Lookin for a 9mm as first semi auto.

N

newbie 9mm

New member
Subject says it all. I'm lookin for a 9mm for my first pistol. Taking CCW courses soon, so i will be able to purchase in a few weeks when i get all of the paperwork in and the permit. Looking for something reliable and easy to shoot. I know i gotta shoot these guns to see how they fit me and my hand, etc, but I am wondering bout some choices. Looking for a barrel around 4.5", give or take some. Something relatively full size, not a compact model.

Glock 17
CZ-75
Sig in 9mm
HK USP 9mm
Walther P99

Wow. i just read the walther p99 range test. better accuracy than the glock or cz for that shooter. How is the durability of the P99??? I have seen posts bout the others reliability, and was wondering bout the walther.

Help me guys with this choice. I can shoot the glock and Cz, but the sig, HK and walther, i dunno if I can get acces to them if any ranges have then for rent. Are the grips similiar angle on any of them??
 
Sounds like you are going to start out with one gun. Why not get the Glock 19, a mid size gun. Good for the range and still small enough to conceal and carry 24/7.

Later you can get guns for specific tasks.

If you never have had agun on for long periods of time alarge gun on your side can take some getting used to.

I have 6 hanguns, the Glock 19 is the most versatile and gets the most use due to this fact.

Just my 2 cents.
 
Thanks. the 9mm will be for shooting, I prob wont carry it much unless i asolutely need to, or if I get a job where i need to be armed and they let me carry my own piece. it will be the pistol i learn to shoot the most with. Weight isnt a prob, i am fairly large and can handle some extra weight if needed. Also, i am lookin for 1 gun for now, and them maybe when i get more into shooting, i will go with other guns, but i am lookin for a "starter" gun. The P99 is looking really good, the interchangeable backstraps look like a plus. If i go with glock, it will be 17 or 19, whichever i like best.

isn't the P99 relatively the same size? 4" barrel, just over 7" OAL?

I am applying to several security jobs, some are armed, so I want to learn to shoot and want a gun i can get nice accuracy and dependability with. the glock and CZ are supposed to be accurate and easy to shoot. and the trigger on the P99 is supposed to be sweet. 6 of one, half dozen of the other, just lookin for different comments that might help me make the decision a little easier. keep the comments coming!!
 
Just a question, how will you know in advance when you will 'absolutely need to' carry your ccw?

If you actually have that ability, use it to avoid the situation where you will absolutely need a pistol ;)
 
Exactly. CCW is not a concern with this one. if i need it, well, where there is a will, there is a way. If i do need it, it will prob be because of work requiring me to be armed, and if I go that route, i might get a totally diff pistol for work. One for work, one for play :)

I don't plan to carry this CCW often. CT has CCW, you can only carry concealed IIRC, so if i do carry, it will be concealed.
 
My first handgun was a Glock 23 (.40) -

I found that the gun's size and simplicity of operation made it really good for me to get used to shooting with. So, I could easily reccomend the G19 (9mm), because they are the same size.

That said, I do own a P99 and a Sig P229.

The P99 is a great gun. It has a really good grip and a kick a$$ trigger for a polymer gun. Since the gun is DA/SA, you do get the option of learning to 'master' the transition. It is roughly the same size as a G23, and holds 16 rounds of 9mm. Definitely a plus if you're going to do some carry with it. Mine had a couple of teething problems associated with the recoil spring, but they shot themselves out. It is now flawless, and easy as heck to shoot very accurately.

IMHO, the P229 is the best of the three by a long shot in terms of 'feel' for me. It's more of a 'range gun' for me as it is the heaviest of the bunch (I'm not a big guy). The only negative thing about this gun is that it was expensive as hell -- but since it was worth every penny, I have since forgiven it. :D

Based on your needs, my nod goes to the P99.
 
yeah, so far the walther is winning out, unless the glock or CZ or other gun fits me better. As long as the walther fits my hand well, I think it is top of the list, with the glock 17 or 19 and CZ 75 coming in as a close 2nd and 3rd, depending on how they feel. Cant wait to start classes, get shooting and get my permit!
 
If you prefer polymer framed pistols, I highly recommend to you the Sig Pro SP2009 9mm. The slide is stainless with a nitron finish. I am hoping to get my hands on one these soon. But though they are not very popular yet....they are very very accurate and reliable. Though not as small as a P228 or P239 they are small enough for CCW. Our local police dept issues them standard. Very handsome gun and I along with some of those who have fired and is familiar with this gun will say it is better than a compact Glock or HkUSP. They cost somewhere between $450-$500. You won't find a better weapon for that price.
 
Sig-Sauer "Classic" P-series pistols

My recommendation is probably going to be different than
everybody else's; and that is cuz I'm predjuiced to Sig-
Sauer firearms. Having owned both, a P226 and a P228
I will tell you that the "European" style grip of the P226
takes some getting use to. Whereas it's compact brethren,
the P228 incorporates the "American" style features thus
making it a real pleasure to master. Both are capeable of
accepting the "double stack" high capacity magazine's.
When I'm not carrying my .45 caliber Sig-Sauer P220; I
opt for the same design by carrying the high capacity Sig
P228 9m/m. Both of my "carry" Sig's are from the era where
as the slide's are marked "made in West Germany"; making
for something that is kind'a rare when looking to purchase
a new Sig. For maximum concealment, look into the purchase
of a Sig P225; or better yet, the P239 in 9m/m. All of the guns
mentioned are excellent choice's; but, the final choice will be
up to each individual user. My reasoning behind my choice of
Sig's is simple. Learn to master it's double action first shot,
and every thing else comes natural.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Your list in order
1)SIG 229
2)The rest of the SIG P-line.
3)Glock 17
4)CZ-75 and HK USP 9mm
*
*
*
43)Walther P99
 
Taking CCW courses soon, so i will be able to purchase in a few weeks when i get all of the paperwork in and the permit.
Click to expand...
What state do you live in where you have to take a CCW course in order to get a permit to buy a gun?
All your choises are fine ones. For myself personally, I would be happy with a Sig, K&K USP compact (fits my hand better than the full sized), and the CZ-75.
I would suggest that many people find out to late that CCW would have been a good idea, but that is all I will say on that subject.
 
i am in CT. I want to wait until I have the permit so I know a little more about handling guns than I do now, and I will be shooting different guns during and after I go thru the courses, so I will have a better idea what to look for.

Notbubba, why is the P99 way at the bottom? Just curious.
 
Hello Newbie. I have a P99 9mm that has between 3-4k through it. I have never had ANY problem with this gun. The ergonomics are great and with the 3 backstraps easily adjust to your hand. I highly recommend it. You can also find 16 rnd mags for it but they are not cheap, $70 is about the best I've seen. Price is good, between $459-489. Check out the P99 you will not be sorry.:)
 
I have both a Glock 17 and a USP9 and I like the USP better. The dual recoil spring really does the job, especially when using +P.
It is a very well made and durable gun that you will probably continue to function well for a lifetime or more.
On the other hand, I will be buying one of the P226ST models when they become available. They should be a great gun, but heavy.
 
Armed securtiy guard gun

Check with your state regulations for armed security guards. You might need a seprate liscense to work as an armed security guard than a CCW permit. The state might limit your gun choice. Most popular security guard gun (required by employers) S&W M10 4" heavy barrel 38 special. Or any 4" barrel 38/357 revolver. I & a lot of other shooters learned to shoot with revolvers. But if you don't want a revolver I would suggest a 9mm DAO (double action only). Reasons why instructors like revolvers for beginers are long hard trigger pull, & easy to use. The hardest action to learn with is DA/SA which has 2 trigger pulls for the first & second shot. I still don't like DA/SA actions. The most accurate actions are SA carried locked & cocked. But the beginer must remember to take off/on the safety because the trigger is very light. My suggestion for you is the HK USPc9 which is expensive. But it has 10 variants. A HK armor can change the actions/controls to fit anyone. You can start out carring the HK DAO. Then after you gain experience you can switch it to SA cocked & locked.
 
The p99 didn't fit my hand well with any of the back straps.

Didn't shoot to point of aim, it shot about two inches low and to the right at 7'.

Weird trigger.

Can not use thumb for mag release.

Goofy decock.
 
Any of the pistols you mentioned are great choices. I would try to shoot an offering of each one and then make your choice. Although if you are like most of us you will want one of each. Good luck!
 
today is a good day. I go thru the safety portion of my CCW class, as well as hopefully go to a range, then to a tournament tonight to see what that is like, and so i might have a chance to handle some of these guns :) I will be learning on a glock 17 as well.

As for security, you have to be a registered security officer with the state, and then you can go for your blue card, which is the armed security state certification. You need the CCW to start this whole process. Currently the job i am lookin at is unarmed, but there are some armed postions in the company, and one of the guys there had a glock hat, and a glock on his belt when i walked in, so i think they will let me use a glock :)

Notbubba, thanks. I was just curious as almost everyone else seems to love them.

Next question. What is the ave price of the sigP226 in 9mm? standard stuff, no special finish or anything. What is the dealer price? how much are mags? Same questions for the HK USP 9mm. Ave price, dealer price, price of mags. Regular mags, not high caps. i ain't that rich, esp after buying a sig or HK!
 
You may want to check out the Ruger P95 also.
About the same size as a Glock 17.
Rugged, relaible, about $100 -200 less than most of the other pistols you are looking at, and factory hi-caps can be had for under $50.
Also, you can get cheap aftermarket mags that will work too!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top