Sub $300 9mm for range use only

[TTv2]

Originally was thinking about the Taurus TH9 for this role, but want to expand my potential list. So, long story short I will be buying a Taurus PT92 in the future, but right now what's available brand new at $600 doesn't interest me and I am willing to wait for the prices to drop. In the meantime I want an inexpensive 9mm to shoot at the range. Normally I'd reload for other calibers that interest me more, but primers are still AWOL while factory 9mm is a plenty.

Here's what has caught my eye, looking for recommendations:


Taurus TH9
Taurus GX4 (Close enough to $300)
Ruger P85/P89
Rock Island MAPP (used)
Hi-Point C9

Bonus points if it's a compact as I don't care for this to be a full size gun. I figure on the off chance I like it and keep it it'll be smaller than the 92 I eventually get, so it'll have some practical value. SCCY I have no interest in, the DAO trigger is awful, and the Taurus G2/G3 stuff is cheap and all, but I figure if I'm gonna buy Taurus it may as well be a DA/SA or the slimmer, more practical GX4.

 

[Nature Boy]

A Star BM for $299?

J&G Sales still has them

https://www.jgsales.com/star-bm,-9mm-luger,-compact-semi-auto-pistol,-vg,-blued,-used.-p-85501.html

Since I picked one up a few months back I feel like a sales rep for J&G. The Star BM is just a cool pistol and I’d choose it over any of the ones you have on your list.

 

[MedWheeler]

Seems you like hammer-fireds, and even more so if they're both DA and SA-capable. Strike the (see what I did there?) Hi-Point from your list. It's a decent shooter, but only so capable of holding interest, and you'll bore of it quickly.

The Ruger P-series may indeed intrigue you. I prefer the polymer-framed P95 to the earlier P85 (the latter of which was my first agency-issued autoloader.)

I kind of like the looks of that Taurus THR. I own the G2C and it's a fine shooter, but I do prefer hammer-fireds as well (the G2C was my first "dingus-trigger" gun.)

 

[Tallball]

Taurus G2c is inexpensive and widely available. Mine was almost identical to my Glock 26. They even used the same holster. I liked the Glock trigger better, so that's the one I kept.

Trade it towards the PT92 if you don't like it, afterwards. You should get half of your money back, anyway.

The BM's are great, but I don't know if I would get one for SD.

 

[TTv2]

Taurus G2c is inexpensive and widely available. Mine was almost identical to my Glock 26. They even used the same holster. I liked the Glock trigger better, so that's the one I kept.

Trade it towards the PT92 if you don't like it, afterwards. You should get half of your money back, anyway.

The BM's are great, but I don't know if I would get one for SD.

The G2 and G3 are just kind of... meh. Fine, but bland. The GX4 has me interested because of its size and capacity and because of that if I put it up for consignment it'll sell within a couple weeks.

Unless I see pics of the actual gun I'm buying, I don't buy used, so the Star from J&G is not gonna happen.

 

[5-SHOTS]

Among the guns on your list I would definitely choose the Taurus TH9 as a new pistol and the Ruger P85/89/95 as a used pistol. In my opinion the words compact/subcompact and range-only shouldn't appear in the same sentence. A range-only pistol for me has to be large, comfortable and reasonably heavy and sturdy. For these reasons I would absolutely rule out pistols like the Taurus GX4 and the Hi Point C9. On the other hand, I would not rule out the Taurus G3 nor the new Taurus G3X even if they are not exactly guns to have fun with all afternoon at the range (I have the G3 and it is not really a range-only pistol, especially when, as it happens to me, 200 NATO specs rounds are fired in one single session). Other options for a full size pistol could be the EAA Witness P and the various models of Turkish production such as the Girsan MC28, the Tisas Zigana, the Sarsilmaz, etc. If, on the other hand, you are really convinced to buy a compact pistol, then I would look at the Taurus TH9C and the Diamondback AM2, without neglecting the Taurus G3C and G2C.

 

[tarosean]

If its range only why on earth would you want go cheap?

I'd personally want something that punches holes through holes if the range is its only use.

 

[Mars5l]

Check out some of the SAR and Canik pistols. Around $300 new probably find cheaper used. I've seen several videos on SARS with good reviews

 

[bnolsen]

Me personally I love the old style cz pistols. Great choice for the range. Haven't had super great luck with reliability. I don't trust one enough to carry.

 

[FL-NC]

Ruger

 

[1942bull]

If you are willing to go up to $350, you might consider a Ruger Security 9. I carry the Compact version. It is a very reliable and accurate gun.

 

[Zendude]

Ruger ec9 is under $300.

 

[doubleh]

Check out some of the SAR and Canik pistols. Around $300 new probably find cheaper used. I've seen several videos on SARS with good reviews

I bought a Sar B6 a few months ago just for a plinker. It was a little above the 300 mark at the LGS which is one of the better priced stores around this area. Being a plinker it's only been shot with low priced factor ammo and lead handloads. I really like it. It fits my hand really well making it easy to shoot and it is as accurate as any other of my 9mm pistols but the limiting factor is shaky old me. It has not had any malfunctions with any ammo including the powder puff stuff I have loaded. I did have to drift the rear sight a little as it shot slightly left. Would I buy another. No, because this one works so well but I would kind of like to have their totally steel version also. Sar calls it a version of the CZ 75 with internal improvement. Having no experience with the CZ I have no idea what the improvements are. To summerise,iIt shoots where it is supposed to with moderate recoil without a hiccup so far and is very easy to take down. The only drawback as a carry gun is it's size as it is a large as a 1911 but it is lighter because of it's poly frame.

I also like that is has a hammer and safety. Being old and set in my ways I have never really warmed up to striker fired pistols and really don't like triggers with blades or hinges in the middle.

 

[ontarget]

If you have your heart set on a M92 or clone, try to find a 3rd Gen S&W.
I picked up an excellent example of a 6906 last week for $300 plus tax. It's a 12+1 double stack. Stainless slide, alloy frame.
It has the DA/SA with decocker similar to the M92. My specific model has the bobbed hammer, but other models of the 59/69 series have the hammer spur.
Find one at the price I did and you kill 2 birds with one stone. Then you don't need the M92.

 

[Terry G]

Last Fall I bought two of the inexpensive 9 MM's. A Taurus G3 and a S&W SD9VE. The Taurus was fine out of the box accurate and reliable, but not a target gun. The S&W 's trigger was too much for me, so I put $30.00 into an Apex kit which put the trigger in at about 5 pounds. Now it's more to my liking. Very reliable and accurate. I wouldn't hesitate to carry either of these guns for self defense. Both are 15 plus 1 so plenty of firepower. You can get both if you shop around for around $300.00. You may or may not choose to upgrade the SD9VE. People I've talked to say they have no issue's with the trigger so your choice.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I've had or still have many of the guns already mentioned.
The SCCY's are definitely not range guns. I have a CPX2 as a backup in my truck. It shoots hard and trigger is crap, but it serves the purpose I bought it for.
I have a Taurus G3c and it shoots great, but still not gonna last long as a range gun.
I have Stoeger Str, shoots good, not gonna last long as a range gun.
G19 is over your stated price range, otherwise would be one of my top choices behind my M9A3.

I'm in process of getting a P365X, also above your stated price.

For a 9mm range gun in or close to your stated price range I'd go with the SDVE . It shoots good and accurate and should give a reasonable round count as a range gun.. I got rid of mine because I don't like casings going over my head. Not a good feature for retention shooting, but is a good feature for a range gun.

 

[jag1954]

I have a RIA MAPP and it is a very good shooter for the money.

 

[TTv2]

If its range only why on earth would you want go cheap?

I'd personally want something that punches holes through holes if the range is its only use.

Because this cheap 9mm isn't what I want right now, it's basically a fallback that I don't care about and don't expect much from, but if it works well and I shoot it well I may keep it. Also, I'm not exactly shooting paper with this gun, it'll be steel, so accuracy doesn't matter.

 

[Nature Boy]

If its range only why on earth would you want go cheap?

I'd personally want something that punches holes through holes if the range is its only use.

I was think this too but trying to stay within the OPs parameters, hence my Star BM suggestion. However, he doesn’t want used so I’m out of ideas

 

[Barnfixer]

Hi-Point C9. For $300 you can have one for each hand, ammo & range fees.

 

[TTv2]

I was think this too but trying to stay within the OPs parameters, hence my Star BM suggestion. However, he doesn’t want used so I’m out of ideas

It's not that I'm not interested in the Star, I just don't buy used guns unless I can get pics of the actual gun I'd be getting and I can only get that from gunbroker and over there I'm not gonna get a Star for under 300.

 

[Tallball]

I was also going to suggest the CZ75 polymer compact clone by SAR. I've owned two and they've both been very good.

This was something like $225 about two and a half years ago, NiB.

SAR B6C 9mm

• Tallball
• Jul 27, 2019

 

[starling]

So many good budget pistols now its hard to narrow it down. Safe bet is a S&W SD9VE which is based off the 3rd gen Sigmas once they had all bugs worked out. They work well, are accurate, parts not an issue, and S&W will take care of you if any problems arise you cant fix.

PSA Dagger (Glock 19 clone) might be a good choice if you have an FFL that treats you right.

Honestly, since you have the itch, I would direct you to get a used Taurus 92 now and pick up the new one later. You will most likely want a couple anyways once you start shooting them. Nice triggers and easy to be accurate. 92 actions are so smooth most other pistols feel kind of crunchy.

Once you have a 92 the others on you list will probably bore you and you wont shoot them much. Hi-points are neat from simplicity and durability standpoint but most folks find them clunky. Rugers are soft shooters and reliable but the accuracy is not so hot. Most of the plastic stuff out there feels cheap and cold compared to a 92.

 

[Buzznrose]

Ruger

 

[Terry G]

PT 92 bought in 1986, still shooting fine.