First Time Handgun Buyers Advice...

Don't overlook the SIG SP2022 - it was a sleeper years ago, but the gun world finally "discovered" it.
My first one replaced and old Sigma as my bed gun - recently bought my 3rd one, this time in FDE - didn't really need another, but ran across a good price on Slickguns.

Never been much of a 92 fan myself, as I absolutely hate slide mounted safeties - if it's going to have a safety, I much prefer the 1911 / frame mounted design.

BTW-welcome the the free state of VA!
Now that you're a resident, visit VCDL and (at least) sign up for their e-mails - a wealth of knowledge / downloads to keep you abreast of VA gun laws.

I own a Beretta 92 paying just over $400 for it (LNIB) its a fine firearm that is very accurate and has proven to be 100% reliable the railed versions are hard to come by especially for 400$. I also have the Sig 2022 and as stated previously also believe it to be one of the best kept secrets in the pistol world ...I use mine as a house gun with a light mounted. I payed closer to 500$ on that one with night sites and the DET finish.
There are a lot of options believe it or not from Ruger,Smith, Canik and EAA just to name a few. Good luck and have fun shopping.

I have always loved the look of the Beretta 92, but given the weight & design of the gun, id also love to add an LED light, laser sighting, & the guns accuracy is high on my list!! With all of that said, I may go for a lighter more efficient glock style with picatinny rails.

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Beretta now offer's the 92A1 that will give you a rail. http://www.beretta.com/en-us/92-a1/

For what it's worth, the word on the forums is Beretta is soon to release a new G model to the general public. It is the decocker only model. To most Beretta fans this is the more desirable configuration. Expectations are it will be in gun stores by the end of Oct 2014.

If it is going to be a range gun, weight shouldn't be much of an issue. If you prefer Glock's that's fine, but weight shouldn't be much of an issue for a gun that is not concealed carried.

...my budget is somewhere between $200 to $400

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Those are very used gun prices. You won't find a Beretta 92A1 in that price range. It is also unlikely you'll find a Glock at $400 even.

Save your money for a couple of months and buy what you want.

I actually did ...may have just been very lucky when I walked into my LGS but sitting there on the second shelf was a LNIB example no kidding the pistol may have had 50 rds through it , gonna love this came with 4 brand new mags ! You can find them or just get lucky

My favorite 9mm handgun is the Beretta 92. Accurate, reliable, easy to disassemble and maintain, and just a nice looking piece.

My two favorite Berettas in my 92 collection:

Most Beretta 9mm. pistols will run between $500 and $600 new. A Taurus PT92 should go for around $400 and is a decent gun for the money. Also you might want to look at a CZ P07 or P09 in the same price range.

If you like the Beretta 92, a used Taurus PT 92 of some sort may be an option. Not sure about the going rate for them, new or used. Unlike the Beretta's slide mounted saftey, the Taurus has it mounted on the frame, something a lot of people including myself prefer.

I can't comment on the quality of the PT 92. Some Taurus guns are very good and others seem to be, well, not good .

In your price range, look at an EAA Witness:

http://www.slickguns.com/product/eaa-witness-ps-9mm-polymer-full-size-161-27999

Similar styling and one of the best bangs for your buck out there. I own a B6P which is essentially identical without the rail.

The above x2
Tanfoglio is excellent

I agree , I own an EAA Witness (Tanfoglio) in 40 S&W. A wonderful weapon at a price that was more than affordable. If I recall correctly barrells and mags can be changed to several different calibers so it would meet you needs in the future also.

If you are living in Va. now consider looking up Green Top Sports near Richmond. They went out of their way to help me pick out my first CF handgun. You need to handle a bunch in order to find the one that fits your hand the best.

I agree with what some others have said about trying to get a "keeper" for $200-$400. That is going to be tough.

An old coot at the range told me one time to not worry about what I pay for a gun. If it is good, it will last a long, long time. Just find the one that fits you. Learn to shoot it and practice, practice, practice.

You will definitely spend more money on ammunition over the lifetime of a gun that you paid for the gun.

Right now my average cost of 9mm in my stock is $0.28. If I go to the range twice a month for a year and fire 100 rounds per trip, my annual cost for ammo is $672. Another couple of hundred bucks for a pistol doesn't seem like much.

Now that I have a little more time to answer...

Since this is your first handgun purchase, we don't know how much experience you have with handguns?

Since you stated you liked the Beretta 92, I'd pay serious attention to the slide mounted safety - I truly hate them, and I'm guessing the 92 follows the traditional European penchant for making them operate "backwards".
If I'm going to have a safety, I want it frame mounted, and want it to operate in the traditional, 1911 way (flip it down to knock it off).

The SIG SP2022 will also throw you a curve, as it has DA/SA operation. Some folks don't like it, but I have no problem with it, and it has the added benefit of being great for dry fire practice - no racking/partial racking the slide every time you want to dry fire.
While the DA pull on the SIG SP2022 is long and heavy, that also doesn't bother me, as I grew up on DA revolvers (maybe everybody should?).
I'm of the school that believes if you learn to dry fire the SIG in DA, don't be surprised if your SA accuracy increases.
Since this is your first handgun, lots of dry fire practice is a must!

As you stated, I'd stay with 9mm for costs/round count (for SD).
I've gone from 45 to 40 to 9mm over the years as SD ammo has improved, and the round count of 9mm guns has also increased.

Fer another option, I also enjoy my Springfield XD (old style) subcompact - never been much of a fan of the newer series XDs.

i am surprised no one has mentioned a cz 75b which in my view is a great gun for the price... and they really seem to hold up to a lot of use.... yes i have colts, sigs, rugers, ppk and a whole lot more, but i cant fault cz's for what u pay and really what u get.....
all the best, dirt

Good choices....

What type of budget do you have?
Do you want used, LE trade-ins or brand new/unused or new-in-box.
There are several sources I can provide please PM me if you'd like more details.

Check out Bud's Gun Shop online, and/or Cheaper Than Dirt: Turkish 1911's for $399, 9mm Tokoravs for about $200... I think there is a Sig clone called a Canik or something like that for $300 or so.

You can get a functional brand-new handgun in that price range, NP. I have also gotten some very nice used ones in that price range from Gunbroker.com and GunAuction.com.

Since you stated you liked the Beretta 92, I'd pay serious attention to the slide mounted safety - I truly hate them, and I'm guessing the 92 follows the traditional European penchant for making them operate "backwards".
If I'm going to have a safety, I want it frame mounted, and want it to operate in the traditional, 1911 way (flip it down to knock it off).

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Roger That, I'd go CZ 75B

I'd recommend you at least do a forum search for EAA Witness threads.

The PS model is great because it is the "small frame" so CZ mags will work.

The SIG SP2022, CZ 75b, 92's, all seem a bit more expensive, ($500 & up)...

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Take your time when you shop (after you've decided what you want).

The SP2022 can be found around $400, not $500 if you shop (and bide your time a bit).

I've had pretty good luck keeping an eye out for deals at Slickguns.com.

Don't forget - the holidays are just around the corner, and I'm typically bombarded with good deals around Thanksgiving / Christmas / New Year.

I understand the holidays are one of the slow periods for guns / accessory sales, so you may find some bargains if you can stand to wait a while?

Ruger P series (P95 9mm) are great guns for the price. Very robust and hard to hang up. Would make a good choice for a range pistol, and not so large to conceal when you start doing that too. Can probably find one for about $300 in not bad shape.