Suggestions for an Inexpensive 9mm- with Caveats

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35 Whelen

35 Whelen

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I'm sure this has been asked before, but here goes again....with caveats.

I'm not a big semi-auto fan, nor a fan of the 9mm, but figure it'd be a good idea to have one around so I'm looking for suggestions.

The caveats are I'd prefer a model with an external hammer and to have one whose magazines are interchangeable with other models. For example it's my understanding that there's an inexpensive model (CZ-99?) that accepts Beretta magazines and that the CZ-75 also accepts them.
I'm not totally opposed to the Beretta 92, especially the inexpensive police turn-ins, but the sights look a little small to me. Are they?

What about the EAA Witness? I think it uses a proprietary magazine, but from what I've read it's a really good handgun.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

35W
 
My suggestion: HK P30sk. Can use 13 & 15 round HK mags as well as 10 round sk mags & has external hammer. Available in SA and LEM versions.
 
Thanks for the quick response. Should've also mentioned that I want a full size handgun, not a compact or sub.
35W
 
Forget about magazine interchangability between different makes at least. That isn't really a thing.

It is hard to go "wrong" with virtually anything from any major manufacturer today. They are all pretty much reliable, accurate, etc. Get the one that fits you best ergonomically, and allows you to manipulate the controls the best. That is the most important thing.
 
Take a look at the Sig SP2022. You can find the NIB for $400, and they are a great polymer framed Sig with an external hammer and decocker. Think of it as a polymer framed P226. In fact, I've sold two P226's and kept the Sp2022 as I liked it so much, even more than the P226.

I'd shy away from the Witness. Current production 9mm Witnesses (the steel framed ones) use Tanfoglio's large frame pattern which is excessively big and heavy for the caliber. I've owned a couple older small framed Witnesses (well, one was a TZ-75 but same thing, both made by Tanfoglio with the same parts). They were okay but nothing special in my mind.
 
Witnesses are based on the CZ design. They are NOT clones, at least not the current ones. Very few parts are actually interchangeable, but the design is very similar to the CZs. Parts and whatnot are readily available for both. Between a Witness and a CZ, as mentioned, the single biggest difference is frame size. I have big hands and like the bigger frame of the Witness, but could still shoot a CZ with fat grips if I had to.

You should handle the ones you are considering and see which one fits you best.
 
I have two Witnesses, a 9mm and a 45, and my friend has a CZ75. They are all excellent pistols. I kind of prefer the Witnesses because I have very large hands.

I also have a Beretta 96 and a Taurus 99 (Beretta clone). The sights and triggers are good. I prefer the CZ types because they are all steel, while the Betettas have alloy frames, but the Berettas are definitely good guns.

I also very much like my 1911-inspired 9mm and my Browning High Power clone.

There are a lot of good 9mm pistols out there, and you don't have to pay a lot for one. All of the ones I have mentioned were surplus and/or clones. The most important things in choosing one are how well it fits your hand, and how good the sights and trigger are for you.

If magazines are a big concern, the OP may want to lean towards the Beretta. Those magazines are, in my experience, inexpensive and very easy to find.
 
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I have four EAA Witnesses, a 9mm,10mm,40,45. These are steel frame full size pistols. They are dependable, accurate and excellent pistols in every way. I own Brownings, S&Ws, Glocks and prefer the Witnesses. They are shooter!
 
They are great if you want a heavy, accurate, easy-to-shoot-well pistol. The all steel versions are way too heavy for carry. I don't think the OP specified an exact use case.
 
What's your budget?

I really like the P30L, the Beretta 92, CZ 75B even though it's small for my hands, the Sig 226 and 229, HKUSP, FNX-9, and Sig SP2022.

You may also want to consider a Stoegar Cougar as they offer a full sized grip. I had one and it was a decent gun for the money. A Beretta PX4 Storm would be a nice option too.
 
Trying to keep it <$300. I went to a gun shop to day and they had a Canuk 9mm in the counter for $300. Seemed like an OK pistol, but as ugly as a mud fence.
 
ny32182 said:
They are great if you want a heavy, accurate, easy-to-shoot-well pistol. The all steel versions are way too heavy for carry. I don't think the OP specified an exact use case.
Click to expand...

When I do carry a semi, it's my old Colt Series 70 Gov't Model, which I never considered too heavy. It weighs about 38 oz. unloaded, so the steel EAA Witnesses at 33 oz. wouldn't be a problem.

35W
 
Ah.. most are a bit more than 38oz, but they are way over $300 so probably not part of this conversation anyway.
 
If you're trying to keep it under $300, a lot of people look to the S&W SD9VE if the high trigger pull weight doesn't bug you (but it is striker fired, so may not be your thing). Also, a used Ruger P95 would be a GREAT choice for a hammer fired 9mm.
 
35 Whelen said:
I'm not a big semi-auto fan, nor a fan of the 9mm, but figure it'd be a good idea to have one around so I'm looking for suggestions.
Click to expand...
if your not a 9mm semi auto guy get what you like , you do not have to have a 9mm to be cool ! I own a bunch of guns but not one is a 9mm life is short get what you do like but thats just my opinion
 
It's tough to beat a Beretta. They are robust and accurate. Most police trade ins were probably shot no more often than required for qualification and suffered nothing more than holster wear. If it makes you feel better (and is something I would do), replacing the wear items like the block and recoil spring are easy and very inexpensive.

The 92 has been around in great numbers for 3 decades. Magazines be they surplus or aftermarket are some of the cheapest you can find. It's a solid warhorse that I think will be remembered a bit more fondly as it is phased out.
 
If you are set on a new 9mm with external hammer for $300, I think your options will be the polymer EAA Witness (small frame models), the SAR pistols, the Zastava CZ999 and M88, and the Taurus 809.
 
Not under $300 new but Coles has lots of used Browning Hi Powers and clones for various prices on Gunbroker. I think the FEG clones are going for around $300. They are very solid, all steel pistols.
 
JO JO said:
if your not a 9mm semi auto guy get what you like , you do not have to have a 9mm to be cool ! I own a bunch of guns but not one is a 9mm life is short get what you do like but thats just my opinion
Click to expand...

I have plenty of what I like, the 9mm purchase is something I may need someday, mainly because ammo is so plentiful.


Fiv3r said:
It's tough to beat a Beretta. They are robust and accurate. Most police trade ins were probably shot no more often than required for qualification and suffered nothing more than holster wear. If it makes you feel better (and is something I would do), replacing the wear items like the block and recoil spring are easy and very inexpensive.

The 92 has been around in great numbers for 3 decades. Magazines be they surplus or aftermarket are some of the cheapest you can find. It's a solid warhorse that I think will be remembered a bit more fondly as it is phased out.
Click to expand...

I agree and SOG has some police turn-ins well within my budget, but the sights appear to be on the small side. Is this the case?


MAKster said:
If you are set on a new 9mm with external hammer for $300, I think your options will be the polymer EAA Witness (small frame models), the SAR pistols, the Zastava CZ999 and M88, and the Taurus 809.
Click to expand...

I REALLY like the EAA Witness polymer and especially the SAR. Hopefully I can find one of each to coon and fondle in an effort to solidify my selection.

Thanks a 1,000,000 for all the input guys.

35W
 
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