Hey all, im looking into buying my first gun, that is if my permits ever come through, and ive narrowed it down to a few and was hoping for some opinions.

 

im generally pretty broke all the time, so ive been looking at less expensive full size 9mms, heres what ive narrowed it down to:

 

Ruger p95

S&W sigma series (sw9ve)

Taurus pt 24/7

 

does anyone have experience with any of these? also, feel free to suggest alternatives. im open to buying used, as well

 

also, i wanted to see how some of these fit in my hand, so i went to the bullet hole in bellville, and they told me i cant even touch a gun without my FID card... anyone know where i can hold, or maybe even rent one of these guns? any comments or opinions are welcome, thanks in advance!

How about a Beretta 92FS? Used they are not that expensive. If you come down to Brick Armory any given wed night there are a few of us that always bring our 9mm's and you can try them out to see which you like best.

ive always loved the look of the Beretta 92, but for some reason i thought it would be on the big side for me, ive got average-small sized hands.

 

meeting up with some guys would be awesome, ive been wanting to get into shooting as a hobby for a long time, but cant convince any of my friends to come. ive been hesitant to go by myself, i dont wanna look like a tool and not know what im doing, ya know?...maybe ill get a NJGF shirt, so you can recognize me, and head down there one of these wednesdays

I agree with Chad. You should be able to find a lightly used Beretta 92FS or Glock 17 for around $400.

I can't say anything for or against current Taurus products, but I have nothing but negatives to say about their older guns. My friend's Taurus Beretta clone (PT92?) is so inaccurate, it would do more damage being thrown at someone's head than it would by aiming and shooting at them. As for the Ruger's, I never have a bad word to say about them either(especially their customer service). I bet you could find a lightly used SR9 in your price range too.

How about a Beretta 92FS? Used they are not that expensive. If you come down to Brick Armory any given wed night there are a few of us that always bring our 9mm's and you can try them out to see which you like best.

 

+1

 

I have both a 92Fs ans a S&W M&P 9.

 

I love my M&P 9 as it fits my hand perfect and it is not really broken in yet, but man, I love that 92FS.

 

I am a new shooter and I was driving tacks with it my 1st day at range with it (and maybe my 4th time ever shooting).

 

You are more then welcome to try my 92.

 

BTW, I have smallish hands myself and the 92 is fine.

 

I was you 6 months ago not wanting to go to range by myself, lol.

The Taurus 24/7 pro is a fine pistol, it has many features that the higher end pistols have at a lower NIB cost.

I had a 9mm and out about 2k rounds though it with no troubles at all, if money is an issue I would put it up there

and above the sigma series. The only complaint about it is I do not like the strait 8 Hine sights, it's just a personal

issue more then performance but at the time there were no after market choices, there maybe now.

 

I sold mine last year and have regretted it ever since.

 

The 92 is an excellent choice but many find it bland compared to the many other options out there now.

CZ also makes an excellent pistol that you just cannot go wrong with. My suggestion is take a trip down

to south Jersey to Shore Shot, they have a huge stock of pistols in ever brand and caliber. They will let you

hold them and even let you rent and shoot what they have on the rental board.

 

Getting advise from others is a good start but always try and get as much hands on time as you can.

With some things it's just impossible because no one carries them but with what your looking for it's very easy.

Set a price point and see what's in it handle them if you can rent and shoot do so then make your decision.

I have small hands for my size and have a number of different pistols and revolvers that I can shoot comfortably.

 

Good Luck.

Come to the group shoots and shoot as many samples of different guns as you can get your hands on. Among us all, we probably have every easily available 9mm pistol in existence. Take notes on what you like and dislike about each one. You'll eventually find the one that fits you best.

 

I don't know from experience, but I seem to remember that there were issues with the Sigmas, and that S&W got past them when they introduced the new M&P line.

 

Don't rush into something because of someone else's recommendations. There are a lot of guns out there. Find the one that works for you, and you'll be happier with your choice.

 

K

I agree with all the above posters. And Hodgie mentioned my favorite current handgun maker, CZ. If you're someone that wants an affordable all metal gun, CZ is the way to go. I love my CZ75B Compact. The weight makes recoil non-existent.

And Hodgie is right about Shore Shot too. They have the best collection of handguns I have seen in any store in New Jersey. If you ever get the rifle bug, head around the corner to Brick Armory for a great collection of long arms.

ive always loved the look of the Beretta 92, but for some reason i thought it would be on the big side for me, ive got average-small sized hands.

 

meeting up with some guys would be awesome, ive been wanting to get into shooting as a hobby for a long time, but cant convince any of my friends to come. ive been hesitant to go by myself, i dont wanna look like a tool and not know what im doing, ya know?...maybe ill get a NJGF shirt, so you can recognize me, and head down there one of these wednesdays

 

DO NOT worry about that my friend. Just make sure you go when Matt is there and I PROMISE you will not look like a tool, he takes the tool cake. And he really has no clue what he is doing. All kidding aside, there are tons of new shooters every week there, its really not a problem. Everyone is very willing to show new shooters the ropes. Its what we do! I can certainly understand the intimidation factor, but you'll get over that in about 10 seconds. Just don't let wolfy show you anything he is a horrible shot. :shock:

I know they aren't the cheapest but after getting my first Springfield XD40, I'm a huge fan of their entire line. I'm planning on getting a Sub Compact to compliment my 5" tactical in fact!

Don't worry about having small-ish hands. I have butcher hands myself, so I feel your pain. Most grips will vary due to what type of magazine they hold (double stack or single stack), but, for example, an XD9 with a 3'' barrel has the same grip as one with a 5'' barrel. I think most new people to guns get the misconception that a larger model, say a full-sized 1911, would be more difficult to grip then a sub-compact, like a Glock 26.

 

Because of this, I would, like others, highly recommend going to a place like Shore Shots (who have a very wide variety of rental guns) or to the group shoots we have weekly at Brick Armory (check the "Events," and you'll see we put up a post weekly... you can feel free to request if someone would be willing to bring whichever model you might be interested in... which would be far cheaper then doing rentals IMO). You do not need a FID to rent at Shore Shots or Brick Armory, though I would recommend going with someone who knows how to answer questions you might bring up and to maybe show you proper gun handling/range etiquette (to include any range officers present).

 

As for my opinion, I would agree with the Beretta 92, any polymer (Glock, XD, M&P), SR9... I've heard good and bad things about the SW Sigma. I've heard the grip is amazing, but one would have to get accustomed to the trigger. I've also heard some pretty good things about the Tauras 24/7 series, though I've never shot one. My only advice, and others would agree, is that if you're going to go polymer, stick with 9MM like you're already planning. I have an XD in 40 myself, and while I've grown accustomed to it, it is still a bit snappy.

wow i started out with a 7.62 AR and a .45 glock, maybe i shoulda started with something smaller.

Chad I maybe a tool but I'm still your babies daddy

 

I agree with the XD line of guns. After playing with a couple different ones I'm a firm believer in them. The only thing is they need a trigger job which isn't too too hard to do. But man are they fun to shoot.

 

But as everyone else has already said, go to one of the meets and there is pretty much any gun you could ever imagine wanting to try and shoot available. This is a great group of guys, always willing to help a new guy. Just watch out for Joe (Wolfy) he has expensive taste in S&W's and you'll be wishing you didn't shoot one of his guns

DON'T SHOOT WOLFY'S GUNS! You will end up wanting one. Make sure you go to a meet and try as many different brands as you can. I always bring an XD or two and you are welcome to shoot mine. Both have trigger kits so you can see how smooth they can be for a very easy mod.

DON'T SHOOT WOLFY'S GUNS! You will end up wanting one. Make sure you go to a meet and try as many different brands as you can. I always bring an XD or two and you are welcome to shoot mine. Both have trigger kits so you can see how smooth they can be for a very easy mod.

 

How easy? I sent mine in for the night sights but wouldn't mind doing the trigger job myself IF it's "easy"!

Thanks for the compliments on my Smith's. Chad I still shoot better than you and even though you are making false statements about me you are cooler than Matt. You should come to uor gatherings the guys will let you try anything in a low key environment.

Very easy! All you need is a little punch and a fine jeweler's file. We did the whole thing in about an hour. The second one was a little quicker.

like yourself I am new to guns. I was very nervous the first time I went by myself. My first gun is the cz75b 9mm and I absolutely love it. They are reasonably priced too. Like everyone said just go to one of the Wednesday meets. Everybody is really nice and more then willing to give you a few pointers. As for the 24/7, I hear they are nice guns, BA actually has a 2 toned 24/7 pro for sale. I am not sure how much they want for it though.

Very true wolfman, you are a much better shot than me, but that aint saying much lol!!!

 

XDs & Glocks are great guns but I don't recommend a gun with no safety for a first firearm. Just my opinion.

I dont own one but have shot hundreds rounds through glock 17s and 19s .the 19 makes more sense in nj and the glock has 3 internal safteys and the xd has the addition of the grip saftey .if its also a home defense gun you want as few things to fumble with when shtf

+1

What is your budget for gun, ammo, extra mags? That will determine if you go used or new. Try not to go by price alone if possible. A little extra if you can is worth the comfort which will aid you in shooting more accurately. It is better to buy a used gun that fits your hand vs a new gun that does not.

Internal safeties, grip safeties, trigger safeties as far as I'm concerned mean nothing. If you pull the trigger it shoots. I dont consider any safety a safety unless when its engaged you pull the trigger and it does not shoot. Just my preference. All in all, the only true safety is YOU.

Chad I am a better shot than your wife!!!! 8-)

I'd also recommend you check out CZ pistols, particularly their compact models, the PCR and the P-01. They're a little more expensive than the guns you mentioned, but well worth the extra money.

Chad I am a better shot than your wife!!!! 8-)

 

She said you are NOT! hahahahaaaaaaa

I def reco going to one of the meet ups (and I need to seriously get my ass to a Wed).

 

1st real time I ever went shooting was at the Central jersey meet this past summer.

 

I would walk down the lanes and people would stop me and ask me to shoot their guns.

ARs, M1's,etc. People would even bring their handguns over for me to shoot since they knew I was a noob.

 

Their is nothing like that experience and the people here who make that possible.

Thanks alot guys, i'm certainly going to come one of these wednesdays, sounds like a great way to start getting into shooting! I look forward to seeing you all there :text-thankyoublue:

If you stop at BA, talk to a guy named Daniel, he may have some opinions on which 9mm you should buy

( I'd agree with him)

If you stop at BA, talk to a guy named Daniel, he may have some opinions on which 9mm you should buy

( I'd agree with him)

 

 

Yeah, on the forum we have...

 

3 unpaid firearms reps.

 

Wolfy is a smith rep..... or at least I can swear he is. How else can he have almost every smith made in existence.

 

Daniel (circlesqr), who works at BA is basicly a Sig rep.

 

and we do have an actual former Sig rep on the forum here, but not sure if he wants it mentioned. =)