9mm - what should I look at?

Skip all the "There are so many questions that need answering and factors to consider" posts and just go buy a Glock 17 or 19.
 
Thanks everybody! I have been shooting for about a year. I have a gp100, @and I regularly shoot both that and my husband 22 semi auto. Because this is just for the range, I am looking for fun and accuracy, and therefore, thinking metal. I am also thinking double action, and don't have any limitations when it comes to magazine size. But I am open to other ideas.I have been to the LGS and handled several, but just want to be sure I am checking out as many of the good options as I can. I am intrigued by these mystical ranges that rent handguns. I had never heard of such a thing until I started hanging out on here. I called all the ranges within 50+ miles of here, and no one does. :(, so I am limited to shooting what I have access to. I have shot a Springfield, but it is a friend's edc, so it's much smaller than I'm looking for.

Budget - I don't know.. $600? $700? I can go up if I need to. I don't want to spend a fortune. On the other hand, I would rather spend enough to get what I want the first time. I have never been particularly good about setting a budget for something that I really want. I have a "fun money" account just for occasions like these.;)

Any other suggestions and/or advice is more than welcome.
 
Wow no one rents handguns at the ranges around you? That is strange and sad.

Metal frame guns are great for the range (I love my SIG P226) but IMO don't rule out poly frame pistols either, especially in 9MM. Some of the newer poly frame pistols like the Walther PPQ (5 inch barrel version best for range) and HK VP9 have amazing grips and are customizable to your hand with included changeable backstraps and even changeable palm inserts like the HK VP9 and both are known for great accuracy and nice triggers out of the box.

Since you can't rent the pistols you want to try, when checking out various pistols look for those that fit your hand well and ask if you can dry fire them a couple times. In particular asses the reach you have to the trigger with a two handed grip like you are going to shoot it and if a hammer fired pistol be sure to check that reach in SA trigger mode with the hammer cocked back as that is what you will be shooting at the range. If you can barely reach the trigger you probably won't shoot it as well as you like.

Good luck.
 
Glocks are OK, but I find many gun shops just push what they feel will sell. Glock, S&W M&P, etc. The Glock can be very accurate, and it is more the shooter than the fun with these pistols, but for target shooting I am with the others. CZ-75 variant, Browning Hi Power, 1911, Beretta 92FS, Sig P226, or another full size metal framed pistol.
 
From RC5129:

Thanks everybody! I have been shooting for about a year. I have a gp100, @and I regularly shoot both that and my husband 22 semi auto. Because this is just for the range, I am looking for fun and accuracy, and therefore, thinking metal. I am also thinking double action
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A da/sa gun is a good place to begin. As some others have said: Look at the guns by Sig, from the CZ 75 family, something from Beretta, these are all quality makers with good customer support if it's needed.

I would avoid a used gun at this point, simply because it takes some experience to know which are good ones.

And others have given the good advice of picking them up and seeing how easy it is to reach the controls and get a feel for the reach of your hand and fingers.

Good luck and be safe.

tipoc
 
A few weeks back I picked up a Sarsilmaz B6 Hawk imported by EAA for a ridiculously low $299 - price so low as they are blowing them out due to this particular model not being currently imported. It is an all-steel DA/SA clone of the CZ-75 and shoots great with a really nice trigger. Downsides are fixed sights and the upside-down manual safety (either of which may or may not matter to you). If you want the CZ-75 experience with plenty of money left in the kitty for ammo this is a great choice while you can still find them.

If ya gotta have the real thing based on what you have described my first recommendation would be one of the CZ-75 variants (or CZ-85 for lefties).
 
I love my CZs and my Sigs...

The Sigs can feel a little big in the hand, so make sure it is comfortable to hold, and not too big for your hands. Also make the trigger reach in DA mode is not too long for you to get a good pull. (the 229 actually feels bigger than the larger 226, due to the frame being a little bigger, so keep that in mind)

Some find the trigger reach on the CZ line a little too long. The grip is usually comfortable for most people. Some may also find the slide on the CZ line difficult to manipulate due to its design/size.

Sig and CZ make good polymer pistols as well.

The beretta 92 has similar cautions as the Sig.


Glocks can be nice pistols, I prefer the gen 4. I also like the 17 better than the 19, as the 19 has a grip just a little too short, and the finger grooves just a tad too small for my liking.


I find the M&P to be a great poly pistol, but the trigger leaves a little to be desired, both the pull and the actual trigger... the trigger feels like it flexes, and the pull is a little gritty and mushy. An Apex Tactical drop in sear and trigger kit can really make the trigger very nice. The Forward set sear and trigger kit is very nice for the range, and the action enhancement kit is a great all around , but it does not have a replacement trigger with it, so thats an extra. Your looking at about $100 either way... I felt it very much worth it for my M&P.


The new VP9 is nice, and has a very adjustable grip. My fiance shoots mine very well, and she may steal it from me.

The Walther PPQ is very nice, and has the best out of box trigger of any striker pistol. (the Apex upgrade in an M&P is better, but that's not out of box and costs extra) My fiance felt it a tad slick when shooting it though, but that is something that can be fixed with some talon grips, which are cheap.


There are other options as well... most modern semi 9mm pistols are going to be a good pick so long as it fits your hand well.
 
Thanks everybody! I have been shooting for about a year. I have a gp100, @and I regularly shoot both that and my husband 22 semi auto. Because this is just for the range, I am looking for fun and accuracy, and therefore, thinking metal. I am also thinking double action, and don't have any limitations when it comes to magazine size. But I am open to other ideas

Budget - I don't know.. $600? $700?
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Guy locally's got a Hi Point for cheap. :D

Seriously, given the purpose, I don't think hammer matters, or metal. I'd be looking more at what actually fits your hand well, has a reputation for reliability and accuracy, and has a long enough barrel to have a decent sight radius.

(I'd probably be looking at a Beretta myself, but might end up with any number of other things.)

I am intrigued by these mystical ranges that rent handguns. I had never heard of such a thing until I started hanging out on here. I called all the ranges within 50+ miles of here, and no one does.
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Me too me too. We've got nothing like that around here, that I'm aware of.
 
RC5129 wrote:

I am intrigued by these mystical ranges that rent handguns. I had never heard of such a thing until I started hanging out on here.
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You and me both, sister. It's like something out of a fairy tale. I've never seen it and the answer I got when I first asked around locally was "I wish". At least twice I've bought a new gun just to try it out, knowing full well I'd never be able to get the full amount back in sale/trade. It's sort of like that box of holsters everyone's got in their closet. (If you don't have one yet, just wait.)

Meanwhile, I think the recommendations for metal Sigs and CZs are right on target. Take my earlier advice, and check out one of these in SA/DA. There are a lot of versions available in each and your best bet would be fondling one at your local shop or the next gun show. Sometimes, you get a gun in hand and you just know.
 
I also like the suggestion of the Springfield Range Officer in 9mm. A couple notes -- I hesitate to call them "complaints" is that the big adjustable rear target sight is bothersome to some folks. (I love it) Also, the matte blue finish is, IMO, quite unattractive, but that's very personal. Lastly, I have handled more than just a couple Range Officers and frankly -- it just seems like with the 9mm version, you just NEVER know the trigger feel until you try it. Some are great, some are very average or less. This is a model I would want to handle rather than order & have shipped.

As to the "range that rents guns", there are -SIX- of them within 30 miles of the city I'm in and that is down one from a long time range that closed down when the building owner sold the property out from under them to a developer.

Typically, it's $10 plus you must buy their ammo. Personally, I don't find it an attractive option and I don't suggest it. Far better is to find a friend with a nice array of handguns to try, but obviously... that isn't always an option.
 
Most of the major brands offer a great full size 9mm option.

I would first call your local ranges and see if any of them offer handgun rentals. Most of the time it's 1 price up front, then you can shoot the rental gun, and take it back and pick up a different rental. The only downside is you must shoot ammo sold at the range, and the guns are not in the best condition. But at least you can get a feel for the gun without having to spend all that money first. And at most ranges that offer rentals and actually sell guns as well, they will take the price of the rental off the price of the gun if you end up buying a new one from them.
 
Your budget rules out a new Browning Hi-Power and a good Springfield 1911. But, it will easily accomodate a CZ or, better yet, a full-metal clone, such as a Canik (aka Tristar). With a Canik you would be able to afford aftermarket upgrades (eg, http://www.cajungunworks.com/canik_-_tristar.html), and maybe enough for a local gunsmith to install them, which would give you a sweetly tuned trigger pull to help you maximize your accuracy and precision. And, all the aftermarket grip options for the CZ 75 would be available for you to dress up your gun and optimize your grip.
 
Rent one....so you won't have buyers remorse. You'll be out of $50, well worth it. I'd hate for you to be stuck with a gun that doesn't fit you or are afraid to handle.

Renting is easy..."hardest" ;) part is finding a range with rentals. Around here every range offers rentals. Just go in tell them you want to rent and you most likely have to buy their ammo. Don't be shy, ask to try as many as possible!
 
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