Best current production 9mm handgun under $700, what would you suggest? I don't get what so hard about that. Just give your suggestion. Since he didn't specify what role it was for just state one that could fit multiple roles or just state the one you like best. The criteria is limited so lots of guns fit. Let's not overthink this one guys
Best current production 9mm
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TomJ
Contributing Member
The term "embarrassment of riches"comes to mind, in that we're fortunate to have so many great options. I'll place another vote for the CZ 75 compact with an alloy frame. It's small and light enough to conceal well, big enough to shoot comfortably during extended range sessions, accurate, reliable and holds 14 +1 with the option to use 17 round magazines.
That a very good point about having so many great choices, sadly I never got on board with the CZs when they were a little more affordable. I still want one but lately my shift has been going towards SA CZ designs such as the Tactical Sport. What I would really like to find is an older Sphinx AT2000S but they are not easy to find and are rather pricey.
Tcruse
Member
The Shield is OK for what it is. The SD9VE would be hard to describe as "good" for any use but it is cheap with about the same performance as a Hi Power.
My personal opinion is that Glock 17 or 19 is best in that with available cheap parts/accessories, such as trigger connectors in the $20 range to make the trigger behave to your personal desire. They just always go bang when needed.
Canik TP9 is very close to the Glock at a much lower price point but still quality product (made in Turkey)
Steyr is also a close Glock-like gun.
Ruger SR-9 (and SR-9E) are also top tier guns.
S&W M&P 2.0 is getting good reviews, the 1.0 version had accuracy problems and less than good trigger (but fixable with 3rd party triggers)
And any "best" discussion would have to include the 1911 pattern gun.
I can't make the shots past 15 yards with my G-19 like I can with a lot of my other guns, but I can't say that I practice a lot with the 19 out past that distance. I have my G-17 and a G-21 that shoots fine out to about 15 yards, and the 21 can hit out to about 25 yards. I have a Sig P226 in .40, an STI Trojan 9mm 1911 and a CZ 75B 9mm that all shoot great out out to 25 yards, which is what I'd want for what are primarily range guns in the first place.
Its the stupid finger grooves..
19 is the one glock I hate more than any other due to the placement of the grooves. My wife likes it but she is petite with bony ol lady hands.. (sssh!)
I guess it's a bit of relief that it sounds like I'm not the only one.
Not petite or bony...and I am old with corrective lenses. Started shooting the wife's G19 and it shoots as good as this G17, so I bought another 19 for me. I've coached newbies and you would be surprised (maybe not) how poor their technique and choice of ammo is. The first thing they did was blame the pistols (Glock). YMMV
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Hokie_PhD
Member
Really?
The reviews on the SD9VE I've read by people who actually have used them are excellent. The biggest complaint is the trigger but I've also seen similar complaints about many other guns costing a lot more. Several Glocks come to mind.
I've shot the SD9VE and while it's not the best pistol out there as far as fit and finish it's one of the best values for the money. And yes it's an accurate gun. With a trigger job the concensusus is that it's better than many guns costing a lot more that also need trigger upgrades and I agree.
Stock it's a fun gun to shoot. A few inexpensive mods and it only gets better.
Personally I'd recommend it to someone who has never had a gun, first for them to see if they like shooting without spending a lot. And second so they can learn what they want and need.
So I'd even go so far as to say that for some it's the best first pistol for some. And believe it or not I'm thinking about recommending one to my own mom!
Lycidas Janwor
Member
GLOCK 23 PEOPLE!!!!
WHY: You can put a 9mm barrel in it and shoot 9mm ammo! Let me say that again: YOU CAN DROP A GLOCK 19 BARREL IN IT, AND SHOOT 9MM AMMO OUT OF IT. You don't even need a conversion barrel! Personally, I have a conversion barrel because they are better barrels but my friend has a Gen 4 G19 and I took it to the range and pulled the G19 barrel out and put it in my Gen 3 G23 and it shot GREAT.
GEN 3 G13 is also the cheapest Glock available. BOOOM!!
GEN 3 G23 can shoot TWO calibers with same mag: 40S&W and .357 Sig, both use same mag (although Glock labels one the .40 and the other .357, they are the same mag). AND, if you have to use a .40 mag, it WILL WORK with 9mm ammo. It's not recommended, but the gun will shoot.
So, in essence, the G23 is the most flexible gun in the Glock platform and if you buy the Gen 3, it's the cheapest! You can buy conversion barrels for 9mm and .357 Sig and you can also just do stuff like, oh, drop a G22 barrel in it, or a G17 barrel in it and shoot it.
Anyhow, my 2 cents.
WHY: You can put a 9mm barrel in it and shoot 9mm ammo! Let me say that again: YOU CAN DROP A GLOCK 19 BARREL IN IT, AND SHOOT 9MM AMMO OUT OF IT. You don't even need a conversion barrel! Personally, I have a conversion barrel because they are better barrels but my friend has a Gen 4 G19 and I took it to the range and pulled the G19 barrel out and put it in my Gen 3 G23 and it shot GREAT.
GEN 3 G13 is also the cheapest Glock available. BOOOM!!
GEN 3 G23 can shoot TWO calibers with same mag: 40S&W and .357 Sig, both use same mag (although Glock labels one the .40 and the other .357, they are the same mag). AND, if you have to use a .40 mag, it WILL WORK with 9mm ammo. It's not recommended, but the gun will shoot.
So, in essence, the G23 is the most flexible gun in the Glock platform and if you buy the Gen 3, it's the cheapest! You can buy conversion barrels for 9mm and .357 Sig and you can also just do stuff like, oh, drop a G22 barrel in it, or a G17 barrel in it and shoot it.
Anyhow, my 2 cents.
Lycidas Janwor
Member
Its the stupid finger grooves..
19 is the one glock I hate more than any other due to the placement of the grooves. My wife likes it but she is petite with bony ol lady hands.. (sssh!)
Take a Demel, dremel off finger grooves. DONE.
I haven't had a chance to shoot the RIA in question but generally speaking I have to second the idea, 1911 is definitely one of my favorite platforms for 9mm. It's incredible how the weight and ergonomics tame the already mild recoil. In my book Caspian double stack is an ideal compromise between frame width and magazine capacity for 9mm, but unless compatible Norinco clones count, they're way out of OP's budget. Many other configurations aren't so there's plenty of choice out there.
chardin
Member
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One thing I love about my Glock is that an X-Acto knife and a Dremel tool are viable tools for gunsmithing the frame.
RA40
Member
Back when I was considering a budget level semi I played with the SD9VE ~$400 at that particular shop. Totaled up an Apex trigger addition and then one shop listed the Sig 2022 for $450. Played/shot both and the SD9VE in stock form was passable, wasn't wowing. The Sig felt right for my hands so put the name in for the 2022 in 9mm. That one has worked in nicely, I like shooting it over the 229 Enhanced Elite. The guys at the range were a bit surprised that the 2022 trigger is factory, they thought I'd had some internal polishing done. At this lower price point the sample 2022 I have is quite nice. Added some night sights a bit back. CA doesn't get anything new so among the choices that are available this is a good option.
I'm pretty sure that I'd like the S&W M&P 2.0, HK VP9 and Sig P320.
I'm pretty sure that I'd like the S&W M&P 2.0, HK VP9 and Sig P320.
NWcityguy2
Member
I'm jumping in this thread a bit late, and I'll admit that I haven't read all the responses. Here are my views on the subject of "best current production 9mm", in no particular order...
1. The competition is fierce in the market, and small difference can and should put one gun over another.
2. Magazine cost matters.
3. The trigger should be better than average.
4. There should be after market accessories for it.
5. The grip should have meaningful texturing.
6. The gun shouldn't be judged just by how it comes out of the box, but how it can be modified without much hassle.
7. The gun should be fast to shoot.
8. It shouldn't rust easily.
9. It should have replaceable front and rear sights.
With that said, I personally prefer guns that can be shot cocked and locked. People who worry about guns with perpetually cocked hammer are lacking confidence in their own ability to control their trigger finger. I also prefer guns that either have for than 4" of barrel length for range use, or less than that for carry. Now, I haven'y shot every gun, but my favorite production gun is a CZ P-09, which hits on all those points except for magazine cost.
1. The competition is fierce in the market, and small difference can and should put one gun over another.
2. Magazine cost matters.
3. The trigger should be better than average.
4. There should be after market accessories for it.
5. The grip should have meaningful texturing.
6. The gun shouldn't be judged just by how it comes out of the box, but how it can be modified without much hassle.
7. The gun should be fast to shoot.
8. It shouldn't rust easily.
9. It should have replaceable front and rear sights.
With that said, I personally prefer guns that can be shot cocked and locked. People who worry about guns with perpetually cocked hammer are lacking confidence in their own ability to control their trigger finger. I also prefer guns that either have for than 4" of barrel length for range use, or less than that for carry. Now, I haven'y shot every gun, but my favorite production gun is a CZ P-09, which hits on all those points except for magazine cost.
Elkins45
Member
CZ PCR or P-07 would be my choices, with the Beretta PX4 also near the top.
M&P if you want striker fired. I own a Glock 19 (Gen 2) but I'm not a fan. Blocky, bad grip angle. Later generations with the finger groves are even worse IMO. It is the very compact, however. The CZ P-07 is exactly the same size but I like it much better.
The one big thing Glock has going for it is the cheapness of magazines and the great amount of available accessories.
M&P if you want striker fired. I own a Glock 19 (Gen 2) but I'm not a fan. Blocky, bad grip angle. Later generations with the finger groves are even worse IMO. It is the very compact, however. The CZ P-07 is exactly the same size but I like it much better.
The one big thing Glock has going for it is the cheapness of magazines and the great amount of available accessories.
Taurus PT-111. At around $200, no one can match it on price and while quality isn't quite as good as some other brands, it does have a liftime warranty and fairly responsive customer service.
I know that will generate a lot of derisive comments, but the OP's question asked what was "best" and I weigh price very highly in my evaluation. Afer all if you can't afford to buy it in the first place, it doesn't matter what else it does or how "good" it does it.
I know that will generate a lot of derisive comments, but the OP's question asked what was "best" and I weigh price very highly in my evaluation. Afer all if you can't afford to buy it in the first place, it doesn't matter what else it does or how "good" it does it.
I agree for $200 the pt 111 is a great option and you probably can't beat it in that price range, but the op said under $700 which can get you much better quality and options
DOES NOT EXIST!
There is no perfect 9m.m. because people are different. I have carried the BERETTA, GLOCK, H&K and SIG on duty and own and have carried the SPRINGFIELD ARMORY XD and WALTHER P99 off duty.
My favorite shooting 9m.m. are the SIG 225 (original) and BERETTA 92dm in that order. Why, because both are single column magazine guns and that results in a thinner grip. I like the SIG the most because the grip shape is a nearly perfect fit for my hand.
As far a reliability goes, they are all good. Some are more accurate, BERETTA in my experience, but not by much. Try different models by renting at a gun range or borrowing a friend's gun. Whichever shoots the best and is the most comfortable is the best gun (for you).
If you are looking for a good gun for the money, try the STOEGER Cougar. This is the old BERETTA 8000 Cougar series, but made in TURKEY instead of ITALY. In my area, one of the big gun range/stores sells the Cougar for $299.00. It is well made and reliable. BERETTA dropped it as they already had the 92/96 series, the awful 9000 series and were planning a line of plastic framed pistols for the future, the STORM series. So the Cougar was dropped and then made by STOEGER (owned by BERETTA) in TURKEY to cut costs.
Jim
There is no perfect 9m.m. because people are different. I have carried the BERETTA, GLOCK, H&K and SIG on duty and own and have carried the SPRINGFIELD ARMORY XD and WALTHER P99 off duty.
My favorite shooting 9m.m. are the SIG 225 (original) and BERETTA 92dm in that order. Why, because both are single column magazine guns and that results in a thinner grip. I like the SIG the most because the grip shape is a nearly perfect fit for my hand.
As far a reliability goes, they are all good. Some are more accurate, BERETTA in my experience, but not by much. Try different models by renting at a gun range or borrowing a friend's gun. Whichever shoots the best and is the most comfortable is the best gun (for you).
If you are looking for a good gun for the money, try the STOEGER Cougar. This is the old BERETTA 8000 Cougar series, but made in TURKEY instead of ITALY. In my area, one of the big gun range/stores sells the Cougar for $299.00. It is well made and reliable. BERETTA dropped it as they already had the 92/96 series, the awful 9000 series and were planning a line of plastic framed pistols for the future, the STORM series. So the Cougar was dropped and then made by STOEGER (owned by BERETTA) in TURKEY to cut costs.
Jim
ColoradoShooter77
Member
HK VP-9, typically around $600 right now. HK's are flat out awesome pistols.
Glock 19.
I am sure you can find a more expensive 9mm, but the Glock is the best of the lot.
Here is why:
They are inexpensive.
Any gunsmith in America can work on your Glock.
Your Glock will never need a gunsmith.
Parts are available.
Custom sights are available.
This pistol is so common that every leather manufacturer makes a carry rig for it.
Magazines are inexpensive and available.
It is accurate, rugged and reliable.
Buy one used. They do not wear out.
Spend your money on ammo.
I am sure you can find a more expensive 9mm, but the Glock is the best of the lot.
Here is why:
They are inexpensive.
Any gunsmith in America can work on your Glock.
Your Glock will never need a gunsmith.
Parts are available.
Custom sights are available.
This pistol is so common that every leather manufacturer makes a carry rig for it.
Magazines are inexpensive and available.
It is accurate, rugged and reliable.
Buy one used. They do not wear out.
Spend your money on ammo.
ColoradoShooter77
Member
If you've got 7 bills to spend, why not go top tier like HK, Sig, or Walther? Much smoother, more refined gun, with much better triggers, compared to Glock.
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