[landroverking]

I need to buy a 9mm for my son's birthday, he will be 22 and this will be his first handgun.

What to buy in the $550 range?

 

[crazydave]

I vote Glock 19 - not full-sized, and not too small, either. I've killed squirrels, groundhogs, and coyotes out to 50yds with mine (mainly 'cause that was what I had on me at the time).

Is it a surprise? Or can he go to help pick one out? Here in GA most indoor ranges rent handguns, so he could "try before buy" - since he'll want to keep it forever, coming from you. FWIW....

 

[Rangeguy]

9mm.

I concur from the standpoint of price and simplicity of operation, accuracy and it has a steep learning curve for someone who may not be all that familiar with firearms. If the shooter is... than it becomes fun to own and shoot the weapon.

 

[DOK]

I have a Springfield .45 and FNP .40 S&W, both of which I like. When it came time to purchase the 9mm, I bought a Springfield for $500, but after one day on the range, took it back and paid another $86 for the FNP 9mm. My opinion the FNP is a much better pistol, at least at the 9mm level.

Dan

 

[2Bits]

I am a GLOCK fan but there is the XD Springfield that I tested yesterday and gave high marks to whle at the range. The 9mm Luger caliber is very potent inded with the " Power R Ball ammo" which develops some 483 pounds of kinetic energy. These two pistols are very affordable for the working man and do not JAM, very hard to limp wrist either one of them.

 

[landroverking]

Thanks for the input, he is a hunter and competive shooter (rifles) He has 22lr 22-250(target rifle)
6mm ( custom mauser) and a 270 (NO.1)....This will be his first hand gun, but he has been around handguns all of his life. His sister shoots a Gold Cup 45ACP and his mother a 380 Walther PPK.

 

[JPaulF]

I do not recommend any plastic pistol. I'd stick with a steel frame and, if you must, go for a 9mm; however, the .45acp is the "right" tool. If his sister shoots a Gold Cup... why do you feel he needs less?

 

[landroverking]

well his sister is something else, the only handgun she HAS ever enjoyed shooting is the 45.
Funny thing is I have never owed a 45 only 9mm's and 380's in an autoloader.
He has shot 45's 44mag 357mag 45 long colt and of course 22's He has his heart set on a 9mm.
Last year for his birthday I gave him a 336SS in a 30-30. realy what to give him what he wants as this will be a gun for life.

 

[andy]

You know your son better than I do, but the Glock 19 is not a bad recommendation. A Browning Hi Power is a classic 9mm if he is used to a single action, the Sig P226 or 229 if he is not. The Beretta 92 does not fit my hand at all, or anyone else I know, but they are accurate and reliable. The CZ-75 and clones cover both bases; single action cocked and locked or double action (but they are BIG).

I am not that familiar with the polymer framed guns.

I bought a CZ-75B, planning to give it to my son as a birthday present when he turns 21 (right around the corner).

Since I gave him a rifle when he turned 18, he suspects I am planning to give him a handgun this year and let slip that he wanted a .45.

He has good taste, but what in the world am I gonna do with the CZ?

Andy

 

[au2183]

There are more 9mm handguns to choose from than any other caliber IMO. That makes it kinda tough to make an intelligent recommendation without a little more info. Is there a particular style of handgun he prefers? I have a S&W M&P 9, and I would recommend it to anyone. So called "plastic" pistols these days are more durable than many all steel models, but as you've already seen, there are people who don't like anything but steel. There are also a lot of 1911's available in 9mm too. I also have a Kimber 1911, in 45 ACP, and after firing it I'm seriously thinking of buying one in 9mm.
Another issue is does he want to carry concealed? That would seriously limit the choices.
Hopefully that helps!
Let us know what you decide. Overall, there are few bad choices among new guns from well known manufacturers.

 

[m141a]

Take him to the store and see which fits in his hand best. That will narrow your decision.

 

[andy]

There are more 9mm handguns to choose from than any other caliber IMO. That makes it kinda tough to make an intelligent recommendation without a little more info.

Well said!

So called "plastic" pistols these days are more durable than many all steel models, but as you've already seen, there are people who don't like anything but steel.

I corrected my post to say polymer, no "put down" was intended.

Another issue is does he want to carry concealed? That would seriously limit the choices.

That is very true; my CZ-75 is not the first pistol I would pick for CCW.

Andy

 

[2Bits]

By all means, make sure it is a good fit for him first, then proceed to wish brand of 9mm Luger he wants to own. There are many good choices out there but price will become a factor also. The Sig Sauer's are $300 dollars more money! If the GLOCK does not fit his hand, the XD Springfield may do so, then you have the Smith & Wesson to take a look at too.

 

[bldsmith]

I love my SR9 compact. If you want a full size get the SR9. I agree, take him to the gun shop and see what fits his hand. The glocks did not fit me. I have had 2 pistols jump out of the case and stick to my hand, (darn superglue). The first was the HK 45C and then the Ruger SR9C. I was not going to buy a 9mm until I picked up the SR9C. I now carry it as much as my HK.

 

[zb338]

King,
If I were you I would look around for a used Browning Hi-Power. That was the
price range that I bought mine at. Another nice gun is the CZ-75. Both of these guns
are steel and will probably last until the Federal Government says you can't have one
anymore.
Zeke

 

[budd]

Since he wants a 9m/m the Sig P226 or the P229 would be a great choice. Either one will be great and last to give to his children or granchild. But how a handgun feels in the hand is a individual choice. To me 1911's and High Powers feels just right while berrettas just don't feel anywhere near as good and Glocks feel like a block of plastic and the weight balance all in the grip and wrong. The size and shape of the grip and weight distribution and balance of the pistol is a matter of preference and feel take him to a range and let him sample the guns from the rent counter and let him decide what feel sweet and right to him.

Budd

 

[landroverking]

Thanks for all the input we are off to the Gun store today, if my day goes as planed.

 

[2Bits]

BUD, I can appreciate your feelings for the proper grip in a pistol! This folks is a very important part of being able to shoot one proficiently. The Sig Sauer P-239 feels great in my hand, better than my GLOCKS, however one must learn to deal with that "de-cocking lever" and this is where is ends for me having arthritis in the hand. My Glocks are not target pistols but certainly allow me to draw and fire with NO hang ups or levers etc. I too hate "plastic" with a passion but GLOCK pistols have proven they are the real deal and valid by leaps and bounds as a extremely dependable weapon for police, CCW permit etc. No pistol I know of including COLT years ago, ever ran a test that put over 250,000 rounds through a pistol and never had any JAM sessions or breakage. You just take a look at those torchure tests Glock owners have run on Glock pistols.....U-TUBE. To wear an all steel gun 8 to 10 hours a day is brutal, especially in hot weather! Glocks are my CCW pistol of choice but I do love my Colts and Kimbers a bunch.

PS......Yesterday I was at our gun club watching some of the IDPA shooters getting ready for an outcoming match, one of the fellows who is a director of the shoot, uses a STI model 1911 .45acp caliber, as his weapon of choice for this event, however his CCW weapon of choice is a Glock model 19 caliber being 9mm Luger. This man is an excellent pistol shot with anything he puts in either of this hands. He told me with using the Glock 19 (9mm Luger) he can thread the needle on his shots!!!

 

[landroverking]

After about a hour at the gun store he settled on the Ruger SR9, it just fit his hand the best, 2nd choice was a 1911.

 

[Sandman1]

Can't go wrong with a Ruger. My personal favorite is Sig, but that is above the price range you stated. No experience with Glocks. I have a Ruger P89 in 9mm and it is a very good handgun.