Semi-Auto Newbie--'Oh no not again'

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Hey---I am afraid to say that this is yet another 'what gun should I buy' thread. I do apologize, but the responses on other boards has been great and I have been finding online bulletin boards to be a great asset to helping me get started in this hobby.

I am a young single guy, no kids to worry about, and I am looking to buy a semi-auto 9mm for mostly plinking, range shooting, target shooting and lastly, home defense. I do not plan to carry a gun with other than to the range or to my girlfriends family mountain resort. Being young and still deciding what I want to do with my life, I do have a limited budget. I would like to spend between $300 and $500 on my first pistol, while still getting something that is easy to learn with and use accurately. So far my choices have come up with a few options. The guns below are the ones I am interested and through my research, seem to be what I am looking for. The prices are the best that I have found in my area (3 local gun shops)

Springfield XD 9mm 4" (two 15rd mags + holster + case $460)
Taurus 24/7 9mm (two 17rd mags + case $380)
HK USP9 Full size (factory demo + one hi-cap mag + case $550)

Please understand that I have made up my mind on caliber and format (semi-auto)...so I will say in advance..I am definitely not interested in a revolver/.22/shotgun. And let me also say...I think sigs and glocks are excellent guns, but none even come close to fitting into my budget.
 
yeah, thats true, used guns are an option, but I really was hoping to buy new. The factory demo USP I looked at is practically brand new, looks like it has never been fired.
 
Tough to beat the XD option. Good trigger, good grip feel, good sight options, grip safety, loaded chamber indicator, cocking indicator, accurate, dependable and easy take down to 4 simple pieces in no time at all.
 
When you said a cheap, 9mm semi, my first thoughts were the XD or Glock. Either would serve you well, new or used. These questions always end up with the same answer. Go to the shop and see what fits you best; what's comfy and what points well, etc.. If possible, get to a range and rent them each. Those name brands you mentioned will take care of you well, so just go see what your hand likes best.
 
For that price I would jump all over the USP9. I have a USP45 and love it, however you should handle as many pistols as you can before you make your decision. Get one with a solid reputation and make sure it feels right when you hold it.

Regards,
Maarten
 
USP or XD, pick for feel and features.
But I consider the Taurus unproven. Let somebody else work with the warranty clerk to get the bugs out.
 
Of your three choices, the USP is where I'd go.

Also, even though you didn't mention it, a CZ-75B would be a good choice as well, if you happen to want an all-steel gun. It'll be a bit cheaper, price-wise, than the USP, but will operate in the same manner.


J.C.
 
jumbee said:
First. I'd get a used Browning Buckmark 22, and come back to look at 9mm's after firing 5-10k rds, preferably some of it under the watchful eye of a good coach. The $500-$1000 that you will save on ammo will more than pay for the .22 and the coaching, and you will be a far better shot for having done things in the time-proven manner.
Click to expand...

thank you..but it always seems like everyone reccomends a .22 for a first gun. I have shot many guns before, I just dont own one. I need something that will double as SD and a range weapon. I am not going to buy a .22 and then 'graduate' to a larger caliber. 9mm will suit me just fine for a first pistol, maybe if I hit it off with the sport, I will eventually buy a .40 or .45 for a more dedicated SD weapon.
 
Wow! USP9 for $550?! Thats a great price, I'd go for that just for the price!

Of the three options, I'd go for the USP 9. Heh... what a surprise huh? The USP has great ergonomics, able to be carried condition 1 or DA/SA.

I'm too lazy at the moment to type out why the HK is better than the Taurus and Springfield, but the HK is the way to go.
 
I can't believe the lack of people saying "CZ 75B" in this thread. Shopping around, these can be had for $400-425 easy, and I have seen them as low as $350. I think they're the best $-for-$ semiauto out there.
 
SpookyPistolero said:
... just go see what your hand likes best.
Click to expand...

That is the only advice you should take.

Rent them all and see what you like. Remember that guns feel different when you are shooting then when you are just handling them. You need to feel the recoil. Unless you can shoot the exact weapon you will buy you shouldn't get too caught up in the trigger feel. Triggers vary a lot and you can always have it worked over.

Shoot 500 rounds and I bet you will know which one fits you.

Dan
 
HK all the way. Especially for that price!

My HK USP has 10k rounds through it and it has never had one malfunction... EVER. My dad has 50k+ through his. After 50k something broke in the trigger mechinism, sent to HK and they fixed it. 50k rounds between malfunctions is acceptable IMO. :p

But like others said, see which one fits it your hand best. I shot the Glock better than the HK, but the HK felt better in my hand. I ended up with the HK because I knew over time I'd get better with the gun.
 
Of the three mentioned I would certainly suggest you get the Heckler und Koch for that price. That being said, you should be able to find a new GLOCK 17 or 19 for around $500. There are some on-line places that will sell them for something like $460 plus some fees to ship it to your FFL. I would recommend the GLOCK over the H&K.
 
For me at least, i'd go with the XD-9.

from my experience, Hk's and glocks just don't feel right to me, where as XD's do. But see which one just feels right to you, and i'll bet that you'll find the gun you like. All three are high in quality and reliability, so you can't really go wrong.
 
I'd say XD-9. It's comfortable to shoot, easy to take down and clean, and you don't have to feel bad if you end up trashing it due to inexperience. Just make sure you keep the metal bits lightly coated in oil to discourage rust.
 
Don't let anyone talk you out of the caliber you want. I started with a Glock 23 (compact .40) and had no problem with it. I also suggest you allot some of your money for some good instruction.
 
I second the suggestion to take a close look at the CZ 75B in 9mm.

http://www.cz-usa.com/01.detail.php?id=29

It fits comfortably within your budget. Mine was $435 with two 15-round mags. (Ignore the reference to 10-round mags on the website.) It is a modern classic, a svelte, steel-frame pistol with wonderful ergonomics. If this matters, it is also much better looking than the three plastic pistols you've listed.

The CZ is a selective double action/single action pistol with an external thumb safety. That means you can carry it cocked-and-locked (hammer back, safety engaged) and flip down the safety as you draw for a quick, accurate single action first shot. Or, if you prefer, you can keep the hammer down on a round and use the long double action pull for the first shot. I prefer the cocked-and-locked mode and regard it as one of the big strengths of the CZ.

I am extremely satisfied with the 75B. It has a splendid grip feel. It has been perfectly reliable through about 700 rounds. It is a snap to clean. It looks good. It is an accurate gun, and I speak as a revolver fan who tends to get impatient with the accuracy of some common autoloaders.

The single-action trigger is a little creepy. That is my only substantive complaint. Many speak highly of the single-action-only CZs, which supposedly have excellent adjustable triggers with no creep. If I did it over again I might get one of these.

http://www.cz-usa.com/01.detail.php?id=33
 
Last edited:
+1 for CZ-75B

I sure love mine, I only paid $379. Wouldn't trade it for anything.
 
My CZ75 has been great. Couldn't ask for better. I did get the FN Hi-Power SFS from CDNN for my son. That is one sweet pistol as well. I would recommend either. All steel, in the 400-450 range, 9mm (as you wish), and all around classy/classic.
 
H&K would be an excellent choice, also the CZ line is tough to beat for the price, I wouldnt have any problem with either one........I own both.........drf
 
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