Hammer Fire 9mm

[TennJed]

What are some choices for a Hammer Fired 9mm for less than $500.00 NIB? Would most people consider the Ruger P series the best in this class? Are there smaller ones?

This gun would be mainly for plinking and nightstand duty with the possiblity of occasional carry IWB.

Thanks

 

[BLB68]

The Stoeger Cougar runs around $400 retail. It's the same gun as the Beretta Cougar, only made in Turkey. Beretta owns Stoeger and moved their Cougar machines to Turkey a few years back. The biggest difference is that the finish isn't quite as nice as the Beretta models had, though I think it's the same stuff. The ones I've seen in person looked OK to me though.

Bersa has both a full size and compact 9mm. These are pretty highly regarded, as are the rest of the Bersa line. They're Walther P88 clones (if I got the model right).

EAA has the Witness line, which are basically CZ clones. These are made by Tanfoglio and seem to be of good quality. I see a lot of good reviews of them online. I used to own a Witness in .45 and it seemed equal to my late 80's vintage CZ75 in all around fit and finish.

Regarding size, all three of the above are offered in compact models. I'd put all of them slightly ahead of the Ruger P95 overall, though it's a great value and a solid gun by all reports.

 

[Snowdog]

There are actually a few good options, but I'll chime in and suggest a Bersa Thunder 9, either full-size or "ultra compact" (compact). They're incredibly solid, feature-packed high-capacity (13 rounds UC, 17 rounds fullsize) autos with a good reputation for perfomance and customer service.
They're also ergonomic for me (since I'm aware that's subjective). I would say around half the time I'm carrying, it's a Bersa UC9. I am quite happy with mine.

I forget now just how much I paid for my new-in-box UC9 ("Pro" model), but I want to say it was under $400 after all was said and done.
I do believe Southern Ohio Guns sells them for closer to $300 NIB, but I'm not certain if they're the updated Pro version and I know they have difficulties keeping them in stock.

Available in nickel or blue, based off the Walther M88, as BLB68 pointed out.

 

[mnhntr]

I would say for the price you are wanting to pay the FNP would be my choice.

 

[Cig guy]

Sig Pro. They go on sale often for $400

 

[Pukindog12]

+1 for the Stoeger Cougar 8000F. I purchased one in mid Feb. this year and liked it so much I purchased a second one a month later. Neither one has given me any problems whatsoever and, at least in my hands, are very, very accurate. Best firearm purchases I have made since my 686.

 

[Redlegvzv]

The Ruger is a good choice, as you say. If it were me I would drop the "hammer fired" criteria and look at either the Ruger SR9, SR9c or the S&W M&P9. These are in the $400 range and are state-of-the-art excellent firearms.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

If you can scare up another $50, check out the CZ75.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I'd been torn between the value and shootability of the SigPro 2022 or the size of the Sig P6. I would consider either of them a better value the any Ruger

 

[earlthegoat2]

People making a big deal about the safety (leave it off) and the loaded chamber indicator (it's tiny) are making much ado about nothing. IMHO.

Ditto.

The Rugers are great guns and are a good value but you can get so much more for a relative few extra dollars. If you can find a 3rd generation S&W 39 or 59 series pistol you would be doing well for yourself. The Sig 2022 and P6/P225 can be had for very little dollars for what you get.

I think you should be able to find any number of used CZ 75s for under 500 as well as police trade in Beretta 92s.

 

[2wheels]

+1 for the Stoeger Cougar.

Got mine used for $300+FFL, it's just a range toy for me but I'd feel confident carrying it or setting it on the nightstand.

 

[dondavis3]

1 . Sig Pro 2022 in 9mm



2. My Beretta PX4 Storm in 9mm



3. CZ 75 or 85 - my CZ 75 Compact.



4. My EAA Witness.



My advice is always to buy a quality "used" gun before buying a "new" cheap gun. IMHO

You can find lot's of good buys if you know what you want and really search for them..

In the past I've bought cheap new and I never was satisfied with them.

 

[nalioth]

EAA has the Witness line, which are basically CZ clones.

They've not been Cz75 clones since about 2008 when they went to the "one large frame for all calibers" design.

The Tangfolio pistol that was being sold as the original Witness is now being sold by Rock Island Armory as the MAP-1 (steel) or MAPP-1 (polymer)

 

[wbwanzer]

Here's the Cougar everyone is talking about with some inexpensive Beretta grips. I got it new for $400 at Bass Pro.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

ditto earl, for me the S&W 5900 - 915 has a better trigger, more 'pointable' and shoots better groups than the Ruger P series. MecGar makes a 17rd mag for it too. CDNN has used ones around 300$
I like the CZ and Bersa though, particular that CZ - everyone I've shot has been a shooter.

 

[FNX-9]

you can get an FNX off of gunbroker for less than $500 right now. Obviously i am biased (user name), over 4,000 rounds thru it and never had a single malfunction. I carry it sometimes and have used it for IDPA, all around great gun.

Sig and CZ are also great choices IMHO.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

It won't be new, but the discontinued S&W Third Generations (e.g., 5906) are reliable pistols.

 

[mtnkid85]

I really enjoy shooting the Ruger P89. Its a big heavy, no frills gun- but it shoots so nice! I dont think you could hurt it if you tried either.
The Houge grips do make it feel a bit better too.

Surely wouldnt want to ccw it, but for your application id reccomend it.

 

[golden]

COUGAR for a hammer gun

I have owned the BERETTA COUGAR 8000 model in 9m.m. and found it to be an excellent pistol.
My biggest complaint was the short sight radius due to the short slide and barrel. I would have preferred a 1/2 inch shorter grip and 1/2 inch longer barrel.
The grip was very comfortable and the gun was accurate enough, but not as good as my BERETTA 92. A lot of that was due to the short sight radius, not any shortcoming of the pistol.

I think the RUGER is a very reliable and is accurate enough for the defense role. My major complaints about the first and second generation RUGER pistols is that they had a "CLUNKY" feel in my hand.
On the other hand, my P90 was 100% reliable with any ammo.

For well under $500.00, you can also buy a DEMO gun. I have bought several BERETTA 92 & 96 pistols at the gun show for about $429.00. These guns usually come with night sights as well.

I have only recommended the guns that have a hammer and I have actually used.

Jim

 

[sparks701]

Sig Pro at Buds. Under $400 delivered to your ffl.

 

[Ala Dan]

Often times, deals can be had at CDNN~! Sometimes, they even have SIG P6's
for around $400~!

 

[Lead Head]

Hands down get a CZ, great shooter, very nice trigger, large capacity magazine and reliable. CZ is a great gun value.

Stay away form Ruger center fire pistols, crappy trigger pull and not reliable.

 

[Strahley]

SIG SP2022
Beretta PX4
Beretta/Stoeger Cougar
FN FNP 9
Rock Island 1911 9mm

 

[Lead Head]

I had a real bad experience with an FN P-9; it wouldn't shoot reloads and the factory said they don't build guns around reloads and I can understand that because there are idiots out there that load everything imaginable. But I was loading to within SAMMI specks and spent a month trying every gyration imaginable. Called the factory again and they said "does it shoot factory right" answer, yes, essentially tough beans. They build guns for factory ammunition and don't want to hear about reload feed problems. In fact another statement they made was, these are military guns made to fire factory ammo only so I used a NATO equivalent powder to try again and got the same results.

IMO again I can see not guaranteeing any off the wall reload for someone who doesn't know what they're doing but I'd be more inclined to say they build guns that CANT fire reloads. I took it back where I got it and got a CZ which has a more particular chamber than mot guns but my reloads fired fine.

You decide.

 

[AJChenMPH]

Lots of good choices out there...but I was just going to suggest something similar:

If you can find a 3rd generation S&W 39 or 59 series pistol you would be doing well for yourself.

Does it have to be a new pistol? If not -- the S&W 3rd gens are really solid pistols. I'd actually recommend a 69xx series over the 39xx and 59xx series only because it's quite compact to carry IWB (a smidgen smaller than a G19), but you can use the 59xx series mags in it for nightstand duty (the S&W 15-round mags are even available with the grip collar to fill in the gap between the bottom of the grip and the bottom of the mag floorplate). You're probably looking at about $600 for the pistol with two 12-round mags and three 15-round mags with the grip collars (once you factor in shipping, FFL transfer fee, etc.).