Advice on 9 mm

Status
Not open for further replies.

Pukindog12

Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2011
Messages
186
I am basically a revolver guy although I have owned semi-autos and do currently own semi-autos. I now want to purchase a good quality semi-auto. I really would like a 45 or 357 Sig but cost of gun and primarily ammo cost is prohibitive. I have shunned 9 mm through the years with a passion but upon reflection may have been neglecting myself of some fine pistols. I have been doing some homework and I am leaning towards a CZ or a Bersa in 9 mm.

The criteria is:

1. Between $400 - $600.
2. Reliable with good customer service.
3. Aesthetically pleasing. (For this reason I prefer not a Glock. I know that is anal.)
4. Good track record.
5. This will also be for CCW.

Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated! Many thanks in advance.

I also posted this on TFL and am doing so here to increase the input I may receive. Once again, many thanks.
 
The Bersa meets your criteria, at least in my experience. I have three Bersa 9mms and all three have been 100% reliable. My fullsize has over 5K through it and is still going strong. Also, they all have very nice triggers in both DA and SA.
Check out www.bersachat.com for more info.
 
Springfield Armory XDm Compact! With the shorter mag you get a great CCW. With the full size magazine and grip extension you get a nearly full size service pistol with a "Match Grade" barrel. It's like owning 2 guns in one. The interchangeable backstraps will allow you to fit the pistol to your hand. Plus, being a revolver guy you will like the trigger as it is single action only and can be made to be outstanding with a trigger mod later.;)
 
Sounds like you are looking for a Walther P99 AS (or P99c AS for something a little more concealable).
 
H&K P7 PSP. Clean-running, 4" fixed barrel. Customer service may be limited.
 
Smith and Wesson M&P 9 compact.

Compact mag = 12 rounds
Full size mag= 17 rounds
Extended mag = 23 rounds

It's small enough to carry in your pocket and can also be made into a killer range gun.
 
Just close your eyes and buy a Glock 36 the best performing .45 caliber pistol ever made, Lightweight, compact and you know it's going to work because it's a Glock! That's my choice.
 
I also shunned the 9mmx19 since selling a BHP around 1980. A couple of years ago with the rising cost of ammo ( I shoot .45 ACP 1911 & S&W 625 I looked at various 9mmx19 platforms. I got a CZ 75B and am very
satisfied with it's reliability, accuracy, ease field stripping and
the grip shape for me is great. The design came out in '75 of course
so it's a proven performer and good customer service at CZ USA
or Angus's Ghost Holsters CZ Custom shop.

For CCW I'd agree the PCR sounds like a good option. But I'd
carry the 75B - my daily carry is a full size 1911

Randall
 
Welcome to the world of 9mms!! I think you'll like it here.

Some great advice already posted...go with what fits your hand well, to include ease of controls use.

I liked the compact S&W MP9 when I got a chance to hold/fire it.
 
Just got back form Bass Pro Shop after traveling 80 miles. I latched onto a Stoeger Cougar 8000 for $429 OTD before taxes. It was the last one they had. Seems like they can't keep them in stock very long, at least going by what they say. But I can believe it because this was a SOB to find.

If this firearm fires half as good as it looks, fits in my hand, and how tight the action is I will be ecstatic. :D

Anyhow, many thanks to the many great suggestions and advice put out there. They are very much appreciated. ;) This forum is great! :cool:

Once I and gun hit the range I hope to give a follow up report. Once again, many thanks!
 
Another vote for cz pcr. I have about 2200 rds through mine, 1 FTF in 1st 500 rds while inexperienced wife was shooting it. Fired over 1K rounds without cleaning or lubing just to see if I could make it hickup. It didn't. Ergos are great IMO, everything is located perfectly. Very accurate and controllable.
 
Your number 3 doesn't belong on the list. The rest of your list does equate to a Glock pistol. The bad guy doesn't care if your gun is pretty. When concealed, no one is going to see it. After a while your holster is going to wear on that "pretty". Instead of being anal, think practical.

You need to want something that is going to go bang every time. Plenty of non-Glock choices for this too (to be honest). But there are an awful lot of folks, agencies, and armies that have proven what works.

Good luck with your choice.
 
I think putting the CZ and the Bersa in the same category is a fatal error. Bersa makes a decent gun but everything I've handled and shot from CZ has been substantially better than everything I've shot that Bersa makes.

+1 on the PCR or other compact from CZ.

I will add, that those Stoeger Cougars are pretty decent guns. I've considered getting one for some time but haven't found one for a price that made me jump on it.
 
Bersa's got a good one for ccw - small, reliable, exposed hammer/decocker, means u can have one in the tube, decock, i think 10 rounds? basically awesomeness. I'm lookin at a p95 which is considerably larger than a bersa, and holds 15 rounds, not for ccw tho.
 
i disagree with the above commentor that CZ is substantially better than bersa, i've shot both and i lean the other way. So mixed things there. Just to give the OP a little more perspective. I'd go as far as to say bersa's are the best kept secret in the semi auto pistol world. Made in argentina though. At least it's not china lol.
 
+1 Stoeger Cougar 8000, great weapon system, mine ran perfect for many thousands of rounds. I traded mine for a G17 only because I didn't want to deal with DA to SA on the second shot. Don't be fooled by the armchair borne Rangers out there, the 9mm+P can equal the lighter loaded .357 mag defense rounds. Double Tap offers a 147 gr. GDHP loaded to 1150 FPS out of a 4.5" barrel. It penetrates 17.5" of ballistic gelatin and expands to .70 caliber! You cant argue with that level of performance combined with the mag capacity of a double stack 9mm.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top