Is the Jennings Nine really that bad?

[blue86buick]

I know that this is a loaded topic, and that cheaps guns have a bad rap, but are Bryco Arms Jennings Nine's really that bad? First off...I thought they were different guns until just now. On gunbroker, I saw that it's Bryco Arms (company), Jennings Nine (model). That's a big issue of confusion to those who don't know. Secondly, are they really that bad?

The reason I ask, is I got to shoot one at the range last night. I had a box of 9mm Blazer, and was hoping to borrow a gun to shoot it. Fellow there had one of these cheap wonders, and said "Sure, go ahead." Long story short, I wasn't shooting for accuracy, just to shoot, so I have no idea how accuracte the gun was. And, he had been shooting Wolf 9mm. Had jams up the wazoo over 150 rounds. I put that whole box of Blazer through (using a 10rd and a 12rd mag) w/o a SINGLE jam, problem, malfunction, or anything. Is the issue with theses guns ammo related? Or are they really crap, and this guy's just happened to work for me? I figure it's a disposable gun if anything breaks, or at least I just send it in once THEN toss it next time. Oh yeah, the sights are crap. And, the slide bit my 2nd thumb nuckle; I noticed it was chewed up a little after a mag full.

FWIW, there was another fellow there with a Bryco in .380. He was shooting blazer as well, but claimed to be having all kinds of problems. However, my brand new .380 bersa ate up a box of blazer just fine.

 

[Bren]

Some guns that cost little are very good but the Jennings is a POS.

They even solved a murder once because the owner had a Jennings and it always jammed on the second round. DOH!

 

[makdaddy03]

Yep they are crap. Buy the Hi-Point, 600rds of 40cal through mine and alot of destroyed milk jugs. "Plinker".

 

[Apple a Day]

The guy next to me at the range had one on a session last year. It was awful. I put a magazine through it and it had the worst trigger I have ever felt/seen on a gun. Gritty doesn't even begin to describe it. Accuracy was terrible. I got halfway through the mag and it jammed, a FTE IIRC. The poor guy fought his way through a 50-round box and it was a battle of wills. I don't know what brand.
Who knows, maybe he had a lemon. I wouldn't buy one, though, and I love cheap commie guns.

 

[Ian]

Even the crappiest guns will work sometimes...

 

[blue86buick]

lol, good point Ian. I suppose for the money, I might as well get a Hi-Point..if I'm going to get a cheap gun. I basically want something cheaper to shoot than my Bersa, but more fun than my ruger .22. I don't want to admit it, but I should just save the money (both the gun and ammo) for my Holy Grail...Walther P99 9mm. It's so hard though!!

 

[10-Ring]

I've got a buddy in Canada who somehow acquired a Jennings 9 last year. So far, he seems to like it