Old and Under Rated 9mms

[legion3]

Given the budget contraints,

The HK P7 is out.

I agree the Ruger P Series is a tough as nails old underrated firearm, easily found for under 400

The Spanish Astra pistols, several of those are quality all metal guns.

The Norinco 1911 or the 213 9mm are tough as nails guns (the 1911 can be pricy though and are somewhat sought after)

A Makarov in 380 or 9x18 is a cool old part of history. (some models fetch a hefty price, some don't)

I agree with the Police trade in P6's are a good deal.

I also firmly believe in the Smith 3rd and 2nd gen guns too. They were at the time underrated but not any more. Especially in 10mm!!!

An original pre B CZ 75 from Czechlovakia - awesomeness

 

[Cocked & Locked]

One of my favorites Shooters is an older Taurus PT92 AF from the early 1990's. Safety only, no de-cocker. Great shooter but on the big size to carry concealed. 18 round Mec-Gar mags make me happy.




One I like to shoot and carry is S&W 6946...DAO, no de-cocker, no manual safety.

with 12 round mag...



with 15 round mag

 

[lowercase]

I think that these will fall into the "Old and Underrated" category. I bought all three of these guns in the last two or so months.

I got this old and neglected Smith 469 from my local gun shop.

It has noticeable wear, but all it really needed was a thorough cleaning, lube, and a new recoil spring.

I paid a whopping $135 for it before tax, and it runs 100%, even with JHP ammo. The pic is actually the "before" pic. The gun looks better now, and those gouges on the frame have been touched up with Birchwood Casey "Aluma-Black" or whatever it is called.



Got these two other 69 series guns at the same place. One is another 469 that I fixed up and made a two tone by putting on a stainless slide from a 669. It cost $159 before tax. The slide added another $100, but the gun ran 100% with the old slide. I only did it for appearance.



The other was a 6906 and someone had dremeled off the coated finish from the frame (probably in an attempt to make it "shiny"). It was too ugly for the display case. I got it for $105. It cleaned up decently and runs 100%.

 

[cc-hangfire]

One other offbeat option is the Beretta Model 1951. It's the single stack predecessor of the 92, and with an oddball crossbolt safety and heel button mag release.

Numerich Importing has a quantity of them on gunbroker now in the Curios & Relics section. Even if they run out, they should still fall in your budget range.

 

[Pilot]

There are some good Llama 9MM's out there, and they are priced right. I have a Llama IIIa in .380 that's a great little shooter.

 

[czhen]

I agree with several of the post above, but let me add the 3913 S&W, I don't know why they called Lady Smith when I encounter it perfect size for carry and a very stylish design.

 

[walnut1704]

The Taurus 900 series guns, especially the stainless ones. PT908,909,911, etc. These are conventional Browning system guns but the take down lever is just like a Beretta. Usually $300 or less.

With any of these suggestions, be sure to check magazine availability.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Canadian Inglis Browning High Power of WW2.

Deaf

 

[TruthTellers]

Mauser "Red 9" C96



It's the same gun modeled into Han Solo's blaster



RIP Han, you didn't shoot first this time.

 

[C0untZer0]

Please don't tell me you gave away part of the new Star Wars movie... The High Road was the last place I expected to be ambushed by a spoiler.

 

[TruthTellers]

Please don't tell me you gave away part of the new Star Wars movie... The High Road was the last place I expected to be ambushed by a spoiler.

IDK

 

[RA40]

Hmm...the enthusiasm for the 2-3'rd gen S&W has me going now. Uh-oh. The 3913 didn't do well in my hands so it was sold off for the 690X. I'd like a 59 series though. Problem for me is being able to shoot it if there are no 10 round mags available. (Basically I'm not sure how selling-buying one of these would be in CA.)

 

[jakk280rem]

Third Gen S&W's are a possibility, but if your looking for something to hunt for, why not a first gen. The all steel no dash 39 is as fine a gun as was ever made. No 9mm fan should overlook the 60's and 70's Era Colt lightweight and combat commanders. Colt also made some custom shop 9mm conversion guns.

 

[lowercase]

Hmm...the enthusiasm for the 2-3'rd gen S&W has me going now. Uh-oh. The 3913 didn't do well in my hands so it was sold off for the 690X. I'd like a 59 series though. Problem for me is being able to shoot it if there are no 10 round mags available. (Basically I'm not sure how selling-buying one of these would be in CA.)

RA40, here's a nice 2nd Gen I just picked up. Good old 659, and cost me all of $265. Just needed a thorough cleaning and someone who likes these old steel autos. I was actually looking for a 3rd Gen 59-series (5906), but I won't turn down a nice 659 at that price!

 

[Old Dog]

Problem for me is being able to shoot it if there are no 10 round mags available.

Last time I looked, there were plenty of 3rd gen S&W 10-round mags available online.

The 5906 is, to me, the epitome of the 3rd gen Smith autoloaders, and one of my all-time favorite pistols.

 

[crazyjennyblack]

Beretta 1951 or Egyptian Helwan. Helwans are a licensed copy made in Egypt, and are available at gun shows when you can find one for about $200. Mags can be found and they shoot pretty well. Imagine a single stack Beretta 92 with a magazine release in a different spot. Original grips are crappy brittle plastic, but if you want a project and like working with wood they can be upgraded. One benefit is that they fit smaller hands better than a double stack Beretta 92. Most people don't seem to know what they are - a benefit if you want something unique or a conversation piece.

 

[Milkmaster]

CZ75 or a sweet P210 if you can afford it.

 

[joem1945]

I like the old ones. Star super b and b frames. Also some in 9mm Largo. Good steel and function fine. Have a couple of M400 's in largo or 38 auto but I have fired a few .38 supers in them.

 

[bc1023]

CZ75 or a sweet P210 if you can afford it.

The Sig P210 is under rated?

 

[Bama Drifter]

When I read the title I knew people would recommend the 3rd gen Smiths.

I still think the HK P7M8 is under-rated. The squeeze-cocking mechanism was genius. I can get mine into action very quickly, it has a light SA trigger pull and it completely solves the issues of DA/SA, DOA, manual safety, spongy striker-fired trigger issues.

+1
Let me know if you find any deals on a P7M8... I'll take all you've got for $500 or less
Seriously awesome design, a crying shame they are so hard to come by.

 

[1775usmarine]

I love the 2nd and 3rd gen smiths. I have a 4506-1, 5906, 5946, and 3913. I've owned the 5906, and 5946 twice. The first time I sold each I soon regretted and obviously have reacquired them.

The has a 3906 square trigger guard with adj rear sights mounted with a B square mount with Bushnell red dot. I would like to find another 3906 in decent shape as the one I have appears to have been a safe queen and would like to keep it that way. I have yet found the time to zero the scope and see how well she'll do with my skills at 25.

I have amassed several grips both straight and curved, and have at least 10 mags for each pistol with 17 between the 5906, and 5946. I also have a complete slide and parts kit for a 669.

 

[FL-NC]

On the civilian side, P series Rugers, and S&W autos like the 39, 59, and their derivatives. On the milsurp side, BHP. I just never cared for older euro milsurp pistols like P38, Radom, etc.

 

[PabloJ]

Walther P88 Compact, Sig 210 or a Luger would be my pick.

Seeing prices people are willing to pay for those I have hard time considering them under rated. Frankly I would look at Performance Center 952 before I bought P210 and Serbian Scorpion 99 before putting my money into P88. The 952 and Serbian WalthSig may actually be under-rated.

 

[PabloJ]

The slum-hood proven PT92 is under-rated though one can get Beratta 92S in very good condition from SOG for $279 plus shipping and transfer fees. Yes, at that price it is difficult to go wrong. Another solid performer with ball ammo is the infamous and ubiquitous Chinese 9x19 TT. Well proven "slum executioner" of the developing world that is often sold new for not much more than $100. There are numerous mil-spec offerings from Turkey that sell new for well under $400 or about $200 than same stuff from Glock, S&W or Springfield XD. Turks used excellent materials and state of the art equipment to make their modern handguns. The Turkish stuff is well into new and under-rated category.

 

[alexcue]

Yep!!! P89! was my first 9mm. Damn is that gun fun too shoot. I guess I got a bum version too... For a utilitarian gun it was pretty darn accurate. Once I reloaded for it, it really shined. It's just a Big Ole' Gun!