Which Firearm for Home Defense?
Hey everyone,
1st time gun owner here, and I'm looking for my first home defense firearm. Unfortunately my LGS owner is unable to get ahold of the SIG P226 that I so dearly want, so I have to start researching all over again. I'm looking for a 9mm.
I've been to multiple gun shows looking for firearms, and have held many Berettas, Springfield Armory, Para Ordnance, etc. I also prefer a metal frame moreso than polymer pistols.
What would your recommendations be for a 1st time pistol owner?
As others have said, if your LGS can't get a P226, get a new LGS or tell yours to stop being lazy. Sigs aren't exactly rare...
As for which 9mm Metal frame gun you should get...well, you have many good options. Sig (as you have already expressed a liking for) makes a very nice gun. So does CZ (as others have mentioned), Beretta, Smith and Wesson and Ruger all make good quality metal frame 9mm guns. Most of these guns have the same mode of operation, DA/SA operation (if you dont know what this means, just ask, someone will be happy to explain it.
Here is a short list of guns that are roughly equivalent to a Sig P226 in terms of size, capacity, and function.
- CZ75B and variants. Excellent accuracy (maybe better than Sig), reliability at a midrange price. Buy with confidence.
- Beretta M92 and M9A1 (the military designation of the M92). Good accuracy, reliability at similar price to a CZ. The US Military uses Berettas, so despite what some haters say, they are bound to be very good guns.
- Smith and Wesson 5906 or other older metal frame Smith 9mm. These are out of production, but are available used. I have no personal experience with this particular model, but Smith has a good reputation. I would have no hesitation about buying a used Smith as long as I could check it over first.
- Ruger P85MKII and P89. This was Ruger's entry into the US military trials to compete with the Beretta and Sig back in the mid 1980's. I dont know if Ruger actually submitted these for testing in time, but they are good guns. Cheap on the used market (they stopped production a couple years back), very reliable with decent accuracy. These guns have a fairly heavy trigger that can be difficult for some shooters. I have a P85MKII and I trust my life to it, it's my nightstand gun.
You really wont go wrong with any of these guns. If you can try before you buy, you should.
I would encourage you to explore the polymer frame guns before you buy. Glock, Smith and Wesson M&P's, Springfield XD's are all Excellent guns at reasonable prices. Glocks do not have a manual safety which bothers some folks, but they are super simple and easy to use. The Smith M&P and Springer XD can both be had with a manual safety if you prefer. I have shot all of these guns and I like them all pretty well. I own a Glock 20SF in 10mm, but if Smith and Wesson made an M&P in 10mm, I would trade my Glock in and get the M&P for the ergonomics. I will say that the Polymer guns tend to feel different in terms of recoil, they are lighter (in mass) and when compared side by side with a metal gun, I feel that they are a bit snappier.
If you are really new to handguns, make sure you get LOTS of practice ammo and spend some quality time with your new gun, whatever you get. Any of the guns I have mentioned should serve you well, but only if you take the time to get good with it.
Good Luck.