I need help nominating pistols for my friend.

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BHPshooter

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My friend and I have both wanted a handgun for a while. I got mine a while ago, but he has yet to get one. He has shot handguns enough to be okay with them, but doesn't know a lot about different ones. I have discussed this with him, and while he likes both .45 and 9mm, he says he wants a 9mm mainly for the low cost of ammo. He likes my Browning HP, but a real Browning or FN is out of his price range right now. So I was trying to make up a list of *good* but not-too-expensive guns (in 9mm).

This is what I could think of so far:

CZ-75

BHP Clone (saw a FEG 9HP for $250, Argies for $350)

Ruger P89/P95



And at that point, with a major headache, I lose forward momentum.

Anybody have any suggestions?

Thanks.
Wes
 
Kel-Tec P11 - $220
Rock Island Armory 1911 - $380
Bersa’s Thunder .380 - $220
 
Makarov: $150

makarov1.jpg
 
Hi Thefumegator,

Sorry if I'm being dense, but what is the top dollar
amount your friend is willing to spend on a handgun?
$400? $500? $600? $700?

Thanks,
Rich
 
Taurus 92 and 99, Police trade in Glocks at times, maybe a Mauser M2, lots of good used S&W 9's out there as well.

Sounds like a fun search, but it would be nice to know the $$ limit like Rick357 says.

I suggest going to GunsAmerica and spending 20 minutes or so researching... Use their search function which has price range parameters.

David4516 is right on tho'. For the bucks a Mak is a great investment. Surplus and new ammo is available online and at most gunstores.

Adios
 
Well, I don't know an exact price limit, but he has told me that my BHP, weighing in at $589 OTD, is too rich for his blood. I would say a good mark would be under $500.

I had totally forgotten about the Taurus autos and Maks. Silly me. :rolleyes:

I have really been telling him to look at a CZ-75B, but he just hasn't gotten around to it yet. Heck, I just might have to get one too. ;)

Just out of curiousity, aren't there some Makarovs out there chambered for 9mm Luger? He said that was the caliber he wanted to stick with... but if he does go for a Mak in 9x18, about how much more expensive is the ammo?

Thanks.
Wes
 
$.02

:cool:
i'm not familiar with the cz but it seems to get alot of praise, but
for the money, if it is not for ccw (pretty big) it would be hard to beat the ruger p's.
i had a charles daly (i believe they are made by rock island arms) terrible
quility broke the barrel bushing at 48 rounds.
 
Glock 19

It's pushing his $ limit, but is a fine shooter that he'll likely want to keep...
 
As far as I know, there is no such thing as a Makarov in 9mm Luger/9X19. I don't think that the Makarov action is strong enough.

9mm Makarov/9X18 is pretty cheap. Something like $5 per box, sometimes less. I'm not 100% sure because I haven't bought a box in some time, as I now reload for the caliber...
 
How about a .22 LR? Lots of shooting fun on the cheap. Is that a consideration?
Click to expand...

He already has a few .22s, and is just looking to "up it" to a centerfire pistol. After we went shooting a couple of times (and looked at ammo prices) he decided he wanted a 9mm as his first centerfire.

As far as I know, there is no such thing as a Makarov in 9mm Luger/9X19. I don't think that the Makarov action is strong enough.
Click to expand...

Ah, I was thinking of 9mm short, a.k.a. .380. Okay, I'm clear on that now.

I have suggested a .380 as another option to consider, but he seems to like 9mm best.

Wes
 
Cost of purchase and cost of ownership are two different issues.

Cheapest store-bought ammo is .22LR and 9MM and .38spl. Ammo costs go up from here.

Be careful of the trap of purchasing an inexpensive handgun in an expensive caliber if funds are tight.

CZ is a good place to start. Good bang for the buck in 9mm.

.38spl revolvers in good used condition are affordable.

.22LR used in revolver or slideguns are affordable.

I like the Bersa .380 because the purchase price is entirely reasonable but ammo is pushing $10.000 / box of 50.

Spend time looking at ammo costs, then back into the platform.

Keep us posted.
 
Another vote for the CZ. The CZ is close in feel to a Hi-Power.
I don't care for the Ruger P series guns. Though well made, I find them clunky feeling and uncomfortable. How about a used Beretta 92?
 
My favorites are (in order of preference):

Glock 19

Glock 23

S&W 5946

S&W 6906

S&W 3913 (or 3913TSW)

Steyr M9

SigPro

H&K USPc

Best buy award: SigPro, Steyr M9

Best buy (runner-up): Taurus PT92/99 series

Budget, excellent guns for the price: Springfield XD9

A little explanation on the S&Ws: the 5946 and 6900 series guns have been discontinued (as have all non-TSW, 3rd generation guns). However, these guns can often be found on the used market for cheap. You may see special runs of 5946TSW guns as a result of LE contracts, but it seems S&W has discontinued all DAO guns. The Steyr would be a first choice for me if the manufacturer would put a little effort into marketing and make sure there is a stable importer for these guns.
 
Springfield XD perhaps? The first thing that popped into my head was CZ-75, because it has close ergonomics to the BHP.
 
I neglected to mention a gun that I don't personally have (yet), but I've never heard a bad review about (other than the fact that they are a bit blocky). That gun is Ruger's P-series pistols (I personally like the P95). Most people I know who have them, have shot the hell out of them with little or no malfunctions and they are no worse for the wear. Additionally, they have the advantage of being stateside, so that if you do have a problem, you will have a comparatively short wait. These guns were made en-masse prior to 1994 so pre-ban mags abound (P95s will use P89 mags). I can't say this for sure, but the number after the P seems to be the year the design was introduced (P85 was the first and it has been discontinued as far as I know).

These things typically run in the mid-300 range, but Ruger is running a $40 rebate program on new guns as long as they are purchased by the end of the year. I might just have to get one (enough though I have 9mms falling off the shelves of my safe).
 
Used S&W, these are very reliable, can be had in all configurations from fullsize to subcompact. Just recently, saw a 3914 at a gunshow in great shape w/box for 275.00! Can't beat it. For someone just getting familiar with handguns and autos in particular those with exposed hammers are nice for safety. I just think one is more "concious" of a "cocked" gun than say something along the lines of a Glock. Also, the addition of a slide mounted safety and magazine disconnect are nice for safety as well. Once more experienced, by all means try 'em all. Enjoy.
 
Don't buy new cheap guns -

look for used quality guns. He can get very good guns on any gunauctions.
There are a lot of folks who are selling good guns.
 
Of the options you've suggested, I like the CZ 75 & w/ the 22 conversion kit, he'd be all set up to do ALOT of shooting!
 
10-Ring is right on

I second what 10-Ring said. I have a CZ75BD and the Kadet kit for it. Absolutely the best money I have spent. You can basically get two top quality guns for the price of one.

SirPorl
 
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