Help me pick a new pistol!

Which inexpensive 9mm should I go for?

  • Rock Island

    Votes: 13 22.0%

  • Taurus

    Votes: 6 10.2%

  • Other ideas

    Votes: 40 67.8%
  • Total voters
    59
  • Poll closed .
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dogmush

Member
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
1,135
Location
Tampa
Hey folks, I find myself looking for a new pistol for a specific role. I'm looking for an inexpensive, but reliable pistol that can live in my truck* during the day, or get thrown in a backpack during hikes, or in a bag on my boat. Basiclly, off-body or bag carry for times when having my holster on is untenable.

Must Haves:
9mm
>15 rds in mag
total purchase price (including shipping and $25 transfer) under $400.
Hammer
Safety must be Ambi (if it exists)

Things I'd like:
Safety is correct direction and frame mounted if it exists. (up safe, down fire)
DA capability (so DA/SA)
Reliable
Rail

Things that need not apply:
Revolvers

So far I've found the RIA MAP1 or MAPP1 for right at $300, A Taurus PT92 for $370, and a possible used 3rd Gen Smith.

Any other ideas? I don't have any CZ75 derivitives, so I'm thinking the Rock Island might be a good cheap way to test those waters. (It worked for me and 1911s). I have a beretta 92 currentlly doing something else, so the Taurus is at least a knownish quantaty.

What says the 'net?

*My truck is locked in a secure lot at work. Let's skip the "Don't leave guns in the car at Wal-Mart talk." If I stop on the way home I have a Man Purse to slide it in.
 
I have had my PT92 for 25 years or so. It has always functioned reliably. The sights and trigger are good. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another if it was stolen or something.
 
For your pricepoint i would get a smith and wesson sigma sw9ve... They're rock solid reliable. The trigger just sucks. It will make you a better shooter, and the trigger can be improved.
 
Century Arms Zastava CZ999 is about $300 on cheaperthandirt right now.
 
The Taurus might be a good way to go in that it's got a DA/SA trigger and the safety can be used as either a decocker (DA mode), or as a thumb safety (SA mode). Very reliable and well built it should serve your intended purpose rather nicely and at your price point.
 
dogmush, choosing a pistol is intensely personal; just like choosing a woman to date.
Recommendations from others won't matter. It is what floats your goat that matters.
Pyro suggested a Zastava CZ999; Same as a Zastava EZ9. I have one of these.
It is a SIG 226 knock off with some features not offered by SIG Sauer.
It seems like a good pistol, but magazines can be hard to find & there is no aftermarket support for it. It is comfortable, reliable & accurate.
Upon closer inspection, the Zastava is lacking.
The coating easily rubs off & when you look at the underside of the slide, you will notice the rough machining & tool marks. Some call this a military finish.
A better choice might be the Austrian Steyr L9-A1 or the Slovakian Grand Power K100 Mk7. Both of these offer world class design & workmanship for between $400. & $500.
I know it is more than what you want to spend, but for around $100 more you get a better pistol with more aftermarket support & a pistol that will command more in return should you find yourself needing to sell.
Another great pistol in the same price range would be the CZ P-07 & 09 series of pistol.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/7-GHG2891N
I have the K100 Mk7. Very comfortable & very accurate 9mm.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/7-GHG3192N
I have the Zastava. Not the most impressive, but its a great truck gun.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/6-0218098
I do not yet own the P-09, but I have several other CZ pistols & all are very good.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/7-GL9A1
I love the Steyr! Amazing pistol, yet it is resigned to cult status. Buy one & you will be amazed also.
Good luck in your search! Spend more & get more, but spend wisely.
 
I have a Taurus but it isn't a PT92. Mine is very accurate and dead reliable. The one PT92 I have been around was neither. Taurus doesn't always make good stuff. It's hit and miss with them. I think I would get a Taurus PT-111 Millennium Pro G2. Impact is selling them for $297. The only thing missing from your list is that it only holds 12 rounds in the mag. But it's a small frame pistol that is great for CCW. And it's a model that has a good reputation. But it may be small for a truck gun too. If you aren't going to be carrying it then maybe you do want something bigger. Still my Mil. Pro has been excellent but mine is a .45. I keep a bigger gun in my truck too actually. It's a SA XDm .40. I do carry is sometimes in the winter when my clothes can cover it well but mostly I keep it in the truck and carry a LCP in my pocket.

To be honest the PT92 doesn't have a good reputation. It's sole selling point seems to be it's relationship to the Berettas.

There are other choices of course. CZ might still sell some pistols in that price range. They were selling them for just over $200 before the panic. Their prices have gone up though. People have gotten wise to the fact that they make excellent firearms and the prices have gone up as demand has gone up. If you could find a good used SA XDm I think that would be great for your purposes but they are generally out of that price range even used.

In the 2 choices you listed I'd probably get the RI. I just don't have a lot of respect for that Taurus model.
 
Is it just me

Or do people tend to ignore what the poster asked and just submit their favorites ?
Must Haves:
9mm
>15 rds in mag
total purchase price (including shipping and $25 transfer) under $400.
Hammer
Safety must be Ambi (if it exists)

Things I'd like:
Safety is correct direction and frame mounted if it exists. (up safe, down fire)
DA capability (so DA/SA)
Reliable
Rail
Click to expand...

I suggested the Bersa not because it is my favorite gun but because it met his specs...How does a Glock 19 or many of the others meet his must have or likes?
 
Used Glock 19 will fill your needs!
Click to expand...

For your pricepoint i would get a smith and wesson sigma sw9ve
Click to expand...

Ruger sr9e 330.00 at Buds
Click to expand...

One of the "Must Have's" was a Hammer.

dogmush, choosing a pistol is intensely personal; just like choosing a woman to date. Recommendations from others won't matter. It is what floats your goat that matters.
Click to expand...

Oh I know, I will be doing the final picking. I was just hoping that some THR folks might be able to come up with a gun, that fits the feature list, that I didn't know about.

I know it is more than what you want to spend, but for around $100 more you get a better pistol with more aftermarket support & a pistol that will command more in return should you find yourself needing to sell.
Click to expand...

Price is firm. That's what this function is worth to me. If I can't find something that fits the bill and budget I'll do without, or repurpose one of my other 20 or so handguns.

That fits that 100% and is dependable

Bersa Thunder Pro 9mm
Click to expand...

Hmmm... Forgot about Bersa. I'll add that to the list for pondering.

Century Arms Zastava CZ999 is about $300 on cheaperthandirt
Click to expand...

See. I have no idea what this is. that's the point of this thread. I'll go take a look at it. Thanks.

To answer the rest, I haven't seen a P-07/09 under $400, and I had a Ruger P95. Reliable, but I didn't like it at all. Good gun if it fits you though.

Keep 'em coming.
 
Glock 19 has a great many of his requirement:

Reliable

15 round capacity

Amby Safety (Safe Action) in the trigger.

Used Price of $400.00

My next choice would be a SIG PRO 2022.
 
My next choice would be a SIG PRO 2022.
Click to expand...

Got one. It's busy doing other things. I would actually buy a second for this if I could find one in the $350 range. Alas, too many people have discovered them.
 
I'm not a Glock fanboi by any means, but a police trade-in Glock 19 might be right up your alley.

I nabbed one for under $400 earlier this year that looked practically new. I just replaced the springs to be on the safe side.

A polymer-framed gun makes more sense than a steel-framed on for "truck gun" duty (not that I would ever leave a firearm in my car for any long period of time).
 
CZ-82 comes close;

9mm (9 x 18)
Hammer
DA/SA
DA only option or
Cocked & Locked option
Frame mounted safety
Ambi safety
Safety up for on, down for off
Compact size for conceal carry
Field tested tough by the Ruskies

Probably get one for around $300.00 leaving change for holster and ammo.

Only place it falls a little short is it's 12 round magazine and no rail.
 
Last edited:
agent109 said:
Glock 19 has a great many of his requirement:

Reliable

15 round capacity

Amby Safety (Safe Action) in the trigger.

Used Price of $400.00

My next choice would be a SIG PRO 2022.
Click to expand...

My God, you are insufferable. Must have ≠ optional. If you can't offer advice in line with what OP's looking for, then don't post.
 
It is right on the upper edge of your price range but I was looking at slickguns.com right after reading this thread & saw that buds has the Berretta PX4 for $380 after $75 mail in rebate. There were a couple other variants of this platform that were slightly less expensive. The one I was looking at was a G model (decock only). I don't have any experience with the platform but it might fit what you're looking for.
 
for your price range i would look for a police trade in Glock or smith but you might want to kick in a little more money in the pot
 
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