I don't own a 9mm and have no plan to buy one. My son does however and I'm not really up on what would be the best to buy. He'll probably only consider something new and my question is what would be the best to purchase now. About the only thing I'd tell him is to stick with S&W. I'm thinking price is not an issue if that makes any difference. Thanks in advance for any ideas you may have.

For what purpose, HD, Target, Carry, Collection?
Plastic or Metal?
Striker or Hammer?
With Safety?
Single Action, Double Action, or DA/SA? Decocker?

If unsure, a visit to a range with rental guns is in order.

You never know what floats someones boat. During a recent range visit, I was talking to the guy in the next lane, who brought a collection of fine 9mm full frame metal guns. Surprisingly, his favorite was his plastic Walther PPQ.

The best there is is the Browning Hi Power. I understand that right now there are some Israeli surplus guns on the market for around $500-600.
My second choice would be the older Sig Sauers. I'm not a big fan of the newer plastic models.
But then, everybody and their brother makes a 9mm. As long as he stays with the better brands, I don't see how he can go wrong.

Mostly target. That's where all my shooting is and what I've told him to get involved in. I also told him I don't like plastic. I have no experience with striker vs hammer so have no idea with regard to that. I'm really "old school". I love the older blued steel and the look when they're cleaned and polished. I may be wrong here but I've told him that if he could get a nice Model 39 it would be a gun he'd like. That's one I would consider if I wanted one.

Here is a write-up of target pistols that might help narrow down the feature set he's looking for.

9 Great Long Slide 9mm Pistols - Handguns

For target shooting and range use I would recommend that you consider a pistol with adjustable sights. There is a huge variety of 9mm ammo on the market (different bullet weights at different velocities, resulting in big variations in point of impact in relation to point of aim). Having the ability to adjust sights to the ammo in use can help in making target shooting much more enjoyable.

No disrespect to the S&W firearms, but I have looked at the Ruger American Pistol. It has good gripping, some heft to it, if I were in the market for a 9mm that would be the one for me. Ruger developed it to compete for police and military contracts.

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Carpriver.

Can you say CZ?

Cause I can't say Česká zbrojovka a.s. Uherský Brod

But this is like saying what car to buy.
For metal, hammer fired guns

CZ 75 (many variations)
SiG
Beretta

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Still Running Against the Wind

I am also going to suggest the Browning-Hi power I have experience shooting these specific 9mm Pistols and they shoot like a dream.

For all around use it's hard to beat the Beretta 92. I have found a 92 FS Compact is equally at home under my coat or at the range.

Well , you did mention " something new " . My fiance is a ' long time " shooter but wouldn't take a glock home if it was a gift (yes she has shot them) . She recently got a new HK VP9 and really likes it , great feel , absorbs recoil and is very easy to rack the slide and very accurate .
Sig Sauer is always good . They come in all metal with external hammer (P226 ) one of the guns Navy Seals has used for over 25yrs . Sig recently introduced the new " plastic " type , P320 . It has received excellent reviews . Sig can be a bit pricey , but in my opinion you get what you pay for . The S&W M&P's have seen a lot of service from various police dept's around the country and served them well .
I'm a real revolver guy but on a " whim " bought a S&W MP in 45acp . It is real fun gun and excellent shooter . I would suggest the 2 of you sit down and talk about what he really wants and likes , then go to a local gun shop , look and feel different models before buying . You can only spend your hard earned $$ once , so let's make the best of it .

Contrary to a LOT of hot air that powers many different gun forums, especially those where it's considered good manners to shred the competition (fortunately not this one), none of the major manufacturers makes a bad gun, no matter whether steel, alloy, plastic, or a combination of those.

If the main purpose is going to be target shooting, there is really no substitute for the actual shooter feeling the grip and shooting the gun. Especially with the somewhat more limited adaptability of pistol grips as opposed to revolvers, and the variance in hand shapes and sizes, that becomes particularly important.

The Beretta is a lovely gun, but I can't get comfortable with the grip shape. The Glock's grip ergonomics are a dream for my hands, but I hate the trigger feel. The Sig P226 is too fat, but the HK P2000 is absolutely perfect for my particular hand requirements. So is the FN HP.

You don't find out these things unless you try the guns out yourself.

Ok you've told him to get involved in target shooting because
that's what you do. You don't like plastic. You told him a
nice model 39 would be what you would like but he prefers
new. You you you. Since it's for him and he prefers new a
proven modern reliable 9mm auto like the Beretta 92FS
would be hard to beat for an all around pistol. The US
Government seems to think so and the guns, parts and
magazines are going to be around for a long time.

Glock 19. Trigger can easily and safely be modified to 3.5lbs for target work. Has a reliable safety record using striker fired mech as opposed to transition in firing mode in traditional DA. Trigger can be set back to 5lbs for a safer carry option. Mags are cheap with many options in capacity. Target sights available.

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SOS USA

Lots of good choices......... in "old school" guns.................

Beretta 92 ( full size,Centurion and compact),

Sig (226,228/9)

CZ ( full size and compacts)

Browning Hi-Power....... maybe even a

9mm 1911?

But he actually wants to hit the target.

Glocks are perfect, that is why there are so so many upgrades for them No, I do not bash Glocks I have a 19 and did the trigger thing.
My CZ or BHP will out shoot it all day long. The Glock is a fine gun for general use and will stand up to any harsh treatment, but there again so will a SA XD.

Ford, Chevy or FIAT

Let the debate continue

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Still Running Against the Wind

"Target shooting".... like bouncing soda cans around or more along the lines of precision paper punching?

For bouncing soda cans it don't much matter, but when I want to try to put small groups on paper I like the 1911 platform, specifically because of the trigger as well as aftermarket availability. I prefer 45ACP, but there are a lot of 9mm choices too.

A buddy of mine recently got a Springfield Armory 1911 Commander sized 9mm and he loves it. I do too.

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

Not a fan of the 9mm but I did recently get a Springfield Armory 1911 Range officer in 9mm. Nice gun shoots pretty good(hey it's a 1911) and has been reliable...and recently I bought 17 boxes of Federal 147 gr Hydrashock ammo at a yard sale for 6 bucks a box..so I guess I am good to go for a while. I gotta stay away from yard sales..I buy too much non gun stuff..But I did also get a Hollywood Junior press last weekend...cheap

This is a Ford vs GM vs Chrysler type question, and just like those questions, I'll give my standard answer. Have your son go look at all of them, and if possible try them. Just like F vs GM vs C, everyone has their favorite, sometimes with valid reasons and sometimes without. Any of the big 3 makes a good product, just like any major arms manufacture makes a good product, so it comes down to personal preferences.

And for the record, I draw a pension from one of those big 3, so I do have a stake in what people buy, but I wouldn't be honest if I said Brand X is better than Brand Y, because that's not always the case.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

Thread Drift.

FIAT Chrysler will no longer be making CARS in the USA only Ram Trucks/SUV and Jeeps. Hey, no problem we bailed them out.

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Still Running Against the Wind

^^^^^This^^^^^

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

Wait! A 1911 in 38 super is whatcha want.

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Halfway and one more step

I would go with the Hi Power, the Springfield and the CZ 85 Combat aren't bad either.

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Don