Need help choosing 1st 9mm

[The Lone Haranguer]

Smith & Wesson's traditional metal frame DA autos (used) are abundant in this price range. Probably the epitome of these guns is the 5906, a "Third Generation" in all stainless steel. I am also very fond of the slim little 3913; this is a single-stack (8-round mag), but is just as reliable and if anything more accurate than the bigger guns. The slide-mounted safeties are not the easiest to operate (if you use them as safeties), but this is not insurmountable. They are also available in DAO.

 

[Vito_Corleone]

Used P226, P229 or USPf9.

 

[Blue .45]

I just bought a new CZ75B this week. I passed on a like new Beretta 92FS (USA Ver.) in favor of the CZ. This gun fits perfectly in my hand and points extremely well. After taking it to the range yesterday, I was very impressed with the accuracy and reliability as well. That said, I still wouldn't mind adding that Beretta to my collection at some point in the future. FWIW, both guns have cocked and locked capability if this is something you favor.

 

[Pops 1]

I bought a Beretta 92FS a few weeks ago, it is a shooter. Pops

 

[R&J]

Reply...

"R&J,

Isn't it the unsupported chamber in the Glock that makes reloads hazardous?

I don't see how the aftermarket barrels would solve that."

*****

Ninja42's got it right--the chamber walls are beefier on the aftermarket barrels.

It's done all the time--shooting reloads from Glocks with an aftermarket barrel. You don't want to hot rod it too much! As in the case of any gross reloading error, you'll pretty much blow any gun up!

I have an old friend that has a Gen-1 G17 and G20, and has loaded his own ammo since, well, forever! KKM, Bar-Sto, Storm Lake--all will serve you well for reloading, and firing naked lead bullets. Visit a Glock forum and you'll find it's common practice.

Since we're talking a TEOTWAWKI 9 mm, I'd stock at least one spare barrel!

There are some excellent 9mm alternatives offered here. But the question wasn't what's the coolest, what's the cheapest, what's the best handling?, etc. The question was, what's the best full-size 9 mm for a TEOTWAWKI scenario, and I will maintain it's the Glock 17, for the reasons I've mentioned.

Even better, would be the G18 (G17 with full auto capability), if you can get one!

Get your 33-round mags from Natchez: http://www.natchezss.com/index.cfm

--Ray

 

[.45&TKD]

I've been looking at the mag prices for the CZ's.

The factory mags go for @ $45 each??? That's ridiculous.

What do you guys do for mags?

 

[Blue .45]

I just ordered a 16rd. Mec-Gar magazine from Midwayusa.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=918412&t=11082005

As I understand it Mec-Gar makes the factory mags for this gun as well. Of course, someone can correct me me if this is incorrect.

CDNN has them for about $18, but they were out of stock at the time I ordered mine.

http://www.cdnninvestments.com/cz9mm16blman.html.

 

[R&J]

"The factory mags go for @ $45 each??? That's ridiculous."

Vs. $23.99 for a Glock OEM 33-round Magazine!

--Ray

 

[UnTainted]

Vote: SIG 226

Get the sig 226. There are 15, 17, and 18 round mags that fit flush with the gun. This gun is one sweet-shooting full-size 9mm!

 

[evan price]

If you are a died-in-the-wool 1911 guy, check out the 9mm Star Model B's at AIMSurplus. $299, and they are 03 C&R ffl listed.
Parts and spare mags not so easy to acquire, I imagine.

Sigs will do ya right. Many military and SF units carry them today.
If you are used to GLocks now, that's also a good second choice.

It all depends on if you want to learn a new manual of arms for a different pistol.

 

[Slugless]

SIG P226. What a nice, nice pistol that is.

Browning Hi-Power - nice piece but the ergonomics aren't modern and I'd definitely get a trigger job. Worth considering, all milled steel appeals to me.

Glock 17. Shot one for the first time this summer. Wish I had bought one of those for my first pistol instead of the Taurus 92. I'm not a Glockfanboy but I'd buy one of those in a heartbeat - if I needed another 9mm.

Never messed with a CZ pistol.

I wouldn't touch a Star BM with a 10 foot pole. A pistol should shoot straight.

Overall I'd go with the SIG.

 

[Blue .45]

I just bought a new CZ75B this week. I passed on a like new Beretta 92FS (USA Ver.) in favor of the CZ. This gun fits perfectly in my hand and points extremely well. After taking it to the range yesterday, I was very impressed with the accuracy and reliability as well.

After a second trip to the range today, I have to amend my comments with regard to reliability. While firing, I had the slide stop randomly engage on two occasions when using Federal's American Eagle 147gr. TMJ ammo. I plan to call CZ monday to have them send me a new slide stop. I hope this fixes it, because I really like the way this gun handles.

 

[mekender]

metal frames

cz-75
ruger sr9
beretta 92fs
browning hi power

for poly

FNP-9
Beretta Px4
Sig
Glock


personally, the new ruger looks sweet and is really light... i was shooting a cz-75 the other day and was easily able to hit a 6inch target at 50 yards about 40% of the time with the rest of the mags hitting the box the target was stuck on... so that would be a really high up choice too

 

[10-Ring]

I have a few favorite 9mms -- BHP, USP9, G19 and 92fs. I guess I can't commit

 

[9mmfanatic]

I have shot close to 2000rds with my cz 75b stainless model, and it is by far my most favorite gun. Eats any bullet, and begs for more. Heavy all steal structure makes it a very solid. If you like stainless, stronger metal, and the looks, its the only way to go. My father owns a cz 75b, and has a little over 1000 rds without cleaning, and the damn thing keeps on shooting. All I can say it is a great gun. I paid a little high, 600$ out the door, but got it new from a reputable dealer and was worth the extra 50$ or so.

 

[damagefactor]

For SHTF scenarios where I would need to reload with lead, I would use a revolver!

Lead deforms easily (as i'm sure you all are aware), causing rounds to hang on feed ramps. They just aren't field worthy in an auto pistol.

I've had JHPs do similar things in both my 92FS and USP.

You would be surprised, despite being loaded in a magazine and then placed in web gear - the top one or two rounds can take enough damage to prevent reliable feeding.

I've literally shot thousands of FMJs without a single feed failure from either weapon, yet every time I rotate JHP ammo out of my web gear I wind up with one or two feed failures - always from the top of the mags.

 

[Quoheleth]

Seriously...I would consider either the Taurus PT92 or Ruger P95. Taurus has an iffy rep with some of their guns, but rarely do those problems seem to come up with the '92. It's a shooter, 15-17 round mags, amby thumb safety mounted on the frame, full-size, metal frame, dependable, and combat accurate. The Ruger is also a brute. While it's a polymer frame, it is also rugged. Both are well within your price range. In fact, if you watch the used market, you can probably get BOTH for the prices you've given.

Neither one wins the sex appeal category, but they do what a gun should do - shoot reliably with combat accuracy - well.

Q

 

[PX15]

Thanks for excluding the Walther P99/AS.. They are kinda hard for the folks who really want one to find, so you're not wanting one makes another available for somebody else!


Best Wishes,

J.Pomeroy

P.S. You'd just hate the P99c/AS. (Probably the b/u LWS32 also)..

 

[johnnyh]

The right 9mm

The one I have ( Ruger P93DC ) is a nice gun.

 

[xax68]

CZ75bd If ya run out of ammo beat em to death

 

[Autolycus]

I would suggest a GLock 17 with a whole bunch of magazines. And changing the barrel to shoot reloads as others have described is a good idea as well.

 

[Koblenz]

If you buy a Browning Hi Power be sure to get one of recent manufacture. Vintage Hi Powers were not made to feed hollow points. I don't know when the design was modified - probably in the 1980's or 1990's.