buy a handgun? No Way-

[Fishman777]

Here we go again...

Hmm...

If memory serves, three M9 slides cracked during training excercises over 25 years ago. About 10 or so sample guns were tested and they all developed similiar slide failures. Beretta identified the problem and fixed it over 25 years ago. With factory magazines, these are among the most reliable autoloaders ever produced.

Okay, here are some more observations:

You should sell that Colt. Didn't you ever read that Colts don't hold their timing very well? That might not be your personal experience, but that is internet "dirt" on Colts. Heck, everyone knows that Colts are fragile. Right?

Recent Ruger autoloader releases have stumbled and there have been two recent safety recalls. There are still a lot of complaints about SR9 barrel peaning. I guess that you should sell the Ruger as well, because Ruger doesn't know how to make a good autoloader. Right?

You also might want to be careful about the Steyr. The reason that nobody complains about them is that hardly anyone actually owns one. Aside from the Beretta information, this is probably the most accurate thing that I've said so far.

I'm sorry. I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but I want to make the point that you can easily talk yourself out of any handgun on the market. In my opinion, you are suffering from "paralysis by analysis."

The cure is to rent some guns, and then buy a gun from a manufacturer that has a "good" reputation for quality and that has good customer service. If you end up with a lemon, then send it in for repairs.

If it were me, I'd trust any of the following autoloader manufacturers:

S&W, Springfield Armory, Glock, Beretta, HK, Sig, CZ

Other people might include other manufacturers to the list. These are just the companies that I'd personally buy an autoloader from.

Having said this, I can all but assure you that each of these manufacturers have put out at least one lemon in the last few years.

All gun manufacturers make mistakes. Some of those mistakes get past QA/QC and into the public's hands. That doesn't mean that you should distrust every handgun under the sun.

 

[papa_bear]

I had an M40-A1. Bought from cdnn while they were liquidating for $350. I sold it about a year later. Jammed every time I went to the range. One time I needed to pry the slide loose with a flat head screw driver. It shot straight but didn't like the reliability. If its a range gun should be no problem. If its a ccw or hd gun go with something else. Check out the steyr forums, even the main members will tell you they carry glocks. If your concerned about reliability just get a s&w revolver.

 

[da3394]

I have .38's, .380's, .40's and .45
s. I would like to have a small, easily concealed 9mm to round out my collection. All are in rotation and all are carried at various times depending on the style of dress and ability to conceal. A small 9mm would be a welcome addition.

 

[dmase]

Buying

Just go get the Browning Hi-Power and never worry about it. Clean it,shoot it. Simple.

 

[RON in PA]

Guys, i think the OP was just being sarcastic and making a comment about the internet.

 

[Glasstream15]

If you carry why not a .380 pocket pistol?

If I were to get a 9mm for a sidearm it would be a High Power, other than that you could get a better .45acp.

There's no such thing as a better .45 ACP. Unless it's a KP90.

;-)

 

[Six]

This is the Internet. It is second only to your local gun store in spreading rumors and misinformation while presenting anecdotes from 20 years ago as scientific fact.

 

[searcher451]

If you've been reading about "problems" with the P99, you've been reading the wrong stuff, from the wrong sources. In my view, the P99 is as good as anything on the market at any price: It is reliable, dependable, accurate, a joy to shoot, a gun that you'll be happy to have a dozen years from now and 50 years from now. The P99 with the AS trigger configuration is a pistol to be treasured. Try one -- you'll get the idea in the first magazine.

 

[breacher]

P99 would be great in 9mm. Had one in 40 and it was a tack driver but slow to get back on target due to its light weight and hi bore axis. 100% reliable though. kinda miss that pistol.

 

[Snowdog]

I honestly think the beefy Steyr M40 is about the only polymer-frame pistol one can effectively pistolwhip with; it's built like a cast-iron tub.

 

[RebelRabbi]

The Beretta 92 is the most reliable Pistol ever mass produced. Sigs are right there too. Glocks are tough as hammers. It would take effort to buy a "bad" pistol from these mfg. companies. Yes, there are others but these are all tried and true product lines!
If you must go American look at the S&W M&P line, remember M&P!

 

[duns]

As others have said, the Beretta 92 slide problem was fixed 25 years ago. Since then I believe the USA military alone has bought around half a million 92's, and hundreds of thousands more have been bought by other armed forces and police units around the world. It must be one of the most common handguns in circulation and for good reason - reliability.

 

[chaplain tom]

There are A LOT of good 9mm's and .45's not to mention the 10mm's and .40 cals. Pick a GOOD NAME YOU TRUST, are comfortable with and most of all can AFFORD. But all this is useless unless your committed to practicing with it A LOT so that whatever weapon YOU choose, you're proficient with it and comfortable with it. In a self-defense situation, you don't want any doubts about your choice of weapons.

 

[mljdeckard]

None of the problems you have mentioned about any of these guns are common enough for me to worry about any of them. I just spent a week on the range with a HAMMERED Beretta, and I don't like them, but it works just fine.

Remember, people come on the internet to complain a LOT more than they do to praise. The stories get exaggerated too.

 

[winchester '97]

The Hungarian FEG hi power copy is simply amazing. mine ran me 320 bucks and is reliably and extremely accurate. Takes standard hi power mags too.

My favorite small handgun is the Baikal makarov with adjustable sights, astoundingly accurate for having such a short sight radius and harder hitting than a standard .380, ammo is also about 10 bucks a box all the time online. The small Polish radom version is the same size as an LCP and with a trigger spring to make the DA trigger usuable, will get you CCW piece for about 200 or so with the spring installed, also very accurate, i have seen golfball sized groups at 7 yards with these little pistols.