good choice for 9mm (no high capacity)

[geronimotwo]

i am looking to find a 9mm, here are my criterea

must not be more than 10+1 capacity, as i am in ny state

must be reliable

fun to shoot, plinking, informal target etc.

should have a decent trigger

prefer, but not limited to stainless

should be conceiled carry friendly

does not need to be current production, but parts must be available.

should be less than $300 used

if you know of a gun that you find worthy (or unworthy) of consideration please list it.

thanks

g2

 

[scurtis_34471]

Under $300 is going to limit you, but you can get a wide variety of nice guns for under $450. I think the CZ's are a great deal for the money, but used isn't going to save you a ton. If you don't mind polymer, you can get a brand new S&W M&P for $440 shipped and that is a very nice gun. Sometimes you can find police trade-ins for good prices. Those are usually Sigs, Glocks and S&W Semi-Autos. Prices tend to range from $300 to $550, depending on the gun. Bersa makes some decent affordable guns too.

 

[Jackal]

Your best bet for a smallish, semi-auto handgun, in that price range is probably going to be a Taurus PT111Pro or 24/7 Compact. I currently have the PT111Pro and it has over 600 flawless rounds through it. The only problem with it, for me, is that it does not fit my hand and I am going to sell it. I cannot comment on durability, as I have never broken it and I have found it to be quite accurate, considering its self-defensive purpose.

Reliability- A++
Accuracy- B
Durability- So far so good
Price- At about $270 used in these parts, A+
Overall rating for a general use, small handgun- A

 

[CWL]

Howsa 'bout a Kahr K9? Slim, stainless, dependable and accurate. 7+1 though.

Don't know used prices for where you live, but I bought mine new for $400 originally, so used should be in your ballpark.

 

[geronimotwo]

the m&p compact looks nice, but it still has a 12 round mag

i should have mentioned: if your trying to sell it, it's probably not the gun i'm interested in.

 

[quickcanary]

Why do you say that? He said he's going to sell it because it doesn't fit his hand...but that doesn't mean it won't fit yours just fine.

 

[antsi]

There are some European SIG P6 pistols on the market in the $300 range. I believe these are surplus European police or military pistols. Several members at SIGForum.com have gotten them and been quite pleased. This would be a single-stack 8-round, commander sized 9mm pistol DA-SA with a decocker. I think they are essentially similar to the SIG P 225.

Here is one place to get them from:
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Sig_Sauer_P225_P6_9mm_Pistol.html

Some people have reported finding them in the used case at their local Gander Mountain or other sporting goods store for somewhat less than AIM is selling them for. The lowest I have heard of at retail was $299. Most seem to be in the $325-350 range.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The S&W 3913 meets the largest number of your criteria, but even a used one won't be $300.

Are you not permitted any high-capacity mags, period? If the gun was manufactured before X cutoff date and came with high-caps, can you own it then? That would open up some more possibilities. You can get police trade-ins for around that figure. A member here has a thread on a S&W 5946 ex-police gun for $279.

 

[everallm]

As stated before $300 will limit you.

If you can stretch a little more you can get 10 round magazines for the CZ75 or CZ85 range which keeps you legal.

For concealed as well as a solid pistol I wouls suggest either the CZ75 compact or the P-01.

For sub compact in the range the CZ 2075 RAMI also come in 10 round.

 

[geronimotwo]

If the gun was manufactured before X cutoff date and came with high-caps, can you own it then?

i'm not sure if i can have an older gun with high cap, but i believe not.

Why do you say that? He said he's going to sell it because it doesn't fit his hand...but that doesn't mean it won't fit yours just fine.

in general, i am thinking the gun i am looking for would be the one that you would never want to sell.

 

[Blue .45]

You might find a used Ruger P89 or P95 in that price range. However, Ruger's usually have a heavier DA trigger than most. Aside from that, I've never had a problem with my P89 or P97.

 

[LoneCoon]

I just picked up a S&W 439 for $225, and I love it. It holds 8+1 rounds, and is accurate as I am. You may want to look for one of them.

 

[weregunner]

He said no high capacity folks. That limits it two the single stack guns for the most part that are easy to carry. Unless he wants 10-12 cartridge mag pistols.

S&W has the 908/3913 pistols and Kahr has the K9 that split the difference between sub-compacts and full size pistols.
S&W has the conventional DA/SA triggered guns and the Kahr is a long light DAO trigger pulled pistol.

If you're used to either trigger type then go with what you know. Being familiar with a certain trigger type means easier learning and proficiency for the most part with a certain brand of gun.

Otherwise the compact 10-12 magazine pistols put out by a variety of makers come in to play.
Very good cases can be made for all of these that have been suggested so far.
Am familiar with the Taurus PT111 family and feel it's a good consideration. There's the Taurus PT911 9mm. with 10 in the mag. However this is going to be what fits you and your needs. The other brands can do that as well.

Trying out as many brands,makes, and models as possible will help.Research at the gun specific forums will help get you specific knowledge on each type.

Handling them will also be a big benefit. Whether rented,handling other's guns, or going through the gun cases one at time, this kind of research is paramount to making a right choice.

http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=2418.0
One step down is the CZ 82 or CZ 83. These can be had used at these prices, but are 9x18 Russian caliber or .380 ACP.
There are also Makarovs in that price range.in the 9x18 caliber or in .380ACP.

www.cdnnsports.com , www.aimsurplus.com , and www.jgsales.com have firearms at that ballpark price. Used but serviceable.

 

[[email protected]]

Simple answer!

The perfect gun for you in my opinion is a Ruger P94. I know that you said 9mm but the forty is simply the better of the two. I`m not trying to start a discussion of betters I`m only giving you the best opinion that I can give you. The Ruger P94 is a 10 plus 1, it`s fairly cheap in comparison($399.00 new!), and it is deadly accurate. The price of the ammo is within a few bucks,the recoil,if shooting 165 grain or less, is basically identicle.

If you want to find out about the ballistics of the 9mm compared to the .40 S@W and the .45 I think the website is gunandammo.com but if not just use this term in a search engine along with the term ballistic chart.
I say again, go with the P94,it`s the best,hands down.

 

[[email protected]]

Here`s some more info

I read a negative comment about the trigger. I`ll have to disagree. The stock trigger on my P94 is great. Some people don`t like the "slack" before you reach the "feel" but it actually helps with your accuracy. Another thing, when you reach the point of "feel" the action of the trigger is smoooooth. If you don`t care for the feel of the trigger it costs about $40.00 to get a poundage drop and smooth job done on it. I own a P94 and a Glock 22, both in the .40 caliber. I`ve had 9`s and I love the .45`s but if I was only gonna own 1 of the 3 it would absolutely be the .40 no matter what brand of handgun you decide to buy. Oh yeah, this is a link to the ballistic chart.http://www.gunsandammomag.com/ballistics/?url=/ballistics/45_auto.html&x=3&y=5 It`s not the home page but you`ll figure it out once you get there. Remember to look at similiar grains for the three and you`ll need to use a little lighter grain for the 9mm chart than you would for the .40 S@W and a little heavier for the .45 Try using the jhp type of ammo as well. Hope this info helps .40 .40 .40 .40 .40 .40.40.40.40

 

[GunNut]

Kahr K9 or T9 would be ideal, but you may have to stretch your budget a little bit.

 

[bluetopper]

Makarov meets all requirements. The most manufactured pistol in the world.

 

[rbernie]

You can buy a double-stack with a neutered mag; my favorites would be the CZ PCR and/or P01. For a single-stack, you might want to save your pennies and buy a $400 used Sig P6 (P225 derivitive made for the German police). They are fantastic pistols.

 

[RevolvingCylinder]

S&W Model 39-2(or all the other 39 series). Meets all of your criteria. It's a single-stack so it's slim and designed for 8 or 9 round magazines. Cost is $300 or less. Parts are certainly available. It's also very reliable.

All these other pistols are designed for 10+ round magazines and have extra bulk and weight.

 

[[email protected]]

Here she is!

Beautiful and deadly: These are in the 9mm because I`ve got to go to bed and they were the quickest that I could find. But this will give you an idea of this beautiful machine. Not Bad huh?!

 

[GunNut]

Yes, a S&W 3913 would be just about perfect for your needs.

They are a great gun too, I had one for a while and loved it. The only thing I did not like was the limited capacity, and that is exactly what you are looking for.

 

[Fisherman_48768]

I would definitely give the Walther P38 some consideration. These are going now for about $249.00.

 

[bluecollar]

I would have to second any of the 39 series S&ws. It seems to fit with exactly what you want.

 

[10-Ring]

In 9mm, 10 rounds or less per mag, and $300-ish OTD, I would give the SIG P225 & S&W 3913 a serious look

 

[geronimotwo]

thanks for the .40 info, and that sight is a great resource to bookmark.

i'm glad to see the 3913 included, as this was one of my initial choices. i didn't want to taint the thread by saying that at the beginning.