Posted: 5/7/2007 9:32:54 PM EDT
| Hey, I'm looking for a new 9mm pistol for protection purposes. My budget is $550. The main use for the gun is for protection while on road trips in an RV. I had a few in mind but I'm not really sure about them, so any help would be great. Also, I have been looking at the Beretta 90-two. I saw that impact guns has it for $650 and I have head of Beretta having really good quality products. What do you guys think about it?. |
Don't buy any of the Glock C models. My suggestion would be a third generation Glock 17. Its chambered in 9mm and can take 17rd factory mags. They work period. Find and buy some Winchester Ranger 127 +P+ and you will be well set  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glock_17
|
M&P is all polymer and stainless steel. Weather is not an issue for it... |
| I just went through this. CZ P-01. It's an awesome gun, I got mine for just under $500. Go to cz-usa.com and check it out. Also you'll find that these are wonderfully accurate, beautifully built and just a damn fine gun. CZ 75 would be my second choice but for no other reason than the CZ P-01 has the rail. |
I've just bought (3-4 weeks ago) an XD 45. Great gun! No failures that I didnt' cause*.The XD9 (the 9mm version) should be just as durable and reliable. *Put some target .45 ammo in it (small powder load) and it didn't cycle. |
|
Glock, a 17 if you have big hands and a 19 if you don't. If you're planning on carrying it concealed then look at a 26. Also, if you plan on being in an area where you may need to defend yourself against 4 legged critters, you may want to seriously consider a .45 (G21) or even better, a 10mm (G20). |
|
The 90-two is a pretty nice gun. I shot one when I was shopping for a 9mm last year. Almost bought one, but I ended up going for a Sig 226. You might want to see if any ranges nearby have one for rent. Also, a lot of people here are suggesting Glock, which is fine, but again try one first. Very different grip, trigger, controls from the Beretta. ETA: If you decide you like the 90-two, budsgunshop.com has them for $602 |
|
I would pass on the 90-two and just buy a regular 92FS (M9). The 92FS can be found new for $450 and is a proven military design. They are bulky, but for home defense that isn't really a factor. The Glock 17/19 are also great choices, if you like the trigger layout. Also take a look at the Ruger P89 and CZ-75. |
|
A used 92FS is my personal suggestion. Most of these guns have been carried a lot, shot only a little, IMO. Too many plusses for me on the 92 versus a used Glock 17 or 19. A much better trigger pull, ablility to change grips for function OR looks, better balance & more "retention friendly" than the Glock due to the 92's safety, IMO. A Glock is a fine weapon, I've owned two myself & they wouldn't sell millions of them if they weren't. But a Glock has ALL the personality of a month old red brick. My 92 seems to lightly hum to my soul when I hold it, the Glocks never did for me. My .o2 
|
|
Most of the recommendations so far have been for glock's. I don't like the glock for a few reasons. 1, no manual safety, 2. don't like the looks of it as much as the Beretta or Taurus 24/7 OSS. And 3, I have held a standard size glock before and I didn't really like the way it felt. So let me just make a requirement. It HAS to have a manual safety, |
|
+1 on the Beretta and the XD. Look at a Glock and an M&P as well. Try them all, if you can, before making a pick. There are many fine pistols out there with more always becoming available. ETA: To meet your requirements, a Beretta 92 is an excellent choice. Parts and magazines are abundant and it has a nice reputation. I would personally recommend getting one with a rail so you can attach a light such as a TLR-1. |
Curious, why does it HAVE to have a manual safety feature? You said you're using this pistol for protection purposes, right? IMO, a pistol for this purpose shouldn't have one. You're trusting your life to this pistol. A manual safety is just one more thing that can either: be on SAFE at the worst time possible or cause a failure of some sort (far fetched, but possible - mechanical devices have been known to fail). The Walther P99 and GLOCKS are a little similar in that you HAVE to pull the trigger to make the pistol go bang. Throw it against a wall, drop it off the roof, it won't "accidentally" fire. Of course, its for you and you have your reasons. |
| find the gun that you like shooting the best and buy that. Practice lots and lots. it won't matter if you have a manual safety or not if you practice with it. Your finger and your head are the primary safeties. Keep your finger out of the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot and all will be well. |
There you go. I lost my taste for the Glock kool-aid and have been utterly sold on the Walther design, both the compact and regular size. I know I have said this before, but I may have finally arrived at the last 9mm design that I need to buy and use for a while. Walther P99 is the way to go. |
Many police officers owe their lives to a manual safety when a perp wrestled their gun away from them & then couldn't figure out how to release the safety in time to shoot the cop. Seems he simply has a preference for a manual safety & this is why they have different models & designs: so everyone can find exactly (or close to it) what they want, no?
|