A little help for a beginner

[LikeAllGuns]

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?

No not the PT 92..... My own exp. with tauras is.... I bought a brand new .44 mag tracker 4''
Which the timing went out within 200 rounds..luckily it didn't go off in my hand when it clicked with chamber 3/4 turned...

Sent it back with there ''lifetime warranty'' and they ''fixed it'' and sent it back to ffl.

I picked it up and went to range and before I finished 50 rounds CLICK 3/4 chamber turn..
Sent it back again and when it arrived back at FFL I sold it to him for a big loss ( he offcoarse knew about problems with gun)

I have read reviews were tauras pistols have blown up in hands.

Oh thats what tauras does is copy other guns and make a crappy replica..

[smittty]

The Taurus PT92 is their best gun and it's excellent even by Beretta standards.

No not the PT 92..... My own exp. with tauras is.... I bought a brand new .44 mag tracker 4''
Which the timing went out within 200 rounds..luckily it didn't go off in my hand when it clicked with chamber 3/4 turned...

Sent it back with there ''lifetime warranty'' and they ''fixed it'' and sent it back to ffl.

I picked it up and went to range and before I finished 50 rounds CLICK 3/4 chamber turn..
Sent it back again and when it arrived back at FFL I sold it to him for a big loss ( he offcoarse knew about problems with gun)

I have read reviews were tauras pistols have blown up in hands.

Oh thats what tauras does is copy other guns and make a crappy replica..

[LikeAllGuns]

Hey smittty........

[Catalyst81]

Thought I'd tack another question on for you more experienced people. What is the benefit of buying online? It seems like prices are a little less expensive, but unless you find a stellar deal, you end up paying the same or more because you pay tax and the transfer fee. Am I missing something? I'll probably buy local if prices are reasonably close.

[Lead Waster]

Well, you USED to be able to uh, defer paying sales tax on out-of-state purchases, so you'd pay shipping and FFL, but not sales-tax (use tax). But FFLs are required to charge you use-tax on guns shipped in, even though the gun wasn't sold in the state, the state wants your money.

Try "Gallery of Guns", it's actually reasonably prices. It's a network of local gun shops and it's not much different than buying online and shipping to an FFL, then paying sales tax and FFL. Also, if there is something wrong with the gun, it gives you the option of bringing it back to the local shop. Can't do that with the internet!

Online guns are for other non-CA states, where you can order a gun and have it shipped to your doorstep. Tacking on the $75 or so for FFL processing kills the deal now.

[P220ST]

Check out Turner's and their weekly ads. If I were to buy a 9mm right now, I'd probably get myself a Springfield XD9 or a Glock 17.

[Kempfer]

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?

Get a gun with a rail. You want two lights and not just a handheld. You also want Night Sights as well. Problem with having just a handheld is you assume both hands will be free, sometimes they aren't so when they aren't you have no light.

[sparrow]

[Freq18Hz]

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

^this

Shoot more guns. Think twice about the rail, you might not always want to point a gun at what you are looking at.

There are far 'better' 9mm options out there than the two you've mentioned.

CZ is one of them.

-Freq

[glockman19]

I personally think that Glock makes the best 9mm semi auto pistol...17/19/26.34 you can't go wrong...Unless...You don't like the grip angle...then liik at a Beretta or S&W MP

What ever gun you eventually purchase...shoot as many as you can in the caliber you are looking for and buy the one that you shoot best and feels the best in your hand.

[scotty99]

Honestly, if the Sig and the Beretta are all you have fired, you need to go back to the range and try a wider assortment. The Beretta is a fine and beautiful gun, but the DA/SA combination can be a real issue for a new shooter. A decade or more ago, Beretta dominated the LE market. Now they have nearly disappeared, and first shot accuracy and maintenance (along with cost) were major factors. Shoot a Glock and shoot a Springfield XD, and unless you just hate them or don't shoot them well, I would recommend you start there. Much simpler construction, no safeties to trip you up with your life on the line, and the same trigger pull every time. Spend the money you save on ammo and range time. You won't stare lovingly at a Glock or a XD like you might a 92F, but if the SHTF I and millions like me prefer the dull feel of plastic in our hands. Reliability and first shot accuracy count for a whole lot when it comes to defending yourself.

[MyGlock17]

I think you'll like the CZ 75B if you liked the Beretta...But if you want a striker fired gun i would go with Glock...If you are thinking about getting accessories for your gun Glock is the way to go...Same with the XD...

[em9sredbeam]

Personally I like cz's better, and you can get them railed. The only problem I have with lights is if it is a dangerous situation, you are easy to find, just look for where the light is coming from. I have 2 Taurus Handguns, A snubnose 357 titanium model, that is great. The trigger is a little heavier and rougher than a Smith, but has been great. I also Have a Taurus 1911, Which is good, but a little more Finicky than other 1911's I have shot. For a semi-automatic HD gun, I would spend a little more and go for more reliable. Also Look into xd and glock. Sigs are great but a little pricey.

[Go Navy]

You can't go wrong with the Beretta. I have owned one for 20 years and I love it. It shoots and functions well. Now I want an all stainless ("Inox") version, but I have three other 9mms (Glock 17, HK USP Compact, and Sig P226), love them all, and can't justify yet another 9mm.

I support your choice of caliber. There's some wisdom to starting with a .22, but you can learn to shoot a 9mm well without too much trouble, and there is nothing wrong with it as a self defense round.

My nightstand weapon is my Glock 17 with Tritium sights and a Streamlight mounted on it. Why the Glock in that role? Because it is dirt simple to operate and I figure I'd be a little groggy when the situation arises. The drawback to the Glock is that the trigger is so different from all other pistols. You gotta practice with it to get good with the trigger and I'm still on that learning curve.

My advice, though, is to get the Beretta......you'll likely keep it for the long haul while you add to your armory.

[Gryff]

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?

Doesn't have to be a deal-breaker. Just get a good handheld light and practice (a lot) with it.

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?

Tauruses are good guns, but I like Berettas better. I would imagine that there would be some differences in the way the trigger feels, since it is a product by a different company (even though they are very similar designs).