First Purchase

[Evans]

Hi,
I am getting around to finally purchaseing my first handgun and am having a bit of trouble deciding which to buy...I have about $600 to spend.
I was planning on buying a Walther P22 for plinking but have decide that this summer I am going to try for a CCW so decided to go ahead and buy something that I will put to use for not only pleasure but also self defense.
I plan to go with a 9mm autoloader and have been looking seriously at...
Springfield XD9
CZ-75
Ruger SR9
S&W M&P 9
Any other ones I should look at?

Am wondering what all of you think of either of these ones for my first ever handgun purchase and for my intended uses?
I have shot all my life so am familiar with firearms(none of these) but have never purchased.

I am seriously leaning towards the Springfield but I am liking the CZ for its external hammer.

Thoughts and opinions?

Thanks Guys

 

[cbrgator]

I'd throw a Glock 19 on that list.

 

[murdoc rose]

+1 for the ruger but by all means any one of those will be just fine, what one feels the best to you and if you haven't tried handling examples I highly suggest it

 

[Evans]

I'm not really into Glocks but am not opposed to looking one over a bit more.
I have heard a lot of bad things about them(mostly fit and feel) but then when I look over posts here I see a lot of good things as well.
I'll make a stop in at the Gun Shop and fondle one and see how it fits/feels.

murdoc rose,
That's one of the problems...I have handled all on my list and like them all. My problem is that I would like to buy all of them if it weren't for the money issue.

I'll up my decision-making dilemma by also throwing in that I have always been a big fan of 1911's

I Appreciate the input guys
Thank You

 

[woad_yurt]

If you want it for eventual carry, go with the smallest and, most importantly, the thinnest. Some folks are perfectly willing to carry a large gun but I like to be comfortable. Summer time, with all of the attendant light clothing and sweat, can become quite a drag, for me anyway, with a bulky pistol on my person.

Have you thought about a Kel-Tec PF9? They're not as glamorous as those you've listed but they're a lot less noticeable. They're very affordable, too. A friend of mine has one and it seems to work just fine. I'm a true comfort freak; I carry a P3AT. Remember that Kel-Tecs have a lifetime guarantee, too.

 

[BullRunBear]

If at all possible you should handle all the models you are considering and , preferably, fire them. Also, check the overall size and fully loaded weight and what that might mean for concealed carry.

My limited experience (I'm mostly a revolver guy). I bought the CZ 75b for my wife. It fit her small hands and was the most comfortable 9mm for recoil. And she is VERY accurate with it. To my surprise, it fits my very large hands as well. After several thousand rounds it has never jammed or failed to feed. That's with both various commercial loads and and my handloads. I also got the CZ Kadet .22lr conversion kit that fits the 75b. It is easy to install and is a tack driver. Again, not one jam. The one downside for CCW is it isn't especially light weight. If I carried a semi-auto I would seriously consider it. There is a smaller, lighter version but I haven't handled them and don't know if a 22lr conversion is available.

Glocks: I don't own one but often shoot my friend's in 9mm and 45acp. I don't like the looks and grips and I hate the triggers. The hell of it is I shoot them as accurately as any handgun I own. Very annoying.

Good luck in your search and hope this helped.

Jeff

 

[rd2007]

I'd also add the G19 to the list and at least look at the XDm along with the regular XD. You definitely can't go wrong with either of those choices. My only S&W experience is with my son's Sigma, which is very nice once you get used to the longer trigger pull.

 

[SheepNutz]

I was in a similar position last summer, and I went with the M&P 9. I haven't been happier. For $600, you can get an M&P, a few extra mags, and an Apex Tactical sear and firing pin block. Then you'll be set!

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Renting guns at the range isn't a bad idea if you're not familiar with the particular ones you're interested in. If that's not an option, definately fondle as many as possible.
I'd for sure at least take a look at a glock as well. The 4th generations feel mighty good.

 

[cjl8651]

Walther P99? SIG P226?

 

[David E]

Springfield XD9 is a good choice. The trigger can be improved substantially, but it's not that bad out of the box for most folks.

CZ-75 - FEELS good, but if you're going to carry it hammer down (which you'll have to lower yourself on a loaded chamber unless you get a decocker version) then the trigger reach is uncomfortably far for many people. If you carry the single action version cocked and locked (chamber loaded, hammer cocked, safety engaged and not recommended for first time handgun owners) then you'll need to ensure that the thumb safety is easily disengaged with your thumb. For me, the trigger reach is too far in Double action mode and the thumb safety does not naturally fall under my thumb while acquiring the grip in single action mode. I'd pass on this one, even tho it "feels" good in the shop.

Ruger SR9 Again, it feels good, but the last few I looked at had a horrendous trigger pull and reset. Have read of "barrel peening" issues, as well.

S&W M&P 9 is a very good choice and can be enhanced with a trigger job and/or replacement parts as has been mentioned already. The interchangeable backstraps allow a custom fit to your hand. Available with or without a thumb safety.

Glock 19/17 are viable alternatives, as well. A myriad of aftermarket parts abound, as do magazines, etc. Make sure it points well for you.

Springfield XD-m is an enhanced version of the XD and worth a look, also.

 

[dfjaws]

In my opinion, the Glock is an excellent performer, very reliable. It does seriously lack ergonomics though. I was at a gun show today and saw someone buy a brand new in box HK P2000 9mm for $600 out the door. Put that on the list, they can be found for good prices sometimes.

 

[jad0110]

I'm not really into Glocks but am not opposed to looking one over a bit more.
I have heard a lot of bad things about them(mostly fit and feel) but then when I look over posts here I see a lot of good things as well.

Glock ergonomics are a very hit or miss thing for folks. People either find them to be a perfect match for them, or that they flat don't feel right. I fall into the latter category.

All the guns you listed, with the exception of the Ruger SR9, are all fat double stack autos (the Ruger is a relatively slim double stacker). I'm not suggesting that these guns are impossible to CCW, but a pretty sizeable number of folks don't enjoy carrying them much. I'd add some single stack 9mms to your list for consideration. Someone suggested the Kel-Tec PF9, which is a solid, affordable choice. A Kahr CW9 is another great option; they sell for about $400-$450 in my area. S&W made some nice single stack all-steel 9mms in the past, but I'm not familiar with the Model #s.

 

[basicblur]

Might I suggest an XDSC instead of the XD, 'specially since you're thinking CC.
The XDM is even bigger than the "regular" XDs, and I'm not particularly interested/impressed with the XDM-well, maybe for a bed gun?
Only bad thing I can see 'bout the XDSC is it may be getting a little thick for CC?
Im my neck o' the woods, XDSC's go for $475.

Gun World magazine has an article this month comparing the XDSC to the XDM-check out the ballistics/accuracy table-who says a short barreled gun can't be accurate?

Nuttin' against Glocks, but the grip angle just never suited me, and I do like the grip safety on the XDs.

FWIW, I originally carried and XDSC40 (early model), but since they redesigned the magazines on the XDSC9 for increased capacity, I've since swapped to it. I can handle the recoil of a 40 no problem, but it does have a bit of muzzle flip.

FWIW II-cruise on over to FMG Publications where you can download each bi-monthly issue of American Handguns, American Cop, Guns, and Shooting Industry in PDF format-that should give you plenty of reading/research material?

 

[Mr. T]

I own a Springfield XD in .45 ACP and I liked it so much that I bought my wife an XD in 9mm. Both guns have worked flawlessly and have performed very well. I'm not sure what other semi-autos do for accuracy, but the XD's have again performed very well and have done a little better than what I expected them to do. They breakdown quickly and easily for cleaning. There are very few parts and I would have to say less parts, less possibility for something to break. I've been very happy with them overall and would have no problem recommending them to anyone else for purchase. I have heard great things about the Glocks and the Rugers also. I just don't have any personal experience with them. I do own a Ruger GP100 .357 Mag and that revolver is very accurate and very reliable as well. Good luck with whatever you do; please post back as to what your decision was and your level of satisfaction. It's always good to have feedback.

 

[Vinny]

I have about $600 to spend.
I was planning on buying a Walther P22 for plinking but have decide that this summer I am going to try for a CCW so decided to go ahead and buy something that I will put to use for not only pleasure but also self defense.

How about looking at it from a different angle? Look at the platform since you're doing both plinking and CCW. You could start out with a G19. If it doesn't fit as well as you like for a CCW, you could later on step down to a G26 but still use the magazine from the G19 as a spare. Same goes for the M&P9 and M&P9c. This gives you the benefit of swapping back and forth based on weather and what you're wearing.

On the other hand, you don't get to try out different brands if you go that route.

Just a thought.

 

[wlewisiii]

Those are all good firearms. Can I ask, however, if you've considered the possibility of a revolver? You could get an excellent one for far less than your budget & invest the money into practice ammunition.

Slightly different, but in the same theme, in your position, I'd be seriously thinking about waiting for the new S&W Bodyguard revolver to hit the market and see a) what the reviews are like b) what the real world street price is and c) if it can be gotten without the laser.

William

 

[duns]

I've only recently bought my first guns. I have two that I carry, a S&W M&P 340CT J-frame revolver with laser grips and a Walther P99C AS 9mm. I love both guns.

Regarding the Walther, it comes with two interchangeable back straps and I found the smaller fitted me best. At the range, I find it very easy to shoot well and I like the AS trigger. With hindsight though, I did think maybe I might have done better to get the S&W M&P 9 given the S&W lifetime warranty and easier supply of spare parts.

 

[Quadkid]

along the lines of the CZ, if you're thinking of carrying it I would suggest looking at the PCR or P01 models. You can get aluminum grip panels that make it very thin and more comfortable for CCW.

 

[Evans]

Sorry for the late response guys.
I appreciate all of the help and input.

Tough decision to make for sure...I ended up getting a FN FNP-9 and am happy with that decision as of now. I wont know for sure until I can get it picked up on the first of the month,get it cleaned and put a few rounds through it.

I'll let you all know what I think of it then.

Thanks