I Would like some suggestions for a new handgun

[Modifiedbrowning]

FNP or Bersa Thunder 9.

Does anyone know about the Beretta Storm pistols or the FNP 9mm?

I have an FNP-9. I did have an issue with the fire control system cracking, which happened to a certain run of the pistols. FN fixed it and it has been 100% since. The FNP is very Siglike in feel. Mine has a nice trigger in both DA and SA, second only to my Walther P99 out of my polymer pistols.

The Bersa Thunder 9 is a great pistol at a very nice price, usually $350 or so. I have two compacts and one fullsize. All three have been 100% reliable with at least 1K through each. One of the compacts has been my carry gun for about a year now, but is being replaced with my Walther PPS.
My Fullsize has over 5K through it with no problems, 1K of that was with no cleaning or additional lube to test reliabilty. Also the bersas have the best triggers of all my DA/SA pistols.
www.bersafirearmsusa.com
www.bersatalk.com

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

CZ-75 or 85 would be my recommendation. 

You'd have to remove the magazine not-drop-free-spring (not sure the technical name for that part - it's just a flat spring in the back of the mag well that keeps magazines from dropping free).  After that, it'd meet all of your requirements.

[BReilley]

slugcatcher:  I don't think the CZ85 has an ambi mag release.  And my 75 does not drop-free.  The mags bind slightly against the exposed portion of the rubber grip panels inside the frame.  Changing the grip panels will allow them to drop free, I believe.  Perhaps some judicious use of sandpaper as well.

The CZ-85s don't have an ambidextrous mag release, but they do have a *reversible* mag release.  For what it's worth, a friend has an SP-01, and I don't have any trouble operating the mag release when firing lefty, although I don't know what your purpose is in wanting ambidextrous controls.  The CZ-85 Combat does indeed have a drop-free magazine.  I don't believe they should be going for any more than $600, unless you're looking at fancy finishes :)

[roo_ster]

CZ75 stainless.

Yank the little bit of spring steel that prevents the mag from free-falling & you're in business.

Great pistols, BTW.

[vaskidmark]

A vote for either the Bersa Thunder Nine or the Bersa Firestorm 9mm. 

I favor the Firestorm platform.  The safety functions as a decocker, and you can then flick it back down(off) for carry.  The DA/SA trigger is quite managable, and the ergonomics are, IMO, very good.  It has everything you are looking for:
Accurate  Check
Reliable   Check
9mm Check
Ambi safety Check
Ambi mag release Check, if reversable counts
No magazine safety  Check
Drop free magazine  Check
Hi-cap magazines that are reliable and affordable  Check. 17 rounds enough?
DA/SA Check
Under $600  Check

Also, although not mentioned - good customer service  Check
                                        - warranty honored Check

stay safe.

skidmark

[grampster]

Walther P99.  I love mine.

[Hawkmoon]

ParaUSA Carry 9

(Might be over the $600 budget, though.)

[slugcatcher]

ParaUSA Carry 9

(Might be over the $600 budget, though.)

Just slightly out of my price range by a couple hundred $. That's nearly four boxes of ammo at Gander Mountain. It does look nice though. Anyone know if the FNP can take +p and +p+ ammo? I see the Storm can take it a little but not long term. Just curious. It's not a deal breaker.

[zahc]

I often keep a pistol laying around nearby when I am at home (no kids) and not geared up with a holster.  At times at least, I just like having a pistol with a longer/stronger trigger pull.  I like my XD45 and XDM9 too though. 

If it's not safe with an XD/other, it's not safe with anything, IMO. I don't observe different rules of firearm safety depending on design. When I leave loaded guns lying about (typically a 1911) I leave it in a cheap leather holster. It keeps it from sliding about and protects the finish, too.

[Jamisjockey]

I love my CZ-75.  DA/SA.  I used to think like you, but I've realized that I can now carry an automatic in a safety-less condition.  Yank and squeeze.    Er.  Um.  Pull and shoot.    Wait, that's not right either.  Present and fire.  That's it.

I have the option of carrying cocked and locked with it, but I like the simplicity of pull and shoot with the first round.  A little bit of practice, and that first round gets in COM out to 25 feet easily enough.  All the subsequent single action shots are nice and easy too.  It's a function of learning the feel of trigger reset after that first shot.

slugcatcher:  I don't think the CZ85 has an ambi mag release.  And my 75 does not drop-free.  The mags bind slightly against the exposed portion of the rubber grip panels inside the frame.  Changing the grip panels will allow them to drop free, I believe.  Perhaps some judicious use of sandpaper as well.

.

Second the CZ.  Shot a friends 75B once upon a time.  Shot like a very expensive gun.  15 yard groups were amongst the best I've ever shot.

[Ryan in Maine]

At this point I'm only looking at CZ and Springfield, myself. I'd really like a head-to-head comparison of Springfield's XDM and CZ's Phantom. Both have 20 round capacities, which will make for a much more enjoyable trip to the range, in my opinion. They're both very highly thought of internationally. The Springfield has a match grade barrel and the CZ shoots better than guns that cost twice as much.

It's hard to go wrong with either company.

[BMacklem]

I'll also put a plug in for the Berretta PX4 in 9mm.

The only downsides to the PX4 that I have heard of is with the 40 having a bit of "trigger sting" where the trigger is snapping back forward and giving a bit of a snap to the trigger finger.

There seems to be a bit of confusion as to what's causing that, but so far with several hundred rounds through mine, I cannot complain one bit about my 9mm.
Wonderful gun, and I've shot a large range of semi's and revolvers of all types and calibers.

I do like shooting a buddys' 45 long colt now and again though, but way too expensive on the ammo front.

[Regolith]

Doesn't CZ make the XD for springfield?  Or am I confusing it with something else...

[roo_ster]

Doesn't CZ make the XD for springfield?  Or am I confusing it with something else...

The Springer XD comes outta somewhere in Yugoslavia.

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

The Springer XD comes outta somewhere in Yugoslavia.

Is it sad that Eastern Europe makes better guns than we do now?

[Ryan in Maine]

XD's were made in Croatia last time I checked. 

[GigaBuist]

XD's were made in Croatia last time I checked. 

Croatia is part of what used to be Yugoslavia.  Some of us that learned European geography on maps that had more than one Germany lapse every now and again. :)

Regarding the CZ and drop free mags:  Yeah, there's a magazine brake in the mag well in some models that keeps them from just falling out.  It's a pretty simple fix.
- Remove grips
- Remove main spring retaining pin
- Remove magazine brake
- Place magazine brake on smooth concrete floor.
- Beat it flat.
- Trim a bit off so that it fits back in the pistol
- Reassemble.

It's pretty easy.  You can also order a new flat magazine non-break if you don't want to mess up the original.  You don't want to run without anything in there though, it keeps the magazines from hitting the mainspring when loading.