Yeah, I'm in the SA area and seen some ads for the Saxet show...I'm planning to go next month (not to buy, just to look). And as to that whole legislation thing, I think I'm just gonna print a copy of both those gun laws and carry them around with me in case someone thinks I'm not legit. I really like the look of the Witness, and I've heard good things about them after some research I did. I'm highly considering the Sig Pro too, since I've heard its very ergonomic and my hands are kind of small =/.
Best autoloader under $400?
- Thread starter N3rday
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12 Volt Man
Member
You know what they say about a guy with small hands...........
............... No way in heck you can handle a CZ97
............... No way in heck you can handle a CZ97
Marshall
Member
One of our other members from Oklahoma sells FNH Hi-Powers with SFS for $400.00 and they can be carried.
Do a search, not a bettter $400.00 9mm on the market.
Do a search, not a bettter $400.00 9mm on the market.
George Hill
Member
Four hundred bucks out the door? CZ-75B or a CZ-100. Those are my choices.
Poohgyrr
Member
First, I'd say look for something you do your best with. Different grips and recoil can make a big difference.
Then, I'd say:
OK, buy a used and in great condition S&W. Either a 3913 or a 5906. CDNN has the double stacks for about $270 if I remember. Both are great pistols, reliable, and bullet-proof.
If you can find a used Hi Power - either Browning or the FN's recently brought in from Europe - for under $400, that's another great pistol. FN makes Hi Powers, and it doesn't matter which brand name is on it.
The "FM" clones from South America are not what I'm talking about here. Some of them seem to have a spotty quality issue.
And "my" first pistol was a convertible Single Six, at about 15 years old I think. I don't remember whose it was legally (Dad or Grand Pa??), but it was mine as long as I didn't do something stupid with it.
Big Gay Al
Member
Ah, get a Makarov. They're small (kinda heavy though as they're all steel) and reliable. Bulgarian models can usually be had for under $200.00.
And 9x18mm (Makarov) ammo can be found in most places.
And 9x18mm (Makarov) ammo can be found in most places.
Sistema1927
Member
Bulgarian Makarov +1
Even though they aren't as cheap now as they were (I purchased 3 for the grand total of $375 OTD, or $125 each), they are still a bargain for a solid reliable handgun.
Even if you pay $200, you will have plenty left for lots and lot of ammo. 9x18 is not a 9x19, but my wife is deadly accurate with her Mak, and can double tap with the best of them. I don't fear for her safety when she has her Mak handy.
Even though they aren't as cheap now as they were (I purchased 3 for the grand total of $375 OTD, or $125 each), they are still a bargain for a solid reliable handgun.
Even if you pay $200, you will have plenty left for lots and lot of ammo. 9x18 is not a 9x19, but my wife is deadly accurate with her Mak, and can double tap with the best of them. I don't fear for her safety when she has her Mak handy.
last week I bought an IMI baby eagle in .40 cal with 2 mags for $319.00 used at a local gun shop- stopped in on a whim, and found it. It is used, but what a nice gun- I love it- very little recoil, ammo is cheap(I got 100 rounds at walmart for $17.00 with tax) and it just plain great. It strips down easy, and even new, they were around $389.00. check one out- go to www.magnum research.com and click on baby eagle.
Lobotomy Boy
Member
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If you shop around you should be able to get a decent S&W for under $300, which should leave you plenty of cash for practice ammo.
I would recommend the following.
A Kel-tec P11 for @250 or less out the door. 10 to 12 round mags, 100% reliable for me, lifetime warrenty and just the right size. Uses the same mags as the S&W double stack guns like 69xx and 59xx guns.
Various 3 generation S&W guns like a 69xx (double stack 12 rounds), CS9 (7 to 8 rounds single stack and various 39xx guns (8 rounds single stack). Used under 350.
Give them a look for big enough but still small enough to carry all day.
A Kel-tec P11 for @250 or less out the door. 10 to 12 round mags, 100% reliable for me, lifetime warrenty and just the right size. Uses the same mags as the S&W double stack guns like 69xx and 59xx guns.
Various 3 generation S&W guns like a 69xx (double stack 12 rounds), CS9 (7 to 8 rounds single stack and various 39xx guns (8 rounds single stack). Used under 350.
Give them a look for big enough but still small enough to carry all day.
Grayrock
Member
http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?model=111SSP-12&category=Pistol
Try a Taurus PT-111 Millenium PRO: 9mm, under $400, concealable- My PT-145 MilPRO is great!
Try a Taurus PT-111 Millenium PRO: 9mm, under $400, concealable- My PT-145 MilPRO is great!
In used guns, I think the best buys are the Police trade in S&Ws. The 5906 and the 6906 are two of the most common that you will run across but there are other models in 9mm. Most of them will be some variation on the two above. Some will be DAO or in blued steel instead of SS.
I recently got a nice used S&W 6906 for about $235 OTD. You can't beat that with a stick!
For new guns, Rugers are too big to CCW but they are good guns. I would check out a SA XD-9. I got mine new for $385 + shipping and FFL fees off Gunbroker.com. I got the SS slide version as well so it was a good deal.
I haven't seen good prices on CZs like I used to. I remember seeing them for $299 a couple of years ago when they were selling off the Turk 75B over runs. $425 is about what I see them for lately. IMHO, they were a great gun at $299 but at $425, there are better deals.
I recently got a nice used S&W 6906 for about $235 OTD. You can't beat that with a stick!
For new guns, Rugers are too big to CCW but they are good guns. I would check out a SA XD-9. I got mine new for $385 + shipping and FFL fees off Gunbroker.com. I got the SS slide version as well so it was a good deal.
I haven't seen good prices on CZs like I used to. I remember seeing them for $299 a couple of years ago when they were selling off the Turk 75B over runs. $425 is about what I see them for lately. IMHO, they were a great gun at $299 but at $425, there are better deals.
atblis
Member
Definitely CZ
NIB 75B is $359.99
NIB 75B SemiCompact is $329.99
NIB 75BD is $329.99
NIB 75B is $359.99
NIB 75B SemiCompact is $329.99
NIB 75BD is $329.99
In my opinion:
CZ-83s all calibers. Prices run from $319 to $350 depending on finish. See Makarov.com for 9x18. See any gun store for .380. See gunsamerica.com for .32 ACP.
Firestorms and Bersas all calibers. Firestorm and Bersa have separate websites. Prices run from $250 to $300 depending on caliber and model.
I also own more expensive guns like Ruger, and have owned a Glock.
The Firestorms and Bersa are the most reliable guns I've ever owned. Not a single problem ever.
The CZ-83s are also very reliable, but not quite as much as Firestorm or Bersa, in my experience.
The Ruger and Glock are reliable in my experience, but the Firestorm and Bersa are still the most reliable I've ever owned.
My Firestorm and Bersa are 100% reliable and have been from the first shot.
CZ-83s all calibers. Prices run from $319 to $350 depending on finish. See Makarov.com for 9x18. See any gun store for .380. See gunsamerica.com for .32 ACP.
Firestorms and Bersas all calibers. Firestorm and Bersa have separate websites. Prices run from $250 to $300 depending on caliber and model.
I also own more expensive guns like Ruger, and have owned a Glock.
The Firestorms and Bersa are the most reliable guns I've ever owned. Not a single problem ever.
The CZ-83s are also very reliable, but not quite as much as Firestorm or Bersa, in my experience.
The Ruger and Glock are reliable in my experience, but the Firestorm and Bersa are still the most reliable I've ever owned.
My Firestorm and Bersa are 100% reliable and have been from the first shot.
LynnMassGuy
Member
5906
Baby Eagle?
I know you said "under 400.00" originally, but for a little more, a NIB Baby Eagle can be had for 435.00 (Here in Oklahoma, anyway) I love the way they feel in my hand and the way they shoot. 9mm, .40 and .45 are available at the same price. I almost bought one until I got a good price on a sig pro 2022.
I also got my first handgun at the age of 19, a 6 1/2 inch Blackhawk .357. loved the gun, unfortunately traded for Ruger P85 9mm, good gun but should have kept both.
I know you said "under 400.00" originally, but for a little more, a NIB Baby Eagle can be had for 435.00 (Here in Oklahoma, anyway) I love the way they feel in my hand and the way they shoot. 9mm, .40 and .45 are available at the same price. I almost bought one until I got a good price on a sig pro 2022.
I also got my first handgun at the age of 19, a 6 1/2 inch Blackhawk .357. loved the gun, unfortunately traded for Ruger P85 9mm, good gun but should have kept both.
MachIVshooter
Member
My suggestion in the sub-$400 mid size gun arena would be a compact or semi-compact CZ or TZ (witness) or a Baby Eagle. The CZ and Baby Eagle will be right around the $400 mark. The Witness' come in around $350 and reports on the 9mm varients seem to be flawless. I have one in 10mm and it did require some tuning for complete reliability with full house loads. I also have a Baby Eagle in 9mm and it has bee completely reliable from day one. The Baby is essentially a TZ, but with a few refinements (poly rifled barrel). Also, the Baby is the only one of the CZ clone club with a safety/decock (slide mounted).
There are certainly quite a number of other pistols in the price range you've listed (especially in the used market), but for new pistols I think the CZ's and clones offer the most for your money.
I do also have a Taurus PT145 that has run flawlessly from the beginning. I paid $280 for that one. Most reports Ive seen on the Millennium pro PT1XX guns have been positive.
There are certainly quite a number of other pistols in the price range you've listed (especially in the used market), but for new pistols I think the CZ's and clones offer the most for your money.
I do also have a Taurus PT145 that has run flawlessly from the beginning. I paid $280 for that one. Most reports Ive seen on the Millennium pro PT1XX guns have been positive.
browningguy
Member
CZ or EAA Witness. I know people talk bad about EAA, but the Witness is made by Tanfoglio and it's a good product. I have an older Witness PS model with thousands of rounds through it with never a failure, and as accurate as pistols costing 2-3 times the price.cdnninvestments.com has them very cheap, click the link to download their catalog to see firearms, it's a big file but well worth it.
They also have some deals on High Powers which I like personally, I've got a pair of MkIII's in .40 S&W that I rotate for carry, a 9mm Competition model and an Inglis 9mm. I had my first failure with a High Power last year, the sear (which appeared to be the original) on my Inglis model wore out, after 60 years and many thousands of rounds.
They also have some deals on High Powers which I like personally, I've got a pair of MkIII's in .40 S&W that I rotate for carry, a 9mm Competition model and an Inglis 9mm. I had my first failure with a High Power last year, the sear (which appeared to be the original) on my Inglis model wore out, after 60 years and many thousands of rounds.
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