Buying my first handgun, looking for suggestions and input

[Dirty Hipsters]

Since I know how vast the knowledge and expertise of the escapist community is, I'm sure that there are quite a few people on here who have a great deal of experience and firearms who could offer me some advice and point me in the right direction.

I've been contemplating buying a handgun for some time now. I go to shooting ranges regularly (about once a month), but I've always rented. I've gotten to the point now where I don't think I'll be able to improve my shooting any further without owning my own gun, because I need so and something that I shoot regularly and consistently, which I service myself.

I've shot quite a few guns, and I've basically figured out what I like. Since it's going to be a range and not a concealed carry I want a full size 9mm, preferably all steal. With these criteria in mind I have three guns that I've been thinking about, the CZ75BD (this is my budget option at the moment), the CZ75 SP-01, and the Beretta m92fs.

These 3 guns are currently at a stalemate for me, so if anyone can talk up any of them for me and convince me to get it over the others, I would appreciate it. Also, if anyone has another option that fits what I want please let me hear it as it's completely possible that I may end up liking your suggestion more.

Thanks for any input you guys may have, and if people want to use this thread to talk about the guns they have, or their experience owning them, that's cool as well.

Lastly, here's some pictures of the guns that I'm thinking of buying. I'm sure the vast majority of you will already know what they look like, but still, here they are:

Spoiler

CZ75BD

CZ75 SP-01

Beretta M92FS

Edit: Just a few extra details some people wanted to know:

My budget is about $650 + tax

Pistols that I've tried and have hated:

Sig p226

Pistols that I've tried and am ambivalent about:

Glock
Smith and Wesson M&P .45
Walther P99
Springfield m1911 .45

Pistols I've tried that I enjoyed:

CZ75 BD
Beretta M92FS
Browning Hi-Power

I'm not interested in getting a .22 (they all feel like toys in my hands), and I don't want a to buy a revolver at this time (my roommate has a Ruger Security Six .357 that I can take shooting whenever I feel like using a revolver).

 

[Mazza35]

Out of those, I'd go with the M9. Very nice handgun.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

Out of those, I'd go with the M9. Very nice handgun.

Any particular reason why?

 

[Mazza35]

Out of those, I'd go with the M9. Very nice handgun.

Any particular reason why?

Not sure, alway's loved it. And it's used as a service pistol, so I guess it's reliable.
Im more into rifles

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

Out of those, I'd go with the M9. Very nice handgun.

Any particular reason why?

Not sure, alway's loved it. And it's used as a service pistol, so I guess it's reliable.
Im more into rifles

CZ75 is the most used service pistol in the world. Just throwing that out there.

 

[Mazza35]

Then get that then

 

[newfoundsky]

What, exactly, are you wanting the gun for? For defense, I would go with the M9 because it will stop someone without killing them. If you just want something to shoot on the range, I would go with the M9. Get the M9. I LIKE the M9.

*Captcha

For some reason I have to describe General mills. If they want to survey me, they just have to ask.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

Then get that then

You're not very good at this advice thing are you?

 

[Vanitas likes Bubbles]

Anyway, I don't know much about guns but I'm pretty sure the M9 is a pretty reliable pistol.

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

Snip

1. Prepare for gun flame war. I am from the R&P section, and let me just tell you even the most casual mention of firearms causes rage.

2. Have you thought about a glock? Generally glocks are very reliable per the cost. You can do a lot to a glock before you can't shoot it, and as a first handgun that is a very good thing, as shown here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ENZioGLjMI

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

Snip

1. Prepare for gun flame war. I am from the R&P section, and let me just tell you even the most casual mention of firearms causes rage.

2. Have you thought about a glock? Generally glocks are very reliable per the cost. You can do a lot to a glock before you can't shoot it, and as a first handgun that is a very good thing, as shown here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ENZioGLjMI

I've tried quite a few glocks, and while they're decent guns, they really aren't what I'm looking for. They're too light, and I don't enjoy how they eject casings (I get hit in the face with hot casings much more often with them than I do any other handgun I've tried).

A buddy of mine swears by his glock 34 but I just think it's an ok gun.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

Anyway, I don't know much about guns but I'm pretty sure the M9 is a pretty reliable pistol.

Bring on the anti-gun crusaders, they'll be the first to be eaten during the zombie apocalypse.

 

[Luftwaffles]

CZs are real popular with IPSC and target shooters for a raisin.

Have shot the 75 before, never owned one myself, but the general consensus is that they are super reliable, have tons of aftermarket support and did i mention super reliable?

Also best thing is to pop down to the store and give them all a fondle. What good is a gun if you dont like how it sits in your palms.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

If Resident Evil is any judge, Berettas are the way to go for any zombie apocalypse.

 

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

~~OR~~

~~OR EVEN~~

Because they are all the guns a person needs at home...

If you want to go to a range, they have guns... and if you want to go hunting, or game shooting, why the fuck are you buying a pistol?

 

[Shoggoth2588]

They all look the same to me...I suck at being an American...The best I can do is to make your choice based on which one is the most affordable, not just in terms of the initial investment but also for ammunition...although I assume all three guns use the same type of rounds so never mind...I swear I'm an American, I just suck at guns.

 

[Thaluikhain]

You might want to say where you live, what jurisdiction and so on. Lots of stupid state laws about things.

Firstly, I don't own a handgun.

Secondly, I'm of two minds of this. On the one hand, if I was wanting to get a handgun, I might go for a service weapon of a force that is close to my heart. The Browning Hi-Power, for example, used by Commonwealth forces throughout WW2, still in use today.

On the other hand, not being military, getting a military handgun for that reason might seem a bit disrespectful. If you're just using it for the range, you don't need a service weapon anyway, why not go for something a bit weird, like a 4 barreled break open derringer (the COP 357 comes to mind), or that double barreled revolver where you can swap the cylinder to fire 22 rimfire or a larger centrefire bullet. Or a Taurus Judge which fires .410 bullets or shotshells, or the PLR which is like a seriously cut down AR-15. So many weird guns out there.

 

[SlaveNumber23]

If you want to go to a range, they have guns... and if you want to go hunting, or game shooting, why the fuck are you buying a pistol?

Maybe because of a little thing called self defence?


I have no idea about guns honestly but the M9 totally looks the coolest!

 

[CpT_x_Killsteal]

You want a handgun? Well sir you just can't go past this little beauty.

It's a 28mm

 

[Seydaman]

M9 Is good.

The M1911 has some nice history.