Now I Really Need Help Choosing First 9mm!

[rjk2475]

after posting, reading, and trying, i am still indecisive about which 9mm for range fun, and some ccw. all pros and cons really appreciated.

 

[Mayo]

First 9mm, for CCW and range. There really is only 1 answer228

Seriously you have to try out many guns first to see which fits you best--you'll know. I mentioned the P228 because it's considered by many to be THE finest 9mm in the world, definetly reliable(most important), great out of the box, and deadly accurate. Just MHO.

 

[308win]

Springfield XD9. Nice ergonomics, chamber fully supports case (if you are a reloader this should give you the fuzzies), price is right, can get hi-cap mags (15rd) from SA, good reputation on this forum and others for accuracy and reliability.

 

[hso]

Try the CZ 75 while you're trying out all the other guns. You'll get hundreds of dollars in additoinal value.

 

[Boats]

Put some pictures up on a dartboard and throw with a blindfold on. You can hardly go wrong.

When I was really into the 9mm I had depending on when one looked in the safe:

4 versions of the Beretta 92
1 SIG P226
1 Ruger P-89
A S&W 5906

Now that I am not so into the 9mm I have an XD-9 stainless, which compares very favorably to any 9 I have owned or tried. I will also be getting a Beretta PX4C in 9mm when it comes out. I continue to want a CZ-85B, but I never seem to get around to it.

Seriously, I think you need to determine what is important to you in a handgun and then decide.

Is it something classical that will float or boat or would you rather have polymer?
Does size matter? Some pistols are more efficiently packaged around the 9mm than others.
Do you need the cachet of a "name brand" or a pistol that is "widely adopted" or will a FEG clone of the Browning Hi-Power do it for you?

 

[OH25shooter]

Man are you going to get a ton of opinions. Buy American or foreign, stainless or blue, wood grips or plastic, etc. Here's my suggestion. Go to a [large] gunstore. Be the first customer when they open. Select at least three 9mm auto's within your price range. Look at, handle, point and if possible, have the store employee breakdown the gun. You'll know which is best for you. Some look neat, but feel too small or large. Some are a pain to breakdown. Narrow it down to your two favorite makes/models. To me buying a gun is unlike buying a new car. Research is the key.

 

[PCRCCW]

OK.........Anything but a Jennings, Davis, or AccuTek and your ok.

Worthy guns for a little money.....CZ75, Taurus, Slightly Used S&W, reconditioned Sig, etc etc.......

Go play with guns and see what you like.............Shoot well.

 

[Ala Dan]

I'm going to have too agree with Mayo, as the SIG P228 is one
of the finest perfectly balanced 9m/m's in the world. I got my 1990
West German model back when they were really tough to find.
It is one of my most favorite handguns that I've ever owned.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

I used to have the West German P228, and it is a fine weapon. Only reason I sold it was that I found the transition from double action to single action too hard to maintain with accuracy. I recommend, therefore, that you choose either a single action design (like the CZ 75 or the Browning High Power), or a double action only/safe action type design, like on the Springfield or Glock, not to mention the Kahr. These are all fine and reliable weapons. If recreation al shooting is important to you, one of the single actions would likely be the best pick. They require a little more training to use safely, but the result is a superior recration gun AND and superior defenseive weapon. The Glock type actions are much easier to learn, I think, but less rewarding in the big picture. The new Springfield is likely the best of the type.

 

[albanian]

Some of my favs:
1. Kahr K-9
2. Beretta 92fs
3. Star B
4. Star BM
5. S&W 3913

I have had a bunch of others but these are some of the ones I liked to shoot and carry the most. A BHP would not be a bad choice and if you are pressed for cash the Ruger P-95 makes a good all around gun but is all business and not one that you may ever grow to love.

Out of the plastic guns, the XD-9 does feel MUCH better in my hand than any Glock or any other plastic horror I can think of. I have had a few plastic guns and I never end up keeping them around. The Glocks do work but they are bulky and have strange grips. The Glock grip angle is great but the rest of the grip sucks. The XD-9 has a more traditional grip angle (read lame) and it feels better in the hand.

The Kahr K-9 is really not for the inexperienced. It takes a while to shoot one of these well but once you figuire it out, they can show you some amazing accuracy. For me, I could do with just a Kahr K-9 and get rid of all my other guns if I had to just keep one. That isn't going to happen but I am just showing the love I have for the K-9.

 

[Darkmind]

My first thought would be to go with a Glock 19. I've seen some used ones going for 350 to 400, brand new 500 to 550ish. Factory standard cap 15 round mags can be had for around 20 bucks and factory 33 round mags can be found for about 40ish if you look in the right places. Glocks customer service has never done me wrong.

BUT

First thing you should consider is, what fits good in your hand and what is comfortable to shoot.

 

[rjk2475]

the grip on all Glocks puts the front way high; wrong grip angle for me.

i really like the sig 228 but shoot alot of 1911A1

the XD9 feels great and i really like the trigger. quick up, the sights are right where they should be; but, there's a sig imprinted on my brain(marketing hype?)

handled a sig DAK. very nice but pricy and no track record.

i very much appreciated the responces, and hope to see more. thanks all

 

[Poohgyrr]

Opinions!! Yup, I have them...

I like to suggest shooting as many as possible to see what you think. Then go buy a G19, or a 3913 or 5906 round trigger guard, or a Browning or FN Hi Power.

 

[Stickjockey]

Get a Helwan Brigadier!






(Ducks quickly for cover)

 

[9mmepiphany]

what ever you do, don't get a H&K P7

if you haven't owned and shot other 9mms before you'll never really appreciate the unique qualities of the P7 like the:

1. gas retarded action...reduces recoil and self adjust to various loads
2. low bore axis of the fixed barrel...unbelieveable accuracy and reduced muzzle flip.
3. grip angle and straight magazine...points well while maintaining straight feen into the barrel (it is a little weird inserting a straight mag into the angled grip at first)
4. polygonal rifling and 4" barrel...higher velocity than guns of canparable size.
5. squeeze cocking action...the ultimate safe gun, from uncocked to ready to fire with just a 8lb squeeze of your hand. completely safe before it hits the ground if you should drop it.

 

[45R]

Sig 226 or the HK P7

 

[JackSparrow]

removed

 

[Wildalaska]

HiPower if ya want a real fighting 9mm, SIG a close second altho the HP conceals better.

P7s are overated, overly complex pices of fragile Eurotrash. Berettas are too big. S&Ws are ugly with crappy triggers. I would never own anyhting made by Taurus. CZ 75s are nice but too heavy. XDs are usvelte Glocks. Glocks are car guns. Wather p99s are nice but not as concealable as HPs or SIG 228s.

Any questions? No go out and buy buy buy

WildthefountofwisdomAlaska

 

[IndianaDean]

Try different ones out, pick the one you like the best.

 

[armoredman]

Either one ia a great, reliable, accurate, durable, lightweight, choice. PO1 holds 14+1, and RAMI has 10+1.

 

[Black Snowman]

Another vote for a CZ. I wish the shops I started shopping at had carried them or there had been an internet presence at the time. I could have saved myself years of searching and thousands of dollars in guns. Give them a chance before you spend your hard earned cash.

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

I recently came across a S&W 469, and it's a pretty nice little pistol. 12 round double-stack mag, single/double action, designed to be snag-proof. Very cute. And used Smiths can be pretty reasonable.

 

[Northslope Nimrod]

9mm's

My opinion:
1) CZ PCR or P-01 (PCR is narrower - better for carry)
2) Browning Hi-Power
3) 1911 in 9mm
4) Springfield XD (but a little chunky for conceal)
5) Khar (for deep concealment & easy carry - less fun)

 

[mattk]

Having cycled through many 9mm pistols including Sigs Glocks CZ Brownings etc. I have ended up with 3 9mms
I. Kimber Tac Pro in 9mm
2. CZ75 pre b
3. Browning HiPower
All are great guns. All will meet your requirements and then some. The Browning being one of my all time favorites I will give the nod to the classic BHP. Try the Mark3 BHP. Well made, good sights, good finish. Really thin for carry.

 

[RikWriter]

In 9mm, I would reccommend the SIG 228 or SIGPro 2009.