Help with first handgun

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WyattWright

Inactive
I need some advice on my first handgun purchase. (sorry for the long post)

I have lurked in this forum for a few weeks now and have gotten a lot of great information. But I need a little more help because I have been unable to go about this the way I want and the way most people have suggested. Which is to go to a range and rent all of the guns that I am interested in. The ranges in my area just don't have the guns for rent that I want. I'm in the St. Louis area and have gone to Bullseye and have talked to Catfish. If anybody out there knows of another place to rent and shoot, please let me know.

Here are my criteria for the gun.
* My wife and I will both shoot it - if or when I buy a second gun, I will buy one that suits just me and not worry about the wife.
* I've decided on 9mm because it is the the cheapest defense caliber to shoot.
* It should be able to handle +P ammo.
* I am interested in accuracy, reliability, and safety more than looks, price, field-strip, etc.
* If MO ever gets its act together, I would like the gun to be suitable for carry. This is not critical because we would probably consider buying a dedicated carry gun if this ever happens, but it is a consideration for the first gun.
* IDPA looks like fun and it would be nice to have a gun suitable for that, but it is not high on the list, more of a nice-to-have.

So far we have only shot the Kahr P9 and the Beretta 92FS. The Kahr was too small and the the Beretta was too big. I have probably shot less than 200 rounds through a handgun in my life, but I was able to put 7 shots in the 9 ring at 7yds with the Kahr. My wife prefered the Beretta to the Kahr, but still thought that it was too big.

Anyway, these are the guns we are still considering. Any advice would be appreciated. Please keep in mind that we will be able to examine the guns before we buy, but probably not shoot them. I'm going to watch the IDPA match at Green Valley this Sunday (10/7) and hope to get some information there and hopefully convince someone to let me shoot their guns if they have one I like.

Sig P229
Sig P239
Beretta 9000s type F
CZ 75D compact
HK USP9
HK USP9 compact
Glock 19

Right now, I am leaning towards the Sig P239. I saw one at the range with the Hogue grips and my wife and I both really liked the way it felt, but we couldn't shoot it.
 
have you thought about the Rugers? they are a bit cheaper than most you listed, and come in various sizes and finishes...

they are usually very accurate, and they function very well... they like most all ammo, and can be found new AND used, very readily...

there are some better, but few at the price of a Ruger... they have decent trade in value, and can be had in a SWEET low maintainence stainless finish...


this is just my thinking on a "first" gun...
 
First let me comend you on your approach to the issue. Very few people do the research and go through all the effort you have gone through. I think the constraints you have set for the purchase of the handgun are very logical, others may argue that 9mm is to small but practice is the most important factor and you certainly will be able to practice more with it.

While many will advocate one of the guns on your list over the other, I think you list includes a set of handguns you would be well served by. My vote would go for the glock simply becuase it is easier to master amoungest the one you have listed for someone new to shooting and it falls inbetween in size.

Good luck in your quest.
 
Of those listed, I would recommend the Beretta 9000 or the Glock 19. They are both great reduced sized pistols with a full sized feel and both companies have a reputation for reliability. I think the deciding factor between the two for me would be if I wanted high-capacity magazines or not. They will be expensive for the Glock, but they don't exist for the Beretta.
 
Of those listed I think the SIG Sauer P239 and Glock 19 would be the best choices. My Lady likes the G19, but she shoots my P220 and G20 well also. The G19 and the P239 are both very accurate and are well suited for concealed carry for when that day comes. If you get a chance to try a Beretta 9000 do so. I found it to be a most disagreeable little pistol I have encountered in quite a while. The controls are small, slick, stiff and in all the wrong places. It may work for you, but it doesn't work for anyone that I know. I suggest you take your wife to the range and the two of you make the final choice together.
 
Along with ajacobs, I would like to commend you for your process in this matter.

I owned a Sig P239 for three years, and it is a fine firearm. The only thing about that gun that I would caution you on is the high bore axis, as this is likely to create quite a bit of muzzle flip for your wife. Not as big a deal for you, but it may be for her.

I sold that P239 and used the funds to buy a Glock 19. If you're looking for an all-around firearm, then I suggest you start here. It is suitable for IDPA (it's what I shoot, along with my G21), concealed carry (you won't need a second gun to fill the bill), and you can still buy 15-round mags for it if you're willing to pony up the money for them. And, maybe best of all, the muzzle flip will be minimal due to the very low bore axis. That ought to help your wife out a little, though to be honest most of the firearms you listed shouldn't be too bad in that area. Accuracy, reliability, and safety are all at or near the top of the industry.

I think you'd be happy with almost any of the firearms on your list, but the two I mentioned here would be my top two choices, with the G19 at the very top.
 
Of the ones you listed I'd opt for either the CZ75D Compact or the Glock 19. My personal preference would be the Glock mainly because I can't stand decockers. If CZ would have offered the PCR with a safety lever instead of decocker I'd have gotten one a long time ago. I've never fathomed the logic of having a pistol that forces you to transition from a long double action pull first shot to a short crisp single action pull on remaining rounds. Guess that's why I no longer own any that do... :D

Rick
 
All are good choices. Would do as suggested, be sure to try the Beretta 9000 prior to purchase. As much as I love Berettas, I just can't warm up to this one. The grip doesn't fit me well and the operating levers are extremely stiff on all those I've handled.
Look for a factory reconditioned Glock 19. Very good value and usually comes with at least one factory non-neutered magazine. If you like the Beretta 92 but found it large try the 92 Compact. These are available in double stack, (13 round capacity) or single stack, (9 round capacity) models.
Good luck and enjoy.
Take Care
 
I would recommend the G19 or like someone said look at the rugers. The P95 is a decent 9mm in price, size, reliability and accuracy.

All the ones you mentioned should suit you and your wife just fine.

My wife likes to shoot my G23 over my G30 due to the fat grip of the G30, but absolutely loves my friends Ruger P90 in .45acp and his P95 in 9mm.

Good luck. :D
 
There is your list and then there is the
Browning HiPower.

Research it and then consider it.

Turk
 
Glock 19

Glock 19 seems like a good choice. I like the Berettas but they are pretty heavy and require more care and attention to keep clean. I have heard good things about the CZ's but never had one. Glock is simple to use, accurate and easy to maintain and clean. also much lighter than the Beretta and I imagine lighter than the CZ also. The G19 is a good size and seems like it would fill all of your needs. Just practice good safety habits cause when you pull the trigger of a Glock it fires.... every time.
 
The Glock and Sig are nice, but neither has an external safety. You dont sound as if you have a great deal of experience with a handgun and this might be a factor. The Browning is a single action pistol, but has been around forever and is very carryable. Shoot as many as you can and then make a decision.
 
What max said about external safeties is true. However, no revolvers have external safeties either, and I've never heard anyone recommend that a new handgunner not get a wheelgun due to that limitation.

Personally, I am of the opinion that it is more difficult to learn to operate a single action from condition one than it is to operate a DAO or DA/SA.

Safe handling is safe handling, regardless of the particular manual-of-arms involved.
 
SIG 229 9mm is a GREAT gun!

Glock 19 is a very very good gun.

H&K USP compact is a very good gun.

SIG 239 is a very good gun.

The SIG 229 is the best of your list.
 
HKUSP9 OR USPCOMPACT, is what i recomend

-It is accurate, safe, and reliable.
-it can handle ++++++++p++++++++ ammunition if it existed.
 
I have to agree with Paul K- The H&K USP Compact is an excellent choice.

I have owned 3 handguns in 9x19:

Beretta 92fs
smith and wesson 908
H&K USP9C

The H&K is my favorite by a large margin. Now my 24/7 carry.

Excellent quality, reliability, accuracy, low felt recoil- a great first handgun in my opinion.

It is on the pricey side- but shop around. I picked up a NIB USP9C for $525.00, while other shops would not go below $700.00.

Good luck with whatever you decide!!
 
I'd go with the GLOCK 19, personally. Most size efficient compact 9mm out there. I would look at the SIG 228 and USP9 as well.

If you want my honest opinion, the Beretta 92FS is the best 9mm I've ever had the pleasure of owning and shooting.
 
I would suggest a police trade-in S&W 6906. You get a stainless 13 round pistol with ambi. safety, compact size, mag. safety that acts as a kill button in a struggle for the gun.
Most of the ones I've seen show holster wear but are mechanically in great shape and run around $325.
Best of all spare mags run around $25. Just another option, Good Luck.
 
Wyatt,

Here's how it is, perhaps to the annoyance of my fellow members.

If you want your wife to be able to manipulate the gun effectively, there is only one choice to make, but let's rule out the other main players first, this by the way is what my wife found to be true, not me.

Glock 19 - very difficult slide release catch, difficult mag release.

Ruger P95 - horrible feel in the hand, "didn't feel right"

Sig P239 - A gun I personally adore, but her findings - couldn't work the slide release, it feels like a bent piece of soda can.

And, other than the pseuds and also rans, that leaves you with the superior choice, the H&K USP Compact 9mm.

It feels good especially if you have smaller hands, it has a wide well serrated slide that women find easier to rack, it has an extended slide release that is VERY easy for women to manipulate, it is concealeable, specifically rated for not only +P but +P+ ammunition.

It may well be the most expensive choice, but it is nevertheless the best for the criteria you specified.

Good Luck

Go buy it, you won't be sorry.

Mike H
 
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