First pistol purchase decision/need advice

Blurr[SOAR]

Blurr[SOAR]

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Hello all, just waiting on the government to mail my PAL to me. Decided to get it after a number of years humming and hawing. Did very well on both non-restricted and restricted tests (actually did better on the restricted, which is odd since I'd never handled a pistol before!).

Since sending off my info I've already joined my local fish and game club and have been up once already for the IDPA practice (the guy who did my testing runs the IDPA events as well). It was an absolute blast! Met some really great people and had a chance to shoot a few pistols myself.

Which brings me to my main topic...I want to get a pistol as soon as my license gets here. As with any major purchase I make, I research tirelessly to make sure my money is well spent. Asking the opinions of the guys and girls at the range, everyone seems to have a different one. I've got suggestions for everything from the usual Glock 17 to the S&W M&P, Sig P226 and CZ85.

So far I've only fired the Glock 17 (.40) but I think next time I go up to the range I'll see if the guys will let me fire off a few rounds in their guns to get a feel for them. What I have found on my own, however, is the Ruger SR9.

From what I've read (reviews and so forth) and from peoples opnions on the gun, it seems to be a reasonably priced, reliable and quality pistol. What I want to know is does anyone here own this pistol or have experience firing it and what do you have to say about it?

Unfortunately I don't know anyone with this particular pistol so it will be a risky purchase, but as I said, everything I've read and heard about this gun is overly positive.

Thoughts?
 
I've dry fired one. personally i like it. I dont think the trigger pull is THAT bad.

Plus i like the size of it, fits nice in my small hands.
 
Power Pill said:
I've dry fired one. personally i like it. I dont think the trigger pull is THAT bad.

Plus i like the size of it, fits nice in my small hands.
Click to expand...


Yup, I like the feel of it too and the prices are usually pretty good... BUT the trigger and redundant safety were absolute deal breakers for me.

The trigger was horrible imho. I'd imagine it could be worked on and smoothed out considerably but thats more money and I still may not like what I end up with.

Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with Glock,Sig,CZ or an M&P.
 
I do say go for it. My G17's trigger worse than SR-9, I don't mind heavier trigger pull. SR-9 recalled after several months lanched in the market and seems the bugs been cleared.
The Ruger P-series been proved very reliable and robust, I think SR-9 will better than P-series pistol. The one that I handled in the gun store is very well made, for a little more than five handred, it is a good buy.

Trigun
 
If you're ever thinking about shooting .22lr, get the Sig P226 classic 22 and immediately buy the 9mm X-Changer. Questar has it in stock. All said and done $1214 plus taxes/shipping.

I just bought P226 9mm $1070 plus taxes. As far as I understand, the frame is identical so I wished I learnt about classic before buying regular P226. $144 more and I have myself a .22lr too.

Since I'm looking for a 45 ACP and .22lr, maybe I'll go buy P220 classic in the future and X-changer 45 ACP right away too. :)
 
novega said:
Yup, I like the .................I don't think you can go wrong with Glock,Sig,CZ or an M&P.
Click to expand...

Ditto here. Can't go wrong with any of the above. They are all proven being used by various agencies (in Canada and the rest of the world). If you are working with a budget suggest you start with a 9mm. Ammo is more affordable and you can develope your proficiency through increased volume of firing practise.
Once I save enough for a progressive reloader, my next goal is a Glock17. Just love dem pistols!!!

BTW, lotsa of trusted sellers on CGN that have fine used guns available at decent prices. However, do your research before buying.



SKS Russian Tula 1950, 1952 and 1953, Sig Sauer P226, Beretta 92 SBC, CZ85 Combat, Para P14 45 Ltd., Para P16 40 Ltd., SigPro 2022 .40S&W, Marlin 60
 
JUST went through this process and made a thread too....and tons of people informed me too and I decided on a Glock 17....just need to get that paycheck :p
 
There is a reason why you got the recommendations that you got, like track record, commonality, parts and service availability, holster availability, aftermarket parts and accessory availability, and the lack of unwanted features (like the magazine disconnector and the internal locking device).

But...if you insist on doing things differently than everyone else, then go ahead and buy the SR-9.

Later, when you've found the SR-9 isn't the best choice for IDPA, or any other sport, and you then want to buy something different, don't blame us.
 
Do not, under any circumstances, buy the SR-9.
The crappy trigger will likely have you developing a world class flinch in no time flat.
Opt for ANY of the other suggested units.
You are better off to buy used...if it doesn't work out for you, you can likely resell it for the same $.
You will, like most of us, try just about all of the major players...Glock, SIG, CZ, H&K, etc., before settling on the one ( or more!) that you like.
 
I have an SR9, and as far as I'm concerned, it's a great first centerfire handgun. The price is right (more money for ammo!!!:rockOn:), it's reliable, easy to shoot, strip, and clean, and I've never had a problem with it.

The one downside is that the older SR9's had to have the trigger replaced, because if the pistol was dropped with the manual safety off, the pistol could fire. All triggers were replaced by the factory at no charge.
 
What competition holster and which aftermarket sights do you guys suggest for the Ruger SR-9?

I'm looking, but I'm not finding much.

I did find this:
50073-L.jpg

http://shopruger.com/SR9-Mitch-Rosen-Holster/productinfo/50073/
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for all the replies. So it seems as though public opinion is split 50/50 in regards to the SR9. I'm still up in the air myself so I'm just going to wait until the next range day and see if I can put a few rounds through some of my other candidates (namely the SIG p226 and the M&P, no one has a Glock 17 9mm so I can only judge it on the .40cal version)

@ Wendell:

Check this link for a list of holsters that work with the SR9, not sure if they are competition or not, but apparently they do fit a range of Glock designed holsters.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2007/10/18/ruger-sr9-new-polymer-framed-9mm/
 
Blurr[SOAR] said:
Thanks for all ..........see if I can put a few rounds through some of my other candidates (namely the SIG p226 and the M&P, no one has a Glock 17 9mm so I can .............
Click to expand...

Heading the right path in making your decision before purchasing. Take time and fire every candidate being considered. No matter what any of us advise, you'll be the one owning and firing it.
BTW, if your considering a 9mm, strongly suggest don't make your conclusion on the Glock because you fired one in .40. Gotta fire one in 9mm.- you'll be hooked.
Last Monday at the range, shot my friend's G17 with DA trigger work done to 2 3/4 lbs. Amazing gun!!! He has 10k rounds on it and it looks great and still feels like new.



SKS Russian Tula 1950, 1952 and 1953, Sig Sauer P226, Beretta 92 SBC, CZ85 Combat, Para P14 45 Ltd., Para P16 40 Ltd., SigPro 2022 .40S&W, Marlin 60
 
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Question you should ask:
1) Caliber you want to shoot or would like to shoot
2) Grip of the gun, e.g. do you like the grip, does it egronomic to you, is it balanced, etc. Sub-questions: do you like the sights? Do you like the weight?
3) Do you enjoy shooting from it and how accurate you can shoot? Sub-question: do you like the trigger?

Questions you should NOT ask:
What is most popular gun? what army has? what police has?

Question for consideration:
Cost
Finish
Re-sale value

Now, there are about 30 handguns I can think of on the market right now in Canada:

Springfield, Glocks, Ruger, Para, S&W, SIG, Taurus, HK, CZ, IWI (Eagles), Norinco, Steyr, Walter, Tangofolio, Browning, Colt, Beretta = those are just major players, but let's say Marstar, P&D, Wolverine, etc. have much more items...

If someone would give me money to buy a new gun, I'd probably buy Steyr M1A....
 
After many years (13) struggling to shoot a handgun to my satisfaction, I bought a S&W 686 in 357 from jaybird here on GCN. It is the first out of several handguns that I really click with. Sad to say, I shoot it far better than my 1911's, my Ruger Blackhawk, my S&W 422or my TC. My Ruger Single Six is the only other handgun I own that I shoot well. Course, this could all be explained by the Blackhawk 44m that got me in metallic silouette. My $.002, buy a 22 handgun, then move up. Failing that, a 686, I love mine
 
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