Little help deciding on a SD pistol

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theTa01

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Hey guys, I'm looking to purchase my first handgun, and I was hoping you could help to decide which. My priorities in order are:

9mm (a must, because cost of ammo)
less than $1,000 (a must)
made in these USA
comfort (I realize that only I can decide this when I feel it at the store)
reliability
accuracy
ruggedness
ease of cleaning/ field stripping
concealability
accessories

The models I'm caught between are (in alphabetical order):

Beretta 92A1
Beretta Px4
Glock 19 (c?)
Ruger SR9
Sig Sauer P250 compact
Springfield XD 4"
Swith & Wesson SD9

This gun will be for concealed carry/ self defense (either in the 4 o'clock or kidney position). I know the concealability is near the end of my priorities, but I can always change my clothes if needed.

If you have any other suggestions, I would be happy to hear them.
 
Awesome choice on the 9mm.

I would go with the Glock or XD, because polymer frames are much less to worry about (rusting, scratches, etc.) on a carry gun. Not to mention reliability...

If you do go with the Glock, try the '17 and '19. The main difference is the distance between the trigger guard and first finger notch. The Glock 19 pinches my middle finger, YMMV.

Be open to other carry positions. I never thought I'd be comfortable packing a Glock 17 over my apendix, but it is by far the most comfortable, concealable, and accessable place to pack.
 
S&W M&P9c, you'll get four mags after the rebate (magazines can run $50 each for some pistols), it's light weight, accurate, concealable, plenty of holster options, lifetime service policy, DEPENDABLE and well under $1,000.

I'd rule out the Sig 250 on reliability, the SD 9 on price difference (you can get a $50 rebate instead of the extra mags with the M&P), all of the full size choices for bulk and swap the Glock 19 and SR9 for compact models as PT suggested.

With the M&P 40 you can purchase an aftermarket barrel for $150 and shoot 9mm with a new magazine (you could get those with the rebate). Under $700 for two calibers and enough left over for reloading equipment.
 
I was at a gun shop today and saw a used 250 in 9mm for $299! For some reason, these guns haven't caught on. The Smith is a great gun and can be had NIB for under $400. My current carry is a Glock 26 but if I had to switch I think it would be the Smith...maybe the XD. All 3 guns are exceptionally reliable and that's really the key.
 
It's hard to go wrong with a glock as your first pistol. They are fantastic out of the box, but any accessory made for a handgun, is made for a 9mm glock. The mags are cheap and the whole system is rugged. If you have a problem, every smith, R/O & gun shop owner knows how to work on it if you have an issue. If you go glock, join the GSSF ahead of time and buy it for the LEO price, then use the $100.00 you save to go to a glock armorer's class. Can't go wrong.
 
MADE IN USA Rules out The Sig & Beretta As far as Choice the SR9c Or the S&W herd great things about it & Well under Said price ; )
Y/D
Click to expand...

Actually there are Sigs and Berettas made here in the USA. Look on the gun; it should say. My Glock says Austria, but I don't have any problems sending money towards europe; particularly possible relatives.

Of those you listed, I think the Glock 19 will be the best; small and light.

Beretta 92 would be second choice.
 
Glock 19 witgout the "c" would get my vote due to cost, ease of shooting, ease of maintenence, ease of concealment, cheap mags, and huge aftermarket support. It is small enough to conceal but large enough to do okay with in practical shooting if you wish. They are very easy to modify yourself if you like.
 
glock_logo.gif
 
Beretta 92A1 Made in Italy. World class pistol, but takes dedication to EDCCW.

Beretta Px4 Made in Italy. Good choice.

Glock 19 (c?) Made in Austria. Finest general purpose fighting pistol in history (along with the 23.) No C.

Ruger SR9 Have no experience with this model, but Ruger is an excellent arms manufacturer.

Sig Sauer P250 compact Never heard a good thing about the P250. I don't have any experience though.

Springfield XD 4" Made in Croatia. People love this gun for some reason.

Swith & Wesson SD9 No experience. Add the M&P.
Click to expand...
...
 
The S&W M&P (US Made & US Owned Company), just got awarded, along with Glock, an multi-agency future purchase contract after passing ATF trials. That should satisfy your ruggedness / reliability requirement.

Beretta 92A1 - Could be made in Italy, or along side US Military M9s in Maryland, but still an Italian company

Beretta Px4 - Made in Italy, by and Italian company

Glock 19 (c?) - Made in Austria by an Austrian owned company, distributed in the USA from good ole Smyrna, Ga.

Ruger SR9 - American Made & Owned, but no major Mil / Police contracts that I'm aware of.

Sig Sauer P250 compact - Swiss/German ownership. Not sure if the P250 is made in Exeter, NH; or in Germany. This pistol was eliminated from the ATF trial listed above where Glock and S&W M&P endured to a draw and were both awarded the contract. The P250 is not the same quality as the exceptional metal frame P series.

Springfield XD 4" - US distribution of the Croatian HS 2000 pistol

Swith & Wesson SD9 - new, and unproven. The S&W M&P is, however, just a bit more expensive, and has quite a track record for a fairly recent entry in the service pistol segment.
 
made in these USA
Click to expand...
Beretta 92A1
Beretta Px4
Glock 19 (c?)
Ruger SR9
Sig Sauer P250 compact
Springfield XD 4"
Swith & Wesson SD9
Click to expand...
:confused:

Your definition of "made in USA" must be pretty loose. Only the Ruger and S&W are 100% US-made, by US companies. Anyway, you should add the S&W M&P to your list, although the SDs I've looked at are impressive for the money.
 
The most important thing when selecting a pistol for carry or defense is that it works right for you. Hold a few examples, and if you have the chance rent them and fire them. Almost all of the major brands make great quality weapons. I own a P250C among other weapons, and It works fantastic. Never had a hiccup. Make sure you get the new frame style with the 1913 Pic rail. As the first production 250's with the rounded rail had some teething problems. It is the current issue of the US Air Marshalls, and yes the P250 is a very high quality Pistol, as I own both the P250 and metal frame P series as well.
 
Point by point answered by the M&P:

9mm: yes
< $1,000: yes
Made in the Greatest Country on Earth: yes
Comfortable: yes, textured, rubberized grips in 3 sizes standard (no XD cheese graters)
Reliable: yes, just passed BATF trials and awarded open agency contracts (my first one has 1700+ rounds to date with 0 failures of any kind with varied ammo)
Accurate: yes, even I can hit an 8" target at 50yds. with my 9c
Rugged: yes, see S&W commercials or ATF trials mentioned by UGAARGUY
Easy to clean/disassemble: yes, lock the slide, rotate the take down lever, release the slide and pull the trigger (there's a lever that lets you skip the trigger pull but it's easier to ignore it). The recoil spring is flat so it won't fly across the room like a 1911's, the barrel falls out after that and everything else can be reached from this point.
Concealability: yes, smaller, thinner and lighter than the Berettas, Glock, Ruger...ok, all those listed, with two magazine designs provided: flat base and extended pinky, 12rnds.
Accessories: yes, http://www.speedshooterspecialties.com/catalog/display.php?category=Smith+%26+Wesson+M%26P+9%2F40%2F357 one of my favorites. For holsters I've got a Galco IWB and a DeSantis pocket holster, plenty of other options though.

The M&P 9c should be on your short list, the Glock should round out the list, one or the other will be the most reliable pistol you will ever own.
 
Do yourself a favor.... go with the Glock 26. (It's the smallest 9mm Glock.)
Compact. High capacity for its size. Proven reliability. Rugged. Easy to clean. Easy to field strip. It's easy to maintain. Lots of spare parts found in every gun shop.

If I was forced to use a 9mm for SD straight out of the box (without prior testing) , I would choose a Glock gun.

If I was forced to use a 9mm for SD that had fired 1000 rounds previous without any cleaning, I still would choose the Glock brand.

The good news is that you can buy a new Glock, keep it cleaned regularly, and feed it good ammo...and you would have a great SD gun.
 
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Glock 19. It has the best out-of-box reliability.

I also suggest you avoid compensated handguns for self-defense because the hot gas jet may unexpectedly impinge on your body or face if you have to fire from retention position or from a compromised position during a physical struggle.

With a Glock you can carry a "happy stick" (33 rd magazine) in your car, backpack, or on your person, if you felt the need.
 
It takes many many many many guns to finally know what you really like. So for a first handgun, I suggest something that retains value so if a year later you don't want it, you can sell it.
Also this is your first gun, and may be the only gun you can go to if something happens. So go with a GLOCK or XD. Go with something easy to take apart and easy to put together. Something easy to fix.
1000 dollars for a 9mm is a lot of gun, so you have a real good budget and can virtually buy everything in the 9mm.
 
I recommend a Glock 19 or 26 if you're planning on carrying. If just for target shooting or as a nightstand gun then I'd go with the G17.

Glocks are great starter guns because they're so simple.
 
The Glock 19 and 26 fit all your requrements except made in the USA, however they are assembled in the USA and thus create jobs. Both conceal very well and no breakin required. The first two shots fired with my 26 accounted for head shots on two Copperheads that I came across while clearing out a fence row near the house. I have NY1 triggers on mine. I am an old revolver shooter and they feel right for me. $1.99 at Midway USA and the Glock tool is less than $10. Videos abound on the net on how to change them out.
 
If you want all of your criteria to be met, then the M&P is the best option, in my opinion, provided that it's a good fit for you.
 
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