Budget auto?

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Searcher1970

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Hello,
I'm in the market for a budget semi auto. By budget I mean $350 and under, new would be better but it doesnt really matter. I don't want anything under 9mm though. I've looked at S&W's Sigma's but I'm looking for other recommendations. I recently found an S&W 3913 for $360, but I know nothing about that model. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Rob
 
I have the Sigma 40VE that was $383 OTD. It has been 100% reliable and I got the 15 round magazine from S&W so it is 15+1 of .40. The older Sigmas had some issues but the VE series is good. Some consider the trigger too heavy but I do not. It is like the revolvers I learned on back in the day.
 
CDNN investments currently has NEW stainless Ruger P95 9mms for $279. Add an additional $15 bucks for shipping, $20-$40 bucks to your FFL dealer for the paperwork and you have a very solid 9mm well within your price range. They have blued models from around $240 IIRC.

Chris
 
My recommendation is never buy something you have not shot with beforehand. There are many pistols that look good from afar, but once you put your hand on them and throw some lead downrange, you just know that "baby, it ain't meant to be". For example, I had that experience with Steyr, Glock, and Redhawk.

Make a list of what features you want, then go to your local range and rent all the guns that possess those features. Shoot 50 rounds (one baggie or box) per gun. The choices will be narrowed down very quickly, to maybe two or three. Then come back to THR and search threads or ask specifically about those two or three.
 
Bersa CC goes for around $250-$300 if you dont mind a .380. EAA Witness go for around $350 if you prefer a steel full size. I would also seriously consider a Stoeger Cougar 9mm, they go for around $325 if you can find one.
 
Around here right now you can go into several stores and buy the S&W Sigma 9mm or 40S&W for around $299 before the $50 & 2 extra mags mail in rebate. $275 total price including tax for a pretty decent budget pistol.
 
I recommend shooting whatever you buy before you buy it. I'm not a big fan of the trigger on Ruger autos. They are absolutely reliable, accurate, and affordable - but I just don't like the triggers. If I hadn't shot one first, I would have bought a gun I didn't like.

I second the vote on Bersas. They are decent little guns for the money. Also, if you are considering a CCW gun, you might check out a Kel-tec PF9 or PF11. These aren't what I would consider "range guns" because they are so small, but they are very concealable and well within your price range.

I also highly recommend any new-manufacture CZ such as the P01 or the CZ75. In my experience they are hand-down the most accurate autoloaders under $500 right out of the box. Unfortunately, for $350 you are most likely looking at a used model these days. The prices have gone up about 30-40% in the last three years (dangit).
 
Stoeger Cougar

Can't be beat. Good quality, accurate, good ergonomics, tight as a drum, excellent trigger (for a DA/SA auto).
 
Ruger P series, great starting point for a semi auto owner, great customer service just in case you ever need it. Like everyone says they're built like a tank and will last a lifetime.

Joker
 
SIG SAUER P225 Pistols 9mm.

Designated P6 by the West German Army. These are military and police weapons. High quality West German made at a surplus price! Hand selected, inspected and cleaned. Very good to excellent condition, minimal handling/holster wear. Original finish, not reparked or reblued. Includes holster, extra magazine, magazine pouch, manual and cleaning kit.


$359.00 AT Dans Ammo.

F020.jpg
 
Unfortunately there are no places around here to rent guns to try them out. Right now I'm leaning towards the 3913 as this will be a concealed carry piece. I haven't been able to find any of the Sig P6's around here. Military gun supply has them on sale for $299. My problem is I have fairly small hands so its hard to find a gun that fits. Kel tec's fall well below my $350 budget but I've known people that have had them and had nothing but problems. The heavy trigger pull on the Sigma's doesn't bother me. I'm a wheelgun shooter, I also shoot a Nagant revolver ( about a 18 pound trigger) and a Polish P-64 (about a 24 pound trigger) I'm a pretty small guy so the thinner the gun the better. I'd have a hard time concealing the hi cap pistols. I'm 5'7 and 130 pounds soaking wet. I'm going tomorrow to look at the 3913 again, I may also look at some Sigma's. Thanks for all the replies!
Rob
 
The P6 was never in service with the German Army, it was also not designated by them.
It is however a great gun and if you have small hands, it properly would fit your hands well.
Also, even if these P6 somtimes have quite some holster wear, their round count is very low, since the German police officer gets only 60 rounds a year to practice!
They are good CCW guns and very accurate.
Only thing I don't like is, that they only have 8 round magazines!
 
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