How to choose if you can't shoot it first?

[Firewire]

I'd like to get a 9mm compact that both feels good and shoot well in my hands. The problem is being able to find one to rent. Finding one to handle often takes several gun shop stops, but even rarer is being able to shoot one or shoot on in the caliber I want or the size (full vs compact vs sub).

The few keepers I have work well for me. My full size 1911 - 9mm Springfield shoots great but is too large for cc. My S&W 627 2 5/8" 8 shot I can't seem to miss on SA and pretty darn good on DA. Walther P22, not the most reliable but accurate! Single stack 3" 1911 from Sti (Escort). Beautiful but single stack. And Several Ruger Mark III's. The common theme is steel I guess so is it the weight of the gun that helps me in accuracy?

Last year I got my ccw, so I picked up an M&P 9c. Liked the feel, but even after 500 shots and multiple grip changes couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with. Gave it to a friend to try one day and the first time holding it had zero issues with accuracy. So I knew it wasn't the gun (sold it to him in fact). .

I am bound and determine to get a 9mm polymer. How do I proceed without shooting or possible holding it before purchase?

So now I'm looking at:

DA/SA Beretta PX4 Compact. Full size and subs are everywhere. No compacts though and not rentable. Plenty of Used PX4's makes me wonder why? Also has a rotating barrel.

Walther PPQ - feels great in hand, but none to rent. Rarely see these used ( must be good right?)

FNS-9, just came out so it's understandable not finding in stores.

DA/SA STI GP5 - aka grand power p1. Most shops say huh? @$600 and little info this one interests me but scares me. But STI customer service and lifetime warranty are nice. Has a rotating barrel as well.

So what do most do? Keep reading every forum possible? The M&P looked great on paper, but ended up not working out for me. The PPQ seems to work for everyone in terms of accuracy out of the box and reliability. Something like a CZ or Baby Eagle doesn't interest me as much with their thin slides.

 

[sigarms228]

If you can't actually fire what you are considering then all you can do is handle one and dry fire it.

From your list I would say the Walther PPQ - I have one and just love it. Amazing shooter and high quality German made pistol.

 

[Firewire]

I'm a firefighter and can pick up a glock for $398 new, but from what I've read I can spend another $100-$200 in upgrades and still not match the trigger of any I listed.

The PPQ seems to be a real sleeper.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

I go by how it feels in my hand, it's a good starting point.

 

[jackpinesavages]

I'm with 527: grip feel and balance in the hand is imperative to me. Changing RSAs and being able to do so is definitive.

Other times, it's just trial and error, as you found with the 9c.

I can recommend the G19 pretty much across the board, to anybody.

 

[jame]

I usually have the same problem. There are no rental ranges around here, so a lot of it comes to feel and fit. There is one place here (Sportsman's Warehouse) that will at least allow me to dry fire with a snap cap, so I tend to shift most of my business there.

Just pick one up, and go with your gut feeling. I have had some buyers remorse occasionally, but a lot of that wanes if I give them at least 500 rounds for break in and to allow myself to learn the quirks of some individual guns.

 

[smlake]

I would suggest looking at a Glock 17 or a smaller version if that suits you. I have a gen 3 model 17 and it is very accurate. Also look at the Springfield 9mm guns. Other good guns would be the Ruger sr9,sr9c, lc9. I am familiar with these and they are reasonably priced and shoot fine. There are so many 9mm guns to choose from. I understand your dilemma. I am going through the same questions regarding a model 1911 in 45 caliber. See my post on THR a few above yours.

 

[sigarms228]

I'm a firefighter and can pick up a glock for $398 new, but from what I've read I can spend another $100-$200 in upgrades and still not match the trigger of any I listed.

The PPQ seems to be a real sleeper.

It is not just the trigger but the outstanding grip also. I have a Glock 19 that is collecting dust since I first fired my Walther PPQ.

 

[Gtscotty]

Hmmmm... Given that you can pick up a Glock at a pretty steep discount, I really think I would do my best to try and shoot or at least hold one. Seeing as how they are one of the most popular brands (if not the most popular brand) of pistol , you probably stand a good chance of being able to lay your mitts on one pre-buy. I will say If I had not decided on a whim to rent a G19 while I was at a range one time, I would never have gotten one.... they have too many theoretical problems... (grip angle, trigger, etc) While I admit they don't have the sweetest, crispest trigger, I (and many other people) still manage to shoot them well... funny thing that...

Another option would be the SR9c.... everyone who has one seems to rave about them, I guess I need to find a friend or make a friend that has one and see what all the fuss is about.

I do think that shooting a pistol is the best way to decide whether or not you really want one, barring that, holding one is the next best thing... barring that, well I guess you read as many reviews and opinions as you can and give it your best shot. As the saying goes, "you pays your money and you takes your choice"...

I will say I have run across my fair share of guns that fit me much better in theory than in operation... shoot some if at all possible.

 

[Firewire]

Thanks guys! I am glad to know I am not alone in being able to have a wide selection to test fire before buying. Forums like this make research from real users great!

As far as the G19, I can easily rent it, just haven't. Great all around gun and my gosh easy to detail strip. But I am afraid I will spend a lot for extras looking for improvement. Even though it might not need it I would probably be gullible enough to convince myself to buy upgrades.

And it always seems to come up that while the glock is a great gun XYZ is better...

I would be willing to spend more for the PPQ just for the reset I am use to with my 1911's.

All these below have hammer forged barrels and bar stock slides. Two are Striker Fired and two are DA/SA.

PPQ - great trigger and range reports say it eats anything and POA is POI - Is it too sensitive? - $500 ish
FNS-9 - they claim the best striker fired trigger, can shoot in any mode and has a lot of options you can use or ignore - Historically new FN pistols seem to have initial issues - $550 ish & Made in the USA
PX4 - decocker, nice compact size, easiest to field strip (only by not having to even move the slide at all for initial start) - feed ramp worries me - $450 ish ($50 mail in rebate $400)
GP5 - reportedly shot 110,000 rounds with no changes to internal geometry - Odd take down and no range reports - $600 ish

Not sure if glock is bar stock and hammer forged
G19 gen 4 - swiss army of polymer and striker fired guns! Cheap and easy to find accessories - Jack of all trades master of none (except end user can repair/upgrade/detail strip etc) - $400 (First Responder price)

 

[WhistlinDixie]

What backstrap did you use on your 9c? Just trying to gauge hand size.

I recently went on this quest so Im hoping I can make some good recommendations...but I ended up with the 9c and love it :shrug:

 

[Firewire]

I bought the one with the factory crimson trace, so you have to use that or remove it and use the back straps. I never installed the back straps. I always used the CT (not with the laser literally on the target all the time).

My fingers are long, but my hand is medium to small.

 

[WhistlinDixie]

I've heard the CT is comparable to the large backstrap.

I really liked the feel of the sr9c. I think perhaps it had a better trigger than the mp9c, but the 9c fit my hand better (I use the small strap. I have short fingers). A friend recently got a PX4 compact and it is quite nice.

What were your main complaints with the 9c? What does your new pistol need to do differently?

 

[Firewire]

Official breakdown of the MP9c required you to flick the sear down before slide removal. Kinda trivial, but was annoying. Basically other than that I had none, it was very nice. I just couldn't seem to be very accurate with it. Literally anything pass 7 yds wasn't any good. And it was all me, because my buddy loved it and shot it perfect. In fact he bought it from me and his wife uses it now for some type of indoor short range competitions. I felt like I gave it an honest try (put about 500 rds) and asked for help, but just couldn't shoot it decent enough. Because I can shoot my other pistols reasonably well I started to think it was the gun (lol).

Here is a pic of it before I sold it:

 

[WhistlinDixie]

It took me a session and a half before I got used to the trigger and started to put them where I wanted them. It had quite the odd trigger.

I think you might find the storm and ruger both have more conventional triggers. I'm also a big fan of anything CZ puts out. Very good triggers.

 

[Hondo 60]

Firewire -
I live in a small town where there are no rentals of any sort.
I wouldn't even know where to look.

My experience has been that we all let each other try our guns at the range.
I shot an acquaintance's SP101 - that's how I knew what to buy next.

But I've seen the down side too.
I bought a Sigma 9mm - couldn't hit the broad side of a barn... from the inside.
Yet I can do pretty darn well with my other guns.
So I sold the Sigma.

You're not in this alone.
Hopefully one of your friends will have the gun you want to try.

 

[Bigtime Sexy]

I recently traded a domain name to a firearms accessories company for a 4th Gen Glock 23 without having held one. I had had eighteen Glocks before it and figured what could go wrong? I absolutely detested the feel of the new Rough Texture Finish (RTF) to the extent that I traded the gun away the next day. It is the only time I have ever gotten rid of a Glock because I didn't like it. Live and learn.

I'd say its worth driving a few hours, if need be, to visit a shop with a wide variety of rentals and a range.