Suggestions for a 9mm, not to carry, as a first gun?
- Thread starter Krieg
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The Beretta 92 is a BIG pistol for a 9mm, it might not fit your wife's hands.
I would advise you to avoid military surplus pistols like the Walther P-38/P-1. While the price might be attractive, they have really heavy DA triggers and only hold 8 rounds. A good concealable holster will be hard to find.
Ruger and CZ make some excellent new pistols that will fit your criteria. Parts will be easily available, many models have swappable grips and back straps to make them fit your hand better and gunleather is pretty easy to find.
I would advise you to avoid military surplus pistols like the Walther P-38/P-1. While the price might be attractive, they have really heavy DA triggers and only hold 8 rounds. A good concealable holster will be hard to find.
Ruger and CZ make some excellent new pistols that will fit your criteria. Parts will be easily available, many models have swappable grips and back straps to make them fit your hand better and gunleather is pretty easy to find.
JeeperCreeper
Member
My votes:
1. Ruger SR9 or 9E
2. Sig Sauer SP2022
3. CZ P-07
4. CZ 75
5. Beretta 92/M9
Hold them, try the triggers out, try the controls out, shoot them if you can
GOOD LUCK AND WELCOME
1. Ruger SR9 or 9E
2. Sig Sauer SP2022
3. CZ P-07
4. CZ 75
5. Beretta 92/M9
Hold them, try the triggers out, try the controls out, shoot them if you can
GOOD LUCK AND WELCOME
Here's another vote for the SR9, but I'd encourage you to look at the compact. With the extended 17 round mag that comes with the gun it essentially is a full size gun...and if you ever decide, you also have a sweet carry gun. I really wouldn't worry too much about the shorter sight radius... I honestly can't tell any different between it and my full size guns.
The SR9 gets beat up a lot on THR because it is loaded with safeties...thumb safety, magazine disconnect safety, large loaded chamber indicator. None of those features detract from the excellent performance of the gun (very reliable, great trigger, low recoil, excellent customer service from Ruger - should you need it), and quite possibly may be a "sell" feature for your wife.
The SR9 gets beat up a lot on THR because it is loaded with safeties...thumb safety, magazine disconnect safety, large loaded chamber indicator. None of those features detract from the excellent performance of the gun (very reliable, great trigger, low recoil, excellent customer service from Ruger - should you need it), and quite possibly may be a "sell" feature for your wife.
I have medium sized hands and the Beretta is a problem for me. I can shoot a Browning or even a Ruger much better. I would avoid a striker fired Glock as a first pistol. They are very nice shooters, but I would not feel good about a new shooter with them.
Rent some first at a range and then decide. For home defense, a full sized gun is best, probably a single/double action model with a safety.
Rent some first at a range and then decide. For home defense, a full sized gun is best, probably a single/double action model with a safety.
roval
Member
I also vote for the cz75/85 from price, quality and Accuracy. A safety that swipes down in a more intuitive manner.
One thing about autoloaders,is some women have a problem racking the slide and the cz has a smaller grip surface on the slide.
One thing about autoloaders,is some women have a problem racking the slide and the cz has a smaller grip surface on the slide.
hboy35
Member
Consider your wife
My wife didn't want a gun in the house (I had one--which was a huge concession), till a similar incident happened when I was traveling with work--I came home to see her cradling my S&W 66 on the couch. We lived in an apartment, and some drunk started banging on the door thinking it was his friend's apartment.
That was over 20 years ago. Now we shoot together often. When she goes shooting with me, her favorite gun is my Ruger single six .22 lr revolver. I have all kinds of whiz-bang revolvers, semis, etc. but that is her favorite and she is very good with it and enjoys it. She doesn't care that it only has 6 rds or that the slide doesn't have the safety thingy or that it doesn't also make cappacinno---hopefully you get the idea here. It sleeps in the headboard in our room.
I say all of this why? Your wife may not like your choice of handgun or that you have one at all--but allow some wiggle in the budget for something (I lean towards a .22) that will spark an interest from her into the shooting sports. It can have great impact on your future in the shooting sports and gun collecting.
My wife didn't want a gun in the house (I had one--which was a huge concession), till a similar incident happened when I was traveling with work--I came home to see her cradling my S&W 66 on the couch. We lived in an apartment, and some drunk started banging on the door thinking it was his friend's apartment.
That was over 20 years ago. Now we shoot together often. When she goes shooting with me, her favorite gun is my Ruger single six .22 lr revolver. I have all kinds of whiz-bang revolvers, semis, etc. but that is her favorite and she is very good with it and enjoys it. She doesn't care that it only has 6 rds or that the slide doesn't have the safety thingy or that it doesn't also make cappacinno---hopefully you get the idea here. It sleeps in the headboard in our room.
I say all of this why? Your wife may not like your choice of handgun or that you have one at all--but allow some wiggle in the budget for something (I lean towards a .22) that will spark an interest from her into the shooting sports. It can have great impact on your future in the shooting sports and gun collecting.
Orion8472
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Many great options out there! Many suggested here already.
Recently, I went to a gun store and the guy showed me the new Ruger 9E. I have to say that I was quite surprised with it. Not much money to get into one either. Has a trigger safety and a thumb safety. Trigger felt pretty good as well. It's a decent choice!
Recently, I went to a gun store and the guy showed me the new Ruger 9E. I have to say that I was quite surprised with it. Not much money to get into one either. Has a trigger safety and a thumb safety. Trigger felt pretty good as well. It's a decent choice!
Find what fits YOU and then work within that family of handguns (1911/Glock/CZ/...) with the same grip angle and reach to trigger and frame width to pick the specific make and model that meets your needs.
You may naturally fit a single stack 1911 or a wide body, a Sig or a Glock, a poly or a steel, a revolver or a semi, but you need to make Your first handgun purchase as personal as a pair of climbing shoes or a mountain bike instead of just picking a make/model that fits someone else.
Smart of you to want to select a full size instead of pocket pistol.
You may naturally fit a single stack 1911 or a wide body, a Sig or a Glock, a poly or a steel, a revolver or a semi, but you need to make Your first handgun purchase as personal as a pair of climbing shoes or a mountain bike instead of just picking a make/model that fits someone else.
Smart of you to want to select a full size instead of pocket pistol.
Potatohead
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You could do the grip safety thing...all of the XDs/m pistols.
MotorCraft
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The Browning Hi Power is THE 9MM, but sometimes needs the mag disconnect removed to get a good trigger. Mine is fine with it still installed. That being said, the CZ-75 in any iteration is fantastic, and I have two of them. Plus the accept the wonderful .22lr conversion, CZ Kadet Kit, which I also have.
wally
Member
Opposite opinion, if you learn to shoot DAO well initially you'll have no troubles with anything else later.
OTOH nothing will be easer to learn to hit well with than a 9mm 1911, but it'll handicap you later for carry guns as all the triggers will then really suck in comparison.
An M&P or a Glock is mainstream and a good compromise, with good resale values, reasonable initial cost, and pretty easy to find used. Go with whichever fits better.
I think a M&P pro would make you a fine first 9mm. Easy to be accurate with, and it will fit your DW's hand a lot better than a CZ. My wife thinks my CZ p-09s grip is too large for her, and I thought the 09's grip fit me better than the 75's I was looking at / wanting. The CZ P-07 is also a great compact enough to carry, yet accurate enough to enjoy target shooting with pistol.
I really can't say enough good things about the M&P series, or the CZ's, both are great shooters from my experience.
Of course if you're on the cheap a Ruger SR is also a great pistol that's easy to be accurate with, and it has a (for me at least) perfect sized and located safety. All for less than 450 bones in most places.
I really can't say enough good things about the M&P series, or the CZ's, both are great shooters from my experience.
Of course if you're on the cheap a Ruger SR is also a great pistol that's easy to be accurate with, and it has a (for me at least) perfect sized and located safety. All for less than 450 bones in most places.
TexasGrayBeard
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I was gonna say Glock until I read the part about the safety. But I'm still gonna say Glock. I'm not sure why so many people say they don't make a good first handgun. They are simplicity itself. Easy to load, shoot, and maintain. They go bang every time. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire and it's as safe as any other gun. I don't touch the trigger of my other guns even with the safety on. Just not smart to do IMHO. And if money is a consideration - and when is it not - they generally cost less than a metal handgun.
My first semi auto was a Glock 19 and I still think it's just about the perfect handgun. A 26 is easier to conceal, but you lose rounds. I don't maintain mine as I should (shame on me) but it's never failed me even once.
My first semi auto was a Glock 19 and I still think it's just about the perfect handgun. A 26 is easier to conceal, but you lose rounds. I don't maintain mine as I should (shame on me) but it's never failed me even once.
Impureclient
Member
Another vote for a CZ75 or save some cash and look at the Canik or Tristar clones. I lot of gun for much less than the CZs they are based on.
I have a CZ75b, Canik Stingray-c and a Tristar T-120. Both clones were machined much better and tighter tolerances than the CZ.
Many parts will fit the Tristar/Canik from CZ and there's always more being made from a couple vendors.
I have a CZ75b, Canik Stingray-c and a Tristar T-120. Both clones were machined much better and tighter tolerances than the CZ.
Many parts will fit the Tristar/Canik from CZ and there's always more being made from a couple vendors.
AustinTX
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My first vote would be for the Beretta 92FS/92A1, but while everyone here will have his/her favorite (and proclaim it the best 9mm ever made), how the gun feels in your hands is what really counts. You're not going to go wrong with the well-regarded brands mentioned from the standpoint of quality, so you should give little weight to our individual opinions and preferences on that front. If you can't rent these different pistols, at least play around with them in your LGS as much as possible. Buy the one that feels/works best in your hands.
creativetownsman
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Man, a CZ-75B is a HEAVY all-steel pistol. I can not recommend it for most women.
Get a Beretta 92FS/M9/M9A1/92a1 or a Springfield Armory XD-9. The Beretta, though, may be too large and heavy a handgun for your wife-the grip may also be too wide. The XD-9 is a superb hangun. Though it doesn't have a manual safety per se, it does have a trigger safety and a grip safety. It's a really accurate handgun and handles recoil well. Have her handle one at a LGS. It is not light, per se, but manageable, with a price that won't break most pocketbooks. It 'points' very well. And right now you can get three (3) extra magazines for free after you purchase it (or any SA pistol, for that matter), along with a magazine pouch, all contained in a hard plastic black carrying case with the SA logo on it. Check the SA website for this incredible promotion! So far, they are shipping really fast- I can attest to the foregoing.
I'd say S&W Shield. I favor it over most 9mm handguns and it is relatively light. The problem lies with the slide retraction being a bit much for most women to handle- e.g. locking back the slide is a PITA for most females (and some men) due to a tight, heavy, dual-captured recoil spring, even with an empty mag inserted. However, it's a really fun, accurate and reliable shooter, seems to have less recoil and muzzle flip than the Beretta (that was a surprise) but I can not recommend it for most women. That being said, it is fast becoming my favorite shooting 9mm handgun in 25 years of shooting experience.
However, I'd also seriously consider getting a S&W SD9 VE. That gun is supposed to be a really great bargain. I used to own a Sigma but this gun is reportedly a later, much-improved iteration, and the ergonomics, weight, and reliability may be just what you both might enjoy! I don't believe that it has a manual safety but the weight of the trigger pull and the trigger safety should be enough. Check it out! Check out the hickok45 video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cleMs8xmqc
Do let us know what you end up purchasing- be sure to see how each gun feels in your hands! If that doesn't work for you- despite the other features that may be appealing- you may want to forego purchase of such a handgun.
Get a Beretta 92FS/M9/M9A1/92a1 or a Springfield Armory XD-9. The Beretta, though, may be too large and heavy a handgun for your wife-the grip may also be too wide. The XD-9 is a superb hangun. Though it doesn't have a manual safety per se, it does have a trigger safety and a grip safety. It's a really accurate handgun and handles recoil well. Have her handle one at a LGS. It is not light, per se, but manageable, with a price that won't break most pocketbooks. It 'points' very well. And right now you can get three (3) extra magazines for free after you purchase it (or any SA pistol, for that matter), along with a magazine pouch, all contained in a hard plastic black carrying case with the SA logo on it. Check the SA website for this incredible promotion! So far, they are shipping really fast- I can attest to the foregoing.
I'd say S&W Shield. I favor it over most 9mm handguns and it is relatively light. The problem lies with the slide retraction being a bit much for most women to handle- e.g. locking back the slide is a PITA for most females (and some men) due to a tight, heavy, dual-captured recoil spring, even with an empty mag inserted. However, it's a really fun, accurate and reliable shooter, seems to have less recoil and muzzle flip than the Beretta (that was a surprise) but I can not recommend it for most women. That being said, it is fast becoming my favorite shooting 9mm handgun in 25 years of shooting experience.
However, I'd also seriously consider getting a S&W SD9 VE. That gun is supposed to be a really great bargain. I used to own a Sigma but this gun is reportedly a later, much-improved iteration, and the ergonomics, weight, and reliability may be just what you both might enjoy! I don't believe that it has a manual safety but the weight of the trigger pull and the trigger safety should be enough. Check it out! Check out the hickok45 video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cleMs8xmqc
Do let us know what you end up purchasing- be sure to see how each gun feels in your hands! If that doesn't work for you- despite the other features that may be appealing- you may want to forego purchase of such a handgun.
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Jeff Graham
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- Sep 20, 2014
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9mm pistol for new gun owner or one w/limited hand strength
I joined this forum about 15 mins ago but I am a long time gun owner and collector. I saw this question and I just gotta preach! I carry a 9mm Rohrbaugh in my front pocket daily and love this very expensive, small, light, extremely accurate, but fairly hard recoiling pistol. That said, it is not a beginners gun. I also carry a Detonics 45 Combat Master (fantastic gun that is heavy as a brick) when I don't have to have something small enough/ light enough to put in my suit pants pocket. Both of the foregoing are "high dollar" pistols. I say all this only to let you know I shoot a lot of different pistols. This said, I unequivically recommend the Zastava model 88A 9mm. It's to large to go in your pants pocket but it is significantlly smaller than most 9mm pistols. I like these so much I've bought 5 so far! It is a small frame, steel 9mm that is accurate, extremely safe, very low recoil and ultra reliable. And did I mention dirt cheap? You can buy these pistols for $239.00 brand new with 2 mags through J & G Sales (928-445-9650). These are the greatest handgun bargain that I am aware of. They are a great ladies gun as well as a great gun for anyone with limited hand strength because they have a external hammer that can be thumb cocked before you rack the slide to chamber a round so very little strength is required to retract the slide. They are very safe because you can chamber a round while keeping the safety on. Also they have a magazine safety so that you can eject the magazine and that prevents the gun from firing. this lets my daughters keep theirs with a round in the chamber and the magazine removed so that in the wee hours of the A.M. when they hear the intruder coming in their apt. they can simply insert the magazine and be ready to extend an appropriate "welcome". There are only 2 negatives and even one of them is in some ways a positive. The internal trigger lockwork is a lift out unit from the Russian Tokarev design and as such it is a little gritty, meaning you have to pull the trigger a little harder than with some pistols which can affect your aim but having said this I have no problem being very accurate with these. I bought these for my 2 college age daughters and my wife and I consider the trigger a positive for them as they are much less likely to have an accidental discharge. The other "problem" with the gun is it's kinda ugly. But I have even fixed that by buying wood replacement grips thru Marschal Grips. I'm waiting on my 5th of these pistols right now. It's a gift for my secretary. I've put over 200 rounds thru each of my daughter's guns to get all the parts polished up and broken in as they rarely go shooting. Havn't gotten to the wife's yet. I've shot countless rounds thru my M88A and not a single jam, failure to feed or any problem at all with any of these babys. Zastava, a Serbian company, knows how to build a pistol! And no I don't work for them or for J & G Sales. Did I say I like these guns!!!! If you get one and don't like it email me. I'm a sucker for these and I will probably buy it from you! FYI the trigger pull is better on some of these than on others. None have been particularly bad but the last one I got was very good. So, who knows the one you get (oh heck, buy 2-- they're only $229.00 each if you do) may have a great trigger pull.
I joined this forum about 15 mins ago but I am a long time gun owner and collector. I saw this question and I just gotta preach! I carry a 9mm Rohrbaugh in my front pocket daily and love this very expensive, small, light, extremely accurate, but fairly hard recoiling pistol. That said, it is not a beginners gun. I also carry a Detonics 45 Combat Master (fantastic gun that is heavy as a brick) when I don't have to have something small enough/ light enough to put in my suit pants pocket. Both of the foregoing are "high dollar" pistols. I say all this only to let you know I shoot a lot of different pistols. This said, I unequivically recommend the Zastava model 88A 9mm. It's to large to go in your pants pocket but it is significantlly smaller than most 9mm pistols. I like these so much I've bought 5 so far! It is a small frame, steel 9mm that is accurate, extremely safe, very low recoil and ultra reliable. And did I mention dirt cheap? You can buy these pistols for $239.00 brand new with 2 mags through J & G Sales (928-445-9650). These are the greatest handgun bargain that I am aware of. They are a great ladies gun as well as a great gun for anyone with limited hand strength because they have a external hammer that can be thumb cocked before you rack the slide to chamber a round so very little strength is required to retract the slide. They are very safe because you can chamber a round while keeping the safety on. Also they have a magazine safety so that you can eject the magazine and that prevents the gun from firing. this lets my daughters keep theirs with a round in the chamber and the magazine removed so that in the wee hours of the A.M. when they hear the intruder coming in their apt. they can simply insert the magazine and be ready to extend an appropriate "welcome". There are only 2 negatives and even one of them is in some ways a positive. The internal trigger lockwork is a lift out unit from the Russian Tokarev design and as such it is a little gritty, meaning you have to pull the trigger a little harder than with some pistols which can affect your aim but having said this I have no problem being very accurate with these. I bought these for my 2 college age daughters and my wife and I consider the trigger a positive for them as they are much less likely to have an accidental discharge. The other "problem" with the gun is it's kinda ugly. But I have even fixed that by buying wood replacement grips thru Marschal Grips. I'm waiting on my 5th of these pistols right now. It's a gift for my secretary. I've put over 200 rounds thru each of my daughter's guns to get all the parts polished up and broken in as they rarely go shooting. Havn't gotten to the wife's yet. I've shot countless rounds thru my M88A and not a single jam, failure to feed or any problem at all with any of these babys. Zastava, a Serbian company, knows how to build a pistol! And no I don't work for them or for J & G Sales. Did I say I like these guns!!!! If you get one and don't like it email me. I'm a sucker for these and I will probably buy it from you! FYI the trigger pull is better on some of these than on others. None have been particularly bad but the last one I got was very good. So, who knows the one you get (oh heck, buy 2-- they're only $229.00 each if you do) may have a great trigger pull.
So I somehow missed page 3 until right now, but thank you all so much for your responses!
I have some updates as well. I've shot an XD (70 rounds in a brand new one) and I wasn't a big fan. The size of the gun wasn't quite right for me and the trigger wasn't very good in my opinion. From what I've read, I think it might be the FPB and striker fired traits coming through.
I've also held and dry fired the following:
-Glock 17
-Glock 19
-Some $850 Sig
-Shot a Sig DAO (don't remember the number)
-Beretta 92
-M&P
-CZ 75 Retro
The Beretta, as many have noted, was a bit too large. The Sigs were too expensive (and the DAO felt like a workout to get a round off). The M&P felt pretty much like the XD to me and again the size was decent but didn't fit my hand quite right.
The Glocks fit my hands like a glove, but there are other issues there for me that I've already mentioned. They're also ugly, which is good for a tie breaker I guess.
Then came the CZ. It fit my hands as well as the Glocks, had a great trigger (to me and compared only to those on this list), and had the safety I was looking for. In other words, I was sold on a CZ-75 variant of some sort. When comparing all the variants, I came across the CZ 85 Combat and realized that you could carry it cocked and locked if you wished, it had adjustable sites (good for my fun shooting and learning), and there wasn't a FPB to create more slack in the trigger than necessary.
So, since I tend to obsess, I looked for the best deal for hours and started making offers to Bud's. I eventually got it for $560 brand new (and tax free!) with free shipping and a $21.33 FFL transfer. It will probably take over a week to be in my hands but I'm really excited! I already have plans to shoot with 3 different people (one is a retired Green Beret so he can show me the ropes) whenever it gets here.
So I guess I have one more question: Where can I find cheap target ammo?
I'll post a picture here when it comes.
I have some updates as well. I've shot an XD (70 rounds in a brand new one) and I wasn't a big fan. The size of the gun wasn't quite right for me and the trigger wasn't very good in my opinion. From what I've read, I think it might be the FPB and striker fired traits coming through.
I've also held and dry fired the following:
-Glock 17
-Glock 19
-Some $850 Sig
-Shot a Sig DAO (don't remember the number)
-Beretta 92
-M&P
-CZ 75 Retro
The Beretta, as many have noted, was a bit too large. The Sigs were too expensive (and the DAO felt like a workout to get a round off). The M&P felt pretty much like the XD to me and again the size was decent but didn't fit my hand quite right.
The Glocks fit my hands like a glove, but there are other issues there for me that I've already mentioned. They're also ugly, which is good for a tie breaker I guess.
Then came the CZ. It fit my hands as well as the Glocks, had a great trigger (to me and compared only to those on this list), and had the safety I was looking for. In other words, I was sold on a CZ-75 variant of some sort. When comparing all the variants, I came across the CZ 85 Combat and realized that you could carry it cocked and locked if you wished, it had adjustable sites (good for my fun shooting and learning), and there wasn't a FPB to create more slack in the trigger than necessary.
So, since I tend to obsess, I looked for the best deal for hours and started making offers to Bud's. I eventually got it for $560 brand new (and tax free!) with free shipping and a $21.33 FFL transfer. It will probably take over a week to be in my hands but I'm really excited! I already have plans to shoot with 3 different people (one is a retired Green Beret so he can show me the ropes) whenever it gets here.
So I guess I have one more question: Where can I find cheap target ammo?
I'll post a picture here when it comes.
F-111 John
Member
Cheap target ammo is at Walmart. Availability in my neck-o-the-woods (Michigan) is getting much better now.
Sounds like a pretty fun choice. One note about the poly pistols not fitting your hand well. It's easy on an m&p, and I think some of the others, to swap out the back strap for a better grip depending on hand size.
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