I want a 9mm for leisure shooting, help me choose

My best shooting 9mm are my Sigs. My P226 Legion is the king, but for you I would suggest a P225-A1, or even a P239 if you can find them.

Out of many 9mm pistols, my 1911 is probably my favorite to shoot.

The steel CZ75 derivatives, the Walther PPQ, and the Sig P229 are the best of the rest.

The PPQ has the best trigger of the lot, but it is polymer and a bit lighter than the others. The 1911 and especially the CZ75 are steel and absorb lots of recoil. The aluminum-framed Sig is in between.

I like the Ruger P series for what they are. I have a 9mm, a 40, and a 45. They are not in the same league as the guns listed above as far as having good triggers and being easy to shoot well.

My Beretta 96 and Taurus PT99 are good pistols, but I shoot my favorites a bit better and enjoy them a bit more. Almost all of the Berettas have an aluminum frame.

It's an inexpensive Filipino one that I bought used, but it's my favorite 9mm pistol to shoot. I put a box through it just yesterday, in fact, with good results.

Depending on the type of gun you prefer, High Power, SIG or Beretta, or a Glock.

I'm a .45 1911 fan from way back because they just work. In this time when .45 ammo is outrageous, I have gone to shooting my nines because I have a stash that can easily be replaced for fair prices considering the current bs. Ruger Sr1911 officer in 9mm is a very fine all around weapon. I also tried out out a 365xl and brought her home. Damn fine and accurate weapon for self defense. She is now is my carry weapon and resides next to my bed at night. My wife now carries one as well after shooting mine at the range...

As a pure play thing, the Ruger P89 wouldn't be bad, but they are out of production and no longer supported by Ruger. Parts, such as magazines may be hard to source now, and will only get harder to find in the future.

A Beretta 92 would be a good choice, lots of mags available and the gun is still in production, and aside from Beretta, Wilson Combat, and Langdon Tactical will work on them if you need their support.

I like 1911's. The gun wasn't designed around the 9mm round, and you may spend some time and money finding out what 9mm mag works best in your particular 1911. With good sights on the gun, it would probably be the easiest to shoot well.

I've always thought if I was ever picking a 9mm pistol just to shoot at paper/etc. at the range, it would be a Glock G34. They have lots of after market support for such things as sights and magazines, they are relatively inexpensive - compared to a quality 1911, 2011, or high end CZ, and in the Glock line-up, they are probably the easiest model to shoot well.

Grand Power K100
Grand Power Q100
CZ P-09
CZ P-10F

I have the Grand Power Q100: hard to beat as a recreational shooter.

TTv2 said:

Here's what I've been thinking of:

Ruger P89- DA/SA, metal frame, strong design, Ruger's first centerfire semi auto

Beretta or Taurus 92- DA/SA, nice trigger, proven, popular

Springfield XD-E 4.5"- DA/SA, slim, light

1911- slim, popular

Single stack pistols have a special bonus because they're slimmer, they would interest me.

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Good list. Those are all excellent and soft shooters. If you want Slim..... Pretty hard to go wrong with a 1911 as they have great ergos and even the entry level 1911s have excellent triggers. Check into Metro Arms 1911s. Very nice 1911s for the money.

I’m a Glock guy so of course I recommend a Glock 17. My police trade in “range” 17 gets cleaned once in a never. Finally got it to malfunction after nearly 2000 rounds since a cleaning. And that was with a $10 aftermarket mag. For about $400 and $10 to $12 per mag, it’s the cheapest reliable ranger beater you could ever have.

Of what you listed, I would pick the XD.

If its in your budget, I vote for a new P210 standard-

Not really optimized for any one role, but capable of doing target, carry, or nightstand if necessary. I cant say enough about how smooth these guns are, best factory trigger Ive EVER tried!

It is a single stack, and they are also making a compact "carry model" now too.

Smith and Wesson 986

stock pic:

Sounds like you're at affordable choices. There are a lot of good choices, only a few bad ones. I'd eliminate the Ruger P89 for the reasons cited above. Decent guns, but no longer made and no support.

I'd be looking at used guns. I picked up a Sig 320 Compact recently for $420. That is about what the budget brands sell for new. Lots of used Glocks and Smith M&P's out there at reasonable prices too.

It really comes down to what you find, the price, and what you like. If you focus on only one gun and are looking at the used market it seems like you never find one at a decent price. It seems like I always find deals on good guns when I'm not looking. And often when I don't have the cash.

I have a couple of range/fun 9mm pistols-don’t even have holsters for them. They are not inexpensive ones, but high quality adds a lot to my enjoyment of them on & off the range. Get the best you can afford & I’d lean towards a target model or vintage/used one like a Hi-Power or Luger that are a lot more interesting than most new offerings.

Zendude said:

Smith and Wesson 986

stock pic:
View attachment 1047034

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For a range gun only? ^^^this^^^

My choice would be 92fs compact, Inox preferably.

To me that’s a fun gun with carry possibilities

If you think this might end up as an EDC, but you still want it to be a somewhat comfortable range gun, then my top 4 recommendations in order:
Glock, Springfield, Sig, S&W.

I don't recommend 1911's or any with manual saftey
as an EDC to very many folks.
If you just want a nice dependable plinker or range gun, then my M9A3 is my favorite at this time.

I have a P89DC I bought new back in the early 90s. Great for home defense but the DA/SA trigger isn't much fun at the range. The SA trigger is mediocre at best.

I just purchased a RIA 1911 in 9mm, full-size with tactical upgrades (beaver tail, adjustable sights, G10 grip). Very fun gun that everyone loves to shoot. No problem with the factory mag and Chip McCormick mags from Midway. No jams, great SA trigger.

When the Springfield SA-35 comes down to retail pricing I'll probably get one. And if I fall into the $$ I'll get the new Sig P210A. The Beretta 92 just hasn't captured me yet. A co-worker just bought one and loves it. Do they make a 92 with SA only trigger and a safety? I don't like DA/SA triggers at the range.

TTv2 said:

Ruger P89- DA/SA, metal frame, strong design, Ruger's first centerfire semi auto

Beretta or Taurus 92- DA/SA, nice trigger, proven, popular

Springfield XD-E 4.5"- DA/SA, slim, light

1911- slim, popular

Single stack pistols have a special bonus because they're slimmer, they would interest me.

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Out of that list, I'd want either a commander size or full size 1911. Commander size with an alloy frame if less weight is wanted. Maybe something like this Ruger. https://ruger.com/products/sr1911CommanderStyle/specSheets/6722.html

I've had trigger time with the P89 and 92FS, they are nice guns but a bit fat for my hands and if we are concentrating on leisure guns that means capacity isn't important to me.

I have no experience with that particular Springfield, but I personally would want a metal framed gun if it is a pure leisure gun.

jmr40 said:

Sounds like you're at affordable choices. There are a lot of good choices, only a few bad ones. I'd eliminate the Ruger P89 for the reasons cited above. Decent guns, but no longer made and no support.

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I wouldnt let that deter you from the P Series. Nothing really ever breaks on the P89 and they will digest practically anything. Pretty much the most durable wondernine ever made. Downside is they are "combat accurate" so I wouldnt expect tiny tight groups. They are extremely gentle shooters though having a pretty heavy slide and fairly low weight recoil spring making them very friendly towards new shooters, young shooters, and female shooters. Easy to rack and a low recoil pulse. The P90 has a nasty habit of breaking the mag catch spring and the P95 can have issues of the captive recoil assembly coming apart but the P89 is almost indestructible and doesnt really have a weakness (other than accuracy). I am obviously a big fan of the design but you mentioned slim and the slides and top of the frame are thicker than others on the list . The Grip is pretty thin though. I dont think there is a more durable Aluminum frame out there largely due to that thickness in critical areas. I would guestimate triple the thickness compared to anyone else. P89 uses the same frame as the P91 (40S&W) and I have never heard of a frame breakage (or Slide) on the 40S&W P91 so the P89 is overbuilt to the extreme.

If you are looking for small groups and can live with the grip girth I would steer you to the Beretta. Vertec frame Beretta has more of a 1911 feel ergo wise if the traditional frame is too thick. I have both and prefer the thicker grip frame. You cant really go wrong with a beretta 92 (or Taurus). Anyone who shoots them and complains has a mental condition and needs therapy IMO. Butter Smooth actions... great triggers...soft shooters... accurate....reliable ... good looks... durability etc. the Beretta pretty much has it all.

Springfield XD series is no slouch either. Its just plastic.. good plastic... but plastic. I like them but they dont have the feel of old school craftsmanship as a nice steel or Aluminum frame. I am not anti polymer by any means but machined steel and aluminum frames just have a feel thats easier to appreciate more than plastic that was poured into a mold.

Whatever you do just make sure you can mount a TV on it so you can cross train with your play station 5 when ammo is low. That way you can keep up with all the "operator" qualifications and give tactical advice and expertise on the net.

P89DCSS said:

Do they make a 92 with SA only trigger and a safety? I don't like DA/SA triggers at the range.

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The 92X Performance and 92X Performance Defensive are both DA/SA guns, but don't have decockers, and have frame mounted thumb safeties, so you can treat them like SA only guns.

The 92X Performance https://www.beretta.com/en-us/beretta-92x-performance/

and

The 92X Performance Defensive https://www.beretta.com/en-us/beretta-92x-performance-defensive/

P89DCSS said:

I don't like DA/SA triggers at the range.

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Now that I think about this, at the range, what difference does it make if it is a DA/SA gun? Just rack the slide to chamber a round and shoot everything in SA. If it's a range gun, you could spend your whole life and never shoot it in DA.

What other handguns do you have?

Almost all of them can be had in 9 mm Luger/Parabellum, so I'd look for one of those. If say you love 1911s (which I have to say: not so popular anymore. Glock is the king of that) then the 9mm 1911 is delightful, you may stop shooting your other calibers.

B&T APC9
986 or Super GP100
Blackhawk or Vaquero Convertible

I carried a .40 caliber Beretta 96FS on police patrol. Although I never had to fire it other than during training, practice and quals, I never experienced any failure with it. There were many times I'd come home from patrol, field strip it, and use a blow dryer to to dry it from all the winter rain and snow it was exposed to while it rode on my hip (I patrolled in Bremerton, WA) before I put it away. I trust the design but I never warmed up to the slide mounted hammer drop manual safety lever. (It fit my hand perfectly and it was easy to get quick, accurate hits when I fired it weak hand only.) I eventually sold it as I was downsizing and consolidating all my guns to Glock 9mm.

One day I stopped at a local gunshop and there was a parkerized Taurus PT92 in the showcase. I asked to look at it and it felt so comfortingly familiar in my hand. What caught my attention was the frame mounted manual safety lever, which seemed perfectly located. I came ever so close to buying it but I decided that I didn't want a pistol with a different manual of arms than the Glocks I carry daily. Looking back, now I wish I'd bought it just for recreational shooting.

Good luck!