9 mm gun, what to get?

-
I am biased towards the sig 226 I've had mine for almost 20 years now . I've had wheel guns, other automatics. I love my sig. that being sa id I like shooting my uncles 92 FS also . my buddy has a Glock 17 that shoots unbelievably smooth . Oh wait what were we talking about I'm not much help it all Am I? these are all good choices not to mention the HK USP models you just have to try them all out . I know Sig makes a full size version with a 22 slide and a full caliber slide the changes out. that way you have 1 for practice one for business
 
plum crazy dart said:
I'd have a whole clip of 9mm into him so fast he wouldn't know what hit him. I CAN put em in the head. Works for me, low recoil very easy to be on target for follow up shots. MHO :glasses7:
Click to expand...

I'm stayin out of this mess except to say this about that

If you really think you, under adverse, maybe darkness, certainly duress and nervous with adrenaline, that you are going to get a head shot on a moving, hopped up meth addict who just might be charging towards you or one of your family at a furious pace, you are delusional as the guy you are trying to hit.

All you need to "see" to prove my point is some of the many police shootings, such as several police firing MANY (20-50) rounds at a driver of a car at close range, and maybe a third or more rounds miss the target completely, and maybe the perp even lived through it.

But I think the point you are REALLY trying to make, I agree with: Use a weapon you can hit with.

The rules:

1--- If you don't carry it everywhere, you might as well not carry it anywhere

2-- You HAVE to practice. Consider taking combat courses.

3-- Aim for the biggest part. Forget about the movies and "wingin 'em" or hit'n in the legs, or "head shots." TRY TO HIT the biggest part.

4-- Use the biggest caliber you are good with. Don't get a lightweight big caliber that you won't admit that you really cannot hit with. Consider double action only. Last thing you want for defense is a hair--trigger tuned-up competition gun that just might go off in the "heat" of a tense situation.

5-- For home defense, the last thing you want is a big caliber weapon that will penetrate the neighbor's walls. Consider a shotgun. A PUMP shotgun. NOTHING will perk up the ears of a burglar quicker than the incredibly distinct sound of a 12ga pump being cycled.

6-- Take a lot of trouble to be sure your ammo and the gun like each other. Some semi-autos don't like some ammo, and we all know where that might be headed..........

(I have a Browning BDM, and that damn thing won't feed about half the hollow point stuff off the shelf)

Last, I don't like carrying a lot of extra weight, so I carry a little Ruger KLCR in .357 mag. It only holds 5, but I can hit with it, and I carry extra rounds. Yes it hurts when I shoot it, but I practice with lighter loads, and I can hit with it. One round of that is better than three or four out of a .380, and I simply won't carry a big heavy .45

klcr-357.jpg
 
BB-Dave said:
Why start out with a pea shooter(9mm). Start out at-least with the 40S&W. S&W MP guns look nice, not sure how good they are???
Click to expand...

I have a .40 S&W M&P for work. I have put thousands of rounds through it. One of the best IMHO. I really like Sigs as well. I carry a .40 Springfield XD subcompact as a backup, and it is ok. I had to have some warranty work done this year, so I have lost some confidence in it.

Four years ago we carried the the. 40 version of the Beretta. I am not a big fan of the long double action trigger. Our version had a DAO trigger without a safety.

If you just want a pistol for shooting at the range, and you don't plan on carrying, a 9mm will be just fine. Taurus has a lot of affordable models.
 
Get a .45 because shooting twice is silly. I have an M1911 and I love it. Im thinking of picking up a Springfield XD-M or XD-S in .45.
 
I like revolvers. For some reason autos just don't do it for me. That said just go for the gusto and get a 44 mag. Although I'm not a big fan of recoil I can shoot 44 specials for half the cost and half the recoil. I save the big ones for when company comes over and they want to shoot something that'll knock your teeth out of your head.
 
For a person starting out I would get a Ruger 22. cal pistol with the 1911 frame or a 22 cal 1911 copy. Learn to shoot and hit before buying a big bore pistol. After your competent with the pistol from safety to hitting the target go up in caliper. The 1911 type pistol can grow with you. 22. to 9mm., to 45acp. and back again.
 
Leadfoot, you are making sense. I actually agree with you on something. This might be the second time, lol.
 
My wife and I carry S&W 380 for personal protection................ 6 rounds
 

Attachments

  • s&w.jpg
    40.1 KB · Views: 248
I know all the arguements for the .40+ cals. No, I don't want one, because not only will they, for the most part I know there are quite a few exceptions, be hard to CC but the ammo is also Gawdawful expensive. I don't want to learn on a peashooter, that's why I don't want a .22. Like I said in my first post I have no experiance shooting handguns, but it hasn't been for a lack of trying. I quite simply don't have friends that have handguns as most of us are under 21, or in the case of my uncle, is busy every. friggin. day. for the past year. Also, because I'm not 21, I'm unable to even rent pistols at the ranges around here. Once I get it, I will attempt to go to a range at least once a week, as there are a few within 15 minutes of my house. That's one of the other reasons I've thought about a 92fs, that can shoot the cheap **** pretty well without jamming as much. I think some of you are forgetting that I am a 20 yo college type person. That means I don't have much money. I say again .40 cal ammo is expensive. I've been kinda thinking of a .357 or .38 too after seeing some of the responses here and elsewhere.

17071_107386869275175_100000115862640_199673_4055354_n.jpg


That right there is close to 3 years ago, and I look roughly the same now. (That SG still looks freaking tiny.) I'm really not large enough to be able to CC a larger weapon without changing my wardrobe up more than I want.
 
It shouldn't jam EVER. Unless you are shooting junk like Herters and Wolf. Like I said, my Beretta was ok and is of course a solid choice. The military wouldn't use them if they were junk! I am of the opinion though that there are other choices out there that are easier to shoot due to weight (poly frame alternatives) and trigger pull. It sounds like you already made your choice.
 
I don't own anything but .45 because that's what I use at work and therfore I can get ammo at a significant discount. I carry either a Glock 21, Glock 30, or Sig 1911 Nitron. I've never shot the 9mm Beretta but a buddy has a Beretta PX4 Storm 40 and I can drive tacks with that gun. I've carried a Ruger LCP .380 and hated it, I also had a Ruger LCR .38 special and I really wish I hadn't sold it.

In the end get something that is comfortable in the hand FOR YOU and practice, practice, practice. There is nothing wrong with a 9mm if you are accurate with it.
 
I voted for a FS 92 as they are a nice gun. A .40 is not much more to shoot then a 9mm. Here in OH is about $3 more per box.

A 9mm is the cheapest big caliber to shoot. A .357 is expensive. My .357 Sig is about $30 per 50 rounds.

Also, there is nothing wrong with a shooting a .22. I shoot mine all the time. There are a lot of fundamentals you need to learn. The .22 is easy to shoot and inexpensive.

A new FS 92 is about $550. A new S&W sport series 22A is about $215. I have seen them for $199. You can buy 550 round of .22 for about $15.
 
Concealed, a Kahr PM9, small enough to carry in a pocket. Don't want a semi auto, a Taurus 605. Home defense, Mossberg 590 Special Purpose. I know it is not a handgun but hard to beat a 12 gauge for home defense. Or use what I have laying on the dresser, a S&W 500 Magnum, if you miss the guy you shot at will probably be deaf and have a load in is shorts.....
 
67Dart273 said:
I'm stayin out of this mess except to say this about that

If you really think you, under adverse, maybe darkness, certainly duress and nervous with adrenaline, that you are going to get a head shot on a moving, hopped up meth addict who just might be charging towards you or one of your family at a furious pace, you are delusional as the guy you are trying to hit.

All you need to "see" to prove my point is some of the many police shootings, such as several police firing MANY (20-50) rounds at a driver of a car at close range, and maybe a third or more rounds miss the target completely, and maybe the perp even lived through it.

But I think the point you are REALLY trying to make, I agree with: Use a weapon you can hit with.

The rules:

1--- If you don't carry it everywhere, you might as well not carry it anywhere

2-- You HAVE to practice. Consider taking combat courses.

3-- Aim for the biggest part. Forget about the movies and "wingin 'em" or hit'n in the legs, or "head shots." TRY TO HIT the biggest part.

4-- Use the biggest caliber you are good with. Don't get a lightweight big caliber that you won't admit that you really cannot hit with. Consider double action only. Last thing you want for defense is a hair--trigger tuned-up competition gun that just might go off in the "heat" of a tense situation.

5-- For home defense, the last thing you want is a big caliber weapon that will penetrate the neighbor's walls. Consider a shotgun. A PUMP shotgun. NOTHING will perk up the ears of a burglar quicker than the incredibly distinct sound of a 12ga pump being cycled.

6-- Take a lot of trouble to be sure your ammo and the gun like each other. Some semi-autos don't like some ammo, and we all know where that might be headed..........

(I have a Browning BDM, and that damn thing won't feed about half the hollow point stuff off the shelf)

Last, I don't like carrying a lot of extra weight, so I carry a little Ruger KLCR in .357 mag. It only holds 5, but I can hit with it, and I carry extra rounds. Yes it hurts when I shoot it, but I practice with lighter loads, and I can hit with it. One round of that is better than three or four out of a .380, and I simply won't carry a big heavy .45

klcr-357.jpg
Click to expand...

I've seen police shoot in person.. Just because you're a cop dosen't mean you're a good shot. #4. So do ya think I should carry my 44 mag around? Little impractical but fun to shoot. You wouldn't even have to hit someone with that. If you were on the business end of that one shot would have 99% of people running the other way. The muzzle flash at night is a thing of beauty. Any more than that without hearing protection and all I'd be hearing is ringing. But agree with everything else. I keep that 12 ga right next to the bed.- S&W M&P 9mm as fast as you can pull the trigger never had a prob, low recoil, easy target acquisition. I'd buy a sig if I had the $$$. JMHO that and $1.50 will get you a cup of coffee.:coffee2: BTW baseballs make good targets. Go to the range and have a friend toss a baseball out in front of you, try to hit it before it stops moving. here's a 44mag muzzle flash
 

Attachments

  • SW44Mag2.jpg
    33.2 KB · Views: 221
mullinax95 said:
I have found these websites useful.

http://www.firearmstactical.com/

http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/index.htm#SHOTGUN AMMUNITION

Here is a useful website. It has a insurance policy to help cover lawyer fees while the investigation is on going if you have used your gun in a self defense manner. Lawyer fees can add up in no time. It's called The Self-defense Shield.

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/
Click to expand...

x2 - good info here. Here are the charts on a couple "defensive" rounds. The 124 gr +p hollow point 9mm's have a good reputation.

The most important part of using a handgun for self defense is where you place your shot.

Here is a good place for cheap handgun ammo:
www.3gunammo.com
The .40 isn't all that much more expensive when buying off the internet. But, the 9mm is definitely the cheapest anywhere you go.

Here's a couple charts for different hollow points. I'll be carrying HST's.

CD204832-8A9A-49ED-ABE1-8A1F6F37B73A-729-0000013327AC23FB.jpg


D82E0EF9-06DC-4D48-8DDE-B35525FC98B7-729-000001332AB75C9D.jpg
 
I'm a fan of the .40. Last trip to the range and the 9mm wouldn't knock down the plates unless I hit the top of the disc. "Flip down style target". .40 knocked them down everytime I p-ulled the trigger.

The .40 puts holes I can stick my index finer through through the target back plate I made out of a meter pan lid.
 
You can get 9mm rounds cheap to practice with because your a poor college kid. Then buy a higher quality round for personal protection.

I have large hands so i cant carry something to small. I choose the Kahr 9mm its lite and cheaper then a sig it also is larger hand grip then some of the others in that range. I carry it on my ankle as back up or while iam running early in am or at night for muggers and attackers.

David and Goliath! Be familiar with weapon buy what is comfortable to you within your budget. Shot placement is everything. Put a few hundred thru it when you get it. Take a class like as suggested above they are cheap and will help tons (and save your life). I woulndt carry anything that hasnt proven itself on the range. Make sure you put a box thru it every so often to freshen your memory. I carry both 9mm and .45 because 2 guns are better then one haha. Have fun and be safe and keep a coool head and beware of children. Just my 2 cents!
 
Happpy Birthday Muad’Dib15! Great advice on this thread but here are my 2 cents for another perspective. I think 9mm is a great choice for a first time handgun owner. It is a good compromise between shootability, affordability, size, capacity, and stopping power. Some other things to consider in purchasing a handgun.

Shot placement is the most important consideration on any gun/caliber combination. Accurate shot placement center mass will mitigate many of the potential weaknesses of any caliber. 1 round in the right place is better than 10 “magic caliber” bullets in the wrong place or off target. Proper shot placement eliminates over penetration concerns by slowing down the velocity through the thick portions of the target.

Comfort and natural point of aim characteristics are a key component in accuracy and shot placement. Each hand and pistol combination is different. Try a bunch of different makes and models and find what is comfortable. Place the web of your thumb and trigger finger snugly in the beavertail crotch. Grip it firmly like you would a baseball bat or sword. Look down the sights. It should feel good. Now, close your eyes, break your grip, re-grip the pistol, aim at an imaginary target with your eyes closed, and then open your eyes and see if your sights are still in alignment. Some guns will just naturally line up, and will keep your shots consistent round after round. If it doesn’t line up, you can modify your grip but it should still be comfortable and natural. Then you just have to train your body and muscles to the new grip. This process will be easier if you find a gun that is comfortable and natural from the get-go. I’ve shot thousands of rounds through a Berretta M9, but it still doesn’t feel nearly as comfortable and natural as a SigP226 I’ve shot much less.

Reliability is a component of shot placement. Your gun must fire to put rounds on target. A revolver is arguably the most reliable. Put bullets in it, let it sit for years, and it will still fire. Reliability on autoloaders is based on maintenance, magazines, and ammo. Factory mags tend to work best. I think guns with single stack mags are much more reliable than double stack. You still need to periodically unload and rotate mags. Some ammo will function better than others. If you go with an autoloader you need to practice failure drills since it’s not a question of if, it is a question of when you will have a malfunction.

Factory equipped safety is another consideration. Your trigger finger is single most important safety on any weapon. So, I prefer no safety on handguns (such as a Sig, Glock, Kahr, revolver, etc.). Most honest shooters will admit trying to shoot a gun with the safety on. Hard to hit center mass if your gun won’t shoot, even if you know how to quickly take the safety off. Just remember to never put your finger on the trigger until your sights are on target and you are ready to destroy it.

Trigger pull will affect accuracy. I personally don’t like a double action first round followed by a single action remainder, which is what that 92FS will have. It is the same on my SigP226. However, with training it is not really an issue (this applies to the safety as well). However, if I had to choose only one pistol I would strongly consider a consistent trigger pull such as a revolver, Glock, Kahr, 1911 style, etc.

Recoil and muzzle blast will affect bullet placement. My wife and kids can accurately shoot my 9mm Sig P226 all day long. However, shooting my Kahr CW9 is a different story and not nearly as enjoyable for them. Their confidence and accuracy suffer greatly with the smaller pistol. It can be overcome with training, but they don’t want to invest the time in it (and I’m not sure I want to buy the ammo!). I can’t even imagine them trying to shoot a subcompact in .40 or .45 cal. So, you should consider this if you are thinking of getting a wife someday. I also think you will feel better and more confident as a first time handgun shooter with a more manageable round. One of the reasons the Army went to the 9mm is that it took a lot less training to attain proficiency with new shooters and females than with the .45 cal.

I have a couple of .45 cal 1911s, and I know I can shoot the 9mm twice as much for the same price. I agree with the advice to get a .22 cal also, because you will get a lot more trigger time with the plinker. Only you and your wallet can make that decision.

If you are only buying one gun, consider getting one acceptable for concealed carry. I think the Kahr CW9 is about the right compromise between concealability and shootability for me. It fills my hand but I feel pretty good taking it anywhere. Remember, you can better defend yourself with a gun you actually carry and can shoot well versus a bear killer in the gun safe. Hope that helps. Good luck on your purchase. New guns are always exciting!
 
I am for gun rights. I like the Texas law - no permit required for good people to arm themselves. Just be careful. Unfortunately this country is polluted with lawyers waiting for you to make a mistake. Even brandishing in the wrong situation can allow the leeches to change your life dramatically for the worse.
You are young, testosterone runs high... take a good concealed weapons course and pay close attention. Type of weapon is not the most important thing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top