Tuff Choice?

[maxbass]

First i wanted to say hi to everyone on the site. I have been an avid reader of this site for the last couple of years. Now for the tuff choice.

I look to everyones experience in helping me make the right choice.
What I am looking for is a 9mm for home defense and very little range time. I have small to medium size hands but my main problem is a couple of years ago I injured my wrist. From what I have discovered is I need a gun with max. weight around 30 oz. From my research I have come up with two choices. Kahr' s T9 and CZ P-01. I am open to recommendation because I need a gun in this size with the least felt recoil. There is not an area where I live to try out these guns ahead of purchase.

Thanks to everyone in advance.

Tony

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Look at the Glock 19. Its hard to beat. Its not too big, fairly light weight, will accomodate medium sized hands easily.

You will likely perceive it to recoil less as well. The plastic frame contributes to that.

Ammo capacity is good too.

 

[Mayo]

The #1 thing you want from ANY home defense gun is reliabilty----that said if your intent on getting a 9mm, then the best gun IMO for both is a SIG P228. Excellent balance, considered 1 of the top 9mm handguns in the world, 29 oz loaded with 13 rounds and NOT polymer. This will help in felt recoil compared to many others. IF your grip doesn't fit on a P228, then try a P225 or P239.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Sigs are fine too, but I don't think they are balanced well, and I think the grip is to fat.

Thats all subjective though, and poor balance and a fat grip might not be something you will notice.

 

[FPrice]

maxbass...

Welcome to The High Road.

I have both the Glock 19 and the Sig P228. They are both great handguns with their own pros and cons, fan clubs and detractors. I have had a Kahr, it's a nice gun but not in the same class as the previous two. I cannot speak to any CZs.

Based on what you have stated I would ask you to try the Glock 19. I think it would fit your needs. Unfortunately to reduce felt recoil you "usually" need to go with more weight. Or things like compensators which might not do the trick for you.

You really need to find a way to try before you buy. Otherwise you might end up with a great pistol but one that does not fit your particular needs.

 

[SSGMike]

Home defense with very little range time?

Remington 870 Express or Mossberg 500.
They are far more powerful, and they don't require the same amount of practice that a handgun does for proficiency. Sorry, wrong forum, but it's just my .02.

 

[mayassa]

HK P2000 has interchanging backs for the grip very nice for different size hands, I like mine anyways

 

[Ala Dan]

I agree with all who recommended the SIG-SAUER P228. But let me add
to the mix and say a Smith & Wesson model 6906 would meet your own
needs as well. Its a double-stack (12 round magazine), double-action
9m/m with a concealed hammer, and ambidextrous external safety's;
made on an aluminum alloy compact frame with a stainless steel slide
and a 3.5" barrel. It has a .260" bobbed hammer, .365 or .304" smooth
trigger, and Novak Lo-Mount two dot rear sights. Produced from 1988
to 1999, weighing only 26.5 ounces. NIB price = $550; but I just picked
one up LNIB for $235, with one extra 12 round magazine; but NO box
or paperwork. My West German 1990 model SIG P228 needed a little
company, thats all!

 

[XLMiguel]

Welcome, Maxbass-
Lotsa good suggestions, but let me add my $.02.

I'm a SIG bigot, never warmed up to Glocks, though they're a very strudy, reliable handguns. The Kahr T-9 is also very nice, but over priced IMO.

The SIG P-228 is a wonderful handgun, it is what they issue to folks with smaller hands, and there is a short trigger available if you need to go smaller still. The 225 is a single stack version of the 228 (actually, a precursor), so the grip is a bit thinner, and you can also get a short trigger or it.

I would also suggest the CZ Compact or PCR (the PCR being the alloy frame version of the Compact). The all steel [heavier] Compact might be a bit more 'recoil-friendly'. I have found the CZ's to be equal to the SIGs in quality, reliability, and ergonomics and $100-150 less expensive/unit. That's a case of 9mm FMJ for practice

Good luck, & have at, keep us posted.

 

[medmo]

I agree that the pump scatter gun in 12 or 20 gauge would probably fit the bill better. If you are not going to spend a lot of time at the range practicing at least you will have a club to swing if you miss with all of your rounds.

If it has to be 9mm pistol I would think about any Glock or a S&W Sigma. No levers to crank or buttons to push. If you aren't going to shoot it much then keep it simple. Point and squeeze the trigger.

Have you thought of a revolver? If you are not going to shoot it much it can't get any more simple. Plus you will be able to tell if it is loaded from 8 ft away.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

maxbass, welcome. Have you looked into the Walther P99? Weight is 28oz unloaded, I believe. It has interchangeable backstraps to fit different hand sizes. Some people have said that the recoil is sharper than other 9mms, but I have not noticed this. CDNN has certain versions going for $369 or lower I believe.