What would you recomend for a new 9mm?

[woodsman1st]

I want to buy a new/used 9mm semi auto pistol. I plan on spending between $500.00 and $700.00.

I will carry concealed in a paddle holster on my strong side; wear it every moment I am awake; and on my bed stand when asleep.

Would you please give me your opinion as to what I should buy; and a few reasons why you reccomend it. Also if I can find one used, the approximate price I should pay.

I know I am asking a lot; but your advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Ken

[DocH]

Woodsman,I've read your other posts but have not replied since you were already getting plenty of good answers. On this one I'm going to say Glock for a 9mm in any of the offerings. Look at all three.the 17,19,and 26 to find which suits your needs the best. I have all three but my overall pick for my own needs is the G19. Conceals a little easier than the 17 and handles a 'little" better than the 26 with higher capacity mags.
The one I carry the most is around 16 years old and has been run hard,hard,hard,with exactly one malf in all this time.It was the ammo and not the gun. It was my first Glock and I had heard all the hoopla so I decided to put it to the test. I shot it for almost a full year without ever cleaning and lubing it just to see what it would do. It just functioned without a bobble in all that time,and has since.
The magazines are cheaper to buy than any other pistol mags,they are plentiful,and a drunk monkey can work on a Glock.They're that simple.They are tough and will withstand abuse and neglect better than anything else I am familiar with.
For a defense load I suggest the 147gr. Winchester Ranger T.(RA9T)
There's no such thing as owning too many Glock 19's. It's about the most proven 9mm available. And it's affordable. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[RAM]

Ditto to all Doc said. Most people find the Glock 19 "compact" size frame to be just as easy to operate as the full size G17 unless they have larger hands. If you want more capacity than the standard 15 round mag you can always use the G17, 17 round mags or the 33 round mag of the G18 in the gun. Lots of people that carry the G19 also carry a G 17 mag for their reload with it's extra 2 rounds.

The G 26 Sub compact is a good gun and perfect for a BUG when carrying the larger Glock as a main weapon or if you need a smaller package for slightly better concealment. The smaller glocks accept the mags of their larger counterparts of the same caliber for added versatility should you need it. The downside of the sub compact size it that it is slightly more difficult to opperate than it's larger brothers.

Glocks typically just run and run and run! Like Doc said they require little maintenance and they work in extreme conditions.

[G22-40]

Compared to almost everyone else on the forum, I'm really light on experience, but thought I would just throw in my 2 cents. Ditto Doc's comments. When I was looking for a new semi-automatic, I asked a lot of people their opinion, particularly guys working in gun shops. Almost everyone recommended a Glock. I was planning on buying a 9mm, primarily for target, but also for SD, but a couple of LE friends recommended a .40 cal. It was interesting that these two guys don't know each other, but both said, "If you use a 9 for self defense, you'll have to empty the clip to do any good."

You'll hear all kinds of things about other makes, and each one has advantages and disadvantages, but for the points that really matter- reliability, ease of maintenance/repair and parts availability it's really tough to beat a Glock. Locally, (Atlanta, Georgia) brand new 17s, 19s, 22s and 23 sell for $499. I'd imagine prices are similar in other parts of the country.

[AZ Husker]

If we're limiting to a 9mm, nothing shoots better than a 9mm Colt Combat Commander. Best trigger in the world, smooth thin profile, best gun to carry concealed, and class. Now if you want to know which 9mm I carry to knock around with, it's definitely the G19. Twice as many rounds, rugged as they come, and barbaric. It's a practical chunk that works every time. Easy recoil and relatively cheap to shoot. Now if you want a gun the same size that kicks ass, ask me about the G32!

[woodsman1st]

Glad I asked the question.
I was leaning towards a S&W due to past exerience with their revolvers; but Glock it is.
I will check out all the Glocks; but will probably go with the 19 due to the majority opinion here; and that my hands are about average in size. Due to a comment I read in another post; "you can't have too much ammo unless your swimming"; I will carry the larger mags for spares.
And 147 grain Winchester Ranger T. (RA9T) the load.

I thank you all for your advice and speedy replies.

Ken

[Brownie]

Can't go wrong with the glock 19 Ken. If for some reason the grip doesn't feel quite big enough in your hand [ length ], try the glock 17, it's big brother.

[woodsman1st]

Thanks Brownie.

Ken

[ZO6Vettever]

I bought a 9mm and wish I had got a 40.

[woodsman1st]

It looks like I am going to go the Glock 19 route due to all the comments here; and I like the idea of being able to use the larger magazines.
I am going to try to make a swap with my Ruger Model 77 in 270 cal. They seem to be worth about the same money. Of course a dealer has to make a buck; that's only fair; hopefully it wont be too big a buck he wants to make.

Are the night sights that Glock offers worth the extra money? I have never used them or even seen them. Just how good are they?

Ken

[Brownie]

I prefer the glock night sights that come on the gun over any aftermarket night sights. They are brighter than anything on the market I've used in the past. I highly recommend them.

I was told by the glock dr. that they are brighter as they haven't sat on shelves as long as the others for the most part. Not sure if that's true or not, but they are brighter to me by quite a margin.

[DocH]

I just recently bought a G17 that came with the Glock factory night sights,and they seem fine to me. It's the first one I've ever bought that had them already,I usually install my own.
My experience has been that the Meprolight sights are the brightest,although I normally use Ameriglos or Aro-Teks(same thing) just because they are easier to install.I think the Glock factory sights are a little less expensive,tho. The Glock sights may actually be the Meps,I really havn't looked that close.

[RAM]

I have three sets of MeproLights two sets of Glock and I can't tell the difference, well one of the Glock sets was a LEO trade in and they are getting rather old and not so bright.

I also have a strange one on the used G-30 I picked up recently, it has a fiber optic rod so it glows bright in the daylight and it has a tritium vial to light it up at night, front only, Warren tactical rear. Not sure if I like it yet.

Almost forgot the G35 has warren Tactical Night sights, they (the tritium vials) are very small and not very bright, Very nice sights other than that.