ok, im a newbie....and yes, i will be taking a gun safety course, etc...but my question is this.....i have a new business...and it is in an area that lets just say is not the best place...it is a cash business that requires collections once a week...for safety, i am going to be getting a handgun to keep in one of those pouches you can wrap around you like a "butt bag"...as i said i will be taking safety courses, etc. etc. etc...i have shot guns over the years, especially when younger, .....but want suggestions for a good nine millimeter..thank you for your help and insight.....
gun choice?
- Thread starter remtlm
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BryanP
Member
There are many good 9mm's out there, but are you certain that's what you want? As a self-labeled "newbie" you might want to take the training course and try out various types of handguns before you make a decision. Many firing ranges have rental guns you can try.
i have done the range tryout thing already, as well as shooting my friends two nine's,.....they just seem like a nice gun, but not knowing enough about the so many ones out there, i figured id post here and get some opinions on what would be good guns, then hopefully try to find them at a range, try them out, then purchase..the problem for me is they all feel good when shooting, (some of it is probably the excitement from just shooting), but i do not have enough knowledge to discern the good, bad, and ugly, and nuances of different guns, thus prompting me to pose the question here to you experts!!! thanks for the help.....
Okiecruffler
Member
First off, welcome, always nice to see new people taking up the sport for whatever reason.
I can't recommend a 9mm, I've only carried one, a Keltec P11. I was completely happy with it for what it was, but I wouldn't recommend one to a new shooter. But if you are comfortable shooting the 9mm then it is a very good choice and I'm sure you'll get more suggestions on here than you can imagine. Best thing about a 9mm is it is fairly cheap to shoot, which brings me to my real point.
I carry in a fanny pack at work and it has it's pros and cons. It's a great way to carry a gun so that no one sees the gun, and you can easily carry a full sized gun. But any bad guy you run across is going to know exactly what your reaching for in the pack, and drawing from them can be kinda clumbsy. So, use the fact that it's cheap to shoot and practice alot of drawing and firing excersizes. Practice at home, with snap caps, not live ammo. I can't draw from mine as fast as I can from my IWB, but I'm close.
Now let the suggestions begin....
I can't recommend a 9mm, I've only carried one, a Keltec P11. I was completely happy with it for what it was, but I wouldn't recommend one to a new shooter. But if you are comfortable shooting the 9mm then it is a very good choice and I'm sure you'll get more suggestions on here than you can imagine. Best thing about a 9mm is it is fairly cheap to shoot, which brings me to my real point.
I carry in a fanny pack at work and it has it's pros and cons. It's a great way to carry a gun so that no one sees the gun, and you can easily carry a full sized gun. But any bad guy you run across is going to know exactly what your reaching for in the pack, and drawing from them can be kinda clumbsy. So, use the fact that it's cheap to shoot and practice alot of drawing and firing excersizes. Practice at home, with snap caps, not live ammo. I can't draw from mine as fast as I can from my IWB, but I'm close.
Now let the suggestions begin....
DWS1117
Member
Welcom to THR. Sit down. Get comfortable, but don't tke off your shoes.
On to a suggestion:
HK, Sig, Glock, Kel-tec, Springfield, Smith, Ruger, Beretta, Taurus, Walther, CZ....it can go on and on. Take your pick. All are good manufacturers. All have have the upsides and down sides. Each of them make some good guns and some crappy guns. That too is subjective. If everyone liked the same guns there wouldn't be a list. For example, Glocks are really good guns. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one. I just don't like them. They don't point well for me and I don't shoot them well. Others can make one ragged hole everytime with a Glock.
You say that you have fired a few of your friends and they all felt comfortable. Then take your cue from there and pick the one that fits your budget. Or take a little more time a rent several more guns. Shoot them more than once.
What is your main use? Are you going to carry concealed? Are you going to carry open? Will it sit in a drawer? Once you answer these and a few more questions you will be closer to picking the gun that is right for you.
On to a suggestion:
HK, Sig, Glock, Kel-tec, Springfield, Smith, Ruger, Beretta, Taurus, Walther, CZ....it can go on and on. Take your pick. All are good manufacturers. All have have the upsides and down sides. Each of them make some good guns and some crappy guns. That too is subjective. If everyone liked the same guns there wouldn't be a list. For example, Glocks are really good guns. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one. I just don't like them. They don't point well for me and I don't shoot them well. Others can make one ragged hole everytime with a Glock.
You say that you have fired a few of your friends and they all felt comfortable. Then take your cue from there and pick the one that fits your budget. Or take a little more time a rent several more guns. Shoot them more than once.
What is your main use? Are you going to carry concealed? Are you going to carry open? Will it sit in a drawer? Once you answer these and a few more questions you will be closer to picking the gun that is right for you.
BryanP
Member
Oh, well. In that case ...
First of all as Okiecruffler said, welcome to THR. We're a pretty harmless bunch around here for being so well armed.
Which 9mm models have you tried so far? Did any of them fit you better than the others? There are many good ones, the main criteria being your personal preferences. Steel? Polymer? Single Action? Double Action? SA/DA combo? Striker fired? Manual safety or not?
For the purpose you specify I wouldn't recommend buying anything you haven't had a chance to fire yet if at all possible. What models have you fired so far?
First of all as Okiecruffler said, welcome to THR. We're a pretty harmless bunch around here for being so well armed.
Which 9mm models have you tried so far? Did any of them fit you better than the others? There are many good ones, the main criteria being your personal preferences. Steel? Polymer? Single Action? Double Action? SA/DA combo? Striker fired? Manual safety or not?
For the purpose you specify I wouldn't recommend buying anything you haven't had a chance to fire yet if at all possible. What models have you fired so far?
El Tejon
Member
Welcome to THR!
Get to a rental range, go try out different weapons. Lots of good one out there.
However, most important this is to get trained up. Allow your software to determine your hardware.
Get to a rental range, go try out different weapons. Lots of good one out there.
However, most important this is to get trained up. Allow your software to determine your hardware.
aguyindallas
Member
Remtlm:
Are you by chance in the DFW Texas area? If so, I would like to invite you to a group shoot we have. There is always a large variety of guns and calibers for you to look at and most of us are fine with passing around for people to try out. I only have a couple handguns myself, one being a 9mm. Welcome to the free world and chime in if you are in my area.
Are you by chance in the DFW Texas area? If so, I would like to invite you to a group shoot we have. There is always a large variety of guns and calibers for you to look at and most of us are fine with passing around for people to try out. I only have a couple handguns myself, one being a 9mm. Welcome to the free world and chime in if you are in my area.
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thanks so much for the offer, unfortunately i am in St. Petersburg Florida, a bit far from you!!...if there is anyone in this area...let me know??!!!! thanks again for the help...in reference to the above questions, my friend has a sig sauer, and a beretta.......
Dionysusigma
Member
Sig and Beretta? No wonder they seemed nice...
On that track, I'd suggest a CZ-75B. The feel of the grip is about the same as a Beretta, they are made in 9mm (as well as other calibers), but do not cost nearly as much as the two you have mentioned. Berettas are about $550-$625 (here in Oklahoma City, anyhow) and Sigs are even higher. I've seen CZ-75Bs for about half that, brand new.
And for a little reference, just to make sure we're all on the same page(s)...
Beretta 92FS
Sig P229
CZ-75B (My personal recommendation...)
On that track, I'd suggest a CZ-75B. The feel of the grip is about the same as a Beretta, they are made in 9mm (as well as other calibers), but do not cost nearly as much as the two you have mentioned. Berettas are about $550-$625 (here in Oklahoma City, anyhow) and Sigs are even higher. I've seen CZ-75Bs for about half that, brand new.
And for a little reference, just to make sure we're all on the same page(s)...
Beretta 92FS
Sig P229
CZ-75B (My personal recommendation...)
cratz2
Member
I've owned many and the CZ PCR is my current favorite gun which also happens to only cost about $400-$440 in most areas. Light enough to carry daily but has enough weight to take recoil to a level that even an 8 year old could control. Very ergonomic to most folks and reliable as any other gun I've ever tried. I love the full size steel CZ75 as well, but I find that the PCR/P-01 balance just a tad bit better in my hands.
But... there are many excellent options. The Beretta/Taurus is a good design but many find the grip a bit on the large side. If you have larger than average, it might be just the ticket. The Glock 19 is about the ideal size in my opinion and the Glock 17 is a hair larger... both very good guns. Personally I don't care for SIGs or H&Ks but they are typically very reliable. And if I didn't have to carry one, Rugers are very reliable and economical guns.
By the way, welcome to The High Road.
But... there are many excellent options. The Beretta/Taurus is a good design but many find the grip a bit on the large side. If you have larger than average, it might be just the ticket. The Glock 19 is about the ideal size in my opinion and the Glock 17 is a hair larger... both very good guns. Personally I don't care for SIGs or H&Ks but they are typically very reliable. And if I didn't have to carry one, Rugers are very reliable and economical guns.
By the way, welcome to The High Road.
joe sixpack
Member
Welcome to THR remtlm, may your stay be informative, fun and long.
Good advice in the above. I too would recommend that you try out
at least in hand at some gun shops the different 9mms that you are
considering. One is bound to feel better than the others. Also the
ones you did try out are good choices, of those, I liked the way the
Sig fit me.
cheers, ab
Good advice in the above. I too would recommend that you try out
at least in hand at some gun shops the different 9mms that you are
considering. One is bound to feel better than the others. Also the
ones you did try out are good choices, of those, I liked the way the
Sig fit me.
cheers, ab
BerettaNut92
Member
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- Dec 23, 2002
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Sir/Ma'am,
What is your location? This would help us help you
What is your location? This would help us help you
While not having a specific choice because there are so many good 9mm's to choose from, I will say that you should get :
1.)The best quality firearm you can afford.
2.) The one that fits your hand and points well for you.
3.) The one you are convinced is reliable by the endorsment of others as well as your own time spent with it at the range.
4.)The one that has the best ergonomic features for you - this is important as there is SA/DA , DA only , right hand safety, amidexterious safty , magazine & Slide release features, etc. , that you must master both in shooting and in handling for safe carry and use.
5.) Remember to look at the size and weight - you are going to have to carry it a lot - while having a large magazine capacity may seem great, guns that are large or heavy may be what you like to shoot - but not necessarily what you want to lug around every day.
IMO , avoid having a cheap attack when purchasing. There is a price range wherein lies a lot of "good" 9mm's - the cheapest 9mm does not qualify for serious business.
1.)The best quality firearm you can afford.
2.) The one that fits your hand and points well for you.
3.) The one you are convinced is reliable by the endorsment of others as well as your own time spent with it at the range.
4.)The one that has the best ergonomic features for you - this is important as there is SA/DA , DA only , right hand safety, amidexterious safty , magazine & Slide release features, etc. , that you must master both in shooting and in handling for safe carry and use.
5.) Remember to look at the size and weight - you are going to have to carry it a lot - while having a large magazine capacity may seem great, guns that are large or heavy may be what you like to shoot - but not necessarily what you want to lug around every day.
IMO , avoid having a cheap attack when purchasing. There is a price range wherein lies a lot of "good" 9mm's - the cheapest 9mm does not qualify for serious business.
chetrogers
Member
Welcome to The High Road.Not sure what safety classes you are taking but last year when i took my NRA First Steps Pistol Course.We were fitted for the firearm we were going to shoot.It gave me the opportunity to try some different firearms.like suggested already buy what you can afford but remember If all you can afford is a Jennings i would wait till you can get something that is going to be safe.
I took the NRA pistol course.Then i took the Shotgun course followed by the Rifle course.I suggest them all even if you're just getting into pistols.It just embeds the safety messages into your head a little more.
Welcome to a THR and have funs shooting.And stay safe.
I took the NRA pistol course.Then i took the Shotgun course followed by the Rifle course.I suggest them all even if you're just getting into pistols.It just embeds the safety messages into your head a little more.
Welcome to a THR and have funs shooting.And stay safe.
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