I need help choosing a gun

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ericphllps

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I am going to purchase a gun for the first time and would appreciate any suggestions.

I am looking for a full body semi-automatic 9mm or S&W .40 that can be used for self defense, the range, and that also looks good.

I have been looking at the Beretta 92FS Brigadier Inox, Sig P226 & CZ 75.

Any help about these or any other guns you love. Thanks
 
I think the greatest 9mm available today is the Walther P99. It is unbelievably accurate and reliable. It is light weight,compact and has a large magazine capacity.It has replaceable backstraps so you can fit it to your hand. You can change the sights easily without a sight pusher and they are fully adjustable.It is available in several different finishes and completely corrosion resistant. There are also a ton of accessories available for it and if that's not enough it's as sexy as hell!!
 
Well if looks count, then you can rule out Glocks or Rugers:neener:


.....And this coming from the owner of TWO Ruger semis.......
 
Best gun for the money IMHO is CZ75B. It can do cocked and locked, or DA/SA so you can see what you like best.

Sig and P99 cost almost twice as much, For a first gun extra money left over for plenty of ammo and range time is well worthwhile.

9mm is cheapest to shoot, but I prefer .40 S&W, or .45ACP (better still) for defense, but 9mm is good for a first gun if you don't want to start with a revolver.

--wally.
 
You can't go wrong with the Sig or the Beretta. Both companies put out a high quality product. They have distinctive feels to them. I suspect one will feel better in your hand.
 
Don't buy either a Sig or a Beretta until you've felt a CZ 75 in your hand.

I only recently discovered how good CZ guns are, I've been missing out all these years. I've a SIG P226 and Beretta 92 -- rarely shoot them because I don't like DA/SA. YMMV.

--wally.
 
No doubt about it the CZ75 is a fantastic gun. The fit and finish could be better but for the money it's a great gun. I have owned several. SIGs are also superb and I have owned many of them over the years. My preference these days is the Walther P99.It has proven to be MY Holy Grail.
 
Thanks for the feedback I will look at the P99 and will hold and try to fire all of these before purchasing.

Do you think as a beginner I will have trouble with the S&W .40, more recoil and all that.
 
The .40 can be pretty hot depending on which gun you buy. In polymer framed pistols like the Glock and Walther P99 there tends to be quite a bit of muzzle flip. The most comfortable .40 that I have ever fired (and also the most accurate .40) is the SIG P229.However, I would recommend that for your first pistol you get a 9mm. Ammo is inexpensive and you will be able to get alot more practice plus it is a very good defensive caliber. If you really want a .40 then go with the SIG P229. There isn't a better .40 available at any price than the SIG.
 
The best thing you can do is try to find a range close to you that rents guns and try the ones you are interested in. You said that this pistol will be used for self defense also. For home protection the Beretta 92 is fine but if you are going to CCW it will be real hard to conceal. So will the Sig 226 and CZ 75. All these are a hoot to shoot but if you are going to carry and don't want to find out later that you need a smaller frame pistol, then I would look at mid size autos such as the Sig 239. The 40 Cal. will have plenty of punch to it and is hard for first time shooters to handle. The 9MM is much more tame to learn target control and target reacquireing for the second shot . One last thing and this is just my opinion since this will be your first purchase. Stay away from Glocks until at least until you are pistol safety proficient. The Glock has only a trigger safety and numerous accidental discharges have happenen, even in LEO. I have owned pistols for years and the only way that I would own a Glock is to send it to Ten Ring Precision to have an active safety installed by the professionals. Once again just MHO. Good luck in choosing and shoot good and be safe :) .
 
Looks like we are divided into two camps; those that admire the
polymer frames, and those that prefer the aluminum frames on
their self loaders.

With that said, I'm a member of the aluminum frame crowd; thus
the SIG classic P-series, with the world reknown P226 and its
cousins the P228 and P239. While SIG's are expensive, they are
worth every penny! Take one for a test drive today.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
I like my CZ-75B. It's not the best choice if you're ever going to carry concealed, but as a house or a range gun, it is pretty tough to beat. It looks good to me, but this is quite subjective. :D

As for caliber, all three of the major pistol cartridges (9mm, 40 S&W, and .45 ACP) are pretty tame in terms of recoil and blast, once you get used to them. Wear good hearing protection, take a nice, firm grip, and practice a lot. If this is your first handgun, a double-action revolver might be a better choice, however.
 
I think the Sig-Sauer Classics, including P226, are the best made and most reliable out of the box DA/SA service pistols on the market.
But I can shoot my CZ75 better.

It doesn't really make much difference. All the guns mentioned are good serviceable pistols. Buy whichever one turns you on and shoot it a LOT. Take classes, enter matches.
 
I love my CZ75B. 9mm and easy to shoot. DA/SA is nice, but since this is a range gun, it usually only sees SA use. I love to shoot it and it has been totally reliable. I got mine for just under $400 out the door (after NICS and tax)

Another couple to look at are the Steyr S or M series. They come in both 9mm and .40 and are VERY comfortable. They look a little funny at first, but so do newborn babies. The sights are some of the best out there. Once you get used to them, they almost seem to align themselves.

I'd also suggest the FN Forty-Nine or FNP-9 (or FNP-40 if you want a bigger caliber) The forty-nine is on sale right now at Impactguns.com for $299! This is less than I paid. The Forty-Nine is a totally safe DAO pistol with great ergonomics. They also have an accesory rail should you want to add toys.
They also have the Steyr's for $350.
 
Thanks everyone for their opinions, gave me a lot to think about and has got me searching the web like crazy.

Can't wait to start shooting at the range.

Came from NJ to Florida, I can now enjoy the right to own a firearm without too much hassle.
 
P226 or CZ-75

I think you'll find that both of these are fine weapons. Nothing against the Beretta either, I just have no experience with it.

The Sig' is a quality piece, but you'll probably have to pay the price premium. The DA/SA trigger transition takes some getting used to. However, I've watched some novice shooters become "very accurate" with dedicated practice...it's not something diligent range time can't overcome. I've found the P226 is as easy to recover and follow-up with as any piece I've fired.

The CZ-75 is an awesome value, terrific shooter (very forgiving). Operationally, it has a manual safety which like the Sig's DA/SA, can be learned with diligent range time. The location of these controls is not optimum for all shooters.

Bottom line, "try them on" with a range rental or "buddy-borrow" if you can. Either an autoloader fits you or it doesn't. What I shoot well you may really wrestle with. What you think "fits like a glove" may give me a blister.

Good luck!

CZ52'
 
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