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ipm

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what is a good brand to start looking at for a semi-automatic hand gun for a beginner?

criteria: single action/double action, 9X19mm, not too expsnsive

possbile choices: beretta 92F/M9, SIG Saur P229, S&W?
 
Recommend you also take a look at Taurus. They've become one of the top quality firearms the past few years and have a lifetime warranty. Also a large selection, something for everyone.
 
If your criteria is SA/DA then buy the Sig. The Smith will disappoint you, the Beretta is a proven weapon, I've owned 3 in the past, but for some reason I could never shoot them as well as a Sig, Glock, or Ruger. Come to think of it, if price is any concern check out a Ruger P95. They are rock solid and can be found NIB w/2 mags in the $375-$400 range.
 
If you can find one of the German Police surplus Sig P5 AKA P225's for around $300 get one of them. Great gun, I've had mine for almost 2 years now and rather like it. It holds 8 rounds of 9mm and is SA/DA

Have shot a friends Ruger P95 a bunch and really like it. I think I like it better then my SIG P5 for most uses because it has a longer and thicket grip. Good gun IMO and if I can get one this year I will. The Hogue Finger groove grips for them are awesome!! It's SA/DA and holds 15 rounds of 9mm.

Have shot the Beretta 92 a few times and it's a good gun. Though I prefer the grip on the Ruger and it's look a little better.

There are other good 9mm SA/DA Pistols out there, those are just the ones I've shot the most.

Heber
 
CZ75, Glock 17/19, Smith M&P9, Ruger SR9, FHP9. Go handle as many different ones as you can. I'm a die hard stamped steel SIG fan, so my recommendation if you decide that the grip of the SIG's fits you well is find a nice older 226/228.

If you have smaller hands the 228 will be the way to go.

EDIT: Sorry I just read that you have to have a DA/SA, in that case the SIG is the only way to go. As stated before I would take a stamped steel 226/228 over a 229 anyday.
 
CZ makes some dang nice SA/DA in 9mm for a good price. Lot's of competition guys use them cause they're accurate, tough, and reliable.
 
ive been happy with my springfield XD. i am not a fan of Glocks in 9mm but like their .45's. Sig is def. nice but too much money imo.
 
Several good choices mentioned.

My personal recommendation would be a CZ product. Since you're in a no carry location, I'd go with the full size CZ 75. Great ergonomics, reliability, and accuracy. Good price, too.
 
I like the simplicity of glocks, & that's an even more significant factor for beginners.
 
Maybe I missed something, I thought your criteria was DA/SA, which Glocks and XD's are not, but if you just want a solid 9 then I vote Glock as well.
 
I second the recommendation for Taurus. I have a 24/7 pro. Great good ergonomics, high capacity, pretty good trigger, second strike capability and a lifetime warranty.

They can be had in the $350.00 - $400.00 (USD) range all day long.


That said, I have also read good things about the xD's

Good luck in your search
Billyp
 
I've shot many, my 4 favorites were the FN Hi-Power/Glock 17/Springfield XD/CZ-75B

For a pure range gun, I like the FN and the CZ...both appeal to most 1911 guys (the one's that don't dismiss 9mm as a "sissy" round :p). For a mix of home defense AND range time the Springer might be the best and for pure defense I'd probably go with the Glock.

That being said, I own the FN and the Glock while my cousing whom I frequently go shooting with owns the CZ and the Springer. I've shot all of them extensively and don't think I can find anything wrong with any of them. They're all great, dead reliable, fun to shoot pistols. ANY of them could be used in any capacity....what I said is just my personal opinion. I like the simplicity of the glock for defensive purposes and of all the guns I named it probably has the best track record for reliability but that really goes beyond anything ANY of these guns would ever be subjected to :D.

There are many other great choices....I recently shot the Ruger SR-9 and liked it and have also heard many good things about it.

I love the Value in the Glock. You can pick up a range gun for a song and it'll still be perfectly reliable. Great entry gun. Mine has about 15,000 rounds through it (from me) with no malfunctions whatsoever. I use good ammo though and clean it either every shooting or every 500 rounds (usually shoot 250 at a time). Great gun. There's guns out there with much better trigger pull but there's just something about it. Love that thing.
 
I REALLY REALLY want a Springfield 1911 in 9mm. Those are bad ASS! Whatever it comes down to, get the gun you want: not the best or cheapest deal. You'll have it for the rest of your life. You'll forget what you paid very quickly. You won't forget it if you get the wrong gun for you.
 
+1 with pbubsy on the Glock 17, best pistol you could buy at any price. Buy one and be done with it. The trigger on a brandy new one may seem a bit stiff, but they smooth out quite nicely after the first 1000 rds or so. That may sound like a lot of shooting but it isn't, trust me. Clean the thing every 250-500, don't use lead bullets, and clean the copper out of the bore. I can personally affirm the accuracy claim Glock makes. I can easily hold 2" over a bench or supported at 25 yds with my completely unmodded (except for flipping the rear sight around to plain black) model 17...excuse me, I've got to go give my 17 some love. :)
 
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