Newbie - First 9mm RECOMMENDATIONS??

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CrazyDays

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Hi all!
I'm sure I'm not the first one to ask but I couldn't find the answers in the archives...

I have about $400 to get a used/new "newbie" handgun. I'm leaning towards the 9mm from what I've read on this forum ("kick", affordable, ammo availability, etc).

I would LOVE some feedback on the negatives of 9mm and what brand/models you would recommend to a first-time-buyer.

I've shot some shotguns & .22 rifles but no experience with handguns. I'm not a petite person by any imagination if that helps.

It will be home defense and range shooting.

Thank you all for your help!
-Colorado-
 
Welcome to our forums Crazydays. its always good to see new folks interested in our community.

if your looking for a quality and simple 9mm that is fun to shoot and small enough to conceal for CCW id recommend a german trade-in Sig Sauer P6. It has an 8 round single stack magazine. its single action/double action with a decocking lever which is a nice feature. they can be found online for $325 here:

www.arms-n-ammo.com

heres a pic of mine =)
SigP6015.jpg
 
The Sig Sauer P6 is a really nice gun. I have shot them and stared at them and I still really want one but they are not the value they used to be. When they were $250 with two mags they were a good deal. Once you price them out now you're better off finding a newer gun.

Go with a CZ-75 (I have a CZ-75 SP-01) and get a Kadet Kit for practice.

If you want something for carry, you might want to look at something smaller (P6 sized) like a Glock 19.
 
I like the P225 too. The single stack makes for a slimmer grip. Probably one of the best deals around for a used model. Just order some new magazines because old ones can cause the slide to not lock after the last round or not chamber the last round correctly.
 
Welcome CrazyDays

The SIg P6 aka P225 the other posters are promoting have hit the USA
as surplus from the Germon Police. Great quality and design, and Sigs are known as accurate handguns in the P2nn design. It was never imported back
when it was new into the USA. There are some problems locating spare magazines, and I'm not sure about spare parts.

THe CZ 75B and variants are also a great design - I have a 75B bought new about a year ago for $500 Used would be in the price range.

Another you might consider is a Smith & Wesson 908, the latest in a long line preceded by other alloy framed S&W semi-autos - the 39-2, 3913 and the Cheifs Special CS9.

THe 9mm Luger, proper name 9mm Parabellum is a good cartridge used all over the world, many put toward the minimuym for HD/SD, but it comes down to a well placed shot is most important. As I said I have a 9mm Luger CZ 75B but actually prefer the .45 in a 1911 but I would feel as secure having my CZ 75B as the option to defend myself.

Oh, the S&W 908 I believe you can find them New for just over the $400 you have and S&W is tops in customer service. CZ also has excellent CS.

Randall
 
My first 9mm was a CZ75 SP-01. Great gun. Easy to shoot due to the all steel construction (low recoil). High capacity and smooth trigger.:D
 
I really appreciate all of your help! Those options sound great!

What will I need if I walk into a gun shop to buy?

Is there a gun safety certificate or background check that can be done before arrival?

thanks!
 
A Walther P1* can be had for ~$300 - not perfect for a CCW gun, but good for getting used to shooting.
Hit up P38 Forums for a buyer's guide. The P1 is easy to care for, simple to strip/clean/assemble and fits large or small hands well.

*The commercial remake of the venerable Walther P38
 
The SIG P-6 (AKA 225) is a great gun. I bought one and then slowly noticed that it really didn't fit my hand. I don't have a huge hand, it was just a little small. My wife loves it so it is her's now.

My advice is to try the P-6 before you buy. I know it will be hard to tell if it fits or not because you are new to handguns.

What worked for me when I was still pretty new to handguns was to go to a shop and try out all the guns I was thinking about buying side be side.

You should narrow down what you are looking for before you enter the store so you don't walk out of there was something you didn't want. When you have it narrowed down to half a dozen of less models, go to the store and see how many of them they have. Chances are, they won't have them all but they might have something similar that you can try.

There are so many good 9mms that is hard to suggest one without more info. How big are your hands? Do you intend to carry it? Is it just going to be for the range and home? How much money do you want to spend? How many rounds do you want it to hold?

Because you are new to pistols, I would suggest starting off with a simple platform. Glocks or SIGs are very simple. They are easy to field strip for cleaning and have great reputations. Beretta is also good. The Beretta 92fs is a legend.

Without knowing everything about you, I would suggest a Glock 17. It is what I have gone to for my home defense gun. Nothing really better out there. There are guns just as good but nobody can say that there really is a better gun than the G-17 for home defense or range use.
 
Ruger SR9 would be my top choice.

The Ruger P95 or P89 would be my second choice.

The Springfield XDm would be my third choice but I don't think you will find one in your price range.
 
What will I need if I walk into a gun shop to buy?

Is there a gun safety certificate or background check that can be done before arrival?

thanks!
________
Click to expand...

-CrazyDays

You will probably not be able to just "walk in and buy." Haha this is not your American Wild West!

Expect to take 18-24 hours of safety classes and then have your local Gendarmerie sign off on your Form 01202009 "Firearm Bearer Permission and Taxation" form you've picked up from your licensed instructor.

Once you've submitted this and your 200 note "bearer" tax to the national Secretariat of Civilian Social Affairs (located in the same building as your local branch of the UN sporting and hunting regulatory enforcement committee) you will be issued your purchase ticket good for one long gun or pistol and licensing your ownership from one year of your purchase. Pistols usually will require a longer lead time as background checks and reference-interviews are more intense.

Now you make an appointment at any local FFL/Gun Dealer and meet with a notary to go over paperwork. Pick out your firearm, pay the dealer and return in 30 days to pick up your piece! Not as hard as many people think!

PM me if you have any questions!
 
Haha this is not your American Wild West!
Click to expand...

If you live in PA it is. I just show my driver's license and they call it in. Bam, 10mins later I'm out the door.
 
Find a used Glock. 19's are hard to find used right now, but I've seen several 17's for $400-$425 in the last month. They aren't lovely, but they are dead to nuts reliable, simple in function, easy to clean, and need next to nothing right out of the box. A trigger job is a $25 drop in part. A plug for the cavity in the bottom of the grip is $6. It'll come with an extra mag, a loader and a cleaning rod in a hard case. Really, one extra mag is all that is absolutely required. If you don't solve a pistol fight in 34 rounds another 17 aren't likely to help. For a first gun, you don't have the grip issue that some people complain about because you haven't already learned something different.

John
 
I recently bought each of my sons their first handgun and I got them each a Ruger SR9. You can get them brand new for around $450.00. They are easy to take apart and clean, they have a nice ergonomic design, are very thin and are very easy to shoot. And each of my kids found them to be very accurate.

As for safety, the Ruger SR9 has ambidextrous safeties and a nice little feature called a 'shark fin' that pops up when there is a round in the chamber.

Great first gun at a great price, imo.

Regardless of what you get, though, congrats on the decision, be safe, and have fun!
 
Glock 19.. Best 9mm you will ever buy. In my opinion of course.

$20 mags, .22 conversions available. Proven time and time again.

Very low maintenance and very high reliability.
 
Hell, I don't even have to show my id any more. My CCW card is all i need. What's this ticket and 200 dollar tax? What state? Would be pissed.
 
You will probably not be able to just "walk in and buy." Haha this is not your American Wild West!

Expect to take 18-24 hours of safety classes and then have your local Gendarmerie sign off on your Form 01202009 "Firearm Bearer Permission and Taxation" form you've picked up from your licensed instructor.

Once you've submitted this and your 200 note "bearer" tax to the national Secretariat of Civilian Social Affairs (located in the same building as your local branch of the UN sporting and hunting regulatory enforcement committee) you will be issued your purchase ticket good for one long gun or pistol and licensing your ownership from one year of your purchase. Pistols usually will require a longer lead time as background checks and reference-interviews are more intense.

Now you make an appointment at any local FFL/Gun Dealer and meet with a notary to go over paperwork. Pick out your firearm, pay the dealer and return in 30 days to pick up your piece! Not as hard as many people think!

PM me if you have any questions!
Click to expand...

Stop spreading bad info!

The OP lives in Colorado, that sort of is "the wild West", and there is no licence or registration or classes involved with buying a pistol. Just have to be 21 and pass a background check. Depending on how the states computers are working this could take anywhere from 15 minutes to 4 hours, but usually about 45 minutes.

If you are in the Denver area, try Green Mountain Guns on the SW side. They have a great selection including used guns, and great prices.

EDIT: something tells me Zombiesahead was joking, but still...
 
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i bought my FNP-9 (bi-tone) with factory installed nightsights used for $425. the gun was very well maintained and i actually didnt realize it was used until i was told that it was. i think you can probably find a similar deal if you look around.

i would say that a good XD-9, glock, taurus 24/7, or s&w mp-9, would all serve you well if bought used. they will all be in that $400 range that you are looking for.

maybe focus on buying from a reputable dealer, hopefully someone has put a really well cared for gun on consignment and you get a deal...like i did.
 
S&W Sigma (SW9VE). S&W's "Made in USA" Glock clone, Glock owners don't get mad at me, Glock said that, said it in court and won. Rugged, reliable, safe simple operation and 16+1 capacity. All for $345. in stock and delivered from Bud's.
 
I would go with a glock 19 simple and reliable.

I live in TN and all we have to do to buy a gun is be 21 and get a background check in store. I've bought several guns here and have been in and out in 15 mins tops.
 
I've come to find out that Glocks, Sigs, HK's, and Berettas tend to be considered "reliable". Can't really go wrong with any of them. I'm sure there's a bunch more but these tend to stand out because of the overwhelming majority of professionals use them and report back.

Things I look for when purchasing a new gun is comfort, relative trigger feel (most can be worked on by a good gunsmith), trigger action and my needs for a safety of some sort. If I'm gonna keep one in the chamber of a SA with a hair trigger, I want a dedicated thumb safety or at least a grip safety. If it has a relatively long trigger pull or a heavy DA pull, I don't look for a safety.

XD's are sweet too. They have a grip safety IIRC.
 
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