Full size 9mm options

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DeadFlies

DeadFlies

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Greetings all

Another thread got me thinking about this and I wanted to get some opinions from people who know, so here goes.

Come tax time I will have a little money to spend on a new gun. I don't own a handgun right now (sold my 22 because I cant find ammo and sold my 45 because I'd rather shoot 9mm) and the glaring obscenity of a blank space in my safe where a pistol used to be must eliminated soon.

I think I want either a Beretta 92 (or maybe a Taurus 92/99), some kind of Hi-Power clone or a Rock Island 1911 in 9mm. There are other options, obviously, but I would like to discuss these three in particular.

Among these three I only have experience firing the 1911 (a Colt 80 series) and it was almost a religious experience, probably because the other two guns I was comparing it to at the time were a Hi-Point JHP and a Glock 19. But still, it fit me like a glove and my groups were a fraction of what I was shooting with the other two pistols.

This would be a range/hd piece and would not be carried. And I like full-sized pistols anyway.

I know there is a bit of spread in the prices of these pistols, which is why right now I'm really leaning toward the RIA, especially in light of my overwhelmingly positive experience with a 1911 (in .45 though).

Anybody want to change my mind? Is the Beretta worth the extra $$$? Is a Hi-Power (clone) a better platform for 9mm than a 1911?
 
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Take a look at the SIG SP2022. Very underrated pistol w/a very good DA/SA trigger like the Beretta 92 and changeable backstraps for a semi-custom fit.
Tomac
 
Well the RIA M1911 will probably be the least expensive of your choices and a great fit if you liked the way your .45 felt and handled when you shot it. A Hi-Power copy, like an FEG or FM, will also be less costly than the Browning version and give you greater mag capacity, a single action trigger, and comparable ergonomics to your M1911. Again with the Beretta Model 92 a copy is available with the Taurus PT-92, which also gives you the option of using it in Condition One (cocked and locked with your first shot in single action mode). Try handling them at a gun shop or gun show and see which one works the best for you.
 
I recentlly purchased a Remington R1S, which was my first 1911. I opened up the case and took it to the range. In the first 50 rounds, I had only one FTE and no jams. Since then, I have put about 500 rounds through it and it has performed flawlessly. I have rather small hands, but that is no problem with this gun. I put it right up there with my Browning Hi Powwer.
 
From these three I would certainly pick Beretta 92. If you can find 92 Steel I, even better.
 
Of the guns listed, I've only owned the 92. They are one large gun and soak up the recoil. They point naturally, for me, and I never had a failure. But the size was so much that I got rid of it. I'm not a 1911 fan, but it sounds like you are, so the RIA is probably the way to go.
 
Thanks for all the replies so far. I guess I should mention I would like to keep the price at about $600 or less. Maybe a little more for the right pistol, but money is still an issue.

The Beretta Steel is cool but I don't have that kind of $$$ to spend on a pistol.
 
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I am a big fan of both the 1911 & the HP, and in 9mm I lean heavily toward the HP. The HP has better ergos for me (does not mean that is the case for you). If you go HP clone the FM and FEG are both good quality. The Charles Daily was made by FEG. FEG also makes a DA HP, that is more like a S&W 1st Gen than a HP as well as a true HP clone. Be sure you know what you are getting. Genuine Brownings can be had through Coles on Gunbroker at a really good price right now. Military surplus/trade ins. Mainly Isreali. I would probably go that route rather than a clone. A HP trigger will never be as nice as a 1911 trigger, but removal of the mag disconnect safety is a vast improvement in most cases.
From everything I've seen the RIA is a great 1911 at it's price point, but I don't have any real experience with the 9mm variety. People seem to really like them though.
The Beretta is a quality weapon to be sure. I personally find it oversized for what it is and I really do not like the way it feels. Taurus quality seems to be hit or miss, so I would be leary, even though I like the safety better than the Beretta safety.
Of course all of this is my opinion and is worth exactly what you paid for it. :)
 
Of those three options, i like the HP and then the 1911. The Beretta just does not fit my hand right. Maybe just me...

Along with the HP, and it is not on your option list is a CZ 75. My top 2 choices in 9mm, tied for first place, is the CZ and HP.
 
I have a RIA 1911 in 9mm. Worked up a nice shooting handload with cast bullets and it has been flawless and shoots really tight groups. I would recommend one to anybody.
 
Of the options, I would definitely go for the RIA 1911.

However, a few others have mentioned the CZ 75 which is not on your list and I give that one a wholehearted +1
 
"But still, it fit me like a glove and my groups were a fraction of what I was shooting with the other two pistols."

it's hard to argue with that.
when something works - it works.

CA R
 
I would add the CZ 75B to the list. But in any event, go ahead & rent these candidates at your LGR and go with the one you like best.
 
I think the Browning Hi-Power is a better platform for 9mm than a 1911, although I'm not sure if there is agreement on what constitutes "1911" anymore. Is the Springfield EMP considered part of the 1911 family? Some would say it is.

I loved my BHP.

The CZ 75B SA is also a very nice gun. I would take a CZ 75B SA over a Hi-Power clone.
 
Out of your choices I would got with the Beretta 92, the Taurus 92 will not work in Beretta holsters or use Beretta Mags.

Something else to look at:
Glock 17
Sig 226
CZ75
Witness Elite Match
S&W 5906
 
Of the ones you mentioned. I would go like this.

High Power. If your going to shoot a 9mm why not have some capacity and style? Good mags are going to cost for it.. The gun aint cheap to start with either.

Beretta or PT92. Spare mags for the PT92 will be cheaper then the HP but not by a lot. The PT92 has a pretty good customer service program behind it if you need it. The spare mags for the Beretta are dirt cheap with the USGI M9 mags but the cost of the gun is going to be more.

1911 9mm. No surplus mags, I don't know if just any old 9mm 1911 mag will fit it. But if your cool with that and you like the design shoot it well? Go for it. To me though a 1911 ought to be a 45Acp. But that's just me. You might want to look at the Taurus PT1911 in 9mm if that's the way your going to go. They come pretty well set up with the major modification's that most would want one.

Also you might want to keep your eyes open for a bit and see what sort of Police Turn In's are avalible. I scored a nice Sig P226 for $350ish a while back and later a P228. A year or so ago I got a CZ75 for real cheap.

Just my .02 on it.

WB
 
I have very limited pistol experience but all of it is with SA pistols and I liked that just fine and am already familiar with it.

I guess what I would prefer a steel, single-stack, Single-action pistol though I am open to other idea since, as I mentioned, my experience with pistols is limited.
 
Wildbillz said:
Of the ones you mentioned. I would go like this.

High Power. If your going to shoot a 9mm why not have some capacity and style?

WB
Click to expand...

This is part of my problem. I REALLY like the HP design and most people seem to like the ergonomics of it. Jeff Cooper said (though I can't remember the exact quote..I think it was in one of Massad Ayoob's books...) something like "The Browning Hi-Power it the best fitting pistol I have ever held. If only it was offered in a caliber of consequence."

Well, 9mm ammo has changed into a "caliber of consequence" with modern bullet designs. And it's a sexy, sexy piece of hardware.

And I'd run out right now and buy a new one if I had the funds. But I don't.

How do the clones compare, regarding fit and feel? Basically, are they the same shape and size? Will they feel the same as a real HP? I know some of the internals as well as safeties and things like that have been changed by the clone manufacturers, but what about grip angle, thickness and whatnot? Does an FEG feel just like a Browning?
 
viking499 said:
Yes, but not the same quality.

Have you ever held a CZ 75?
Click to expand...

No. I know zero about CZ pistols but, after doing a quick bit of google-fu my interest has been piqued, though they seem to be near the limit of my budget.

So, what's the deal with the CZ 75?
 
No. I know zero about CZ pistols but, after doing a quick bit of google-fu my interest has been piqued, though they seem to be near the limit of my budget.

So, what's the deal with the CZ 75?
Click to expand...

The deal for me is that they fit my hand like a glove. A fit like no other pistol has done so far.

When I got into CZ's, their pricepoint was crazy cheap for the quality. Might be why I have so many CZ 22 rifles.:D

A fullsize 75 can be had for under $500 and mags are fairly cheap. Most of the smaller CZ's can found in this area also.
 
OP, I'll chime in with my .02 -- take it for what it's worth.
I own a 1911 in 9, it's the Colt 1991A1 and I like it very much. I'm a big fan of the 1911 platform as it fits my hand very well. I own the Beretta 92 as well, and I have owned 2 Taurus PT92s in the past. -- For me the Beretta/Taurus just don't fit my hand very well. I have small hands and I have to work to get the right grip on the Beretta.
I only own the Beretta as it is a practice piece so I stay proficient for my military (AF Reserves) duty weapon.
I have fired Hi Powers, both original FNs and clones. Again, I find them a little bulky for my small hands. I prefer the fit of a Glock in my hand (yes - heresy) but it's MY hands.
Same thing applies to CZ75s - I find the reach to the trigger long for me. I like how they shoot, but I don't like the feel. I bought one and tried to like it, but just couldn't. So, it went to a buddy.
So, with all that being said -- try the others out if you have a buddy with one or if a range rents them. Then if you still prefer the feel of the 1911, then go for it.
And I'll comment on the mag issue that someone mentioned above. There are some good mags for 1911s in 9. Some at modest prices (metalform) and some at higher prices (Chip McCormick, Wilson). So finding good mags for the 1911 in 9 is easily doable. I'm using a mix of metalform and the others.
I looked at the RIA when they were coming out in 9, but couldn't get one and the Colt showed up, so I bought it instead. BTW I have a Taurus in 38 Super, and I'm quite happy with that one too. Again, couldn't find the 9 when I was shopping for it.
Before any "purists" on the 1911 and 45 pipe in -- I do have the 1911s in 45 as well.

Eddy
 
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