In search of a full-size 9mm handgun

E

etron

New member
Well I just got back from the range. Put 100 rounds through a rented p226. First time shooting this one, and I like it. It handles better than the glock 17 for me, which I shot 100 rounds through last week.

I was talking with an employee there. I told him I was getting ready to buy a gun (I've been getting ready for about two months now hehe). I'm considering between the glock 17 and the sig p226, but after today I think I have to say I'm definately leaning towards the p226. He said that I might also consider the HK USP 9 which I haven't heard anything about.

So, should I even consider the HK USP 9? For me, I want a full size 9mm home-defense firearm. Concealed carry and competitions are not a factor, and neither is price. I want the most proven reliable, quality, top-notch full size 9mm handgun.
 
Definitelty give the USP a try if you can. They are some of the best handguns out there. They have a great feel , are extremely accurate and durable,as well as having a lifetime warranty. HKs and Sigs are both great choices, both are top notch firearms and it'll really boil down to personal preference. One other handgun you might want to take a look at is the Walther P99. I recently got one in 40 cal and love it.
 
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Any of the 3 you mentioned plus the Beretta 92 will serve you well in 9mm.
These 4 brand are tied for 1st in my book.

Flip a coin...they are all excellent.

Depends on which you shoot better, and if you want DA/SA, safety, decocker only or Safe-Action.
My vote is for G17, YMMV

40BOY
 
While the Glock 17 and H&K USP are fine guns,

the Sig-Sauer P226 is noted for its extremely fine
reliability. If it didn't have these characteristic's,
I don't think any foregin government's would
have adopted it as their primary sidearm.

Go ahead and rent the H&K USP, carry it for a
test drive then compare it with the G-17 and
P226. If you then decide on the P226; I don't
think you could go wrong. Just my opinion.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
This looks like every other "which is better" posting you have been putting out.

Please do a search before you put another one of these out. Just go buy something and let us know if you like it or not.
 
I second the good Doctor. Some of the best full sized 9mm handguns you can buy are the Sig 226, the Glock 17, the HK USP and the Walther P99 (I have a Sig 229, Glock 23, HK USP 9mm Compact, and a Walther P99). I'd also recommend my first gun, the Beretta 92. It's a great gun, and the hi-capacity mags cost less than half of what other factory hi-caps cost.
 
Originally posted by CWL:

This looks like every other "which is better" posting you have been putting out.

Please do a search before you put another one of these out. Just go buy something and let us know if you like it or not.
Click to expand...

Hey CWL, before I go plop down $800 on a gun I want to be sure I'm making the right decision.

I stand by every word and every post of mine. If you don't like it, then you should ignore me.
 
if it can't be a glock my choice for the best full sized 9mm pistol is the Beretta 92FS. I love mine and it's 100% reliable and extreemly accurate. the trigger is long but very smooth and may take a little getting used. the 92FS feels much better in my hands than the 226 or USP and i shoot it much better. i feel the 92FS is also a little more reliable than the sig or HK. all that being said if sigs felt better in my hands (i can shoot them very well they just don't feel right) then i'd like them a lot more.
I'd rent a 92FS and see how that compares to the 226 and USP. any one of them is a great choice and they're all very reliable, well made pistols. get the one that feels best in your hands.
 
etron, sorry i didn't see your post about passing on the 92FS when i wrote mine. however, you said it's just for home defense so i don't see why size matters at all. it's large size makes recoil nearly non-existent. unless you meant the grip is too big for your hands and in that case it's just not the right gun for you.
 
Ok I'll give the 92FS a try next time.

Here's my list of the best full-size 9mm handguns:

sig p226
glock 17
HK usp9
berreta 92fs


Should I add the walther p-99 and the cz-75 B? I haven't heard of those two.
 
Should I add the walther p-99 and the cz-75 B? I haven't heard of those two.
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I would add the Walther for sure. Since you havent heard of it, Ill tell a little about it. They have one of the best grips out there. Its ergonomically perfect and with the three interchangeble backstraps, it can be fitted for any size hand. Its striker fired like a Glock and also has the same extremely durable finish of Glocks-tennifer. It also has the high cap mags available(90-100$) which give it 16+1 capacity in a smaller package than any other gun I can think of. Some will tell tales of the P99s being very malfunction prone. It was true with early models but the problem was corrected and most owners of newer models, myself included, feel they are very reliable and dependable. Plus its the new pistol of Bond 007.....which doesnt mean much but is kinda cool
double0smile.gif
In case youve never seen one- heres mine in 40sw with the QPQ finish-
0D61303.jpg


If you do ever decide to get one, make sure to look for the "N" proofmark on the rear right side of the slide. P99s lacking this symbol are one of the 3000 P99s produced by Smith and Wesson to help Walther meet demands. Im not sure if they are inferior to genuine German made P99s, but generally are considered less desirable to the genuine version. Heres a closeup of a genuine Walther proofmark-SW made models lack the N-
bv76471.jpg
 
Try the USP9!:)


Their guns are as tough as can be, ultra-reliable, and is available in 8 or 9 different variants ( from DA/SA to DAO, to manual safety to decocker only, leftie or rightie, and so on and so forth.....) whew!:D

Be safe
 
Give the CZ 75 a try. It has a steel frame and a lot of weight to it. IMO, it is one of the lowest recoiling 9mm's out there, and also is very well balanced (due to the heavy all steel frame) and extremely accurate.
 
Once again, the good doctor speaks the truth. While the Beretta is a great gun, it's not for everyone. If the thickness of the grip is a big factor for you, the P99 is definately a gun to check out. One of my all time favorites. 16+1 rounds in a gun the size of a Glock 19. Excellent grip. Accurate. and an interchangeable grip to fit different sized hands (with the smallest backstrap, it's as thick as some single stacks). Definately check it out.
 
etron, I've been there. I bought the P226 because it felt better in my hand. If you get the one that fits your hand the best, you won't lose any way you go.
 
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