s9 for the girlfriend?

[jekbrown]

I have been doing lots of web searches and stuff trying to find the right compact 9mm for my fiancee. I'm looking for something that will fit her smallish hands, be concealable, reliable and cost under $500-ish. Ive checked up on the XD9801, S&W SW99, S&W 3913tsw, keltec p11, and taurus millenium pro pt-111 so far... all seem to have pluses and minuses. At any rate, I DL'd cdnn's newest catalog and there it was, the S-9 for $300. Whats the slinny on this pistol? I did a rec.guns search and didnt come up with a whole lot to be honest... handgunreviews.com has just one review of this pistol... 4 stars out of 5, but I'd like more opinions. :)

also, are accessories/parts relatively easy to find and/or cheap? night sights? holsters?

j

[Flashpoint]

This (http://www.thehighroad.org/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=796821&sortby=&sortorder=) should keep you reading for a while.

[Tracer]

Just bought one,and put 200 rounds thru it yesterday.2 stovepipes,2 brass in the head.Better accuracy than I expected ,and VERY soft recoil.The triangle sites were a total non-issue to me after 15-20 rounds.It grouped well (didn't measure) but I shot left of center,as I often do, as I am left eye dominant.I would buy one before trying a Glock,even if I had to later sell at a $50 loss.I have owned 5-6 Glocks,and much prefer this gun.It seems to be a much tighter fit,sits lower in the hand and can be bought for $300.
tracer

[jekbrown]

yeah, I dont like unreliable guns but I have read that the s9 requires some break-in... and that jams are likely in the first 100 or so. Anyone have one that they have shot more that can confirm/deny that? Even if it took 500 rounds to "settle down", I don't mind... I would like to know if the thing is gonna jam its whole life though, especially since my fiancee's life might depend on it someday.

Glad to hear the felt-recoil is low... my gf liked my Glock 17 when she fired it, but I think the grip was a little wide for here and the felt-recoil in her smallish hands on the boarder of optimal and "just ok". Speaking of that, how large is the S9s grip relative to a G17? Ive never actually held a S9 myself so I dunno...

AFA caliber/recoil goes, I really dont want her carrying anything more weeny than a 9mm... and I guess if whatever I get her seems to kick a little much for her liking, I could always magnaport the thing. ;)

anyway, thanks for the input guys... anyone else wanna share?

j

[Tracer]

I will comment,having read your post,and having owned both guns.S9 grip is NOTICEABLY smaller.
alan

[jekbrown]

cool, thx!

one more question... will mags interchange between the S and M series? I see the standard spec for the M9 is a 12 round mag and was wondering if it would fit in the S9. Any aftermarket comps make higher cap mags? Plan on carrying the 10 rounder cause its flush... but a 12 or 15 round backup would be cool. ;f

j

[mrapathy2000]

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[jekbrown]

cool, thanks for the info!

btw, I have been reading that some people think that the steyr pistols grip is too smooth/slick. I know there are companies out there that shave down glock grips for people with smaller hands.... is there anyone out there that can add some texture to the grip on the steyr sorta like my USP has on the sides? Im not generally a fan on rubbery slip-over add ons to pistol grips... Id rather just slightly modify the existing grip. Anyway, anyone know of a company that does this?

j

[mrapathy2000]

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[jekbrown]

thanks for the tips on what grippy things work best. :)

does anyone add texture to polymer pistol grips though? Im not so worried about long-term resale value issues, if I can avoid it I never sell and guns... and if a professional did it, it probably wouldn't affect the guns resale value much. The grip being slick is a known problem, fixing it shouldnt be that big a deal. :)

j

[Zundfolge]

Originally posted by jekbrown
cool, thx!

one more question... will mags interchange between the S and M series? I see the standard spec for the M9 is a 12 round mag and was wondering if it would fit in the S9. Any aftermarket comps make higher cap mags? Plan on carrying the 10 rounder cause its flush... but a 12 or 15 round backup would be cool. ;f

j

There is a rumor that Smith & Wesson Sigma Magazines will work in the Steyrs with a little modification (cut a mag release notch).

There has been much debate as to whether it works or not, or works well or not (and whether its legal or not).

I've read from people who have done it here and on THR and TFL and have there have been reports that it works fine and reports that it doesn't work at all.

YMMV

[jekbrown]

yeah, Ive been reading that too... be sweet to try it with a 17 round preban mag. I'd carry the 10 rounder in the gun for easy concealment.. and use the 17 for some serious backup. ;f

preban sigma mags do cost a bit though and it'd suck if it didnt work and now you've got a modified mag that no one wants. lol! maybe after the ban expires, if no one makes hi cap steyr mags, I'll give it a go. :)

j

[SturmRuger]

Jek I am still waiting to get a jam of some sort in my Steyr S40. The only jam I have ever had was with Wolf ammo. As soon as I switched back to WWB the problem went awyay. I would guess I have something like 1500 rounds through my S40 with no jams or anything. If you look a little further back in the Steyr club you will see some pics I took of mine. It is a great gun that has been totally reliable.

[Flashpoint]

If you want to extra grip without adding bulk, try sliding an bike innertube over the grip. It'll only cost you about $2.50 to find out if you like it or not.

Also certain Sigma mags will work but not all, but if you use one you'll have to deal with the toe sticking out.

[SELFDEFENSE]

She will love the S9 and I don't find the slipperiness to be significant. I wet my hands and the grip and shot a total of 100 rounds soaking wet and it was not a big deal. Test before you buy a rubber grip, and certainly before you send it off for a grip job.

[Kartar]

When I first bought my slightly used S9 the slide locked back before the mag was empty. Steyr fixed that problem . Its has been totaly reliable otherwise. I have been hit in the head with brass however which I think will go away with more use.

[IRA51]

My s9 was stiff at first and did have 2 or 3 fte ,but been perfect ever since . i found with Steyr's you need to fire at least 200 to 300 rounds untill it is broke in and it needs to be cleaned and lubed they like the lube .i may get flack for this but I like MILITEC ,BUT I'm sure any oil will work .fire the hell out of it clean it lube it and I bet the problems are gone.

[icwtumn]

I don't own an S9, but I do own an S40. My brother has an M9. The difference between the two is minimal - slightly softer recoil with the M (larger frame and softer load) but better concealability with the smaller framed S40. I have relatively small hands, and the S40 fits me beautifully. Felt recoil, even with the smaller frame and larger caliber is negotiable. My 5'4" 130 lb girlfriend has no problems handling my S40, even with little handgun experience. The S9 would make a safe, reliable, concealable weapon for your fiance, I'm sure. And, as always, the price can't be beat. These things are truly a steal at 300 bucks. Buy one for her, you won't be disappointed.

[Flashpoint]

My 5'4" 130 lb girlfriend has no problems handling my S40, even with little handgun experience.

Some people are just more recoil sensitive then others. I had my wife shoot my M40 and she did not like the recoil on it at all. Though I think she was about half scared of the gun when she picked it up. On the other hand she had no problem shooting the two 9mm I have, a Ruger P89 and a Sig P239.

[gogojaye]

I have an S40 and love it i traded in my taurus pt111 for it and have not looked back. i have also taken some brass in the head but that stopped after breaking it in. (300- 5oo rds) the fit and recoil are easily managed. i think your girl would really enjoy an m9 hell get her the 40 cal instead not much diffrence in the size and recoil i have tried both and prefer the stopping power of the larger cal.

[jekbrown]

Id get her a 40 if I had one... but my carry gun at work is a 9mm so thats what she gets too. Otherwise, she'd never have any ammo when we go to the range. ;) :)

j