Cheap but reliable 9mm platform?

[Ben86]

I think a used S&W M&P pistol would be a better deal than a new sub $400 gun.

That said there are a lot of good, new guns you can get for $400 and under. Look at the Taurus line, Kahr cw line, S&W SD, Ruger (I even see SR9s for $400 sometimes), just to name a few. The Sig 2022 for $400 is also a great buy. I had to keep myself from getting one the last time they were at Academy for $399. That's a great gun for that price.

 

[stchman]

Reliable 9mm for <= $400.

Ruger P95
Ruger SR9
Sig Sauer SP2022
S&W SD9

 

[hardknocks!]

smith and wesson

hello
picked up a s&w 908 for 340.00$ that looked unfired.
used of course. hard to find anyone having problems with the third generation smiths.

 

[ojibweindian]

The gun fund is low. Very low, in fact, under $400. The question is, do I wait and save a little more and pick up a quality 9mm, or do I pick up a pistol for plinking now? I have a Sig 220 in .45ACP, but it's a little pricey to shoot every weekend. While 9mm isn't as cheap as .22LR, it's still got the punch I want in a gun plus I can still use it for carry/IDPA events. So, recommendations? There are a half-million "Recommend a 9mm!" threads here on THR, but I feel that most focus more on other, more important (imo) factors such as accuracy, mechanical durability/reliability, or aesthetic value than hitting a particular price point.

I agree that buying a weapon based on a desired price point isn't the best way to go about it, but however that's where I am right now. I have .22LR pistols, I have the .45ACP, but now I want a 9mm. THR dudes (and dudettes), what are your favorite, relatively inexpensive, reliable handguns? Are there brands to avoid at the $400?

NIB - Ruger P95. Stone cold reliable, built like a brick <blank>house, and accurate enough.

Used - Springfield XD9 Service, S&W 5906 and, again, Ruger P95. There are many others which are just as good. These three, though, are models with which I have personal experience.

 

[easyg]

Yep, Ruger has what you're looking for....

 

[psyshack]

$400 or under, S&W SD 9mm. The SR9's look like they where made for the Signal Corp.

$300 or under, S&W 9VE Sigma. Folks can bag on them all they want. Mine shoots like a laser and has the best barrel I've ever seen. I smoothed out the trigger and lighten it a tad. I have NO reason to go out and purchase another medium or full size 9mm.

My small 9mm is a PF-9 I carry daily and shoot a lot.

 

[carbuncle]

Under $400 you can't go wrong (IMHO) with an S&W 5906/910/915 or Ruger P-series gun.

 

[easyg]

The SR9's look like they where made for the Signal Corp.

What does this mean?

 

[RevDerb]

I carry a Ruger SR9c ($425) and a Ruger LC9 ($350). Both have been 100% reliable. When really discreet is called for, I drop a Ruger LCP in my back pocket.

 

[gordy]

Highpoint.

Wow only one guy told you buy a high point. You could buy two for less then any other gun brought up here.
They do work great and have a lifetime guarantee. I have fired one many times and they do work great. If only they look as good as they worked.

 

[Mike1234567]

I'm sure more folks would have recommended a Hi-Point had the price point been lower. Hi-Points are good for what they cost but if the OP can afford better then there are certainly better pistols available.

 

[abq87120]

GSSF

If you join Glock Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF), you can buy a new Glock for the LEO price, about $100 off. I got my Gen3 G23 .40 S&W for $400. Gen4's are $429. Meprolite night sights were another $65 installed. I got the G23 because I can drop in barrels for 9mm and 357 Sig, ~$110 each from Lone Wolf Distributing. No modifications are required and they shoot just fine. The 40 and 357 Sig use the same mags. The 9mm needs 9mm mags. Also, my .40 recoil spring is a little too much for 9mm 115 gr bullets. 124 gr nines (from Walmart) shoot just fine.

Here is the link for GSSF. Read the first topic. Membership is $35 the first year and $25/yr after that. You can buy one gun a year.

http://www.gssfonline.com/hot-topics.cfm

Dan in ABQ

 

[Jack19]

Get yourself a used 5906; or, if you're looking for something more compact, a 6906.

 

[Don357]

As much as I dislike them, Glock makes a fine 9mm for around $450. But check out the Bersa Thunder 9mm. If you are lucky you may also find a CZ-52 in 9mm, yes I know that they were originally 7.62X25, but some had 9mm barrels installed. Taurus also makes several decent 9mm's. Then there's Ruger, etc... Good ones of many brands are out there, especiall if you don't mind used pieces.

 

[johnnydollar]

Another vote for either of the two better BHP clones, the FEG PJK-9HP (or P9M) or the FM M-90 (or 95). With some Web browsing or gun show scrounging, you might even stumble across a real Browning Hi-Power for less than $400, in the form of an Israeli
turn-in gun. Likely it will look like nine miles of bad road on the outside, but will likely shoot as well as anything out there at that price. For a carry gun, it is really hard to beat the oh-so-slim Hi-Power, and there are plenty of makers that craft a fine holster for it.
JD

 

[obturator]

the most inexpensive 9mm i own is a star model bm.
rock solid gun and 1911 ergos. it has an external safety, something i find sadly lacking on the glocks.
probably around $300 nowadays.

 

[Ben86]

What does this mean?

He's referring to all the flags, or rather brightly colored safeties on it. I think Ruger did go a little overboard with the safeties for the SR9, but I could get past it. It's still a great gun.

 

[dondavis3]

Inexpensive (defiantly not cheap at all)

Take a look at a Sig Sauer P2022 in 9 mm or .40 cal



It comes with a excellent trigger.

And it's a quality Sig Sauer.

They are selling for around $400 or a little more with night sights

 

[thefamcnaj]

Springfield Armory is running the xd "essentials" package for really cheap. NIB 399 at some places. I drove two hours to get mine and I love it. Some places on line are selling them for 399.
If you can't find this in your area, look at the kel tec pf9. Its only a single stack but its a great gun. I miss mine. It can be had around the 300 dollar mark give or take a few bucks. Used G19 not a bad way to go either.