looking at 9mms

[roaddog28]

Hi everyone. I post on the revolver forum a lot. I am a revolver guy but I am looking to get a good 9mm semi-auto. I have only owned one semi-auto in my life. It was a Ruger Mark I. I purchased it in 1971. I sold it ten years later and revolvers are the only guns I have been shooting. I prefer steel guns. I am not going to carry the gun so a full size semi-auto would be fine. I like Smith and Wesson. Also Ruger. I don't know much about Glock, Sig, CZ and Beretta. So, can anybody point me in the right direction? I value this forum more than any other forum when talking about firearms.

Thanks,
roaddog28

 

[Kanewpadle]

The M&P line of semi auto's are outstanding. I have owned 6 different M&P pistols. Never had a problem. No misfeeds, jambs, or other failures. Not one. I estimate I have shot a few thousand rounds of 9MM, 40SW, and 45ACP through M&P guns. Again, no problems.

I used to work at an indoor range. Sold many M&P guns and saw them on the range too. Everyone I talked to that owned an M&P was very pleased.

Definately go full size.

The M&P 9L has a 5 inch barrel and is fun to shoot.
The standard M&P 9 has a 4 1/4 inch barrel.

Can't wrong with either one. They are very accurate. Always work. Fit the hands well. Easy to clean. Have decent triggers.

I carry one daily. I'm no expert. But I'm picky about the guns I trust to protect me and my family.

Have fun looking.

 

[RogueJSK]

I prefer steel guns. I am not going to carry the gun so a full size semi-auto would be fine. I like Smith and Wesson.

Based on yor above statements, I recommend the S&W 5906, for sure (or the 5946, if you want a Double Action Only version for the consistent revolver-like trigger pull).

You should also take a look at the Sig P226. It's a full size, all metal DA/SA like the 5906, that is also available as a DAO if you prefer.


But as with most new gun decisions, the best bet it to find a buddy or a gun shop that will allow you to test out a bunch of different designs, so that you can decide which one fits you best. What works for one person may not work for another.

 

[OKFC05]

I prefer steel guns. I am not going to carry the gun so a full size semi-auto would be fine

When you care enough to shoot the best:
Product: Model SW1911 9mm - Pro Series

 

[JamesArthur60]

Oh man, are you going to be confused. Lots of opinions are forth coming. Personally, in 9mm, full size for range use I have only one steel auto, the S&W PC952-2. But, that's expensive. It's a tough call as to which "steel only" is best, and it will limit your choices. I'd just pay your favorite gun store a visit, pick and choose, touch and feel and make a purchase. Test firing is a big plus. I'd also consider the warranty and CS of each gun maker. Good luck.

 

[safearm]

There are many good, used police trade-in S&W steel frame autos available. You'll have to decide which caliber; 9mm, .40S&W, or .45ACP, but should be able to find a 39XX, 59XX, 69XX, 40XX, or 45XX series gun that will meet your requirements. Additionally, there's still a lot of holsters, magazines, and grips being made/available for these guns, so that should not be a major problem.

 

[panther]

The police trade in guns are a good bargain right now. I've had a 69 series gun before, I just got a 4006.
The CZ75 is a great gun, the Beretta 92, Ruger P89, etc. You need to shop around, see how they feel in your hands, check prices, etc.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Dont forget about the Browning Hi Power, all steel and all real!

 

[Jetpilot007]

I would recommend the S&W 6906 DA/SA Semi-Auto, a very popular firearm. Perform a search on this forum and you will see. It is reliable, great looking gun, and great round (9mm) with 12 +1.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Of course, if your going to own only one semi-auto, it should be the venerable 1911 in .45 acp. It's been the benchmark of comparison to all others for generations ( and quite possably the most popular and capable semi auto of all time.) S&W just happens to make a REALLY NICE one.

 

[Beauetienne]

Like many said, lots of good pistols to choose from.

My advice to you, a first time centerfire auto owner, is to get a 9mm. Particularly if you don't reload.

Find one, from among the reputable examples mentioned, that fits your hand well and feels good to you.

 

[blastfact]

Get a M&P. Will be my next bottom feeder in .45.

 

[foolproofoak]

I, too, am a revolver guy. There's just something about steel and wood and reliability. When it comes to revolvers i love my smith's and rugers, but when it comes to bottom feeders i love my glocks. I know that seems like a paradox, that someone who loves steel could also love polymer. But, the way i view it is that the glocks are like my revolvers because of their reliabilty. A glock 17 is an awesome firearm.

 

[gunsmith11]

I just wonder why you want a 9mm

 

[Scotter260]

Why a 9mm? Why the heck not!?!?!

IMHO if you're looking for something to use on the range any of the full-size pistols from Sig, Smith, or Glock would be great choices. The fact that many of them (aside from Smith M&Ps) can be found as surplus only adds to their attractiveness. Add to that the comparatively cheaper cost and availability of 9mm ammunition and they get down right sexy.

I personally like DAO because it's most like the revolvers you're used to while keeping superfluous levers and such to a minimum. Generally, in my perusings, DAOs can be found cheaper than their DA/SA brethren because DAO seems to be looked down upon. Again, just my perception.

The only thing more fun than shooting my Glock 17 is shooting my Glock 17 with its Advantage Arms .22 conversion but that's an entirely different topic.

Best wishes with your search,
Scott

 

[roaddog28]

I just wonder why you want a 9mm

Very simple. Ammo! It is getting harder to find 38 and 357 ammo. All my revolvers are either 38 special or 357/38. Now I don't reload. I know that could be a option but I just don't have the time. I am lucky to get to the range one or two times a month. I can go just about anywere in my area and get 9mm luger. And its cheaper than 38 special. Really the only round thats cheaper than 9mm is 22LR. I figure that getting a semiauto in 9mm would gave me a option I don't have now.

My take,
roaddog28

 

[blastfact]

Very simple. Ammo! It is getting harder to find 38 and 357 ammo. All my revolvers are either 38 special or 357/38. Now I don't reload. I know that could be a option but I just don't have the time. I am lucky to get to the range one or two times a month. I can go just about anywere in my area and get 9mm luger. And its cheaper than 38 special. Really the only round thats cheaper than 9mm is 22LR. I figure that getting a semiauto in 9mm would gave me a option I don't have now.

My take,
roaddog28

The 9mm Luger is a great round. Fun to shoot, still almost cheap retail and if you do reload,,, it's a no brainer. Plus in the right hands with the right loads it will stop a person wanting to do you harm. I like the 38/357, 44 mag. and 45 ACP. But it's nothing to blow off 500 rounds of 9mm be it retail or reloads. No way you can have that much fun in other calibers. I do like shooting my CZ-52 more than the Sigma 9mm. But the 9mm wont reach out there and touch at 100 yards like the 7.62x25. Once I get setup for the 7.62 round for shooting fun. I doubt I look back.

 

[goldenlight]

I would also recommend a 5906, or a Browning Hi-Power. I own both; both are a lot of fun to shoot. Both are all steel.

Given a choice between the two, I would buy a S&W 5906 with the fully adjustable rear sights. I really like the 3 dot, adjustable sights.

I've owned a LOT of 9mms, and shot a LOT of my 9mm reloads; hundreds of thousands of them. I've been shooting since 1975.

I like the slim grip of the Browning Hi-Power. I have one that was made in 1979; it has a fully adjustable rear sight.

But, most Browning Hi-Powers don't have the fully adjustable rear sight.

The Browning Hi-Power is a fairly old design: it dates back to 1935. It has a single action trigger. Almost all the Browning Hi-powers I've handled have had a pretty heavy trigger pull. It has a magazine safety that's linked to the trigger mechanism. That adds weight, and contributes to what I consider to be a relatively heavy and poor trigger

I had to work on the trigger on my Hi-Power a fair amount, to get a good, fairly light and crisp trigger pull. I removed the magazine safety, replaced 2 springs, and polished the trigger and sear.

It wasn't terribly difficult, but I've worked on a lot of revolvers and semiautomatic pistols, over the years.

I had to polish the feed ramp on my Hi-Power to get it to be reliable with hollow point ammunition. It also favors full length ammunition; if I don't load hollow points long enough, I have had some trouble with them.

The 5906 has a nice trigger out of the box. It's all stainless steel, which is a plus in my book. It's fairly heavy, which helps soak up the recoil.

It also has a DA/SA trigger, something else I like. It's accurate, and eats everything I've ever fed it. Cast lead bullets in various shapes, 115 FMJ, 124 gr FMJ, 90, 115, and 124 gr. hollow points.

A nice used 5906 will cost considerably less than any Browning Hi-Power you could find, too.

Two thirds of the handguns I've purchased over my lifetime have been used, including a considerable number of used S&W revolvers and semiautos. I've yet to buy a S&W I wasn't happy with, revolver or semiautomatic.

That's my 2¢ worth of advice. Good luck.

 

[JoeS]

You don't mention what you want to spend or if that is an issue at all.
If I wanted a range gun only I would look at something like a Springfield Loaded Target in 9mm. I have one and it is extremely pleasant to shoot and pretty accurate for an out of the box piece. I see Smith also has a 1911 9mm in their pro line that is probably very cool as well.
I happen to also be a great fan of the Browning High Power. To me it is THE classic 9mm. Typically their only significant flaws in my eyes are the trigger pull and (in older models in particular) the tiny sights many were cursed with.
As someone mentioned the new M&Ps are an excellent pistol but they are polymer framed. If you can get past that they are one of the most ergonomically friendly pistols there are. Mine have been quite reliable and are very friendly to shoot.
The problem with the 9mm is that there are so many possibilities (and good ones at that) it is difficult to narrow them down. You mentioned the CZ and that again is an excellent buy in a 9mm. Many find its ergonomics the best of all semi-autos.

 

[EPM]

Your going to get so many opinions on this,with many recommending a S&W auto. After all this is a S&W forum. I've carried and shot smith,colt revolvers for 30+ years as a police officer. Also,glock,colt,sig,and berreta autos. I still own and carry all of them as suits my needs.In auto's i think sigs are hard to beat,and is first choice on my list.
Ed