Brace yourself. You're about to get a metric ton of suggestions, given the state of the 9mm market right now.
Inexpensive 9mm?
- Thread starter Sneakshot92
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sparkyv
Member
Whoo-eee! There are MANY good options that meet your requirements and budget. Maybe you can narrow down the search with additional requirements?
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Sneakshot92
Member
I was kind of expecting that. i'm already making a list and doing some research.
FL-NC
Member
Used Glock 17 or 19, or Ruger SR9.
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Sneakshot92
Member
Sure. How about a max barrel length of 4 inches.
URIT
Member
I'm going to join others in recommending one of the 9mm S&W Gen3 models. These mostly used handguns were designed for police and military use and engineered to last. Here is a chart that can help to understand all the possible options available... https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/guide-smith-wesson-semi-automatic-models/
If you are leaning toward the inexpensive polymer striker-fired guns, then check out the S&W SD9VE at an online auction site like Gun Broker.
I EDC a model 3953 which is DAO because I carried a revolver on duty for over 3 decades. My favorite range gun is a model 5906 which I had the action stone polished by a gunsmith after watching the 4 part video series "Gunsmithing the S&W 3rd Generation Pistol" by Blubelly2. The 5906 is heavy like my old S&W model 19-4 revolver which is part of the appeal for me.
The Shields are a good value in the used market as many are police trade-ins only used for a few years.
Good luck with your quest and happy shooting!
Note: I edited the 2nd paragraph pistol model from the SW9VE to the newer version SD9VE.
If you are leaning toward the inexpensive polymer striker-fired guns, then check out the S&W SD9VE at an online auction site like Gun Broker.
I EDC a model 3953 which is DAO because I carried a revolver on duty for over 3 decades. My favorite range gun is a model 5906 which I had the action stone polished by a gunsmith after watching the 4 part video series "Gunsmithing the S&W 3rd Generation Pistol" by Blubelly2. The 5906 is heavy like my old S&W model 19-4 revolver which is part of the appeal for me.
The Shields are a good value in the used market as many are police trade-ins only used for a few years.
Good luck with your quest and happy shooting!
Note: I edited the 2nd paragraph pistol model from the SW9VE to the newer version SD9VE.
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LiveLife
Member
3.5" RIA 1911 9mm in FDE finish $457 -
https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/415004578/rock+island+armory+armory+1911+9mm+cs+tac+flat+dark+earth+8+1
500 bucks literally is the sweet spot. Dozens of good guns
That is a start... but it still leaves a ton of the poly striker guns on the market!
That is a start... but it still leaves a ton of the poly striker guns on the market!
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Sneakshot92
Member
Ok then. Max MSRP of $400 on new guns.
aarondhgraham
Member
You should just go to budsgunshop.com and search for 9mm handguns,,,
Then sort by price low to high.
That will line up all of the candidates in your price range.
Aarond
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Then sort by price low to high.
That will line up all of the candidates in your price range.
Aarond
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LiveLife
Member
No problem ... $248 - https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/115953
Taurus G3 with 4" barrel and 15/17 round capacity with external safety and adjustable rear sight and lifetime warranty.
MSRP $345 ... Ta da!
WINNER, WINNER, Chicken Dinner. 
American Rifleman review - https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2019/9/9/tested-taurus-g3-and-tx22-pistols/
Taurus G3 vs Glock 19 comparison
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sparkyv
Member
Zendude
Member
do you have a preference among single action only, DA/SA, DAO, hammer vs. striker fired?
Unsure of MSRP but the last time I looked Buds had Ruger American Pistols for $300 & the Ruger American Pistol Compact for $269. When I bought my M&P 2.0 Compact 40 I got it for $350. I have been seeing SR9's for around $250. Lots of deals online. Browse gun.deals & you might find something that strikes your fancy. Lots of good striker fired polymer options for very reasonable prices. There are some hammer fired ones also. Steel framed pistols are usually more expensive.
Tallball
Member
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- Oct 2, 2014
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- 7,804
Ruger or S&W entry level pistols.
Taurus G2C (compact)
My SAR CZ clones have been excellent.
I have a Canik Walther clone that is very good.
My personal fav would be sites like AIM or Kings Online that have very nice police trade-in pistols for $300ish, sometimes closer to $200. I have gotten some excellent barely-used pistols that way: Glock, S&W M&P, S&W third generation, Sig P229, Beretta, etc.
Taurus G2C (compact)
My SAR CZ clones have been excellent.
I have a Canik Walther clone that is very good.
My personal fav would be sites like AIM or Kings Online that have very nice police trade-in pistols for $300ish, sometimes closer to $200. I have gotten some excellent barely-used pistols that way: Glock, S&W M&P, S&W third generation, Sig P229, Beretta, etc.
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Sneakshot92
Member
DA/SA, and hammer or striker fired. I can't hit the broad side of a barn DAO.
stchman
Member
There are quite a few sub $400 9mm autos. If you wait for deals, you can get $300 9mm autos.
Bud's has a RAP 9 for $299 shipped. Manual safeties are really un-necesary on striker fired handguns, but Ruger does make a RAP 9 with a manual safety. I don't know what your FFL charges, but mine charges $20.
https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/5155
Bud's has a RAP 9 for $299 shipped. Manual safeties are really un-necesary on striker fired handguns, but Ruger does make a RAP 9 with a manual safety. I don't know what your FFL charges, but mine charges $20.
https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/5155
stchman
Member
$500 is like the really high end for 9mm. I've seen many a good 9mm handgun for $300 or even less if you can find them on sale.
Zendude
Member
The new Taurus TH9 might check all the boxes on your list. DA/SA hammer fired and a thumb safety.
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Sneakshot92
Member
I took a look at the site on 3rd gen smiths. Definitely going on the short list to check out when I head to the local rent-a-range in a few weeks.
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Sneakshot92
Member
Very tempting, but a 1911 for me is a whole other ballgame. I'm waiting until later in the year to get a full size model from either Ruger or Smith and Wesson. maybe Remington.
bannockburn
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Sneakshot92
There are lots and lots of 9mm.s out there at very reasonable prices! Some of the ones I like are the Ruger SR9c, Ruger American Pistol Compact, Beretta PX4 Storm, CZ P01, CZ P07, Taurus G2C, Taurus G3, S&W Shield, and the SIG P2022.
There are lots and lots of 9mm.s out there at very reasonable prices! Some of the ones I like are the Ruger SR9c, Ruger American Pistol Compact, Beretta PX4 Storm, CZ P01, CZ P07, Taurus G2C, Taurus G3, S&W Shield, and the SIG P2022.
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Sneakshot92
Member
I'm liking the looks of this... I might just end up buying two pistols from the suggestions I've seen so far!
I own a Smith and Wesson model 3953 Double action only 9mm and I love it. My Pa bought it brand new in 1992 when he became an Undersheriff, put two magazines through it and never shot it again. I inherited this fine, like new automatic in 2006 when he passed. I own and shoot several autos but I was taught, and have a preference for revolver shooting so the double action only allows me to shoot this semiauto in double action better than my other autos in single! It is one of the smallest pistols that is still considered duty size but conceals rather easily. It is slim with no external safety and is of stainless steel/aluminum construction so for todays shooter maybe a little on the heavy side but contributes to it's very nice shooting qualities. I use the extended pinky rest magazine and a grip sleeve to give me a little more comfort with my larger hands for range/fun shooting - which I do a lot with this gun but for carry I remove the sleeve and use the flush fit magazine (giving up one round) for comfortable and effective concealed carry. It is a gem.
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