Looking For A Good Plinker 9mm

[wally]

RIA 9mm Tactical or Witness Elite Match 9mm are the best bang/buck choices IMHO, but they are closer to $500 these days.

At $300 I think you are looking used, or maybe a new S&W Sigma, coming from a revolver, the Sigma trigger is not so bad as if coming from a 1911.

In reality its pretty hard to go wrong with a 9mm pistol the competition is so fierce they are all really pretty good.

 

[Byrd666]

Go with a Ruger, first choice, followed closely by a CZ.

STAY AWAY FROM THE STOEGER COUGAR!!!

To those that recommend the Stoeger Cougar and just for your information, I HAD a Cougar, stress the had again. I have never had a bigger piece of (censored) in my hand in all my life. I'm on the north side of 45 too. Bought it brand new and was never able to fire more than three (3) rounds through it total. First clip, first round, fte. Second clip first round, ftf followed by a fte. One more attempt with reloaded clip and quick clean of weapon. First round, perfect. Second round, fte, cleared after a minute or two. Last and final round was the perfect stovepipe after third round went out. Sent back to factory and they replaced the pistol in about three weeks. "Not to bad" I'm thinkin'. Take Brand Newly Replaced pistol to range with WWB 115 grain ball, third round was ANOTHER failure to eject. Sold it as soon as I could find a fool to buy it.

 

[mat250]

I'm going to +1 to the p95. I wouldn't worry about resale because you will never want to get rid of it. It is a great range gun and perfect for a HD gun as well. I have a small lockbox I carry mine around in and take it with me a lot. You really can't beat it for the $.

 

[///AMG]

I will have to go to a range and try rent some pistols. That's a good suggestion. I'll rethink the P95 as well. I also like what I'm reading about the pre B CZ75's. I've been reading around as much as I can and hadn't seen something like that suggested. I'm leaning towards purchasing used so that I can get more gun for less money. I was reading around and it seems as though there are some issues with the 3rd gen G17's. Is that something I should consider and lean towards a 2nd gen? They're a little cheaper and I like that the grips aren't grooved. My cheif concern is the Glock recommended maintenance upgrade I've read about.

 

[mgmorden]

I also like what I'm reading about the pre B CZ75's.

If you've getting a CZ-75 I'd go for a B model. I've already been there, done that on the PreB and didn't enjoy it. You're looking at magazines that are much harder to source (SOME of them will work with Mecgars, but not all), and aftermarket accessories like sights and such are all made for the B model these days.

As to Glocks, I've heard no issues with the 3rd gen guns. There have been some issues with the 4th gen ones though (mainly the recoil spring assembly). Nothing wrong with a Glock at all, but I personally don't see anything special about them. They're just one of many modern, reliable polymer guns. If you can get it cheaper though then by all means I'd look at the 2nd gen ones.

Also, I wouldn't worry much about the resale value. It's not a car. If you get into it I HIGHLY doubt you'll stick to that plan of selling it in a year. Unless its a "problem child", most people always regret selling a particular gun. If you like the P95 then get it. I promise you'll not find anything more reliable (INCLUDING a Glock). As I said earlier my only main complaint with the P95 for target shooting is the short barrel (3.9"). The more I've shot lately, the more I've come to prefer 5"+ for anything that doesn't need to be concealed.

 

[///AMG]

Are there any 5+ pistols you would recommend me to look into? If it weren't for the price the G34 and XD Tactical look like nice guns. I know someone with a P95. I will certainly go out and shoot it and see what I think. If I like it I may just buy one new so that I will get the box etc.

 

[mgmorden]

Are there any 5+ pistols you would recommend me to look into?

The only new 5" barreled 9mm's in this price range that I'm aware of are the Beretta 92 clones by ATI. If you're willing to look used, Walther P1's are right in the ballpark too. Those are fine guns for plinking work, but they are for standard power 9mm loads only (no +P ammo in them).

The CZ-75's though are 4.75" which are not that shabby either. Depending on your preferences though it might not end up being an issue. I started with the P95 myself (it was my first handgun) and it was absolutely fine for my needs for several years. I've only recently started preferring the longer barrels (and not everyone does). That said, I'll never get rid of my P95.

 

[mastiffhound]

Ruger p89, p95 or go .45 acp with a p90 or 97. When they break you send them in and get new ones.

 

[tahunua001]

your options for a 9mm under $300 are a little limited if you want any kind of quality. some people have already mentioned the ruger P95. another company is HI Point, some guys over at thefiringline.com have been raving about their HI Points in 45acp. they are a discount gun that usually run from $150-200 dollars and are considered by many to be un comfortable, blocky, poorly balanced and just overall not high quality. however with that said these guys are getting very respectable groups at 25 yards and beyond and are seeing no reliability problems at all. ergonomics is one of the most subjective arguments in the world. some people love glocks, a lot of people hate them. a lot of guys like 1911s, some people hate them, you need to find gun range that rents them out an make a decision for yourself. the hi point model to look for is the C-9. the only other handgun in your range I can think of is a keltec P11 which is another budget gun but I have never met anyone that's used one nor have I ever seen a range review on one so I cant tell whether it's a good gun or not.

if you save a little longer you could look for a ruger SR9. this is going to be in your entry level service pistol category and is pretty well respected by those that have tried it. it usually runs about $350-425. it's all going to depend on you.

 

[metalart]

Saw a sig sauer sp2022 9mm on sale at academy last week for 365... a bit over your 300 budget, but is a nice gun

 

[dfsixstring]

+1 on the Ruger SR9c. I did not care for the trigger on the LC9. The Sig P250 is also in that range.

 

[exavid]

In your price range you couldn't go too far wrong with a used Ruger P95, or SR9. I wouldn't recommend an SR9c or LC9 for plinking, they are good guns but not as pleasant to shoot a bunch of rounds at a time. As for resale, I wouldn't worry about that too much, buying used pretty well protects against losing much if any money since the main drop in price is that first sale, used guns hold their value pretty well and often outpace inflation.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I just bought a CZ 75b new for $500 and I think it's a great deal. For $300 a used one would be too. I'm just thrilled with mine. It seems to like all the ammo I feed it, including my plated bullet hand loads. Ergonomics are real nice like a Sig. Accuracy is outstanding.
Like the CZ rimfire rifles, I think the CZ 75 is one of the best values in it's class.

 

[Get R Done Guns]

Ruger or RIA would do just fine. Both would be about that price for you! If you like 1911 get the RIA, they are really fun.

 

[lono]

I have a 1911 Springfield loaded in 9mm and it is a great plinker.

 

[chris93555]

Save some more money and get a Ruger SR9, they are a great all around gun. Priced around $400

 

[///AMG]

I think I've narrowed it down to the CZ75B if I decide to go with a steel frame and Glock 17 if I want a polymer. I am also still considering a 1911 9mm. I will take the advice given to me and give what I can a try and see what feels best. Can't thank you guys enough for the advice This is a great forum.

Where do you recommend I purchase a used gun? Would forums or a gun show be a reasonable way to go?

 

[PO2Hammer]

I've had good luck with Gunbroker.com. I've bought about 6 used guns there. I see there are some Czech police trade in CZ 75's on there now. They don't have interchangeable front sights or firing pin safeties, so be aware of that.

Here's a read for you;
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/CZ75.htm

 

[dfsixstring]

I wouldn't recommend an SR9c or LC9 for plinking, they are good guns but not as pleasant to shoot a bunch of rounds at a time.

I have to disagree. With the full-sized magazine (17+1), this pistol is pleasant to shoot. With the smaller magazine (10+1) - and the pinky extension, it fits my hand nicely and is as accurate as any pistol I've shot. Of course, my opinions are "my" opinions. You need to go to a range that will let you rent a variety of guns in your price range and shoot them. That's the only way to know if you're going to be satisfied with what you get.

 

[ku4hx]

If NIB for under $300 is what you want get a Sigma.

If you can hold off a bit then do so and save up for that $600 Glock or whatever.

If you choose to buy used do the research and know how to assess a gun for excessive wear, mistreatment and etc..

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Hi-Point
Ruger P-Series
Ruger SR Series (if you really search!)
S&W Sigma Series
S&W SD Series
Sig Sauer SP2022 (I bought one for 299 new)
Older Smiths, too

Pretty much everything else is either more money, too small for plinking, or too unreliable to be fun.

 

[97guns]

or you can get yerself a pocketable single stack 9mm. they will fill 2 rolls, they are easily plinkable and conceal well if you need it.

 

[mgmorden]

or you can get yerself a pocketable single stack 9mm. they will fill 2 rolls, they are easily plinkable and conceal well if you need it.

Meh. Just my IMHO, but there's few things less fun than plinking with a pocket gun. They recoil more due to their small size, they have shorter sight radii making them harder to shoot, the sights themselves are often very small and hard to see to avoid snagging, they have heavier triggers for safety, they're harder to grip, and they usually only hold a few rounds (I like to get in a good number of shots plinking before I reload).

Overall I liken it to drag racing with an ambulance. Sure, it's got a steering wheel and a gas pedal, and you CAN do the physical act, but it's just not going to be fun.

 

[97guns]

to each his own but i thoroughly enjoyed wringing 450 rounds out of my lc9 the other day.

 

[2wheels]

Go with a Ruger, first choice, followed closely by a CZ.

STAY AWAY FROM THE STOEGER COUGAR!!!

To those that recommend the Stoeger Cougar and just for your information, I HAD a Cougar, stress the had again. I have never had a bigger piece of (censored) in my hand in all my life. I'm on the north side of 45 too. Bought it brand new and was never able to fire more than three (3) rounds through it total. First clip, first round, fte. Second clip first round, ftf followed by a fte. One more attempt with reloaded clip and quick clean of weapon. First round, perfect. Second round, fte, cleared after a minute or two. Last and final round was the perfect stovepipe after third round went out. Sent back to factory and they replaced the pistol in about three weeks. "Not to bad" I'm thinkin'. Take Brand Newly Replaced pistol to range with WWB 115 grain ball, third round was ANOTHER failure to eject. Sold it as soon as I could find a fool to buy it.

Sorry you had a bad experience. My Cougar is one of the most reliable handguns I've ever shot, 2500 rounds without one failure. The vast majority of Beretta/Stoeger Cougar owners I've talked to are very happy with their guns, and for the price and quality they're hard to beat.