First handgun purchase...need help picking between two handguns.

You are the one that needs to handle them, and decide for yourself... I wouldn't have either one... for myself.

 

You really need to go to a range and try them out, if possible, or at least a gun shop near you and handle them. Anyone on here is going to recommend the same thing. We don't know your hand size, we don't know how you shoot, if you shoot/have any background in shooting. We don't know your frame size ( of your body ) - if you are wanting to carry or just use it for home defense and plinking. There are far too many variables for something like this. You need to go and handle them, then ask questions about what YOU noticed with each model.

Of the two choices, if I had to choose one, I would choose the Walther, but neither of them are what I would consider a great weapon.

Welcome to the Forum -

JD

 

You should have a "neither" option. You'd probably get more replies. I'm not really trying to bash your choices, just saying they have never been anything that I have considered.

 

Ask & you shall receive.

JD

 

i would go with the P99 just because it feels good in the hand and balanced
never shot one though...

 

I own a Walther P99 in .40. It is an excellent shooter, and very ergonomic. great trigger, short reset, 100% reliable.

No experience with the Beretta. Just not a Beretta pistol fan, so can't help you with that one.

Just get a Glock 17.

 

If I had to pick one of those two, it would be the Walther. Better overall design and track record in my opinion.

It's up to you. Try not to limit yourself to those two choices. Keep an open mind and check out all the options.

Have you gotten hold of something like a CZ 75/85 yet?

 

Look before you leap. Be sure to take a gander at the M&P line, as these Poly's are getting rave reviews. I sold my Glock 17 after shooting a M&P9 and M&P40 at the range.

Reviews:
* http://www.handgunsmag.com/featured_handguns/polysh_032707/
* http://www.gun-tests.com/issues/20_1/features/Full-Size-Pistol-Comparison5574-1.html
* http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=777
* http://www.policelink.com/products/products/368-smith-wesson-mp-40

This is my little slice of heaven... Heaven is decorated in two-tones and gold-dots.

 

Ok, first I voted "neither" on the poll, as I take this question to mean "which one should YOU buy."

As usual, I find myself agreeing with Dillinger, in addition to a couple others who posted.

First, not enough information from you. What are you going to use it for? I don't mean robbing banks and such like Dillinger would . Are you going to use it for concealed carry? Target practice? Home protection? How many rounds do you want to be able to carry.

Second, how familiar are you with semi-auto handguns? I'm not making fun of you here. As a former Law Enforcement Officer I carried a Colt 1911 .45 locked and cocked in the holster (made the boss and range Officer crazy), but NEVER an accidental discharge in over 20 years (the first 8 were Revolver days, and none there either).

Third, what caliber are you looking at? I wouldn't think of carrying less than .40 cal. As an old .45 ACP guy at heart, that's all I own, except for the 2 revolvers I had early on plus my last acquisition, a Taurus "Night Judge" that shoots the .45 Colt or .410 shot shells (hey, my wife wanted it ). ANY round will do the job. I'm personally not real fond of the 9mm after a situation where I scored two good hits and the bad guy stayed on his feet long enough to get to me with a large knife before collapsing (he lived, and is now a guest of the State). You want a round that will STOP your assailant NOW, and keep him there, living or not, and that's why I prefer the larger rounds.

The Walther P99 you're looking at is comes in a compact and full sized model, the compact being a 9mm, while the full-sized comes in 9mm, .40 and .45 cals. The Beretta Px4 "Storm" comes in both a full and sub-compact model, the sub coming in either 9mm or .40 cal, while the full-sized comes in 9mm,
.40 and .45. Both have rails in case you're into goodies like mini-flashlights or laser sights.

But as Dillinger and others say, get to a gun shop, preferably one that has an indoor range. Mine has a good assortment that they will let you shoot, that's probably why they sell so many. Find something that first FEELS GOOD in your grip. If you can shoot it, all the better. Different weapons handle recoil better than others. If you can't shoot it, find a gun club. Guys (and Gals) will have a whole assortment of different weapons you can shoot. Enthusiasts just LOVE to show off their weapons. If you were in SW Ohio, I'd bring everything I have to the range and let you shoot it.

Watch the Forums, and heed some advice.

BTW, of the two weapons you listed, I'd grab the Beretta. I've fired my buddie's P99 and love it. Plus, a big plus, it has a thumb safety, something any 1911 shooter loves. I've also fired the Walther, not the Px4, and found it a good weapon. But of the two, the Beretta gets not only my vote, but the Military and S.O.C.O.M. It's rugged to the point of being almost bulletproof.

Good Luck,

Bob

 

Most of that is still ALLEGED Bob - Those reports were outright lies and Hoover had ulterior motives for singling me out.....LOL

JD

 

I've said it before; I am definitely not cut out for a life of crime. Point any weapon at me, even a .22, and say "bang" and I'll be out of the fight. Who are these criminals who can take a 9mm hit and keep on ticking?

 

Neither. Go with an Smith and Wesson M&P 40

 

Hoover like little boys too...

 

Do the M&Ps come with white lettering like that now or did you do it yourself? I bought mine the day they became available and it does not have white lettering like that.

 

I am a big guy and I carry a Px4 in a .45. It is a great gun. no problems.

 

I just picked up my 9mm P99 AS last week, $639 NIB and local. It's been dead reliable and a tack driver to boot. There's nothing about it I don't like.

 

Sorry for the delay in responding to your question...

The white lettering was done by me with a white lacquer stick. White lacquer sticks are used by gunsmiths for filling in the sunken lettered areas, because the coloring becomes permanent once it's cured.

If you plan on doing this yourself, make sure that you are sure you will really like the end result. (IT is permanent) I chose not to fill in every engraved spot on the gun. I only wanted to color the parts with meaning like the M&P and S&W logos.

You will need a lacquer stick and a small bottle of mineral oil for wiping the smudges off the slide before they become part of the slide. (That's it.)

Directions:

• Rub the lacquer stick onto the engraved area to fully fill the depression
• wipe off excess lacquer with a smooth dry cloth (rough cloths can dig into the filled areas)
• Use a dab of mineral oil on the smooth cloth to wipe the slide clean of remaining lacquer.
• Let cure for a week (Don't touch the slide until fully cured or it WILL smudge)

• Lacquer Stick - http://www.micro-tools.com/store/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=L51120
• Mineral Oil - WalMart pharmacy area ($1.50)

Have fun and be safe.

 

I am with the M&P guys in here. I own both the full size and compact .40. I love how they feel in my hand. They both go bang everytime I pull the trigger. Having more than 500 rounds through each of them, I do not ancipate any hiccups down the road.