Lookin for a 9mm as first semi auto.

I'm right over the border in MA and I've seen a NIB Sig P226 in 9mm for $690.

While looking for your new firearm don't rule out buying used. I picked up a used Sig 229 that came in 40S&W, had a 357 conversion barrel and had 4 mags. As with anything used, the price was lower and the gun has been outstanding.

Before I bought the Sig I went to the range and tested Glocks, Sigs, Walthers, HKs and S&Ws. I'm also a bigger guy with large hands and the Sig had the best fit for me out of all of them.

Good luck in your search
 
I might be in springfield, MA tonight to watch some friends of mine shoot tonight. I got to do some work with the glock, didnt get to the range though. We did basic dissassembly, field strip, etc and went thru the parts, and the diff mag changes for the diff competetion shooting and the safety rules. It was pretty fun. I did some drills with the draw and getting your stance, etc. Glock fit my hand pretty well, only thing is when i went to release the mag and i shifted my grip, well, i have a nice long cut between my thumb and index finger and the backstrap hit right at that spot, so it made it uncomfortable, but the cut will be healed in a few days.

Looks like I will be going with a 3rd gen glock 17 :) But i still gotta shoot it and see.
 
First gun purchase for me (couple months ago) was the G17 - I have absolutely no regrets about this purchase. I'm sure this gun will be around in a hundred years, working fine. I've left everything bone stock.

I then bought a CZ-75 - as hundreds have posted before, this is an excellent value.

I'd _still_ start with the G17 having had both guns for a while, if you can afford it. The Glock is lighter, easier to train with, easier to clean, better mag design...
 
As long as the shooting goes well with the glock, I will most likely pick up a used glock 17, 3rd gen. i got to try a first gen glock 17, and a 3rd gen glock 34 in the hand. 3rd gen felt nicer.


If i get a used glock 17, i can get a couple more mags, and then a little later maybe pick up a used .45 and work on customizing it. I make knives, so making up new grips will be easy, and i have a machinist friend who loves customizing .45's with new trigger, new barrel, better bushings (IIRC), etc. Would be a good way to learn about the inside of the gun, etc. the 9mm would be for shooting, and i could play with the .45, customize it, etc.
 
You can't go wrong with the Walther!!! Carrying it concealed is not a problem too!!! I carry mine IWB.

However, if you have the CCW, you will find that it will be your constant companion. Remember the old Boy Scout motto, ;) as well as Murphy's law!!! :D

Hey Notbubba, did you know that there were extra sights packaged with your P99???? I had to change out my front sight to lower the point of impact. It was easy!! You sold that puppy to quick, I think!! ;)
 
I bought a Glock-17 on reputation only. In fact I ordered it with out even finding out it it fits my hand. I never fired 1 before I bought. So I've been shooting it regularly for the past year, 100 rds a week. I don't shoot it as well as I think I should. It might be too big for my hand. I've shot 2 different pistols that I've never fired before. A Colt 91A1 & a HK USPc9 both fired cocked & locked. I've shot both these pistols more accurately then my Glock which I shoot reguarly. I can't figgure out why. So I would test fire other pistols along side the Glock & see which you shoot the best.
 
jack_the_sailor: have you dry fired all of these guns side by side, carefully watching that front sight?
 
newbie 9mm,

Make sure you check out Hoffman's, The Newington Gun Exchange (both in Newington) and Cubeta's (in Middlefield) Lotsa guns to look at and handle.

Myself, I chose the Beretta 92FS for my first 9mm. I paid $489 for an "as new" condition gun with factory installed Trijicon night sights and a 15 round magazine.

Russ
 
I am going to go to hoffmans maybe tomorrow, and call newington gun exchange. as for cubetas, well, they ticked me off. I had a Bud Nealy knife i was looking to sell, 52100 clad damascus by daryl meier, HT by howard clark, nice burl handle, etc, etc. Paid $275 for it. Cubetas offered me $75. they wanted me to take a $200 hit so they could make $75. I will not give them any of my business, period. My aunt and uncle shop at hoffmans and really like it. Cubetas is very high on all of their prices.

Glock fits my hand decently well, and i will see more when i get to shoot it. The match wasnt tonight, the guys had the wrong date...oops :) But i did get to see some walther's tonight. How is the grip of the walther p99 compared to the Glock 17 grip? How easy is it to get extra parts for the walther p99???
 
I'm thinking of replacing my G-17 with a Walther P99 Quick Action. The P99 fits my hand like a glove. My Glock feels like a 2 by 4. The Glock grip is wide. The Walther grip is narrower. The only problem is no ranges in my area have a P99 QA to rent & test fire.
 
The Walther P99 is the same gun as the Smith & Wesson SW99. Both guns are made right in the USA at S&W's Springfield, Mass factory. The SW99 can usually be purchased for a lower price. S&W does all the service and repairs to the Walther guns, as those two are in cahoots.

Anecdote: My brother had an SW99, a buddy has a P99. Just for ha-ha's they swithed the slides. An exact match and a perfect fit. They didn't fire the guns with switched components. Don't believe it? When you go to Hoffman's, ask to see the SW99 & P99 side by side. Remove the slides (the clerks will help you) and compare. See which one costs less. How much is that "tactical green" of the Walther worth?

Russ
 
...Oh and as for getting a poor trade on a knife (or gun), that's typical of all dealers. Cubeta's does have some guns priced better than Hoffman's. I've bought many guns from each. Be a wise shopper and save a few bucks :)

Russ (My brother and I will be at Hoffman's Saturday the 8th)
 
I dont know if i will be able to make it out tomorrow. Might go today.

As for the P99, i thought that the 9mm was made in germany, and had to be imported and had the german stampts on it? Did this change recently? What caliber are you talking? i know S&W made the .40 cal stuff. Can you clear up this confusion.

As for the knife deal, well, they said people won't pay a premiun for damascus. i can see that, but the steel on the inside of the damascus, the core steel is 52100. It's had like 4 write ups in blade magazine recently about being a incredible steel, and the HT was done by a Mastersmith. they offered me $75 for a knife if people know knives, would have easily gone for ovr $200. I paid $275 for it new, and just had to touch up the edge a bit cu it wasnt very sharp when i bought it. it is practically new. I know they have to make money on the stuff, but me losing $200 so they can make $75 or more just doesn't sound good to me! I was going to try to sell some of the customs I made there, but after that, i wouldn't make anything on the knives. they would prob buy from me at material cost alone, then jack up the price 3 times, so i make zero and they make $100. No way. My stuff has low prices as it is, i can't really drop them anymore, nor can i take a hit like that. it's obvious they didnt know anything bout blades at that store, they know the buzzwords and names and have a great selection, but other than that, they have no idea. They just buy by the name.

My aunt and uncle really like hoffmans shop, and they recommended it to me. if i go with a used glock 17, 3rd gen, ill prob look at newington gun exchange or something for a used on, or hoffmans if they have it, so i can save a little and get more mags and ammo, or maybe get a second gun :)
 
newbie 9mm:

You asked how the grip of the walther p99 was, compared to the 3rd generation Glock 17.

I own both guns. I love both guns. And I like the grips either way. But if you held a gun to my head and ordered me to pick one or the other, I'd have to choose the P99.

How easy is it to get extra parts for the walther p99?

Very. You'll find them online at Earl's Repair Service, via www.carlwalther.com (and they deliver fast, too!)

Concerning the German proofmarks: look for the tiny eagle-over-N marks on the slide, barrel, and frame. If you don't see all three, walk away. If you do, throw your wallet at the dealer.
 
Ok. Are the new walther P99 made at S&W? Or no? I will def look for the eagle over N marks. Now all I have to do is shoot the glock and the P99 in 9mm :) Def between the glock 17 3rd gen and walther P99 I think.

How much are walther p99 mags each?? just trying to see how much they are vs the glocks mags. No high caps needed. I got to see some P99's at the Smith and wesson shop last night, and the p99 looked pretty nice. color doesnt bother me at all.

I know dry fire is ok for glocks, how bout the P99?
 
The P99 that has German proofmarks in all three places (slide, barrel and frame) was made entirely in Germany. That's the one you want. If only the frame has the proofmark, the slide and barrel were made by S&W.

Walther of Germany, though, has an agreement with S&W that allows S&W to service their guns in the U.S.---if (and that's a big if) service is ever needed.

Glock mags go for $30 at www.gunaccessories.com

P99 mags go for $25 (same place).

I bought my Glock hicap at www.clipsnstuff.com - $110 new (Ow!!!)

My P99 hicap at www.carlwalther.com - $125 new (Ow, ow!!!)

You can only dry-fire a Glock one click at a time, racking the slide each time you want to, because the trigger locks back on an empty magazine.

The P99 is DA/SA---the only striker-fired gun in the world that is (to the best of my knowledge and as of this writing). You can dry-fire it to your heart's content. Empty, it will always be DA; unless you rack the slide, and then you'll have one SA click.

Won't do any damage to the gun.
 
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The best way to test the P99 or the SW99 is to go back up to Springfield, MA and visit the Smith & Wesson Factory Outlet/Range. I was there last week and they have several models of the P99 and SW99 for you to test drive. It's very cheap as they only charge $25 for the lane rental and it includes a weapon, 50 rds of ammo, 3 targets and eye/ear protection if you need it. Can't beat that deal anywhere in MA.

I was talking with the rep at the outlet and the P99s they have are directly shipped from the German factory. It would be a good/cheap way for you to see how they feel.
 
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