An Accurate 9mm for Target Shooting (I almost hate to ask this again, but...)

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Bear2000

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Hi all,

I just got some great feedback on Ruger and Buck Mark .22s as a first pistol. I was pretty much set on the Ruger Hunter when I considered again just how much I like shooting 9mms. So, today I went down to a nearby indoor shooting range and rented a Glock 17 (I have been shooting a friend's Walther P38 which is fun enough, but the shells injecting into my face and forehead get a little old after a while). After a long discussion with the owners of the shop/range, we all decided that a Glock 17 would probably be good match for my needs as a novice, with the Glock 34 as another possibility.

BUT as much as I enjoyed shooting the Glock, there's just something about it I'm not thrilled with, and I really need to try some more. This is what I'm considering, and, while I know there are similar threads to this one, I thought I'd ask one more time. (You don't have to answer, but I'd love the advice - you guys just put me in a great .223 rifle, hopefully you'll get me in a great 9mm).

1) Glock 17 or Glock 34
2) CZ 75B SA
3) Beretta 92s
4) XD Tactical

Again, I'm primarily interested in range shooting and especially accuracy, not carry, for $550 or less. I suspect all of these will be fine for home defense.

Thanks for your help!
 
For strictly range shooting I like to go with a single action trigger. Of your choices, I'd probably go with CZ.

I have and love many Glocks. A 19 accompanies me everywhere I go, however for a range gun it's almost too boringly simple to shoot.
 
Thanks TFin04 - that may have been it. It's simple, easy, but left me feeling just a bit "blah" - I almost wished that the P38 were spitting shells at me again. I also like the metal/feel of the P38, even if it bugs me in other ways.
 
Thanks TFin04 - that may have been it. It's simple, easy, but left me feeling just a bit "blah" - I almost wished that the P38 were spitting shells at me again. I also like the metal/feel of the P38, even if it bugs me in other ways.
Click to expand...

Those are the same features that makes it a great carry gun, though.

Those CZ's have been calling my name for a while now. I'd really like a nice 9mm 1911 but funds do not allow that. Some type of action similar to the 1911 would be nice. CZ and the Browning High Power are up on that list.

Nice trigger for punching paper and a bit more involved than point and shoot like a Glock. There's just something about them. I'm sure all the 1911 guys know what I'm talking about.

For what it's worth, CZ has a following similar to that of other cult like groups within the firearms community. I don't own one, but I've shot my fair share of them and all are great pistols.
 
If you are looking for a gun thats good for a novice, easy to shoot, and just for shooting on the range look into the Berreta 92. I have put many thousands of rounds through one and I enjoy the way it shoots. The only draw back is around three to four thousand rounds the locking block tends to crack. Most people I know don't put that many rounds through a pistol in a life time, but if you do it's something to think about.
 
For a target gun under $1k or more you won't beat an EAA Witness Elite Match, they go for around $500 here. An excellent single action trigger, good sights, and more accurate than any of the others mentioned. And yes I own a CZ75 and an XD, have shot lots of Glocks, own 5 BHP's including a Target model, none of them are in the same league for accuracy.

WitnessMatch2.jpg

It's not a carry gun, too big and the trigger is way to light from the factory.
 
Do a search, you'll find many folks stating their out of the box (OOB) CZ's are as accurate as most, if not any, OOB revolver or auto.

My CZ-75 is seemingly laser accurate. Spend more if you want, but a "cheap" CZ will probably deliver as much accuracy as your able to accomplish.
 
Schmeky, I'm sure you're right about that. All of these guns will shoot better than me. Still, I'd like to think that after 1000 rounds or so I'll be to the point where the more accurate gun will begin to matter.

But I've only heard great things about the CZ 75V, especially in single action.
 
BrowningGuy,

Thanks for the tip. I will definitely look into the EAA Match Elite. It also has an 18 round capacity! Looks very promising. I wonder where I'll be able to find one around here to check out?
 
I have put many thousands of rounds through one and I enjoy the way it shoots. The only draw back is around three to four thousand rounds the locking block tends to crack. Most people I know don't put that many rounds through a pistol in a life time, but if you do it's something to think about.
Click to expand...

gb0399,
I have put 3K rounds downrange during a single multi-day training session.
 
Bear2000

If I recall you were talking about Bullseye. I was talking with David Sams, a BE smith, and he says the Berreta 92 can be very good and also one that one uses to go for Distinguished pistol if that is a goal of yours eventually.

He says sub 2" at 50 yards out of that pistol can be had.

For BE reasons I would say the 92S

edit: Didn't see the $500 price, sorry......
 
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...sub 2" at 50 yards out of that pistol can be had
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Did he happen to mention the price to have it? Very pricey gun to accurize...makes a 1911 look like a bargain.
/Bryan
 
I also carry a glock 19. Great for SD but it's not my choice for target shooting. I'm sure all of your choices are fine.....I went with the CZ-75B SA and the Beretta 92fs Inox for target shooting.

I like both because they are so extremely accurate and little inexpensive tweaks really do personalize them. The 92fs is just "slightly" more accurate for me and the finish and action are better. My CZ is my beater target gun and honestly the 92fs Inox is my baby. Both are awesome on the range though.

The modifications I've made to each are:

92fs Inox

added Stainless guide rod and coated recoil spring from Beretta
replaced polymer coated metal trigger with a metal trigger
did a light do it yourself trigger job
Hogue finger grooved rubber grips
Wolff reduced hammer spring

CZ75 SA

Added LPA fiber optic adjustable target sights
Wolff reduced hammer spring
replaced grips with CZ anatomic plastic grips (had to modify to fit the SA but I prefer a fat grip).

Good luck with your choice,

Joker
 
Yes Canuck-IL,

If I recall correctly about the same for the hand built Caspian 1911, ~$2050.

For the 92S that would be with him providing the 9mm, maybe less tho' as I was mostly interested in the 1911 part of the conversation. To put on the Marvel .22 onto the 92S and all the pieces, accurized to sub 1", brought to ~ an even $3,000

cavman
 
I'm primarily interested in range shooting and especially accuracy and reliability, not carry, for $550 or less. I suspect all of these will be fine for home defense.
Click to expand...

(I modified it for you a bit, hope you don’t mind.)

Sounds like a CZ75 to me.
 
Uh, he states a $550 spending limit, eh? Bye bye, HK's....

IMHO, a thousand rounds is nothing. You sound like you're new to the sport, no? All the pistols you've listed will have inherent mechanical accuracy that most shooters, including those that have shot tens of thousands of rounds over years of practice, will not outshoot.

That said, of the pistols you've listed, I'd think for a purely target handgun, the CZ 75 SA is probably your best bet. Shooting holes in holes is all about two things: sight alignment and trigger control. You can get good working irons for all of the above pistols (CZ has competition sights), and the SA version with a modest trigger job can probably yield a very acceptable trigger for target work. I'd say get the CZ first, followed by the Glock 34, depending on hand fit of both pistols. If the Glock fits your hand, there are aftermarket drop-in trigger kits that can dramatically improve felt trigger pull. And don't believe it when people tell you Glocks are only "combat accurate," either. I regularly hit steel gongs at 100 yds. with my 17. ;)
 
Thanks for all of the advice! I'm going to try a CZ 75. It seems popular enough that someone will have one in my club.
 
I haven't shot a CZ....

So I will stick with what I know. I love the XD pistol. It points and shoots well, whether plinking, target shooting, or shooting at jackrabbits in South Texas. I have shot it in 9mm, 40s&w, and 45acp. Great gun for the money.
 
With the cost of ammo, my CZ 75 Compact sees all my trigger time for target practice. When I'm shooting with the kids, I throw on the .22 Kadet kit for the CZ and shooting gets real cheap. Mike
 
Bear2000

I am going to go against the grain. If you want the five inch barrel I think the XD Tactical is the most accurate. Second behind the XD would be the the Berreta M9A1-with the 15 round Mag. If you want a 4 inch Barrel You cannot beat the Smith MP for accuracy and comfort, plus the 17 RD Mag. Right behind the Smith is the Berreta Px4 Storm, also can get a 17RD Mag. I think if you ever pick up a Smith MP you will never look back! In My opinion if you like the 5 inch Barrel the XD Tactical is one of the most accurate out there.


The Best to You and Yours!

Frank
 
XD Tactical

I held an XD Tactical today and did like the way it felt. Of course, going to the local gun shop, which is well stocked with a variety of 9mms, only made it harder.

I also liked the Glock 34, CZ 75, and even the S&W 910s. I just really like the magazine safety.

Anyway, I've got a couple of weeks before my permits come in, so hopefully I'll be able to try out a couple of these at the range.

Thanks for your input!
 
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