Would Like Some Opinions on 9mm

I can't stress this enough - anyone who, without knowing anything about you, about your hand size, without giving you a chance to try it, recommends some specific make and model, isn't a reliable source of info. Everyone is different; people can offer advice re the technical merrits of a specific model, but don't ever buy a gun just because someone tells you it's "good".

you need to try at least holding it, ideally shooting it.
 
I can't stress this enough - anyone who, without knowing anything about you, about your hand size, without giving you a chance to try it, recommends some specific make and model, isn't a reliable source of info. Everyone is different; people can offer advice re the technical merrits of a specific model, but don't ever buy a gun just because someone tells you it's "good".

you need to try at least holding it, ideally shooting it
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+1, agree 100%
 
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omen said:
I can't stress this enough - anyone who, without knowing anything about you, about your hand size, without giving you a chance to try it, recommends some specific make and model, isn't a reliable source of info. Everyone is different; people can offer advice re the technical merrits of a specific model, but don't ever buy a gun just because someone tells you it's "good".

you need to try at least holding it, ideally shooting it.
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I think holding a gun or shooting it once or twice is a bit overrated.
Most guns will become comfortable with practice, unless there is something absolutely incompatible between a gun and a person, which I believe is rare.
 
Agreed. If you learn proper technique, and practice enough to develop basic skills, you can be proficient with nearly any size, shape or make of handgun. Look at them all, and choose the one you like best. Personal preference plays a big role. Any modern 9mm service pistol will serve you well.
 
iouri said:
I think holding a gun or shooting it once or twice is a bit overrated.
Most guns will become comfortable with practice, unless there is something absolutely incompatible between a gun and a person, which I believe is rare.
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Some guns are not meant for smallish hands.
My CZ for example is comfortable for me, but a buddy shot it a few weeks back, and was hardly able to grip it properly. For him a glock was a better fit.

Try before you buy is a wise thing.
 
I have to agree with Omen on this one... Get out to a range and make some friends so you can at least get a feeling for what works for you. Best if you can shoot as well but at minimum fondle a few. If you don't like making friends then go to a local gunstore and fondle a few.

Even though I did fondle a few when I first bought a handgun, I ended up with a lemon or rather something that I could not shoot well. It shot bad the first time and the last time I shot it. That is why it is best to see if you can try a few different makes at a range... This may not be perfect but it is better than nit trying anything.

Personally, I have had good luck with a CZ and Glock. I shoot much better with my CZ85 than my Glock 17 but the Glock is a better fit for me in IPSC as I have smaller hands and sausage fingers. Plus the constant trigger pull works better for me with strong/weak hand as well as first shots. This is where I have problems with the CZ 85.

But again to each their own. My lemon (P99) may be your perfect fit.

Good luck.
 
Newbrunny has it right. Try before you buy. I don't know about the folks down east but the folks out west will gladly talk guns all day with you. Whether that be at a shop or at the range. All the guys I shoot with are willing to let new shooters try their toys too. I don't think you'll run into any real a**holes that will bite your head off:) To add fuel to the fire, 9mm is a great way to go. Don't think for a minute tha you'll only own one gun, most folks on here started out with that plan and most of us own more than one. That being said you can always get a new calibre when you get a second(or third or fourth...) gun. Oh, and should you not like your first gun. There are plenty of vultures around here who will gladly buy it up...

CF
 
iouri said:
I think holding a gun or shooting it once or twice is a bit overrated.
Most guns will become comfortable with practice, unless there is something absolutely incompatible between a gun and a person, which I believe is rare.
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Then you haven't tried a lot of pistols. I picked up the CZ-75 and it felt like a glove - I didn't need to shoot it to know it was a great gun for me.

I picked up a Beretta (don't remember which model) and knew equally well that I hated it.

I tried the NP22, and liked it; no matter how many times I'd practice with the HK or the P99 the screwed up mag release just doesn't work with my fingers.

Hate the fat Taurus grip, hate the huge HK frame. Can't stand either the 1911 or the Glock grip angle. The K100 fits great....

The list goes on... I don't understand why anyone would even suggest that it's ok to get a gun blind, and then hope that you, eventually, force yourself to love it, rather than just trying to find something that feels good from the start. It worked for you? Great! The opposite might be the case for the next guy, and if someone is trying to get his/her first gun, let it be something that's remembered fondly, not as an uncomfortable piece of metal which (s)he learned to deal with, over time.
 
target said:
I would like to get into centerfire handguns and would like anyones opinion as to the best (and perhaps most affordable) centerfire to purchase. I am leaning toward 9mm semi-auto but I am not sure of which brand is best. I would consider other calibers as long as their not "cannons" (ie. 454 casull) so the ammo doesn't make me go bankrupt. I have no plans for reloading right now. Thanks for any insight you can provide.
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Unfortunately, "best" and "most affordable" are two terms that rarely go together. If you want a quality 9mm semi-auto, you can't go wrong with a gun from HK, Sig, Beretta, or Glock. However, be prepared to pay ~$1000 for a basic model from one of those manufacturers (except for the Glock, which is a little less). A top of the line "match-quality" 9 mm like USP Elite, S&W 952 or Sig P210 would cost anywhere from $1700 to $4000+.

In my opinion, HK USP and Sig P226 provide the best combination of accuracy, reliability and durability at a more or less affordable price (both sell for around $1000). When it comes to cars and guns, there's no match for German engineering.
 
omen said:
The list goes on... I don't understand why anyone would even suggest that it's ok to get a gun blind, and then hope that you, eventually, force yourself to love it, rather than just trying to find something that feels good from the start.
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In my experience, just because a gun feels good in your hand does not mean that you will be accurate with it. The seat of the pants feeling is sometimes deceiving. A Sig P226 feels like it's been custom-made for my hand but I'm no more accurate with it than I am with my S&W 686, which feels too small, or HK USP, which fees too angular.
 
omen said:
Then you haven't tried a lot of pistols. I picked up the CZ-75 and it felt like a glove - I didn't need to shoot it to know it was a great gun for me.

I picked up a Beretta (don't remember which model) and knew equally well that I hated it.

I tried the NP22, and liked it; no matter how many times I'd practice with the HK or the P99 the screwed up mag release just doesn't work with my fingers.

Hate the fat Taurus grip, hate the huge HK frame. Can't stand either the 1911 or the Glock grip angle. The K100 fits great....

The list goes on... I don't understand why anyone would even suggest that it's ok to get a gun blind, and then hope that you, eventually, force yourself to love it, rather than just trying to find something that feels good from the start. It worked for you? Great! The opposite might be the case for the next guy, and if someone is trying to get his/her first gun, let it be something that's remembered fondly, not as an uncomfortable piece of metal which (s)he learned to deal with, over time.
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This is true, I have not tried a lot of pistols, and several that I own now (someone above said the truth – you can’t have just one) I bought without handling.
From my experience of handling a few pistols I concluded for myself that most of them feel on the same level of comfort, even if all were different in some way. So I don’t believe that there is one model that will fit me perfectly, I believe I can eventually achieve same level of proficiency with any pistol. And just holding it in your hands or shooting one or two shots don’t tell much – only time and practice shows if it’s a good fit or not
Maybe it’s just me – I don’t feel “love” to my pistols, I just look at them as tools. Pistols are not hats. I don’t “love” or “hate” them.

So my advice to the starter of this thread: don’t be afraid to buy a pistol without holding it in your hands. If on average there are more positive reviews for this model – there is a good chance that it will be a good buy for you.
 
Best overall gun:
Beretta, Glock, HK, and Sig. Presented in alphabetical order, because none has a clear advfantage over the others.

Of those, in terms of customer service in Canada, from best to worst:
Glock, tie Beretta and Sig, HK not even on the map.

Price, cheapest to most expensive:
Glock, Beretta, Sig, HK
 
The two "best bang for your buck" 9mm handguns that I can think of are the CZ 75B and the Springfield XD-9. Also, for less bucks, you can find a Ruger p89. I had one in the past, I never had a problem with it. A Ruger P94 would also be a good find. The CZ and XD would also have good resale value.

Whatever you choose, shop around! Prices can vary up to +$200 dollars.
 
Nine said:
The two "best bang for your buck" 9mm handguns that I can think of are the CZ 75B and the Springfield XD-9. Also, for less bucks, you can find a Ruger p89. I had one in the past, I never had a problem with it. A Ruger P94 would also be a good find. The CZ and XD would also have good resale value.

Whatever you choose, shop around! Prices can vary up to +$200 dollars.
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If you want a Glock like gun (Springfield XD-9, Smith&Wesson M&P) get a Glock. The original is not much more, less than $200 difference between G17 and XD-9.
 
Thanks for all the information. I would take all the replies as a confirmation that 9mm is the way to get into centerfire at a reasonable cost.
The only other thing I might ask is if a CZ75B (9mm) is any good. They appear to be of fair quality at a reasonable price. I just don't have the cash for a S&W, Berreta, Sig or Glock. Who handles CZ guns. It would be nice to fondle one in Winnipeg, but I doubt anyone there handles them.
 
9 mm Accuracy

Not to change subjects too much, and being a handgun wanna be also, I think I read on this site somewhere, someone stated that the 9 mm is not an accurate cartridge to start with. True or false? Why or why not?? What is an "accurate" handgun cartridge.??
Just curious.
 
9mm is best to start off with, if you want a centerfire. As for a firearm choice I would go with CZ as they are in my opinion the best bang for the buck or find a good used deal. I have 4 handguns and 3 of them are used and were all good deals.

Wolverine Supplies is in Virden and they carry CZ. They are a site sponsor and have a link at the top of the page.
 
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paladin said:
Not to change subjects too much, and being a handgun wanna be also, I think I read on this site somewhere, someone stated that the 9 mm is not an accurate cartridge to start with. True or false? Why or why not?? What is an "accurate" handgun cartridge.??
Just curious.
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It all depends on the shooters, sometimes people reload and not able to find a good combinations of powders charge/ primer/seating depth/ bullet weight may resulted in poor accuracy. However if everthing stick with the reloading manual will noramly same or even better than the factory ammo.

Trigun
 
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