Affordable 9mm options

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Ruger American compact can be found for $350. I think i saw them advertised for $299 recently on Gundeals. Probably the most significant practical difference between the American and the SR9c is that you can get the American without a thumb safety if that’s your preference.
 
I have a S&W SD 9. I don't reload for it but it has handled every brand of ammo I've put in it so far. Although everything has had 115 gr bullets and it's all been the cheapest I can find. It has a double stack mag.

I had the 40 caliber version. I got it used for $199. It hadn't been shot much. I did not like the trigger and eventually traded it towards something else, but it was a reliable and decently accurate pistol. I liked it, other than the trigger.
 
Don't rule out the SAR BP6C. Mine has been totally reliable and very accurate.

Any complaints about this angled point near the web of your hand? I saw one guy on youtube complaining about it irritating his hand.

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I'm a Ruger revolver guy, love the PPQ, so a Canik would get my vote.
 
Not at all. My hands are big ( think XL ) and the feel of the grip for me is excellent. I worked with my hands most of my life making them less sensitive than a lot of folks. Talking SAR BP6 C.
 
I could be talked into a CZ 75 clone pretty easily I think. Do you happen to know the difference between the SAR BP6 C and the SAR K2? Both have 3.8 inch long barrels but the K2 is about 5 ounces heavier K2 have a steel frame?

Edit: K2 has longer grip and a rail
Haven't researched the K2. Looks like you got the info.
 
Just got an email from CDNN advertising the SR9C for $299. That's a hell of a deal.

I have and SR9C. I paid a heck of a lot more for it than that too. For that price I should get another.....

I send to carry it for a couple years, it these days I carry a Shield and the Ruger pulls nightstand duty. I swear thought that the Ruger is one of my most accurate pistols.

Jeff
 
Any complaints about this angled point near the web of your hand? I saw one guy on youtube complaining about it irritating his hand.

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I use to have that sar. It does have a ridge that runs along the frame right there. If I shot thumbs forward the ridge had a tendency rub on my thumb on my strong hand. It's funny because I have the full size model of the same gun and it isn't as noticeable.
 
My take on the cheap nines is that almost everything about them is mediocre - trigger, sights, finish...

If the Walther Creed has a nice trigger then it is ahead of the pack.

If you want REALLY cheap, you can get a Taurus G2C or PT111 for under 100 dollars.

The trigger is below average though and the finish is probably less durable than using Rustoleum that you could purchase at the hardware store, although for a few bucks more you can get them with a stainless steel slide.

I don't really like my Taurus Millennium G2 PT111, but I haven't had any malfunctions with it. It mostly sits in a GHB in the trunk of my car. One nice thing about it is that it uses Sig P226 magazines and Mec-Gar makes a 20-round magazine for the P226.
 
The yellow gunk is Meguiar's Gold Class Carnauba Plus Premium Paste Wax. I wax the metal parts to help prevent rust so I'm not too concerned if a little extra wax stays on the slide. But anyway - this is the little Taurus Millennium G2 PT111 with a 20-round magazine in it.


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Here is my stainless version. Personally, I don't feel that the trigger is "bad", just unusual. I would use it for CC or HD with no worries. I prefer my Glock Model 26, but not by a whole lot, and the Glock costs more than twice as much.

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I have pretty much everything recommended on this thread so far. My few under $300 I carry throughout the year are the below in no particular order.

The sar b6pc compact in stainless. You can get these for $260 shipped on GB. It doesnt bother my smaller hands and I ride high on the grip. A similar EAA can be had for a few bucks more if that's a concern.. Nice nice nice!

Ruger sr9c in stainless. Love mine... Like a laser in my worthless hands and the trigger is great for a dao pistol. I found mine used last year for $240 in like new shape. Ruger makes a damn fine product.

And always one of the favorites the S&W SD9ve. The long dao revolver like trigger is something to get used to but it really isn't a big deal. I have a spring kit in mine. It's almost always taken to the range when I go and it is my Bedroom pistol.

Surplus full size FEG Browning Hi-power clone. So slim and so easy to conceal. Cdi sales used to sell these as surplus but dwjimports on Gunbroker has taken over for them. These are proven duty pistols and right around the $300 mark. Mostly worn off finishes at this price range but I like that and ceracote is cheap enough. Certianly the BHP is a fine gun that is easy to conceal and parts and mags are fairly cheap.

If you can find it ,the Taurus pt809c. I really like this pistol a lot. Its very nice. Nice hammer fired compact that can run the larger 809fs mags if need be.
The New version of this compact is the TH9c and they can be had for under $300 on gb. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/794210046
I have the pt809fs as well and even though its a bit bigger I could still conceal it with no issues especially in the winter months.
I have the Taurus pt111 compact as well but I'd almost always go to the 809c for the excellent trigger alone. All of the above Taurus hammer fired guns need to be broken in with hotter ammo from my experience but they are good to go.

I have carried my Ruger p95 as well but its a bit on the chunky side but man is it a solid tank of a handgun.
 
So many good suggestions ,but for around $350 you are talking S&W M&P, Ruger SRc .
I prefer the Glock 26, but that costs close to $500 retail brand new.
 
Count me as another that couldn't recommend the SR9c enough.
Fits great in my hands (I wear medium gloves) and the 17-round SR9 mags will make it fit great for larger, you can't really find much thinner, and it's a heck of a deal at $300. Even more so if you find them cheaper used.
Reasonably nice sights. Best trigger in a striker I've used, too, though keep in mind I haven't kept up with those as much as many of the guys around.
 
Here is my stainless version. Personally, I don't feel that the trigger is "bad", just unusual.
I bought one sight unseen for under $200.

Calling the trigger "unusual" is like calling Stalin "misunderstood"...

My BIL bought one as well and I shot it the other day when I shot his CZ. His trigger is worse than mine.

It's like having a double-set trigger. You begin your pull, then half an inch later, you encounter a wall of about a pound or so, then about 3/8" later, a light and crisp 4 pound pull.

If it wasn't for that awful trigger, it would be a great little pistol.

Ergonomics are amazing, it hits where you naturally point, has never hiccuped, and 10 rounds for its size is impressive.

I bought the blued slide version and it is not a durable finish.

It fell out of my jacket pocket at the range onto some gravel and suffered a couple of nicks down to the metal.

Did the same thing with my S&W M&P40c a couple of months later (I'm getting old and clumsy i guess) and no damage to the M&P.

Guy at the local gun shop says you can take it apart and file down some part that will eliminate the "clicking".

Will attempt that soon, and coat the slide, as it really does have a lot of potential.
 
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