Range gun suggestions?

[Gdbyrd]

Looking at either a 9mm or 40 range gun. Budget is 4 to 600.

Accuracy is important as it'll be shot at paper and reactive targets 90% of the time. I'll also use as a secondary home defense gun and occasional carry pistol on the ranch.

Considering glock, 1911s, m&p, and SR from ruger but open to other options.

 

[sigarms228]

I would suggest adding the HK VP9 and Walther PPQ/P99 AS to your list for consideration.

 

[eldon519]

All of the ones you mention would work fine. I'd pick a 9mm Gen 4 Glock 19 or 26, but can't really go wrong. I like 9mm for the affordable practice ammo and modest recoil. There are plenty of good SD 9mm loads these days that're up to the task. If you plan to compete formally, might want a .40 as so you can make Major class for certain gun games, but .40s tend to be less pleasant to shoot in my experience/opinion.

 

[Armor Snail]

Witness Elite Match.

End thread

 

[Gdbyrd]

Thank you for the additional suggestions. I don't see myself competing, right now this is just about getting better for me.

Hoping to go on lower end of budget so I can get more ammo.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

Glock? I thought you wanted something accurate lol. 3RD GEN smith & Wesson? My 4006 & 5906 are pretty darn accurate.

 

[JDR]

Stick to 9mm; for a range gun I recommend the CZ 75B, Browning Hi Power, Sig P228 and Glock 17. You also should consider a 9mm 1911, I had a Springfield Loaded 1911 in 9mm, I now have an STI Trojan 9mm 1911, these are excellent range guns. Yesterday I had a chance to to shoot a Springfield Range Officer 1911 in 9mm, this is an absolute tack driver!

 

[Gdbyrd]

Hey hey now, lol. My G20 is a pretty accurate pistol.

One thing I'd like is a highish capacity magazine and factory adjustable sights so I don't have to mess with that.

Seems like almost all these guns have 17 round mags so the sights are probably my only real want.

 

[Gdbyrd]

I no longer own a 1911, I've considered that a lot. I just don't think I could get anything quality for my budget and I really don't want to go higher.

 

[OilyPablo]

CZ P-09.

Pluses: Super accurate, price is great, easy to shoot, holds 19 rounds.

Negatives: Mags are a tad expensive

I sold my Glock 17 to buy the CZ, and frankly the CZ is head shoulders a better shooter.

No I don't hate Glock. I LOVE my Glock 20SF.

 

[eldon519]

You could just get conversion barrels for your G20 to .40 or 9mm and add new adjustable sights. That would allow for cheaper practice with your 20, but you could carry it with 10mm on the ranch when the added power could be useful.

That said, I don't think I've ever needed adjustable sights on an semiautomatic pistol.

 

[richkratz]

The most accurate 9mm i ever owned was a Beretta 92FS. For range work and HD it is just about perfect. I currently own a CZ75b, and it is a close 2nd.

 

[jhwolfe]

5906 / 3906 Smith & Wesson

 

[JDR]

Try one of these; the trigger without the "B" is excellent!

 

[krimmie]

I have the Ruger SR40 and it is one of the softest shooting 40's I've shot. I also just bought the SR9c which comes with a compact 10 round mag, and a extended grip 17 rounder that makes it feel like a full sized gun. Both guns are very accurate, although I have only put 150 down range with the SR9c. I purchased each for $404 OTD.

 

[Gdbyrd]

I've considered the barrel change for the g20 but I'd rather get a new gun. I sold a couple 22s I wasn't using so that's where this money is coming from. Had my mind set on the new 22/45 lite (3908). But for the money I'd rather have a decent center fire that I'll have more uses for.

Read a lot of good about the CZ75.

I owned a Beretta 96 and really didn't like it, nor could I shoot it well. Just felt too big to me.

 

[ShootingIsFun]

Springfield XDm in .40 or 9mm - can't go wrong

 

[TarDevil]

If I were pickling it for me, CZ 75B.

 

[MIL-DOT]

If I were pickling it for me, CZ 75B.

I'm gonna add my vote here, too.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Guns....

In the $400-600.00 USD range, Id suggest these choices:
The new SIG 320 semi auto series.
With a new 320 pistol you can quickly add or change frames, trigger types, calibers etc. SIG Sauer re-engineered the older P250 line and upgraded a few points. With one 320 pistol you can switch to 9mm, .40S&W, .357sig etc. You can add a white light or laser aimer. It's robust & geared towards US law enforcement & SWAT types. I like the new OD frames.
The Glock 22 or 23 gen 04 .40 is the same as the 320 series. You can buy after market magazines, barrels(special conversion types), parts then shoot 9x19mm, .40, .357sig, .22LR. It's fast and easy to switch.
If I didn't buy my Glock 21 .45acp gen 04 I would have purchased a LE trade in Glock 23 .40 gen 04 with a 9mm conversion barrel. The 23 is my first pick, the 22 is okay but a tad bigger. Either .40S&W Glock model could suit your needs.
The S&W Military and Police series is a big seller for Smith and Wesson. 1000s of M&Ps are out there, defending CCW holders, security guards, cops, etc.
I was thinking of buying a new duty M&P .40S&W full size then obtaining a after market conversion barrel for security details.
My state mandates re-quals with the caliber on your security license(armed).
I'm looking into the new micro dot & RMR type pistol sights. The S&W CORE models seem to fill the bill. The new Glock MOS models are good too.

Rugers are a good value for the $400-$500.00 market but I think you'd get much more benefit from a Glock 22/23 gen 04 or a SIG-Sauer 320.

 

[Gdbyrd]

Reading a lot of good about the cz75. I don't think I can get my hands on one locally and I don't want to order a gun I can't try on first. Great reviews though.

I'm going to the LGS tomorrow to see exactly what they have and I'll go from there.

 

[TarDevil]

Reading a lot of good about the cz75. I don't think I can get my hands on one locally and I don't want to order a gun I can't try on first. Great reviews though.

If you bought it and didn't like it, I seriously doubt you'll have trouble off loading it... with minimal loss.

Hard to imagine you wanting to get rid of a 75 B, though!

Good luck, and keep us posted.

 

[OilyPablo]

Compare to the CZ P-09 as well.

 

[cluttonfred]

Since you were considering single-action options, the CZ-75B SA (single action) is a gun I have lusted after for some time, though you'd have to decide how you feel about a single-action for home defense or carry.

I have heard good things about the long-barrel-and-slide Springfield Armory XD(M) 5.25" Competition models and would consider that if going the polymer, DAO/striker-fired route. It has standard fiber-optic front, adjustable rear sights and comes with three 19-round magazines.

Just my thoughts, I have no personal experience with either gun.

 

[MrBorland]

Hoping to go on lower end of budget so I can get more ammo.

This is a common sentiment. Good in theory, but often falls apart in reality, IMO.

While I don't think one has to spend über-bucks for a good pistol, if you're going to shoot it enough to get proficient with it, the cost of ammo will eventually far outweigh the cost of the pistol itself, especially if you don't reload. IOW, over the long run, if you're going to really shoot it, the extra money spent on a good pistol will be pretty small, relatively speaking. For shooters, the gun itself is cheap - feeding it is expensive.