[ruger270man]

Is there such a thing? I'm going to the local gun shop, and I feel like buying a handgun today...

ruger maybe :confused:

size doesnt really matter, nothing massive, nothing tiny, just something to take to the range and have fun, I'll get a Bersa 380 in a few months for carry

[cxm]

I bought a new CZ75b for $279 a few years ago... if you look around you may still find a deal there.

FWIW

Chuck

[Rockstar]

Used Glock for $299.

[ruger270man]

so I should get a used gun? what should I look for in a used gun, what are typical problem areas?

maybe I should save another couple weeks and get a new XD..

damnit I want one now :cuss:

[TheStook]

i HIGHLY recomend a new sw9gve or sw9ve. Should be able to find a dealer who can give you a new one for $300 even. Just go hold one in your hand and compare to the other polymers. If the XD feels better in your hand you might want to save for one. But for $100-$200 less you could get the sw9ve, and it gets a GLOWING recommendation from me. If you have any questions about it or just want links to threads or articles done by other ve owners email me.

Buy what fits your hand naturally.

[ruger270man]

i HIGHLY recomend a new sw9gve or sw9ve. Should be able to find a dealer who can give you a new one for $300 even. Just go hold one in your hand and compare to the other polymers. If the XD feels better in your hand you might want to save for one. But for $100-$200 less you could get the sw9ve, and it gets a GLOWING recommendation from me. If you have any questions about it or just want links to threads or articles done by other ve owners email me.

Buy what fits your hand naturally.


just looked at them online, wow, NICE. I'm going to give a few shops a call to see who has em.

[BryanP]

A used Ruger p89 or P95 would probably fit the bill.

[TheStook]

Just make sure its a VE or GVE, those are the good ones. I have heard bad stuff about getting lemons of the 90's version of the guns, the F series, so shy away from those.

I have had a 40VE for well over 2000 rds without a problem. Some complain about the trigger being too heavy. I put a new striker spring in mine, for the enormous cost of $3, and after breaking in the new spring the trigger is alot lighter. All i can say is i have shot quite a few pistols, and i LOVE the VE line.

[ruger270man]

yeah i see mixed reviews on the sw9ve..

hmmm.. im gonna keep looking around on the net , see what i can come up with

[MR.G]

S&w Sw9ve.

[ruger270man]

I do like the looks of the sw

[Ukraine Train]

I have an Arcus 98C, it was $240 new. I like it a lot. I put about 2k rounds through it without a problem. Though last weekend I had a couple FTE's but I think I just need to clean it, it's been a long while. I've also heard good things about Steyrs, I think they're around $300 or less maybe.

[cookekdjr]

1. Used Taurus Beretta 92 clone. Lifetime Warranty, even used.
2. Rugers. Built like a tank and very reliable. Downside: built like a tank.
3. Steyr M9- very underated pistol with a cult-like following.
4. EAA Witness (CZ clones). Most folks love them, but there are occassional lemons. Not quite as polished as the CZ.
5. CZ polymer pistols from CDNN. Not sure if they are as good as the steel versions, which are comparable to Sigs in quality.

I would suggest a Makarov, but that's basically a .380, which you are planning to buy anyway.
Good luck,

David

[Scottmkiv]

Arcus 94, a great Hi-Power Clone.

[TMM]

Hi-point
used Glock
Taurus

but- why MUST you get a 9mm right NOW? why not just look around on the net, see that you like, see the prices, etc...

~TMM

[Double Maduro]

Two that come to mind.

Ruger P95
Bulgarian Mak

Both reliable, accurate, and within your budget.

Before you buy, you should go to a range and rent one of each you are considering, run a box of shells through each and pick the one you shoot best.

Let us know what you decide.

DM

[armoredman]

CZ40P from J&G, a CZ PO1 frame with CZ40 slide, and excellent pistol at a steal of a price, $299. Brand new, full warantees, CZ quality, etc. It is a 40SW, not a 9mm, but I thought I'd suggest it....

Or, look for a used CZ75 of any flavor, or a EAA Witness. Sometimes you can get screaming deals from gun shops who hate "Eurotrash", as one dealer called it. She didn't like it when I outshot her with my "Eurotrash" Witness 40....

Star BM, about $125-175 each, get two, one for parts. Great little single action signle stack 9mm, but no company support.

[Souris]

Look around for an FEG P9

It is a Hungarian copy of the browning high power but it is DA/SA instead of SA/SA.

I got mine several years ago and have put ~5 or 6 thousand rounds thru it with no problems. I see them for ~300 dollars.

[Pilot]

Steyr M-9. CDNN still has some left at $299.

[The Drew]

I'm gonna vote for ruger p95 if you're going new... Rock solid... comes in right at $300 locally...

used, you've got lots of choices...

[C-grunt]

+1 for the Ruger P95....my friends is unholy accurate!

Also the Kel Tec P11 and the Taurus Millenium are excellent pistols

[Chuck Perry]

At the last gunshow, a dealer had the aforementioned Smith and Wessons for $309 out the door. That was a brand new pistol with two high caps, tax and transfer included! Wish I had had the extra scratch, would've picked up a 9mm version to tinker with. Nice looking pistol.

[TheStook]

They always seem to pop up for real cheap when i don't have money.
A couple times i have seen brand new SW9VE's for $270, but i was hard up for cash so still dont have one.

Still looking for one right now. If i can find one that can be in my hand for $300 than my sw40ve will have a twin in 9mm.

[Longbow]

But if you must get one now, I recommend the Steyr M9.

[Rem700]

Why not buy something now in 9mm and skip the .380 next month?

[Javelin Man]

+1 on the Kel-tec for $250 give or take a little bit.

A Hi-Point will run you about $100 which leaves you $200 for all the ammo you'd want to shoot!

Many options out there and many have been posted. Good luck making up your mind. :)

[Jim101]

Get a used S&W 6906, like I did, great gun........
OR
(3) Hi-Point 9mm......I have one of those also....

Jim

[albanian]

If I were going to get a 9mm for under $300, I would look for used. You get more bang for the buck on a used gun. Go to a good gunshop that has a good rep of treating people well and you should be okay. If they sell you a lemon, they should take it back (but the probably won't). Stick with the guns that have a good rep and you should do well. I wouldn't buy a used gun that has a spotty rep like the Sigma or a Taurus auto (the Beretta clone is good but the other may be risky). For less than $300, you may be able to get a decent police trade in S&W like the 5906 or similar. You should have no problem getting a used Ruger for less than $300 but I would pick a S&W over a Ruger just because they are a little more refined. They will probably be a little more accurate and have better triggers but that is not certain.

Check out CDNN, they had a lot of really nice guns for good prices. I saw a slightly used P93 for less than $300 and a Beretta 92 DAO for under $300. If you can find a Beretta in your price range, go with that!

I got a SA XD-9 a few weeks ago and I am happy with it. I debated between it and a Glock 19. I went to a store recently and checked out a G-19 to see what I thought after owning the XD-9 and I am still happy with the XD. The G-19 is a lot lighter but it does not feel very good in the hand. The XD feels great compared to the Glock.

If you really want an XD, save up and get it. A couple of weeks will pass before you know it and you will be happier because you are getting something you really want and not just settling for something. The XD is every bit the equal of the Glock and for the price, it is a heck of a good deal. Mine is accurate and easy to shoot.

[ruger270man]

okay..

well I dont need a pistol right away.. dont worry, I'm not in harms way :D

I'm just bad with money and when I get something in my head, it stays there.. but I took a few deep breaths, and starting reading up on a few things..

oh.. and I went and applied for my CCW yesterday, so now I'm excited to carry.. so I'm going with something a little smaller..

Tomorrow I'm going to the local gun shop and ordering a Bulgy Mak through southern ohio gun :D :D :D

I was a little weary at first because of the 9x18, but its not much more expensive than 9x19, and I've yet to hear something bad about makarovs.

And it will be reliable enough to take to the range on a regular basis, yet small enough to carry comfortably every day! :D and at only $150 + transfer and shipping, I'll have an extra benjamin to spend on ammo :neener:

Sure it doesnt have the flash or looks of a new midsize gun, but this is probably the smartest choice for me right now... and I can pass on that bersa 380 next month as well, and save up for a nice fullsize.. probably a CZ :p

So, either way, I'm excited..

btw, is there a waiting period in PA on pistols?

[Double Maduro]

ruger270man,

Congrats on the Mak decision, I relly like mine.

Before you buy one you should see if a local range has one to rent. You may not like the feel or the sites or the grips or something. (My grand daughter is the only person I know who doesn't like shooting mine, she says she can see the slide cycle and it worries her).

Now while you are waiting for your Mak to get here, go to www.makarov.com
and download the manual for it.

While you are there download the detail stripping instructions (may be the same doc, maybe not, I can't remember).



When your Bulgy finally gets here, put your tea kettle on.

While you are waiting for the water to boil detail strip the Mak, follow the directions you downloaded, it is pretty easy.

Put all the pieces, I think there are 27 of them, except the grips, in a coffee can, add a lot of dish soap and pour in the boiling water.

By the time the water is cool enough for you to put your hands in, most of the cosmoline will have melted off of the metal parts.

Pour out the water, not in the sink.

Next, clean the pieces with a good solvent, PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FIRING PIN AND CHANNEL. If the firing pin sticks the Mak may fire when you chamber a round and may go full auto.

Now give everything a nice light coat of lube and put it back together. I have fired mine when it was almost bone dry and it worked fine, so a light coat of lube is all you need.

Then go to the range and shoot the heck out of it.

www.makarov.com is the best web site for Makarovs that I have found.

Let us know when it gets here and how you like it.

DM

[ruger270man]

thanks double, good advice.

I was planning on stripping it right away and cleaning it, but I liked that you provided a walk through..

any decent solvent like Hoppes is okay??

[Double Maduro]

Ruger270man,

Yep, any good solvent, just to make sure you have all the cosmoline out of it, especially the firing pin channel. Then make sure you put a light coat of lube on all the metal pieces to guard against rust.

It only took me about 15 minutes to detail strip and about 20 to put back together, the instructions are that good.

Glad I was able to help.

DM

[New_geezer]

If you're just trying to scratch an itch at least check out a Walther P-1 if you can. Basically the same as a P-38. Classic design, piece of history, fun plinker, conversation piece at the range. Check out the gun's history at p38forum.com. Interesting reading at the least.

[DirksterG30]

Ruger270man,

There is no waiting period on pistols in PA - every pistol I bought I let with same day.

[ruger270man]

dirkster..

thanks.. I actually learned this just a little while ago.. on the brady campaign website nonetheless :neener:

so they DO serve a purpose :p

[Jedi_7.62]

Excellent decision!

Only one thing to consider they are heavy so at times they aren't the most comfortable to carry.

Tho I do carry my Russian 90% of the time.

I've never stripped mine down to 20 some pieces.
Pull off the slide the spring and the grips. This will enable you to clean the whole thing.

Of course mine didn't come packed in cosmoline so you probably should the first time. I have 1,000 + rounds through mine and I'd pick her over many guns 10x more expensive.

[seansean]

+1 on the ruger p89, got mine used for $269.00, very reliable

[StephenT]

Good choice with the Bulgarian mak, you won't be disappointed. I shot mine yesterday and had zero problems with it as usual. Great gun!

Afterwards, if you're still in the market for a 9X19 (you know you want one), CDNN's Steyr M9 for $299 is tough to beat. It comes with two 10-rounders and two 14-rounders. I don't have the M9, but I do own an M40 and S9, both of them excellent guns. With the Steyr, you get a new gun.

A very nice S&W 9mm is the 39-2. I got mine used through gunbroker.com for $290, including shipping and FFL transfer. Many of them in that price range seem to be pretty beat up, but I managed to net one in mint condition. Keep your eyes open for a "no-reserve" auction on gunbroker.

The Star 9mms sell for well below $300 as well. Some are pretty worn out; others in good shape. It's best to check out several at a gun show and go with the best one. When I buy a used gun, I make sure that the slide-to-frame isn't sloppy, that the magazine clicks firmly into place and that the slide stays consistently open on an empty magazine, and that the trigger pull is smooth.

[ruger270man]

Stephen..

I'll look into the Steyr..

but as far as the Star.. I've always wanted one, but I'm turned off by the low availability of readily available parts..

definitely not a problem with the mak