A little help for a beginner

[Catalyst81]

I'm working towards the purchase of my first handgun. I already have my HSC. I'm interested in a 9mm pistol. Went with friends today and shot a Sig SP 2022 and Beretta 92FS. Before shooting them I was leaning towards the Sig, but I fell in love with the Beretta. I think it was a combo of it being more aesthetically pleasing and feeling a little better in my hands. The Sig felt and shot great as well, but for some reason I kept finding myself picking up the Beretta. Now on to the questions...

1. I plan on using this gun as a range gun and HD gun. How crucial is it to have a rail on the gun for HD? The Beretta I shot didn't have one. Could I just keep a small light with the gun?

2. What should I expect to spend on a 92FS new? I'm in the OC area.

3. Best9mm.com gave the Taurus copy of the Beretta a glowing review. Is the review to be trusted? Would this be a good option to save some money?

4. Any suggestions on local shops that aren't overpriced in the OC area? Would it be less expensive to purchase online and have a local shop do the transfer? If so, any online store recommendations?

The only other gun I was interested in testing out is the CZ 75B. I may have to take some time to test it out at the range. I appreciate any insight you can provide.

[jdewolf]

I wouldn't say a rail [or lack thereof] is a deal breaker, however it is useful. If you had to use your gun for HD it more than likely isn't going to be during daylight hours. Target acquisition and recognition is key... you don't want to accidently shoot someone trying to surprise you [in a good way]. Some might say you could just go with tritium sights. However in my opinion if it's dark having those little dots is nice... but if it's that dark again you need to know what or who exactly you're pointing that business end at.

You could go with a separate light. However practice with it in your offhand... shooting essentially 1 handed is a lot different. Also keep in mind if you are awoken in the middle of the night you probably won't have your full cognitive abilities. If you have to open any doors, use the phone, etc... you'll more than likely have to use that off hand for those tasks.

[NewbieDave]

1. I plan on using this gun as a range gun and HD gun. How crucial is it to have a rail on the gun for HD? The Beretta I shot didn't have one. Could I just keep a small light with the gun?

2. What should I expect to spend on a 92FS new? I'm in the OC area.

3. Best9mm.com gave the Taurus copy of the Beretta a glowing review. Is the review to be trusted? Would this be a good option to save some money?

4. Any suggestions on local shops that aren't overpriced in the OC area? Would it be less expensive to purchase online and have a local shop do the transfer?

1) Get a gun with rail... it's not like its something you can just add on later. Better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it

2) If new, you're probably going to be in the $600-700 range, used can be have at half that. Check CDNN and see if they already have a local FFL on file.

3) Taurus are good guns, I've owned & used couple in my times. I actually like the frame mounted safety (old Beretta style) on the Taurus over the current Beretta design. Keep in mind Taurus are made on Beretta spec-ed machines.

4) Cant help you... I get stuff out of state

[johnthomas]

http://www.opticsplanet.net/surefire-mount-mr11.html

[LikeAllGuns]

You can't go wrong with CZ 75 B... The 92fs is also a great pistol... Both are personal preference.

Not sure on your area price range but the CZ should run about 540 and the 92fs runs about 600 to 650.

If you go with beretta get the M9 its the same as the 92fs but less garbage written on gun and better sights in my opinion.

As far as rail there great but as soon as you put a light or laser on it you cannot use holster anymore.

DON'T BUY A TAURUS !!!!!

[SLO1911Fan]

I'll take a CZ over a Beretta any day of the week. A CZ SP01 and a Beretta will both cost you around $650-700 new. The CZ75b and can be had for $450-500 used, while the Beretta tends to be closer to $500

[BoJackUSMC]

I like sig 2022 more than Beretta because I don't like having decocker on the slide. Beretta will cost around $560 to $570 at Bolsa Gun Smith.

[Spirit 1]

I'll also agree on the CZ being an excellent choice. Extremely accurate and I notice most people say they've never had a gun fit their hand so well. Built like a tank, fine quality and famous for being very reliable. Hard to go wrong there.

[morfeeis]

92G-SD "Special Duty" – 9mm with light rail and brigadier slide – factory night sights and aggressive checkering front and back beveled magazine well – extended magazine release - shown with M3 light.

Or

Beretta 92FS TYPE M9A1 9mm

1. i have a rail on my Ruger and my Glcok and i have yet to buy anything to put on there, i keep a flash light right next to my Ruger for things that go bump in the night.

2. if you get the M9A1 look to spend $750 out the door

3. Taurus makes their 92 clone on the same tools used to make the older 92's, so yes they are up to par.

4. i'm not in the OC so i cant help with a local shop but i can tell you if you do order it online make sure and ask the FFL you plan on using how much they charge for out of state xfers. Some FFL try and screw you by charging like $120+dros+tax.

Good luck and i wouldn't be a true Ruger fan if i didn't tell you to look at the Ruger SR9, it's a great pistol.

[Catalyst81]

You can't go wrong with CZ 75 B... The 92fs is also a great pistol... Both are personal preference.

Not sure on your area price range but the CZ should run about 540 and the 92fs runs about 600 to 650.

If you go with beretta get the M9 its the same as the 92fs but less garbage written on gun and better sights in my opinion.

As far as rail there great but as soon as you put a light or laser on it you cannot use holster anymore.

DON'T BUY A TAURUS !!!!!

Why not? It seems like the Beretta clone gets good reviews and is made to similar specs. Did you have a bad experience with the PT 92?

[Rhythm of Life]

1. doesn't matter
2. dunno the area
3. no
4. dunno the area

Buy the CZ 75B

I was stuck between the M9 and the SP 01, I went the CZ route and haven't been happier.

[CSACANNONEER]

Handguns with rails are a newer fad. If you feel the need to be a tactifool mall ninja, a rail is a must. If you want a gun with extra weight and features that can snag on clothing, a rail is a plus. If you think that a laser or a light is going to help you in a SD situation even though you've never be3en able to practise with them in the dark or have any traing on how to use them, you're a fool. If you just need a firearm for HD, a simple shotgun is normally the best option. For a first handgun, a .22lr is normally the best choice. A .22 will save you a lot of money while learning to shoot and practising. In fact, it should more than pay for itself and a 9mm within a few months.

Finally, get a gun that fits YOU right. It has nothing to do with how anyone else can shoot it. It has to work well in your hands.

[Old4eyes]

A rail is nice to have, hard to add on later. There are some aftermarket bolt on rails, I haven't tried them for my 92. As was already mentioned, the M9A1 has a rail, so if you were buying a new Beretta, that would be the choice. If you picked up a used 92 cheap, the thought of adding a rail might make the best economic sense.

Is a gun mounted light a must? They are easier learn. When you grab the gun from the nightstand, it's a no brainer as to where is the light. People will argue vehemently about the fact you may be covering a good guy with your muzzle while search for the bad guy. You'll have to be your own judge on that aspect.

I've got a light on my nightstand gun, and I have Surefire handheld which I practice the Surefire/Rogers technique. I have guns without a rail so I want to be able to handle a situation either way. It may be that you go for a non-railed 92 and choose a hand held light - then you train that way. And someday when you go to a free state and get a concealed carry and have a small gun that does not have a rail, then the non-gun mounted technique will be the ticket. In the house with a full sized gun, I'll go with a rail and light on the gun.

Go out and shoot some more guns. The 92 is a really good gun if it fits your hand. I don't like the placement of the safety/decocker on the rail. Do look at the CZ line of guns, similar feel to the Beretta. And as with Beretta, some have rail, some don't.

Finally, become a member of Taurus Armed web page. When you join, you get to see the complaint section. I've got a Taurus Revolver, and my experience with it and the support from Taurus leads me to not get another Taurus product.

[Lucky Scott]

Although I am no expert, and still consider myself to be learning as a beginner, here is my opinion.

I dont like lights on guns, but many people do.
Get what you like.

If this is your first gun, dont consider it your only gun as you will probably end up buying lots of guns over the next few years.

If possible, try to rent, or borrow a gun you are interested in and shoot it before buying it.

Buy used on the classified forum here on Calguns, or watch for sale prices at gun stores for best deals.

[brassburnz]

For a first handgun, a .22lr is normally the best choice. A .22 will save you a lot of money while learning to shoot and practising. In fact, it should more than pay for itself and a 9mm within a few months.

Finally, get a gun that fits YOU right. It has nothing to do with how anyone else can shoot it. It has to work well in your hands.

+1 on this. There's a reason more people are taught to shoot with a .22 rimfire than all other calibers combined. Reduced ammo costs means more trigger time. More trigger time means faster learning curve. The skill set learned with a .22 rimfire is EXACTLY the same as the skill set needed to shoot any caliber firearm properly.

If you're in the market to buy your first handgun, better be ready to buy at least 3 more within the first year whether you can afford it or not.