Need opinions please.

[ZX-10R]

Not a handgun person as I primarily shoot military style rifles and bolt action. However, this weekend after shooting my friend's Ruger P90 I got the handgun bug again...Was going to get one earlier this year but finally delved into the AR realm after being more of AK pattern enthusiast.

My question is I want a handgun made in the USA only. Sorry but that is how I roll. The only foreign one I will consider is RIA (I am of Filipino heritage) but that is last option.

I am looking at a price range of $700...However, $500ish is better and I am buying another car soon so this is just a one time gig for me and a Walther P22 for the wife. I do not see this replacing my rifle fetish but just more for home defense and also for range work. 9mm or 45 only.

Here are my choices...
SW M&P 9 - My first choice
SW M&P 45 - 2nd choice
Remington 1911 (released already?) - 3rd - NOT ON CA ROSTER...
Kimber (the lowest end 45 - I am from NYC so anything NY is good) - 4th
Ruger SR9 - 5th
RIA - any of them.

If you have any insight into these please let me know. Also if you would be kind, ranking them as I did. In the end the Remington 1911 is the gun that can easily go to #1 on my list.

SW - Fits awesome in my hand and shoots very well.
Remington - Have not handled yet but have a soft spot for Remingtons
Kimber - Great looking and awesome fit and finish.
Ruger - Was the gun that gave me the bug. SW was better shooter but a very close second.

Prefer 9mm since I shoot a lot but 45 is fun as well.

Thank you in advance for the help.

[huck]

Consider the FNP-9. ALL FNP handguns are made in the USA.

9mm ammo is easy to find and costs much less than .45 - which is harder to find. Depends on how much you want to shoot and what your budget is.

[OneSevenDeuce]

Just remember the Remington 1911 is not on the California roster, and probably wont be any time soon.

[ZX-10R]

Just remember the Remington 1911 is not on the California roster, and probably wont be any time soon.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Jeez this state kills me. Thank you for the heads up and disappointment.

[OneSevenDeuce]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Jeez this state kills me. Thank you for the heads up and disappointment.

Haha sorry. I know your pain. There are ways to get it. Have it PPTed to you by a LEO etc, but yeah, good luck unless you know someone specifically.

[Cyc Wid It]

No Colt?...

[ZX-10R]

No Colt?...

Gimme a model. As long as it is USA made I will consider it.

[Cyc Wid It]

Might have to buy used for $700. I think MSRP is right around $800 on the commander and government models. If I'm not mistaken, they're made in Connecticut?

[OneSevenDeuce]

Yeah, 800 or above it seems. I wanted a 70 series but I wasn't going to pay the 875 it was going for in San Diego.

[HighLander51]

ZX-10R, Ok, Pinoy, since you ride, and I shoot competition (also ride a 2006 Honda VTX1800N1), and if you are truly of Filipino heritage, then there can only be one. And that one is way more than $700, closer to $2,500. I hang with the Pinoys every weekend at Norco Running Gun, PI Nation. Glocks are considered to 'non-guns' even though a handful of boyboys run open Glocks. Here is what you are looking for...

http://nrg.jvdynamics.com/nrg/

http://www.jvdynamics.com/custom_guns/

This is the gun that JoJo won the World Shoot with, and check out the vids of your Pinoys, Team Hataw!!! This is what we do every weekend....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9XroeUCj5g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDmpAPMyn-0&feature=related

and here is a dirty smoking Glock in comparison

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G-im1Dttq0

[evidens83]

M&P9!

[Oldnoob]

Get yourself a M&P9. As you mentioned, you are a rifle guy. So M&P will be a great place for you to start. This generation of polymer pistol (Glock/XD/M&P/Beretta/Sig/Steyr....etc) are all durable and reliable. Just pick one your hand feel the best (which according to you is the M&P, I'm a Glock/Steyr guy myself).

The 1911s are great, but save up your money and start with mid end 1911 ($1100 and up).

[PEZHEAD265]

RIA is not US made.They are Koreaen.If the Rem 1911 is used it may be a C&R weapon and it doesn't have to be on the list.Any C&R pistol is good to have here in CA.

[Colt]

No Colt?...

Any of the Colts that are on the list would be a good choice, in my opinion. They may however be a little above your stated price target, although I guess Turners in Rancho Cucamonga had 'em for $699 last weekend at their grand opening. All Colts are USA made.

[Oldnoob]

RIA is not US made.They are Koreaen.If the Rem 1911 is used it may be a C&R weapon and it doesn't have to be on the list.Any C&R pistol is good to have here in CA.

Rock Island Armory is a Filipino firearm manufacturer. You were off by few thousand miles.

And I think OP was thinking about the Rem R1911. The new remake/redesign of their GI 1911. But you were right, the old Rem is C&R and can go through any FFL 1 to do transfer.