Which 9mm Pistol to buy

I was in the same boat a couple years ago. I ended up buying a glock 17 and it has been great, just putting a red dot sight on now for some added fun. I would probably buy an optic ready pistol if I did it all over again. I wasn't sure if I wanted a red dot ever and just received my milled slide yesterday.
 
In no particular order:

Polymer

S&W M&P FS, Pro, or Compact

Sig 320 Series - for what you describe I would not go above the base model. The most tested of the polymer guns listed and likely now the most shot (US Armed Forces)

Walther PPQ or PDP. - The latter is the newer series. The base model of the PPQ works for what you described. Go PPQ Match or PDP if you envision and Optic

Steel

CZ 75B/85 Combat in any variation or the SP-01 Shadow. The Shasow2 is IPSC specific and heavy by design. If you are under 40ish enjoy iron sights for as long as you can!

Beretta 92FS or any variant of the 92 Series. Really one of the best pistols out there for what you describe your uses for the gun. Served the US Military for a very long time. Well tested and by design almost impossible to jam.

Disclaimer: I own 320 X5 with Wilson Combat grip module, a 75B and 85Combat, 4x 92's. 2x M&P Pro's and 3xWalther PPQ's. They are all very good pistols. I have owned a CZ Shadow which, after a trigger job is/was an outstanding pistol. I honestly don't shoot any one of them any better than the other.
They all go to the range about equal time. the 320 and the PPQ's are my current favourites.

For a relatively new shooter who wants a reliable plinking pistol and is not looking to compete even casually a steel gun is pretty hard to beat in DA/SA mode. That said any of the polymer guns I listed really represent the best bang for your long term buck. The 320 series is the most versatile IMHO and the Walther likely the most accurate with it's stepped chamber, 1/10th" reset and excellent 5.6lb trigger which reduces with use. All mine came with 5.6lb triggers based upon my trigger gauge. All the guns listed are capable of shooting far more accurately than my skill set allows.

I did not list the Glock mainly because I have never owned one and each Generation is really an improvement over the last. The Gen5 would be the only one I would buy unless they came out with a Gen6.

Take Care

Bob
ps I didn't list a 1911. To get a decent 1911 you are going to be in for $1,400 new at least.
 
Hi Guys,

I am in the market to buy a 9mm. I have a few choices in mind but just need more advice. This will be for range use shooting targets/metal plates. The guns below are what come in mind. If you guys can advise on something different , that would be great as well. I would like a nice trigger and good sights.

Glock 19x ( Have shot a Glock 17 before)
Walther PP2 M2 5" ( owned it before, had to sell it for financial reason)
Cz 75 Sp-01 Shadow or shadow 2 ( Not sure if its worth the extra money) ( Shot about 20 rounds through it few years back)
HK VP9

Thanks!

The CZ 75B Omega. It perfectly accepts the 40SW Mags, which you can fit 13 rounds of 9 mm into. About 3000 rounds in and hasn't jammed/failed yet.
 
Oh that's interesting. I have a pre-B and need some mags. Wonder if the 40s fit?

No don't try a modern 75B 40SW mag like the mec-gar on your pre-B. I went to G4C and asked whether or not a mec-gar 75B mag will fit their pre-B surplus. The sales guy inserted it in and it got stuck. They couldn't easily remove the mec-gar mag.
 
Oh that's interesting. I have a pre-B and need some mags. Wonder if the 40s fit?

Flash you can get new CZ mags to work. Have a gunsmith or do the following yourself. Take a dremel and open up the bottom of the magwell. Go slow testing fit as you remove small amounts of metal. I had a Pre-B years ago and did what I just described. CZ changed the magwell around 1988 or shortly thereafter. Your chances of getting pre-Bmags are not all that good.

Take Care

Bob
 
Sometimes a Glock just makes sense due to its popularity and the proliferation of magazines. I don't have one. I think they feel like the most un-ergonomic guns in the world, but sometimes a Glock just makes sense.
 
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