Help deciding which 9mm to get

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rifleman14

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I've been needing to get a good 9mm for quite some time now. I have not owned my own handgun, but have fired several hundred rounds from a friend's 1911 in 45. I want to get the 9mm for basic practice in shooting handguns, target, and defense if I ever need it, but it will not be a carry pistol or anything.
I have narrowed it down to a few different handguns, but am always open to suggestions. So out of these handguns, which would you consider to be the overall best?

S&W 5906 http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=411544529

Sig P250 http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/69735

Walther P99 https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/32922

I would also consider a Glock if I could find a used one at a reasonable price...I really don't know much about Glocks when it comes to specific models, so which do you guys think is the best? I was really liking the 17 just for looks, I don't like the compact Glocks at all for looks or feel. Definitly would have to be full size.

Thanks for any input everyone.
 
rifleman14 said:
I've been needing to get a good 9mm for quite some time now. I have not owned my own handgun, but have fired several hundred rounds from a friend's 1911 in 45. I want to get the 9mm for basic practice in shooting handguns, target, and defense if I ever need it, but it will not be a carry pistol or anything.
I have narrowed it down to a few different handguns, but am always open to suggestions. So out of these handguns, which would you consider to be the overall best?

S&W 5906 http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=411544529

Sig P250 http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/69735

Walther P99 https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/32922

I would also consider a Glock if I could find a used one at a reasonable price...I really don't know much about Glocks when it comes to specific models, so which do you guys think is the best? I was really liking the 17 just for looks, I don't like the compact Glocks at all for looks or feel. Definitly would have to be full size.

Thanks for any input everyone.
Click to expand...
I have a S&W 5906 wonderful pistol although my wife states the grip is to large for her hands.I would also look at the 3rd generation S&W 3913 and 3914.IMHO some of the best pistols every made.
 
All your options have a good overall reputation.

I have no experience with your particular Sig model.

I had to learn the S&W 5906. It is DA/SA which I personally do not care for no matter the brand. The 5906 grip is rather large and has a long trigger reach and long pull in the DA mode.

GLOCK - own a 19, carried one for 2 years, teach them, am a Certified Armorer, respect them. But I don't like them. They are clunky, barrel light, fat grip, fair trigger pull. The smaller the frame the worse they handle. My .02 on GLOCK.

I have shot the Walther and it is nice. Better ergonomics and better trigger than the S&W or GLOCK for me.

You will get a variety of other opinions. If possible, handle/shoot them first. Your "best choice" factors would be which one fits your hand best and which trigger system you prefer.
 
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All those are pretty good choices. try to find each locally and see which fits your hand the best.

I will say that the one P250 I fired I didn't like the trigger on. It was pretty long and heavy. But that's a pretty subjective thing.

In the spirit of more choices I would urge you you to take a look at the SP 2022. I have one, and it's a great pistol.
 
The S&W Model 5906 is a great gun, but I always had a problem transitioning from the DA first shot to the SA mode for the remainder. Also having smaller hands made it difficult for me to reach the slide mounted safety.

I tried the SIG P-250 but didn't care for the long and heavy trigger pull on it.

The Walther P-99 has the best ergonomics, at least for my hand size. It feels as if my hand was going into a well fitted glove. Different backstraps also allow you to custom fit the grip even more for your particular hand size. I felt the trigger pull was slightly better than that found on my Glock Model 17.

A couple of other 9mm's you might want to consider: the Beretta M-92, the Browning Hi-Power, the CZ-75, and the Taurus PT-92.
 
I have six 9mm pistols. None of them is a DA/SA type like the ones you're looking at, so I can't help you there.

If you want excellent reliability, good accuracy and toughness, I'd recommend the Glock 19, the Springfield XDm in whatever barrel length you like or the CZ75 SA. The S&W M&P also has a very good reputation.
 
Though I've never shot Walther P99 nor the SIG P250, I've spent a lot of time behind the wheel of many Third Generation Smith da variants and I'm completely sold on them as defensive pistols. It should be noted, however, that I'm a big advocate of "traditional" da platforms and that I have fairly large hands. These are factors that might (and maybe should) influence your choice.
 
What is your budget. If it was me I would look for a used Glock 17 or 19 which can be had for $350 to $400.

I also would take a look at Sig SP2022. They are good guns and can be had for under $400.
 
The Browning Hi power would be at the top of my list. If you're on a budget the CZ75 SA (as Japle suggests) would be another great choice.
 
Of the three you've offered, I'd lean toward the Walther P99 because of it's light weight (polymer), interchangeable backstraps and the location of the de-cocker.

The S&W M59 is a very rugged gun, but I've always found the stainless frames of the 5906 make them a bit heavy for my taste.

The SigPro 2022 is a better buy than the 250 and has better accuracy and trigger action...and it is usually less expensive
 
I tried a P99 and it jammed a ton so I wasn't interested. I hate DAO pistols so the P250 doesnt interest me becasue of the trigger. If I were gonna get a polymer framed Sig I would go with the SigPro 2022 becasue of the DA/SA system. The 5906 is good but sometimes the old SW autos can be hit or miss in reliability.

My standard for 9mm autos is the Sig P226. The P226 shoots so smooth it's hard to explain. Extremely accurate, fits my hand like a glove, and has never ever jammed on me or anything. If I could have one pistol in the world it would be the P226.... Or Maybe a Wilson Combat Tactical Supergrade ;)
 
S&W 5906.

They'll be making plastic guns forever, the same may not be true for stainless steel. The 5906 is a great gun for average to large hands.

I also own a Browning Hi-Power, Walther P99 & P88, CZ 85, and Glock 19 & 17. All very good guns.
 
I'm not sure what your budget is, but:
at the high end, I'd highly recommend a H&K P-30.
at the modest end I'd highly recommend a CZ-75 SP-01

I have both and both are as reliable as a crowbar.
The H&K is a Mercedes, while the CZ is a Ford F-150.
Both are reliable and popular, both get the job done, I'd rather ride in the Mercedes.
 
Thanks for all the great input so far guys, it has really helped. I don't have a specific budget, I'm kind of just looking for the right gun for me, and if it's around $300-$400 then fantastic, but if I have to shell out $500 or $600(the most i want to spend) to get the perfect gun for me, then I feel that that is the best choice.

All of these Sigs look soooo similar...it's hard to believe there can be that much of a difference in how they are made lol

So far the most promising choices in my opinion are the CZ75, S&W 5906(I'll have to handle one first because quite honestly, I don't even know whether my hands are large or small or average! It seems like a gun that if it's going to fit me, it'll fit perfectly but if not, I will be able to tell right away. Just a thought), and the Sig SP2022. I was also considering a springfield xd, simply because of their reputation, but I'm not sure that I could ever get past how flat out UGLY they are(IMHO of course). Even uglier than a glock in my opinion, and that's hard to beat when it comes to ugly!!
I love the ergonomics of the walther but they seem to be kind of hit and miss when it comes to reliability. Maybe i'll just put a walther P22 on my "eventually" list so I can have something very similar(and cheap to shoot! :D )

Again, thanks for all the great input everyone, I really appreciate it.

Rifleman14
 
JMOfartO:

Don't know about the Sig you mentioned, but I've owned a Walther P99, and I still own a S&W 5906.

The Walther was sweet. Very accurate, excellent grip ergonomics, and the guy I sold it to loves it.

The 3rd Gen S&W is still with me.. It resides in the nightstand by my bed, and I think it's an excellent choice for that.

The 5906 IS heavy.. Hey, it's steel, not plastic.. But.. It's easy to shoot, and shoot accurately. The weight holds down the recoil, and my 67 year old bride (5' tall) loves shooting it. I would suggest if the weight is not a problem for my wife it shouldn't be for most folks..

The 5906 is too large and heavy for concealed carry, but PERFECT for home defense use..

I have a set of Crimson Trace Lasergrips on my 5906 and it offers 15+1 round of quality jhp's for the home intruder..

Another aspect of all 3rd Gen Smiths is absolute RELIABILITY... And for me, in a firearm used for personal protection RELIABILITY is JOB1... :D

I'm sure all three of your choices are very good, so if you have the chance try and hold, and more importantly, FIRE each one before you open your wallet.

Good Luck!

Jesse

100_9862.jpg
 
Hey, as long as that 5906 isn't any heavier than the 1911 which I wouldn't think it would be, then the weight shouldn't be an issue! If this gun fits and feels comfortable when I go to handle one, it may very well be my new 9mm!
 
And:

IF you take a liking to the S&W 5906 but find it a bit "large", then consider the 6906.... :D

The 6906 is lighter (not all steel), and with the S&W mag adapter you can actually use the 5906 mags (offer you two extra rounds over the standard 13rd 6906 mag)...

Downside to the 6906 is no CT Laser (I don't think).. I'm a big fan of CT lasers for home defense firearms.

And, with all due respect to the Browning HP fans, (I had one), I don't believe a "single-action" pistol is the best choice for personal defense..

IF a crisis comes along all I want to do is pull the trigger, I do not want to mess with a safety..

KISS is my motto for a home defense weapon.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

100_9825.jpg

100_9817.jpg
 
Glock 9mms are superb. A great value in a new 9mm is the Ruger P95, which can be had for less than $350 and is a stone reliable pistol.
 
I love my BHP, but for a carry-auto I really prefer a 3rd Gen Smith, and have two 3913s, a 908, a 5904, a 4006, a 4013, and a 410, and all but the 908 were bought used. All have been flawless in function 100%. I like the Beretta-92 style decocker/safety. I prefer the factory-grips on double-stack 3rd Gens, and Hogues on my single-stacks.

My wife also likes a BHP best for a range-9mm but prefers a 3rd Gen Smith for a carry-auto.
 
I do not have any exspereince with the Sig250. I do own and shoot the other two.

The S&W5906 is built like the proverbial tank - all solid stainless steel construction, super relioable. If you ran ouit of ammo you could damage the perp with the gun itself. Also extra magazines are dirt cheap.

I have both the S&W99 and Walther P99QA. They have a unique ambidextrous magazine release which I enjoy using but it differs from the normal mag release button. Between the two you I have a distinct preference for the S&W99 with it's lighter AS trigger and the better warranty (assume you are purchasing a new gun). Both have been totally reliable and quite accurate. They are much lighter than the S&W5906.
 
Of your three choices I would go with the Walther P99. I have two of them and they have been 100% reliable with nice triggers (AS version) and great ergonomics.
As far as $400 and under goes look at the Bersa Thunder 9, Fullsize or Ultracompact. I have three of these and they also have been 100% reliable. I paid around $350 for each.
www.bersa.com
 
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