best 9mm? for the price?

An older model smith and wesson. You can find a nice metal frame 15 shot model 59 for around 350. Glock or Springfield would probably be next. Taurus are hit or miss and there isn't enough price difference to risk it. Sigs are my favorite. They're some of the best but carry the price tag too.

shoot 250 and knowing where to look can get you a new pistol or a lightly used one
as for best, that's up to you

what works for you won't for me...
your likes are yours

best bet, is RESEARCH, there is no excuse for skimping

and that includes trying it before you buy it, cause the cheapest POS, doesn't change the fact it's a POS, but you can buy those at any price.

Under $500? Best 9mm for the price is a Ruger P95 @ $300-350 new. Ruger rugged, shoots straight, and can handle what ever you feed it. I own one and would buy another if I wasn't addicted to ammo. Take the cash ya save and spend it on a few boxes of ammo.

Sig pro 2022. Buds gun shop has them for i believe right around the 380-400 mark. Really nice gun for the price.

Go to a range and try them out. rent everyone that you are interested in, shoot them, then decide.

I don't understand why your local gun store clerk/former LEO says to stay away from Beretta. Mine is flawless after maybe 1000 rounds, does fit me well and was very affordable. I do agree that what works for me might not work for you. Kinda like dentures!

I figure any gun manufacturer that has been in business since 1560, yes, 1560 must be doing something right or they wouldn't survive.

I would at least get a Beretta in your hand and shoot it. Fine firearms.

Doug B. said:

I don't understand why your local gun store clerk/former LEO says to stay away from Beretta. Mine is flawless after maybe 1000 rounds, does fit me well and was very affordable. I do agree that what works for me might not work for you. Kinda like dentures!

I figure any gun manufacturer that has been in business since 1560, yes, 1560 must be doing something right or they wouldn't survive.

I would at least get a Beretta in your hand and shoot it. Fine firearms.

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Not to mention military uses them as well for there sidearms.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

indyandy said:

I'm looking for my first handgun - my primary interest is range shooting but this would also be my primary HD weapon (I know a pump-action shotgun is best for HD but I'm looking for a pistol at the moment and this will be better than my .22 bolt-action). I was pretty sold on a Taurus 92, but then I was talking my local gun store clerk, who comes from a LEO background, and he said he wouldn't own either the Taurus or the Beretta. He pointed me towards a Springfield or a Glock, or a Sig although he didn't have experience on one of those and he did say it all comes down to personal preference. I'm looking to stay under $500, and was thinking 9mm over .40 or .45 for price and general comfort for a relative newbie like me - your thoughts?

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Only advice I can give is to try as many pistols as you can before buying. 500 bucks can buy a great pistol, or an expensive paper-weight.

Right now there are some good deals on springfield xd pistols. Here in southern california I just bought one for $399. It comes with two mags and springfield will give you three more mags for free through the end of november.. As for the ruger p95 I have one of those too. That gun is pretty accurate and it is super reliable. Mark

indyandy said:

I'm looking for my first handgun - my primary interest is range shooting but this would also be my primary HD weapon (I know a pump-action shotgun is best for HD but I'm looking for a pistol at the moment and this will be better than my .22 bolt-action). I was pretty sold on a Taurus 92, but then I was talking my local gun store clerk, who comes from a LEO background, and he said he wouldn't own either the Taurus or the Beretta. He pointed me towards a Springfield or a Glock, or a Sig although he didn't have experience on one of those and he did say it all comes down to personal preference. I'm looking to stay under $500, and was thinking 9mm over .40 or .45 for price and general comfort for a relative newbie like me - your thoughts?

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I would look at CZ75B because you could save up some money and get .22 'Kadet' conversion kit for it. That would be real money saver at the range.

Another vote for a S&W 3rd gen 9mm. Here's a link http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=252122203 to an excellent condition S&W 915 for ~$250. You still be less than $300 for the pistol after shipping and transfer. I would spend the rest of the $$$ of 500 rounds of decent quality ammo and a few spare mags.

Starting with a 9mm is a good choice. If you are looking for a new firearm, I suggest you add the Ruger SR9 and FNH FNP-9 to your list. Both are quality guns that can be had for about $400.00.

Ruger P95 , new for about $289 here , is a great gun..

for the money. Will shoot anything you feed it , will take hot loads and is very reliable.

9mm is always a good choice.

It would be my advice:
To buy new (warranty)
Buy quality (name brand)
And to buy something very common (resale if you decide you like something else better).

It may cost a bit more than your $500, but not much more. Later when you have a bit more experience, explore the other options.

In short, Get a Glock 26.

rskent said:

In short, Do not Get a Glock 26.

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There I fixed it for ya.

Why would somebody want a subcompact handgun for the range and HD?

I too am shocked that someone would advice you not to buy a Beretta. If you like the Taurus 92, I would seriously look at the Beretta 92 or M9. They are a fantastic, classic gun that is extremely easy to operate and clean.

Other than that I can only reiterate what the others have said in going to as many shops so you can handle and shoot as many guns as possible to fin the one that fits you the best. I can tell you a bunch of great guns for under $500 that fit ME extremely well. However that does not mean they will necessarily fair you well.

I do think 9mm is the best choice for someone starting out. Lower recoil and cheap ammo equals more practice (unless you are wealthy) and easier to work on the basics of marksmanship.

A list of some guns you should check out in alphabetical order:

Beretta 92FS, M9
CZ 75
FN FNX9, Hi-Power (used)
Glock 17, 19
Ruger P95, P85, SR9
Smith and Wesson M&P 9, 5906 (SS), 5903 (AI)
SA XD, XDM

Now this is purely my opinion, but I truly believe that a beginner is better off with a metal gun if it is not to be a carry gun. With that being said if I were you, the Beretta and CZ would be on the very top of my list.

Best of luck and remember, there is no stupid question.
Shawn

LE trade-in S&W 5906. Still around for $300, these were a $750 gun new and perform as such.

Another vote for XD.
Not only is the gun nice to shoot, comfortable and accurate, the customer service is outstanding.
Customer service is something to consider
(The absolute worst customer service I've ran into is Beretta)
Although I've never shot one, I really like the looks and price of the Ruger SR9c

For HD I'd seriously consider the S&W M&P full-size. For CC I'd take a good look at the Ruger SR9c.

If you like the Taurus/Beretta go for it. Maybe find a more informed gunshop while you're at it. I just put rounds 1000-1200 yesterday and still have yet to have a malf. of any kind. (Inox Beretta92)

Also I can vouch for 3rd gen S&W being good to go. (59xx, 915,910)

I'll add another stick to the fire...

EAA Witness. They are CZ clones, and they are amazing. I've put around 10,000 rounds down range without one single FTF/FTE.

Also, for $509, you can get a Witness 9mm WITH a 22lr conversion slide.


http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/76085


Or just the 9mm for $400

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/15613


OR... if you don't mind used, you can get the 9mm/22lr conversion set for $439

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/411546407

Another vote for the S&W M&P9 or 9c. Many configurations to choose from, great ergonomics, interchangeable backstraps and APEX parts if you don't like the factory trigger.
Tomac

This is an exercise in futility because every gun you can think of will be recommended.

Glock Gen3 26 or Gen4 19; thousands of flawless rounds through both. Only "problem" is my wife claimed the 26 since she liked the CTC laser.

Your immediate problem is somebody somewhere likes every gun you can name for some reason. Just gotta try many; pick one. But be aware, like peanuts, you may not be able to stop at one.

This is an exercise in futility because every gun you can think of will be recommended.

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Yes, but only one of us is right.