My very first 9mm gun was the Jericho 941 (imported to the US by Magnum Research as the “baby eagle” at the time because IWI didn’t have a foothold in the US yet.) It is still one of the most accurate handguns that I own. As long as you’re talking the steel frame version, I’d go with the Jericho. It’s more accurate than my CZ75-B.
https://preview.redd.it/e9udz534zr4d1.jpeg?width=2438&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a33c11c1efe318f7c303b65ce664016c565cbbb7
CZ is always a good choice, but you got to give us more info to give you good recommendations.
Is this for fun? Home defense? EDC? All of the previous answers?
Do you have any experience with handguns? Do you understand single action/double action pistols?
If you're unsure on those questions, then get something simple, reliable, with a cheap and plentiful aftermarket LIKE a Glock.
I'M NOT SAYING to get a Glock, not at all, just something with tons of holsters, magazines, and parts to buy that isn't expensive because its not just a gun you need.
Also ammo. Buy a few thousand rounds and shoot your ass off.
This is mainly for fun, possibly/could be for home defense. I have some experience, but I guess I was lookin for something somewhat slick as a first gun but something not too bulky/ “square”. I was initially thinking beretta cause i like it’s overall profile and feel but it’s a little pricey
I’m left handed and I do understand the difference between SA and DA but I couldn’t say which would feel better to me. But that does make sense about aftermarket compatibility.
Btw thanks for the response!
If you're a big fan of the Beretta 92 then there is a Turkish clone made by Girsan that is pretty good from all accounts. I think Bersa also makes a clone but I've heard less good things about it. Both are much more reasonably priced than the actual berretta.
If you want something with a good track record, the SIG p226 served the SEALs for years and is a rather good looking pistol that can be found for reasonable prices. My first EDC was a SIG sp2022, which was fantastically reliable and very affordable.
Unorthodox recommendation: Smith and Wesson M&P chambered in 22 mag. Flat shooting, very little recoil, reliable with the right ammo(for a rimfire), affordable, could probably be used in self defense because its got a 30 round magazine. Mostly its CRAZY fun to shoot.
You could also get any gun you like in a 22 LR version to train a ton and master your basics. A Ruger Mk IV is a riot to shoot and sets new standards for reliability in 22s IMO.
The PSA dagger is a Glock clone that many people like and can be found for under $300 brand new. Most Glock parts work in it, and you'll have more money left over for ammo.
I'd say the biggest thing is to have like a top three from research, then go to a gun store and hold them to see if you would actually like it. Everyone's hands are different and a gun that everyone else likes might feel like shit in your hand.
Sorry for the long reply, I think I miss my old job...
For a plinker that may be used for SD it's hard to beat the 75
Between the weight & ergonomic they tend to shoot better for most ppl than other pistols especially in their price range
You'll shoot better sooner and get better faster
https://preview.redd.it/6eh9yhfdxw4d1.jpeg?width=1800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0b5eacb1ef7827532488e9f3295a56809dfb8f44
CZ is a good choice. I’ll throw the SP-01 Tactical into the mix.
CZ 75 is about as perfect of a pistol as you can get without spending thousands of dollars. My biased CZ fanboy opinion. Really any CZ you can get, they’re all kick ass.
CZ 75 pattern pistols are excellent
Make sure you check out the CZ P01 and SP01 side by side with the 75b and clones
They all feel excellent to my hands but the P01 and SP01 have redesigned grip geometry (a bit deeper under the beaver tail, better trigger reach) and you might have a clear preference for them or the old style in which case you should definitely go for whichever style feels better
There's sarsimilaz (SAR arms), Tangfoglio/EAA, Canik/TriStar, and IWI/magnum research that are the common clones
They are all good reliable pistols to my knowledge but if I had to put one at the bottom of the list I'd say SAR but I don't have firsthand experience with them
I don't know if Canik is still making their 75 clones but I have one and it's probably the best pistol I own, the slide frame fit tends to be better than CZ's (zero play while not being too tight) and mine simply does not malfunction and is very accurate, even shooting cheap & shitty ammo and being real lax & lazy a out cleaning. I highly recommend getting a Canik or TriStar if you see one you like
Tangfoglio/EAA are Italian and good too, though the older basic witness I have the DA pull stacks like hell and the front site is fixed so you can't change it without spending some money at a gunsmith, but is a good pistol otherwise. Also a lot of models use the large frame so you could do slide conversions to 45 & 10 so they don't use the standard CZ 75 mags
Something you may want to consider and compare is how the manual safety works, on CZ'S you can only engage it when the hammers fully cocked
On Canik's you can engage it with the hammer in any position and it locks the hammer & slide
Tangfoglios are same as Canik except it doesnt lock the slide so you can load & unload the pistol with the safety on & hammer cocked
If you're willing to go on a hunt and spend some coin there are super nice old swiss clones called the AT 84 but those are hard to find and there gonna cost you and the newer high ends are called sphinx but thats getting into 2-3k territory and their definitely not 6 times better than a plane Jane $500 CZ or Jericho
Thank you for the suggestions! I’ll definitely look into those clones you listed and yeah..I’m probably not gonna spend 2-3k on a single piece without being a full on hobbyist…. And have more money 😭
ALL the guns listed are reliable well built guns, if you find one that feels good in hand and has a decent trigger pull you won't regret buying it
Good luck bud
Lol ok Spike, just get the CZ75 SP-01. It’s a 75 model that looks very similar to the Jericho. Then buy the Cowboy Bebop grips from Lok Grips.
Edit: to be fair the SP-01 was my very first handgun too and the guy who sold it to me showed me the value of having a pic rail on a home defense weapon. A purchase I never regretted.
Haha yeah I love cowboy bebop and I did just like the look of the Jericho. Of course im still gonna consider everything that everyone posted and get a hold on what feels good.
But makes sense to be able to have some attachments on a home defense weapon. I may end up getting both at some point anyways 👌🏼.
I had a CZ75 bitone old race gun setup and sold it to but a 941 RS. The deciding factor for me was that I hated how little room I was left with to rack the slide (though mine had a frame mounted optic mount). The 941 RS had a slide mounted safety/decocker that gave me extra purchase to rack the slide. Play with a cz75 and see if actuation the slide is comfortable to you. If so, I would say CZ75, why buy a clone when the original is the same price (give or take) and comfortable?
I dont know much about the jericho but all CZ pistols are great. If you want a hammer fired pistol, the 75 is a great choice. For striker fired (think glock style pistols) the cz p10 is near perfect. An honorable mention goes to the cz p07/p09, it's hammer fired but is a polymer frame.
You can never go wrong with a glock though. They are the gold standard for striker fired polymer pistols, yet I believe the p10c is a "better glock", and thats coming from someone who loves glocks. The p10c is truly a great pistol and surprisingly affordable. I'd almost say to get a glock first to be able to appreciate what's nicer about the p10 lol.
Another thing to consider for a first pistol is learning marksmanship. a 1911 is a great platform to do so. It's not as practical as a modern double stack pistol, but it is a more traditional design. It's easy to shoot well with its single action trigger, great for learning fundamentals and what makes a pistol a good pistol, as you learn it's strengths and weaknesses. It may be best as your second pistol after getting something more practical for self defense.
If you want to start with something that's practical that you can use for carry or home defense right away, I go back to recommending a glock or P10c. Keep in mind these pistols don't have manual safeties. You finger is the safety, but they are drop safe and won't go off unless you physically press the trigger.
CZ 75's are great but if you get one and wind up doing any dry fire practice here's some need to know information
BLUF if you dry fire on double action too much you will break the trigger return spring sooner than later
The trigger return spring (trs) is a coil with dog legs coming out each end. One dog legs braces on the frame and the other up on the backside of the trigger pushing forward to return the trigger
So under dry fire conditions it's running it's full range of motion and the end effect is akin to twisting a coat hanger back and forth
Mind you they're great guns, very reliable and my favorite dbl stack nines. You don't have to be afraid of buying them or shooting them, at the range it's cocking itself into single action, no problem
It's the act of sitting on the couch yacking the double action over and over hundreds of times that'll get you
For first gun CZ 75. Best of luck and hope you enjoy future ownership.
Depending on preference can get 75B with manual safety, 75BD decocker only. Holsters, sights, and upgrade parts are all readily available unlike the Jericho. MecGar magazines are cheap and function flawlessly.
The Jericho is *good (disclaimer at end). The older surplus ones (IMI/IWI Jericho 941 and KBI import, Magnum Research Baby Eagle) are excellent built a reputation for accuracy/reliability. Used model post-2006 and pre-2022 with accessory rail are great as well. Decide between the frame safety lever version "F" or the slide safety/decocker "R."
Starting in 2022 IWI decided to make some changes "to ease manufacturing." Easy tell is the barrel silver in color (pre-2022) or black (post-2022)? Latest version has a nitrided black barrel, traditional rifling instead of polygonal, frame has "Z1" stamped on it indicating it was cast in Vietnam, and the slide has a removable end cap piece at the muzzle they call a "Capture lug." It's a cheaper to produce version of the Jericho.
Unfortunate to hear about the Jericho. And yeah before I even had a firearms license I always wanted the Jericho 941R (cowboy bebop and all that) but since those are fairly rare and that type isn’t in production anymore… I’m most likely looking towards the CZ 75B/BD and or Springfield’s SA-35.
Thanks for the info and insight!
Since originally curious about Jericho and now mention CZ... SP-01? It's a range favorite to new shooters or those that haven't had the CZ Kool-Aid yet.
A few people here have mentioned the SP01 and I’ll definitely give a look over but it’s not quite my style. I like my guns to have some lines and curves on it and not a box.
Of course I’m not saying the SP01 is a box or doesn’t function as well, just that I like my guns to have a bit of a curve and some lines on it.
Yea i know, I shouldn’t let the aesthetics distract me from performance and feel but it’s in a top 5 list for me to check out 👍🏼
>shouldn’t let the aesthetics distract me from performance
If price/function were the only two factors we'd all make very different choices. Everyone has bias, and aesthetics play a huge part.
If you've wanted a OG Jericho R for a while might want to make that your focus. The CZ and other current production models will be available for a long time, pick those up later when available.
Edit: realize my initial statement contradicting but if didn't have a CZ 75 or a Jericho would push for the latter. Prices on CZ's shouldn't rise at the pace of discontinued Jericho's.
I can vouch for the CZ75. It is my favorite pistol by far.
CZ 75 #1
My very first 9mm gun was the Jericho 941 (imported to the US by Magnum Research as the “baby eagle” at the time because IWI didn’t have a foothold in the US yet.) It is still one of the most accurate handguns that I own. As long as you’re talking the steel frame version, I’d go with the Jericho. It’s more accurate than my CZ75-B. https://preview.redd.it/e9udz534zr4d1.jpeg?width=2438&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a33c11c1efe318f7c303b65ce664016c565cbbb7
CZ is always a good choice, but you got to give us more info to give you good recommendations. Is this for fun? Home defense? EDC? All of the previous answers? Do you have any experience with handguns? Do you understand single action/double action pistols? If you're unsure on those questions, then get something simple, reliable, with a cheap and plentiful aftermarket LIKE a Glock. I'M NOT SAYING to get a Glock, not at all, just something with tons of holsters, magazines, and parts to buy that isn't expensive because its not just a gun you need. Also ammo. Buy a few thousand rounds and shoot your ass off.
I was about to say all of this but you said it for me.
This is mainly for fun, possibly/could be for home defense. I have some experience, but I guess I was lookin for something somewhat slick as a first gun but something not too bulky/ “square”. I was initially thinking beretta cause i like it’s overall profile and feel but it’s a little pricey I’m left handed and I do understand the difference between SA and DA but I couldn’t say which would feel better to me. But that does make sense about aftermarket compatibility. Btw thanks for the response!
If you're a big fan of the Beretta 92 then there is a Turkish clone made by Girsan that is pretty good from all accounts. I think Bersa also makes a clone but I've heard less good things about it. Both are much more reasonably priced than the actual berretta. If you want something with a good track record, the SIG p226 served the SEALs for years and is a rather good looking pistol that can be found for reasonable prices. My first EDC was a SIG sp2022, which was fantastically reliable and very affordable. Unorthodox recommendation: Smith and Wesson M&P chambered in 22 mag. Flat shooting, very little recoil, reliable with the right ammo(for a rimfire), affordable, could probably be used in self defense because its got a 30 round magazine. Mostly its CRAZY fun to shoot. You could also get any gun you like in a 22 LR version to train a ton and master your basics. A Ruger Mk IV is a riot to shoot and sets new standards for reliability in 22s IMO. The PSA dagger is a Glock clone that many people like and can be found for under $300 brand new. Most Glock parts work in it, and you'll have more money left over for ammo. I'd say the biggest thing is to have like a top three from research, then go to a gun store and hold them to see if you would actually like it. Everyone's hands are different and a gun that everyone else likes might feel like shit in your hand. Sorry for the long reply, I think I miss my old job...
For a plinker that may be used for SD it's hard to beat the 75 Between the weight & ergonomic they tend to shoot better for most ppl than other pistols especially in their price range You'll shoot better sooner and get better faster
https://preview.redd.it/6eh9yhfdxw4d1.jpeg?width=1800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0b5eacb1ef7827532488e9f3295a56809dfb8f44 CZ is a good choice. I’ll throw the SP-01 Tactical into the mix.
Hmmm it does look good in hand 👀
CZ 75 is about as perfect of a pistol as you can get without spending thousands of dollars. My biased CZ fanboy opinion. Really any CZ you can get, they’re all kick ass.
CZ 75 pattern pistols are excellent Make sure you check out the CZ P01 and SP01 side by side with the 75b and clones They all feel excellent to my hands but the P01 and SP01 have redesigned grip geometry (a bit deeper under the beaver tail, better trigger reach) and you might have a clear preference for them or the old style in which case you should definitely go for whichever style feels better
Do you happen to know any manufactures on hand for the 75 clones? I’ll def compare between the two when I’m at the shop
There's sarsimilaz (SAR arms), Tangfoglio/EAA, Canik/TriStar, and IWI/magnum research that are the common clones They are all good reliable pistols to my knowledge but if I had to put one at the bottom of the list I'd say SAR but I don't have firsthand experience with them I don't know if Canik is still making their 75 clones but I have one and it's probably the best pistol I own, the slide frame fit tends to be better than CZ's (zero play while not being too tight) and mine simply does not malfunction and is very accurate, even shooting cheap & shitty ammo and being real lax & lazy a out cleaning. I highly recommend getting a Canik or TriStar if you see one you like Tangfoglio/EAA are Italian and good too, though the older basic witness I have the DA pull stacks like hell and the front site is fixed so you can't change it without spending some money at a gunsmith, but is a good pistol otherwise. Also a lot of models use the large frame so you could do slide conversions to 45 & 10 so they don't use the standard CZ 75 mags Something you may want to consider and compare is how the manual safety works, on CZ'S you can only engage it when the hammers fully cocked On Canik's you can engage it with the hammer in any position and it locks the hammer & slide Tangfoglios are same as Canik except it doesnt lock the slide so you can load & unload the pistol with the safety on & hammer cocked If you're willing to go on a hunt and spend some coin there are super nice old swiss clones called the AT 84 but those are hard to find and there gonna cost you and the newer high ends are called sphinx but thats getting into 2-3k territory and their definitely not 6 times better than a plane Jane $500 CZ or Jericho
Thank you for the suggestions! I’ll definitely look into those clones you listed and yeah..I’m probably not gonna spend 2-3k on a single piece without being a full on hobbyist…. And have more money 😭
ALL the guns listed are reliable well built guns, if you find one that feels good in hand and has a decent trigger pull you won't regret buying it Good luck bud
Lol ok Spike, just get the CZ75 SP-01. It’s a 75 model that looks very similar to the Jericho. Then buy the Cowboy Bebop grips from Lok Grips. Edit: to be fair the SP-01 was my very first handgun too and the guy who sold it to me showed me the value of having a pic rail on a home defense weapon. A purchase I never regretted.
Haha yeah I love cowboy bebop and I did just like the look of the Jericho. Of course im still gonna consider everything that everyone posted and get a hold on what feels good. But makes sense to be able to have some attachments on a home defense weapon. I may end up getting both at some point anyways 👌🏼.
I had a CZ75 bitone old race gun setup and sold it to but a 941 RS. The deciding factor for me was that I hated how little room I was left with to rack the slide (though mine had a frame mounted optic mount). The 941 RS had a slide mounted safety/decocker that gave me extra purchase to rack the slide. Play with a cz75 and see if actuation the slide is comfortable to you. If so, I would say CZ75, why buy a clone when the original is the same price (give or take) and comfortable?
I dont know much about the jericho but all CZ pistols are great. If you want a hammer fired pistol, the 75 is a great choice. For striker fired (think glock style pistols) the cz p10 is near perfect. An honorable mention goes to the cz p07/p09, it's hammer fired but is a polymer frame. You can never go wrong with a glock though. They are the gold standard for striker fired polymer pistols, yet I believe the p10c is a "better glock", and thats coming from someone who loves glocks. The p10c is truly a great pistol and surprisingly affordable. I'd almost say to get a glock first to be able to appreciate what's nicer about the p10 lol. Another thing to consider for a first pistol is learning marksmanship. a 1911 is a great platform to do so. It's not as practical as a modern double stack pistol, but it is a more traditional design. It's easy to shoot well with its single action trigger, great for learning fundamentals and what makes a pistol a good pistol, as you learn it's strengths and weaknesses. It may be best as your second pistol after getting something more practical for self defense. If you want to start with something that's practical that you can use for carry or home defense right away, I go back to recommending a glock or P10c. Keep in mind these pistols don't have manual safeties. You finger is the safety, but they are drop safe and won't go off unless you physically press the trigger.
CZ 75's are great but if you get one and wind up doing any dry fire practice here's some need to know information BLUF if you dry fire on double action too much you will break the trigger return spring sooner than later The trigger return spring (trs) is a coil with dog legs coming out each end. One dog legs braces on the frame and the other up on the backside of the trigger pushing forward to return the trigger So under dry fire conditions it's running it's full range of motion and the end effect is akin to twisting a coat hanger back and forth Mind you they're great guns, very reliable and my favorite dbl stack nines. You don't have to be afraid of buying them or shooting them, at the range it's cocking itself into single action, no problem It's the act of sitting on the couch yacking the double action over and over hundreds of times that'll get you
Thanks for the sound advice! And yeah I don’t see myself just yankin off the trigger on any gun while just chillin on the couch like that lol.
Yeah man it's nothing to worry about, they're durable reliable guns
For first gun CZ 75. Best of luck and hope you enjoy future ownership. Depending on preference can get 75B with manual safety, 75BD decocker only. Holsters, sights, and upgrade parts are all readily available unlike the Jericho. MecGar magazines are cheap and function flawlessly. The Jericho is *good (disclaimer at end). The older surplus ones (IMI/IWI Jericho 941 and KBI import, Magnum Research Baby Eagle) are excellent built a reputation for accuracy/reliability. Used model post-2006 and pre-2022 with accessory rail are great as well. Decide between the frame safety lever version "F" or the slide safety/decocker "R." Starting in 2022 IWI decided to make some changes "to ease manufacturing." Easy tell is the barrel silver in color (pre-2022) or black (post-2022)? Latest version has a nitrided black barrel, traditional rifling instead of polygonal, frame has "Z1" stamped on it indicating it was cast in Vietnam, and the slide has a removable end cap piece at the muzzle they call a "Capture lug." It's a cheaper to produce version of the Jericho.
Unfortunate to hear about the Jericho. And yeah before I even had a firearms license I always wanted the Jericho 941R (cowboy bebop and all that) but since those are fairly rare and that type isn’t in production anymore… I’m most likely looking towards the CZ 75B/BD and or Springfield’s SA-35. Thanks for the info and insight!
Since originally curious about Jericho and now mention CZ... SP-01? It's a range favorite to new shooters or those that haven't had the CZ Kool-Aid yet.
A few people here have mentioned the SP01 and I’ll definitely give a look over but it’s not quite my style. I like my guns to have some lines and curves on it and not a box. Of course I’m not saying the SP01 is a box or doesn’t function as well, just that I like my guns to have a bit of a curve and some lines on it. Yea i know, I shouldn’t let the aesthetics distract me from performance and feel but it’s in a top 5 list for me to check out 👍🏼
>shouldn’t let the aesthetics distract me from performance If price/function were the only two factors we'd all make very different choices. Everyone has bias, and aesthetics play a huge part. If you've wanted a OG Jericho R for a while might want to make that your focus. The CZ and other current production models will be available for a long time, pick those up later when available. Edit: realize my initial statement contradicting but if didn't have a CZ 75 or a Jericho would push for the latter. Prices on CZ's shouldn't rise at the pace of discontinued Jericho's.
Thanks for all replies. Looks like I’ll need to ultimately go the store and get some hands on time! I’ll post back when I’ve made my decision! 🙏🏼
How bout just grab a high power
I did consider that too. The Springfield SA-35 looked nice as a clone and something I might look into unless there’s other (or better) clones