Which of these 5"+ barrel handguns?

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Gargamel

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Gun will be used for range plinking, accuracy shooting and moving targets shooting. All on amateur level without competition. It will be used for home protection also. Caliber must be 9mm.

I would like a realiable gun that is good out of the box, good looking, fun to shoot and accurate. I'm set to guns that have 5" long barrel or more (for greater accuracy). Price range shouldn't be too high.

I can't get CZ in my country so i'm looking these 4 guns:

Glock 34
g1.png

Walther PPQ M2

OR

Walther PPQ Q5
CjcrE1yUYAA3alg.jpg

S&W m&P9
clyde_armory_smith_and_wesson_mp9_151084.jpg

Help me choose. Right now i'm biased towards Walther...
 
I'll recommend the Glock, again. Excellent track record, and the gun that set the standard for the new era of striker-fired polymer pistols. Glocks are among the most dependable firearms I've ever seen in a long life of fooling with guns.

I think the Walther is trying too had in outer space alien blaster styling. As an American, perhaps I should support the M&P out of chauvinism, and it is a good gun--but it was recently dropped from consideration in our military trials. Probably it would serve you well, though, so I'll make it my second place recommendation.

Rather as the Mauser 96 set the trend for guns of its type, early in the last century, and had imitators, the Glock is in a similar position in the early 21st--leader of the pack. Another analogous case is the Smith and Wesson Hand Ejector revolvers. Soon after they were revealed, everyone else started making revolvers that way.
 
Gargamel said:
Gun will be used for range plinking, accuracy shooting and moving targets shooting. All on amateur level without competition. It will be used for home protection also. Caliber must be 9mm.

I would like a realiable gun that is good out of the box, good looking, fun to shoot and accurate. I'm set to guns that have 5" long barrel or more (for greater accuracy). Price range shouldn't be too high. ...
Click to expand...
Sounds to me like what you have described is the G34 ... but ... you have stated that you are leaning toward the Walther, so ... <shrug>

With some exceptions, my preference runs to more utilitarian- and/or classic-looking firearms. To my eye, the M&P looks a bit too "designed" and the PPQ, a bit over the top, bordering on silly-looking.

Whatever you choose, though, Enjoy! :)
 
Gargamel

I would likewise go with the Glock 34 though I would be hard pressed to say it was "good looking". Super reliable and tons of aftermarket support would make this the front runner for me.

As GBExpat alluded to with the Walther PPQ Q5 it's somewhat out there in terms of all the ports on the slide. Kind of reminds me of a 1952 Buick Roadmaster! The grip design is first rate and very comfortable to use.

The S&W M&P9 is another very good, serviceable pistol but I have never felt quite at home with the grip design or cared much for the trigger as it comes from the factory.
 
I have shot all except that the PPQ was an original with lever magazine catch.

The PPQ had a very good out-of-the-box trigger as striker fired guns go. This is important to me, my S&W was set up by the first specialist gunsmith in the country and is much improved over the factory configuration.

Glock 9mms are well developed, reliable, durable, and have a large aftermarket. Some aftermarket products and modifications actually work.

S&W Plastic M&P is well accepted. I have READ that some 9mms are less accurate than you would want. Mine is OK but not outstanding.
 
Any of those ought to be perfectly good for your stated purpose. You may want to note that, if you ever get tempted to get into competitive action/practical shooting competitions (which are super fun!), the IPSC rules make striker fired guns rather non-competitive. Even if you're not ready for that kind of sport yet, if you think you might ever go that way, you may want to look at the hammer-fired guns from the start.

FWIW, I think this is the website for the Slovak Republic IPSC section. http://www.sads.sk/ I can't read it, but maybe you can!

Note that I am NOT an expert in the IPSC rules; I shoot the American version (USPSA) which has slightly different equipment rules. One of the big perceived differences in those rules, as I understand them, is that IPSC has a minimum first-shot trigger-weight requirement for Production division, whereas USPSA does not. That means that USPSA shooters can put lighter triggers in their Glocks and such, but IPSC shooters cannot. Thus, an IPSC shooter with a striker-fired gun is stuck with a heavy trigger on every shot, while an IPSC shooter with a DA hammer-fired gun can have a heavy DA trigger on the first shot and then a much lighter pull on every subsequent shot.

I know this is very far down the road, and not something I would normally even mention to someone looking for their first gun. However, since you are subject to legal requirements that makes changing guns much harder than for most Americans, and since you mention a desire to shoot "moving targets" (which are most often found, at least in the U.S., in the context of practical shooting competitions), I thought I'd mention it.

Feel free to disregard if you don't think any of this is relevant. Good luck, and here's hoping you enjoy whatever range toy you select!
 
Longer barrel only means better accuracy due to longer sight radius. Don't discount some "standard" length models which may be suprisingly accurate. You can find "match" barrels for lots of popular guns that you may already have. In 9mm you have lots of options in standard and longer barrel varieties. my opinion is that you would be better served with a production "match" (like xdm or similar) pistol that fits your hand REALLY well, has a good set of sights (probably aftermarket), shooting consistent ammo that it likes (try a whole bunch of varieties) and then lastly once you find all that, barrel length is a minor factor.
 
You will have to evaluate this based on your local situation, but if you are going to be shooting it a lot, you MUST have the logistical support of parts/holsters/magazines/maybe gunsmiths, etc, available.

After that, ergonomics of the pistol in your hand is pretty much the only other concern. All of those will be plenty accurate/reliable/etc etc for your stated needs, so get the one that feels best in your hand, and/or lets you manipulate it the best. Hands, and the fit of a handgun to your hands, is very specific and different from person to person.
 
I personally favor the M&P for both ergonomics and aesthetics, but am thinking you may have an easier time getting parts and accessories for the Glock over there.

Do you have an opportunity to handle or fire anything before you buy?
 
D'oh! This is what happens when you learn geography before the fall of Communism!
 
If you're concerned with accuracy, don't get an M&P.

Glocks have a lot going for them, but the PPQ is likely to be slightly more accurate. Both mechanically and because of its trigger.
 
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I've seen some pretty impressive groups from some Gen4s. I just don't know if that is common.
 
You guys are not making this easy for me :)
Our country has very strict rules about guns and you can't just go and buy some parts to install them. For example, if you want to replace parts like slide, barrel, frame and revolver cylinder you need to get a special purchase authorization - the same as you would buy a brand new gun. So upgrades can be done on other parts like trigger, etc. easier.

That's why i'm looking for a very good gun out of a box. I'll try them all next week and see how they feel in my hand. My friends will get more expensive Tanfoglio and Sig Sauer guns so i need something to be competitive :)
 
The most target-like gun out of the box would be the Walther. The mate the barrels to the slides and the triggers are about as smooth and light as any gun of this type. The usual compliment given HK VP9's trigger is that it is almost as good as the PPQ.
 
If you are set on the three you listed above I think I would also go with the Walther.

While the standard M&P9 is not a target gun and not considered very accurate S&W does make an M&P9 Pro which is very accurate. When at the slightly higher price it still doesn't cost what the others cost.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57775_757751_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

The Performance Center M&P9 is even more accurate and very well made. I'm only mentioning these two in case you were staying away from them because of lack of accuracy.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...98659_757900_757896_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

Can you get Browning handguns where you live? The Hi-Power is very accurate, reliable and good looking too but I'm not sure it's it's in your price range. It will compete with the Sigs and Italian guns your friends will bring.
 
another vote for PPQ. It will have the best trigger and accuracy out of the box. If you want to put a couple hundred into the other two with trigger upgrades they would then be close
 
I have the PPQ 5" 9mm and a Gen3 Glock 34. I like them both. I will have to say the PPQ has a better trigger and better ergonomics.

Glock mags are WAY cheaper and there is a bevy of aftermarket items for them, the PPQ, not so much.

Get both!!!!
 
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