I decided to buy one of these last spring. This was my first handgun purchase larger than a .22 caliber. I've researched it quite a bit before I made my purchase. There are tons of mixed reviews on it too. But it did win NRA's Handgun of the Year in 2005, so I figured it couldn't be all that bad. But probably the biggest deciding factor for me with this gun is that it was the one that "fit" my hands. I've held, fondled, and stroked every other imaginable handgun in the same size range and this was the one that fit. The price was right too at right around $350 out the door.
When I bought this gun, I had every intention of using it as a daily carry weapon. And the longer I own it, and the more I shoot it, I am reassured in that decision. I went with the 9mm because of ammo pricing. I'd have loved to get a .45, but it's just too expensive for me to shoot enough to gain accuracy with the gun. In the future I'll be getting a 1911 of some sort, but this would have to do for now.
In the 8 months I've owned it, I've run around 1200 rounds through it. That may or may not be a lot in comparison to some other folks, but I feel like it's a pretty good amount. Not once in that 1200 or so rounds have I had a FTE, FTF, stovepipe, or any other sort of malfunction. It's worked flawlessly for me. One thing possibly worth noting is that I've only ever shot WWB ammo through it from Wal-Mart. I've heard and read quite a bit about some guns not liking this cheap ammo, but I've not got a single complaint against it. 100 rounds for sub $16. Can't beat it IMO. The only reason I guess for not trying other ammo is due to the fact that this stuff keeps feeding in my gun.
I can hold what I consider a decent group (5") at 15 yards with it if I am really concentrating. For me, that's still center of mass all the way across my house. And we all know most attack situations fall within that range.
If you've never picked up one of these guns at your local shop, I suggest you at least give it an opportunity to set in your hand for a few minutes. Might not fit you, but then again, it may be the glove you've been looking for. If you're looking at a used one, I'd steer clear of the original 24/7 models and look strictly at a 24/7 Pro model. The 24/7 model was the original and apparently had a few issues. These were mainly with the magazines for the .45 model, but I've read a few stories about a few other issues as well. From what I've read, most of that seems to have been corrected in their successor, the 24/7 Pro.
When I bought this gun, I had every intention of using it as a daily carry weapon. And the longer I own it, and the more I shoot it, I am reassured in that decision. I went with the 9mm because of ammo pricing. I'd have loved to get a .45, but it's just too expensive for me to shoot enough to gain accuracy with the gun. In the future I'll be getting a 1911 of some sort, but this would have to do for now.
In the 8 months I've owned it, I've run around 1200 rounds through it. That may or may not be a lot in comparison to some other folks, but I feel like it's a pretty good amount. Not once in that 1200 or so rounds have I had a FTE, FTF, stovepipe, or any other sort of malfunction. It's worked flawlessly for me. One thing possibly worth noting is that I've only ever shot WWB ammo through it from Wal-Mart. I've heard and read quite a bit about some guns not liking this cheap ammo, but I've not got a single complaint against it. 100 rounds for sub $16. Can't beat it IMO. The only reason I guess for not trying other ammo is due to the fact that this stuff keeps feeding in my gun.
I can hold what I consider a decent group (5") at 15 yards with it if I am really concentrating. For me, that's still center of mass all the way across my house. And we all know most attack situations fall within that range.
If you've never picked up one of these guns at your local shop, I suggest you at least give it an opportunity to set in your hand for a few minutes. Might not fit you, but then again, it may be the glove you've been looking for. If you're looking at a used one, I'd steer clear of the original 24/7 models and look strictly at a 24/7 Pro model. The 24/7 model was the original and apparently had a few issues. These were mainly with the magazines for the .45 model, but I've read a few stories about a few other issues as well. From what I've read, most of that seems to have been corrected in their successor, the 24/7 Pro.
