Which 9mm semi-Auto should I buy?

[BarkeyVA]

I have a .22 cal. Ruger Mark I semi-auto and a .357 cal. Ruger GP-100 revolver. I'm thinking of purchasing a 9mm semi-auto for general target shooting. I don't reload, so I shoot mostly .38's in the GP-100, and I know that factory 9mm ammo is also relatively inexpensive as well.

I have several shotguns for home defense. At this point I do not feel the need to carry a concealed weapon or to use it for open carry which is legal in Virginia.

Any recommendations for a moderately priced 9mm semi-auto that would best fit my needs? Thanks!

 

[MICHAEL T]

Iwould look for a good used S&W 9mkm They are good pistols and even used are normally a good buy.

 

[HOOfan_1]

CZ 75, Ruger P95, Sig Pro SP2022, FNP-9

 

[97guns]

might as well keep it ruger

 

[triplebike]

$300 - Ruger P95

$400 - Stoeger Cougar 8000 (best value available on the market today)

$500 - CZ 75B

$600 - Beretta 92FS

 

[JTQ]

Ruger SR9
http://www.ruger.com/products/sr9/index.html?r=y

 

[Moptop]

Although a little more expensive there is no finer 9mm pistol than the Browning Hi-Power. It is the best built and design that I have even come across. Easiest auto to diassemble for cleaning.

 

[sigarms228]

You are going to get advice to buy pretty much every 9MM pistol out there that has a barrel longer than 3.7 inches and then some.

You REALLY need to try and rent what you are considering to try out yourself ideally on the same range session.

But since you asked here are my preferences after having tried numerous 9MM pistols. The list below are all fantastic pistols and I shoot them all very well. Don't let the size of the Walthers fool you as they are supreme tack drivers and also fine ccw pistols. A common trait of all these are wonderful triggers right out of the box and great reliability. The Walthers have fantastic ergonomics with that wonderful grip they have.

Lower price - SIG SP2022
Mid priced - Walther P99 AS or PPQ
Higher priced - SIG P226 or P229

 

[HOOfan_1]

Easiest auto to diassemble for cleaning.

huh? I love the Hi-Power, but how is it easier to field strip than the Glock style take down or the S&W M&P, SIG P226, FNP/X style take down?

 

[W.E.G.]

 

[JTQ]

HOOfan_1 wrote,
huh? I love the Hi-Power, but how is it easier to field strip than the Glock style take down or the S&W M&P, SIG P226, FNP/X style take down?

Watch Hickock45 take down the Glock the second time around. I'm pretty sure he's not the only one that runs into this problem. Remember, he is a big time Glock user, a Glock is basically an extension of his hand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZf4mUM10Vc&feature=relmfu

I think the Hi-Power requires a little less manual dexterity than the Glock.

 

[HOOfan_1]

Watch Hickock45 take down the Glock the second time around.

I think the Hi-Power requires a little less manual dexterity than the Glock.

he had a problem because he was pulling the slide back too far. How about the FNP style take down? That is as simple as you can get. The Hi-Power is only a step beyond the 1911 in the evolution of field stripping.

I've watched youtube videos of taking down the Hi-Power and seen people having trouble locking the slide all the way back to the take down slot.

 

[3KillerBs]

My husband loves his Smith and Wesson, M&P 9. Even with the smallest backstraps on its still just slightly large for my hand, but I can shoot it well regardless so I don't have any ill words to say about it. The only people I've ever heard speak ill of that model are the Glock fanatics who say that's its just a Glock clone so one might as well get a Glock. LOL

My dream range 9mm is a Beretta or Taurus 92 (Beretta's good name vs the better position of the safety on the Taurus). I shoot those very well and they fit my hand perfectly.

I love my Taurus 709 Slim, but its a carry gun, not a range gun and that's a big difference. The Ruger LC9 is very similar so that's probably not what you're looking for.

 

[Mr.Blue]

I like the Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm and the CZ 75B 9mm the best, but they can run $450-$525ish. That still is not very expensive, especially considering that the CZ is all steel. If you are really looking to save $$, you can beat a Ruger. They may be ugly and have no personality, but you get a lot for your money.

 

[Jed Carter]

Rock Island 9mm 1911, good, cheap, accurate pistol. http://centerfiresystems.com/AC-RI1911TACA9MM.aspx Of all the 9mm pistols I own or have shot, nothing comes close to the 1911s, maybe my Glock G34 with it's 5.32" barrel and a $150 trigger job. $ for $ a 1911 will outshoot most any pistol, and the trigger can make your day at the range. CZ, SIG, Glock an the Beretta are great service pistols, but the SA 1911 will shoot circles around any of these, in the average shooter's hands.

 

[towboat_er]

Ya might check out the Smith & Wesson 5906 or 6906. Good police trade ins.

 

[Bozwell]

I'll agree with the CZ recommendation. Depending on what "moderately priced" is in your book, I'd look into a CZ Shadow (either 75B or SP-01). These make excellent range guns and are a dream to shoot. Great triggers, low recoil, a natural pointer, reliable and odds are more accurate than you'll ever be (certainly more than I am ).

There are also great options in the less expensive CZ models too.

 

[arcticap]

~Moderately Priced~

I agree that the S&W 5906 and 6906 are great moderately priced guns.
Also the Ruger P85, especially if it's the MKll model or has MKllR stamped on the safety lever. That means that it has already had the safety fixed ( http://www.ruger.com/products/_manuals/p85.pdf ).
As well as the Ruger P89 which is basically the same as the P85 MKll but has a lighter, improved trigger.

 

[willypete]

Smith and Wesson 5906. $275 + shipping and whatever your LGS charges.

http://wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=100000277

 

[wvshooter]

might as well keep it ruger

Good answer.

For what you listed as your intended use I don't think you could beat the P95

 

[GLG20]

Rugers are hard to beat for the money. They have a great warranty.

 

[jfrey]

Any one who's had problems locking a BHP slide back as HOOfan suggested is a "people" problem, not a gun problem. I can field strip my HP just as fast as my G19. The HP is a far superior gun. Many women like the HP too because of the ergonomics and pointability. I had to spend a few dollars on additional parts and polishing to get my G19 to shoot the way I want it to. I just polished the factory parts in the HP and got the desired results.

Everybody likes something different.

 

[Girodin]

Any one who's had problems locking a BHP slide back as HOOfan suggested is a "people" problem, not a gun problem. I can field strip my HP just as fast as my G19.

Surely they same can be said about anyone that cannot break down a glock. None of them are difficult. That said, I think the sig and steyr are slightly easier. I'd be inclined to say that the glock is too.

 

[38sp4life]

Beretta 92. Well balanced, well designed, and very accurate. You can find a good used one for a good price.

 

[Get R Done Guns]

Beretta 92
Ruger SR9 or 9c
FN FNX9
M&P 9
These are some of our best sellers in 9mm. The taurus line is also ok and sells well but that didn't make the list.