Don't skip the M&P series, the M&P9fs is a great shooter. I paid $550 out the door and that was higher than typical price as I special ordered with ambi safety from my LGS. They have the plain jane m&p9fs for about $30 less, and other stores had it even cheaper. The M&P shoots very smooth with a mellow recoil, the trigger is not as crisp as some, but they work in over time, and unless you are match shooting it works just fine.

9mm is the next cheapest round compared to a 22, and is the best choice (imho) for constant practice on the range and SD. After that you are into the more expensive 40 & 45, etc, etc.. 9mm JHP technology has come a long way and stopping power is much better than years ago. Get some good JHP SD rounds for home, Golddot, Critical defense, Hydrashok, etc. Opinions on ammo are as varied as pistol models, maybe check what the locla PD uses and do the same. Never hurts if you end up in a self defense situation to use what they use, less worries about some crackpot lawyer claiming you used use overly lethal ammo...

Ohh the multiple backstraps of the M&P are also nice to better fit your hand..

Instead of the Sig P229 take a look at the Sig SP2022 in 9mm, currently on sale @ Palmetto Armory online 349.00 and free shipping as well..."best kept secret in firearms"......JJ

In my opinion, Glocks are a solid reliable choice. They aren't the most sexy, but your looking for a life safety tool and for that one of your primary concerns should be knowing that it will do the job required of it the moment you need it to.

My wife and I both have Glock 26s, which are similar but slightly smaller than the 19 and would recommend the 19 without hesitation.

The PX4 is unique in that the rotating barrel action absorbs some of the recoil, making for a smoother weapon to shoot. I have a friend who has a PX4 and likes it, but can't offer any personal experience.

HK and Sig are generally considered to be good quality guns, and a step up from the more utilitarian Glock.

I would recommend that if can try them out before you settle on a particular model. See if a local range has rentals that you can try.

I researched guns for a long time before my first purchase over two years ago. I never thought I would get a Glock, but after much research, they are the best bang for the buck. I have never had any malfunctions with my Glock 19. I think it is the perfect gun. It is reliable, accurate and a pleasure to shoot. Big enough to get a full grip, yet not too big. I have the Gen 3 since I believe the Gen 4 does not add anything significant to the gun. Can't go wrong with a Glock. Good luck.

Don't forget to look at the used firearms, let somebody else take the hit on depreciation. If you lean to some of the pricier guns, buying second hand may -- operative word, may -- bring it down to an affordable range. Of course, that means being a little more patient in your shopping.

All of the choices listed above are good ones. See how each feels in your hand and realize that after you become more proficient, you may end up trading in for a different one as you come to realize what feels good and fits your hand.

I don't think you're going to find an HK in your pricerange and I'm not sure what Sigs are going for but it sounds borderline.I agree with a good used one.For that price you couls get a real nice used P30 and maybe a few extras.HKPRO forum gets some real nice stuff for sale and I've seen some real good deals.Sometimes you can find them on the auction sites.If I ever buy another 9 it will be an HK,the Walther PPQ seems real nice but I'm not into the "safe action" design bandwagon.

Take a look at the Ruger SR9! I have one and it's a GREAT shooter. Comes with a reversible backstrap for a preferred grip. I've had mine for about 1 1/2 years and it is one of the guns I shoot most often. I hardly ever go to the range without it.
Just one man's $.02!!

Staying within your budget, I'd take the Glock 17. If I could go higher, I think a Sig P226 is hard to beat.

I appreciate everyone's input so far. After holding many of the aforementioned pistols I am leaning towards purchasing the Glock 17 - Gen4. IMO, this pistol has a natural feel and grip to it that the others do not.

I just recently purchased my first 9mm firearms for target shooting and HD. I couldn't decide so I bought two: FNH FNX-9 and CZ-75 SP-01. These are very nice guns and within your price range, both are reliable and accurate. The FNX-9 has alot of safety features and the CZ-75 platform is one of the most widely used, if not the most, by LE throughout the world.

I would look at the CZ 75 or CZ P07 as well as the Sig 2022. all are dirt cheap and excellently made.

If the gun will never be carried then between the Glocks the 17 is a better choice over the 19.

Hello:
please someone explain, over the weekend i went into a local place and the guy behind the counter took out 3 semi auto, a beretta standard and one a little smaller and a smith and wesson, now that one was a concealed, i did not like that one thougt it was to small,
also talking 9mm that is what he gave me and i read that is not a good gun to take to the range so if the to reasons i am getting a handgun one home defense and going to the range, i thought that would be a waste of ammo, please tell me if i am wrong, as i had said i am very new in this and did not even take a course yet but will the middle to end of aug,
i was told that a range is right over the bridge where i live and rents which i want to shoot before i purchase, I have to say i was surprise that the guy allowed me to handle them. i did like the standard but might be a little big in my hand.

Lisa stetz - hamilton NJ

A 9mm is an excellent choice for range and HD....you would use different ammunition for each one, cheaper for range and practice....JJ

you are the first person that said a 9 mm is a good one, others i read say it would be a waste, not sure if i understand

Lisa Stetz- hamilton NJ

Everything about guns is a tradeoff. Other calipers (like .357. .40, .45, etc.) are certainly more powerful, but then so is a shotgun, The newer 9mm JHP ammunition is adequate for most handgun-range defensive purposes and 9mm has the advantage of holding more rounds in the magazine and it's easier to shoot (less recoil). Also, 9mm FMJ practice/target ammo is the cheapest available center-fire ammo (like $0.20 a round) so you can afford to practice. Pistols from sub-compact to full-size service guns are chambered in 9mm, Finally, being the military and police standard, there will always be plenty of 9mm around; our local cops are converting back to 9mm from .40 cal. As a point of reference, 9mm is slightly more powerful than .38 special. Personally, I only shoot 9mm in my pistols.

Originally Posted by LStetz

Hello:
please someone explain, over the weekend i went into a local place and the guy behind the counter took out 3 semi auto, a beretta standard and one a little smaller and a smith and wesson, now that one was a concealed, i did not like that one thougt it was to small,
also talking 9mm that is what he gave me and i read that is not a good gun to take to the range so if the to reasons i am getting a handgun one home defense and going to the range, i thought that would be a waste of ammo, please tell me if i am wrong, as i had said i am very new in this and did not even take a course yet but will the middle to end of aug,
i was told that a range is right over the bridge where i live and rents which i want to shoot before i purchase, I have to say i was surprise that the guy allowed me to handle them. i did like the standard but might be a little big in my hand.

Lisa stetz - hamilton NJ

Three information sources which should raise eyebrows with anyone: police, CCW instructors, and gun shop sales personnel. You'd be amazed at how much crap comes from the mouths of people in these groups. And for newbies in the gun world, all that does is confuse them more. You best friend is to read everything you can about the subject at hand, talk to different folks, and keep an open mind. If it sounds a little fishy (EX: "If you hit a man in his hand with a .45 it will take his arm off."), then you can pretty much bet it is.

The 9mm is one step up the ladder from what most "experts" consider to be the bottom rung in self defense semi-auto pistol calibers. So bullet design and load becomes critical when selecting this caliber for defensive purposes. This is not to say the 9mm won't do the job, it just means there are better choices out there. However, with the best defensive loads and a good launching platform (pistol), the 9mm is a very capable caliber. Some of its best suits is the wide variety of ammunition available, rather low recoil, inexpensive target ammo for frequent practice, rapid followup shots, and magazine capacity. The .40S&W, the .357 Sig, and the .45ACP are better for defensive work, but the 9mm is nothing to sneeze at.

You would also be surprised at the crap that comes off the key boards of people on internet boards. I would rank 90% of them right there with gun sales people. Alot of them are parrots or only google wise and not really practically savy in what they come across as an expert on. Most of what is presented as fact is indeed opinion and nothing more. The more eliquent can present their opinion in a way that they will gain groupies on a board which is a silly thing to behold. A lot of the people who really have knowlege stay pretty quiet most of the time, because they know a google expert will want to "beg to differ". It is easy to speak with authority on a subject you have only read about or wish you really knew about if the person reading what you write agrees or likes how you wrote what you did write. However you may not even own a motorcycle or handgun or lawnmower that you are writing about.

I take 9mm to the range every trip I make. If it is not a good gun to takle there I wish someone would have let me in on it. Now I have become proficient with a bottom rung, If a gun store will not allow you to handle a gun and there is no ordiance against it, buy your gun elsewhere.

It is a good idea to practice so going to a range that rents is a very good idea.

Good luck to you in what ever you choose, learn to and always be safe. Have fun.

RCG

Originally Posted by LStetz

you are the first person that said a 9 mm is a good one, others i read say it would be a waste, not sure if i understand

Lisa Stetz- hamilton NJ

There was a guy killed in a nearby town last year with a .22 pistol. Nothing wrong with a 9mm.

Originally Posted by recoilguy

You would also be surprised at the crap that comes off the key boards of people on internet boards. I would rank 90% of them right there with gun sales people. Alot of them are parrots or only google wise and not really practically savy in what they come across as an expert on. Most of what is presented as fact is indeed opinion and nothing more. The more eliquent can present their opinion in a way that they will gain groupies on a board which is a silly thing to behold. A lot of the people who really have knowlege stay pretty quiet most of the time, because they know a google expert will want to "beg to differ". It is easy to speak with authority on a subject you have only read about or wish you really knew about if the person reading what you write agrees or likes how you wrote what you did write. However you may not even own a motorcycle or handgun or lawnmower that you are writing about.

I take 9mm to the range every trip I make. If it is not a good gun to takle there I wish someone would have let me in on it. Now I have become proficient with a bottom rung, If a gun store will not allow you to handle a gun and there is no ordiance against it, buy your gun elsewhere.

It is a good idea to practice so going to a range that rents is a very good idea.

Good luck to you in what ever you choose, learn to and always be safe. Have fun.

RCG

I agree with everything you've written here and I seen this so many times over the years. However, I have to believe you took a little stab at me with your, "Now I have become proficient with a bottom rung" phrase. I also take a 9mm to the range nearly every time I go, and sometimes two of them. Took one yesterday and two eight days ago. And I carried one in my travels this morning (modified Glock 19).

I don't fall into the category of "keyboard heroes or gugus" simply because I am humble enough to freely admit I never stop learning things in the gun culture. Have been doing this for 44 years and I expect I continue to do it for the rest of my life. Certainly there are experts, but as you suggested, there are also a lot of wannabe experts, too. It is good to listen to them as well if only to learn how to extract the BS from facts. But the funny thing with firearms and ammunition is that facts are dynamic entities... they are no where static in nature.

I recommend to folks to ingest as much as they can, learn how to recognize BS, keep an open and logical mind, and avoid the pitfalls of the self-anointed.

Originally Posted by LStetz

you are the first person that said a 9 mm is a good one, others i read say it would be a waste, not sure if i understand

Lisa Stetz- hamilton NJ

Wow,what a statement to make,so please don't put much stock in what these people say.While I'm not a big fan of the 9mm,I've carried one on and off duty along with shooting many matches with one,along with still having my Beretta for over 20 years.I've been away from them for a while but bullet design has come a long way the last few decades.We carried 115gr and that's what I always shot,but if I were to carry it again I'd look hard at the 124gr offerings because I'm also not a big fan of fast light bullets,I like some weight there for penetration.I don't think the 147s are great for everyday use and are more suited to suppressed weapons.They may have worked on them more but back then they were pretty much all subsonic to be quiet.

Honestly,when it comes down to it,just about any caliber will work to defend yourself.Shot placement is the #1 concern whatever you have but some calibers are more versatile for a wider range of situations.Most of the time the threat stops when they look down a barrel but for those that don't you just need to know the round's limitations.If a 300+lb guy is coming at you the last thing you want to do is dump a few 22s in his chest,between the eyebrows is your focus.Conversely,you don't want to pull off a head shot with a 45 unless it's a last resort after the chest hits fail to stop the attack.

Southernboy, I was actually speaking to the OP using your phrase to make my point to her that many folks have many opinions. No stab was intentionally directed your way. I apologize for the appearance that it may have been the case.

Your recomendations are very good ones.

To the OP 9mm is a great roound very versitale easy to find and powerful enough to be fun when fun is the desired result and also leathal if that is the result required by the situation. There are many rounds and just one is not the answer to all questions.

Enjoy be safe and the most important person to listen to is your self.

RCG

Originally Posted by recoilguy

Southernboy, I was actually speaking to the OP using your phrase to make my point to her that many folks have many opinions. No stab was intentionally directed your way. I apologize for the appearance that it may have been the case.

Your recomendations are very good ones.

To the OP 9mm is a great roound very versitale easy to find and powerful enough to be fun when fun is the desired result and also leathal if that is the result required by the situation. There are many rounds and just one is not the answer to all questions.

Enjoy be safe and the most important person to listen to is your self.

RCG

Thanks for your getback. We're good to go.

My preference is the .40S&W but I admit to having more carry guns in 9mm than in any other caliber. Perhaps because of the excellent selection in that caliber. And though I may favor the .40, I am certainly not remiss about carrying a 9mm. When I do, it is generally stoked with Gold Dot 124g +P or Federal HST +P in either 124 or 147 grain versions.

For those who want a real sweet shooter for range work, and an excellent choice for SD as well, the M&P 4.25" barrel model in either the standard or the Pro Series is one fine handling gun. I carried one (Pro Series) for seven months and am now vacillating between it and my gen3 Glock 19 or one of my gen3 23's. I tend change from time to time. I shoot all of my primary carry guns on a regular basis. Yesterday, it was my Glock 19 and one of my Glock 23's. Next week, it will be my M&P and that same Glock 19. I like to stay reasonably proficient with these guns so that I can feel comfortable in the event I ever have to call on one.

I would choose the Glock 19 just because I like that size better. The Glock is a great range gun and is easy to shoot accurately. It will also last long enough that most people cannot afford to shoot it out. I prefer the 9mm for self defense over the 357 sig, 40 S & W, or 45 ACP. With all due respect, not meaning to offend anyone and certainly not meaning to put down anyone's favorite caliber. I just prefer the 9mm for self defense. Some reasons why I prefer the 9mm include, finding it easier to shoot accurately with lower recoil, the higher magazine capacity that the 9mm affords, and the fact that the 9mm penetrates just as far as the 357 sig, 40 or 45. The only down side is it tends produce a slug that is a tenth of an inch smaller than the 45 ACP. Don't know if you have looked at a ruler lately, but a tenth of an inch isn't that big a deal. If a slug actually hits the heart, it won't matter if its .75 (9mm) or .85 (45 ACP). Truthfully, if it misses the vitals completely it won't matter either. Lot of folks that argue for the 45 ACP due so with lot of stories about combat to support their arguments. The funny thing about that is that when in combat only FMJ ammo is used, which for the 45 ACP only makes a .45 inch hole. Much smaller recovered diameter than quality 9mm slugs would produce today. I have seen gel test of 9mm federal HST that produce 9mm slugs that penetrated the necessary 12 inches and still had a recovered diameter of .85! The speer gold dot often gets excellant penetration with .70 to .75 diameters. That's more than adequate, that excellant! Especially when you consider that full size guns carry 15 - 20 rounds. Anyone who cannot defend themselves with that cartridge probably just needs more practice. I'm not directing this post at anyone, just saying that I agree with those who carry the 9mm with confidence. The 357 sig, 40 S & W, and 45 ACP are all great cartridges also, just not any better in my opinion. The 9 is fine