Most accurate service handgun around or under $500?

[LiveLife]

Without hesitation, a CZ. Period.

+1, but I want to put some qualifiers. Accuracy slow fire at 25 yards or rapid fire at 7-15 yards?

Slow fire at 25 yards:
We have done several "bring all your pistols for comparison shootout" at the range and CZ's produced very tight "slow fire" accuracy out to 25 yards, hands down. Smooth trigger/hammer release really helps here. Out of the box, XD45 is the closest contender I have experienced with slow fire accuracy. If you factor in aftermarket/modified, then M&P45 with APEX trigger. My M&P45 with a trigger job produced next smallest 25 yard slow fire groups that have continued to improve as the trigger job settled in (I did the trigger job in stages). It now consistently produces 2.5" groups off hand with increasing 1.5" groups supported.

This is for factory "polymer" semi-auto slow fire as many factory/modified 1911s are capable of sub 3/4"-1" 25 yard shot groups.


Rapid fire at 7-15 yards:
For me, rapid fire tactical combat accuracy is more important at 7-15 yards for typical action pistol (USPSA/IDPA) match shooting distances and possible SD/HD shootings where you probably end up doing more point/instinctive shooting in low light situations without the use of sights.

For this purpose, I produce the fastest accurate (sub 2-3" shot groups) double-taps with Glock 17/22. The springy striker trigger yet short reset allows consistent rapid fires. Out of about 35 different pistols I have used to run similar stage setups, I have always gotten the fastest times with G17/G22 (My kind of Top Gear challenge). Some may argue, but for me, this is realistic and usable "service pistol" accuracy I want. I find that my M&P45 now shoots more accurately at 15-20 yards rapid fire/double-taps than the G22, enough so that I am thinking about using the M&P45 as my match pistol.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

CZ, S&W 5900 series (but these are for large hands) Browning Hi-Power, S&W M&P, Beretta 92

 

[rkammer]

Go to a shop and hold some. #1 criteria for choosing a hand gun IMHO is how does it feel in your hand. Can you reach the trigger with a proper grip. Does it point naturally? All of these things come into play. I would go and hold/handle 10 to 15 guns at a shop and see what you like.

I forgot to ask what caliber are you looking at? I assumed 9mm

IF you are looking for a list here you go. Some of these will have to be used to meet your $500 price point.

• S&W M&P
• 1911 9mm
• Used Browning hi Power
• Sig SP 2022
• XD or XDM
• Berettea 92 FS
• Beretta 92 compact
• Ruger SR9
• FNP or FNX
• CZ 75B
• CZ P01
• CZ PCR
• CZ Phantom
• CZ Compact
• CZ Sp01

All meet your criteria.

The OP has it in his mind that he wants a new gun and there's nothing wrong with that. I like the first two on this list. He should love the single action trigger of a nice 1911 and the M&P is a proven performer in the plastic category.

 

[Benaiah]

How accurate does the gun need to be?

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

I was thinking within 2 in at 25 yards.

 

[railroader]

Here's my 2 cents.Go with a cz. I have owned 1 or more of the following brands, glock 17, star M43, XD9, FM hipower, arcus hipower and ruger. Cz pistols shoot circles around them. Mark

 

[Hanzo581]

There is no correct answer to this question. It is whatever you shoot the best, for me, it is my Ruger SR9c. If I were the OP I would go rent and shoot as many pistols as I could.

 

[kalashnikov74]

Just about every decent handgun is more accurate than we are, such as ruger, sig, glock, xd, etc. Unless you put it in a vice and shoot in the same place every time. But who's gonna set up a vice in combat?

The better question is which trigger and grip functions better. For me it is a glock, however a 1911 seems to be a favorite because of the light crisp trigger. People seem to mistake accuracy for trigger control alot.

I just met a guy at the range who said the glock was terribly innaccurate and he could not geta better group than 10 inches at 10 yards. I picked his glock 19 up and took his 50 yard rifle 12 inch target put every round on target with 1-2 seconds between rounds. Plenty accurate to me.

 

[Sam1911]

I was thinking within 2 in at 25 yards.

From a rest? Some examples of almost any of those guns could accomplish that with good ammo on their best day.

In your hands? Honestly, I see few shooters who are that good with any handgun from any "practical" shooting stance. And to what end? What's the handgun for? Plinking bullseyes all day? Then buy a gun built for that. These are all service sidearms with a different role in life.

So, picking nits between one or the other is an exercise in futility. One is about as likely to be as accurate in your hands as another. I'll reiterate what many of the posters have said here: Find one that is comfortable in your hands, and that has a trigger pull you don't have to struggle over. (Of course, many of the suggested choices have trigger mechanisms that are easily swapped for "match" triggers, so that almost becomes a moot point.)

[As an aside, I'll agree with KB. If you like the feel of the gun you have, a gunsmith could tune it up for you, (even if you can't remove a pin yourself), and get you past your current problem for a lot less money than a new gun will cost. But if you want a new gun, you want a new gun, right?]

Stand at the gun counter with an example of each. Try the grips, try the triggers. Decide which feels most comfortable to you. Then take the plunge. Put 5,000-10,000 rounds through it and come back and tell us if you and it are accurate enough for your needs.

 

[yhtomit]

I have a few service pistols in that price range (Ruger, XD, Cz-75), and for me the Cz is the one I'd replace first if they were all wiped out by the zombies.

It fits my hand well (and I hear that a lot; they have grip shape down pretty well! ), is accurate way past my ability, stock trigger is fine if not a unicorn's hair breaking a glass rod, reliable, etc.

I wish it had a grip safety like the 1911 or XD, but not everyone agrees.

Also, though I don't yet have one, the Kadet kit lets you shoot the Cz all day for however much .22LR costs in your neck of the woods.

timothy

 

[HGUNHNTR]

I have been very impresses with the CZ SP01 Phantom.

 

[rugerdude]

quite right, that was a typo on my part. The SLIDE mounted safety is very hard to reach for most shooters.

 

[KodiakBeer]

For those suggesting the Browning Hi Power, he already has (essentially) a Browning Hi Power. My FM90 shoots just as well as my Browning Hi Power. The trigger on the stock gun (both the Browning and the Argie) are a bit heavy, usually about 8 pounds. I've already pointed out that it's easy to correct that by replacing the mainspring without having to punch out that terrible trigger pin that's giving him so much trouble.

The other thing that the OP can do is take off those awful Hogue style wrap-a-round grips and throw them as far away as possible. Putting thin grips on any Hi Power makes a dramatic difference in the ergonomics, and yes, it will improve the trigger pull - at least the perception of how hard the trigger is. With thin grips you can get your hand around the gun better and change the geometry of how your finger pulls the trigger. It makes a big difference.

Those Argie Hi Powers are inexpensive guns, but they are real gems as shooters! I'd hate to see the OP discard this fine gun when they are so easy to upgrade.

 

[RH45]

I believe the original question was, what is the most accurate pistol under $500, which has nothing to do with ergonomics. He didn't ask which felt the best, or, which is easiest to shoot. All that has to do with the size of his hands, and how he holds the gun.

That said, even though there are some stock, service pistols that are the exception (NO two barrels are exactly the same), MOST will not CONSISTENTLY shoot 2" groups at 25 yards. I have owned, or shot most of what has been mentioned, with the exception of CZ, and, in my experience, a good, used, SIG 226 is the most accurate, and the groups at 25 yards should be around an inch with loads it likes.

 

[Smaug]

Here's my picks:

• Used HK USP9
• Beretta 92
• Taurus PT92 (is the older Beretta 92, with frame-mounted safety)
• CZ75 or 85 (85 is ambidextrous)
• Browning Hi Power (used) or Charles Daly Hi Power
• Beretta Storm

Beretta 92 I think is probably the best choice in a full size gun. Since it has a longer barrel, it will give slightly higher velocities and will be more accurate, as it has a longer sight radius.

The grip on the Storm is a bit better though. The triggers on them are also good. The one I shot, with a laser, was a real tack-driver.

I had a Taurus PT92. It is made on old Beretta machinery, and mine was as good as the Beretta 92s I've shot.

CZs have the slide whose rails run inside the frame rails, which, theoretically makes them more accurate. Their grip shape is a little nicer even than the Beretta. (which is very nice to begin with!) The CZ is especially nicer for smaller hands, as it narrows towards the top. The only problem with the CZ is that the slide is harder to grip, because it is narrower, because much of it goes inside the frame rails.

 

[harmon rabb]

more mechanically accurate? or more shootable (i.e. more people shoot better with it)? i'm better with a 1911 than other full size service pistols. try one.

 

[rellascout]

I believe the original question was, what is the most accurate pistol under $500, which has nothing to do with ergonomics. He didn't ask which felt the best, or, which is easiest to shoot. All that has to do with the size of his hands, and how he holds the gun.

You could not be more wrong. Unless the OP plans on shooting the gun from a mechanical rest or at least bag rest all the timethe ergonomics have everything to do with it.

99% of all production handguns over a $300 price point are mechanically more accurate than 99% of shooters. It is the interaction of the shooter and the gun which determine real world real use practically accuracy. I know for a fact that I have been and always will be the weak link in the accuracy chain no matter what gun I am shooting with.

The interaction between the gun and the shooter is what I would call ergonomics. If we are talking strictly mechanical accuracy then something with a fixed barrel like a HK P7 or a P38 Luger would be better than most of the guns mentioned.

 

[Paul7]

I had a gunsmith take out my Israeli Hi-Power mag disconnect, for $15, I'm sure it wouldn't be much to have one replace the hammer spring either. I find my Hi-Power to be more accurate and a better 'pointer' than my previous ultimate 9mm, the CZ-75b.

If you don't mind finish wear, the Israelis at $379 are a great deal. Mine is a 1990 with the more usable sights and safety, and it shoots JHP fine.

 

[BushyGuy]

my SR9 is pretty accurate, i shot many handguns i can do the best with the SR9- i guess my finger likes that trigger the best

 

[kk0g]

XDm

 

[xr1200]

Your not going to get a gun that will shoot 2" groups at 25yrds, for under $500 except a 22 target pistol like a ruger 22 or a browning buck mark.

Most center fire auto pistols in the $500 range would be lucky to fire a sub 3 " group at 25yrds. from a rest. Most service grade autos fire a 3-4 inch group at 25 yrds.

If you want 2" inch groups at 25yrds. your going to have to cough up more like $800-$1200.

Or just get a good used ruger or s&w 357 mag they will shoot under 2" inch groups at 25yrds. if you can hold the group tight enough