General purpose, all in one 9mm for a lefty??

N

nodule

New member
Hi,

I currently own two S&W revolvers and would like to purchase my first 9mm
pistol as just a general purpose, all in one 9mm for fun range use and doubling
for home defense. I am a lefty but pretty sure I can easily adapt to a strictly
righty pistol.

I am considering the Glock 19 GEN4, CZ 75 SP-01, HK UPS 9mm Compact, Sig P226 and am open to other suggestions!

I am in NJ, so 15 round mag capacity for me.

Thanks!
 
All are good choices. I've owned all but the HK, and I did have an HK 45 for a while. I kept the Sig just because I like it, the CZ was the one least liked. I also have 2 Glock 19's and a Glock 26. They are the least expensive and do anything the others do. Those are the ones carried or reached for when something goes bump in the night.
 
I bought a S&W SD9VE about 2 months ago for home defense and I love it. It's better priced than the Gloc and is pretty damn accurate. I keep the Federal Premium Personal Defense HST 124gr rounds in it around the house.
 
I think you should first decide whether you would prefer a striker fired pistol or a hammer fired one in DA/SA or SAO. That will narrow your options some.

In SAO semiautos (ala 1911 type platform) you will want an ambidextrous thumb safety.

Most, but not all, DA/SA models have a decocker for righties. There are lefty versions available.

In my opinion, the field is much more open for striker fired platforms. There are a number of models that require no compromise in that they have ambidextrous slide release levers AND either reversible or ambidextrous mag releases. Among these, my favorites are the M&P, the VP9, the PPQ (M1 and M2 variants), and the FNS. I believe the same is true for the P320.

Most other striker fired models will require a little compromise for lefties. The Gen 4 Glocks have reversible mag releases but not ambidextrous slide release levers. The PPS has an ambidextrous mag release but not an ambidextrous slide release.

These are all very reputable and dependable platforms. I'm sure I left some other options out and maybe we can get some help on them.

As a fellow lefty, I own and love at least one or more of all the no-compromise striker fired options listed above.
 
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Depending on what trigger you prefer:

Da/sa, HK P2000 or P30

Striker, VP9, Glock 19 or FNS 9. (You would have to get the state compliant FNS)

The VP9 is a better gun than the PPQ, contrare to what others say....:rolleyes:
 
ok

After doing a bit my online research, I will probably look seriously at the Glock 19 Gen4 and the Sig P320 Carry, 9mm.

I prefer striker fired over hammered for first time buyer.
 
I have a HK P-30 (V3) and Walther PPQ M1 that are both fully ambidextrous. The Mentioned HK VP9, FN FHX and FNS are as well. I like them quite a bit for this reason as there's nothing to change around.
 
I am considering the Glock 19 GEN4, CZ 75 SP-01, HK UPS 9mm Compact, Sig P226 and am open to other suggestions!
Click to expand...

Glock 19 Gen4 is a good choice, but are you able to get a Jersey carry permit? If this is a range gun only, I'd consider a longer sight radius Glock 17 or even a Glock 34, but with these 2 you are limited to low cap 10 round mags in Jersey, which are fine for a range gun.

The CZ 75 SP-01 is another great choice, but in Jersey, you are limited to low cap 10 round mags, which are fine for a range gun.

HK UPS 9mm Compact is a good choice. I think the HK VP9 or the HK P30 with the Light LEM (V1) trigger variant are better choices. These both have 15 round mags so you're legal in Jersey. You can get a P30S version with an ambi thumb safety, which you may not want for a range gun. There is also a full size P30L version, with a longer slide. I have a P30 with the SA/DA (V3) trigger variant, this is a reliable and accurate gun. One other thing, the modular grip on the P30 and VP9 are excellent!

The Sig P226 Enhanced Elite version comes with the Siglite nightsights and the Short Reset Trigger. In this configuration, this would be my choice for the best range gun!
 
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all the CZ models I have shot/owned have a very simple mag release that can be flipped upside down to the other side of the gun( reversible). I have actually switched mine because my thumb could not reach the release w/o changing my grip, so I just use my index finger now and all is well. I didn't even know about the 85, but it appears everything is either ambi or reversible. I think that's your ticket, being fully ambi is awesome, but the good doesn't just stop there, it's also the best defensive pistol on the planet IMO. I lost track at over 5000 rounds without ever having a single malfunction, this mirrors from my branded cz-75 that's old as dirt to even my 300$ cz clone(Tri-Star), absolutely amazing reliability/accuracy and by far my favorite trigger ever. I am not sure what an 85 will cost you over a CZ 75 SA, but since you can carry the 75 SA chambered with hammer down w/o any chance of discharge w/o cocking first, that would be another option since the safety would be meaningless if carried hammer down and mag release is of course still reversible.

not a bad price for the 85 combat, the slight more money over the standard 75 seems to be worth it for the sights and what appears to be a polished barrel.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...1648/CZ-USA+01210+CZ+85+Combat+10+1+9mm+4.61"

so, the problem is, CZ doesn't appear to offer any compact/PRC models for ambi use or conversion. that's disappointing, but the CZ Rami Polymer is said to have and ambi safety, these are great carry guns and sport a fair price of 450 or less last I have seen. I cannot confirm or deny they truly have abi safteys, you'll have to research that.

i have "heard" that you can switch the safttey on the tangfolio line of witness guns. very nice CZ type pistols that have a great reputation. but this is all just because i think life is to short not to own a CZ type pisol. their are some nice realistic options out ther for lefty's, Ruger SR9 and Ruger P95, true ambi pistols, SR9 is affordable and not too terribly large for carry, the P95 is probably the mot affordable ambi pistol out there but it is very lare. obviously any glock is going to be truly ambi w/o having a safety in the first place, who really cares about the slide stop.
the SR9c comes in a nice compact version as well, still including the ambi controls, this would be a great choice and am pretty sure is sold with sub 15 round mags.
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/62287

http://slickdeals.net/f/4002830-gun-ruger-p95-9mm-stainless-304-99-shipped-kentucky-gun-company
 
Also left handed - carry a Gen 3 Glock 19.

Use my left hand index finger to hit the mag release and slide lock on all my semi-auto handguns.
 
JD

JDBerg,

I was under the impression the Glock 17 was only available in high cap magazine.
So a 10 round magazine is an option for the G17? NOT pinned or modified??

And yes, there is NO chance I would ever be able to get a carry permit in NJ,
its extremely hard, I hear.
 
I recommend Princeton in Mercer County West Virginia.



I only say that because as a Kid if we said we were from "Princeton" everyone assumed NJ, and I see there's also a Mercer County NJ.....we never thought of saying Mercer County.:o
 
While you may never get a NJ CCW license an out of state Arizona, Utah, & Florida CCW licenses are pretty easy to get and will cover you in other states.

Then again never say never. I never thought Illinois would get CCW.
 
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