researching for awhile and need personal opinions

[10-Ring]

If you like the Beretta, buy one, buy ALOT of ammo for it & enjoy it! I have 2 that I have really enjoyed over the years!
Have fun!

 

[RNB65]

Personal opinions? Oh, we got plenty of those!

If you like the Beretta 92 and can afford it, get the Beretta 92. Great gun from one of the world's oldest companies.

If you can't afford it, get a CZ75B or XD9. Also great guns but from slightly younger companies.

 

[FrogClan]

why do people generally not like 40 s&w? i mean a middle ground of a 9mm and 45acp sounds good to me?

As mentioned above, the 40 is basically a compromise between the two calibers. Like all compromises, it does nothing especially well. There was also a short period when some of the 40s were having problems.... short version: they didn't beef up the frame and slide when they went from their 9mm version to their 40 cal version... but that is history.

The 9mm is enough for what you want. The 45 is good too. In the end it is personal preference. I like the 9mm in SJHP. Without the HP, the 9mm will have too much penetration. You need a HP for that .45 to do its defensive job, too.

also, which ammunitions are the most economic? ie 9mm or 40s&w?

Using Cabela's web site as a point of comparison, 50 rounds of MagTech 40 S&W is $10 while 50 rounds of 9mm in the same brand is $8.

is there a website that reviews specific guns b/c i dont want to ask if a million questions as i find new pistols

Chuck Hawks reviews some notable guns here. If you don't see what you are interested in, do a google using the words "review" and the name of the gun in question. Browse Chuck Hawk's site for ideas on best calibers, etc. You might find this chart particularly interesting.

Here is the Hi-Power. If you find someplace selling them cheap, be sure to let us know!

It always boils down to personal preference. The Beretta 92 is a fine gun. I like 9mm. I like de-cockers. I like the exposed hammer. I think the safety on the slide makes it easier to operate. Some people disagree. I do think the Beretta is a bit heavy for a 9mm. That helps reduce the already low recoil, but makes it a pain to haul around all day. That doesn't sound like a concern given your intended use. I don't have a Beretta 92 because I already have two other solid 9mm guns. Otherwise, I probably would have to get one.

 

[TimboKhan]

If you like the Beretta 92, then I suggest you go with the less expensive but extremely similar Taurus version, which they call the PT-92 and the PT-99 (one has an adjustable rear sight, the other doesn't). Pretty much the only difference is that the Beretta has a slide mounted safety and the Taurus has a frame mounted safety. Other than that, they are pretty much the same, as far as I can tell. I have two of them, both purchased used. One is fairly worn but perfectly serviceable (and, might I add, the most accurate of any of my semi-autos save for my bull-barrelled MKII) and for that one I paid 165.00, plus I got a kydex holster. My other 99 is a stainless steel version thats in much better shape, and I got it for 235.00. I would be lying if I said that I had shot thousands of rounds out of each, but I have shot enough out of each to say that I have zero complaints about the function of either, and I am pleased enough that the stainless version is my truck gun. Also, as it happens both came with hi-cap magazines. Some guys will poo-poo Taurus as being "second-rate", but I have yet to have any problems with the Taurus's that I have owned.

 

[Croyance]

I didn't see the part about a million questions.
By all means, ask. We won't always be right, but neither are reviews. There are always a few people here who have owned or used something.
What else are special interest forums for if not talking about that interest?

 

[Sunray]

Even if size isn't an issue, go to your local shop and try a few on for size anyway. Grasp the pistol like you're shaking hands. If you can easily reach the trigger with no strain of any kind, it fits your hand. A close, but not quite there fit can be fixed with a change of grips for not a lot of money. After that, you need to decide what its major purpose will be. 9mm isn't a target shooting round. However, the .45ACP is, in a pistol set up for that. And it dosn't take much to do that. Any new firearm will require a trigger job as a minimum. Frivolous U.S. liability law suits and the cost of producing a good trigger have both caused most manufacturers to sell their firearms with mediocre triggers.
Reliablity is mostly about the ammo and the magazines. With the mag being more important. Poorly made mags will cause the best pistol to malfunction. Good ammo is essential for any firearm.
"...is cloned by many companies..." The CZ75 is a Browning HP clone. Fabulous pistol if it fits your hand. Would have had one 25 years ago, except it's too big for my hand.

 

[ugaarguy]

The CZ75 is a Browning HP clone.

The CZ-75 was derived from the Hi-Power, but derived from does not a clone make. There are significant differences to the extent that no parts, to my knowledge, interchange between the CZ-75 and HP. Both are fine pistols, but they are different.

9mm isn't a target shooting round. However, the .45ACP is, in a pistol set up for that. And it dosn't take much to do that.

Sorry, but I have to call BS here too - SIG, Glock, EAA, CZ, Springfield Armory, and others make pistols designed for IPSC or IDPA competition chambered in 9mm. The 45 ACP may have a longer history in competition than the 9mm, but the 9mm is still a fine target round.

Otherwise Sunray's comments on ammo and, particularly, magazines are dead on; and he provides an excellent description on how to check a gun's fit to your hand. Trigger jobs, as stated, are also a quick and inexpensive way to help accuracy in a competition pistol.

 

[Srigs]

Here are a couple of suggestions.

All Stainless steel:
S&W 4006
or
S&W 5906

You can pick these up for under $300 police used at a number of location including this one at:

http://www.summitgunbroker.com/index.html

 

[czhen]

More info about Browing.
FM-95 (Argie vesion of Browning High Power) is 100% compatible with original HP parts, whereas FEG (Hungarian) doesn't, and both are sturdy made and reliable.



CZhen
FL

 

[Anna's Dad]

Good choices

The only Beretta I have is the Tomcat (.32) but it is an excellent little gun. I also love my Ruger P-series (I have the P-345). The Ruger is very well built and incredibly reliable. Finally, my Springfield XD-9 has been absolutely reliable as well. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend either of these but, as many have said, if you like the Beretta, get the Beretta.

 

[knicks118]

i just rented a beretta 92 at the range and shot about 100 rounds and it was ok.
then i rented a glock 19 and it was really nice.

how are the s&w 59"" series 9mm pistols SS?
i saw one at the range for less than $300.

 

[ugaarguy]

how are the s&w 59"" series 9mm pistols SS?
i saw one at the range for less than $300.

High quality, reliable, often overlooked. S&W steel & alloy framed pistols were carried by many PDs before Glock began their assault on the market. They're good guns that often get overshadowed by the flahier new models like Glocks, XDs, SIGs, HKs, etc. Go shoot the S&W if you can and see if you like it; if you do their an excellent value.

 

[mmissile]

For accuracy, price, reliability, and for target/self defense.......I'd probably look at the CZ lineup as already mentioned. I've owned various variants, and they worked just fine.

 

[gulogulo1970]

I'd buy a Glock 17 or 19. But before you buy, rent. Go to a range and see what fits. Glocks fit me and I have yet to have a failure with the several I've owned over the years. Surplus police guns can be found pretty cheap as well.

40S&W is a round you either love or hate, I have a Glock 22 in 40S&W and like it but it is harder to shoot quickly than my 9mm Glocks. And the cost of practice ammo is a factor to me so I shoot much more 9mm than 40. $2-4 a box difference adds up fast if you like to shoot often.

 

[Hypnogator]

If you have time, I'd look around at some gun shows for a police trade-in S&W 5906. Accurate, pleasant to shoot, and they just keep shootin' and shootin'.

 

[Nail Shooter]

A 92 is a pretty good gun, but I'd go with a Sig P226 for first choice in that size of weapon.

NS

 

[MachIVshooter]

The CZ-75 was derived from the Hi-Power, but derived from does not a clone make. There are significant differences to the extent that no parts, to my knowledge, interchange between the CZ-75 and HP. Both are fine pistols, but they are different.

I've been into CZ pattern guns for awhile, and I've never heard that claim. Other than being autloaders and the outward appearance at a glance, the CZ and HP have absolutely nothing in common. different recoil/lock-up system, differrent hammer and sear setup and very different trigger group and linkage. Plus, the CZ is a DA. The CZ is about as far from the HP as both are from the 1911.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

Taurus 24/7 in 9mm. High quality pistol for under $400, 18 round capacity as well.

 

[ugaarguy]

I've been into CZ pattern guns for awhile, and I've never heard that claim. Other than being autloaders and the outward appearance at a glance, the CZ and HP have absolutely nothing in common. different recoil/lock-up system, differrent hammer and sear setup and very different trigger group and linkage. Plus, the CZ is a DA. The CZ is about as far from the HP as both are from the 1911.

My apologies for repeating heresay. I have also read that the ergonomics and external appearnce are modeled after the Hi-Power. It does make sense to me that CZ would use a proven, popular, and widely available pistol as a design basis.

 

[vynx]

If you like Baretta 92 look at 9000s

It seems as if you didn't like the baretta 92 as much after you shot it.

If its just the size look at the Baretta 9000s it comes in 9mm & .40 (9mm ammo is lower priced $12 for 100rnd winchester white box at wally world vs $17 for .40) and it comes in 2 models a decocker only and a decocker with saftey.

I haven't heard much about the 9000s but I have one I bought new on sale for $360 in .40 and its a great shooter. The slide is a little top heavy but that helps dampen the .40's recoil a lot. And in California where we are limited to 10 rnd magazines it holds a ten rounder.

 

[geekWithA.45]

Sig P226.

It's a gun like a movie or beer commercial girlfriend: perky, sweet, and always good to go.

 

[possum]

I suggest the xd, get the 9mm, wal-mart winchester white box 100rds of 115gr 9mm, $11.98. or less depends where you live. You can even get the big tactical model, 5" barrel since you aren't worried about concealling it. with some good personal protection ammo you will have a good all around gun for any situation, target shooting,/ practice, and home/personal defense! no a days the xd's come with everything you need to get started, double mag holder, holster, and mag loader!

 

[Doug Add]

I find it hard to believe it took over 45 posts for someone to recommend a SIG. I guess they are considered too high priced, but used SIGs in good condition can be found.

My choice, the SIG P228. Fits my hand just right, shoots great, (and even though this is not a consideration for you) conceals nicely.

I went through a SIG P239 and a Browning Hi-Power before I found the perfect 9mm for me. The recommendations to hold and shoot as many as possible before you decide are spot on. You want something that fits your hand and is comfortable to shoot.

 

[knicks118]

so i finally decided on a s&w 5906 SS 9mm and will pick it up in a week

one more question, the gun shop is offering me a deal that if I buy the 5906, they will sell me some cheap NEW guns for $100.00 as a combo
here is the list.
hi point 9mm/40 s&w
jimenez arms 9mm
stallard 9mm
bryco 9mm

honestly, they look extremely cheap BUT for $100 i think i might take the offer just to have another handgun

which ONE would you pick....from personal experience only please thanks

 

[XavierBreath]

Buy $100 in ammo instead.

Congrats on your new gun!