Help me pick a "sport utility" handgun

Which obscure pistol should I buy?

  • SAR K2P - 9mm

    Votes: 2 3.0%

  • Canik/Tristar CZ Clone (any size) - 9mm

    Votes: 7 10.4%

  • Stoeger Cougar - 9mm or 45

    Votes: 16 23.9%

  • EAA Witness/Armscor MAPP (any size) - 9mm or 45

    Votes: 8 11.9%

  • Arcus 98 DAC - 9mm

    Votes: 2 3.0%

  • Taurus PT92 or Surplus Beretta 92 - 9mm

    Votes: 10 14.9%

  • Canik TP9SA - 9mm

    Votes: 6 9.0%

  • Other - please list :)

    Votes: 16 23.9%
  • Total voters
    67
  • Poll closed .
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JeeperCreeper

JeeperCreeper

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So.... it's new pistol time and I decided I want to buy a dedicated vehicle handgun. Pretty self explanatory.

My criteria:
-Under $400 out the door (I like budget guns)
-Must have personality... I like charming handguns that are not cookie cutter (I'm a handgun hipster)
-Must be 9mm or 45 ACP (because)
-Prefer semi-auto over revolver for this (especially since it is for a vehicle and I don't wanna hafta worry about cylinder gap burning my face off)
-Reliable... duh

Bonus points:
-If it uses CZ75 mags
-If it is smaller than a full-size, larger than a compact (prefer shorter barrel with full size grips)
-Hi Capacity (over 8 in .45, over 15 in 9mm)

Any advice? Missing anything? Any worthy considerations?

P.S. I hate Glocks, they hate me back
P.P.S. I already have a few guns that will probably get mentioned: Ruger 9E, SAR B6p (LOVE ITTT!!!!), Ruger P-series, SCCY and Keltecs, HiPoints, etc
 
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That Beretta is hardly an obscure gun I wouldn't think. BTW I'd get something "other" if I were you. A Taurus PT-145 Millennium Pro third generation is a very nice pistol IMO. At least mine is. I was surprised at how good it is. Or you could get a Tokarev or a clone of one.
 
How about an EAA Witness Compact? I think they can be found under $400. Darn close to a CZ-75 but I don't believe the mags interchange.
 
I've been eying an Arcus 98 for a long while. The couple I've handled have felt nice, and they have (IMO) lots of character.

Dang, now I want to look at one again.
 
1_pistols_eaa_witness_p_s__.40sw_67685.jpg


I know it's plastic but how about a Tangoglio witness 4.6" and what 17+1 for 9mm.

I've seen them at two gunshows in the past month (NC and WV) for the same price of 289.xx

If I'd been in VA I'd have a sample in my safe now.
 
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Prefer semi-auto over revolver for this (especially since it is for a vehicle and I don't wanna hafta worry about cylinder gap burning my face off)
Click to expand...

Ha! This made me laugh pretty good.

The Stoegar Cougar is a darn nice gun for the money.
 
Since concealment isnt a requirement, my vote would be a Witness .45- I LOVED mine: superb accuracy, dont remember a single malfunction ever, 10+1 capacity, built like a frakkin tank. The fit, finish, and machining were way better than any CZ I've seen lately and it was like $425 or something brand new at the time.....I'm sure the scumbag who stole it and my entire nightstand safe loves it just as much as I did....:(
Of course the Beretta 92 is a damn fine gun too- there seems to be a bunch of very early Italian police trade ins flooding the market right now for fire sale prices. Most of them are "cosmetically challenged" so you wont feel bad about letting them bounce around in your tackle box.....
 
Personally, I'd save up a little more and get a used CZ75 or IWI Baby Eagle. That's the beauty of having so many choices, there's something for everyone nowadays.
 
I'd recommend hunting down a gen3 S&W, like a 5903,5906,6906,etc. They are widely acknowledged as being built like tanks and reliably eating absolutely everything (which I can also attest to).
Being stainless rather than blued is another plus for a dedicated car gun. They're beginning to catch on in popularity again, and though the $250 police trade-ins are now (apparantly) gone, they can still be commonly found in the $375-400 range on sites like Armslist, and magazines are not prohibitively excpensive or hard to find.
Another big plus for these IMO is the decocker/safety, so you can keep one with a chambered round, even rolling around in the glove box or under the seat (admittedly,not recommended) without worrying about an AD as I would with a Glock or similar.
 
I picked up an Armalite AR24 compact a while ago used as a curiosity, mostly. These things seem to be horribly unpopular, though mine has been great. This was the first one I'd ever seen in a shop or gunshow. Just a bit heavy (all steel). One of my better buys. I paid $250 for it used and it looked like new.
 
Ditto to posts #11 & #13 above; I love the S&W 3rd gen semiautos.

On Gunbroker there are usually a bunch listed ranging from $250 (for the not-so-popular but still very useful DOA models) up to $600-ridiculous levels.

The 59xx series are full sized with 17 round capacity, while the 69xx series is smaller and w 15 round standard mag capacity I believe. The will all accept the larger cap mags up to the 30 rounders in the S&W 59 style. They are tough as hammers, eat any ammo, and accurate. For a vehicle gun, go with the stainless models (stainless slides & aluminum alloy lowers).


For a used CZ75, check this seller on gunbroker: cdisales
He has surplus Israeli handguns; well used but maintained and reasonably priced - not show pieces but good for a vehicle gun. I picked up a CZ75 and an FN HP35 from him for range shooters.

(I am - unfortunately for my budget - addicted to browsing gunbroker)
 
For sport -- walking or riding in the woods, fishing, and so on, I's go with a good .22. I have several.

In a centerfire, I'd fo with a revolver -- they're more versatile and don't throw your brass into the leaves where you can't find them.
 
I agree with the suggestions for the S&W 3rd Generation guns, especially the 5903, 5906, and 6906 models. The 59xx guns came with 14-round or 15-round magazines and aftermarket magazines holding more are available. The guns are tough, reliable, and inexpensive. I just added a 5903 (stainless steel upper, alloy lower) for less than $350 OTD.
 
IMO a 10MM would be the most versatile sport utility handgun.

From your list an EAA Witness in 10MM would be awesome, me personally it would be a S&W 1006 or one of those evil Glocks.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
 
Bersa

Thunder 9, regular or UC. The 45 is good, but only available in UC size (7+1 rds).

Good SA/DA trigger, ambi slide stop and safety. Reversible mag release. Sights can replaced with Sig to get tritium or whatever you prefer. Parts readily available through importer.

I have a Witness, but I think the Bersa is a better value, and easier to find holsters for.
 
gruney said:
Thunder 9, regular or UC. The 45 is good, but only available in UC size (7+1 rds).

Good SA/DA trigger, ambi slide stop and safety. Reversible mag release. Sights can replaced with Sig to get tritium or whatever you prefer. Parts readily available through importer.

I have a Witness, but I think the Bersa is a better value, and easier to find holsters for.
Click to expand...
I forgot about Bersa!!!! Thanks for the reminder.

Thanks everyone for pointers, especially those who are suggesting options within my criteria
 
You couldn't go wrong with the Beretta trade-ins. My FiL's shoots like it is brand-new. For $300 that is a serious bargain.

Are RIA 1911's still going for around $350? You would have your choice of 9mm or 45.

Size-wise a Canik/Tristar in a medium size sounds like your best bet though.

Yeah, there are a lot of good choices out there. For a "beater" Buds Gun Shop has the Zastava 70A (Tokarov) in 9mm for $200 even.
 
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