9mm handgun suggestions

[brad87]

If you like the way they fit, a glock 19 is very nice. I also rather enjoy my sig p225. Thin, single stack makes it tuck away pretty nicely, but doesn't feel like its so small I can't get a hold of it.

[armoredman]

Thanks, Permafrost, every picture I put up is my own with my guns. The CZ SP-01 Phantom pictured rides my hip as I type this.

[UncleFudd]

For what its worth and not to start a fire storm, just some other points of view.

If you are looking for a self defense gun you probably need two. A good shotgun for home and a quality handgun for carry.

First, go back and read what OLDGUY said a few times. Great advice and good direction, IMHO.

Then ask yourself, how much is your life worth, $500 or whatever it takes to get a "QUALITY" firearm that will not fail under duress, stress or anything less than your best effort as you will NOT be at your best when or if you have to point and possible shoot a person.

Next and this from a person who has had most if not all of the guns mentioned on the rental counter for a long time and seen first hand the numbers of failures during normal operations.

If you are going to get a handgun for SD then you should be prepared to shoot thousands of rounds to become as good as you will need to be in order to protect yourself and your family. Next, in order to maintain this level of proficiency, you will need to continue to shoot this many and more rounds every day, month, week and year. If not, spend more time on hardening your perimeters around your home and stay out of bad places and forget the gun.

Ask yourself, if I get a gun for home defense, will my wife be able to operate it and will she practice with it so she will know how to operate it in an emeregency. I have never understood why so many guys figure they will be the one to get to the gun to defend hearth and home and forget they may be physically involved with the intruder(s) while someone else such as a loved one is left to get the gun and dispatch the BG.

Next and there is so much more, but I will condense.

Quality. As I said, you will need to shoot thousands of rounds and I am not exaggerating, so which gun should be based upon those that will do what you need and still remain viable and ready and that you know without a doubt will fire, every time you pull the trigger.

My experience with the new Rugers SR9 etc, is they will not do so, period, they will not last two weeks if that long on the rental counter. The original P95s and P85s will and have and continue to do so for tens of thousands of rounds.

Keltecs and Kahrs are not built to last these numbers and will not do so.

The S&W line of semi autos never have and currently never will, not the M&P series or the older 59 or 69 series. Just will not take the numbers.

The CZs as mentioned, no matter the model never fail and for a short note, many do not remember when the military was looking to change from the 1911 firearms to 9MMs. But of all the guns entered for consideration at the time, the CZ75B was the ONLY ENTRANT to surpass every single test assigned by the military. The Beretta failed nearly every one and of course the military took the Beretta.

Then of course there is the polymer guns such as the Glocks and the Springfield XD or XDM. Again on the rental counter, these guns never fail and never even require maintenance. They shoot tens of thousands of rounds and just keep on going.

Then of course there is the size of the gun you are going to carry and attempt to hide. It will make a huge difference what you choose as to whether or not you carry regularly and size will have much if not everything to do with it.

The Glock 19 is one of the best all around choices for size, weight and capacity of rounds and the Springfields make the same sizes and weights.

I don't carry any of theses guns and I c arry every place I go and have for more than 40 years. But I thought I would give my two cents from the operators perspective and having watched, fixed or replaced so many of these would be wonders over the years.

Magazine writers do a great job of selling but actual use tells the "rest of the story".

Someone mentioned going to the range and trying as many of the guns as possible at the rental counter and it is the best advice given IMHO. Try lots of them and narrow it down for yourself and your wife.

UF

[Slipps]

I have a M&P 9 and its held up great so far. It is the most comfortable shooter I've ever shot as well. I've got around 2k rounds through it so far and the finish and parts have held up perfectly.

[Dirtypacman]

Love my Glock 17, Love my Ruger SR9C - both great guns but very different.
If I was only getting one it would be a Glock.

I love the CZ line but here in MA they are not easy to come across.

[JLA]

I too am a huge fan of the CZs. I particularly like the 75.

[todd51]

Josh I like your pistol better. Here is my attempt at a JLA gun pron shot, S&W Model 669.

[JLA]

You have more ammo and your desk is cleaner todd.

[gvw3]

My son has a Ruger SR9c. He loves it. I have shot it at the range but I don't like the slide pull. It is accurate. My wife can't pull the slide it's so stiff.

[this_is_nascar]

I just picked up a new Beretta 92A1 for $600 here in NJ, although I've seen them for as low as $580 here.

[hoodedmonk]

I would have to agree on the Beretta 92. Just went to a big gun show in Portland and there was alot of Magazines ect. to be found.

[cpttango30]

I shot the M9 in the Army. While it is a good gun, I just never cared for it.

While at SHOT this year I went around and fondaled many of the guns posted up here.

The top three are Smith M&P, Sig P250, Glock 23 for me I was looking at 40 smith pistols. Fourth place would be the Springer XDm

The Smith is in the $500 range and I really think you should take a look at it.

Anything posted so far will do you good and be a good firearms for a life time of use.

[yetiman]

Originally Posted by gvw3

My son has a Ruger SR9c. He loves it. I have shot it at the range but I don't like the slide pull. It is accurate. My wife can't pull the slide it's so stiff.

My daughter bought one and has left it over here due to same thing. I have left it locked open for a couple of weeks but have discovered that I love shooting this gun. She has a hard time with it stove piping but shot 100 rounds yesterday between my wife and myself and it didn't fail one time. I had told my wife that I would buy it if she decides to sell it and before yesterday she was why do we need another gun??? After yesterday she remarked this is one sweet gun and I would carry it.......... Think she paid $350 and it came with 2 mags and a lock.

[CJ_56]

There are many good choices. It's best to decide on what features you like and then start looking at the models that have those features. That's good advice but I haven't actually followed it myself. My suggestions are:

CZ 75 or various other CZ's
Sig P226 - very hard to beat
Glock 19 - an old standard now - I remember when it was Buck Rogers stuff
SA XDm - accurate out of the box and not too heavy
Taurus PT111 - yes it's inexpensive - my PT145 has never had a single malfunction through about 6000 rounds - not one - money doesn't always mean quality and inexpensive doesn't always mean bad despite what people will try to tell you - my Sig has malfunctioned many times but it's had considerably more rounds through it - a new recoil spring fixed pretty much all of those problems - but the Taurus PT series (make sure it's a 3rd generation model) has produced some outstanding weapons but some are flaky - that's pretty much true of any line of guns though - they also have features that other guns just can't compete with - for a CCW gun they are extremely hard to beat IMO - I had to send my XDm in .40 back to the factory for repairs but now it works great but my Taurus is more accurate, more dependable, much easier to carry concealed (because of the size - if you want HD or target shooter get a full size) and the double stack Taurus PT's are thinner than a lot of single stack pistols - they have some amazing characteristics

[Rugermanws]

The Ruger SR9c would be my choice. Carry with the smaller magazine and then switch to the higher capacity magazine for the home.

[joncutt87]

You can find some good deals on the 92fs

[Donnie D]

I have a Sig Pro 2009. Great gun. Very accurate and no failures.
Donnie D

[jeffadaklin]

I love my SR9c, have others, but feel totally confident of my 9c, and it's easier to carry than my others. Wouldn't want the teeny 9mm's, my 9c is light on recoil, accurate and Ruger has GREAT customer service. I only mention that because all guns are machines- machines sometimes have problems. Was just reading about a Kahr 9mm that the guy bought cause it was supposed to be so reliable- he's been trying for a week just to get someone to tell him where to send it for repair.

[Grapevinebill]

Not to surprise anyone but my suggestion is the Beretta 92FS or 92A1. IMHO theyre the best looking gun but the reliability is top notch. Not the best for concealment, but for range use and home defense it's a winner hands down. And yes I have a few Beretta's in my safe.

p.s., I like the rail on the 92A1. thinking about my next purchase already...

[time2shoot]

I love my baby desert eagle.

[gdmoody]

I just bought this yesterday afternoon. I did not know that Taurus made a PT1911 in 9mm.

[hotpursuit50]

my nightstand: glock 19 ($499.00) wifes: s&w sd-9 (385.00) since the wife is home most of the time, she might be the one that has the need. even with her arthritus, she has no problem with either (lock boxes, racking the slides). both fitted with lasers, so she has one less worry. carry the glock when out and about with no problems. 2-3k rounds each without issue. but like everyone else says, find a range that will let you test drive(if the wife will be using it also, take her too)

[American Leader]

First, great pic Todd and far surpasses JLA's! Second, George what did you have to pay for that Taurus 1911 9MM? And finally, I know a very nice fellow who loves his Browning Practical, but also has a Ruger P95 and says it's been a flawless firearm, very accurate and inexpensive to purchase.

[bntyhntr6975]

My votes go for Glocks (17&19) and Springfield XDM. The 19 is always on me and the XDM is the wife's. The XDM isn't as comfy for me but she likes it alot. Have not had a single issue with any of them. I do love my Colt Combat Commander in 9mm also, but if I want lesser rounds available, I'm grabbing the .45.

[mazdawes]

i'm a CZ fan. have two witnesses; one steel compact 9 and the other steel large-frame 9/22lr. big fan.