What is the best 9mm to start with ?

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"p.s. if youre looking for home defense invest in hollow points if theyre legal in youre area. and whatever you buy DO NOT BUY ANYTHING CHAMBERED FOR .380! stick to at least a 9mm luger. ive heard nothing good about .380s, supposedly they have ridiculously heavy trigger pull, low stopping power, and are notorious for jamming."

I have a Beretta 84F. It doesn't have a heavy trigger, it doesn't jam, and it's calculated to have a 71% chance of incapacitation with one shot (as opposed to 9mm's 90-something). So the stopping power is low relative to some, higher relative to others.
 
WELCOME to THR!!!

1) Go to a Gun Shop and Handle everything you can put your mitts on...

2) Find one that expresses itself as a natural extension to your hand... you gotta LOVE the way it feels...

3) Now go to a range that will rent that same model and shoot several boxes of ammo thru it...


All else aside, Browning Hi Power and CZ P01 - BOTH are a Great Place to Start!!!
 
Start where most of the world did...

With the 9mm Browning Hi-Power. Originally created by John Moses Browning in the 1930's, (after he created the 1911) the total number of guns created with this design has been HUGE compared to practically anything else. It's a masterpiece of design, still sold all over the world, and it's a true classic. For CCW it's not the best with its SA action, but as a starter 9mm you'll probably never wind up selling it. It was the first handgun I ever bought when I tured 21 in 1971, and I still have mine!! :D :p
 
Let Your hands Decide!

Most of the 9mms on the market today are pretty darned good quality. Go to an indoor range that rents pistols. Try 5 of them:

Browning HP
Glock 19 (good middle of the road size)
SA XD 4"
Ruger
1 other of your own choosing

Fire 20 rounds through each. Purchase the one that feels the best. I have had Glock, Browning, Ruger, Springfield in 9mm. They were all excellent.

Given that fact, I would then go with price. Point of ratiionality (get the most for the least). If that doesn't clear it up, determine if you want polymer, aluminum or steel for the frame.

Good luck,

Doc2005
 
Buying a handgun is a very personal process. You need to buy what fits you best and what you like to shoot. If you have a price point, take care in looking at more expensive guns. I have already doubled my budget. I do believe you get what you pay for.
If you plan to carry, you may find yourself buying a gun for different seasons.
I am a new shooter myself, but I have already shot 10 different handguns.
I have on order a sig p226 blackwater tactical. This will be my winter gun. It is big, rugged and accurate and comes with siglite sights and four 20 rd. mags.

I am already seeking my second gun for late spring and early autumn. I am looking at a Walther p99. have not shot yet, but it felt good in my large hand and I like that has no hammer, but can be switched from da to sa, even when charged.

I am also looking at a HKusp in 9mm. My groupings with this were as good as with the sig 226. It has a hammer, the decocker is integrated with a thumb safety. Either one can be had in a compact version and may also be my wife's first gun.

Good luck, and above all shoot safe and have fun.
 
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The Glock 19 is the probably the best selling 9 mm pistol in the world and also used world wide! Closely followed in market share by the G17 and G26 and should be give diligent consideration.

SEE:

4. Users

* Australia: Royal Australian Air Force (Glock 19), Australian Customs (Glock 17), and all Australian police services (Glock 17, 19, 22, 23, 26, 27) except the South Australia Police and Victoria Police. A Glock 17 outfitted with a thumb safety was designed specifically for the Tasmania Police. [43]
* Austria: Austrian Armed Forces (Glock 17 designated Pistole 80). [44] [45]
* Belgium: Belgian police (Glock 17), [45] Belgian State Security Service. [46]
* Canada: Numerous local law enforcement agencies to include: Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Saskatoon, South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service, Toronto. [45]
* Ecuador: National Police, various special police units such as the GOE and GIR. [45]
* Fiji: Tactical Response Unit. [47]
* Finland: The primary service firearm of the police. [48] Also in use by the Defence Forces, Department of Corrections (Vankeinhoitolaitos) and Border Guard. [49]
* France: French Army—certain naval and parachute units (Glock 17). [50]
* Georgia: Special forces. [45]
* Germany: GSG 9 of the German Federal Police, [45] Spezialeinsatzkommandos (special response teams) of several state police departments.
* Hong Kong: Special Duties Unit, Hong Kong Police Force. [45]
* Iceland: Icelandic National Police, Víkingasveitin, ICRU. [51] [52] [53]
* India: National Security Guards (Glock 17). [45]
* Indonesia: Indonesian Army Kopassus, Indonesian National Police, Detachment 88.[citation needed]
* Iraq: Iraqi security forces (largest user, purchased 125,163 Glock 19s). [54]
* Italy: Italian special forces—GIS, NOCS, "Col Moschin" Regiment, COMSUBIN, Intelligence and State Security.[citation needed]
* Jordan: Presidential Guard. [45]
* Latvia: Latvian Military (Glock 17), police. [55]
* Lebanon: Used by various police and army units.
* Lithuania: Lithuanian Armed Forces (Glock 17). [56]
* Luxembourg: Glock 17 and 26 variants used by the Unité Spéciale de la Police of the Grand Ducal Police. [57] [58]
* Macedonia: Special police forces, traffic police[citation needed]
* Malaysia: Various forces of Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Malaysian Police units. [59]
* Mexico: Secretaria de Marina. [45]
* Montenegro: Military of Montenegro [60]
* Netherlands: Military of the Netherlands (Glock 17), [61] Dutch police (Glock 17, about 250 pistols in use as a stopgap measure). [62] [63] [64]
* New Zealand: New Zealand Police (Glock 17). [65]
* Norway: Royal Norwegian Army (Glock 17 designated P-80). [45]
* Philippines: Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). [45]
* Poland: Polish police, [66] Polish Military Police (Glock 17).
* Portugal: Used in the police HK PSP, GNR (Glock 19) , In the Portuguese armed forces (Glock 17)... Glock 18c is also used in the DAE.[citation needed]
* Romania: Issued to deployed and several special operations units.[citation needed]
* Russia: Ministry of Internal Affairs. [67]
* Spain: Guardia Civil's UEI (Glock 17). [68]
* Sweden: Swedish Armed Forces (Glock 17 designated Pistol 88 and Glock 19 as Pistol 88B, [69] [70] ) Swedish Customs Service, Swedish Coast Guard.
* Switzerland : Police (Gendarmerie) Cantonal of Geneva are equipped with the Glock 19 [71] The Glarus Cantonal Police also use the Glock 19.
* Taiwan: Garrison Command. National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.[citation needed]
* Thailand: Policeman in 3 south province by G2G buying condition. (Glock 19, 2,238 pcs.) and some policeman, soldier and citizen nationwide. (some models) [45]
* United Kingdom: Greater Manchester Police, Tactical Firearms Unit Specialist Firearms Command of the London Metropolitan Police Service, [72] Police Service of Northern Ireland and certain Scottish Police Specialist Firearms Units (Glock 17). [73]
* United States: FBI, Department of Treasury IRS Criminal Investigation Division, [74] DEA, [75] EPA Criminal Investigation Division, New York City Police Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Philadelphia Police Department, thousands of other agencies at the national, state, and local levels.
* Venezuela [45]
 
03Shadowbob said:
benzino,
I was thinking the same thing. pfffttttt NooBs. Kinda like having over 200 posts in a 10 day period.
Click to expand...
Does a post count really matter? I just want to help folks and be friendly boys. I am sorry if I am taken up so much of your bragging room. You should see the fan email I get PMed to me. Send me one and we can talk!.........:D
 
Short answer: The weapon that feels, fits and shoots best [for you]. Keep in mind that a weapon with a 5" barrel is great for say, HD, but as a CCW it may not be appropriate. Hence, sub-4" barrels may be a better solution for CC, if thats your thing.

In terms of brand, well there are many greats out there. For 9mm I prefer Sig Sauer P226 or P239 and the Springfield Armory XD9's. But, these are only preferences based on my own experience. Ive also heard great things about Glock in 9mm. But, for me, the Glock just does not "feel" right.

Just dont take anybodys word for it. Do a bit of research, find roughly 3 weapons you can afford, "rent" and shoot them (assuming your local range allows for rentals) and go from there. Also, investigate different trigger mechanisms such as DA/SA, DAK (Sig Sauer), DAO. In addition, there are hammer fire weapons (these are your "traditional" style handguns) and striker fire weapons (such as Glocks and XDs) to consider. Research this as well.

Happy hunting!
 
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03Shadowbob said:
Doesn't matter at all which is why I am always perplexed when someone always has something to say and is so self absorbed / self important to think that he/she must post something even if they are way off on their information they pass off as truth.
Click to expand...
My post are not required reading material sir and you are in no position of authority to control or comment on them. I have several happy readers!

I do wish you well and sorry I have jumped into your sandbox, but I am here!
 
Talk about a blast from the past, this one's over three years old!!
Click to expand...

Yeah...this reminds me of an issue I posed to the admins earlier. Oh well...Im hoping that, in the very least, newcomers will get something out of this thread. ;)
 
I'd say any of the major manufacturers full size 9mm will suite your needs. Concentrate on learning how to handle and sight a pistol.....The full sized models will be your most reliable also......I'll echo the "make sure it fits your hand" crowd.
 
Glock 19 is probably the best all around 9mm. Not too big to conceal but big enough to shoot easily, very reliable and tough, and very affordable.
 
...the Ruger P89 and P95 are both resonably priced on the used market...around $300-350...in stainless...I prefer the decocker model but either is great value...I wouldn't buy a brand new gun for my first one...too much chance that you won't like it and take a hit on the trade-in..a less expensive one might end up being put up and brought out later...I buy two Rugers for less than some new top-end guns and have reliability and accuracy...
 
"...Buy what fits your hand..." Exactly. Nothing else matters. Price, maybe, but if the most expensive handgun doesn't fit your hand, you might as well have a sharp stick.
"...the best selling 9 mm pistol in the world..." Means exactly nothing.
 
...I didn't notice that the thread was old, either...but my post and several others were sincere efforts to help the OP or any other new guys who ran across this once it was bumped...I think this is the main intent of the forum...to post helpful info and opinions....NOT break into a thread with snide remarks and personal attacks...contributing nothing...kinda makes it hard to hear the mockingbird sing when there's crows cawing on the high line....
 
McCall911...

...yeah, it are...but when I hit "New Posts" and go to the recent reply posted today that bumped it back up to the top...it doesn't let me know when it was started...and I'll bet there's a newbie who'll benefit from this question...it's all good...
 
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