What's the best 9mm for a newbie?

[RememberTheSomme]

Speaking fron experiance the problem is that a newb really can't tell right away if a gun fits the hand or not. I had no idea what that even ment, every gun I've grabbed did fit inside of my hand lol. It wasn't until I owned a couple guns and got to handle them extensively that I started to notice subtle differences. My advise is get any one of the ones mentioned here, one that looks the coolest to you. You are gonna end up owning most of them at one point or another any ways lol, so don't overthink it.

Give the man a Cigar!


I've always said, whats feel good under our azz or in our hand in the showroom, and what works on the street or at the range,... can be two very different things once we are experienced.

Any of the guns mentioned, Sig226,Glock17,M&P9, etc etc will fit the bill. You may eventually own all three or more at the same time, or you can sell and trade till you find your niche and not lose too much with any of these pistols.

I've been shooting pistols for over 35 years, I'm a big fan of Glock because mainly on how I grip a pistol. You being a new shooter and having no bad habits or preconceptions should do very well with a G17. The Glock is in the safe, so is the Sig226 and also the M&P9. A person who has worked their style around or into a Sig226 may find a Glock grip very awkward at first. So will a 1911 shooter. My first pistol was a Colt 1911. After shooting Glocks for years and preferring them, I now find it hard to even depress the grip safety on a 1911!.

I even see some good deals on used NP22's(Norinco Sig226 clone) on the EE. This may give you an idea if a SIG226 pistol is right before spending the 1000+taxes on the real McCoy. If it is, save up, sell the Nork for what you payed and move on to the Sig. A CZ75/85 are fine pistols for general range use. They feel compact and heavy at the same time.

Like V king said, pick one that rocks your world, shoot it alot, and study tutorials on pistol marksmanship. Understand how important your grip is in pistol marksmanship, then your stance and you will improve very quickly this way. Ask other experienced shooters at your club how they are gripping whatever pistol you choose to shoot. You can jump instantly to the next level with a little tutoring from a savvy shooter.

My son has the M&P9 range kit, I like the look and feel of the gun even over the Glock when picking it up, however in real world use, the Glock is superior in my hands, and he still shoots our Glocks better than the M&P. Beware of over exaggerated grips, you will need vise like pressure to be a good shooter, watch your hand being filled up too comfortably and not allowing proper grip to control recoil, reset and trigger press. The M&P 9 range kit is a great deal for a new 9mm owner, but so is a lightly used Gen 3 G17 on the EE for around 575-600.

Enjoy whatever you buy,..pistols are addictive so be prepared to shuck out some coin on ammo, and rightfully so!!!.

 

[BCshooterFMJ]

I have got big mits, but I have been told by people with small hands, they love it too, my first and so far only 9mm was and is the CZ 85 combat, my next 9mm will be a CZ 75 SP-01. I shot a glock, I was not all that impressed and would only buy one if I ever buy a JR carbine.

Edit: Just to be clear, I am keeping the CZ 85 and basically just getting another one with a rail, that's how much I love it.

 

[RememberTheSomme]

I have got big mits, but I have been told by people with small hands, they love it too, my first and so far only 9mm was and is the CZ 85 combat, my next 9mm will be a CZ 75 SP-01. I shot a glock, I was not all that impressed and would only buy one if I ever buy a JR carbine.

Edit: Just to be clear, I am keeping the CZ 85 and basically just getting another one with a rail, that's how much I love it.

The SP-01 is like cheating, it's so heavy up front, the 9mmP is like shooting a .380 in a Sig226, hardly any flip to recover from! Well finished guns these SP-01's, but I'd be going 75 or 85 if I buy a CZ. I even toyed with a Nork CZ clone last summer to get the CZ fix into the safe, but CZ's are reasonably priced used, so for a couple hundred more you can get the real CZ. I remember firing them first when they were first sold here in our area, maybe 82or83?? and Jeff Coopers glowing evaluation on them and only one guy in the whole club had one.

 

[klepper62]

Well I went with a Glock 17 and have been shooting it for a month now. I love it!!!!
Though, I shoot a little high and to the left ..................I'm working on correcting it.
Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[Yukon1911]

Well I went with a Glock 17 and have been shooting it for a month now. I love it!!!!
Though, I shoot a little high and to the left ..................I'm working on correcting it.
Thanks for all the suggestions.

Nice Choice! I bought a G17 back in 1986 and I still have it, its a Gen 2 Model