Gents:

 

Let me preface my post by saying that my knowledge of firearms won't fill half a thimble and since I much rather show my ignorance under the anonymity that the internet provides instead of at the gun store, here it goes:

 

In a couple weeks I'll have a live permit and I'm planning to buy a semi 9mm pistol. The vast number of choices can be overwhelming especially for the uninitiated.

I have a few general likes and dislikes:

--This one needs to work every single time.

--15 round magazine capacity is not critical

--Not based on the 1911 platform. I will be looking for a 1911 .45 later in the year.

--I would like very much to avoid multiple layers of safeties, ie: magazine disconnect, grip safety...

--Be made mostly of metal, metal alloys, ss...That pretty much eliminates the glocks, for now.

--Be full size. I have a P22 and, while is a lot of fun, I want something larger than that.

--Cost 500-600. Will spend a tiny bit more if it gets me some much better pistol.

 

What does the knowledge pool recommend I should be looking at?

 

Based on the recommendations I plan to go out and try the out before purchasing.

 

Thanks

Beretta 92FS/M9A1

Sig P226

CZ75

EAA Witness

Let me just say: Beretta 92/M9. Love mine, no regrets. Sig P226 is a good (albeit more expensive) option as well. I have both, but prefer the M9. Personal preference, my son shoots the heck out of my SIg.

Ah, Krdshrk beat me to it.

Some ideas to throw your way are: CZ 75B and the Beretta PX4 Storm. The CZ is definitely within your range.

Some ideas to throw your way are: CZ 75B and the Beretta PX4 Storm. The CZ is definitely within your range.

 

Make it the Beretta /Stoeger Cougar. The Storm is a plastic fantastic. The Cougar is a great pistol by the way. So is the CZ75 and all its variants.

Beretta M9

 

Beretta 92G or D....no manual safety, decocker only (g)

 

Stoeger Cougar

Sig P226

get the stainless steel elite & put G10 grips on.

you are going to love it

 

--This one needs to work every single time.

get a revolver

I'd reconsider the "has to be metal" thing. If you look at what most people are shooting in USPSA Production, it's Glocks and M&Ps. The M&P has a mag disconnect but it's easy to remove. However, I have a 92FS and it is 99.99% reliable. The only downside is the double-action first shot (The trigger cocks the hammer for the first round) and the front sight cannot be replaced.

Don't forget to take a look at the "Baby Eagle". Gets great reviews and has a great (in the LGS that had one for a minute) trigger. Comes in below 600. It would be in my top 3 if I was looking.

 

Good luck in the search. Google "best 9mm handguns". Great list of 10-15 guns under 650.

 

C

You won't find the SIG, even used for under $600

 

The Beretta 92FS / M9 is probably your best choice.

 

The Stoger Cougar will hit your price point and you'll still have money left over.

 

The CZ 75 is all metal, good choice Krdshrk

 

Also take a look at the Kahr MK9 - you may be able to find that for under $600.

 

The Browning Hi-Power is a good gun, and you may find a used one for under $600.

 

The Taurus PT92 is basically a Beretta 92FS copy, and you can probably find it for about $400. Ditto the American Tactical C92 (Paul from Arms and Ammo has one)

 

The Smith And Wesson 5906 is an excellent full-sized pistol and you can probably find it for $300.

 

Maybe the Jericho 941 / "Baby Eagle"

 

But the Beretta 92FS is still your best bet.

Beretta 92 inox. It's a little more than 600 but well worth it. You can even get a 22 conversion for it.

CZ 75b all the way.

The M&P has a mag disconnect but it's easy to remove.

 

Not all do. Only certain models. Only certain models have the manual safety as well.

Beretta 92a1. Front sight is removeable

any objections to buying a used gun? a used sig can be had for around $600 and you can't go wrong with it.

ruger sr9c

I'm partial to my CZ75 SP-01.

 

 

wow, that's nice...is that a safety or a decocker?

Another vote for the Beretta 92fs...

wow, that's nice...is that a safety or a decocker?

Decocker.

Go to the gun store and hold them all and get the one that fits your hand the best that you can reach everything the easiest and that is the most comfortable. It is like clothes. Buy what fits. Just dont get something cheap like a hipoint. Get major brand reliable proven guns.

 

Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Tapatalk 2

Thanks folks. You certainly gave me a bunch of ideas to consider.

 

get the stainless steel elite & put G10 grips on.

you are going to love it

 

--This one needs to work every single time.

get a revolver

 

That will be next.

 

any objections to buying a used gun? a used sig can be had for around $600 and you can't go wrong with it.

 

No objections whatsoever. I'll go thar route if I see something I like.

Another thought. Make the trip to Ready Aim Fire in Bristol, PA and rent some guns there. For one flat fee you can shoot every handgun they have, provided you buy the ammo from them. So you can try all of them out.

This was my first gun. I have a couple thousand rounds through it and not 1 failure. It eats anything I put in it. Came with 2 15 rd mags. It is, though, a little over your stated range but I would say its worth it. I would trust my life to this gun.

Another thought. Make the trip to Ready Aim Fire in Bristol, PA and rent some guns there. For one flat fee you can shoot every handgun they have, provided you buy the ammo from them. So you can try all of them out.

 

Their ammo wasn't absurdly over priced either, if I recall correctly. I liked that place.

Love the grips on that

check out this guy's p226 with aluminum grips.

now that just rocks

how can anyone not drool...

 

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=270507

 

http://www.hoguestore.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=23

just traded my beretta neos .22 today at heritage for a beretta m9. cant wait to pick it up

Gee, looks kind of familiar...