Advice on first handgun for HD/CC/OC

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Norinco982lover

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Hey all,
I am an everyday THR reader looking at purchasing my very first handgun. The gun will be used for Home defense (after my norinco 982 is empty of 00 buck), open carry in my home, and concealed carry when I get my CCW. I have shot a variety of handguns already including the sig 239, sig 220, xd45, xd subcompact in 9mm, G19, and a very nice Kimber 1911. I have narrowed what I want and can afford down to the following specifications:

9mm or .45
Preferably high-cap magazine
larger than a subcompact
barrel shorter than 5 inches
reliable (not a glock! jk)
accurate
cost less than $500

I am seriously considering the following guns in the order listed:

1.CZ75 family prefer the Compact model in 9mm $450-515 (used is ok)
2.Bersa Thunder 9mm $338
3.Springfield XD $439
4.Beretta 92FS (used) $425
5.Rock Island 1911 Commander $369
6.Sig P6/225 9mm (used) $279
7.Kahr CW9 $383
8.Smith and Wesson SW9 (cheap!) $289

I will be attending the Sooners Gunshow in Tulsa, OK on August 17th to hopefully purchase or at least handle one of these guns. Any comments and/or subtractions/additions to my list are appreciated! Thanks!
 
This has many opinions, as there are guns?

I have and like berretta 92f compact. 4"barrel, 13rnd mag. easy to shoot and carry. Don't over look a taurus 92 or 99, I have owned several and no problems.

Rock Island 1911, I am not a big fan, I like a little more refined and smoother 1911. Taurus pt1911, about $525-550 alot smoother out of the box. Not going way high in price. shoot fantastic.

Sig 225 p6, very nice to shoot and carry. It may be better now , but 6months ago it was hard to find many mags, or accessories for them. for the price, great deal.

How big are your hands?
how are you built, how are you going to conceal carry?

when you go to the gun show, look and touch and feel the guns. It is included with the price of admission. Get a real feel in your hands. Ask about ccw holsters. take your time, you will know by the end of your day what you like and don't like the feel of.


have fun, be safe.
 
You have picked some excellent pistols.

Based upon your list, and what I have shot I do not think you would go wrong with the CZ, Springfield XD, Sig P6 or the RIA commander (based upon a lifetime of 1911 platform)

I will fall back on my, "go to a range and try them to see which one fits you best", the gun show will at least allow you to handle if nothing else.

While you will get some good opinions on THR, sometimes it becomes a popularity contest.

And I agree, no need for a Glock, plenty of good options without having to "drink the Kool-aid":neener:
 
Well, if your like me, you aready have a good idea of what you want. you just want to hear others confirm it. unless alot of people really tear it down, it won't sway you. This is more an observation about me, so don't think it a criticism. I'm sure you will be happy with your choice.
 
Thanks Weisse :D
I noticed nobody has commented on the Bersa Thunder 9 yet. Is this just a gun that slips thru the cracks as "unpopular" or is the gun just not that good? I put it 2nd on my list after the CZ75 family because it looks very similar to the CZ compact models and is very reasonably priced at $338. I realize the mags are expensive and hard to find but thats all I know about the bersa. Anyone else?
 
I realize the mags are expensive and hard to find
Click to expand...

While I know nothing about this pistol, if your comment is accurate that in and of itself should remove it from the list. You have many great options without picking out your first handgun that is hard to get parts for.

I am sure some Bersa experts will jump in..
 
I reccomend the CZ75s
But your best bet is to go walk around the gunshop find a pistol you like and buy that.

I carry a CZ and I wouldn't carry anything else, but I was looking for a S&W 4006 when I found it. Go look at what you like and buy it
 
If cost of the firearm is an issue, then cost of the ammo is too, so I would go with 9mm for sure. I think from your list, the XD is the best choice for a 1st handgun due to consistent trigger pull every time and ease of maintenance. I'd recommend a M&P or GLOCK over the XD, but they're probably not on your list for a reason?
 
Why no sub-compact?

For your stated purposes, why no sub-compacts?
I'd think since you have CC in there, you might consider a sub-compact? Sub-compact can also mean different things to different manufacturers.

If you reconsider, check out the XD series in their sub-compact line. There are a lot of folks impressed with how accurate they've found the XDSC line to be...not to mention how much testing they've been through.
My main CCW is an XD40SC with small mag and Pearce grip extender-my 2 extra mags are the extended versions.
 
Like someone said you will get as many opinion's as there are guns to choose from. I own your number 1,3,& 6 gun on your list, and I love em all. I noticed Taurus was not mentioned, however they are a fine gun that are priced right. I have a Taurus 1911 45 ACP that is one sweet shooter.
Good Luck in your search
 
Springfield XD Compact

Comes with two magazines---an extended 13-round mag for open carry and home defense, as well as a 10-round compact mag for concealed carry.

Caliber: .45 ACP
Overall Length: 7.3"
Barrel Length: 4"
Height w/ extended mag: 5.75"
Height w/ compact mag: 5"
Weight w/ extended mag: 30 oz.
Weight w/ compact mag: 29 oz.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/xd.php?version=111
 
SInce you put the CZ 75 #1 - it gets my vote from my experience
having bought one 3 months ago. I got the base 75B because I wanted
the thumb safey option, a more economical range gun in 9MMx19, with it's
reputation for reliability and accuracy. As far as reliability goes I've bought
every type of FMJ & JHPs in 115/124/147 gr. bullet weights and after 670 rounfs with no FTF/FTEs it got it's first cleaning - AND it's silly accurate

My shooting buddy shot a couple of clips through it, and he's a Glock G19
owner, now he's talking about getting a CZ. It's physically closer in size to a Commander with a slimmer slide - stripped it the first time
and found the slide rails go full length - it has nice three white dot
sights as well as a full length serrated rib with fine serrations for a
non-glare sighting plane. Carry mode would be DA first shot and a
decent out of the box SA trigger pull. Angus at Ghost can improve
that but it isn't needed until you're ready. The compact PCR model
also seems to get range reports of not giving up anything in accuracy.

I also am a 1911 shooter and like the RIA product line. I have a full size
S&W 1911 but am considering the RIA for a "build gun" just tempted by a
CZ 75B PCR instead.

Try to find a range to shoot some of your options on your list. THe
recurved CZ 75 variants grip ergo is nice to a wide variety of
hand size/type.

Randall
 
Out of what you listed, in no particular order, my choices would be CZ, Kahr, or the XD.

They make the cut because either A. I have positive personal experience or B. positive reputation.

My wife's CZ75 was trouble free until recently when it had a couple of failures to feed with one magazine. The spring in that particular magazine was extremely weak so it has been replaced with a + power replacement from Wolff. I haven't shot it yet(autoloaders aren't my thing), but hand cycling the action reveals feeding to be MUCH better. Accurate and reliable, decent trigger.

The Kahr, while I have no experience firing it, has a very good reputation as a quality gun, has a good trigger, and feels "right" in my hand. Kahr builds guns tight, and they need 200 rounds or so before they're broken in. I'd rather start with a tight gun that wears in than a loose, sloppy one that only gets worse.

The XD is probably the only polymer framed full size gun I would purchase/allow inside my safe. Good trigger, reliable, fits my hand/correct grip angle, and accurate enough--not match winning accurate, but accurate enough nonetheless. I've shot two in 9mm, and one in .40 S&W. I don't particularly like the .40 S&W version because of the snappy recoil, but otherwise it's just fine. The 9mm service versions(4.5(?) inch barrel) are easy to keep on target in rapid fire, slight muzzle rise and it snaps back to sight alignment. I haven't seen one jam yet, and there are several videos of these being fired using very unconventional holds yet still functioning perfectly.


I don't have much experience with Sig products, but I do not like the trigger. I can't put it into words, but it just doesn't feel "right". Magazines are outrageously priced.

I have no experience firing a Beretta 92, but the grip is huge and doesn't fit my hand. This alone disqualifies them for me.

S&W autos are automatically disqualified, particularly those in the Sigma series. As best I can tell, they're(S&W autos in general) pretty much a crapshoot as to whether you get a good one or not. When my mother in law originally qualified to carry a handgun(corrections officer), out of the dozen or so people there, all but two had S&W autos--she had a CZ 75 and another person had a Glock. Out of that class, the CZ was the only gun that never had anything other than a purposely induced malfunction(part of the class). Every one of those S&W autos choked, failed, or broke repeatedly. One of those guns had to be sent to a pistolsmith and a loaner gun procured so the individual could finish the course. My mother in law was quite pleased that I had steered her away from the PD trade in S&W autos she was considering, and into a reliable gun. The last time I asked, she said those folks were still carrying their jammomatic, failure prone S&W autos. The problems with the Sigma series(and no, none of the guns I spoke of were sigmas), are well known and documented. Do a google search and you'll find more than you care to know. I finally saw one of the M&P autos recently and while it's just a personal thing, I couldn't tolerate owning something that aesthetically displeasing.


The RIA guns are somewhat rough, but entirely functional. However, if it is equipped with a standard hammer and grip safety, they bite me and I do not like blood spatter on my gun or me(and yes, this was the case with the one I owned). I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one at the right price, but it would be equipped with a beavertail grip safety and commander style hammer before I ever fired it.

Bersa....I like their Thunder .380 and dad's shoots pretty well. My buddy has one and claims it doesn't shoot very well at all--I haven't shot it on paper to find out. That same buddy owned a Bersa .45 that wouldn't group tighter than 3-4" at 15 yards--it actually shot so poorly that I had to go shoot my Springfield Micro to be sure it wasn't me causing the poor accuracy. After shooting the Micro and going back to the Bersa, well....it wasn't me. The 9mm version may be different, but I got the impression that the .45 was a "fire for effect" handgun.
 
Of that list I'd favor the Smith and Wesson, XD, Kahr and CZ.

My wife went with a Kahr PM9 and has had no problems (to the point where I may get one), however a friend of mine went with the same gun and did have problems with fte. He got very poor customer service.

The 4 I mentioned above are the only ones from your list I've shot. All 4 are nice shooters. The CZ was my favorite to shoot, the Kahr my favorite to conceal.
 
I got the compact tactical RIA and i love it! Yea its heavy, but that sure tames the "push" of the .45 and its as accurate as i WISH i were, Never a FTF OR FTE, just make sure if u get one, get some good quality mags for it! You can get the tactical with beaver tail, competion trigger, hammer and adjustable sights and pay about $419.00 now at centerfire.
 
I am own a Bersa Firestorm 9mm which is the same thing as the Bersa Thunder Ultra Compact 9mm and I have yet to find fault with it. It is compact but not too small and uses 10rd and 13rd magazines. It is truly one of the best kept secrets in affordable handguns.

I almost bought a S&W M&P 9mm and also seriously considered the XD at one point but I already had the Bersa and my beater Hi-Point. It came down to overall value for me. I got my Firestorm with two 13rd mags for $296 and that is what swayed my decision.

I think that all of the above handguns are worthy of owning and admit that it is a difficult decision. Have you shot any of them? Actually handling them at the gun show as you are planning is a wise idea. I think buying a reliable gun that feels good in your hand and is comfortable to shoot are the most important criteria in choosing a handgun.

Personally I prefer .45 for self defense but with ammo prices skyrocketing 9mm is a reasonable alternative and since this is your first handgun 9mm would be a great choice. This will not likely be your last handgun purchase anyway. I now own three and will probably add a few more to my arsenal as finances dictate. Good luck.
 
let me preface this by saying i am far from a glock fanboy. i used to despise them for no particular reason other than that i prefer "traditional" firearms, such as revolvers, 1911s, and BHPs. but...i have come to respect their utility. they're not pretty...they're practical.

i would have to say that a glock fits all of your criteria and is a better value, IMHO, than several of the other guns on your list. get what you like, but i would humbly recommend that you take a second look at those ugly glocks. i did, and i came away with a different point of view.

if you just can't stand 'em as i once couldn't, i'd say the CZ would be my pick from your list. i have yet to fire one personally, but i've also not seen a single negative thing about them on this forum. lots of folks seem enamored with them, so they probably aren't crap, right?

good luck.
 
How it fits in your hand is very important.

If you like the XD you should at least hold a Glock and a S&W M&P.

IMHO the M&P series from S&W is superior to SW9 series.

I would recommend you ask the dealer to all 3 guns out of the case and put them side by side:
Glock 19 (9mm compact)
S&W M&P9c (9mm compact)
XD 9mm compact

Hold each weapon. They are similar in size, shape, weight and design but each is different. The one that fits YOU (not people on forum, not the gunshop owner, not your tactical mall-ninja buddy; you) the best if the best gun for YOU.
 
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