Getting a new range toy

[benzy2]

So I'm going to grab myself a new range toy. 9mm, hicap, probably polymer framed. Not a huge fan of the XD. I was thinking Glock 17, S&W M&P9, Ruger SR9, maybe the XD but don't know, CZ 75, um... Basically something full sized in 9mm that has a decent following with a good warranty and a good aftermarket following (if needed). Found a local range that does rentals. I'm going to try a box through each of these and pick the one that feels the best. They all seem fairly similar, more personal preference than anything else as to which is the best buy.

Outside of that, is there anything to look out for from one to another and have I missed any of the fairly big players? I'm not much of a pistol guy and I haven't really looked at the hicap 9mm market for a few years. Not sure if much/anything has really changed since 2005 or so.

 

[docnyt]

Pretty and hi-cap mags available- Beretta 92 Inox
The original hi-cap- Browning Hi Power
SIG 226 Blackwater or Tactical with 20 round mags

I agree with the CZ75

 

[rouge-red5]

might wanna check, i use to always get a 9 for a range toy but with 40's becoming popular shells are usally same price and if i buy by the case i can sometimes get a cheaper deal on emm. just some extra food for thought
You may also want to shop used glocks to save a couple of hundred bucks to invest in something fun for your new toy
To burn powder and have lots of fun i usally shoot my glock 9mm, and with the abilty to buy 30rd mags high cap isnt an issue, parts are easy and aftermarket is good.
I have a ruger sr9 and haven't shot as many shells thru it as i have my glock, also i have had some feed problems with PMC shells with my ruger aswell usally 3 or4 in a 50rd box wont feed right. swapped back to the Remmington shells and havent a problem since.
With the XD i have seen that it is a love or hate thing, i love emm, friends hate emm, i would shoot one of these before you spend the money if your unsure.

my thoughts, enjoy the shooting

 

[benzy2]

I thought about a 40, but really don't have a use for it. 9mm is still cheaper, and I do reload and components for 9mm also seem cheaper. Not looking for anything to do more than range fun so the extra umph of the 40 doesn't really have a benefit. For some reason Sigs have just never appealed to me. Don't know why. They seem built well enough, just big and clunky. Can't really explain it more than that. The hi power is one I have thought about, but locally at least, they are holding quite a premium over the others. Not that the price is a huge issue, just that I think I would rather find the right deal on a hi power rather than pay the local cost. The 92 is another I have thought about. Again another I just feel blah about, even in the best of forms.

The range says they charge $10 a pistol to rent, regardless if you shoot 1 round through it or 1000. I've heard they waive the extra fees if you seem fairly serious about purchasing a pistol. If I can get to try them all for $20 or so in rental fees I would certainly shoot everything they have in 9mm and maybe a few .40s as well. If not I may limit it down to the top few.

I have shot the M&P9 a bit and the Ruger SR9 to a lessor degree. I had decent results with the S&W and better results with the Ruger. I'm sure though that most of the better known 9mm are going to be decent pistols that really come down to which shoots and feels better in my hands.

 

[GETxSOME]

Any preferance about DAO, SA/DA, etc...

 

[Jed Carter]

I like the G17 but love the G34 Glock, same gun just has a 5 3/8" barrel and extended slide release. Glock magazines are affordable and easy to obtain, a must have if you want to shoot a USPSA match. I have 4 9mms and have owned 6 others the G34 out shot all, including my Colt series 70 9mm 1911. Only my newly acquired STI 9mm 1911 will compete with the G34 and it is more than twice as expensive.

 

[benzy2]

Probably looking at striker fired dao, but not opposed to sao or sa/da.


Ill look into the g34.

 

[ratt_finkel]

I used to feel the same way about the berettas too. Until I shot one. It's my favorite pistol by far. I'm on a quest to find something that shoots as nice. The only thing that's come close was the cz 75.
YMMV

 

[davidbee]

After shooting my new P226R I think it might be too early with only 115 reliable rounds through it, However it is a Super Accurate, Very Soft shooting 9mm Range Gun.

 

[Jed Carter]

Benzy, You will not regret it, the G34 is a reliable accurate an fast (low recoil) 9mm pistol. I was at a match this Summer and had a turning target on one stage, only visable for 1.5 seconds. Best 6 rounds count, I was the only person to hit it 6 times. There are few if any better pistols for the same money.

 

[Skylerbone]

If you like the M&P in stock form well enough you'll love it once you've changed a few things around. No, I've never found any stock firearm that suits me 100% and that's what makes range guns fun: they can be transformed to suit the specific purpose.

Here's a quick pic of the wife's M&P 9L. It wears a set of Dawson Precision adjustable FO sights and the sear and striker block have been modified to a crisp 4.5 lbs trigger pull. My 40 has the Apex sear and striker block at 4 lbs. The grip has been texturized as well.

Check out: http://www.speedshooterspecialties.com/index.php for aftermarket parts (OEM as well).

Best of luck which ever you choose. If it is the M&P don't forget about the rebate found here: http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_762156_-1_757992_757992_image

 

[labhound]

Beretta 92FS Inox! Just doesn't get any better!

 

[smartshot]

don't expect any fireworks from the glock, its a production gun, but its not bad for shooting alot at the range.

 

[JDGray]

Cant go wrong with a CZ 9mm, but the warranty isn't the best(5yr). In all the CZs I've owned, I never needed to send one in for warranty, but they did send me a trigger spring when it broke, no questions asked. I'm really liking my new Sig 226 DAK! I actually shoot it as good or better than the SA only CZ75 that I own. The long slick DAK trigger lets you pull through the shot better than a SA model with no takeup, I was really supprised because I really like SA triggers, with no takeup and no over travel.

 

[benzy2]

I should be hitting the range today so I'll try a few out.

 

[ainokea]

Of the ones you mentioned the Glock17,M&P9, and CZ75 are good choices. All have a good following and all have great warranties and after market support.

On those three the Glock is pretty much the AR15 of the pistol world with after market products. Cheapest magazines, most selection of holsters, TONS of after market products. You can get a Glock34 and use the same magazines and holsters and after market products for G17

The M&P9 also has a strong following with a growing after market support. Parts aren't as readily available as glock but it also hasn't been around as long as glock models have. The M&P9 Pro is great out of box and not much needed.

CZ75 is also proven platform and has a strong and loyal following. After market support is there for parts and custom work. you have choices in different models like 75b, bd, SP01, SP01 Phantom, SP01 Shadow etc...

Also check out the HK P30 or P30-L. Another good reliable pistol not mentioned.

 

[benzy2]

Well, I picked up a glock 34. The local shop was running them for $560 (well $590 but they threw in $30 of 9mm that I was buying so I'll call it $560). Took it out last night for a quick test. Everything functioned fine. Only issue I had was that my right thumb lays on the slide release and if I don't pay attention it keeps it from locking back on the last round. If I have the "correct" grip I'm not touching the release. It's just one of those things that are going to take repetition to fix. Other than that the thing shot as accurate as I have shot a pistol. Not a huge fan of the plastic sights, but they'll be swapped out sometime in the future.

 

[Skylerbone]

"Toy" indeed! ;-) Very nice choice.