Pistol Opinion

[Scotty P.]

I have been thinking about getting a new 9mm pistol but I am just wondering what everyone would suggest I look at or stay away from. I am leaning towards a Walther P99, based on how well my accuracy was and the feel of the firearm, but alot of people have told me to go with other pistols i.e. Glock, Baretta, SIG etc. and I'm starting to wonder. I'm not doing competitive shooting or anything, just shooting for fun. Thanks!

[fluxcore]

go with what fits you best, there is nothing wrong with the walther P99 maybe a little on the pricey side but a good pistol

[Rockymtnx]

Like fluxcore said find one that fits your hand best.
Personally I am a big fan of Sigs. The P226 was built just for me.
Good luck in your search for a handgun. Let us know what you come up with.

[CoyoteChallenger]

GLOCK all the way.

[bobjoe]

As others have said, find what fits you best and go witn that. I own two walthers and they are the best shooting pistols I have, with the exception of my Styer LP10. My walthers are in .22lr and .32s&w long. I have had the oppertunity to shoot a p99 before and they are great pistols. If I had the money I would buy one. The only other comment I would say is stay away from s&w semi autos. I use one daily and I think they are junk. Just my thoughts.

[flipper62]

Check out the CZ 85B combat. It doesn't have the firing pin block safety. There is a reason that over 60% of the worlds police force uses them.
Bought it for my wife for our 25th aniversary (Something sparkly and fun to play with). Purchased it from Bashaw Sports.

[twofifty]

P99 is a beautiful pistol.

Can you rent one at a range?
Make sure it still fits your hand(s) i.e. both of them when you test fire it. Fire it single-handed, on both sides. If you are able to maintain a stable grip while firing fairly quickly, and it returns naturally to a good sight picture after each shot, then it truely fits your hand(s).

[The Rog Man]

I've got a Walther P99 in .40 cal and it's an amazing pistol!!!
But as others have said already go with what is comfortable too you.

[BallCoeff.435]

Yep, hand fit is the key.

There's lots of variation between one person's hand and another's. There's generally also enough variation in fit between different auto-loaders or revolvers to match.

Certain makes of large-frame revolvers feel way better to me than others, as will some auto-loaders. You absolutely must try out all kinds of models that you're interested in, to see what fits. That's even if it's just handling them a lot if you can't get the opportunity to shoot them (although shooting would be far better).

From the short list of models, you try to get the caliber and type you're interested in. My sidearms training was with 9mm military hardball in a standard-issue SIG. That's a good caliber for a first pistol because it's relatively cheap so you can practise lots.

Then you refine or add to your arsenal whatever model and caliber you need to best fit your situation. You might like bigger bores with lots of kick, like a .44 or 10mm, in an appropriate revolver or a Glock and have a cartridge reloading system. Or you might need something smaller for CCW, or you might have weak hands and just like to shoot a whole lot so maybe some revolver in .22LR would be good.

Whatever you get, you have to shoot lots to be any good, and you have to enjoy doing all that shooting. It (they) are no good to you just sitting in a drawer.

[shooter55]

Both l'il shooter and I are new to the pistol world...so far we have amassed a 9mm Springfield, 9mm Grand Power, 38/357 Ruger single action and a 22 Browning auto. I have small hands and many of the guns I sampled did not provide a comfortable fit. I like the feel of the Browning hi power, the CZ autos and even the Smith & Wesson's.
In hindsight, I would have started with the 22 auto. You can shoot all day for $10 - you learn all the critical pistol shooting pieces without the bang/recoil at the beginning....my next one is a 45 auto!
BTW, the 38 special in the Ruger single valquero is the nicest shooter, for recoil/bang, of the centerfires in our collection.

[jackal]

sig p226

[Scott N]

CZ 75 B is one of the best values for the money out there.

[aliceminer]

Fn 57
hands down
for collection

[Cappy]

Find a pistol that fits your hand nicely grip and trigger control are big factors in pistol shooting.

After that find one in a calibre that isn't too expensive to shoot. You'll have a tendancy to burn up a lot of ammo practicing.

Glocks are a simple pistol, easy to maintain, but I don't shoot them overly well as I have smaller hands. I find the Springfield XD a much better pistol in that class.

1911's are great and I shoot them the best, but .45 cal ammo is starting to get pricey.

I found Smith and Wesson Model 10 revolvers very easy to shoot as well.

[Boss442]

I purchased a S&W M&P 9mm and love it, have put 2500 rounds thru it without a hitch. Was a toss up between a Glock and M&P, the M&P fit me better, just felt right.

[Gorram]

Tough to beat a Ruger MII (22)for cheap shooting, love my Glock when I want to "spend more $" at the range.

You've got to go with what feels best...

Cheers, G.

[mtylerb]

Pistol shopping is fun. Find what suits you best. I love my Sig P220 Combat, but it's a pricier gun. My cheaper Springfield XD 45 is decent, too. I'll be picking up a S&W M&P40 soon, as well. I, personally, am not a fan of Glock, but to each their own.

You can never have enough guns, so buy 'em all?

[foothillsman]

Hi guys

I shot pistol alot in the late 80s and through the early 90s and I agree with you that fit is important. Where I differ in opinion, is that you should not limit your choice of handgun due to factory grips. There are countless makers of after market handgun grips, of which Hogue and Pachmayr are the biggest manufacturer. Their grips almost always are an improvement over factory grips. They also make grips for some manufacturers, eg S&W.
The only handgun that I'm aware of that has a great grip and a switch to custom not a good idea is the Ruger GP100. due to the handle design the metal at the top of the grip bites into your hand and you wind up with a blister or without skin an as little as 100 rounds of mag loads

[Cooeylover]

I like my M&P. Fits so nice in my hand, and with a full mag, it balences nice.
Good luck.

[NUK SOO KOW]

Gotta say say it. Beretta 92. Its reliable, accurate, beautiflul pistol. I have had mine for 6 years now and put who knows how many thousands of rounds through it without a problem. It still looks and functions like it just came off the shelf. Good prices too. Mine is the inox version with a brigidier grip. I love it!!

[LeonH]

I am in the same dilema as Scotty. After doing some reaserch I am leaning towards CZ75 SP-01 Shadow, 9mm.
It has fiber optics sights. This would be my first handgun. Does anyone have any experiance with this model? Any other suggestions would be appriciated as well.

Thanks.
Leon