My polymer handgun choices.

Cocked&Locked said:
I think your best value for dollar would be the M&P with a trigger job, which is super easy to do yourself and there's a pile of good youtube vids that will walk you thru it. Plus when you decide that striker fired guns are great for duty guns but not so great as range guns, you won't loose much when you resell. I've never had mag problems with them but some don't like mag loaders.

The G 17 is right in there as well, but generally a bit more, and you don't get the range kit (holster pouches and extra mag.

The PPQ is a sweet pistol and one striker fired gun i would add to the collection (to sit beside the xd glock and M&P). They feel good point well and have a very good trigger for a striker gun. You pay more, holsters are harder to find and mags are pricey

I can't comment on the HK, but i suspect it's as good or better. but you generally pay for those two letters. I don't know what they sell for in canada, but i doubt you'd be dissappointed. Again holsters and mags are going to be a bit more work to find, and mags will not be cheap

I've shot the FN and really liked it, as for a very good price as well. Trigger not quite as nice, but then it's a good bit cheaper.\

Don't overlook either the original XD or the XDM series, I've had stirling service from them in terms of accuracy and reliability.

There really aren't any dogs in the race if you stick to the name brand players. The oddballs like the FMK can be nice, but i've personally seen reliability issues and it's hard to find parts / support.

Finally, for a first handgun, it's really worth checking out used. You will save a good bit, and at this point you really don't know what you like yet, just what you think you like, The more you shoot, the more your opinion may change (or not, but most do) So don't sink a giant wad until you've got more experience.

Cheers and have fun!
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^ These are some very good points...especially the last one about buying used. I've only had handguns for a little more than 18 months now and am already selling off some of the guns I bought in the first few months of being licensed

I can almost guarantee your tastes will evolve as you try various guns.
 
If you can
- try to find a rental range and shoot all the guns you have short listed
- or try to at least hold them each to see how they feel in your hand and dry fire to see the trigger differences

For one more option, a Walther PPX range kit is a good value ($499 sale at Al Flahertys) for a first pistol.
 
My nickel,

1-PPQ (M1 or M2. Best. Trigger. Ever. Period)
2- HK VP9 (not as good a trigger as the PPQ, but right up there)
3- Sig 320 (good trigger and Sig quality)
4- MP (natural pointer. Trigger not as good as the others above it. Apex kit will help, but factor that into the cost. Might be better to go with one of the others I listed)
5- Glock (not everyone's cup of tea. Grip angle is.........different. Tons of accessories though, so factor that into the cost. Will never get it to the stock trigger of the PPQ or VP9, but close.)

Try them all if you can. In the end, the best shooting gun will be the one that fits YOUR hand the best. I suggest you close your eyes and handle them randomly to see which one feels better
 
You should also look at either the FNS-9 or FNS-40. Both are fine quality polymer frame handguns at a bargain price!

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K-C said:
You should also look at either the FNS-9 or FNS-40. Both are fine quality polymer frame handguns at a bargain price!

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Was my suggestion earlier in the thread. I just got one and like it a lot more then the m&p I had earlier. Very hard to argue with the price if you can still find them at the old price. Some places are still selling the 40cal ones for $480 ish. Comes with 3 mags as well.
 
Canik TP9SA.. though now that the dollar has tanked, might as well spend more on a brand name.Feels so good it becomes part of your hand.
So many choices.. doesn't hurt to investigate other options.


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I've owned all of them and many more.
I'd say for the money Canik TP9SA can't be beat (decocker is a non issue), I prefer the M&P to Glocks but once you mod the trigger the cost rises. HK's meh, for polymer I think they're a bit pricey. I have an Arsenal Strike One, Cadillac of polymers. Sig has a higher bore Axis, not my cup of tea. Walther is decent (higher bore too), can't knock the design though. You also might add Steyr L9A1 if you can locate one, i've been looking.
 
johhny12gauge said:
I've owned all of them and many more.
I'd say for the money Canik TP9SA can't be beat (decocker is a non issue), I prefer the M&P to Glocks but once you mod the trigger the cost rises. HK's meh, for polymer I think they're a bit pricey. I have an Arsenal Strike One, Cadillac of polymers. Sig has a higher bore Axis, not my cup of tea. Walther is decent (higher bore too), can't knock the design though. You also might add Steyr L9A1 if you can locate one, i've been looking.
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Agree with most of what you said. I tried the Canik last month and was surprised how good the trigger was.
However, the Arsenal and L9 left me cold. Not because they didn't feel good but I saw both guns go down repeatedly in matches.
So badly that the Arsenal owner went to a Glock and the L9 owner sold his for a PPQ.
 
Hmm I've never handled the L9A, I will probably buy one anyway but I hope it runs. The Arsenal I havn't shot yet, I really hope it isn't a dud.
 
Meh.
You've already decided what you want, and ignored advice from other threads. Buy what you want. None of your choices exite me, as they are all kind of different flavours of the same thing, in my opinion.
 
johhny12gauge said:
Hmm I've never handled the L9A, I will probably buy one anyway but I hope it runs. The Arsenal I havn't shot yet, I really hope it isn't a dud.
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The L9 has a Walther PPQ, P99 type feel to it. Some have the cool, weird triangular prism sight.
I've seen 2 Arsenals. Both guys really wanted to like their guns. Shoots well and the low bore axis makes follow ups easy but both guns were unreliable in multi shot match situations. I would never buy one. Leave them for the Spetnaz!
 
If mine isn't reliable i'm going to be an unhappy camper. I'll have to make some time this week to test it out.

There's also DA/SA polymer guns like the CZ PO-7, P0-9, Phantom, Grand Power, newest Jericho, all decent choices (although I prefer my all metal DA/SA guns)
 
johhny12gauge said:
If mine isn't reliable i'm going to be an unhappy camper. I'll have to make some time this week to test it out.

There's also DA/SA polymer guns like the CZ PO-7, P0-9, Phantom, Grand Power, newest Jericho, all decent choices (although I prefer my all metal DA/SA guns)
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I agree about the metal DA/SA 9mm! I still drool over a SP-01 Canadian that I shot a month and a half ago!
The Arsenal should work fine slow fire. It wasn't till they were shot in matches that the failures showed up. Let us know how yours fares.
 
Im also looking for my next purchase, its gonne be my first polymer handgun (so far i've been a metal pistol guy)
My choices (9mm polymer guns only):

1- Walther PPQ M1/M2
2- Sig 320
3- H&K Vp9
4- S&W Mp9
5- FNS-9
 
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