Trying to choose a 9mm

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PhilA

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OK, 9mm experts. I need your help.

I want to pick up an inexpensive 9mm to use for teaching my wife and others to shoot. Based on my criteria, I've narrowed it down to the following pistols:

FNP-9 in DA/SA - EDIT. Just realized this has no manual safety either. Hmm.
Taurus 24/7 Compact
SIG SP2022

Of those, I think the FNP may be the way I go, because its grip is thinner and more manageable for smaller female hands than the Sig, and has an external safety. The Taurus is a possibility, but I'm a little sketchy on their quality track record--my own 24/7 Pro in .40 has been flawless, but a friend bought their PT-145 last year and after only 100 rounds the firing pin sear broke and the gun went full auto on her. So I'm a bit hesitant on Taurus right now.

So. All that said, can anyone chime in on which of those three they'd pick, and why? If you have other suggestions, I'm all ears. Nothing more expensive than $500 please, nothing single-stack, no DA-only, and I'd really prefer something with an external safety since I'm teaching new shooters and I think that's an important step to learn. Not a big Glock fan, either.

Thanks.
 
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The SP 2022 has quite a following, and it feels good in the hands as well. I have an FNP9-m, the compact, and I like it quite a bit. it has interchangeable backstraps and lines up very nicely when aimed quickly.
 
I would go with either the Sig or the FN... I have heard a lot of deeply mixed reviews about Taurus autos. I would personally recommend you check out the Sig p239 as well. I picked one up for my wife... with a set of Hogue rubber grips on there, it is a flawless match for her small hands. Great shooter too.

I know it is a single stack, but I had to throw it out there.
 
CZ, they are outstanding shooters, they are relatively inexpensive, and hold their value.
I'd suggest the EAA Elite Match in 9mm but you can't find those anywhere.
 
Thin doesn't necessarily mean right for small hands. My hands are the same length as many women's hands, but my palm is large and wide with short fingers instead of having long fingers on a small, narrow palm.

I am comfortable with the huge Taurus PT-92 (and its Beretta prototype), but find even compact 1911's painful to fire because the narrow grips are long and drive into the joint at the base of my thumb because I can't reach the trigger without scooting my hand around out of a proper grip.

If the gun is for teaching your wife have her hold a variety of guns and get the one that she finds most comfortable to hold and the one where she can reach the safety, the slide lock, and the magazine release. :)
 
My idea of inexpensive is around $250 or less and used, yours is obviously a little different. Any of the guns you have selected would be fine. Also consider a Sig P6 used German Police pistol in 9mm for around $250, Walther P1 or P38 surplus, a used S&W 5906 high cap 9mm, or a new Taurus 92.
 
Steve's P6 suggestion is a good one. S&W autos with flat back straps tend to be easy to handle.

In my opinion, a manual safety isn't necessary on a teaching gun. In fact, I think the absence of one can be used as a teaching point: keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to fire!. If the new shooter is told that the weapon will discharge when the trigger is pulled, at all times, s/he is more likely to respect Rule #2.
 
Ruger P85s and P89s seem to fit the bill along with what others suggested.

Both are 9mm, both are double stack and high capacity, both aren't expensive, both are accurate enough, and both have decock capability
 
I went with a CZ SP-01 for my first 9mm. I havent gotten it yet so I cant tell ya what its like yet. CZ's have alot of good things being said about them and they are very affordable
 
I went with a CZ SP-01 for my first 9mm. I havent gotten it yet so I cant tell ya what its like yet. CZ's have alot of good things being said about them and they are very affordable
Click to expand...
It's a great gun, I just got mine, but it's too big for a lady.
Check out the German police turn in's. They are inexpensive and reliable. Sig's I believe, p-225 about $300.
 
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I would go with the FNP within your three choices. I would consider spending around $500.00 and getting the S&W M&P due to the fact that the grips are easily changed to fit whomever you may be teaching. My wife also finds the recoil to be mild.
 
I bought a TZ 75 for cheap. It is great. It came "preloved" with finish wear so I don't worry about loaning it to other shooters to try out.
 
My FNP9 has been flawless. My wife thinks it has "snappy" recoil, stings her hands. She prefers my BHP, but that is SAO and more than $500 to find a good one.

She actually likes my FNP45 better than the FNP9, not as snappy.

I think they make a FNP9 with a safety, hard to find though.
 
I recommend the Beretta 92FS. Most women can shoot them well, it's DA/SA and has a safety. They are utterly reliable, slicker than a used bar of soap and most of them I've shot are quite accurate. Mine has never bobbled and I don't know anyone that's ever seen one malfunction on a first hand basis other than some Marines I know who have seen locking blocks break...and those guns have seen thousands and thousands of rounds. Unless it just won't fit her hand you can't go wrong. It may be very slightly more expensive than your $500 max but probably not too much. Seems like dealer cost last time I checked was around 495 or so so if you add tax and about 10% you should be able to get a new one for under 600.

The FNP-9 is excellent and so is the XD. I echo the sentiment earlier about "who really needs a safety?" (paraphrased obviously:). Safety is between the ears.

PS...I don't like Glocks or M&P's either....A pistol ought to fit right smack dab in the middle of the palm of the hand and line up with the forearm and there are very few women who can do that with a Glock and the M&P's have very crappy triggers.
 
I said I don't like Glocks or M&P's and that's not really what I meant to convey. Actually, I love Glocks and if they fit my hand correctly I would still have the four I've bought and sold (two G-19's, one G-23 and one G-36). Actually, I probably wouldn't ever miss the 23 as I have no use for a 40 at all.

The M&P's are great pistols and they feel excellent in the hand. The ones I've handled and owned all were in very desperate need of a trigger job though. The pull weight isn't so bad and they are smooth but the backlash after the release is abundant.

The XD comes out of the box with a great trigger for good shooting and it seems to be improving with the number of rounds I put through it.
 
"for teaching my wife and others to shoot"

Might I suggest for that purpose you look for something in .22lr?

New shooters will have a much more pleasant experience and can always move up to something with some more punch later. (not to mention that it's going to be a whole lot less expensive to shoot!)

IMHO. Your mileage may vary. No warranty expressed or implied. Void in all 50 states and PR.
 
Agree that you need something .22 to start fresh shooters off with.

I have BIG paws. I haven't found a grip yet that's too big.

I can concur that 9mm is a snappier recoil while 45acp is more of a shove.

I suspect one could do MUCH worse than a CZ 75.....
 
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