First time buyer

What experience do you have with semi auto pistols? If your experience is nil, I'd suggest trying some before sinking your cash into one. Opinions can help somewhat, but the variety of answers you're likely to get is a sure sign of exactly that ... varying opinions.

If your friends are not shooters who can let you try theirs, many ranges rent guns. Our gun club offers new shooter classes fairly often and they supply both guns and ammunition if needed. You might look into that.

The 9mm is a relatively low recoil round in a medium to large gun, but for those with no experience, it can be intimidating. I'm of the mindset that it's good to start with a .22 rim fire and work your way up in power. But that's just an opinion.

From a price point, a Glock SHOULD cost $500-$550/$600. A good 9mm 1911 would be nearly twice that. Many options for you... Springfield XD9 go for $429 (today prices), Smith M&P for around $500..... All in line with the Glocks. A CZ P-07 is a great option at around $450 (one of my new favorites). Sig or HK start moving you into the $7-$900 range. And now I'll ignite the fires..... Stay away from junk.

BASSPRO8 said:

Tons of experience with rifles and shotguns, but I've never fired a pistol.

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Then I'd say recoil and blast sensitivity is a moot point and the 9mm is a good start. My first semi auto was a 9mm, a BHP, and it's a joy to shoot.

And I agree with guyfromohio ... stay away from the junk and stick with a major manufacturer. We own Glocks, Brownings and Rugers in 9mm and the last two bought were Ruger's SR9 and SR9c. Our SR guns shoot extremely well, and for us value was high. My wife's SR40 is the "softest" shooting 40 we own. The 9s are similar.

Just be aware of the "limp-wristing" gremlin. Some guns just seem to need a really firm grip to effect proper function.

BASSPRO8

Well there certainly are lots of choices to go round with 9mm. pistols. In a single action semi-auto my all-time favorite is the Browning Hi-Power. Fits my hand perfectly and the ergonomics of the pistol are truly amazing. The same could also be said of the CZ75 and all of its brethren. Another great double action/single action trigger design pistol series is the SIG P-226. And then there are any number of polymer framed guns, like those from Glock, Springfield Armory, S&W, and Ruger, that you will definitely want to consider as well.

I realize you said you wanted a 9mm pistol, but I'm of the belief that a revolver makes a better first handgun. You can concentrate more on becoming a good shooter rather than on potentially clearing malfunctions and learning bad trigger habits. Plus, if you start reloading you won't have to chase your empties.

I own more autos than revolvers, but I enjoy the revolvers a lot more. Besides, at the current rate of panic buying, revolvers may be the only handguns left in the shop!

The only 9mm I've owned is the SR9c, and while I've since sold it, it was a very good gun. You get one 10 round mage for CC, and another 17 round clip for the range/open carry.

All of that said, I would be careful buying ANY 9mm right now. If you have an ammo connection or reload, I would say go for it - but there is ZERO 9mm ammo around.

Make sure you have the ammo before you have the gun - otherwise all you have is an expensive paperweight. Hope you enjoy dry-firing!

I like the idea of a 9mm for a first handgun, but as others have pointed out, ammo availability is going to be tough for a little while.
.38 Special is a great starter round for new handgunners as well IMO and ammo would be a little easier to come by. I've seen it on the shelves here pretty regularly.
Just my 0.02

I would guess that any recommendation should be based on what your intended use for the pistol is. I would recommend something different for concealed carry than I would for range use/home defense. I'm fortunate enough to own several 9mm's (see below) and if I would choose only one for reliability/quality/cost all factored in it would probably be the Ruger SR9. Easy to learn on, 100% reliable (so far), and cost less than a Glock for example.

Browning Hi Power
Beretta 92FS
Beretta PX4
Ruger SR9C (sold - wish I still had)
Ruger SR9
Glock 26 (traded for Glock 17 below)
Glock 19 (sold - wish I still had)
Glock 17
Kel Tec P11 (sold)
Kahr CM9 (sold)
Kahr CW9 (my current preferred CCW)

First I would recommend you go to the sheriffs and complete a Pistol Purchase Permit
then I'd suggest that you go shoot some (Fayetville, Jim's, one of my old Sergeant Major's works there (or used to))

As to what gun, see it's like underwear...
rather unique to you, how you grip, how you cock etc...
check this out http://www.corneredcat.com/article/choosing-firearms/trying-on-a-handgun/

if you don't mind the block oenis of the clock, and the fanboy following, it is a great pistol. Especially in 9 millimeter ;-) I carry a G 19 myself. Couldn't be happier with it, it's ugly as sin, but it goes bang every single time I squeeze the trigger.

Go do some hands on research first. Go pick up everything in your price range at your local gun shop. Then rent whatever you like and go from there. Once you find a couple your interested in you can do done research on reliability, warranties and whatnot at home.

I have owned guns since I was 10 years. I have always liked the Colt 1911's. Looked at several different brands and calibers and I ended up buying a 1991CCG 45 ACP Talo as my first hand gun a few weeks ago. May seem to be starting big but I liked the looks and feel so I went with it. Great gun. Would post some pictures but they changed photobucket format again.

You need to go to a range and rent some guns, buy what you shoot the best.

I chose a 1911, and the single action trigger spoiled me. Now I find Glocks intolerable in terms of trigger, grip angle, and general bulkiness.

So if you want a Glock, maybe you should get one of those first and then when you finally get a 1911, you'll be able to happily shoot both!

Fremmer said:

You need to go to a range and rent some guns, buy what you shoot the best.

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Amen!

When I help family/friends/coworkers select their pistols, I arrange to have as many makes/models for them to test fire at the range. I intentionally keep my mouth shut and help note which pistols they can consistently shoot fast/accurate the most.

I let the holes on target determine the final selection as for me, accuracy is everything and holes on target speak volumes.

BASSPRO8, although 9mm Glocks are excellent choices, I sold my G17/G19/G26 for G22/G23/G27 and use 40-9 conversion barrels - best of both worlds.

If you can, do a side-by-side test with Glock/M&P models (with the new triggers). M&Ps are more ergonomic with ambi controls for left handed shooters or if you need to shoot with your less dominate hand.

For 1911s, you should definitely test Rock Island Armory Tactical or Sig 1911 Nitron XO along with any 1911s you test fire for accuracy and function.

BASSPRO8 said:

I've been locking at the Rock Island 1911. Sure it's not the top of the line 1911 out there, but it looks pretty good for what you're getting.

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Mine works great! And the price was nice too.

Andy

A Glock will never do you wrong and even though I don't think they are the best pistols in the world (for me), I'm hard pressed to find anything truly bad or even sort of bad with a Glock. I'm not that big into 1911s but I do know you can buy one from Rock Island Armory without having to drop a grand, and I can't name too many other manufacturers that don't want $650 to $1200 for their 1911s and that's not even getting into the even more expensive ones.

Another pistol brand I suggest you take a look at is CZ. CZ makes excellent steel-frame and poly-frame pistols, almost all of them are based on the CZ 75 design. The CZ 75 is an absolute joy to shoot, accurate, easy to clean (not as easy as a Glock, but easier than a 1911) and are extremely durable. If you're gonna buy a CZ, I suggest the tried and true steel frame 75B or 75BD (the 75B has a 1911 style thumb safety, the 75BD has a decocker but no safety) or the smaller CZ 75 Compact or the PCR that comes with a few bells and whistles.

Good hunting!!

Just like others had said, try some out! Think about what the intended use will be as well. Handle some at the shop and see what fits your hands well, do some online research as well. Don't be rushed into a decision either.

Be sure to post pictures when you bring it home followed by a range report!

Congrats!

I agree with others that you should try the feel in your local store. I am left handed. Tried the feel of the FNH FNX-9. Felt great and then I found out it was ambidextrous. Would probably bought something else if I had not used the hands on approach.