Which would you buy for ~$500

[Chrome]

I'm looking to purchase a handgun and could use some input. This will not be my first handgun, but will be my first I've owned in a caliber larger than .22. Please do not consider caliber options when giving your input. That is a descicion I have yet to make, but feel I have adequte information to do so.

The guns use, from most likely to least likely is: range use, nightstand, and maybe carried. Therefore, size isn't that important. I'm looking for a good shooter that is reliable. Nightsights can always be added later.

Here are some of the guns I'm looking at, but feel free to suggest others. I currently have $500 and I'm a little flexible, but no higher than $600. Yes I know some on the list are more than that price, but I can find them local in used but excellent condition for said price.

Beretta 92/96
Beretta PX4
Springfield Armory XD9 5"
CZ 75B SS
CZ 85 Combat
Walther P99
Glock 17
Glock 19
Taurus PT 92/99

Thanks for your input.

Later,
Chrome...

 

[fletcher]

I think I would recommend the XD or CZs. I do not recommend the Beretta 92/96 because of poor design with respect to safety placement; the Taurus PT92 and PT99 would be good alternatives to the 92/96.

EDIT: Also, if you do not like the feel of the XD, try holding a Glock, or vice versa.

 

[Alphazulu6]

Glock 17/19. Absolutely the best "by the bed" pistol, or when your life hangs in the balance of an operational pistol.

 

[Shipwreck]

I would go check the walther forum ( http://www.waltherforums.com/vb/ ) and Handgunforum (www.handgunforum.net ) for reference on the Walther P99 A/S (only the A/S - the other trigger variations are not as good) - then, go get a P99 A/S.

As for the others on your list, I'd recommend the Beretta 92FS, despite the comment stated above.

 

[whistler]

you can't go wrong with any that you listed. but I think the PX4 is just plain ugly.

 

[glockman19]

In order I'd get:
Glock 17 or 19
Beretta 92/96
Springfield XD
CZ 75B SS or 85 Combat
Walther P99

I would not even consider a Taurus

 

[Chrome]

Thanks for your input already guys.

The reason a Taurus is on that list is my dad has owned his 99 since 1985. He sold all his revolvers and bought it when I was born. It's the gun that's protected me since I was a child. 22 years and thousands of rounds later it is still his nightstand gun.

That said, it isn't likely I will buy the Taurus when an extra hundred bucks or so buys a Beretta.

Later,
Chrome...

 

[10-Ring]

You have a lot of nice guns on your list and I doubt you would go wrong w/ any of them. The answer you look for can be really subjective so my adivce would be to try as many as possible before you buy & get the one that works best in your hands -- but, if it were me, I'd go w/ the Beretta 92fs or maybe the newer 90-two. I've had great fun shooting mine & the guys I've recommended it to have enjoyed their's as well.

 

[jimmy]

The list contains a number of world-class pistols, so it'd be hard to go wrong. Personally, I would choose Beretta 92 first, Glock 17 second, and CZ-75B third. I own examples of all three that have proven to be very reliable. Another possible option would be a Browning Hi-Power. YMMV!

 

[mpmarty]

Try them all, rent them, go to range with friends and try theirs, then decide what fits you best. I wouldn't suggest the Glock however for reasons of ergonomics and accessories available such as nice wood grips, and other options not available to Glocks.

 

[MarshallDodge]

CZ or XD.

Hmmmm....no 1911's???

 

[RNB65]

Glock 17 or CZ 75 (or SP01)

 

[Chrome]

In response to 1911 suggestion, I'm not looking for .45 and other caliber variants of the 1911 are out of my price range. Somewhere down the line I will purchase a 1911 in .45, but it won't be within a few weeks like one from the list will be.

Later,
Chrome...

 

[DWARREN123]

I have 2 that I would suggest, CZ 75 Compact (9mm) and CZ 75 Compact 40 (compact 40 cal). Just got the 9mm on the 16th of June 2007 and the Compact 40 on the 17th of July. Have put 500 rounds thru the 9mm and 200 thru the 40 compact. Both are accurate, fit me, feel good and pretty good finish.
Have shot American Eagle, WWB and Remington flat nose, FMJ and hollow points thru them with not one problem so far.
Sorry but I can not help on the others.


My handguns;
Ruger SP-101 4" 32 H&R mag
Ruger SP-101 3" 357 mag
CZ 75 Kadet 22lr
CZ 75 Compact 9mm
CZ 75 Compact 40 40 cal
Bersa Thunder 380

All work very well.

 

[tmajors]

I went with CZ-75 P01. Grip fit my hand 100X better then any glock. Second choice for me was the Springfield XD. CZ came in $100 less then an XD as I found one used but in near mint condition, had maybe two mags of ammo go through the thing.

Nice bonus on the XD's though is that I hear it's a full package complete with a kydex type holster. Didn't find that out till after I got the CZ.

 

[ugaarguy]

You have a lot of nice guns on your list and I doubt you would go wrong w/ any of them. The answer you look for can be really subjective so my adivce would be to try as many as possible before you buy & get the one that works best in your hands

10-ring beat me to it, but that's exactly what you need to do in order to find a handgun that will work really well for you.

In addition to what you've already listed I'd suggest you also look at the FN FNP and S&W M&P on the new side, as well as the HK USP/USPc and any SIG P series on the used side.

 

[CWL]

They all pretty much work all of the time for most users; it really comes down to:

1. Which one you think looks the best;
2. Which one feels the best; and
3. Which one is the most accurate to your shooting style (you will get different results from each gun because of how your hands are shaped).

Our opinions shouldn't affect your decision because we all have our own biases.

 

[Lonestar49]

Guess.. lol

...

My first gun purchase, based on grip, weight, size-width, height, CCW capabilities, reliability, accuracy, cost, SIMPLICITY to disassemble, inspect, clean, reassemble, "forgiveness" in lack-of cleaning (really not in my case) researched, owners reports.

It came down to a Beretta Px4 40cal.


DA/SA, with a Hammer, one can see, as "out of sight, out of mind", human error is always a possibility, ruled out any Glocks, hammer-less guns for my first gun.

Safety-decocker, in one.. lends itself to a first-gun forgiving teacher/friend (which is not your case, but still applies) as opposed to a non-forgiving gun, with explanations below, IMHO.

Chambered, rdy if needed, smooth, out of the box, DA/SA pull weights.
Smooth, easy slide action, easy thumb-cock of hammer into quick SA mode, made even easier with the Px4's semi-DA mode, by a light pull of the trigger from full DA mode, into a short pull, "click" and you're in short-DA mode, and much easier, faster, thumb-cocking of hammer into SA mode..

And IMHO, those 2 "clicks" can "set a tone" for whatever is looking at the end of your gun pointing at them.. diffuser-option, IMHO.

IMHO, Hammer-less guns, as I said, for a first time gun, are unforgiving, in that, out of sight, may lend to, out of mind, otherwise, cocked, chambered, rdy to fire, and the DA pulls are somewhere between 5 to 8 lbs, IIRC, otherwise, non-forgiving IMHO.

Whereas, with hammer, you know (you can "see") that it is cocked (or not) and, even if you have a brain-fart moment, and either pull your gun out of or, put in back in, your holster, "with your finger inside the trigger guard, or worse, on the trigger.. no, no, but, those kind of brain-farts happen in a nanosecond, and that's all it takes, and IMHO, a DA pull of say 4.5lbs - 6.0 lbs, is far less-forgiving, than the standard 10.5lb "full" pull weight of a DA/SA
hammered gun.

And, 4000 rounds later, with no failures, no jams, no failures to fire, just 100% reliable and it is my "most trusted gun" as it has proven itself to me, and many others, as a Dependable, reliable, accurate, combat pistol..

And, for what it's worth, I think it is a very unique-combat, modern, good-looking, pistol/weapon.


But, as others have mentioned, your list of choices are among the best out there, "in the right hands"



LS

 

[ZooKeeper]

XD

 

[BADUNAME13]

CZ75B or Glock 19


The CZ for ALOT cheaper than $500, and only $500 for the Glock if it comes WITH night sites!

 

[Black Adder LXX]

I'd go with the Beretta 92 or storm first, followed by the CZ and XD.

 

[goings_51]

I ran a poll on two of these recently.
http://www.thehighroad.org/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=3293

It was really too close to call, but I went with the Springfield and have been very happy.

 

[W.E.G.]

G17

Indestructible in your lifetime.

 

[trueblue1776]

Be different, get the P99

 

[eldon519]

If you can find a Beretta 92G, I'd say it's about the best you can do. The Beretta is a great gun, and my only complaint was the safety/decocker with the G takes care of.