Recommended 9mm semi-auto?

Get the one that you can hold properly. Seems simple, right? Not so. Try this with any gun you are considering; hold your shooting hand with thumb and fingers apart, pick up the pistol by the slide with your non dominant hand. Put the backstrap("beavertail") of the pistol into the centre of the V formed by your thumb and fingers, then wrap all of your fingers except your trigger finger around the grip. Make sure the pistol is aligned with your forearm, then try to reach the trigger with the last joint (only) of your trigger finger. If you can't reach, the pistol will require you to make adjustments. This will affect the length of time it takes you to be accurate/proficient with the pistol, by increasing the level of difficulty you experience in getting a natural aim.
 
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Before I bought my first 9mm, I went to the range and tried all the 9mm range guns they had. I tried the Glock, Baby Eagle, CZ-75B, M&P, XD-9 Tactical.

The M&P worked best for me so that is what I got. All of them were really good but the M&P was the most comfortable for my hand.

If you can go to a range that has rentals, try a few and see what works best for you.
 
I agree with finding the one that best fits your hand and has a good trigger.

I think a 9mm in a 1911 platform has many good things about it.

1. cheap(er) ammo
2. slim grip
3. you don't get neutered magazines, just slim ones!
4. low recoil
5. ease of parts/maintenance
 
BKP99 said:
I agree with finding the one that best fits your hand and has a good trigger.

I think a 9mm in a 1911 platform has many good things about it.

1. cheap(er) ammo
2. slim grip
3. you don't get neutered magazines, just slim ones!
4. low recoil
5. ease of parts/maintenance
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+1 - the 1911 is never a bad choice, it fits most people and the grip angle works for most people.The Smith M&P is also an excellent pistol, very reliable, adjustable grip and the trigger improves from pretty mediocre to really quite good in about 1,000 rounds. Currently these 2 are my favorites.
 
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I would recemmend a Beretta 92 - great gun all around; accurate, reliable (mine has been 100%) and looks great!

If you're on a budget M&P is another good choice, I really like mine...

If you got money to blow get a P226 (I have one as well) but you're not getting anything you don't get with a 92FS (which is a few hundred $$ less!)
 
Another vote for the Beretta 92FS. This is the first semi-auto 9mm I will be getting. I held a few at the CFSC course and it felt the best, and had the most accessible slide lock for my left-handed operation of the gun.
 
The 92FS is a good gun and all, but its kinda big and clunky IMO. The DA trigger pull leaves a little to be desired but other than that its a decent gun. Its cheap to which is good for you if you are on a budget.

I would not recommend a 1911 in 9MM for your first gun, as they are very heavy and while they keep the recoil down due to the weight you should practice on a DA/SA gun (IE. 226, 92FS, USP) to get used to trigger pulls and manipulating the gun in both modes.

I have seen alot of primo condition P226s FS for around $750 in the EE which is a great price considering I paid $930 for my CPO at the start of this year. Lots of people like the M&P but its not my thing...
 
Wow thanks everyone for your responses! It gives me idea's of what to try out. Only problem here is there isn't much of a range here and I don't know anyone that has handguns to try out.
 
scotty said:
The 92FS is a good gun and all, but its kinda big and clunky IMO. The DA trigger pull leaves a little to be desired but other than that its a decent gun. Its cheap to which is good for you if you are on a budget.

I would not recommend a 1911 in 9MM for your first gun, as they are very heavy and while they keep the recoil down due to the weight you should practice on a DA/SA gun (IE. 226, 92FS, USP) to get used to trigger pulls and manipulating the gun in both modes.

I have seen alot of primo condition P226s FS for around $750 in the EE which is a great price considering I paid $930 for my CPO at the start of this year. Lots of people like the M&P but its not my thing...
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I was actually eying up the 92FS and still wonder about getting it. The 1911's sure seem popular.
 
I don't find 92FS to be that muchg bigger than P226...Actually with houge grips Sig is just as big!

With a 'D' spring Berettas trigger is actually better than a stock Sigs trigger. (I installed a lighter mainspring on my Sig so now they're about the same). IMO factory Sig trigger is OK, but I don't find it to be that good...hell my Taurus has a better trigger :D


OL2006 unless you have really small hands, you'll love the Beretta! I've shot a number of different factory ammo and reloads with all kinds of powders/loads and never had a problem...
 
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OverLord2006 said:
Wow thanks everyone for your responses! It gives me idea's of what to try out. Only problem here is there isn't much of a range here and I don't know anyone that has handguns to try out.
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I don't know where you live in BC, but if you have time to go Vancouver, you can buy a day pass at POCO range, bring some factory ammo and ask those fellow members if you can try shoot few rounds with their gun, most likely nobody will refuse. I was once try over eight different guns at Abbotsford.


There are so many choice of 9mm out there and all have their own fans and all have their own good. At the end of the day you will pick somethings you like, not somethings people want you to buy.

Trigun
 
ian_in_vic said:
+1 - the 1911 is never a bad choice, it fits most people and the grip angle works for most people.The Smith M&P is also an excellent pistol, very reliable, adjustable grip and the trigger improves from pretty mediocre to really quite good in about 1,000 rounds. Currently these 2 are my favorites.
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Which 1911 in 9mm do you like?
 
IM_Lugger said:
I don't find 92FS to be that muchg bigger than P226...Actually with houge grips Sig is just as big!

With a 'D' spring Berettas trigger is actually better than a stock Sigs trigger. (I intalled a lighter mainspring on my Sig so now they're about the same). IMO factory Sig trigger is OK, but I don't find it to that good...hell my Taurus has a better trigger :D


OL2006 unless you have really small hands, you'll love the Beretta! I've shot a number of different factory ammo and reloads with all kinds of powders/loads and never had a problem...
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Ya... that IS part of my problem thought, small hands!
 
Trigun said:
I don't know where you live in BC, but if you have time to go Vancouver, you can buy a day pass at POCO range, bring some factory ammo and ask those fellow members if you can try shoot few rounds with their gun, most likely nobody will refuse. I was once try over eight different guns at Abbotsford.


There are so many choice of 9mm out there and all have their own fans and all have their own good. At the end of the day you will pick somethings you like, not somethings people want you to buy.

Trigun
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Thanks for the idea! Just a matter of finding time to go down as it's hunting season right now and my LEH hunt begins on Nov. 1st :p
 
I would suggest:

CZ 75 series

Glock 17 (or 19 106mm)

S&W M&P 9mm

If I was looking for a 9mm right now, it would be one of those models. But my CZ 75 SP-01 Tactical is keeping me happy. :D
 
pontcanna said:
I'm sure liking my S&W M&P 9mm so far. Cost was $599 from Armco (tho I got it with trades).
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Wouldn't mind putting a mag down the pipe of that M&P sometime when we're both out at N. Saa. at the same time... ;) I handled a M&P at Pullens & thought it fit me well and pointed smartly, although I thought the trigger had some creep. Actually shooting one would tell me if I'd shell out for one or not.... :D
 
OverLord2006 said:
Ya... that IS part of my problem thought, small hands!
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If you have small hands, the choice is easy. Get a Hi-Power. It's already quite slim with factory grips and there are aftermarket panels out there that seem to have been designed to fit 5-year-old girls. And regardless of the grip size, the Hi-Power is a outstanding gun.
 
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