Sub $500, 9mm recommendations for 1st pistol?

Well, I just forked out $600 for a brand new Glock 17 Gen3 off EE. I felt that was a good price and judging from the responses here I have made a wise choice. So now I have two great weapons to play with and compare. The Ruger SR9 and Glock 17. Once I get some lead down range I will post my results. Thanks for all the advice posted it was very helpful.
 
I'd go with the Turkish Beretta 92 copy. under $500 new. On the used market Glock gen4 can be round in the $500-600 range. M&P is also a good choice.

Had the Ruger SR9 wasn't too impressed, Norinco NP34 is pretty decent for the money tho.
 
I'd go with the Turkish Beretta 92 copy. under $500 new. On the used market Glock gen4 can be round in the $500-600 range. M&P is also a good choice.

Had the Ruger SR9 wasn't too impressed, Norinco NP34 is pretty decent for the money tho.

Really, what did not impress you about the SR9?
 
even if removing that part did void warranty, its just as easy to put back in :)

The Girsan, as mentioned above is also a very nice pistol. Quite accurate and very well put togeather.
 
Really, what did not impress you about the SR9?
Just overall it wasn't as nice as Glock (esp gen4), M&P, FNP or XDm that I've had. Bottom line I didn't like the grip (too thin for me), the sights are poor; bad design and positioning. Also it just doesn't have the aggressive look like the others have IMO.
 
I'd go with the Turkish Beretta 92 copy. under $500 new. On the used market Glock gen4 can be round in the $500-600 range. M&P is also a good choice.

Had the Ruger SR9 wasn't too impressed, Norinco NP34 is pretty decent for the money tho.

Ive never seen a gen 4 go for under 600. I got mine used once..the guy never got a latt. Just brought it home from the range and that was $625 which was also when can am had them new for 650 but sold out.

I havent opened your ad.. but at that price ill take you 23 gen 4
 
Just overall it wasn't as nice as Glock (esp gen4), M&P, FNP or XDm that I've had. Bottom line I didn't like the grip (too thin for me), the sights are poor; bad design and positioning. Also it just doesn't have the aggressive look like the others have IMO.

I guess that's the beauty of having so many kinds to choose from. I find it fits very well in my hands. I really like the look of it as well. It isn't meant to be a glock. Hence the $499 price tag. I am certainly happy with the way it looks and feels. The jury is still out on the performance. I am anxiously awaiting my latest purchase of the Glock 17.
 
I also don't agree that its not as nice as some of those others. I have held and shot Glocks and M&P a few times each, and I prefer the Ruger. I have no experience with the Springfield, so I cannot comment on those.
 
I also don't agree that its not as nice as some of those others. I have held and shot Glocks and M&P a few times each, and I prefer the Ruger. I have no experience with the Springfield, so I cannot comment on those.

Shot a Sr9 today, for $500 it aint bad, its nowhere near my Jericho is or my old Girsan Yavuz was
 
That's pretty typical.
Call and ask two gun owners about one firearm and You going to hear three, different opinions.
I had a pleasure of owning SR9 and between the Glock, M&P and SR9 I would place it close third on my list.
1. Glock (simple, proven, easy to work on),
2. M&P (nicer ergonomics, bit more complicated than Glock, bit less accurate than Glock in my hands),
3. SR9 (factory grip is bit too thin, craftsmanship is not as good as the other two, but it's very accurate and reliable pistol).
 
I got my wife an SR9 because of the small grip. She loves it... she loved it so much she bought a second one , then a third. I gotta admit for the price its an awesome pistol. We have brought friends out to the range to go shooting and of all my pistols (Glocks, CZ 75 and M&P) the SR9 has been the favorite for all the new shooters. I gotta admit Its accurate and easy to handle.
 
As far as the grip, I have fairly small hands so it feels good but I have seen people simply slide a rubber grip like the Pachmayr type which makes the grip a little bigger and more comfortable. Those type of grips come in many styles and sizes, with finger grooves or without. If I found I needed a slight adjustment I think this is the route I would go with minimal expense.
 
to anyone who shot it only once, and found the grip too small, the back of the grip has an adjustable rubber part. flat,like it comes out of the box, and if you slide it out, and flip it over, it has a raised part that makes the grip larger. It works well.
 
How about revolvers UNDER the $500 mark?

Oh ya, I forgot to mention that one.

I would like to throw revolvers into the mix. I would love to keep the price under the $500 mark and see what ideas we can come up with in a variety of calibers.
 
Used, but not abused S&W model 10.
It's going to be very difficult to find one under $500.
Personally I would save a bit more and find a nice example.
Revolvers are more expansive in general.
 
I got my wife an SR9 because of the small grip. She loves it... she loved it so much she bought a second one , then a third. I gotta admit for the price its an awesome pistol. We have brought friends out to the range to go shooting and of all my pistols (Glocks, CZ 75 and M&P) the SR9 has been the favorite for all the new shooters. I gotta admit Its accurate and easy to handle.

The opinion of an untrained and inexperienced new shooter has zero merit. They don't know what they don't know. Just saying.

Tdc
 
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The opinion of an untrained and inexperienced new shooter has zero merit. They don't know what they don't know. Just saying.

Tdc

I agree wholeheartedly TDC but the OP asked for a 500.00 9mm. For the price its been a great pistol that has got first time shooters interested in shooting.. To me thats is great and I want everyone I can get interested in going to the range. If they enjoy it they will stay. I have at least 6 different couples in the past year now interested in shooting and they all started on the SR9. Just saying.
 
I agree wholeheartedly TDC but the OP asked for a 500.00 9mm. For the price its been a great pistol that has got first time shooters interested in shooting.. To me thats is great and I want everyone I can get interested in going to the range. If they enjoy it they will stay. I have at least 6 different couples in the past year now interested in shooting and they all started on the SR9. Just saying.

A new shooter's opinion is very valid to me.
 
I've heard from 3 different sources now that obtaining extra magazines for the Viking can definitely be a challenge and an expense. That being said, and at risk of being repetitive, interammo.com has some pretty reasonable looking packages.

True, it's very hard to get spare magazines out of Russia due to their firearms laws which are more insane than ours.

Package deals are used to entice you to buy lesser quality gear under the guise of "one stop shop".

Tdc

The price doesn't always reflect quality and reliability, the price for Vikings is set to get into the market.
Our Viking with 6 magazines package deals are the solution to getting extra mags for Viking out of Russia. As of now, the only way to get extra magazines is to order the pistols with as many magazines as we want. All 6 magazines are serial numbered to the gun and packed in the box together with the pistol. In this case Russian authorities and customs has no issues to let them out.

Spare parts is also a problem for exporting, however for the last three years we sold hundreds of Vikings and haven't had a single request for broken/malfunctioning parts. And yes, the warranty parts replacement is guaranteed.

As per handling +p+ ammunition, except for the shorter barrel life no problem at all. Here is the ammo I shoot ;)

Viking_.jpg
 
The price doesn't always reflect quality and reliability, the price for Vikings is set to get into the market.
Our Viking with 6 magazines package deals are the solution to getting extra mags for Viking out of Russia. As of now, the only way to get extra magazines is to order the pistols with as many magazines as we want. All 6 magazines are serial numbered to the gun and packed in the box together with the pistol. In this case Russian authorities and customs has no issues to let them out.

Thanks for posting. You're about to push me right off the fence with this particular pistol.

Any thoughts on the steel frame vs. polymer? As I don't own any polymers, I'm leaning this way as I find it more comfortable in my hand than a Glock 17 Gen4. Is it worth the extra expense for steel frame, or is it purely a question of personal preference?

Do you have any 6 mag kits with the polymer?
 
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