best 9mm

[Marlin Hunter]

Glock 17 or CZ 75

[BHPFan]

I recommend you go to a range and try as many guns as you can then pick what you like.

+1.

Not only that, the best 9mm is the one that feels best in your hand(s) as well as the one that you shoot the best with.

[DrewTheBrave]

http://bit.ly/wZYmq6

[CharlesV]

The usual argument is between Glock and Springfield but cmon guys we're not being fair to the poster. Yes we know there are many choice but what good is that to say when there is only ONE purchase? The above posts would be confusing the crap out of me.

Ok all things considered, and youre new to handgunning, id first try a Glock. If you have a large hand take the 17; if small hands, take the 19 and stop right there!

NOW....only if youre not comfortable with either 17/19, then try the Springfield XD. Thats the two brands to compare and thats it. Both are excellent choices.

THEN...later....one day...when youre good and experienced and blah-blah, you can, if you care to, branch out and explore the other brands.

Last, as to conversions, its sounds great on paper to have two guns in one but the reality is that its not convenient at all. As soon as you get two barrels you may well be wishing you bought two guns. If that is really a question, then decide first what caliber you want to shoot. If you want a .40, buy a .40. Since of course you asked about 9mm, then i sit pat on my post and thats it.

[BlackJack]

I bought a Glock 22 (.40 S&W caliber) and got a Lone Wolf 9mm conversion barrel.

That satisfied me for a while but I eventually bought a Glock 17 as well. Conversion barrels are a good way to go but you eventually want the rest of the gun. Good luck!

[chris57]

Twenty years ago when I turned 21 I bought a glock 17. Still have it, still my favorite gun to shoot. I will bring a couple of guns everytime I go to the range, the one gun I always bring with me is my Glock 17. Has never disappointed me and when I cant get in a groove with the other guns I pull out the 17 and get back on target. If it fits your hands and your budget it is a great gun!

[vg247]

Many years ago when I was 21...my first was a Glock 19, accurate and never had problems. The next was a Beretta 92FS, accurate and never a problem (but this style may seem obsolete now compared to other options today)...to date now, my tried and trued 9mm's and overall favorites are my P series Sigs (226, 229)--just for me Sigs are my handguns of choice for overall use in the 9mm-40SW sizes. In 45 category, I only have had Colts and SA...best advice is to narrow down to a caliber most fitting to you, next try out a few by renting them, then make your first memorable purchase..have fun, be safe!

[Sturnovik]

I'm turning 21 in a few weeks and am planning on purchasing my first handgun. What do you guys recommend? So far I'm looking at the hk p30(i know a shop that will do the conversion) or the browning hi-power. I'm open to anything though.

I would love a P30 too, there just a bit out of my price range.

Your biggest priority is to figure out if you want striker/hammer (DA/SA/SA/DAO). When you figure that out, your options become more clear.

Nothing wrong with the P30.

[strombeck]

Glock 17rtf2 and Glock 19

[Go Navy]

You're wise to start with 9mm. Don't worry about those who say it is not powerful "enough", etc. If you go look up the ballistics on it at fighting ranges, like, say 5 to 15 yards, it has plenty of on target power. And, you'll soon discover how challenging it is to group anything well at 45 feet/15 yds, let alone calibers with heavier recoil.

Also, it is easier to shoot accurately due to comparatively low recoil. And, ammo is less expensive than bigger calibers (yes, I know you can reload, so don't hit me with that, folks), so you'll shoot more, and more often.

Now as to pistol choices. I would not start with a compact anything since this is your first. I think you'll learn to shoot better starting with a full-sized pistol.

Next, I confess I am a strong 9mm fan, and own four different types and I can't really rank them, except to say that my Sig P226 is the best and most accurate 9mm I've ever shot or owned. I can recommend all four that I own, which are (in no particular order) Beretta 92, Sig P226, Glock 17, and HK USP Compact. I have handled a Ruger SR9 and it is pretty darned interesting, so you should give it a look.

To summarize, get yourself a good quality full sized 9mm pistol to start off with. Since the Glock trigger is a unique animal in itself, I'd hesitate to choose that as my starter pistol, but on the other hand there is nothing simpler to operate and if you learn to shoot it well, you'll be on your way. Choose your first pistol as if you are planning on keeping it for the rest of your life and buy the best that you can. Don't buy cheapos.

[adrenaline]

Your first handgun. I was in the same boat a while ago. If I could do it all over again, I'd pick the HKP30L. (My First Gun)

Definitely try out as many guns as you can like mentioned, but if you have your mind set and after trying out other guns, you come back to the HK, you can't go wrong. I wanted to go big out the door because I really didn't see me getting rid of my first gun. For me, its a keeper. I want her to out last me. I wanted to say my first gun, was an HK.

I hear the ergonomics of the P30 and HK45 are the same. My HK45c is sweet and the only reason I didn't go the full size is because I wanted a more compact carry weapon.

Find someone on the forum that has the P30 and see if you can make a date to shoot her...or at least....caress her.

[den888]

Glock 23 with a 9mm conversion barrel.

[BlackJack]

Your first handgun. I was in the same boat a while ago. If I could do it all over again, I'd pick the HKP30L. (My First Gun)

Definitely try out as many guns as you can like mentioned, but if you have your mind set and after trying out other guns, you come back to the HK, you can't go wrong. I wanted to go big out the door because I really didn't see me getting rid of my first gun. For me, its a keeper. I want her to out last me. I wanted to say my first gun, was an HK.

I hear the ergonomics of the P30 and HK45 are the same. My HK45c is sweet and the only reason I didn't go the full size is because I wanted a more compact carry weapon.

Find someone on the forum that has the P30 and see if you can make a date to shoot her...or at least....caress her.

HK P30 is an awesome pistol. I wish it were easier to buy in CA.

[darkwater]

I've owned/tried three 9mm brands, Ruger, SIG and HK. I bought the Ruger P95 because it was a decent gun at a decent price, and American made. If I had the money at the time, I would have bought the SIG, as it was so much more accurate. I did not care for the HK, as it kept spitting empty cases back into my face and into my shirt collar, where at least the SIG and Ruger were nice enough to kick the empties out to the right. For me, the HK was the least accurate, too.

[zombiescanlearn]

Sig P226 and CZ SP-01 are my favorites, but you really have to try them out. Everyone is different. Go to the range and rent some if you can before you make the financial investment.