listed, though the SP01 Phantom falls into my price category. Bad thing about the Phantom is a bad trigger.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, especially if you own one of these. I dont plan on using these as CCW, mostly for HD, range, and occasionally holster when I go camping/backpacking.
 
Handgun rentals at the indoor range prevented me from making a couple of mistakes. Seems that would be a good next step... to see for yourself, as opposed to more opinions from forums.

I'm betting you'll end up with the Sig ;)
 
rellascout - I would much rather buy a new gun for my first gun than a used one. 500 - 600 is exactly my price range.

btg3- My local range has 2 CZs for rental, but sadly both of them are out of service till who knows when. Even sader is that they dont have the FNP-9 for rental.

DAdams- I have taken a look at the M&P9 but I dont like striker fired guns, I prefer that hammer back there. XDM looks too much like Glocks, and I am not a fan of Glock. I'm in CA so im only limited to 10 rd mags. So round capacity doesnt matter at all.

Thanks for the replys. Im gonna go to the local stores and see what they have in stock and fondle them.
 
all good responses. i think that when you go to the gun store and feel each gun it will make your decision a lot easier. as far as the difference in barrel length for the sig i doubt that it would make a noticable difference for you in the long run.
 
No offense intended, but if this really is your FIRST handgun purchase I would recommend that you keep it simple. Get nothing with a manual safety or decocking lever. Go with a good quality revolver if you don't intend to spend much time practicing.

Only get an auto loader if you intend to get real serious about shooting, and then practice with it religiously. You need to become so intimately familiar with it that your subconscious can use it when your conscious mind is freaking out. There's nothing worse than having a gun that you can't manipulate properly in a sudden moment of fear and panic. After all, that's when you'll ultimately need to use it.
 
rellascout - I would much rather buy a new gun for my first gun than a used one. 500 - 600 is exactly my price range.
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If you must have a new gun I would vote for the SP2022. They can be had for under $400.

The FNP9 used to be a sub $400 gun but they have creeped back up. They would be my second choice. They are a little blocky in the hand. I like the gun a lot. It is very sig like.

I would shoot the 3 on your list. One will shoot/point better for you than the others.
 
I just bought the Sig SP2022 and was in the same dilemma between it and the FNH FNP 9for me it boiled down to price. I was able to pick up the Sig for $460 out the door and the FN would have run me over $650. I shot the Sig today and it was totally reliable and accurate. I was shooting 2" groups standing at 15 yards. My only comment about the gun was the DA trigger pull seemed really long and I could not find its sweet spot but I have a feeling it will smooth out after it is broken in. I would stay away from the CZ because my friends who own them have tons of issues when they are the least bit dirty. If you want to see good gun reviews check out Nutnfancy on youtube.
 
If I were you I would either get a small 38 spl S&W air weight revolver, buds has them new for around $350.

Or a 9mm or 40sw auto that doesn't use a striker fire system as in a glock or xd or S&W Mp series. I recently got a glock 23 with a striker fire system that means that when you carry it in a holster or pocket, that its cocked and ready to fire. I know they say they are completely safe to carry that way,but it feels a little scary, carrying a cocked pistol.

I would much more prefer a compact single action/ DA action pistol with an exposed hammer model. That allows you to carry the pistol hammer down and with the safety on. This allows you to safely carry the pistol uncocked and not worry about the striker or hammer falling, and you all you have to do is to drop the safety and pull the trigger on the sa/da auto.

Berretta, SIG , Cz, fnh , and SA make models like this, some in polymer and some steel/ alloy models
 
"...the DA trigger pull seemed really long..." Hi. DA triggers are like that. Your Sig can be made to be DA only, if you want. DA pistols are DA only for the first shot anyway. The only thing that matters is how well a pistol fits your hand. Sounds like the Sig does.
 
i belong to a local police department who uses the original sig pro the 2340 and have started to buy 2022's both are in .40 cal. I still have the 2340 and my biggest complaint is the long and sloppy trigger. I have not shot the 2022 but heard of FTF problems with ball ammo. My department used to carry the 226 but sold them back to sig and got two 2340's plus the leather for one 226. IMO if you can wait save up for the 226.
 
So I went to my local shop today and held Sig. The default grip was too big for me. I know it comes with another grip, but does anyone know if its noticeably smaller? The trigger felt really good in SA, but the DA was long and heavy, yet smooth though. Love the fact that they come with factory night sights.

The shop didnt have any SPO1s on the shelf, but they had the 75b and the 75b SA, they fit my hand very well and was very comfy. The 75b SA had the best trigger IMO out of all of them, even the Sig.

Price wise the Sig was going for 580, while the CZ 75b was 585, and SA was 630.

They didnt have any FNP 9. They said FN stopped distributing them here in the US. So there goes the FNP 9 as one of my choices.

Im really leaning on the Sig, if the extra grip fits me. Wonder if I can ask them to change the grip on the shelf model for me?
 
Firearms in general, and pistols in particular, are very personal things. I have owned my share, not as many as some, but a few. I sold my Sig. It was OK but for what ever reason we never got along as well as we could.

I now have a CZ 75 P-01 (lovely pistol, my second CZ 75), a couple of Beretta 92's, and a Beretta PX-4. I would be hard pressed to say which was my favorite. I would not tell you that any of these was "the right gun for you" but I would say to anyone that these are all great pistols.

For me...I want a DA/SA. I want a hammer that I can see and feel in the dark. And I want a decocker. I carry my pistol with the hammer down and a round in the chamber. I have a safety, its called don't pull the trigger if you don't intend to shoot. In the heat of a moment when all hell is breaking loose I just want to point and pull. I have no use for a safety what so ever. I also refuse to carry a pistol that has to be "cocked and locked". Come on, its been a hundred years, we can do better!

I DON"T want some revolver! I trust my auto with my life. I have three times the rounds your little wheel gun has, and I like the nice flat profile of an auto over that bulge of a wheel gun.

So, you see it all gets so personal. We all have things we like and don't like. For me, I just can't find any love for a Glock, a 1911, or a wheel gun. I have only been shooting 50 years and may later change my mind, or loose it! But for each his own. Find out what fits you, what suits your style, and go with it. You can always change your mind later, I know I have many times! (except about 1911's....)
 
just a heads up, the cz75 sp01 serrations on the slide are very sharp to the fingers.
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I own a SP01, the serrartions on mine and every one I've shot have not been sharp. They are grippy, but thats what you want especially in a defense gun.
I'm betting the sharp one just got pas QC or something.

I've never had any issues with my SP01 either, clean or dirty.

Travis
 
Why are you looking at 9mms when youre limited to a 10rd capacity? In Idaho, theres no capacity limit(thank God) but if there were, Id be looking at .45's to fill the capacity void.
 
Just my .02 save your money. Get what you really want I made the mistake of getting a cheap first gun, pt92. I just got my p226 tac ops last week, and it is worth every penny. If you buy something else just to save a few bucks you'll just end up staring at the other guns you could have had. Heck man I rolled change for what I wanted, you can do it too.
 
I own 6 SIGs, 1 CZ a PCR, and around 7 or 8 other handguns, it just depends if I'm buying or selling. Of my DA/SA service pistols, if I could only have one it would be the P226. I also recommend you wait, or buy a used or reconditioned P226 if you want to get a pistol right away. My top picks for a fullsize service pistols would include SIG P226, Glock G17, Beretta 92FS, maybe a CZ75B. Compact Service pistols would be SIG P229, Glock G19, CZ PCR (75D). Subcompacts... none. One thing to consider is how easy and cheap are magazines and accessories to acquire. Why settle, save up and get what you really want. I am currently hooked on SA 1911 pistols... way more money than the P226, I'm saving up for my next pistol, make and model unknown as of now.
 
I bought a CZ 75BD for one of my first guns. Put the Kadet .22 conversion on it. Two guns in one. 500 .22 and 200 9mm will give you a long range session and quickly improve your shooting. The SA would be my choice today.

I owned a couple of really nice Sigs, they were too big for my smallish hands. I have some slim grips on my CZ and it fits well.
 
I own a SP01, the serrartions on mine and every one I've shot have not been sharp. They are grippy, but thats what you want especially in a defense gun.
I'm betting the sharp one just got pas QC or something.
Click to expand...

well not cutting sharp, but they bothered me after continually racking the slide.
 
Cig Guy

Read the entire thread so I'm up to speed on posts and your replies.

For prospective - I have for the same purposes you list a full size 1911 in .45 ACP. and a few revolvers. I started with a S&W Model 18 .22 LR revolver - served me well on the farm as a teen. Qualified for the ribbon in
the USN with the 1911. I carry a full size 1911 CCW However with the
rising cost of ammo a couple of years ago I looked at 9mmx19s for a cheaper
range gun/#2 HD/SD I got a CZ 75B it's dead nuts reliable, simple to field
strip and clean, stupid accurate and fits the hand. I also like the thumb safety option since my lizard brain is tuned to COndtion one for a 1911. I have no problem lowiering the hammer manually using my left index finger to
lower the hammer to the safety notch. The curve of the grip I find very nice.

That said.... A freind over in Seattle was a first time handgun buyer a
couple of years ago. He looked at a lot of 9mmx19 platforms and settled on
Sig. he was looking on their web site at all the different models and noticed in the lower RH corner of the front page web page where all the models are

"Pre-Owned Sigs" refurbished/checked out by the factory.

He got a P226 with little apparent wear for a couple hUndred
off msrp.

both the CZ 75B and Sig P226 have factory .22 LR conversion kits
available - first time buyer should consider for a lot more shooting with
the same platform for a lot less money.

just my $.02

& Get a good gunbelt/holster/spare mag carrier
over time as you practice, practice practice.

Randall
 
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