All lockdown to pick a gun

[5-SHOTS]

If it has the same price of the Steyr, the HK VP9 is a no brainer for a striker fired pistol.

 

[Idahou]

Hm, i kinda spinned back to canik on that VP9. Its really nice and no doubts qualite gun, but its also half the price of canik more expensive and i cant tell if its such a diffrence, BUT i have test for that - Vp9 is avalaible on my local range and my friend have P10, so its not same but it will be test of how much diffrence i can feel in diffrent price category guns.

 

[bannockburn]

drobs

Unless you can drive over to the factory for parts, I would avoid the Steyr pistol. Steyr has a habit of disappearing in the US market and I imagine are not much better overseas either.

I would have to agree with that! When I got my M9 I think they were already on their third or fourth distributor in the U.S. Even the frame was stamped with a different company than what was listed in the manual as to contact for service! And that was also outdated as I discovered that the gun was supposed to come with two mags but I only had one with it. When I called to see about getting the spare mag I was now directed to yet another company who was handling Steyr parts and service! Not the best way for a company to try and get a foot in the door in another country's market!

 

[bannockburn]

Idahou

Something else you might want to consider in regards to the HK VP9 is the number of countries, state police forces, and other police departments that have adopted the pistol. Japan is probably the largest country to go with it followed by Turkey which is producing a licensed copy (by Sarsilmaz Arms), of the VP9 called the SAR9 for the General Directorate of Security and for their land forces. Lithuania has also selected it for their armed forces along with the Luxembourg Grand Ducal Police force. There are 5 German State Police forces, the German GSG9 unit, a Swiss Canton Police force, and a half dozen U.S. Police Departments as well.

What this means to me is that the VP9 is going to be around awhile with parts and service availability for some time to come.

 

[Idahou]

Well, actually i can drive to their factory Its not exactly close and i would not go there just for parts, but... anyway thats secondary. Over here its little bit diffrent since there is no ocean between us and we can send parts like springs, pins etc via mail. The thing is that distribution of parts will be roughly same for all central european factories, well exluding glock and CZ ofcourse. Anyway i keep in mind that potentional need for spare parts and its actually biggest concern about Caniks because ... i guess we all know.
But main point si that VP9 is just "another strike fired gun" and there is a lot of tham. I dont say its bad or that i actually dont get it, its just little bit easier to spend so much money for Steyr because i can see its diffrent. I like VP9 but it just makes me ask myself "why i should 300 USD more? Thats a lot of ammo or part of budget for another gun. I will try it against cheaper guns for sure and mayabe it will speak for itself.

 

[CapnMac]

Have any of the guns made in Croatia made it in to Cz?
Mostly, here in the US, we are seeing Croatian production rebranded under other names, but they do seem well made.
Quite likely not at your desired price point or to your identified present needs--more a curiosity on my part.

 

[Idahou]

Rex (Arex in US if im not wrong) is in shops with that ugly polymer (delta), competitive models and looks like there was also Zero 1, but its out of stock. HS Produkt is offered by one of our "surpuls focused" shop (they actually now have Steyr Aug 1 from Malaysian Army and Austria police for very nice prices) and they have very nice prices, i was even focused on HS-9 (good looking) but that offers seems outdated and it comes just with one magazine. Few days ago i also saw XD models in other shops and Hellcat looks quite popular
Actualy Rex is Slovenia, isnt it?

 

[bannockburn]

Idahou

Are Beretta pistols available and if so how are they priced? Beside the ubiquitous Model 92 there is also the PX4 and the APX. How do they compare with what you're currently looking at?

 

[CapnMac]

Actualy Rex is Slovenia, isnt it?

I believe you are correct.
And despite the hoops you have to jump through, color me jealous that you could, on the right license, own a defanged AUG.

 

[Idahou]

PX4 is sadly almost 1200 USD, APX is 800 USD and i did consider it too, but it kinda fell behind in comparsion with other guns - it would be in top 3 if magazines would be compatible with CX4. And 92 FS starts at 1400. Mayabe there will be some used from US army in future, but who knows.

Owning semi-auto AUG is actually kinda easy and the prices actually starts on 900 USD with Malayisian used ones. I even have topic about it here from times when i thought that i will now look for second gun...
Just to be clear - im not Steyr fanboy

 

[bannockburn]

Idahou

And 92 FS starts at 1400. Mayabe there will be some used from US army in future, but who knows.

I would say given the current administration and political climate here in the U.S. those Berettas won't see much daylight from the Marianas Trench.

 

[Idahou]

I even didnt see some US surplus stuff on local market and its mayabe because US have stable buyers. But i guess you mean that Bidens stafff will be antigun.

Anyway i must admit my interest on Beretta 92 is mostly based on fact it can share magazines with CX4 Storm and i just like that rifle. I even asked beretta if they plan to adjust it for APX magazines, but they didnt tell

 

[Idahou]

Hm, i was kinda wrong about beretta APX, it does something to offer in comparsion to other guns. Magazines are almost half of price of steyr and sig ones + frames are surprisingly cheap, which teoreticly makes it best bang for the money in longer terms, mostly if i would want/need EDC gun (new frame is less thatn tenth of price of new gun). I know, others guns have this option too, but as far i know - not in this price category.
APX is currently (in Czech) 820 USD, SIG Sauer SP2022 is 830, VP9 and Steyr L9 A2 are 925 USD and Canik probably around 700 USD, but thats price for older versions.
But i really cant says how much is possible i will need or want EDC gun. Im working from home, current situation doesnt need EDC and im quite a large, dont have problem to hide my training glock 17 + tere is not so big diffrence between fullsize and compact APX

So far was winning Sig Sauer SP2022 - good track record, i like sig, i like its look. On other hand magazines are expensive, its only in few shops and im not sure how actuall info in shops is and part of grip is magazin shoe - thats just minor problem tho.
Second is Steyr MF2 - i like the look, the diffrence and focus on recoil compensation. But its new gun on our market, cant find some more long term reviews (only for A1 version) and im quite sure magazines and frames will be expensive.
More or less just from budget view is Canik on third place. Its cheapest, but with good reviews and a lot of bang for the bucks, comes even with holster (which would be enough for now - just home training and trips to range)

Wild card is H&K VP9 and now Beretta APX - both are avalaible on my local shooting range, so unlike previous ones, i can actually try tham

And about gun licence exams - nobody knows when... We currently have "lockdown", finishing third wave (but there is predictions about fourth) and even its exams are allowed, indoor shooting range is closed due pandemic restrictions - we just dont know, if exams will be in next weeks or in few months

 

[Idahou]

So update...
Gun permit exams are allowed from 19th january, but just not in my district. For few weeks now we hear something like "we are waiting for ministry of internal affairs to send us new tests" but i thinks its just about lack of personal within local PD since pandemic is going worst and we have some smaller districts in "complete" quarantine which is secured by cops. So i dont expect gun exams to happen between april or so...

Meantime i kinda weirdly circled to Berreta Apx and for weeks i was sure about that since i like that brand, looks, track record, some features and modularity together with price of frames, magazines and spare parts.

Dropped that Steyr MF2 because its still not settled in here, its more expensive and magazines are double price of that ones for Apx

I still keep in mind your points and depending of situation i will check that VP9 but i would like to keep price lower. I got raise in work, but still... second gun (probably PCC with 16 barrel) will be expensive

 

[FFGColorado]

Budget is around 600 US dollars for imported guns (they comes with +30% price increase) or 900 for czech gun, but keep on mind that prices over here are sometimes pretty random

Buying new or used? Doubt any of those mentioned will be in the $600USD+30% premium range.

G48? Mine here in the US was $459...

 

[Idahou]

I prefer new, im willing to get used gun if it will worth it, but over here its really small market with used guns.
All said gun, except Steyr A2 and SF9 are withing budget. Pricing over here is kinda weird.

G48 is too smal for me, plus its single stack and i dont like glocks.

 

[CapnMac]

I think it will--in the future--be fascinating to see what the impact of the CZ-Colt merger will be in Czechia. The canadian offerings could be very interesting.

 

[Idahou]

I just did think about that too - over here is almost non colts offerings and if so, its crazy expensive. On other side, im not sure if will CZ will let play somebody else in theirs home garden, even if its their own company.... so mayabe we get more "gold 1911" and that would be it

 

[Idahou]

Good news everyone! After 8 months of waiting i have gun exams monday 17th May. Its 30 randomish questins from 500 question pool as theoretical part, after that is practical part where i will show basic safe gun handling, how to solve common problems (double feed and so), field strip for basic cleaning and shooting at target. After that i will wait up to month for my "gun pass"

Thank you for your advice and notes, based on your input i did choose Beretta APX

 

[Dibbs]

IMO, for a straight -up range toy, it's hard to beat a long barreled 22LR, or 22WMR.
Have you considered a Single Action 22 ? Some come with both as 22LR and 22WMR
chambers, which are interchangeable.

 

[Idahou]

At start i was going for Taurus TX22 because price and fun factor, but i somehow came to conclusion that its better to start and practice with 9mm. But second gun will be long one and in .22lr (probably ARX 160) as range toy.

.22WMR is over here 2 times expensive than (reloaded) 9mm and on same prace range like .223, that kinda kills it

 

[burritocannon]

The APX doesn't seem to have much of a following especially among established gun owners but having worked with one regularly for the last 6 months I think it's a fine and very practical gun. It feels noticeably looser than something like a P-10, but any worries were dispelled at the range. It shoots straight and is reliable. Plus in true Beretta fashion they managed to make even a striker pistol feel quirky and controversial with those slide serrations.

 

[Idahou]

Yeah, i admit that the look influence my decision a lot, but not just that - i did extensive research in limits of internet and im confident it will sutis its role, which is mostly range training platform for newcomer. That said - there is already delay in my order, so we will see...

Anyway i sucesfully finished my exams today, so now i just waiting for processing and will get my Gun Pass