Help with full size 9mm choice

[Jeff Timm]

What do you mean by "full size?"

The advantage to the 9mm is it's small round size. It's a .38 Special class cartridge in a package half the size.

If you are a US Shooter new guns are limited to 10 rd magazines, at least through the end of the year, there is little to be gained by exceeding 7" x 5" package.

I've been looking at 9mm pistols, a single column compact seems to be the best balanced weapon.

The US Army wrote up criteria for a new sidearm, after 35 years of research, and bought the big Beretta. I suspect they have regretted this choice ever since. In the 1970s the old FRG police forces got together and held a competition for new pistols in 9x19 NATO. The big winner was the SIG 225, just recently discontinued. Other guns including the SIG 239 have filled the niche.

Geoff
Who is looking at compact 9s. I just famfired (50 rounds informal range work) a Glock 26. Not bad, chunky with a short grip I could only get two fingers on. 6.3" x 4.2"

 

[denfoote]

Walther P99, P5, P38 and Ruger P95 come to mind!!

 

[Berg01]

Sig P220 9mm, CZ 85 Combat, BHP; If you don't mind spending the big bucks, the Smith & Wesson PC952 is awesome but pricey (over $1,000.00)

 

[Pilot]

Since no one has mentioned CZ yet I will. Try a CZ-75, 85 or PCR and you will love it.

Oh, OK.....Amen.

If you have a few more bucks the Browining Hi Power would be a great choice also.

 

[Mikel]

Can't go wrong with a Sig.

 

[anapex]

Thanks guys, getting a lot of good suggestions to think about. One question though, Of the 4 shops I frequent none sell any CZs so does anyone know of a CZ dealer in the Baltimore area?

 

[BerettaNut92]

If you get the Beretta, there's a fellow by the name of Ernest Langdon...you will NOT be sorry.

 

[10-Ring]

I have 2 fullsize 9mm's & recommend them both to those that ask...I have been totally satisfied w/ my 92fs & my USP 9

 

[CZ 75 BD]

See left

 

[sig970]

Another vote for the Beretta

 

[ojibweindian]

CZ-75.

Oh, and AMEN!

 

[Handy]

A new 9 round Sig 220 9mm for $469.

http://www.southernohiogun.com/new_hand.html

If hicap mags aren't the issue, this is the best bang for the buck.

 

[Russ]

If you like single action, get a Hi Power. If you like double action, go with a CZ-75 or better yet, a CZ-85. You can have a 75 here for $340 and the 85 in Nickel or Polished Blue for about $445. They are worth every cent.

I bought an 85 about a year ago and it is a tack driver. Excellent trigger pull and a real delight to shoot. Alot of people have never heard of CZ's. Their $700 Sigs and Beretta's won't out shoot it.

CZ as well as a BHP are solid steel so if weight is a big deal then you may want to rethink it.

One huge if not the dominant reason the Military went for the Beretta is that they got them for $150 apeice.

 

[Smurfslayer]

wow... it's like a CZ cult !

Holy cow, in all this time I don't think I've seen so many CZ endorsements in one thread...

There have been a lot of good suggestions herein. This comment made me think back...

"Beretta 92FS if you're a collector. G17 if you're a shooter."

to last week when a dealer/instructor acquaintance was discussing with another glockophile ...
#1: I broke my trigger reset spring tonight
#2: Really, how many rounds?
#1: just under 10 thousand
#2: Mine broke there too, then again at 12 thousand. Were you able to keep shooting?
#1: yeah, i just had to reset the trigger manually
#2: at <insert range name I forgot here> mine wouldn't reset & I had to stop shooting.
<snipped>

me: How often does this happen?
#2: not very often
me: this has to be the 2 dozenth time I've heard this...
#2: they're a wear item..
me: wow. My 92FS has 18 thousand rounds through it without changing a part other than the night sites...

I don't have a CZ, but I do have 2 Witness 45 CZ clones, does that qualify me for the cult ? One thing that is really nice about both is the almost total lack of 'trigger slack' in either DA or SA. Reset is also pretty darn good.

I haven't shot the P99, but have been quite impressed with the incredibly short & positive trigger reset.

The Glocks I've shot have been accurate, and had good reset, albeit long. the trigger pull is 'different' from DA/SA guns and takes some getting used to.

The Berettas I have & have shot are all reliable, quality pieces, and are also accurate. The trigger isn't as good as the CZ - a little heavier, much more slack & the reset isn't as short.

Sig 226's I've shot have the heaviest DA pull of any pistol I've seen. I've shot other sigs with much lighter pull, but every one with the patented Sig "King Kong" DA system(tm) was a 226... That said, each one was reliable and very accurate. There was trigger slack on par with the Beretta & HK USP, reset about the same, maybe just a little worse than the Beretta...maybe.

HK USP - probably the most expensive. Very accurate, very reliable and durable. trigger is not as light as the Witnesses I have, but is (was stock) lighter than the Beretta. Reset was just a hair better than the Beretta, not as good as the Witnesses by any stretch <I put in the match trigger w/ adjustable trigger stop>. The match kit improved the USP trigger pull weight, but IMO really degraded the reset, so I reverted back to the stock trigger return spring, which restored it.

Someone previously reccomended www.langdontactical.com for custom work on the Beretta. I wholeheartedly agree, without a doubt the best DA/SA guns I've shot...

HTH

 

[Island Beretta]

If you want a classic, rugged and debugged TDA, get the 92fs; its sidekick the Cougar ain't too bad either; Plenty after market parts and accessories available also at a reasonable price!!! I give the Beretta the edge over the CZ based on these points.

If you are more the 'latest in the market' type go for the XD, it has everything going for it except being debugged (maybe it has no bugs.. time will tell!!)


Maybe the HK USP if you like it..

After these 3 you need look no further..unless you have special needs!!

 

[George Hill]

"Beretta 92FS if you're a collector. G17 if you're a shooter."


Believe me when I say the 92FS is a shooter. Very much so.

However another good option is the Springfield XD.

Sigs are already mentioned... good.

Now the only question is which one fits you the best and feels the best in your hands. This is a personal issue and one you can get opinions on unless you have a twin brother with the same hands as you.
Try before you buy.

 

[WingZero]

Glock 17, Sig P226, or Walther P99...
You might find something nice from ruger, but the above three (in my opinion) are the best bets.

 

[Hakan]

AMEN!

One more CZ...make it 75B and in Totone if possible

I thought a pic. would help to describe it better

 

[bad_dad_brad]

Many opinions. Here are mine.

Try the Glock 17 or 19 depending on size. Consider the Kahr K9 smaller, or if you want something really small, the Kahr MK9. The Glock G26, although a great pistol, size wise, is beat out by the Kahr MK9.

I have a G17, a G19, and a MK9. All choices researched, all 9X19, and I feel comfortable with all three. All shoot +P ammo no problems.

My opinion is that DA, DAO, or SA pistols with safeties and de-cockers are too complicated for the average person.

Glocks and Kahrs are striker fired pistols with triggers very similar to DAO revolvers. Especially the Kahr. I disdane complications when shooting. Pulling the trigger is all I want to think about.

Just my two cents.

 

[JMag]

SigPro 2009!

I like Berettas, Glocks, and Walthers in 9mm. I LOVE my Sig! A Classic Sig? Nope, a SigPro 2009! Seriously underappreciated semiauto. Mine is a tackdriver with an awesome trigger in DA and SA. It's hard to beat the price, too! (well under $550 if you look around w/night sights). Good luck!

 

[DonGlock26]

F.Y.I.- Sig appears to have lightened up their triggers in newer Sigs. They went from 12-15lbs to 9-10lbs. It's a big improvement. You can get lighter mainsprings from wolff springs.

 

[aircarver]

Did anyone mention CZ yet ?....

....and un... AMEN !!

 

[jacketch]

CZ - a best buy
Browning HP - a classic hi-cap
Sig - superb quality and design

 

[12 Volt Man]

I just wanted to add my AMEN to what my brothers in the cult of CZ have said already

And a very close second place........Take a look at the XD9. I like mine almost as much as my CZs. Shoot both of them if you can and get what suits you best.

 

[Sox]

HK USP fullsize, light recoil, accurate, rapid reset, can be carried cocked and locked, furthermore, the action can be cycled and the gun loaded unloaded all with the safety ON! That is a nice feature.