The $400 NIB 9mm Round Up

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MikeNice

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Okay, I'm still tossing around what I want for my first auto-loader. I have a self imposed limit of $400 for various reasons. That knocked a few contenders out of the running. I'm going to list the group and let you guys tear them apart or praise them. I was suprised what I found for $370 - $400.

Sig Sauer P250 Compact
Sig Sauer 2022
S&W SD 9mm
S&W SW9VE
Taurus 24/7 Compact (G1)
Taurus 24/7 OSS
Taurus 24/7 G2
Taurus 709 Slim
Taurus 809
Taurus 609 (discontinued)
Taurus 911B (discontinued)
Taurus 909 (discontinued)
Kahr CW9
Bersa Thunder Pro 9mm
Bersa Thunder UC 9mm
Ruger P95
Ruger LC9
American Tactical HP9 (Browning HP clone)
American Tactical FS9
American Tactical 92C (Beretta 92 Clone)
Stoeger Cougar
Kel Tec PF-9
Kel Tec P-11
EAA Witness 999175 (9mm & 22lr conversion)
Century Arms Arcus 9mm (Bulgarian HP clone)

I was going to through the Walther PK380 in to the mix. I know I would have been crucified though and it would have derailed the topic. It is technically a 9mm though.

So there is a list for people asking about guns under $400. It is also a chance for people to post experiences, compare, and generally give any relevant information on the guns.
 
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Love my S&W SD9, It's the same size as a Glock 19 but with good ergonomics and a front night sight. I also can not say enough about my Kahr CW9 for something smaller.
 
Bersa Thunder 9 was my first gun...
5 years, and close to 3,000 rounds later, she is still running great. It eats every kind of ammo and has never had one hiccup. Never.
Bersa is a hidden treasure in the handgun market. For $360 (current price) you cannot go wrong.
 
I have the P250 sig and sell the S&W SD-9's all the time. The 250 is a good double action pistol but there's a problem finding holsters for them without spending a fortune, and that kicks things back to the SD-9. Those are Sigmas with the trigger that sucked fixed... they're solid guns and are great. The SD's are top of the line for the money. That would be my recommendation.

WT
 
Poor folks have as much need and right to own firearms as anyone. It's unfortunate they have to choose from a list such as this though. As far as I'm concerned, the only ones that might be worth dragging home would be the Smiths.
 
The Ruger P95 would be a great option IMO.Reliable and will eat anything including reloads.
 
Cryogaijin said:
Can't get a cz75 at that price?
Click to expand...
Cheapest I found was the CZ-75 SP-07 Duty for $406 before transfer fees. The Rami P is about $436 before transfer fees. Neither one is available locally in 9mm.

The .40 SP-07 I just checked out in the store was $490 out of the door. He would order the 9mm for me. He wanted $475 out of the door for that. I can buy it on line and have it transferred for $436 out the door. The difference would pay for my first box of HSTs.
 
Save up a little more and get a CZ variant. You don't have to buy locally either. Get an FFL to do a transfer and buy from the plethora of dealers on line. You'll save the sales tax, but have to pay a Transfer fee. Usually it's a wash. Transfer fees average $25 in my area.

Now that they have seemed to work out the teethy problems of the P-07, that would be a good choice, and you can get them for $399 if you shop around.
 
From your list I would go with the Ruger P95. I've had and have several Rugers and all have been ruggged and trouble-free.
 
Some of the pistols on that list have an internal lock, some don't.
Do you intend to use the internal lock?
If not, you don't mind having extra internal complexity that you do not intend to use?

Constricted to that list, Kahr & SIG would be my first choices.

For less $ than those you could add the Kel-Tec PF9
For a little more $ you could get a Glock, which is IMO the "best".
 
Buds has the Ruger SR9 for $398 shipped. of course then you would still have to pay a transfer fee (If it is for carry the SR9c is $8 above your self imposed limit at $408). Depending on what you get charged for the transfer you might still come out ahead because you don't have to pay sales tax.
 
This list is for more than just me. I have seen more than a few posts on these boards asking for the best gun under $400. So, I thought I would list most of the options in that general ball park.

Personally I settled on $400 because I kept creeping up the scale. At first it was, "Oh the SP-07 is only $406 plus transfer." Then it was, "that Rami is only $442." Before I knew it I was up to, "well that Springfield with night sights is only $550." It started to get out of control. I found myself looking at a STI Escort and thinking "well why not" I knew I had to set boundaries. So, I'm limitting myself on this purchase to free up money for ammo and a second 9mm sooner rather than years later.

(The first is for the house when I'm here or away. The second will be a carry gun.)

I'm considerring the extra money for a CZ. The main reason is that I can install the manual safety. With a young kid in the house that is an important feature to me. I know the Taurus guns have the manual safety, but I'm trying to justify dag on it.

The thing to remember about Bud's is that they charge a 3% credit/debit card fee. So, you have to mail them a money order or certified check to get the listed price. If you send a personal check they hold it for 7 days to make sure it clears.
 
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I'd get Ruger LC9 if you plan on carrying it. Some of those would be too large if you are small like me. If you've never carried a gun you may find some of those guns are way to heavy to carry comfortably and will likely be left at home. Many of us have been through that issue. If it's home defense only you want a full size gun which is much easier to control.
 
Cz75 p-07

I agree with Pilot about the P-07. I bought mine in May for $399. + $20 transfer fee. With the new Omega trigger system it has been an outstanding shooter from the start. Over 600 rounds with no issues. A good value for me.
 
The first thing that came to my mind is what is the gun going to be used for?
Click to expand...

For me it is going to be home defense. I work the over night shift now. Plus a few months ago we had an issue with a prison break. I didn't realize I live less than five miles from a prison, the way the crow flys.

So, a capacity of at least 10 rounds is important. I want something with a manual safety because there is a kid in the house.

I'm leaning torwards the Taurus 24/7 Compact (G1), Ruger P 95, and the unlisted CZ P-07.

I know people are going to say, "you can get a good shotgun cheaper." I don't want a shotgun because I know my wife will never use it. Her favorite gun is a Heritage Rough Rider in .22WMR. She isn't going to go for anything as loud and cumbersome as a shotgun.
 
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personally, I really like used police trade in handguns. You get a high quality firearm, many times with almost no internal wear, for a great price. I got a Beretta 92 and a S&W 5906 for less than $400. Aimsurplus last week had SIg 226's for less than $400
 
From your list, SD9 or Ruger P95.

However, were I looking for a $400 or under home defense gun, it'd be a used S&W 5906. I've heard CDNN has them for $300 right now. Pay transfer fees, and still have cash left over for ammo, while getting a reliable, accurate, easy shooting 9.
 
IMHO, the best <$400 9mm available today is the Sig 2022. It feels like my other Sigs. The trigger is crisp and breaks clean. I don't think you can go wrong with this gun. It is roughly the same size as my G19.

20222.gif
 
Of the guns on the list the Sig SP2022 and the Kahr CW9 would be my choices. I own both and depending on the use carry vs home defense vs range toy both will serve you well. IMHO

At just over $400 the RIA tactical in 9mm would also be a consideration.
 
You can just barely squeeze in a Ruger SR9 for under $400. I'd place that pretty high on that list.

All depends on what you want it for though. If you're hoping to do any target shooting then basically ALL the little subcompacts like the Ruger LC9, Kel-tec PF9, Kahr CW9, etc need to be taken out of contention. They have their purpose, but they're not fun to shoot.

On the other hand, if you're looking to concealed carry, a lot of the full sized guns become a bit difficult for that.

If it's a little of both, then there's some in-between grounds for compromise.
 
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