Selecting a good 9mm Range Shooter…

I have a P7 PSP - accurate doesn't begin to describe it - and I suck at pistol shooting. After that, my Kimber 45 and Glock G17 are also surprisingly accurate

Aren't the HK P7s known to get pretty hot when used at the range/prolonged shooting because of the gas cylinder?

I don't own one, but this has been a common issue with these guns, so I'm not sure it would make a very good range gun.

How about an HK P30?

WOW. I don't want to be coming across as piling on but the first gun that popped into my mind was the Hi-Power.

I would sugggest you check out Cylinder & Slide. They are considered to be the best when it comes to custom tuning the Hi-Power.

http://www.cylinder-slide.com/custom.shtml

For a 1000 bucks I would get a CZ 75b SA only gun. I would probably call up David at CGW (cajungunworks) and tell him I wanted the best SA only 75 he could build me for a 1000 dollars. I think you would be so happy you wouldn't know what you do with your self.

I have a CZ75b with a lot of CGW parts in it and I couldn't be happier.Tho it's my carry gun not just range only and I carry it in double action but if it was for range only without a doubt I would go single action only for the short and smooth trigger pull.

This guy is very good at what he does and his prices are great to, I'd check it out.
http://www.cajungunworks.com/

This way you could have the gun tailored to your wants and would never have to upgrade it.

My 2 best shooting 9mm pistols; STI Trojan 1911 9mm and a Glock G34. STI is box stock except the grips, best shooting pistol I own. The G34 has had the sights replaced and I changed out the trigger and striker spring, good out of the box, great shooter now. Two completely different pistols, Glock and a 1911, as a matter of fact all my DA/SA pistols have been traded away. Except my rimfires, All I have now is a bunch of 1911s and several Glocks. Whatever you decide on, you may want to get a .22 conversion kit for it, trigger time is trigger time.

These closest pistol to the BHP without getting a clone is probably the CZ-75B. The recommendation for the SA is a good one and you can buy one from the custom shop with their trigger job done to the pistol. IMO, it's the only modification you're likely to need.

My two best shooting 9mm's are my Glock 34, and my STI Spartan 9mm 1911.
Couldn't be more different, but I love them both.
I love the BHP, too, but neither of mine is in the league with the Glock or the Spartan.
I do have a ratty Israeli police HP that could make a trip to Novak's, hmmmm...

I'll vote for either the cz 75 or the beretta. Both great range guns.

Aren't the HK P7s known to get pretty hot when used at the range/prolonged shooting because of the gas cylinder?

I don't own one, but this has been a common issue with these guns, so I'm not sure it would make a very good range gun.

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If your idea of range shooting is pulling the trigger as fast as you can with non-stop shooting, then they get hot - and so do many others. The M8 added a plastic heat shield. I shoot for accuracy, so i do not repeatedly fire as fast as possible for any length of time

I sure like my RIA 9mm 1911 "Tactical".
And at about $450, sure won't break the bank.

I don't own one, but this has been a common issue with these guns, so I'm not sure it would make a very good range gun

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This is why I decided to pick up a p7m8 for my first p7. Just paid for it, and will receive tomorrow or friday. I've heard of instances where people got burned by the trigger guard area after a few magazines, so I didn't want to take a chance on a still relatively expensive P7/PSP. Went with a m8 just to reduce the chances of this happening. I still wonder if you can get these guns hot enough to melt the heat shield itself. I guess I'll see for myself how it holds up under regular use, which can be anywhere from 100-200 rounds over 1-1.5 hours or so. I also bought it with 4 magazines and just picked up 3 more that were NIB, so I think I have enough to push the gun a bit. I've never even shot a live round out of a P7, so I don't really know what to expect. Pretty dang excited to say the least!

I'm not too bad of a shot, so I hope it proves to be as accurate and fun to shoot as people say! Whether it is a "good 9mm range shooter" though remains to be seen...

Congrats on your purchase! I'm sure you will be happy with it. I had a PSP w/Night sights that I let the ex wife keep when we separated. Was a great pistol, but it did get pretty toasty after 40 rounds. Wish I had another but they are going for about twice what I paid.

I'm not sure I would use a BHP for a range gun. I love the BHP, a very accurate gun. Do not like mag disc in any guns, personal preference. With the BHP if your shooting more than 1 box it starts to get gritty. The 72 model I have failed the barrel locking lug at 7k rounds. I have since repaired it and did later found out that there were several years with leak bolt lugs. Just my luck. I like the Sig's for range guns, tough as nails and accurate. I have over 15k (4 yrs) though mine and still counting. The 1911 platform will give you the best trigger. The STI is a very good choice for the price range your looking at.

You said you do not want to reload the 9mm. Unless your able to buy it at $11-$12/100 you will save money reloading it. With my current supplies it cost me just over $10.50/100

For JUST a range gun, and you like CZ, I reccomend the CZ SP-01.

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-75-sp-01/

Excellent shooter with the same great ergonomics as the legendary CZ-75. It can be carried if need be, (I conceal one every day), but many think they are a bit big for that. You won't be disappointed.

Bushpilot sadi: I don’t care whether it’s DA/SA or just SA but I’m not looking for a “striker” fire gun.

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Someone responded: I like the G34 or the older G17L,the triggers can be tuned somewhat and with proper ammo,accurate shooters.A good G17 is a nice informal blaster too.

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I'm confused, when did G-Lock start making hammer fired pistols?

I have a G34 and I shoot my 17L more accurately than the G34.

Hey, amoredman! Hope you and the family are doing well. I thought you bought the Phantom, it's another good recommendation.

Yes, I have my Phantom, and it's an excellent pistol, great carry gun. I said SP-01 because he wants just a range pistol. Family is doing fine, thanks for asking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC42QLurfrQ&feature=g-upl

If you read Steven Camps book about Hi-Powers removing the magazine disconnect is so simple even a ham handed primate like me can do it.

sbmohr75 said:

You really need to go to the range and rent as many as possible before making a decision. Just because a given pistol has a good reputation or it feels great while handling it at the LGS does not necessarily mean that you will shoot it well. For example, the HK P30 is very comfortable to me, but I shoot the Beretta 92fs much more accurately even though I do not find it very comfortable. However, I would not have known that if I had not rented the HK P30 (I own a 92fs).

That being said, the most accurate 9mm pistols for me are the CZ SP-01, Beretta 92fs, Sig p228, and Browning Hi power (though I agree the trigger really sucks).

Good luck in your search.

Cheers

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I agree with the HK P30, it feels great in the hand but isn't that accurate.

My favorite range 9mm is an Israeli surplus BHP I got for $375. Had the mag disconnect taken out, put Hogue grips on it and replaced the springs and its like a new gun.

oneounceload said:

If your idea of range shooting is pulling the trigger as fast as you can with non-stop shooting, then they get hot - and so do many others. The M8 added a plastic heat shield. I shoot for accuracy, so i do not repeatedly fire as fast as possible for any length of time

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We all don't have the luxury of sipping martinis between our mag change outs at the range. Some of us even have to rent range time by the hour.

What about something like a Glock 34 or XD-M?

Edit: Oh, ok, no striker guns.

USP, maybe?

I too like the P7M8, but I consider the platform more of a fighting gun than a target/range gun. For a range gun I would lean towards something along the lines of a CZ SP-01 Shadow.

Walther P88, if you can find one.