This is my happy face.
She's not comfortable with the thought of shooting my S&W Model 28 hand cannon (yet), which I can certainly understand. It can seem a bit intimidating at first blush.
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| Say hello to my N-framed friend |
I have put together a short-list that I'm researching, and would love your feedback. These are all 9mm pistols, all full-framed instead of compact or sub-compact, currently in manufacture and frequently available used. I'm not hung up on metal versus polymer frame, striker-fired versus hammer-fired, or action type (SA/DA/SAO/DAO). I'm looking to spend under $600, preferably in $450 neighborhood if I can.
With all that being said, here's the list I've put together (EDITED to add the P226):
- Browning Hi-Power
- CZ-75
- Beretta PX4
- Beretta 92FS
- Smith & Wesson M&P
- Springfield XD/XD(m)
- Glock 17
- SIG Sauer P226
This will be used by myself as a range gun and occasional carry, and by the missus as a range gun and home defense. Any thoughts, insights, critiques or additions to the list would be greatly appreciated.
I have a couple of XDs but if I were buying a general purpose pistol today it would probably be the M&P in 9mm.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alan: right now, the S&W M&P in 9mm. is probably the 'best of the breed' out there. Its interchangeable backstraps would be useful to 'fit' the gun to yourself or your wife, for a more comfortable shooting experience.
ReplyDeleteA very good second choice would be the Glock 17, particularly because used ex-law-enforcement examples are available at very reasonable prices (typically $300-$350). Also, the Glock is ubiquitous - it's today's version of the S&W Model 10 revolver in an earlier time.
Those would be my first and second choices.
That's a great point about the replaceable backstrap, and one that I'd already thought of. It's not a deal-breaker, but it definitely could be a deal-maker.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely a factor that puts the PX4 higher up the list than the 92FS for me.
Merlin,
ReplyDeleteI'll be posting more thoughts later, but have you thought about a Sig P226 as well? I've got one from the mid 1980s that I have shot the hell out of and it keeps coming back for more...
Out of your list, I'd opt for the S&W M&P. I'm testing a couple right now and they're rock-solid performers that you can pick up pretty cheap even brandy new...
Jay G,
ReplyDeleteI knew there was a major manufacturer I'd forgotten. I'll definitely put the P226 on the list.
I'm very curious how this will turn out. If I lived in the US, I'd opt for the M&P, but since I live in NY, I'd be looking for something that has "pre-ban" magazines available.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I'm looking veeeery hard at the CZ or the Glock, since I can get a full sized and compact sized pistol with greater than 10 rounds from the same manufacturer.
Is there a range nearby that has a good selection of these for rent?
ReplyDeleteFrom my own experience, I walked into the gun store convinced I wanted an XD, however, after trying it out on the rental range along with a Glock, Sig and CZ, I ended up with the CZ75. The more input she has into the choice the more she'll see the pistol as "hers".
I've got XD's, and make holsters as a hobby. The XD's are somewhat bulky for their size--the subcompact XD carries about the same as a Glock 19. I much prefer XD as a range gun however, but not for any objective reasons.
ReplyDeleteI've got an M&P9 and it's been fantastic - aside from the white dot falling out of the front sight post, which is a well-documented issue and easily fixed with a bit of fabric paint or model enamel.
ReplyDeleteLike Scotty, I live in NY and need pre-ban mags for such things, so my choice when faced with a similar conundrum was the S&W 5946. (The last two numbers indicate model options, the 59 is the key, indicating it's a full-frame 9mm.) The 59xx series is readily available used for $300-400 and mags are plentiful, even though the gun has been removed from the current production lineup.
Might be worth a look.
I can only comment on the beretta and glock, as they're the only ones on the list I've actually shot. The beretta shot like a charm, the trigger was smooth, the recoil a non-issue, and it was more accurate than me. The glock is a brick, the trigger isn't that good, and I couldn't get nearly as good a grouping as with the beretta. YMMV.
ReplyDeleteThe sig is renowned for being one of, if not the, most accurate 9mm handguns in the world, but you'd have to get it used to fit that pricetag, new ones are expensive.
Oh right, two berettas on the list. I was speaking of the 92FS.
ReplyDeleteIts not in current production (excepting the very pricey longslide version) but anybody have experience with the S&W 39 series? They're a little hard to find, sometimes, but great lookers. My wife is a bit askance about shooting my SR40, and I thought the 39-2 would be a good look for new shooters. Just throwing it out there...
ReplyDeleteGiven that set choice, I would go with the Springfield XD, if only because the plethora of accessories for it, and the relatively standard operating system. But, seeing as I have next to no experience with any of those firearms (I have only interacted with the M9/92FS, and hate it utterly), I am not sure my opinion is the best one :).
ReplyDelete9mm 1911. Build it if you a handy, have it made, or find a used one....
ReplyDeleteI am now partial to the M&P. It took a while for me to come to this, but I have run several thousand rounds thru several and it is a great general duty handgun. I retired a Colt 1911 with a VTAC version with the APEX duty mods.
ReplyDeleteCommented over @ Jay's, but as an addendum: My Mrs. loves her gen1 G17- fits her small hands very well.
ReplyDeleteAnd she's pretty damn good with it too...
If it's for shooting and not carry, BHP :-) G17 can be both shot and carried. Hand size is a major issue for women with double stacks, so 'sadly' I'll have to agree the M&P is probably the best option.
ReplyDeleteJust me, it would be a Browning Hi-Power. Specifically, the Hi-Power Practical, with the modern hammer and larger thumb safety, and the two tone frame/slide.
ReplyDeleteCZ-75. I wouldn't part with mine for love or money.
ReplyDeleteI have personal experience with only three of these: the HP, CZ and M9. My ranking would be in that order if I could only have one, but all of them are likely to be satisfactory. My wife and daughter used a CZ-75 to qualify for the TX CHL, but the HP is now the preferred piece. Price might dictate a used HP.
ReplyDeleteS&W 39/ 5900 series in 9mm
ReplyDeleteS&W 4506 in 45
CZ 75. More reliable than the Hi-power and a better grip than the plastic guns. Also somewhat slimmer than any of the plastic guns or the HP.
ReplyDeleteAlso the CZ-75 give you the option of using it either SA like a 1911 or DA/SA like a Sig.
Another CZ-75B owner here...I've tried other 9's, and wouldn't give up my CZ-75 for anything...
ReplyDeleteI've got four of the guns listed (Browning High Power, Beretta 92, Glock 17, Sig Sauer P226) and of those four, the Glock is my least favorite and by a wide margin.
ReplyDeleteI've also got a Taurus 92 that shoots every bit as well as the Beretta, but it's from the "old" Taurus days back in the late 80's. You couldn't give me a new Taurus these days.
Love the High Power--it's an old Belgian made gun and it shoots and shoots with zero problems.
The Sig can drive nails and you'll never catch the Beretta jamming.
Tough choice, but for a His/Her gun, I'd go with the Beretta or the Sig.
--AOA
My wife and I both have 226s. Before I retired I did firearms training for our department and we issued 226s to both male and female officers (though 225s were very popular amongst out smaller hended members). The only issue with the 226 is the DA/SA trigger as opposed to something like a Glock (which I also own and shoot). I can recommend the 226 without reservation.
ReplyDeleteMy fave 9mm is my Steyr M9. Of the ones on your list I'd pick the CZ-75. Great ergos, very accurate. The Berettas are for big hands and I never took to Sigs.
ReplyDeleteI posted over at Jay's, but I will repeat it over here. FNH FNP9. I paid $535 for mine brand new including taxes, and I also opted for stainless steel hardware, which if I remember was a $75 adder. It came with three magazines. Take down and maintenance is stupid simple. It also has the removable back straps similar to the M&P. It's built off of the High-Power design and uses the Browning cam system. This gun eats everything from 250 round value-crap boxes to high dollar defensive +p with no problems. A large mag well and chromed magazines make changes very quick, which comes in very handy if you are shooting something like IDPA events (or god forbid find yourself in any other situation requiring multiple magazines.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the thoughts and comments. Basically, it seems that all of those platforms are reliable and functional (based on no "Oh HELL NO" responses for any of them) and it comes down to personal preference.
ReplyDeleteTime to see what my local range and shooting buddies have in the way of rentals and loaners, and then it's time to schedule some range time and try them out.
And, honestly, it's going to come down to what she's more comfortable shooting than anything. I'll be getting myself a .45 ACP at some point.
CZ-75!! The Czech wonder-nine is always the right answer.
ReplyDeleteWhy not just have her shoot .38Spl out of the Model 28? In that big old gun it's like shooting a .22 - or buy her a Model-10 to shoot - there's not a huge difference between .38spl and 9mm except where capacity comes into play.
ReplyDeletePersonally I don't like shooting a .357 at all with it's nasty snap and sharp report, and would much rather shoot a softer .45 - even .45 Colt - but my wife doesn't like the involuntary reciprocating action of semi-autos and will NOT shoot a semi at all, so we have a Model-10 for "around the house."
For what my $.02 is worth, if it were me, I would be all over the CZ75B. It has the manual of arms I prefer (SA, sweep down safety, cocked and locked etc) in a nice double stack 9 with a quality trigger and design behind it.
ReplyDeleteNever been a fan of the Beretta's, and on a primarily range gun I prefer metal over plastic. Solid gun overall, and for a cheap to feed range toy I've come close to buying one on several occasions.
Try a bunch of them and have her try a bunch too. I have a large number of 9mms and have had prospective gun buyers (friends and acquaintances) try them when they were shopping. I have often been surprised by what people end up choosing. A few more to check out would be the Ruger SR9 and SR9c, the Taurus 24/7 Pro (easiest racking gun ever), and the Stoeger Cougar.
ReplyDeleteMmm. Never had a gun that felt as good in my hand as my CZ-75B. Add to that ridiculous accuracy and reliability, and I see no other contenders if size is not an issue. I have smallish carny hands, and the 75 grip was great for me. I think the ergos are just that good that they fit many different hand sizes.
ReplyDeleteI have a 226 and I rarely shoot it anymore, because it's loaded and in my bug-out bag. It's going with me if it's the only gun I have time to grab.
ReplyDeleteI love my High Power, but you'll have to get a used one for your price range. You can get Argentinian knock-offs for less than $400 if you look, but I've had problems with mine after the first few hundred rounds.
I had a Glock 19 and I traded it for a microphone; no, it was a car, this stupid car. Seriously.
My vote would be for the CZ 75 SP-01. I have a few thousand rounds through mine without any problems.
ReplyDelete