... and the winner of the next handgun contest is ...

[grimjaw]

I currently have the following (pictured below)

Ruger GP100 4" .357 Magnum
S&W M640 2" .357 Magnum
S&W M67 4" .38 Special
S&W M10 4" .38 Special
Ruger Single Six Convertible (two, both adj & fixed sights) .22S/L/LR/.22WMR
Makarov PM (three, two Bulgarian milsurp 9x18's and one Bulgarian commercial .380)
Beretta M21A .22LR

I'm waiting on paperwork to clear for a S&W M64 3" .38 Special, and I'm about to buy a Kahr K9 9x19. I'm selling or trading the M640 and M67 (both -1 prelock models, make me an offer!), and I'll probably only keep one of the Single Sixes. The leaves the GP100/M64 for home defense or hiking; the K9 and Makarovs for CCW; the M21A for a BUG (if Beretta made the Tomcat in .380, I'd be all over it); Single Sixes for plinkers; and the M10 just because I thought it was too pretty to turn down and everyone should have one.

I'm looking at high capacity, stainless or blued, semi-automatic pistols. I would prefer to go with something in 9x19, because it's inexpensive, available, and I can share ammo with the Kahr. 10 round magazine capacity is the minimum, 13+ is preferred, and price can't go over $750.

Here's the caveat: no polymer frames, has to be steel.

If you had to make the choice, what would you get?

 

[Rob1035]

You need a full size auto.

I'm looking hard at the CZ75-SA, supposed to have a great trigger, 16+1, very accurate and reliable

Look into the BHP, a classic 9mm, the CZ series, the Beretta 92, Smith makes some great 9mm, and the Sig 9mm. Most, if not all of these can be found for your price range, although a couple of them are pushing it BNIB. If you like the BHP, check out the $400 FN Hi Powers from www.cdnninvestments.com which are the exact same thing without the Browning markup

 

[Dave Dembinski]

Rob1035 said what I was going to say. Oh, except if you're interested in the Beretta but it's too pricey, Taurus' PT92 is a clone with a frame-mounted safety instead of a slide-mounted one. I'd be sure to check it thoroughly myself before shelling out, but I've heard lots of good reports on the gun.

Still, I (heart) my CZ-75B.

 

[TrafficMan]

Cz75.

 

[Radagast]

I'd say have a look at the Beretta Elite II. 9mm, duo tone stainless steel and black. Looks good and has a better trigger than the standard 92FS.

 

[kirkcdl]

Para Ordnance P18-9 LDA...IF it must be 9mm...Para Tac Four if 45 is okay...

 

[Checkman]

Well I like Sigs, but they are pricey. If I was starting out with a 9mm and wanted steel, but had to take price into consideration I would look really hard at the Ruger P89. It may not be pretty, but it's solid. Other then that you might want to look at the used handgun market. Hi-Powers, S&W's and Rugers (again) all go for farily reasonable prices on the second-hand market. Personally I am not impressed with the Taurus semi-auto line. Good luck.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Browning High Power.

 

[grimjaw]

Lucky me, I now have a trade for Browning High Power pending. I'll keep you posted.

jmm

 

[Ala Dan]

With price constraints, definitely the Ruger P89 as my friend Checkman
has suggested. Lift the constraints, and the playing field is wide open~!
Then, I think the SIG's would be within your sight's.

 

[TMM]

everyone mentioned beretta, SIG, CZ, and BHP... i'll also add on:
Baby eagle. hi cap (16+1), all steel, looks cool too.
Ruger. many variations within...

~TMM

 

[HighVelocity]

Sig 226 or 228

 

[middy]

BHP or Sig 228

 

[gunfan]

You need...

a Dan Wesson Pointment Major In either .45 ACP or 10mm Automatic (either one should fill the niche, the 10mm will fill two of them.)

Scott

 

[grimjaw]

Browning by a landslide!

Traded for a Browning High Power today.

Shoots like a dream, mint condition, but aftermarket Hogue grips. Much thanks to THR member katonk for the trade!

jmm

 

[raghorn]

Excellent choice, very nice!

 

[BHPshooter]

That gun is SWEET looking...

One bit of advice: keep a close eye on those mags. I had some of those exact ones, and they failed me before the second range session was over. One never did hold rounds again without spraying them back out in my face. They can be able range mags, but for BHPs + serious work, Mec-Gar magazines are the only way to go. The best prices I have found on them so far are here: http://www.arizonagunrunners.com/Products/mecgar/mecgar.html

Wes