YAGT: Looking for a 9mm

[xanis]

I went to the range yesterday and of course I now want to buy a handgun (that place is bad for my wallet ). I've been considering it for a while, but I think I'm ready to start looking a little more seriously.

I've shot a fairly wide range of handguns and calibers, and I think I've decided on a 9mm single-action compact. I know this leaves a bunch of options, so I want to hear what ATOT has to say.

FWIW, the gun I shot yesterday was a Springfield XD Compact in 9mm. Out of all of the guns I've shot, I like this one the best by far. My friend that I was with recommended that I try the XD-M, but it was already rented out. If I like the XD, would it stand to reason that I would like the XD-M? I also shot his Beretta PX4 Storm, but I didn't like the way it felt. I've also shot a Sig and Glock in 9mm, which felt fine (I liked the Sig better).

This would be my first gun purchase, so all advice and suggestions are welcome. I'll be going to the range one or two more times so I can try out some suggestions.

 

[TallBill]

9mm is a great starter round, cheaper to train with and still a solid performer. And yes, xdm should feel even better in your hands.

 

[phucheneh]

Single-action? You may have your terminology confused. I'm assuming you mean striker-fried (hammerless/'Glock-like')?

A 1911 is the classic example of an SAO automatic. It functions much like a Glock in that the cocking of the hammer (or striker; different thing, same function) is typically accomplished by racking the slide, since they're generally not carried hammer-down.

Some companies actually call their striker guns DAO, and they're not that, either. DAO meaning there is an external hammer, but it has no rearward catch. The trigger must pull the hammer back and release it every time; cycling the slide does nothing other than eject/load a round.

Anyway: You want a Striker-fired 9mm compact. XD is a nice gun. Glocks are worth looking at, but I personally dislike the gen 4's and find the 9mm gen 3's a bit 'meh.' You may like the ergonomics of the gen 4 more than me, though.

There's also the M&P's. Steyrs ('full-size' M9 is very similar to a Glock 19, plus there's a compact option). Walthers. Kahr if you want single stack (Walther makes one, too). Surely some other good options I'm forgetting.

Sig really shares nothing with any of these weapons. They're more 'traditional' DA/SA, or DAO/DAK (DAK being, IMO, kind of a silly thing- just DAO with a shorter reset. Feels awkward to me).

edit: and 'starter round'? 9mm's a good round, period. Unless you're a 'collector,' I really have to agree with those that say 9mm and .45 are all that's worth buying. Maybe .380 if you want something tiny.

 

[HumblePie]

Single-action? You may have your terminology confused. I'm assuming you mean striker-fried (hammerless/'Glock-like')?

A 1911 is the classic example of an SAO automatic. It functions much like a Glock in that the cocking of the hammer (or striker; different thing, same function) is typically accomplished by racking the slide, since they're generally not carried hammer-down.

Some companies actually call their striker guns DAO, and they're not that, either. DAO meaning there is an external hammer, but it has no rearward catch. The trigger must pull the hammer back and release it every time; cycling the slide does nothing other than eject/load a round.

Anyway: You want a Striker-fired 9mm compact. XD is a nice gun. Glocks are worth looking at, but I personally dislike the gen 4's and find the 9mm gen 3's a bit 'meh.' You may like the ergonomics of the gen 4 more than me, though.

There's also the M&P's. Steyrs ('full-size' M9 is very similar to a Glock 19, plus there's a compact option). Walthers. Kahr if you want single stack (Walther makes one, too). Surely some other good options I'm forgetting.

edit: and 'starter round'? 9mm's a good round, period. Unless you're a 'collector,' I really have to agree with those that say 9mm and .45 are all that's worth buying. Maybe .380 if you want something tiny.

My taurus is a DA/SA gun. Meaning you can cock the hammer ahead of time, but otherwise the hammer starts in the down position for the first shot. Once you start shooting it recocks itself for every shot. Double-Action really refers to having to squeeze the trigger more to move the hammer back to the cocked position and then enough to release the hammer. So my taurus has like a 9 pound pull from start to finish in double action or 5 pounds in single action. Meaning it takes less force to fire from single action status.

Striker fire guns, that don't use a hammer, are just single action only. People that like the Double action, or double action only is for an added safety measure/feeling. Basically since it's harder to pull the shot, there is less of a chance if an accidental discharge.

 

[Fenixgoon]

i have a stoeger (beretta) cougar 9mm. for me, it was infinitely more comfortable to hold compared to the S&W M&P 9mm, Springfield XD 9mm, etc. It is heavy at 32oz, but is extremely well balanced and doesn't feel like it's as haevy as it actually is. i am very happy with mine.

edit: mine is a double-action/single-action. i also like the fact that the safety switch is also a decocker. i plan on using mine just for target shooting, but i like the additional safety aspect of it. i dont know that i would ever own a firearm w/o a safety (some versions omit a safety).

 

[phucheneh]

My taurus is a DA/SA gun. Meaning you can cock the hammer ahead of time, but otherwise the hammer starts in the down position for the first shot. Once you start shooting it recocks itself for every shot. Double-Action really refers to having to squeeze the trigger more to move the hammer back to the cocked position and then enough to release the hammer. So my taurus has like a 9 pound pull from start to finish in double action or 5 pounds in single action. Meaning it takes less force to fire from single action status.

Striker fire guns, that don't use a hammer, are just single action only. People that like the Double action, or double action only is for an added safety measure/feeling. Basically since it's harder to pull the shot, there is less of a chance if an accidental discharge.

Oh, I understand the difference. I was just trying to explain that even though companies may market striker guns as 'SA' or 'DA,' they're basically neither. I had a thread a bit ago, and it ended with me buying a Kahr, which the company themselves label a 'DAO.' It was replacing a true DAO Sig.

The Kahr only clicks once, same as a Glock. The only difference is that rather than collapsing to the rear like a Glock trigger, the Kahr's always rests in the same position. Essentially, the 'frame' portion of the trigger is DA, but it doesn't do anything unless the striker is cocked by pulling the slide back.

 

[phucheneh]

My 'I have to be different' recommendation:

It's what a Glock COULD be. Loved that gun. And if selling it was any indicator, they are available cheap because of lack of demand. I think I took like 425 for it in near-mint condition.

That pic is from Google, though, and you don't want those markings. The later models have different frame and slide markings...earlier ones had a few issues, and many of them were 'grey market' imports.

 

[boomhower]

I'm a big Sig fan, I'd look around for a P228. The XD's are good guns, as are the M&P's and Glocks. They are all pretty similar. M&P's tend to have iffy triggers, newer Gen 4 Glocks tend to have ejection issues. If your feeling a little spendy the HK P2000 and USP Compact are good choices as well.

 

[midwestfisherman]

M&P is an excellent choice.

 

[BladeVenom]

If I wanted a single action 9mm that was compact, I'd consider an STI Guardian. If I wanted smaller than that, I'd look at the Sig P938.

 

[alkemyst]

CZ P-01. Look it up.

 

[TallBill]

Starter round... as in what I'd personally suggest to anyone looking to get their first handgun. 22 for first rifle. Dont overthink it...

 

[xanis]

Single-action? You may have your terminology confused. I'm assuming you mean striker-fried (hammerless/'Glock-like')?

Ah, yeah, that's what I meant. I've heard that type of gun referred to as "single action", so that's what I called it.

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll see if they have the CZs or M&Ps next time I'm at the range and I'll try them out.

I should also mention that this isn't for self-defense or carry, just for the range (for the time being).

 

[HumblePie]

Ah, yeah, that's what I meant. I've heard that type of gun referred to as "single action", so that's what I called it.

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll see if they have the CZs or M&Ps next time I'm at the range and I'll try them out.

I should also mention that this isn't for self-defense or carry, just for the range (for the time being).

If just for the range why a compact model? Unless you smaller than normal hands. To me a good 1911, single or double stack, of my taurus are great to shoot and hold. My Tuarus PT 92 is just like Fenix's Stoeger Cougar. Both are basically Beretta clones. The polymer guns just don't feel nearly as nice to shoot for extended time periods to me.

 

[xanis]

If just for the range why a compact model? Unless you smaller than normal hands. To me a good 1911, single or double stack, of my taurus are great to shoot and hold. My Tuarus PT 92 is just like Fenix's Stoeger Cougar. Both are basically Beretta clones. The polymer guns just don't feel nearly as nice to shoot for extended time periods to me.

Personal preference I guess. I've shot full-size guns before (Beretta M9, USP etc.) and I find the compact guns are more fun for me at the range.

 

[TallBill]

If just for the range why a compact model? Unless you smaller than normal hands. To me a good 1911, single or double stack, of my taurus are great to shoot and hold. My Tuarus PT 92 is just like Fenix's Stoeger Cougar. Both are basically Beretta clones. The polymer guns just don't feel nearly as nice to shoot for extended time periods to me.

I usually wear gloves if I plan on having a long range day. I'll wear them 80% of the day and I can say that I can operate my firearms equally with or without them. Just makes it more comfortable.

 

[glenn1]

CZ P-01. Look it up.

This. The Sig P228/P229 are good suggestions also but the CZ is a better value. You might also want to take a look at this just for comparison FNX9

 

[phucheneh]

I've shot a polymer-framed CZ-75 P-01 Phantom. Utter garbage. The polymer frame seemed really cheap and poorly designed, and it had the worst trigger I've ever felt. With a clean, oiled, almost brand-new gun, it felt like it had been left buried in a sandbox for a week.

It was functionally fine; didn't jam, was probably pretty accurate. I just could not get over how much better an old, all-metal mil-surp model felt in the hand (especially with some Hogue grips) and how awful the trigger was.

Sigs are nice, but not the polymer-framed striker pistol he seemed to be wanting. (nor is a CZ, obviously) For the range, though, there's not much need to be that specific; I'd just go with what feels best to him.

Rather than deciding between striker or hammer fired, I would recommend the first decision be polymer frame or not (which will have an effect on the former question). I'm sure he'd do fine with a polymer gun, but I see them at utilitarian, often carry-oriented weapons. For 'plinking' or just having around the house, I'd just buy a heavyweight. And again, some Hogue grips for it.

If weight is not a factor (and price isn't too much)- I'd vote metal Jericho 941 in 9mm. God you can shoot the piss out of those. It's a CZ, but better in every respect. The combination of good trigger, heavy weight, stiff recoil spring, and relatively low bore axis make it a damn machine pistol in the right hands.

 

[xanis]

This. The Sig P228/P229 are good suggestions also but the CZ is a better value. You might also want to take a look at this just for comparison FNX9

Nice, thanks for the suggestion. The FNX9 looks like what I'm looking for. I also have shot the P228 and I did like it.

 

[marvdmartian]

9mm is nice, but have fun trying to find ammo for it right now!

I was in Walmart today, and about all you could find, for pistol ammo, was .380, .357 and .40 calibers. Plus some .22, but doubt you'll ever see a run on that stuff.

Amazingly, since the AR-15's have become so popular lately, there's an absolute lack of .223, anywhere! Funny thing is, if you have an AK or SKS, there's still tons of 7.62x39 on the shelf. :\

 

[olds]

I usually wear gloves if I plan on having a long range day. I'll wear them 80% of the day and I can say that I can operate my firearms equally with or without them. Just makes it more comfortable.

That's probably a good idea. Last time at the range, I left bloody. I rented a compact 9 and was shooting it right (I am right handed) and left handed. The first shot left handed I didn't have a proper grip and the slide bit me.

 

[velillen]

9mm is nice, but have fun trying to find ammo for it right now!

I was in Walmart today, and about all you could find, for pistol ammo, was .380, .357 and .40 calibers. Plus some .22, but doubt you'll ever see a run on that stuff.

Amazingly, since the AR-15's have become so popular lately, there's an absolute lack of .223, anywhere! Funny thing is, if you have an AK or SKS, there's still tons of 7.62x39 on the shelf. :\

Its all about where you live. Wal-marts and other big box sporting goods stores are out of pretty much all pistol calibers (including 22lr) and 223/556. Even 30-06 and 308 at the walmart by me is pretty well gone (was like 3 boxes total). 7.39 is hit or miss.

But the range i go to (usually) has options in every caliber just their prices are a bit higher than others (and have been since long before the election for reference).

Just have to shop around and you will find what you are looking for. And dont give up stock changes especially at places like freedom munitions who by the way have a decent selection of fairly priced ammo in the common calibers.




As for the 9mm....if its a range gun id honestly just go for whatever feels the best in your hand and not worry about this feature or this feature. Polymer vs metal is a whatever to me (i own both). Thats actually how i picked my first 9mm.....went to the gun store and held every full size 9mm they had. Made a list of which ones i liked the feel of and went upstairs and rented them. Came back down stairs and bought the sig p226 since it fit me the best.

 

[OCGuy]

Went with the XD, get to pick it up on the 2nd. They just feel better in my hand then the glock, but everyone is different.

 

[shortylickens]

I recommend you look at the other 50 threads on "First handgun recommendations". And dont post unless theres something you still dont know.

 

[phucheneh]

I recommend you look at the other 50 threads on "First handgun recommendations". And dont post unless theres something you still dont know.

I recommend you stop posting.