First handgun

[wordfan]

I have some christmas cash in hand, a purchase permit working its way through local government, and am having trouble deciding between three very different pistols. Whatever I buy is primarily going to be a range toy, and I hope all three will eventually find their way into my collection, but I'm hung up on which one I should get first. I know I want a full-sized pistol, and I know I want a 9mm, mainly because of the availability and affordability of the ammo. My father bought a ruger SR9(his first handgun) a few months ago, and I've really enjoyed shooting it with him. Nice trigger, not at all bad looking for a plastic striker-fired gun, and a nice price. This is the first candidate. Next would be a CZ-75b. I've shot a friend's baby eagle, which I understand is a very similar gun, and I liked it, but I think the CZ is better looking, and the price is pretty attractive too. The third pistol I'm thinking about is one of the Israeli surplus FN Hi Powers on gunbroker, partially because I think it might be fun to have a project(wood grips, refinishing in GunKote), but mainly because I think Hi Powers are the most beautiful autoloading pistol ever made. I've done a lot of reading here and elsewhere, and I think I have a good grasp of the differences in the pistols' designs and operating systems.
Any observations or thoughts anyone has on resolving this very enviable dilemma would be helpful.

 

[wgp]

the question you ask (which pistol should I buy?) has been asked a million times and will be asked another million times. Buy the one that fits you best, keeping in mind that you will then save up for the two others.

That said, and admitting I have no experience with the others, the HiPower is an absolute classic pistol. Mine is a treasure even though it's not the gun I carry the most. Don't see how you could ever go wrong with a HiPower.

 

[goon]

If you like the Hi Power, I'd lay hands on a CDNN catalog and see if they still have any in stock.

 

[Skribs]

From what I know, all three should be quality firearms. If it was for carry or competition, I'd suggest looking at what type of action you'd prefer, but since it looks more for just fun at the range, I'd say get whatever looks the best to you, which seems to be a hi-power.

I will disagree with you on that Baby Eagles are ugly, though. I think they're some nice-looking guns.

 

[wordfan]

The price on new Hi Powers, even at CDNN, puts them waaaaay out of line with my other choices. I'd actually given up on the thought of a hi power as my first gun until I saw the Israeli surplus ones.

 

[goon]

If the HP is out, I have had great luck with CZ's in the past and rarely hear anything bad about them. Shop used and you might even do better on price. But having owned several of each and having just shot a friend's BHP last week, I have to say that the HP is still one of the most natural handling handguns for me. I'd carry one for defense in heartbeat.

 

[hAkron]

The CZ would be my personal first choice. It's an excellent gun, and the asthetics are at least a nod to the Hi-Power. If you put them side by side it's hard not to notice some indirect visual similarities. If you go with the Ruger, and if you think you might ever want to carry it counseled, look a the compact version, the SR9c. Same with the CZ, if you ever plan to carry it, the P-01 and PCR are alloy, slightly smaller versions of the 75B, but still very comfortable to shoot in most hands.

 

[Michigan Trigger]

Perhaps simple is best for the first trip around the track with a handgun...my humble suggestion is a striker fired auto that isn't congested with lots of different operating levers/controls. I suppose you might want to consider what feels and shoots best for you, go based on that. After all, how well you point & shoot with your handgun is the most important thing IMHO. Good luck and have fun at the range

 

[MachIVshooter]

It'd be the CZ for me, followed by the HP. The SR9 would be a long way down the list.

 

[ATLDave]

Between the three you list, my recollection is that the Baby Eagle has a slide-mounted safety, while the others mount the safeties on the frame. I have come to strongly prefer a frame-mounted safety, particularly one that is down-for-fire, since you can then ride the safety with your thumb. Not only does that make taking the safety off a move that is incidental to taking your grip, it also encourages a high grip, which is good for controllability.

Between the CZ and the BHP, the BHP is SAO, the CZ can be had in DA/SA or SAO. If you want a DA capability (including second-strike on a hard primer) that would be the clincher.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

I'm not sure of their quality, but Arcus makes a nice-looking Hi-Power clone for $300 new.

 

[David E]

Sorry you have to first obtain a "permit to purchase."

The CZ has a very long DA trigger reach. Couple that with a long, hard, gritty pull and you probably have a miss. Cocked and Locked, many people cannot hit the thumb safety reliably.

BHP is a cool looking gun, but I never understood their allure, once you got past the aesthetics.

The SR9 is a solid choice, especially since Dad already has one.

But also consider Glock, M&P, Sig 2022, XD/XDM among others.

 

[Bozwell]

I'd go with the CZ. If you think the SR9 has a good trigger, I suspect you would really enjoy a broken in CZ, especially one with a bit of custom work done to it. A friend of mine considered the SR9 because he loved the feel of it in his hand at the gun shop and the price is very attractive. However, once we put a few hundred rounds down range with a rental, he quickly changed his mind. Not that it's a bad gun, especially at those prices, but if you don't mind spending a bit more money you can do a lot better (he ended up with a P229 E2).

CZ75B's are fine the way they come from the factory but personally I think they really shine with some custom work. For not a lot of additional money, you can give the CZ75B a phenomenal trigger. They're also very accurate and reliable guns as well and CZ customer service is some of the best around. You could also treat it like a project gun, in the sense that you can pick up some upgrades from cajun gun works and do some of the custom work yourself.

 

[krupparms]

The FEG PJK-9HP. It is a HP clone. You can get it for less than $300.These are fine pistols. I have owned 4 & they all shot well, were reliable &accurate. The trigger needs to be smoothed out, but after a hundred rds. it should be a great EDC gun!

 

[ChCx2744]

I like the CZ 75 out of all your options