I plan to purchase a 9mm pistol soon. My criteria are: $300 or less, new or used, and will be used some as CCW, but also want it to be a comfortable shooter. Right now my top choice is the SW 5906 from CDNN for $299. They also have a ATI CS9 compact that looks interesting. Please feel free to suggest any other choices for me to consider. Thanks!
Help with 9mm pistol choice
- Thread starter gm319g
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Michael R.
Member
My dad has a 5906. It is a nice gun and has a good trigger. The ruger p95 is also a great choice, and I have one as well. It is as reliable as you can get in a 9mm and they are a great bang for the buck. All in all, it comes down to user preference and feel.
righteoushoot
Member
5906 is a great choice. Very low recoil and 15 +1.
Also, Crimson Trace makes a LASER Grip for it.
Also, Crimson Trace makes a LASER Grip for it.
Sauer Grapes
Member
5906 period! The 3rd Gen. S&W pistols are so under rated. I have 3 of them. By far some of my favorite pistols.
Loosedhorse
member
S&W Sigma.
roaddog28
Member
You have zeroed in on a great choice. The 5906 is a excellent choice and reasonable in price. Also the S&W Sigma is a good choice. Another option is a Ruger P95. A excellent gun for around $300.
Good luck
Howard
Good luck
Howard
I just responded to another question in another sub-forum with a similar comment.
I agree that how the pistol fits your hand is important.
However, you should also consider the long term issues of ownership. Try to avoid a brand that is not likely to offer support down the road, let alone not supporting their product right now.
Check the web (especially midwayusa/brownells/etc) for availability and cost on spare mags (you should own 6 minimum), holsters that fit (not the size #1 soft nylon that fits all guns within a few inches in each direction) and basic spare parts.
You do not absolutely need to buy your spare mags right now, but calculate the cost of 4 to 6 spares and compare overall costs to buy everything you need. If spare mags are $30 each it might be cheaper to buy a glock. It might also be bad if the magazines are hard to find in a year and you are forced to pay top dollar on gunbroker to buy one or two, when you can find them. There have been many low cost pistols on the market over the last several decades that are long gone and long forgotten; I would like to give specific examples but I cannot remember them either. Arctus (Arturus?), Parker, Astra A80/90/100, Star 28/30, Llama Omni, Llama M87(?), Magastar. Now the memories are all flooding back. Try finding parts/magazines/nightsights/holsters for any of these.
If the extractor breaks or the rear sight gets mashed, will the factory make the repair? Are there any gunsmiths in your area who are able to make the repair? Who does authorized repairs for the low cost import gun?
Will you want to upgrade or accessorize later? Maybe in a few years you would like to get checkered wood grips, or night sights. Someone else mentioned laser grips. You may not want them now, but if you change your mind you may be stuck. Any lower end pistol will be less customizable/upgradeable than a high end pistol, but a little research could improve your future prospects.
You can always sell the gun later and buy something different if your tastes change. Resale will be stronger with a known brand; both the price you will get and the time it takes to find a buyer who is interested in your gun.
I would think hard before passing up a S&W or Ruger for an import from a less well known maker. If you do decide to go with the import, be sure to buy mags right away from the same folks that import the gun.
I agree that how the pistol fits your hand is important.
However, you should also consider the long term issues of ownership. Try to avoid a brand that is not likely to offer support down the road, let alone not supporting their product right now.
Check the web (especially midwayusa/brownells/etc) for availability and cost on spare mags (you should own 6 minimum), holsters that fit (not the size #1 soft nylon that fits all guns within a few inches in each direction) and basic spare parts.
You do not absolutely need to buy your spare mags right now, but calculate the cost of 4 to 6 spares and compare overall costs to buy everything you need. If spare mags are $30 each it might be cheaper to buy a glock. It might also be bad if the magazines are hard to find in a year and you are forced to pay top dollar on gunbroker to buy one or two, when you can find them. There have been many low cost pistols on the market over the last several decades that are long gone and long forgotten; I would like to give specific examples but I cannot remember them either. Arctus (Arturus?), Parker, Astra A80/90/100, Star 28/30, Llama Omni, Llama M87(?), Magastar. Now the memories are all flooding back. Try finding parts/magazines/nightsights/holsters for any of these.
If the extractor breaks or the rear sight gets mashed, will the factory make the repair? Are there any gunsmiths in your area who are able to make the repair? Who does authorized repairs for the low cost import gun?
Will you want to upgrade or accessorize later? Maybe in a few years you would like to get checkered wood grips, or night sights. Someone else mentioned laser grips. You may not want them now, but if you change your mind you may be stuck. Any lower end pistol will be less customizable/upgradeable than a high end pistol, but a little research could improve your future prospects.
You can always sell the gun later and buy something different if your tastes change. Resale will be stronger with a known brand; both the price you will get and the time it takes to find a buyer who is interested in your gun.
I would think hard before passing up a S&W or Ruger for an import from a less well known maker. If you do decide to go with the import, be sure to buy mags right away from the same folks that import the gun.
Strykervet
member
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- 1,610
I hate junk firearms. Get the Smith. Those 3rd gens are going for real cheap now, nobody is using them, but Smith doesn't make 'em anymore, they are too expensive compared to Glock. One day, probably soon, they'll make a comeback be sought after.
The 10mm's already are. I had to talk a guy down from $795 to $680 on a 1006 --and I got a great deal. The 9mm's aren't sought after yet, so get 'em while the gettin' is good.
BTW, the ONLY reason they are so cheap is that most were police pistols and when most cops went to Glocks, these got sold cheap. Glock was even known to give out free pistols, just give us your old Smiths (which they could sell for more than it cost them to make the Glock by far!). Smith copied the Glock, thus the Sigma, and the rest is history.
A Sigma is a nothing more than a Glock copy without the tenifer treatment. They got sued by Glock and found they directly copied many patented parts, and in fact, many Glock parts would work in the Sigma and function. But I still think they are uglier than a Glock. Sorry, but it's true.
Speaking of Glocks, if you raise your price by $50-$100, you can get a really nice used Glock if you look around. I have six, they are great tools.
The 10mm's already are. I had to talk a guy down from $795 to $680 on a 1006 --and I got a great deal. The 9mm's aren't sought after yet, so get 'em while the gettin' is good.
BTW, the ONLY reason they are so cheap is that most were police pistols and when most cops went to Glocks, these got sold cheap. Glock was even known to give out free pistols, just give us your old Smiths (which they could sell for more than it cost them to make the Glock by far!). Smith copied the Glock, thus the Sigma, and the rest is history.
A Sigma is a nothing more than a Glock copy without the tenifer treatment. They got sued by Glock and found they directly copied many patented parts, and in fact, many Glock parts would work in the Sigma and function. But I still think they are uglier than a Glock. Sorry, but it's true.
Speaking of Glocks, if you raise your price by $50-$100, you can get a really nice used Glock if you look around. I have six, they are great tools.
W.E.G.
Member
Ruger P95 or Smith and Wesson 915
beatledog7
Member
You can own a police turn-in CZ75 for that money as well.
Last edited:
XxBulletBendeRXx
Member
Hello,
IMO the Ruger P95 is a bit bulky for carry. But I do have a friend who has one and i've shot it, it shoots well and 15+1 is good capacity. But still rather Bulky, but definatley low cost. He is a thin SOB and he hides it well with just a t shirt and and lower end nylon clip holster, appendix carry. He scored his for $160 bucks used off of backpage.com with original case and paperwork.
I would suggest the Ruger Sr9 or Sr9c being you wanted it for ccw. Some would not recomend due to the external saftey, however it can be disengaged rather easily like a 1911. The P95 has a saftey I believe, Dont quote me on that though. Or simply leave the saftey off. With enough practice, the safty comes on and off without even giving it a thought. The SR9 or SR9c models from Ruger are a nice snd slim design with a nice trigger break IMO, and does not print very well. Being a thinner frame. I know your price point is $300, so you would have to look for a used one, being they are $410-$440 or so new, $300 used is possible. Same goes for the Glocks, a 26 or a 19 and the G17 service model for EDC. I would go with the 26, (have mine on me now in a crossbreed IWB kydex/leather holster) used might be a little over 300 however police trade ins are pretty available and usally pretty good options for the used market, and you could score one for $300. The Smith and Wesson already mentioned above "is underrated by some", but they are good for the money. Ive seen those for $299 new latley. Oh yeah one other nice 9 mm pistol is the LC9, of course this fall into the, pocket pistol catagory but they shoot great once you get used to the DAO trigger. I use it on Hot summer days or when I'm just in my sweat pants running errands. Works great in the pocket with a DeSantis pocket holster. Cross breed also makes a a IWB Kydex/leather holster for the LC9. Its VERY thin. HARD to Be made or print no matter your clothing. I use it as my BUG as well. If you could find one of those used you would be set, being that the retail price is $330-$370 and used would be well under $300 bux and have room in budget for a good holster. Depending on what dealer/Gun shop you go to. I would like to Mention, Back Page Dot Com, In their sporting goods section you will find a lot of deals for used guns and gear. I dont know what sate you are in, but where Im at the gun laws are great. They are cash only, in person deal transactions. Most people on there that do fiream trading, buying, and selling are for the most part are very good at communicating, UNLIKE Craigslist where they are to many flakes and A$$ hats lurking. No firearms on Craigslist anyway, just a similar site to CL.
Sorry If this post is a bit long but I wanted to point out a few things for you. I hope this helps you out. Good luck and happy pistol hunting. Its part of the fun!!!
**Bullet Bender**
IMO the Ruger P95 is a bit bulky for carry. But I do have a friend who has one and i've shot it, it shoots well and 15+1 is good capacity. But still rather Bulky, but definatley low cost. He is a thin SOB and he hides it well with just a t shirt and and lower end nylon clip holster, appendix carry. He scored his for $160 bucks used off of backpage.com with original case and paperwork.
I would suggest the Ruger Sr9 or Sr9c being you wanted it for ccw. Some would not recomend due to the external saftey, however it can be disengaged rather easily like a 1911. The P95 has a saftey I believe, Dont quote me on that though. Or simply leave the saftey off. With enough practice, the safty comes on and off without even giving it a thought. The SR9 or SR9c models from Ruger are a nice snd slim design with a nice trigger break IMO, and does not print very well. Being a thinner frame. I know your price point is $300, so you would have to look for a used one, being they are $410-$440 or so new, $300 used is possible. Same goes for the Glocks, a 26 or a 19 and the G17 service model for EDC. I would go with the 26, (have mine on me now in a crossbreed IWB kydex/leather holster) used might be a little over 300 however police trade ins are pretty available and usally pretty good options for the used market, and you could score one for $300. The Smith and Wesson already mentioned above "is underrated by some", but they are good for the money. Ive seen those for $299 new latley. Oh yeah one other nice 9 mm pistol is the LC9, of course this fall into the, pocket pistol catagory but they shoot great once you get used to the DAO trigger. I use it on Hot summer days or when I'm just in my sweat pants running errands. Works great in the pocket with a DeSantis pocket holster. Cross breed also makes a a IWB Kydex/leather holster for the LC9. Its VERY thin. HARD to Be made or print no matter your clothing. I use it as my BUG as well. If you could find one of those used you would be set, being that the retail price is $330-$370 and used would be well under $300 bux and have room in budget for a good holster. Depending on what dealer/Gun shop you go to. I would like to Mention, Back Page Dot Com, In their sporting goods section you will find a lot of deals for used guns and gear. I dont know what sate you are in, but where Im at the gun laws are great. They are cash only, in person deal transactions. Most people on there that do fiream trading, buying, and selling are for the most part are very good at communicating, UNLIKE Craigslist where they are to many flakes and A$$ hats lurking. No firearms on Craigslist anyway, just a similar site to CL.
Sorry If this post is a bit long but I wanted to point out a few things for you. I hope this helps you out. Good luck and happy pistol hunting. Its part of the fun!!!
**Bullet Bender**
beatledog7
Member
Just google Robertson's Trading Post and you'll find they have a bunch of Czech police CZ75s, mostly pre-B, which they sell through through Guns America.
You will not find a better pistol than a S&W 3rd gen. Ive owned a 5906 and currently have a 5926. They were made in a plethora of options so look around, you can find em under $300 all day long and I paid under $250 for each of mine. I find that I can shoot my 5926 more accurately than my M&P 9mm, granted the M&P is lighter and holds a few more rounds, but my 5926 is still my every day carry gun. I just have a M&P for the threaded barrel and use it for my suppressor.
Wanderling
Member
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2011
- Messages
- 923
If you're OK with 9x18 Mak round I'd look for a Makarov. There were millions made and they're still a standard issue weapon in Russia and some other countries so I doubt that finding parts will become difficult any time soon. It's exceptionally reliable and small enough to carry. The round, from what I read, is a tad hotter than .38 although not as powerful as 9mm Para. They were selling just above $200 a month or so ago.
I'd pick a proven military pistol from a country known to be obsessed with firearm reliability over a S&W loss leader any day. But this is just my opinion.
I'd pick a proven military pistol from a country known to be obsessed with firearm reliability over a S&W loss leader any day. But this is just my opinion.
XxBulletBendeRXx
Member
Plinking ammo is somewhat available for 9x 18, at gunshows and online, but none is at big stores and rearely at your local small shops.. Not to mention defense ammo its hard to find gold dot, hst, golden saber, etc. unless you load your own. And using handloads for defense is a liabilty issue if god forbid that scenario were to play out. Just my .002 cents on a ccw makarov.
Bullet Bender
Bullet Bender
highlander 5
Member
Ruger P series and IIRC there are boat loads of mags for them both factory and after market.
Madcap_Magician
Member
The Sig 2022 is a good choice. Otherwise, S&W 3rd-gen autos are good. Ruger autos. Bersas.
I would pass on the Smegma with those other choices available, though it's not a terrible gun.
I would pass on the Smegma with those other choices available, though it's not a terrible gun.
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