Author Topic: Father looking for a 9mm Pistol, need your reviews (Read 3394 times)

Rex B · « **Reply #30 on:** May 29, 2009, 04:59:38 AM »

I'll echo the sentiments re Keltec and Hi-Power. I have 4 different Keltecs.
My HP is a Charles Daly, much cheaper, nice gun, still a few NIB examples to be found.

But I don't like plastic guns for home defense. Plastic frames are for carry guns.
And I don't like a single-action for defense unless he is very familiar with them.
The P-series ruger is the Ford truck of handguns. Super reliable, but too chunky for my. I sold mine last year after keeping it since 1993 - my first centerfire handgun.

So for my home-defense handgun, I like:

The best deal right now in a 9mm that meets all these is a Stoeger Cougar for $400
It's a Beretta design with a unique barrel-cycling system - rotates instead of tilts.
Some consider it small enough for concealed carry. It's approximately "Commander size'.
Too big for me though.
Very nice gun. Be sure you get the railed version, they come both ways.

henryb · « **Reply #31 on:** May 31, 2009, 05:20:00 AM »

Springfield XDM 9mm

Purchased one a month ago. My 10 year old son and my 120 lb wife can both operate it easily. It points naturally and comes with all the accessories to carry if desired. At $600 it is the best value in the bunch. I purchased the full size model and it shoots fantastic for all three of us.

Robert357 · « **Reply #32 on:** May 31, 2009, 09:54:10 AM »

Quote from: mkgeorgetown on March 20, 2009, 04:13:22 PM

Thanks all. It will mainly be for home defense, I don't believe he will ever carry, but he did talk about getting his concealed carry so hard to tell. I have a Sig P220 (45 auto) which I love. He likes 9mm, less recoil and cheaper to shoot.

I think that you are getting great advice on specific brands and models of firearms.

Let add to this thread what a "Strawman purchase" is. It is when one person purchases a firearm specifically to give to (as in transfer ownership) to another. I am sure that you are looking to make a recommendation for a firearm for your father to purchase and not thinking of engaging in a strawman purchase. On the federal forms to purchase a firearm you need to swear that any firearm you purchase if for youself and your own use. This information is just a reminder to those reading this thread to be careful.

This law bothers me with regards to relatives. That is why for my two adult sons, when they each wanted a firearm, I told them to only choose a well used firearm from one of my gun safes as an early inheritance. I was able to legally give them gunsafes, go figure. My daugther-in-law has indicated a desire to get a handgun for potential concealed carry, and I would love to buy one for her and give it to her as a present, but I can't legally do that. Today, there laws regarding the purchase of a firearm are nuts, so becarful what you are planning to do as a firearm felony could keep you from every owning firearms no matter how innocent the infraction might be.

JayAK · « **Reply #33 on:** June 25, 2009, 07:12:06 PM »

Quote from: mccleese on March 20, 2009, 03:56:54 PM

I'm a big fan of Glock 9mms. I REALLY like my 19. What will it be used for?

+1

Glock 17 or 19....hold both and pick the one that fits the best.....

Travis Morgan · « **Reply #34 on:** July 06, 2009, 09:10:34 AM »

If it were me, I'd go with a Sig 226 or an M&P 9. The Sig because they're tough as hell and I really like Sigs, or the M&P because they're also a really good gun, and I can shoot them accurately faster than anything else I've tried. (and I worked at a shooting range) The geometry of the M&P really reduces muzzle flip, allowing you to align your sights much faster for follow up shots.

With either of these pistols using a proper grip, your sights will be aligned as soon as they come down out of recoil. I really like shooting both of them, but the M&P is considerably smaller, when it comes time to try and carry or conceal it.

Capt Gary · « **Reply #35 on:** October 16, 2009, 05:35:23 AM »

Glock 17 RTF 2.

Travis Morgan · « **Reply #36 on:** October 16, 2009, 06:34:33 AM »

Quote from: mkgeorgetown on March 20, 2009, 04:13:22 PM

Thanks all. It will mainly be for home defense, I don't believe he will ever carry, but he did talk about getting his concealed carry so hard to tell. I have a Sig P220 (45 auto) which I love. He likes 9mm, less recoil and cheaper to shoot. Anyway I have never shot, but am intriqued by the Glock 19. How is the trigger? I hear it takes some getting used to. McCleese are you from KY?

Personally, I prefer the Sigs myself. If you get him a 226, you and he can swap holsters and figure out what he wants, as they are the same holster. If he's not prepared to spend Sig money, and it's probably just gonna be a home defense gun, I'd suggest a Ruger P series; I really like having a decocker and DA/SA action on a gun for a novice.
Glocks are better left for the more experienced shooter. Look how many cops shoot themselves with them. A ghost rocket trigger will improve their pull, but might be way too light for someone who doesn't shoot often, and I'd not recommend it.
Another option would be the Smith & Wesson M&P; I really like this gun. I have my reservations about handing one to a novice to use when they're scared though.

Make sure you take a training class with him. It's well worth it.

rawhidekid · « **Reply #37 on:** October 17, 2009, 03:15:12 AM »

There seems to be a missunderstanding of a strawbuy purchase. Yes the form asks if the purchase is for you, but the action that makes a strawbuy is the receiving of money from the actual person receiving the gun. You are still allowed to buy a firearm as a bonified gift, not buy for someone who gives you back the money. I speak from experiance of having been a gun salesman and having training in this matter.

Tonk · « **Reply #38 on:** October 17, 2009, 03:10:36 PM »

My opinion is to stay away from the cheap pocket pistols like Kel-Tec puts out period!!! Now they JAM often and are very picky about the type of ammo they will shoot. I have had 3 such Kel-Tecs in the last year and only one was accurate enough to suit me 6 inch groups at 21 ft.

Most women can NOT shoot the P-11 or PF-9 because they limp wrist the pistol and it will JAM up on them 100% positive. It does NOT make sense to me, to bet one's life on a cheap maybe goes BANG pistol. Now before some of you KEL-TEC owners start reaching for the axe handle, I have put over a 1000 rounds through 3 Kel-Tec's in various factory ammo and I know what they can and can't do. The biggest CAN'T is NOT Jam UP!!!

My recommendation is to look hard and try the GLOCK 19 or sub-compact 26 ok. Now another good pistol is the Smith & Wesson semi-auto MP-40 I believe they call it now. See which one feels the best and go from there and remember Glocks go BANG everytime out the gate and have a track record to back them up. I rest my case Gents.

rawhidekid · « **Reply #39 on:** October 17, 2009, 03:17:07 PM »

Don't forget the Springfield XD, good gun.

I can remember Glock haters screaming they jammed when limpwristed. Seems we have come along way.

NickSS · « **Reply #40 on:** October 17, 2009, 10:47:10 PM »

Unless your dad plans to practice a lot I personally would not recommend a single action pistol like the 1911 or Browning Hi Power. I say this for several reasons not the least of these is remembering to take the safety off or cock the hammer or chamber a round when under stress. Second for some of the same reasons I personally do not recommend pistols period except for someone that will get to the range at least every month or two and practice with it. If I were to buy a pistol for home defense I would buy a Ruger P series one. I have a P 89 that I have fired with every type of 9mm I could get my hands on and it has never failed me in over 5000 rounds. It is not a CCW handgun though. If your Dad will be infrequent visitor to the range and infrequently shoot, the most user friendly least complicated the weapon is the better. This in my opinion lets out all the autos. So do as I did for my Mother in Law. I gave her an old S&W model 10 I had laying around. This was 18 years ago and to date she has fired one round from it to shoot a raccoon that was in her garbage. I know because she broght it over to have me clean it and giver her a replacement round.

vdubluv · « **Reply #41 on:** October 20, 2009, 12:17:47 PM »

Why not a used hi-point C9? The last 2 I've owned would eat up all the out of spec, oddball ammo, light loaded, +p+, corrosive machine gun ammo, etc. I could dump through it. They loved the 158 lee tumblelubed 38 swc handload too that my 995 carbine loves at 1100 fps. You could buy 2 or 3. One to shoot the hell out of, one for the nightstand and one for the truck/car. You'd still have money left for more ammo. Call me crazy for suggesting the ugly,clunky hi-point but I have outshot a few $300, $400, $500 and higher 9mms with a few I've owned. One lived next to my bed with 158swc in it. I trusted it 100%. 100% American made, warrantee service second to none.

rawhidekid · « **Reply #42 on:** October 21, 2009, 12:38:27 AM »

My grandfather liked the expression "You get what you pay for". While working at an indoor range I saw two different people have thier Hi Points fly appart.

The place I worked at quite selling them.

As for the people saying certain guns are to large to carry, with an extra large Hawiian shirt, I have carried 6" single actions undetected. The colars break up the print, and I normally fit in a large.

NickSS · « **Reply #43 on:** October 21, 2009, 09:33:28 PM »

I'll go one better, for awhile in the early 70s the only hand gun I owned was a Ruger Old Army cap and ball revolver. I carried it concealed several times poked down in my pants with a shirt pull over it. That gun is 43 ounces and over a foot long. All I needed was a loose fitting shirt.

williamlayton · « **Reply #44 on:** October 22, 2009, 05:29:29 AM »

Nick
Did the girls stare?

I agree with rawhide.
I bought a gun and gave it to my wife.
I believe you can purchase a gun as a gift without reporcussions--as long as you can prove it was a gift.
Blessings

Robert357 · « **Reply #45 on:** November 04, 2009, 07:49:48 PM »

I own a few of 9mm's. I have two FEG Browning HP clones (one single action and one SA/DA). I have two ChiCom 9mm Tokarev's, I have a Kel Tec PF-9. I also have an FN 9mm that is so nice.

I would like to say that for concealed carry, I use the KelTec PF-9 most days, but it is absolutely not a range target pistol. It is a superb "pocket carry" 9mm and wonderfully concealable. It has a very long trigger pull, similar to a double action only revolver. It also have a very short barrel.

If you want a range 9mm then you want something with a larger sight radius (longer barrel) and a short trigger pull with crisp release. I would echo the comments about a model 1911-A1 or a CZ they are both fine weapons. I have a co-worker with a CZ 9mm and he loves it.

Savage · « **Reply #46 on:** November 05, 2009, 02:00:27 AM »

Quote from: vdubluv on October 20, 2009, 12:17:47 PM

Why not a used hi-point C9? The last 2 I've owned would eat up all the out of spec, oddball ammo, light loaded, +p+, corrosive machine gun ammo, etc. I could dump through it. They loved the 158 lee tumblelubed 38 swc handload too that my 995 carbine loves at 1100 fps. You could buy 2 or 3. One to shoot the hell out of, one for the nightstand and one for the truck/car. You'd still have money left for more ammo. Call me crazy for suggesting the ugly,clunky hi-point but I have outshot a few $300, $400, $500 and higher 9mms with a few I've owned. One lived next to my bed with 158swc in it. I trusted it 100%. 100% American made, warrantee service second to none.

Ok, just have to ask. As the 158gr SWC bullet is designed for the .38/.357, it is .003 larger than the .355 bore of the 9mm. One could probably get by with that,(with cast bullets) but how in the world did you get the OAL down to a workable length, and what was the powder charge you were able to stuff in that tiny space? I am surprised that you could get 1100fps with that load in anything with anywhere near safe pressure levels. Probably wouldn't be a good idea to post the powder and charge weight, but PM me if you would like to share the load data. I promise not to try the load.
Savage

Tonk · « **Reply #47 on:** November 13, 2009, 06:23:01 AM »

I for one will not use a Kel-Tec as a CCW tool and certainly not any piece of JUNK called and sold as a Hi-Point pistol. They sell for around $150 dollars and are good for shooting rats in a sewer perhaps.....not me.

If your going to bet your life on a handgun, make darn positive it has a good track record and goes BANG when you pull that trigger. Cheap pocket pistols are just that CHEAP period!!! There are many fine brands of pistols on the market but "NEVER" get influenced by the cheap price, when your life or families might be in the balance.

drdougrx · « **Reply #48 on:** November 14, 2009, 02:01:41 AM »

In truth...and back to the thread...any double action pistol made by SW, Ruger, Beretta, Sig or Glock would be fine. Moderately priced may also mean something used which I'm sure would be fine. Really...barring one that's really damaged...unless your father is real shooter...one's as good as another....

preventec47 · « **Reply #49 on:** November 23, 2009, 02:43:11 PM »

Dont be a fool. Take your dear old dad shopping for a revolver
and let him pick one out. All semi autos are just too much for
infrequent shooters. Jams, and magazines and slide and safety
management etc. All nonexistent with revolvers.
KEEP IT SIMPLE

Tonk · « **Reply #50 on:** November 23, 2009, 05:16:34 PM »

I agree that a revolver is perhaps by far more simple to get along with and goes Bang when you pull that trigger 99.8% of the time.