Wanting a 9mm handgun

RATTFINK

RATTFINK

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Conroe, TX
Wanting a 9mm handgun for personal defense and sports shooting.

So far I like these four. What's your take on these?


Beretta 92FS

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Glock 17 Gen 4

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Springfield XDM 9mm

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Sig Sauer P226

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SAKS

SAKS

Wheeling
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Location
Mars
Beretta has a nice long barrel for target shooting and accuracy. Not so much for CC.
Glock is a standard favorite of many people. Very reliable. Not my favorite but I am a weird one
Springfield is nice but the price is up there
Sig is also good although fairly heavy.

I'd buy all 4 and then get more than that. My 0.02
 
Diadaga

Diadaga

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Virginia
Personally out of the 4 I would go with the Springfield. What you really should do though is see if there is a gun range near you that does rentals. If you can find one then just head down there one day and spend as much time as you can putting rounds through different handguns.
 
Airmapper

Airmapper

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Bowling Green, KY
I have a Springfield XD 9mm Sub-Compact. I have absolute faith in it, it has never given me pause in its operation. Very well made, smooth operation of the slide, thus far I've never had a failure to load or eject a round, and it's not picky on what you feed it that I've seen.

I didn't have the opportunity to try out different guns at a range, but every shop I went to the guys behind the counter pushed the Springfield, and it felt comfortable in my hand, so I gave them some more thought, and found I liked it better than the Glock's I had intended to focus on. It was about the same cost as the comparable Glock's but came with accessories so you had some stuff with it to start with, like an extra mag and a mag loader being the most helpful. I've been very happy with the Springfield, and would probably go to them first if I get another new handgun.
 
NismoFire

NismoFire

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Smyrna, TN
Go to your LGS (local gun store) and put EACH ONE IN YOUR HAND. If they have an indoor range, see if they have a rental you could shoot.


Also of note, you have 2 striker fired and 2 Single Action/Double Action pistols on this list. I would suggest that (if you haven't already) you shoot one of each to see which you like better, then narrow the search from there. You may find that you don't like the Double Action pull of the Beretta or the Sig.




Glock has a HUGE aftermarket, as does the Beretta. The Springfield is getting into it (there's plenty available for it, just have to look), and the 226 has been around for decades, so you're good to go there.



Anyway, I've shot all the above, and if I had to own a double action, I'd buy the Sig. The Seals carry the 226R for a reason, you know. I personally have owned the Springfield, and was issued a Glock once upon a time...HATE the Glock, and there's a reason I owned a Springfield.


If you find that you like the striker fired systems better, look into the Smith & Wesson M&P series. I have one on my hip right now...has higher magazine capacity than the XD, and is still lighter on the hip. It's also my duty gun, so there's that.
 
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Diadaga

Diadaga

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NismoFire said:
Ignore what everyone else before me has said...



Go to your LGS (local gun store) and put EACH ONE IN YOUR HAND. If they have an indoor range, see if they have a rental you could shoot.
Click to expand...

Not everyone's post needs to be ignored, especially since I had already told him exactly what you said. Although you do get props for the good info that followed that part.
 
NismoFire

NismoFire

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
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Smyrna, TN
Surely there aren't know it alls in the Army..


/hijack.



Johann, do you know anyone with any of the above mentioned pistolas that might take you out and let you shoot?
 
civicjoe

civicjoe

lone wolf mod
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Nevada
ive heard great things about the xd, my coworker has one and she and her husband love it, and ive read a few reviews online. seems to be quality stuff
 
J Everett

J Everett

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Of the four you listed, I personally favor the XD. I've shot all four and I'm most comfortable and shoot better with the Springfield and I like the Beretta the least, though it is a fine weapon and has served the Army well for many years.

I concur with the others, get guns in your hand and shoot them on a known distance pistol range to see which you like best.
Also, I will assume by the size of these guns that concealed carry is not going to be your primary concern.

I also like to throw other options out, so take a look at the the Walther P99 and PPS (the P99 is my personal favorite automatic pistol), Browning Hi-Power 9mm (if you can find one for a decent price; don't buy unless it's made in Belgium by Fabrique Nacional), and the S&W M&P9 or the M&P Shield. I also quite like the Steyr M9A1, but it is very hard to find.
 
NismoFire

NismoFire

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Maybe I should re-phrase my post. "Ignore" was too strong of a word, and apparently it's causing some controversy.....


Bottom line, he's the one who is going to be carrying/shooting it, not me or anyone else but him. That's like asking what shoes to buy.. even though one brand might be better on my back, it may put his in knots. See what I'm saying?
 
RATTFINK

RATTFINK

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Conroe, TX
Yes, there is an indoor shooting range near me. Finding the time to head over there is another thing, but it can be done. I'll have to ask if they have all the above.

The four listed were my final choices after lots of research. Having the two striker and two single/double action pistols will most likely narrow it down pretty quick.


I value all your responses, thanks!
 
tommyboy

tommyboy

Need Bigger Tires
Founding Member
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Nashville
Great guns and good advice, who ever said buy all three, that person deserves a cookie! In order of my preference;

XD, Sig, Glock and then the Beretta. But in full disclosure, I have yet to shoot a Beretta :)



Yet... ;)
 
Acasper708

Acasper708

Bought an X
Location
Evergreen Park, IL
As for personal defense they are all great guns. But for CC I would say none of them. They are full size pistols.
I played the the Berreta a bit when I was in the Marines. They are very nice and can take a ton of abuse.
I'm not a big fan of polymer frame pistols. They have a lot more different kick than a metal framed pistol. Metal frame has a more solid backwards kick. A polymer frame has a snappier up and back kick.
 
jmnielsen

jmnielsen

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Lincoln, NE
I'll be picking up a G19 next week. To me, it seems like an all around winner. Its small enough for me to easily CC but still not too small to be controlled well. What's your budget? If you want to keep it on the low end, check these out. Gen 2 Glock 19 trade-in Get's you a very reliable gun for under $400 before transfer fee and taxes.
 
Macland

Macland

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jmnielsen said:
I'll be picking up a G19 next week. To me, it seems like an all around winner. Its small enough for me to easily CC but still not too small to be controlled well. What's your budget? If you want to keep it on the low end, check these out. Gen 2 Glock 19 trade-in Get's you a very reliable gun for under $400 before transfer fee and taxes.
Click to expand...

Hmm, how reliable is that.
 
RATTFINK

RATTFINK

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Conroe, TX
civicjoe said:
Nice! how much did that run ya, if you don't mind me asking? I'm looking to get one of these as well but haven't found the time to go and look. Really wanted a 1911 but i know those are up there in price, and too big for a good concealed.
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I do not mind at all. It was $579 and a free box or ammo. :)


tommyboy said:
Welcome to the Springfield family!

Check out this XD forum

http://www.xdtalk.com/
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Thanks Mr. Ball! Oh lawd, another forum haha Are they on Tapatalk?


NismoFire said:
Good buy!
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ThanX!
 
AZhiAZiAM

AZhiAZiAM

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Fresno,CA
where did you get it ratt? i just got my xd40 desert tan lower black slide 2 mags, holster, hard case. paid 589 for mine. i'm so freaking excited about it lol. already looking at lasers/light combo. anyone recommend something for xd's? i registered on xd talk and jesus there is so much to read on there!
 
AZhiAZiAM

AZhiAZiAM

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Fresno,CA
got a front view or angled view of the tlr1 mounted on your xd by chance? for a size reference.

edit.

doesn't look to bulky the tlr3 is even smaller though. that's the same gun i bought. actually color and all.
XD45light.JPG
 
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RATTFINK

RATTFINK

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Location
Conroe, TX
I got the gun at a local gun indoor range/shop called Shooters Station here in Conroe, TX. The wait time to purchase... because I have a sweet name... was maybe 15min. The guy before me was waiting for over an hour.

I'm looking to add TruGlo sites to mine. Having the gunsmith do it when I get around to dropping some coin.
 
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