I went shopping for a full size 9mm today. I had pretty much narrowed it down to 5 models before I went out:

 

HK P30L

Sig P226 Elite Dark

CZ 75B

Beretta 92FS

M&P 9 pro 5"

 

There are 2 reasons for this purchase.

1. I don't have a full size 9. ( every body should have at least one)

2. I want something to use starting out in USPSA (production).

 

I really wanted to love the CZ but, I not only didn't love it, I didn't even like it, at all. It didn't feel right in my hand and honestly it felt cheap. The Beretta seemed a bit better quality wise but, still didn't feel right in my hand. The P226 was nice, it felt good and it was very solid and well made. The M&P didn't have a solid, quality feel to it but, it sure fit my hand nice. And that light DAO trigger would be great for USPSA. The HK, Ah the HK. That thing felt incredible! It seemed to wrap itself into my hand and I didn't want to put it down. My only concern with it is that HEAVY trigger pull in DA. Even with that, I can't stop thinking about it. I mean part of me wants to sell all my handguns and buy all HK's.

 

Can anyone give me a reason to go with the $600 M&P over the $1000 HK?

Steve, you have to now find out what you can do to the trigger of the HK, from how you described each of them, even if you were happy with one of the others the HK will always be in the back of your mind, so I say go for the one you really like and don't skimp now and just replace it later.

The old "Buy once, cry once" saying. I know. It's a done deal in my head, just really didn't plan to spend that much. Oh well, it's only money. Man the wife is gonna be po'd.

See if you can find it used.

All i can say is that i LOVE my M&P 9mm. Hopefully you will too..

Freejersey why should everyone have a full size "9" just askin?

Beretta PX4 Type C 9mm

Let me throw out the FNX 9mm. I think you will like it if you like the USP... and cheaper, about $550 max. The issue is 10rds mags only. It ships with 17rd mags.

The FNX 9 is a really good choice, and you may find a dealer that will fix the magazines for you. There are NO 10-rounders for it. You would have to get and FNH FNP-9 for the 10-rounders, and if you do that, look for the USG version. FNH has no plans to make FNX 10 or 15-rounders to replace the 17 rounders. Additionally, if you go with either, those magazines will NOT work with each other. FNX and FNP are not interchangeable, and they won't work with the "to be released" FNS 9 striker fired pistol. Additionally, the FNH pistols cannot be fully broken down and must be serviced at the factory if that is EVER required. Other than that, I think they are awesome pistols and I believe now you can get alternate sights for them and holsters which used to be a concern.

 

I am particularly interested in the FNS line when it comes out, especially with the thumb safety variety and if it has a really sweet trigger, but IF FN doesn't provide usable magazines, then I will have to look elsewhere. They certainly won't have them when it is finally released. And, when it is released it will be to law enforcement only, initially.

 

I would have at least one FNX-9 if I could get it with 15-rounders, even if I had to get them pinned. But ONLY if I could also get additional magazines of the 10-round variety (which I cannot).

 

Quite frankly in this state, I would rather have a Glock 19 with the thumb safety installed and lots of parts and cheap magazines than the FN. Or, an M&P. At least you can get 15-rounders for it. If I move out of this unconstitutional state then I would probably get an FN in a heartbeat. I actually like having a hammer and the ability to carry "cocked and locked".

 

In 9mm, you really are limited to "compact" size 9mms or stuck with 10-round limitation, unless you get a few pistols, such as the Beretta 92FS or the CZ75B that actually have 15-rounder variety.

 

As a side note, you won't have a magazine limitation with the FNX 40, and I believe that although the FNP 40 and FNX 40 magazines are not interchangeable, the FNX 40 magazines will be interchangeable with the FNS 40.

 

If you have to have full-size and you don't mind striker fired, I would choose the M&P full size. If you want a DA/SA, then I would go with the Beretta 92A1 (if it fits your hands).

 

On a budget, check out the Ruger SR9 (limited to 10-rounders) or the Ruger P89. If you want to spend a lot of money, checkout a SIG 229. However, if you want value, stick with the M&P or get the Glock 19.

 

Check out a Witness as well, or maybe an AR24, or, an STI Spartan 1911 in 9mm.

Beretta PX4 "Type C"

 

A Beretta that has the same trigger pull from first to last shot. Hammer fired Constant (almost single ) Action pistol with a rotating barrel.

Don't forget the H&K P30L comes in a LEM trigger option as well if you prefer that. I confess I own a P30S V3, so I think it's a fine choice.