First Pistol

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Burchell

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Greetings everyone!

Im new here and would like to ask a few questions. I just recieved my RPal in the mail yesterday and am getting ready to purchase my first hand gun.

Im working with a loose budget of about $600 and am wondering if anyone would be kind enough to offer some advise.

Ive been doing a bit of research and have narrowed it down to following options:

Smith and Wesson Sd9ve
Canik TP9SA
Jericho 941(baby eagle)
Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm

I worry the SD9 may leave me longing for upgrades as I hear the trigger is fairly basic. I also hear mixed opinions about the build quality feeling a bit cheap, although I have no experience with this gun and may be mistaken.

The Canik seems to be well liked and the de-cocker and single action are not an issue for me. I have heard a few stories about the feed ramp being a bit rough around the edges causing occasional jams. I also hear the finish may wear over time.

The Jericho/Baby eagle seems to hit all the right buttons but is at the upper limit of my price range. At the time this is my top pick, but again its pushing my budget.

Ive shot the M&P 9 and loved it. That being said the only other hand gun i've shot is a Baretta (forget model). I did not like this gun compared to the M&P. I found the trigger very heavy. That being said I outshot everyone at the range with it, managing a very tight group from a variety of distances. I still did not like the way it felt in hand, which may be why I liked the M&P so much.

That about sums it up. Anyone have any direct experience with these firearms that could make a recommendation for a first time owner who will likely only own the one firearm for a few years?

Thanks for reading!
Cheers
 
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Buy an M&P9 that has the CAUTION: CAPABLE OF FIRING WITH MAGAZINE REMOVED warning on the right side of the slide. You won't regret it.
 
Check out the steyrs. They are awesome and cost the same as the jerichos.

That berretta you shot was the berretta storm. They modify it to be double action only because it is simpler that way. The trigger is heavy for safety reasons. Its common practice for law enforcement agencies. They are suppose to be decent guns but I think are ugly too big and complicated internals
 
Under or around $600, there are a few more to add to your list, lots of choices available, just a matter of what you like
1- FNS9 LS : very well built, ambidextrous, 3 metal mags included, accurate, on sale quite often under $600
2- Bersa - haven't shot one, but they get great reviews from owners
3- Walther PPX: range kit can be had new for around $500, with holster and mag holder, great value , good trigger.
Great reviews can be found on YouTube for any handgun that you are interested in, and as you already found out, the way a gun fits your hand is important, so hold and shoot as many as you can of the ones that interest you.
Good luck!
 
i Like both my Jericho 941's. One was used, with extra mags, 2 holsters, mag pouches for under $500. There are(were?) a few on EE in the last few days that looked to be good deals. Absolutely reliable guns that shoot with guns costing 2x as much. The only thing I don't like are the factory grips.
 
Based on your given options, I would take the M&P and install the Apex trigger kit, if you want.
The Range kit can be found for around $600 used on the EE in nice shape.

Edgy mentioned the PPX. That is a surprisingly good gun for any price range. Look into it before you make a final decision.
The Canik is a nice pistol with a nice trigger. Not sure of the after market support though. I have heard mags can be hard to come by.
 
M&p is a good choice...my Canik is a surprisingly well made pistol for the price point..I would reccomend....Steyr is an underrated pistol..imho.....had a sd40.. some like it, I was a little 'meh' ..traded it on..always fancied a Jericho..just havn't got round to purchasing one yet....lots of great pistols to choose from in your budget...as always..cruise you local gun stores and try to handle as many as you can.
 
Pretty hard to beat an M&P 9 Range Kit at @$640 when it comes with 3 mags, Blade-Tech holster, double mag pouch, Maglula UpLULA loader and carry case. I bought this same kit back in June for more than what I could buy one for now, love the pistol and you will need the loader to get rounds in the shortened mags.
 
Personally I strongly suggest that you start off with a 22LR pistol. Ammo is cheap allowing you to do a lot of practice shooting in order to get use to a pistol. With that in mind there are several nice 22LR pistols out there. My suggestion would be the new S&W Victory 22LR with it's match barrel. A terrific and accurate shooter. Good luck....
 
edgy said:
Under or around $600, there are a few more to add to your list, lots of choices available, just a matter of what you like
3- Walther PPX: range kit can be had new for around $500, with holster and mag holder, great value , good trigger.
Good luck!
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Recently I purchased my Walther PPX range kit for $419 after 100 shots. It includes three super-quality Italian-made steel magazines, a very nice holster (for which I don't have much use because both my ranges I have membership in do not allow holsters for normal shooting) and two belt magazine carriers made from high quality stiff polymer.
I have rather large hands and the grip fits me like a glove. The PPX shoots very well, good accuracy at 25 yards and excellent accuracy at 10 meters. It eats any ammo without hiccup (PMC Brass, Blazer Brass, FOC low recoil, WASP re-loads). I'm very happy with the PPX and can recommend it without any hesitation. As a matter of fact it's on par with the PPQ regarding shootability. The only thing which is a bit weird is a composite, three-part, barrel-breech design which may/may not affect durability. So far, I have 400 shots on it, so we will see.
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Still alive said:
Based on your given options, I would take the M&P and install the Apex trigger kit, if you want...
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I'd hesitate to recommend any modifications to the first-time handgun buyer. The M&P9's OEM trigger is not the sweetest thing, but it'll do, and it's legal for anything and everything that the first-time handgun buyer might want to pursue.

The Apex DCAEK is a nice addition, but it isn't legal for IPSC Production Division (for example).
 
Wendell said:
I'd hesitate to recommend any modifications to the first-time handgun buyer. The M&P9's OEM trigger is not the sweetest thing, but it'll do, and it's legal for anything and everything that the first-time handgun buyer might want to pursue.

The Apex DCAEK is a nice addition, but it isn't legal for IPSC Production Division (for example).
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Agreed! That's why I said "If you want..." I've been shooting for 30 years and my guns are all stock except for sights and grips.
I have no issue with the stock trigger on the M&P but it is an issue for some people; that's why I suggested it to the OP.
 
If you havent checked out an FNS-40 in 40 cal yet and are willing to add it to your considerations then I can certainly get you a range kit with the gun and be well under your budget. 3 mags, backstraps, hard case and soft case and I believe it comes with a small speed loader as well. Under 100 rounds thru it and in excellent condition. They are 650 new but will sell you this one for 475 shipped to a major market. PM me if you are interested and want to see some pics. your email will work or your cell so I can text pics (would be better)
Cheers,
Peter :)
 
As someone else suggested, also would recommend starting out with a .22. Some very nice and inexpensive ones for sale right now.
 
Buy an M&P range kit on the EE. Usually priced between $500-$600 shipped. I rarely buy new. Most pistols on the EE here are very well looked after and a lot cheaper than new. M&P is a great pistol to start with.
 
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