Another "which one to buy" newbie question

I am very new at handguns. I have fired one a handful of times. I want to get one for home protection and target shooting. I would like to carry in the future when I get more proficient with firearm safety and shooting. I am considering the following guns. Money is an issue. I am looking at about $500.00 max. I think if I could get a great deal on a Walther 9PP QA I might go higher. I want a 9mm by the way.

Glock 19
XD 4" barrel
CZ 100
Steyr
Taurus 24/7

I think I am leaning toward the Glock. But I was wondering about the CZ 100 as it is much cheaper. I think the XD might be a bit big to carry. Taurus is pretty cheap but the guy at Gander Mountain said it is like comparing a chevy to a cadillac when comparing to Glock. Thanks for any help. I have some weapons training from the Marine Corps but I am just learning handguns.

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Originally Posted by gr8johnson

Glock 19
XD 4" barrel
CZ 100
Steryl
Taurus 24/7

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I am probably the most enthusiastic Glock proponent on this forum, so I would obviously choose the Glock 19. Totally reliable, extremely durable, low bore axis, short trigger pull and reset, holsters everywhere - and since you are on a budget, you will find magazines and parts for the Glock less expensive than anything else.

The XD is second choice. It's a good pistol, and many like the grip better than the Glock's. The trigger reset is long, however, and the bore axis is much higher than the Glock, which gives it more muzzle rise.

I would not choose the 24/7. The grip is comfortable but the bore axis is high and the trigger lousy. Taurus also has a rather shaky reputation for customer service.

I actually once owned a CZ100. It is a total POS. Run away. Far away. I bought it for only $100 and it wasn't even worth that. My wife's CZ75B is an outstanding pistol, but CZ screwed the pooch when they designed the 100. Mine was unreliable and had a trigger pull best suited to an Olympic powerlifter who gulps handfuls of steroids provided by Barry Bonds.

I have only handled the Steyr and not shot it, so I cannot comment on it intelligently.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

I'd recommend the Glock as a "beginner" pistol because of its simplicity and affordability. I currently train with a Glock 35 (.40S&W), which is also my first pistol, and love it.

I'd also suggest you find a range that rents or a friend that has a gun on that list and get a feel for it.

Let us know what you decide.

Glock or XD for sure. Both built like tanks.

I've never shot the Steyr, but they have always intrigued me for some reason... the M40A-1 (M9A-1 for you) is what I am referring to. The trap sights are cool and it flet good in my hand, but since Steyr went bankrupt, I wouldn't recommend it as a first/ only pistol.

If I can find one at a show somewhere, I might have to get it.

Here's a good overview of a bunch of 9mm pistols under $500.

http://www.best9mm.com/

+1 on Glock or XD. I own the Glock 19 and my dad owns the XD40. I ve put about 2000 rounds through the Glock 19 with not even the slightest issue. Its a simple gun to use and a simple gun to maintain, on top of perhaps the most solid reputation in the handgun industry. The XD hasnt been around long enough to have the Glock's track record but it is certainly shaping up to be another an extremely reliable weapon.

Ah, another "opinion" question.

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Originally Posted by Spartan

Glock or XD for sure. Both built like tanks.

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Nah, a SigSauer is built like a tank. I just looked at two nice LEO trade-in Sig P229, 9mm at my local gunstore for $499.00.

Glock. Simple, affordable, easy to use,safe and inexpensive accessories abound.
Plus I like them, if that helps any. :smt082

I'd recommend the XD over the Glock 19, and forget the rest. I'm not anti-Glock: I own five of them and use them regularly. However, I've also got 30+ years' shooting experience, much of it competitive. IMO, a Glock is not a good firearm to start out with.

All beginners make mistakes. Unfortunately, the Glock has a relatively light and short trigger pull and ZERO safeties other than the little lever on the trigger face. In other words, a Glock is very intolerant of any mistakes in the manual of arms, especially remembering to keep your finger (or any other item like a shirt tail) out of the trigger guard when not actually shooting. This is especially true when re-holstering the weapon.

The XD at least has a grip safety, which reduces the chances of an accidental discharge in case of a mistake. I personally do not own an XD, but I read good things about them. Beginners need to put safety at the top of their training priority list.

If you do go with a Glock, get some training and practice, practice, practice. The Glock is a wonderful weapon that can do incredible things in the hands of a trained and experienced operator. IMO, it's also the least safe popular and efficient firearm on the market, at least in the hands of a newbie. Happy shopping.

Welcome aboard gr8. There are a lot of nice good quality 9s out there in the $500 range. Try to handle and shoot as many as you can to see what you like. It pays to shop around, especially at gun shows you sometimes find slightly used or new pistols for less then any of the big stores like Gander Mountain. I have a Steyr M9 that I only paid $300 for and it has been a good shooting pistol. As well as the nines already mentioned such as the Glock or XD, take a good look at the Ruger P series, Beretta PX4 or M92, Walther P99, S&W M&P, any Sig, Browning High Power, and of course any H&K if you can afford it.

I found a site selling Sig P225/ P6 surplus for $360 with 2 mags. Plus s/h of course. What is everyones opinion of that. I want to talk to the sellers and see if they come with manuals. I know Sig is a great gun, but this is an older gun and dont know if it is good for beginners.

The P225 is a good choice for a single stack nine. The controls and operation are the same as other Sigs like the P226 or P220. $360 may or may not be a good price, depending on the condition. I don't like to buy any used gun without seeing it first. Also with a used gun you probably won't have a factory warranty.

definately the GLOCK !!!:smt068

A SIG (any SIG) is fantastic - a work of art that shoots. You can't go wrong with a SIG, but of course the price tags for new ones are outa sight. I believe the P225/P6's that are hitting the market right now are mostly West German LE trade-ins. However, I agree that sight-unseen used gun purchases can be disappointing (to put it kindly).

I'd suggest looking around in your local market, calling dealers and pawnshops, to see if any of them are carrying one of the P225s. It might cost a few bucks extra, but you'd get to handle the merchandise and look for dents, rust, etc. Be sure to have them field strip it for you to examine the bore AND pop off the grips to see the condition of the visible springs.

The SIG forum has owner's manuals online, but as soon as you've field stripped it once, you'll never need the manual again. It's that easy.

New and list 5 handguns