Best semi-auto up to $1500?

[Buck13]

I'm thinking of saving my pennies or raiding the piggy bank to get one pistol that is a cut above what I already have (a service-quality full sized auto, a MkII, and a few revolvers). "Range toy" is about the best description of my intended use. I like accuracy and I need ALL the help I can get, because I'm undeniably mediocre, at best.

I also like noise and recoil, up to a point (it's a pretty safe bet I'll never get a handgun more vicious than a .44 Magnum), but that's very much a secondary requirement. Ideally, I'd have a 10 mm that shoots cloverleafs at 25 yards (from a rest, not my shaky hands), but any caliber will do. I'm not planning to compete or carry it, so it doesn't have to conform to any particular equipment rules, or concerns about concealment, either.

I think $1500 would be the most I could tolerate spending. Inspire me to spend my money! Bonus points for photos of actual targets!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Colt Gold Cup

 

[el Godfather]

My first suggestion would be Beretta 92 Combat Combo. Dont if there are still available and if they are would they still in that price range? Two barrels and hell if a range toy. Dont have to worry about shooting out the barrel and collection value is great as well.

Second suggestion would be H&K USP Expert or Elite. Both are great range toys from a top notch brand.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

For punching paper it would be hard to beat a USP Expert. Obviously a Gold Cup would be superb, too. STI makes some really stellar 1911-type guns that are made for competition; they might be up your alley.

 

[C0untZer0]

How much does the Tanfoglio Gold Match go for ?

 

[19-3Ben]

Buck- Have you thought about customization?

One thing that I have done when I've set a budget is not only look at guns that, brand new, fill that budget, but I also look at guns I can buy for less and customize.

ie. What if you got a CZ75 and got a trigger job, refinish, complete action tuning etc...

And for your $1500 you end up with a customized piece of work that shoots as accurately and smoothly (if not more) than a box stock $1,500 gun, and you also know that it is customized to exactly your specifications.

Were it me looking for a fun range gun in that price range, I'd probably buy a S&W 4506 off the used market and have the action tuned, trigger job, re-crown barrel (if needed), new sights, nice grips, bead blast and hard-chrome finish (or NP3 or some other comparable thing). I'd end up with one heck of a gun too, BTW. Considering the gun would probably cost me about $500, that leaves $1k for custom work, which is a nice working budget and would probably leave me with a little money left over for ammo also.

Having owned guns that have been customized for me, I can tell you, there's something undeniably special and intangibly wonderful about knowing that "this one is mine and has been modified to be exactly what I want" vs. "this is what the manufacturer put in the box before I bought it." If both of those results are the same price, it would be a no brainer for me.

I will add that if you ever do want to resell, you will never recoup the investment in the customization work. Sure, you'll get a quarter on every dollar you spent, but you'd never sell that 4506 that i mentioned for as much as you'd have in it. Customization is really only for guns you plan to keep. But if you do plan to keep them, imagine how special that gun would be for you and for your family when it gets passed to the next generation.

 

[grandpawj]

ColtPythonElite, you the man! That happens to be my favorite Range Gun, but if I had to tote it all day my sides would go to hurtin' after about 3 hours.

 

[5-SHOTS]

How about a Coonan? I don't know if it's in your price range but it could be in your noise and recoil range .
The Colt Gold Cup, the STI Trojan, Champion or Rangemaster II and the HK USP Expert or Elite are too nice guns to not deserve a deep thought on them.

 

[sigarms228]

SIG P226 X-FIVE Allround is usually available at or just under that price. 9MM or .40.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=375765930

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=375763508

 

[bronco_buster]

I found my Les Baer Monolith in your price range...it flat out blows the doors off Colt Combat Elite, Kimber Custom, Springfield RO, STI Trojan, Sig and Para LDP. I've run it against them each and both me and their respective owners found that there really was no comparison to the LB. If you are patient, you should be find one around $1500.

If you could get a Sig X5 for $1500...that'd be killer also. I'd place it a long second behind the LB, but that's just my opinion.

 

[Nickb45]

My vote would go to a Springfield TRP.

 

[usp9]

For a really good time call HK P30. It's one of the pistols I'd recommend. The best grip I've put my hand on ever. Accurate and rugged. A world class gun.

If super accuracy is the calling I'd recommend the HK USP Elite. This is one of the very few targets I've ever saved. Probably couldn't do it again but this is what the Elite can deliver. Excellent trigger combined with hand fitted accuracy wrapped in HK reliability.

 

[Guns&Religion]

My Kimber Custom Target is the best handgun I own, and I've had mine for about 12 years. At a current price of about $800-$900 for a NIB Custom II, it's actually a very low price for a gun that performs as well as a Gold Cup, in my own humble opinion, having shot both.

This link is for a Kimber Stainless Gold Match for $1269 NIB.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=375764071

I'm looking at getting another Kimber myself, an Eclipse II

 

[Buck13]

Buck- Have you thought about customization?

I have, but I prefer a turn-key package to a project, and as you say, money spent on work is going to have the worst percentage of recovery if/when it's time to sell. Buying a fancy model used might be a better idea, assuming it's still in top shape. My family doesn't have any interest, so it's probably not going to be an heirloom.

Coincidentally, I'm also in the market for a 19-3!

 

[19-3Ben]

I usually just lurk on here and post on my local forum but I had to point that out lol

Saving yourself for an insightful comment, eh?

Coincidentally, I'm also in the market for a 19-3!

Can't argue with that. You've got good taste, no doubt.
Since you're looking for a stock gun, I'd consider either the Sig X5 mentioned above, or perhaps something like a S&W 945. This one is a little over your price range, but that's because it's unfired, NIB.
You mentioned that being able to recoup cost matters to you, and it's a gun that is rare enough and high enough quality to maintain a collector market and good value even on resale. If you buy one that's already used you'll likely get every penny back on a sale eventually.

 

[W.E.G.]

Range toy and conversation piece, eh?

Desert Eagle .50 AE

There is one on GB for $1400 right now.

 

[Fishbed77]

Colt Wiley Clapp Government or Commander

 

[Hurryin' Hoosier]

If I had $1,500 to spend on a gun, I'd sit up all night and look at it.

 

[Zerodefect]

Dan Wesson 1911's, or a highly tuned Glock19/23/32. Those are my best pistols.

 

[Dan-O]

Coonan .357 magnum

 

[Morgo]

1911 bull barrel, in .38 Super. STI Trojan is a good shooter in this setup

 

[CWL]

1911 bull barrel, in .38 Super. STI Trojan is a good shooter in this setup

I agree. If you just want a paper-puncher, an STI Trojan in .38 Super will make you look and feel great on the range. Spend the rest on a loading kit and you can tune those loads from soft & slow all the way up to .357Sig velocities for respectable SD uses as well.

 

[Pilot]

I'd go for a nice 1911 like some others have suggested. Colt Gold Cup, an STI Trojan, or one of the Dan Wesson offerings.

 

[barnbwt]

1500$ strongly implies some type of fancy 1911 is being considered

TCB

 

[powder]

My $1500? It's be a used LesBaer TRS...