chaim
Member
I'm sort of starting to think about adding one more gun (for now) to my "collection". I was starting to get into small CCW type pieces but unfortunately I will probably have to put off my move to a CCW state yet another year (I am in an online graduate program right now, but I had to go full-time first session so I can't work and financial aid issues are keeping me from moving for now). I have neglected full-size range guns in my thinking of late and now that I'm stuck in MD another year I'm thinking about them again.
So, while it will probably be about a month (give or take a week or two) before I buy it is time to start thinking about my options.
Unfortunately, some of the nicer options I was thinking about can't happen. I just found out what my insurance settlement will be from an injury in a car crash and well, lets just say that it isn't very pretty. I will probably need to stay under (maybe at) $500 MD prices (figure we are probably 10-20% more than where you are).
Anyway, here are some of my thoughts (autos only, revolvers may get a second thread or may not):
-Taurus PT92: I like Taurus guns though in the past I wasn't that attracted to this design. Well, I shouldn't say I wasn't attracted to it since I often found myself looking over Taurus PT92s and Berettas, I just didn't really want to want one. However, a local dealer has had a sale for a while now on these ($409 blue, $419 stainless- I don't know if any are left) and this got me started on thinking about them. I would like another full-size 9mm to compare to my CZ and I know these are good guns. I do like the Taurus safety a lot more than the Beretta's. I'm thinking I should finally give this design a try and for a Beretta I'd have to go used.
-Beretta 92: See above for comments. This is the original, though I do much prefer the Taurus safety and some of the used 92s you see around here are pretty beat up by the time the previous owner sells (still usually asking $450-550). New they are a bit high ($550-600) and not many dealers have them anymore (they don't have the built-in lock which MD law requires on all guns made after 1/03).
-Ruger: Yeah, I know. Ugly, blocky, too big... I used to own a P89 which was 100% reliable, though not that accurate. It was my first auto and I was stupid to sell it. I would probably get the P90 since it is a better (more accurate) gun, but I might get the 89 for nostalgia. These are well made guns, I actually like the look, and they are priced right (plus the $40 rebate on top of that). If I want another before I leave MD (which depending upon where I go for the rest of graduate school and where I get a job may never happen, though I likely will leave) I have to get one soon since they too don't have the lock (plus, even if they add it, wouldn't it be nice to have one without it- someday, when all guns have them and most states require them, it will be a reminder of days gone by).
-BHP: Used BHP or FN HP or new clone. I got to fire one about a year or so ago and it may be the one 9mm that has a chance of beating out the CZ in my mind. Classic, great ergonomics, accurate, pretty, etc.
-CZ 75/85 variant: I do love CZs. I have the basic, the 75B. Should I pick up a 75BD, 75SA or 85Combat while I still can (again, no built-in locks)?
-CZ 97: I love .45s, I love CZs. Enough said? Well, this one is towards the top of my pricing (I think they are around $550 here). They are also sans lock.
-1911: I love my Charles Daly. I may go with another Daly while I can (no locks) or the related Rock Island Armory. I may go with the SA Mil-spec (though at $550 around here, this may be more than I want to spend). Another option is to look for used Colts in the $450-550 range.
-S&W 910: A little small for a range only gun but close. A little thick for CCW but close. These are supposed to be very nice and if the AWB sunsets, Hi-caps!!!
-Forget the full-sized gun and go compact anyway: Just 'cause I'm stuck here another year doesn't mean I can't buy one or two small guns too. I can still enjoy them at the range and I'll have a good CCW gun when/if I move. Here I'd consider: S&W908 (no lock, while available), used S&W 3913, Kahr K/P 9 (no lock, while still available), Charles Daly compact 3.5" 1911, save a bit more for a Kimber ProCarryII and a few others as well.
-Forget autos, just stick with more wheelguns. For another thread (.41mag Taurus or S&W, 3" K-frame, etc)
So, while it will probably be about a month (give or take a week or two) before I buy it is time to start thinking about my options.
Unfortunately, some of the nicer options I was thinking about can't happen. I just found out what my insurance settlement will be from an injury in a car crash and well, lets just say that it isn't very pretty. I will probably need to stay under (maybe at) $500 MD prices (figure we are probably 10-20% more than where you are).
Anyway, here are some of my thoughts (autos only, revolvers may get a second thread or may not):
-Taurus PT92: I like Taurus guns though in the past I wasn't that attracted to this design. Well, I shouldn't say I wasn't attracted to it since I often found myself looking over Taurus PT92s and Berettas, I just didn't really want to want one. However, a local dealer has had a sale for a while now on these ($409 blue, $419 stainless- I don't know if any are left) and this got me started on thinking about them. I would like another full-size 9mm to compare to my CZ and I know these are good guns. I do like the Taurus safety a lot more than the Beretta's. I'm thinking I should finally give this design a try and for a Beretta I'd have to go used.
-Beretta 92: See above for comments. This is the original, though I do much prefer the Taurus safety and some of the used 92s you see around here are pretty beat up by the time the previous owner sells (still usually asking $450-550). New they are a bit high ($550-600) and not many dealers have them anymore (they don't have the built-in lock which MD law requires on all guns made after 1/03).
-Ruger: Yeah, I know. Ugly, blocky, too big... I used to own a P89 which was 100% reliable, though not that accurate. It was my first auto and I was stupid to sell it. I would probably get the P90 since it is a better (more accurate) gun, but I might get the 89 for nostalgia. These are well made guns, I actually like the look, and they are priced right (plus the $40 rebate on top of that). If I want another before I leave MD (which depending upon where I go for the rest of graduate school and where I get a job may never happen, though I likely will leave) I have to get one soon since they too don't have the lock (plus, even if they add it, wouldn't it be nice to have one without it- someday, when all guns have them and most states require them, it will be a reminder of days gone by).
-BHP: Used BHP or FN HP or new clone. I got to fire one about a year or so ago and it may be the one 9mm that has a chance of beating out the CZ in my mind. Classic, great ergonomics, accurate, pretty, etc.
-CZ 75/85 variant: I do love CZs. I have the basic, the 75B. Should I pick up a 75BD, 75SA or 85Combat while I still can (again, no built-in locks)?
-CZ 97: I love .45s, I love CZs. Enough said? Well, this one is towards the top of my pricing (I think they are around $550 here). They are also sans lock.
-1911: I love my Charles Daly. I may go with another Daly while I can (no locks) or the related Rock Island Armory. I may go with the SA Mil-spec (though at $550 around here, this may be more than I want to spend). Another option is to look for used Colts in the $450-550 range.
-S&W 910: A little small for a range only gun but close. A little thick for CCW but close. These are supposed to be very nice and if the AWB sunsets, Hi-caps!!!
-Forget the full-sized gun and go compact anyway: Just 'cause I'm stuck here another year doesn't mean I can't buy one or two small guns too. I can still enjoy them at the range and I'll have a good CCW gun when/if I move. Here I'd consider: S&W908 (no lock, while available), used S&W 3913, Kahr K/P 9 (no lock, while still available), Charles Daly compact 3.5" 1911, save a bit more for a Kimber ProCarryII and a few others as well.
-Forget autos, just stick with more wheelguns. For another thread (.41mag Taurus or S&W, 3" K-frame, etc)
I'll stick to the choices you've already provided (wouldn't want to add anything & make things more confusing!). I'd go w/ the Beretta 92fs...if you can find one in good shape 
and all....Ill say choose which ever one grabs you and you like. Shoot them before buying and youll be WAY happier than not doing it....I would have saved thousands of dollars and more than that in worry about what to do with the gun that I just dont like that much............