Opinion on Pistol to buy.

[Zaydok Allen]

You neglected the FNX-9. It's probably a bit larger than you want, but FN makes great poly guns, and it is still of a reasonable size. Holds a lot of ammo too. Check them out.

Oh yeah. They are ambidexterous too. The slide lock is the only thing that isn't.

 

[SwampWolf]

Sorry, I couldn't vote, I didn't see a S&W 5906

I'll have to pass for the same reason. A real pity.

 

[Skylerbone]

I set up my M&P 9c for my father to shoot (lefty) and he didn't do as well with it as a Kahr CW9 (out for its initial run). Controls were friendly enough on the Smith but it just didn't work best for him. Definitely try before you buy if possible.

 

[col_temp]

You neglected the FNX-9.

Thanks 460Kodiak. Yeah it is a bit long but worth a look IF I can find one!

Yes the 5906 should have been on the list. Didn't know about it before. It's being looked at if I can find one! Comes in at a very reasonable price.

 

[col_temp]

Hi All,

Looking at the poll numbers leads to a couple of questions.
1. Not surprised that the Glock's are leading based on what I know about this board!
What seems to keep making them so popular?
2. Notice few votes for the Bersa, Why? What am I not seeing based on the specs, etc?

I will be trying to find a version of any front runners to hold and test fire if possible. I know right now I can get a hold of the Ruger, S&W, Glock, and XDM, and probably a Walther.
Thanks for the inputs!

 

[searcher451]

If the Walther P99 is on your list, you might consider instead getting the new Walther PPQ. It's all the rage these days, and with good reason. The trigger is as good as it gets, IMO.

 

[Ala Tom]

I think you should consider the .40 S&W caliber and should not limit yourself to tiny guns. The smaller the gun the worse the recoil. For example try the Glock 26. it is a very neat and small gun. But it gives a heck of a kick that tends to mess up your second shot.

You should read "Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry by Massad Ayoob in which he discusses a range of sizes for CC guns.

I have a S&W M&P 40 FS and can conceal that quite well with a Galco inside-the-waistband holster worn in the 3:00 position even in warm weather with a loose shirt.

I tried the S&W M&P 40 C and found the light weight bothered my accuracy for fast followup shots. Though I strongly feel .40 cal is best for a one-shot stop, I have almost decided to go with 9 mm (either the Ruger SR9C or the M&P9C) but there is one .40 I am still considering - the Springfield XD 40 SC. Finding one to shoot before buying is the tricky part.

 

[Tomcat47]

XD Because you did not list Beretta 92 or Taurus 92/99.....

And XD series are just a nice priced package these days....hard to beat economically and practically speaking!

My .02

 

[wlewisiii]

9mm? Glock 19. There is no substitute.

(To be sure, many have tried. M&P comes close. Pity they found a way to make a stock trigger even worse than Glock...)

 

[easyg]

Don't buy til you try the Ruger SR9c.

 

[col_temp]

I plan to try as many as possible before buying Easyg.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. Will look further into all suggestions. And handle then before purchasing. Hopefully I can find more to actually fire.

I will be trying the .40 and 45's the range has just to see what I think. Used 45's are somewhat easier around here to come by at the Pawn shops. So I haven't completely ruled out getting a larger caliber for me. I'm just not sure my much smaller wife could handle it and that's part of the initial intent for the first couple of guns we get. (Hence why I have a 20 gauge and 22LR rifle now and will soon be getting a larger rifle and 12 gauge for my use.)

I will catch up on comments in a couple of days as I will be out of town on Business. So feel free to continue to vote and leave comments. I will read them when i can.
thanks Paris

 

[easyg]

Used 45's are somewhat easier around here to come by at the Pawn shops.

I wonder why....

It could just be that folks have realized that 9mm ammo has come a long way in effectiveness.

Or that more and more folks are giving up their .45s in favor of .40 or 9mm pistols.

Or that some folks are feeling the effects of the weak economy and the expense of .45 ammo.


I went through my .45 love affair not too long ago myself, but now I don't own any .45 pistols.
Just 9mm, .38 special, and .357 magnum.

 

[ProPhetiQ]

The Walthers are on the cutting edge of firearms out there...that is the PPQ and the PPS...the P99 is excellent as well....they are in a class by themselves....the current self defense ammo for 9mm very good and performs on par with the .40 and .45...I would go with the Ruger (for carry) after the Walther PPS based on your list....make sure they really feel good in your hand before you buy, and obviously shoot it if possible....you have quite a few fat handled pistols (and some kool-aid) in your list that can be very uncomfortable/and more difficult to conceal in warmer summer months....good luck!

 

[Skylerbone]

Yeah, shooting .45 ACP can cost me darn near $13/100...people should discover reloading. Even loading Hornady XTPs I can keep the cost under $29/100 or about 1/4 of loaded ammo prices. The difference loading 9mm would barely get me a gallon of gas (but I load for that and 40 S&W too, along with .38SPL, .357Mag., .223...).

It's a good point though easyg, things ain't getting cheaper or easier on the regular guy.

 

[col_temp]

you have quite a few fat handled pistols (and some kool-aid) in your list that can be very uncomfortable/and more difficult to conceal in warmer summer months

Which ones are you thinking in particular for the fat handled, ProPhetiQ?
Any kool-aid you think worth mentioning, beyond the SCCY that is out of consideration at this point?

 

[ku4hx]

Yeah, shooting .45 ACP can cost me darn near $13/100...people should discover reloading. Even loading Hornady XTPs I can keep the cost under $29/100 or about 1/4 of loaded ammo prices. The difference loading 9mm would barely get me a gallon of gas (but I load for that and 40 S&W too, along with .38SPL, .357Mag., .223...).

It's a good point though easyg, things ain't getting cheaper or easier on the regular guy.

Oh yeah! And being a boolit caster since 1969, I can keep the cost of my 45 habit to about $8/100. Of course it helps to have a few thousand empty cases and a ton of alloy collected over the years.

 

[XTrooper]

In my opinion, you missed the best choice, i.e., the H&K P30 or P30L (long slide).

 

[DennisE]

You're missing a 1911 on your list! Dennis

 

[Fatdaddy]

It was a tossup for me between the G19 and the M&P9c.
The finger grooves on the g19 fit girly hands (not mine) so I picked the M&P.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

While the Sig 2022 is not specifically made for smaller hands (larger hands would be fine, too), it is GREAT for small hands in an almost full-sized pistol. I basically like all of those, but this is one thing I thought of that might help. The Sig would probably be a good choice for your wife, too.

 

[Tex4426]

Ruger sr9....and for 70 bucks in drop in trigger parts it has a sweet trigger

 

[gunnutery]

Personally, I suggest the Glock 19 or the Sig p2022, but I based my vote of the Beretta on your requirement for ambi.

 

[dondavis3]

I personally do not like Glocks - I've sold all of mine except 1 and it very little range time.

I changed to the S&W M&P and I being a Sig Sauer man - find that amusing.

Here's my S&W M&P Pro



I have to admit that this gun is a nail driver.

That said ... you should narrow the field down to 2 or 3 guns

Then rent or beg or borrow and shoot them

IMHO all guns shoot differently for different shooters.

Good luck with your search.

 

[jad0110]

Quote:
Used 45's are somewhat easier around here to come by at the Pawn shops.
I wonder why....

It could just be that folks have realized that 9mm ammo has come a long way in effectiveness.

Or that more and more folks are giving up their .45s in favor of .40 or 9mm pistols.

Or that some folks are feeling the effects of the weak economy and the expense of .45 ammo.

Good observations, I've noted the same thing in my area in the past couple of years. I suspect it is a combination of the three. I've got a 1911 in .45 ACP; went that route simply because, well, .45 ACP and 1911s just go together like pizza and beer . However, I reload and really dislike searching for brass in the weeds, so the 1911 doesn't get shot much anymore. At least 9x19 and 9x18 are cheap enough I don't have to reload them.

---

To the OP, trying different guns is absolutely your best bet. You've listed (and not listed) many great options. It is honestly Ford or Chevy, Toyota or Honda, BMW or Mercedes. Glocks, XDs and other polymer pistols aren't my thing, but lots of folks find them ideal, so go figure. We really can't tell you what will work for you. Only you can do that.

 

[cluznar]

I have a Stoeger Cougar compact 9mm and it is awesome, shoots well, accurate, easy to clean. A little on the large size but still able to carry it, you can't go wrong with it. Also have a Ruger SR9c which I carry a lot -- very nice 9mm, shoots well, accurate, easy to clean. Pick either and you will be happy.