Looking for some handgun advice!

Thanks for all the info guys. Havent even thought about CZ. I'll have to look those up.

And also, you can get the FNH without the manual safety.
 
Save up and get a HK. I have a P2000 LEM 40 and a P2000sk LEM 9mm. I changed the springs in the 40 for the light LEM trigger and put an extended mag release on it. Awesome.
 
Please look at the S&W SIGMA line. They don't get much respect, and the trigger is initially rough. Mine has been 100% effective (as has my cousin's), and that trigger will smooth out. And you can't beat the price. Beyond that - the XDM. Good luck in your decision... the only thing more difficult to choose is which knife to buy!
 
I was able to shoot an XDM .45 and a Barretta PX4 Storm in 9mm. I really liked the Barretta and plan on getting one of them myself, probably in .40 or .45.
 
If you plan on carrying the gun for defensive purposes and getting into concealed carry in the near future why opt for something full size now? Get something you can conceal when you need to, then focus all your training on that gun. If you know revolvers then one of those ruger pocket revolvers would get the job done. Fear the man with one gun who can get rounds on target quickly.
 
shandrydan1 said:
These are my main choices as of right now and are listed in order of preference:

FNH FNS

Walther PPQ

Ruger SR40

Springfield XDm 4.5

Smith & Wesson M&P: The reason I have put them at the bottom of the list is I have read some really bad things about the customer service and warranty work with an agency near where I live that ordered them over Glock and ended up with over 70% of the M&Ps having major malfunctions and not being able to get S&W to fix them. I still like feel of the gun though so I havent written it off.

Ov
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I have fired all of these except the Ruger SR40. Of that list, the PPQ will have the best trigger out of the box. The PPQ is widely touted, not only by me, but by most gun aficionados as having the best out of the box trigger for any polymer framed hand gun. I'd rank the FNS as second best. My bro has an M&P, but I can't speak much for it since it's highly modified. In terms of ergonomics, the M&P and PPQ feel best (to me). If you're going with a PPQ, read up on the PPQ m1 and PPQ m2. The m2 has some slight difference, namely button style mag release as opposed to lever style (like HKs). The m2 also comes in a 5 inch barrel if I recall correctly.

I like the XD because of the grip safety which most people seem to hate, but knowing that it was an HS2000 and highly marked up after Springfield started marketting them, I can't justify that cost. The HS2000 was great and still is, but it's not enough to justify a name change and price increase of a few hundred dollars. I suppose the XDm is different since it's somewhat upgraded by the factory. So if you find a good deal and like it, go for it.

Try and handle an HK P30 or P30L as well. New ones are out of your price range, but used ones aren't so bad. They feel the most ergonomic of the entire lot of polys except the PPQ which feels virtually identical. The diff is that the P30 is hammer fired and the PPQ is striker fired. Personally, I like how a hammer fired gun feels more than a striker fired. Some folks don't notice a difference.

Dead set on poly guns? Otherwise, go handle a CZ 75 or CZ SP-01.

EDIT: And I disagree about getting something to conceal. Given a good holster, you can conceal a full size gun even if it's steel. Plenty people do this. Let's not forget that the shooting experience of a subcompact versus a compact versus a full size handgun is different. Can they be mastered? Sure, but you better train with it just as much as your full size one then.

EDIT 2: Be aware that the PPQ m1 magazines are not interchangeable with PPQ m2 magazines.

EDIT 3: Also try the CZ P-07 and P-09. Both are polymer CZs.
 
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shandryan1 I was in your predicament about a year ago as well. I Researched, held, and rented most of these guns you are considering. I finally settled on the Walther PPQ 9mm. For two reasons. The thing feels as it were made for my hand. The trigger in my opinion is the best of the bunch. 500 rounds in and not one malfunction. Some negatives. The mags are expensive when you can find them. Accessories like night sights and holsters are also hard to find. Though I did order a Raven concealment hostler for it.

Some say it's a knock off of a HK p30 and I agree it does look and feel similar. Though the HK's trigger is not as good and I have a hard time shelling out 1K for a polymer pistol.
 
I will update and say I ended up going with the FNH. I was actually able to shoot an M&P and the Ruger SR40c and I was surprised by the smaller Ruger. I had actually almost settled on the PPQ but not being able to find one locally (or really within 100 miles) in .40, or used for the right price I couldnt pass up the deal I found on the FNS 40 with the night sights and 3 mags from the factory.

I read several mixed reviews and the trigger is just a little heavier than the M&P but it is much more smooth and has a nice reset. I've put a couple hundred rounds through it so far with no issues at all. Actually the only problem with it at all is the availability of holsters. I found a Fobus paddle holster for the M&P that works really well until I can find something else or have one made for it. Thanks for all of the input!
 
I've shot the PPQ, and it's the ONLY other striker-fired handgun I've handled that has a trigger as good as a Caracal OOTB.
I also guarantee you'll have better resale on that Walther than any FNH, name recognition alone.
{it seems I posted before reading your last, DOh!}
 
All of these are good choices. In my experience, the XD and M&P are excellent at putting your first shot exactly where you want it, with very natural pointing. The Ruger SR series, and the M&P to a slightly lesser extent, have a nice low bore axis, and so are excellent for putting multiple shots on target quickly. The FNH is a very solid pistol which handles like a hybrid between a Hi-Power, a Sig, and a CZ. If you like the handling characteristics of an exposed hammer pistol, it is a great choice. I don't have any experience with the new Walther designs, but I hear good things.

Personally, I'd get whichever one would be easiest for you or your FFL dealer to get extra factory spec or Mec Gar magazines for.

My personal favorite is the M&P.

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shandrydan1 said:
I will update and say I ended up going with the FNH. I was actually able to shoot an M&P and the Ruger SR40c and I was surprised by the smaller Ruger. I had actually almost settled on the PPQ but not being able to find one locally (or really within 100 miles) in .40, or used for the right price I couldnt pass up the deal I found on the FNS 40 with the night sights and 3 mags from the factory.

I read several mixed reviews and the trigger is just a little heavier than the M&P but it is much more smooth and has a nice reset. I've put a couple hundred rounds through it so far with no issues at all. Actually the only problem with it at all is the availability of holsters. I found a Fobus paddle holster for the M&P that works really well until I can find something else or have one made for it. Thanks for all of the input!
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Oops, I thought you meant the FNP. I really don't know much about the FNS.
 
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