New to semi auto- which gun would be the best?

davidmichael45 · July 18, 2014, 06:19 AM

Im looking to buy me a gun and im new to guns and everything and would like someones opinion.

These are the 3 im looking at. I really am looking to buy a .40 and 9mm
1. SAR B6P 9MM i can get this new for $241.33...
2. Canik s-120 all black $318.95-chrome $343.15
3. Eaa Witness ps polymer model 999048 .40 cal $279.99

are the canik and sar about the same identical guns? which in you're opinion are better? i know EAA distributes them and turkey makes both guns.. plus the $241 is a steal...

On the witness gun i havent heard about crack frames on the .40 cal so i should be ok with this one..

any advice would be greatly appreciated....im new to this forum also.

RX-79G · July 18, 2014, 06:37 AM

I honestly think the SAR might be the best bet. It is about the same gun as the poly Witness in a better caliber for general use. The SAR guns are generally extremely accurate and well made. Supposed to have good triggers.

Nothing wrong with the Canik, but I do think the SAR plant does better work. AND, the SAR could be sold for more than you paid for it, while the Canik is at market price.

In the end, all of these are okay. Consider the cost and availability of appropriate magazines, too. For a first pistol that you are unlikely to keep until you die, I like the idea of the most gun for the cash so you can discover what you like and dislike without buyer's remorse.

lee n. field · July 18, 2014, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Im looking to buy me a gun and im new to guns and everything and would like someones opinion.

These are the 3 im looking at. I really am looking to buy a .40 and 9mm
1. SAR B6P 9MM i can get this new for $241.33...
2. Canik s-120 all black $318.95-chrome $343.15
3. Eaa Witness ps polymer model 999048 .40 cal $279.99

What's your budget?

What's the purpose of what you're wanting to acquire?

Why these three?

Dirty_Harry · July 18, 2014, 08:10 AM

Why dont you spend a little extra money and get something that is proven, like a Glock, Beretta, M&P or FNS?

Also, if your new to handguns, stay away from .40's. They are a lot snappier than a 9.

Skans · July 18, 2014, 08:33 AM

I like the Witness Elite; I have a Tanfoglio Stock 10mm which I love. I'd probably be ok with the Witness polymer. Have heard good things about it.

TXAZ · July 18, 2014, 09:25 AM

Hi David Michael,
Welcome. If you haven't at least held each of these, and hopefully fired them, I'd strongly suggest doing so before you buy. What feels good for my hand may not be good for you. Lots of good advice here, but please try them first.

TailGator · July 18, 2014, 10:05 AM

Welcome aboard.

Most shooters rank the recoil of the three most-used defensive calibers as 9 mm being softest, .45 being next, and .40 being the harshest. There are a lot of variables in that, including the pistol, the character of the recoil (snappy vs a "push," which is often the way the .45 is described), and the shooter's perception. The .40 has a lot of fans, but being new to shooting you should probably shoot a .40 and a 9 mm from similar pistols before you buy a .40.

Like an earlier post, I would be interested in knowing how you plan to use your new pistol and what you found attractive about these three pistols that got them on your short list. With that information, the many knowledgeable folks here can likely suggest other pistols that might interest you.

Ruger480 · July 18, 2014, 10:06 AM

I have the Witness Poly in 10mm. I like it better than my Sig 40 (which I traded)!!

As TailGator said, the 40 has some stiff recoil. My 10mm seems to have less recoil than the Sig did.

davidmichael45 · July 18, 2014, 10:15 AM

I have a high point .45 that shoots very smooth with very little kick to it. I am looking at these 3 guns because i have read great reviews on these especially the b6p and canik...

the price range of less than $350.00 and i just want it for protection and shooting from time to time.

Dirty_Harry · July 18, 2014, 10:25 AM

For $50 more you can get a good used Glock.....

davidmichael45 · July 18, 2014, 10:37 AM

well i also have read they blow up in you're hands... glock is a good gun for sure but i have read bad reviews on them also. i dont want a used gun....

Dirty_Harry · July 18, 2014, 12:31 PM

So you dont trust a Glock, the most popular handgun in the world, but you will trust something under $300?

What planet do you come from?

Glock's had a bad rap with some 40's, but I have never heard of a 9mm or a 45 glock blowing up......ever.

TXAZ · July 18, 2014, 12:45 PM

Glock is a great gun for the price (although I'm a Beretta / Sig guy, not a Glock fan), and you can get an excellent deal as noted above on Glocks for just under $400.
It will hold its value well, and a lot of the negative press is elite-ism from non plastic guys.
But please try whatever you want before buying.

davidmichael45 · July 18, 2014, 01:58 PM

So you dont trust a Glock, the most popular handgun in the world, but you will trust something under $300?

What planet do you come from?

Glock's had a bad rap with some 40's, but I have never heard of a 9mm or a 45 glock blowing up......ever.

Its not that i dont trust a glock... i never even fired one. The sar b6p are made in turkey by a company thats started making guns in 1888 i believe. all the reviews i have read are high reviews about this sar b6p semi automatic gun.. paying more dones not make it a better gun. take C.F. Martin guitars for example.. greatest guitar company around.. but, BLUERIDGE br160A guitars are just as better a sounding guitar than martin that cost 2 times less money.. but the blueridge dont have a martin name. just like the sar dont have a glock name on it... But, would i trust a gun from builders that have been making guns for over a century? i think i would.. But glocks are great guns. my brother has a glock.45.......

NorwegianShooter · July 18, 2014, 03:02 PM

Can´t stand the grip angle on Glocks. Not the mushy striker fire trigger either. However, they are the Toyotas of the gun world. Gotta giv´em that.

Out of the 3, I´d take the Witness, but if I were to point you to something cheap, but good, I´d take a look at CZ´s or even the IMI Jericho if you want some extra bling. The Cz SP-01 is arguably the most "bang for your buck" you can find. All steel. Will last until Ragnarok.

peggysue · July 18, 2014, 03:16 PM

Of the gun you listed I think the SAR B6P 9MM would be the best. Every review says they are flawless and for that price you can get a good holster and lots of 9MM ammo.

Hurryin' Hoosier · July 18, 2014, 03:34 PM

CZ 75 Compact.

JORZAC · July 18, 2014, 03:51 PM

What DirtyHarry and Txaz said. You say you don't want a used gun? Is this for reliability issues or just personal bias? I would take a used Glock, Sig, Ruger, CZ, HK, Beretta or S&W (in no particular order) over any of your listed choices. Theyre all better guns. Not knocking your choices just stating my opinion.

sigarms228 · July 18, 2014, 05:23 PM

A SIG SP2022 for $379.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index...022-9-tss.html

DA/SA Fan · July 18, 2014, 07:32 PM

Quote:

What DirtyHarry and Txaz said. You say you don't want a used gun? Is this for reliability issues or just personal bias? I would take a used Glock, Sig, Ruger, CZ, HK, Beretta or S&W (in no particular order) over any of your listed choices. Theyre all better guns. Not knocking your choices just stating my opinion.

Better, how? You can't just make a statement as though it's fact without giving some sort of reasoning. It' has a nicer name? It shoots magic bullets? They cost more? Why?

Dirty_Harry · July 18, 2014, 07:51 PM

Quote:

A SIG SP2022 for $379.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index...022-9-tss.html

Ding ding ding! We have a winner! If you dont buy that steal there is no hope for you.

franco45 · July 18, 2014, 09:18 PM

Yup, you don't want one of those unproven Sar Arms pistols. They've only been manufacturing guns for 125 years. I owned a B6P and it was a great gun. The only reason I no longer have it is because I'm left handed. It is sa only and doesn't have an ambi safety or a decocker.

RX-79G · July 19, 2014, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Why dont you spend a little extra money and get something that is proven, like a Glock, Beretta, M&P or FNS?

How is an M&P "proven". Proven inaccurate, or proven prone to break?

ritepath · July 19, 2014, 09:28 AM

There's always the original CZ75. You can get the CZ 75B for under 5 bills.

Good choice going with the hammer fired pistols. The SP2022 is also a great choice and would be my #1 before your three.

Of the ones you listed the Witness and Sar should be GTG.

Congrats on not following the "there's only one" crowd.

Of course the M&P is also a great striker fired choice, my two have been dead solid perfect through thousands of rounds. Accurate, reliable and wonderful feeling in the hand.

whip1 · July 19, 2014, 09:59 AM

I'd save my money and buy a better gun. Better being defined as a name brand maker with a good reputation and a maker that has readily available parts and accessories. You can get extra mags for a Glock for about $20.00. What do extra mags for the above guns cost? How easy are they to find? What about holsters?

July 18, 2014, 08:10 AM	#4
Dirty_Harry Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2006 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 1,484	Why dont you spend a little extra money and get something that is proven, like a Glock, Beretta, M&P or FNS? Also, if your new to handguns, stay away from .40's. They are a lot snappier than a 9. __________________ "The only purpose for a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you never should have laid down." "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I expect the same from them." -John Wayne

July 18, 2014, 09:25 AM	#6
TXAZ Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Location: McMurdo Sound Texas Posts: 4,322	Hi David Michael, Welcome. If you haven't at least held each of these, and hopefully fired them, I'd strongly suggest doing so before you buy. What feels good for my hand may not be good for you. Lots of good advice here, but please try them first. __________________ Cave illos in guns et backhoes

July 18, 2014, 10:25 AM	#10
Dirty_Harry Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2006 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 1,484	For $50 more you can get a good used Glock..... __________________ "The only purpose for a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you never should have laid down." "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I expect the same from them." -John Wayne

July 18, 2014, 12:31 PM	#12
Dirty_Harry Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2006 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 1,484	So you dont trust a Glock, the most popular handgun in the world, but you will trust something under $300? What planet do you come from? Glock's had a bad rap with some 40's, but I have never heard of a 9mm or a 45 glock blowing up......ever. __________________ "The only purpose for a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you never should have laid down." "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I expect the same from them." -John Wayne

July 18, 2014, 12:45 PM	#13
TXAZ Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Location: McMurdo Sound Texas Posts: 4,322	Glock is a great gun for the price (although I'm a Beretta / Sig guy, not a Glock fan), and you can get an excellent deal as noted above on Glocks for just under $400. It will hold its value well, and a lot of the negative press is elite-ism from non plastic guys. But please try whatever you want before buying. __________________ Cave illos in guns et backhoes

July 18, 2014, 06:19 AM	#1
davidmichael45 Junior Member Join Date: July 17, 2014 Posts: 6	New to semi auto- which gun would be the best? Im looking to buy me a gun and im new to guns and everything and would like someones opinion. These are the 3 im looking at. I really am looking to buy a .40 and 9mm 1. SAR B6P 9MM i can get this new for $241.33... 2. Canik s-120 all black $318.95-chrome $343.15 3. Eaa Witness ps polymer model 999048 .40 cal $279.99 are the canik and sar about the same identical guns? which in you're opinion are better? i know EAA distributes them and turkey makes both guns.. plus the $241 is a steal... On the witness gun i havent heard about crack frames on the .40 cal so i should be ok with this one.. any advice would be greatly appreciated....im new to this forum also.

July 18, 2014, 06:37 AM	#2
RX-79G Junior member Join Date: October 27, 2013 Posts: 1,139	I honestly think the SAR might be the best bet. It is about the same gun as the poly Witness in a better caliber for general use. The SAR guns are generally extremely accurate and well made. Supposed to have good triggers. Nothing wrong with the Canik, but I do think the SAR plant does better work. AND, the SAR could be sold for more than you paid for it, while the Canik is at market price. In the end, all of these are okay. Consider the cost and availability of appropriate magazines, too. For a first pistol that you are unlikely to keep until you die, I like the idea of the most gun for the cash so you can discover what you like and dislike without buyer's remorse.

July 18, 2014, 08:33 AM	#5
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	I like the Witness Elite; I have a Tanfoglio Stock 10mm which I love. I'd probably be ok with the Witness polymer. Have heard good things about it.

July 18, 2014, 10:05 AM	#7
TailGator Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,787	Welcome aboard. Most shooters rank the recoil of the three most-used defensive calibers as 9 mm being softest, .45 being next, and .40 being the harshest. There are a lot of variables in that, including the pistol, the character of the recoil (snappy vs a "push," which is often the way the .45 is described), and the shooter's perception. The .40 has a lot of fans, but being new to shooting you should probably shoot a .40 and a 9 mm from similar pistols before you buy a .40. Like an earlier post, I would be interested in knowing how you plan to use your new pistol and what you found attractive about these three pistols that got them on your short list. With that information, the many knowledgeable folks here can likely suggest other pistols that might interest you.

July 18, 2014, 10:06 AM	#8
Ruger480 Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2013 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 720	I have the Witness Poly in 10mm. I like it better than my Sig 40 (which I traded)!! As TailGator said, the 40 has some stiff recoil. My 10mm seems to have less recoil than the Sig did.

July 18, 2014, 10:15 AM	#9
davidmichael45 Junior Member Join Date: July 17, 2014 Posts: 6	I have a high point .45 that shoots very smooth with very little kick to it. I am looking at these 3 guns because i have read great reviews on these especially the b6p and canik... the price range of less than $350.00 and i just want it for protection and shooting from time to time.

July 18, 2014, 10:37 AM	#11
davidmichael45 Junior Member Join Date: July 17, 2014 Posts: 6	well i also have read they blow up in you're hands... glock is a good gun for sure but i have read bad reviews on them also. i dont want a used gun....

July 18, 2014, 01:58 PM	#14
davidmichael45 Junior Member Join Date: July 17, 2014 Posts: 6	So you dont trust a Glock, the most popular handgun in the world, but you will trust something under $300? What planet do you come from? Glock's had a bad rap with some 40's, but I have never heard of a 9mm or a 45 glock blowing up......ever. Its not that i dont trust a glock... i never even fired one. The sar b6p are made in turkey by a company thats started making guns in 1888 i believe. all the reviews i have read are high reviews about this sar b6p semi automatic gun.. paying more dones not make it a better gun. take C.F. Martin guitars for example.. greatest guitar company around.. but, BLUERIDGE br160A guitars are just as better a sounding guitar than martin that cost 2 times less money.. but the blueridge dont have a martin name. just like the sar dont have a glock name on it... But, would i trust a gun from builders that have been making guns for over a century? i think i would.. But glocks are great guns. my brother has a glock.45.......

July 18, 2014, 03:02 PM	#15
NorwegianShooter Member Join Date: March 18, 2014 Location: Norway Posts: 80	Can´t stand the grip angle on Glocks. Not the mushy striker fire trigger either. However, they are the Toyotas of the gun world. Gotta giv´em that. Out of the 3, I´d take the Witness, but if I were to point you to something cheap, but good, I´d take a look at CZ´s or even the IMI Jericho if you want some extra bling. The Cz SP-01 is arguably the most "bang for your buck" you can find. All steel. Will last until Ragnarok.

July 18, 2014, 03:16 PM	#16
peggysue Junior member Join Date: May 20, 2014 Posts: 1,835	Of the gun you listed I think the SAR B6P 9MM would be the best. Every review says they are flawless and for that price you can get a good holster and lots of 9MM ammo.

July 18, 2014, 03:34 PM	#17
Hurryin' Hoosier Member Join Date: March 1, 2012 Location: Columbus, Indiana Posts: 98	CZ 75 Compact.

July 18, 2014, 03:51 PM	#18
JORZAC Junior Member Join Date: May 26, 2014 Posts: 4	What DirtyHarry and Txaz said. You say you don't want a used gun? Is this for reliability issues or just personal bias? I would take a used Glock, Sig, Ruger, CZ, HK, Beretta or S&W (in no particular order) over any of your listed choices. Theyre all better guns. Not knocking your choices just stating my opinion.

July 18, 2014, 05:23 PM	#19
sigarms228 Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 2011 Posts: 1,768	A SIG SP2022 for $379. http://palmettostatearmory.com/index...022-9-tss.html

July 18, 2014, 09:18 PM	#22
franco45 Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 2010 Location: Toledo Ohio Posts: 474	Yup, you don't want one of those unproven Sar Arms pistols. They've only been manufacturing guns for 125 years. I owned a B6P and it was a great gun. The only reason I no longer have it is because I'm left handed. It is sa only and doesn't have an ambi safety or a decocker.

July 19, 2014, 09:28 AM	#24
ritepath Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,419	There's always the original CZ75. You can get the CZ 75B for under 5 bills. Good choice going with the hammer fired pistols. The SP2022 is also a great choice and would be my #1 before your three. Of the ones you listed the Witness and Sar should be GTG. Congrats on not following the "there's only one" crowd. Of course the M&P is also a great striker fired choice, my two have been dead solid perfect through thousands of rounds. Accurate, reliable and wonderful feeling in the hand. __________________ There's only one...

July 19, 2014, 09:59 AM	#25
whip1 Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 383	I'd save my money and buy a better gun. Better being defined as a name brand maker with a good reputation and a maker that has readily available parts and accessories. You can get extra mags for a Glock for about $20.00. What do extra mags for the above guns cost? How easy are they to find? What about holsters?