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9mm Semi-auto

BBFisherBBFisher Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
edited October 2010 in Ask the Experts
Please excuse my lack of knowledge on any form of gun. I am wanting to purchase a 9mm hand gun for my husband and I honestly don't know anything about the different models. He already has a Ruger 357 and a 45 (don't know who makes it). Since this is a surprise I don't want to ask him. I have seen a Cobra and HI POINT 9mm, but because it is so inexpensive I am afraid it is not a good gun? Can anyone advise.

Thanks so much [:D]

Vickie M Payan

Comments

  • BBFisherBBFisher Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    My two son-in-laws have no handguns for home protection and i'm going to buy each of them one for xmas. For about $500 what would you recommend for a 9mm. I could be persuded to buy a 45cal if there are good arguments for those as well - but also for around $500 a piece. Thank you!
  • beantownshootahbeantownshootah Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    So many good ones to choose from in the $500 price range, your head will spin. I think top choices for a "service" type 9mm luger would include:

    Glock 17
    Beretta 92
    CZ-75 (my personal favorite).

    All three of these are highly dependable, accurate, relatively easy to shoot, and used by a large number of military and police around the globe.

    SIG is a good choice also, as is the Walther P99, but these are likely above your price cutoff.

    For a bit less money, any of these could work well also:

    Smith 9mm autos
    Ruger
    Tanfoglio Witness
    Surplus Sig P6/225

    The 45 vs 9mm argument has been beat to death.

    For your purposes, I'd say a 9mm makes a better choice for a new shooter for several reasons, not least of which is that ammo is a good bit cheaper, meaning you'll get more practice shooting it.

    How much better a .45 is than a 9mm is debatable, though I think empirically the modern 9mm+P luger rounds are pretty good. Most of the military and police on the planet don't carry 9mm luger because it "sucks".


    EDIT: Responding to some of the below.

    I didn't mention revolvers (let alone .40 cal guns) because the question specifically referenced 9mm luger auto pistols for $500.

    But since this was broached, I have to agree that for the vast majority of individuals, in my opinion a revolver makes more sense than an automatic for home defense. Revolvers are easier to use (including by spouses), less prone to accidental discharge, more reliable, generally more accurate, potentially more powerful (if you use magnum ammo), require less maintenance and are easier to maintain.

    Personally speaking, even though I "could" use an automatic, I pretty much ALWAYS go with a revolver for home defense (for all of the above reasons, especially reliability).

    For an adult male, I'd suggest a Smith and Wesson .357 magnum revolver, ideally in stainless steel (less maintenance). Specific models would include 686, 66 (discontinued, but highly regarded!), 60, 65, and a few others. Most of these are available used in the price range you suggest, if you look around on the auction site here. 4" bbl would be preferred here, though other barrel lengths could work too.

    Apart from slightly cheaper ammunition for practice, the only real advantage to a semi-auto is capacity, and I'd argue that if you can't get it done inside your home with 6 or 12 shots of .357 magnum, having another few shots on tap probably isn't going to change anything.
  • SpartacusSpartacus Member Posts: 14,415
    edited November -1
    agree with bean boy.
    if you do end up going with a .45, look at the para GI expert.
    a little over $500 but one of the best 1911 values out there. based on the colt 80 series platform with an excellent trigger out of the box. and it can be upgraded to "custom" levels with readily available after market parts (numerich, brownells etc.)
    great gift you're giving!
    tom
  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would suggest if possible take them to shooting range that has rental handguns available, or if thats not going to work let them try some of your various handguns. Some folks who have no great interest in guns or any inclination to learn are only going to become proficient on the most basic type of handgun such as a revolver. Trying to explain a semi-auto pistol that has to have a round chambered from a magazine, the hammer then cocked, and a safety either engaged or disengaged is quite beyond some folks in a emergency high stress situation.
  • kc5gxckc5gxc Member Posts: 177 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yep.......for a non-shooter, a .357 revolver makes a lot of sense.
    Good Luck
  • KnifecollectorKnifecollector Member Posts: 3,267 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I sure like the Springfield XD in 9mm.
  • hdcolt51hdcolt51 Member Posts: 4,585 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree with all the posts here but Rufe-Snow has said it best.The para GI expert is really a good choice,but starting out with a 1911 style pistol is not the best idea,IMO.You can get some fine used S&W revolvers in 38,357 in your price range.
  • tsr1965tsr1965 Member Posts: 8,682 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    All the above, falls into the excellent information column. I did not see anyone mention the brick looking and feeling Ruger P-89, or P-90(45 Cal). They are both excellent guns, and in your price range. They are very reliable, and accurate...built like a tank.

    Best
  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Are you wanting to get them a full size pistol or a compact pistol that they could carry with them more easily concealed outside of their home? Also are these involved shooters or more of the kind of shooter who will leave the gun setting up for a few years between shooting it? Either one have thin or weakly kind of wrists?

    The abundance of quality handguns on the market is just insane. I don't think at any time in history has a larger choice been available. Its to the point where rather than buying a gun and figuring out how to make it work for you, there is probably one available that will meet your specific needs.

    Just generally I will always recommend a Glock 22 .40sw. Especially the new Gen 4 with interchangeable back-straps. Glock is basically where the bar is set. Its been around a long time and is more carried by law enforcement in the US by any other gun. And the .40sw is the most popular law enforcement cartridge.
  • lpaalplpaalp Member Posts: 950 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Let's see... about $500 (means not significantlly more)...... 9 mm, possible .45 (means no .357 or .40s)......for home protection (means no carry requirement).

    Yep, another vote for the CZ 75.
  • BBFisherBBFisher Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for all of the excellent input. All really good advice and after sifting through the arguments i am left with this. These guys are not weaklings by any stretch, however they are novices and would not know how to chamber a round in an emergency, much less how to deal with a jam. Fine guns that are recommended one and all, in fact some that i already own and some that i will. The overriding advice that i must accept is that a .357 has the knockdown power and the revolver is like the point and shoot cameras - just pick it up, point and fire. Thank you for the feedback - that's why its a good idea to post - objective, quality advice.
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