The battle of three affordable 9mms
- Thread starter Hooptie
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wnycollector
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Here is an auction http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=185262808 with a "buy now" price of $249.95 (+$17.95 shipping) for a S&W 5904. For under $300 including transfer you could have a last longer and be more reliable than any of the pistols you listed...and this is from the owner of a KT PF-9, tokarev and several spanish .380's!
Dnaltrop
Member
I can speak to the Star as a great little shooter, My soon-to-be-brother-in-law uses one as his CCW.
Great gun, My meathooks are a bit large for it... Placing it near the top of the "Great gun, can't comfortably shoot it" list for me.
Also a +1 vote for the CZ-82. 9x18 is cheap, plentiful, and effective. And the gun itself is small, but fits me surprisingly well.
Great gun, My meathooks are a bit large for it... Placing it near the top of the "Great gun, can't comfortably shoot it" list for me.
Also a +1 vote for the CZ-82. 9x18 is cheap, plentiful, and effective. And the gun itself is small, but fits me surprisingly well.
Is 9x18 something that most places carry in store? I've looked into CZ83s before since .380 is pretty common around here. I like how simple the cz82 appears to be as well.
I've been sticking to 9mm for most of this search simply because I can walk in to Wally World and have a choice of loads/quanities. I'm still pretty set on either the P11 or PF9 though for the reasons above, plenty of support, aftermarket, and a warranty.
I've been sticking to 9mm for most of this search simply because I can walk in to Wally World and have a choice of loads/quanities. I'm still pretty set on either the P11 or PF9 though for the reasons above, plenty of support, aftermarket, and a warranty.
So I'm taking from this thread and some other research on this site that the M88 is just garbage? If so, thats a shame, its a killer price, size and look to me.
Its too bad I'll likely not have the ability to hit up a gun shop and put one in my hand. Though it seems the maladies they have tend to be internal.
Its too bad I'll likely not have the ability to hit up a gun shop and put one in my hand. Though it seems the maladies they have tend to be internal.
rbernie
Contributing Member
The P11 is not as comfortable to shoot as a full size service semiauto, but it's worlds mo' comfortable than the PF9. The doublestack body does a passable job of distributing recoil, whereas the PG9 concentrates it.
You'll not want to put 200 rounds per session thru it, but you can easily get in a box or two without discomfort.
Guns and more
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For the first time in my life. I can't believe I'm going to say this, of those three?
Get A Glock.
So If this is a budget gun, how about a Sig 226 Euro police trade in? Or a used CZ 75?
ATBackPackin
Member
9x18 availability?
Yes, you are not going to go into Wally World or Dicks and find it, but usually the larger outdoor stores and gun shops have it in stock. I usually buy mine at Cabelas and I must admit that they always have at least a handful of boxes.
Price?
At Cabelas I pay about $15 a box, but if I have to get it at the LGS it's about $20. If you are smarter than I, you will order it on line and save a lot of money because it can be had a lot cheaper there.
Obviously it is your decision and I understand your concerns about a warranty, but if I was in your shoes I would absolutely get that CZ82 from CDNN for $189..............hell, I may just get one for myself anyway. I have never heard anyone who has owned or shot that pistol complain about it nor say that it has stopped working. However, I do believe there are plenty of parts if forbid something does happen.
What ever you decide, I wish you the best of luck.
Shawn
Yes, you are not going to go into Wally World or Dicks and find it, but usually the larger outdoor stores and gun shops have it in stock. I usually buy mine at Cabelas and I must admit that they always have at least a handful of boxes.
Price?
At Cabelas I pay about $15 a box, but if I have to get it at the LGS it's about $20. If you are smarter than I, you will order it on line and save a lot of money because it can be had a lot cheaper there.
Obviously it is your decision and I understand your concerns about a warranty, but if I was in your shoes I would absolutely get that CZ82 from CDNN for $189..............hell, I may just get one for myself anyway. I have never heard anyone who has owned or shot that pistol complain about it nor say that it has stopped working. However, I do believe there are plenty of parts if forbid something does happen.
What ever you decide, I wish you the best of luck.
Shawn
I hate to waffle, but I think its probably down to the P11/PF9 or the Bersa 380 thunder.
thoughts? I know the Bersa is a 380, but from everything I've read, its a nice gun, isn't a killer with recoil, accurate, reasonably priced and is good on the eyes to boot.
thoughts? I know the Bersa is a 380, but from everything I've read, its a nice gun, isn't a killer with recoil, accurate, reasonably priced and is good on the eyes to boot.
modifiedbrowning
Member
Bersa also makes 9mm, .40 and .45 pistols. I have three Bersa 9mms and they all have been 100% reliable so far. The retail for around $350. They make a fullsize pistol and a smaller CC pistol.
orionengnr
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Nah, most of us who have owned them...turn up our noses because they are unreliable pieces of crap.
I have owned four (one P-32, two P3ATs, one P-11) and every one was unreliable, even after F&B and free parts from Cocoa Beach.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me four times, shame on me...big time.
I am soooo done with K-T.
Snowdog
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Should you find a Bersa in 9mm within your price range, you'll be wise to grab it. I have been absolutely pleased with my UC9! SOG used to sell them along with the full-size models for $309 new-in-box.
They are now listed as out-of-stock most of the time... probably because the word is out of the value these pistols represent and they're no longer the "sleepers" they used to be.
I had to purchase mine from Gunbroker (UC9 Pro) but I'm quite glad I did.
If you're open to cartridges outside 9x19, I strongly echo the recommendation of considering a CZ-82 in 9x18. You can purchase Brown Bear ammunition for it for less than $10/50 on-line without issue. It's what I do for my 9x18 needs. Instead of going to Walmart or your local gunshop for ammunition (for any of your firearms), simply wait and purchase all your ammunition on-line and you'll save a fortune.
I'll still suggest a Tokarev variant such as the excellent M57 as the pistol is tough, accurate and crazy fun to shoot, all on the cheap. If you later feel you really must have a 9x19, they can be converted to 9x19 if necessary.
They are now listed as out-of-stock most of the time... probably because the word is out of the value these pistols represent and they're no longer the "sleepers" they used to be.
I had to purchase mine from Gunbroker (UC9 Pro) but I'm quite glad I did.
If you're open to cartridges outside 9x19, I strongly echo the recommendation of considering a CZ-82 in 9x18. You can purchase Brown Bear ammunition for it for less than $10/50 on-line without issue. It's what I do for my 9x18 needs. Instead of going to Walmart or your local gunshop for ammunition (for any of your firearms), simply wait and purchase all your ammunition on-line and you'll save a fortune.
I'll still suggest a Tokarev variant such as the excellent M57 as the pistol is tough, accurate and crazy fun to shoot, all on the cheap. If you later feel you really must have a 9x19, they can be converted to 9x19 if necessary.
rhubarb
Member
I had a P11 that worked great for 1500 rounds. Then parts started to break. Not just malfunction; parts broke. Don't buy a cheapo gun just because it has a lifetime warranty or buy an obsolete gun because you know where to get parts when it breaks. How does that make sense?
How many threads have you read here where someone has said, "You can do a lot better for the money"? Listen to the people who have been there and done that. I have a Ruger P95 I bought used for $225, a Glock 17 for which I paid $400, a S&W 581 nickel .357 I got for $300 in the last few years. The Ruger now has 5-6000 trouble-free rounds through it with little maintenance, no spring changes, nothing. That's common for Rugers. And Glocks. And Smiths. You can buy a fine pistol for not much money if you keep your eyes open. Don't fixate on oddballs or cheap guns. Get a proven performer.
How many threads have you read here where someone has said, "You can do a lot better for the money"? Listen to the people who have been there and done that. I have a Ruger P95 I bought used for $225, a Glock 17 for which I paid $400, a S&W 581 nickel .357 I got for $300 in the last few years. The Ruger now has 5-6000 trouble-free rounds through it with little maintenance, no spring changes, nothing. That's common for Rugers. And Glocks. And Smiths. You can buy a fine pistol for not much money if you keep your eyes open. Don't fixate on oddballs or cheap guns. Get a proven performer.
^^^ rhubarb has a good point.
And if you are looking for a bargain pistol because you are strapped, you should consider that saving up for another couple weeks to buy a much higher quality pistol that only cost another hundred or so will most likely save you time, money, and stress in the long run. Those smiths folks have linked for you are good pistols as well, you'd be well off picking one of those up. If its going to be a pistol you might in a moments notice depend on your life for, isn't you're life worth it? I know a couple people that have keltecs and have been happy with them, but I know several more who haven't or are oblivious to the fact that having a self defense pistol jam up even once or twice every trip to the range isn't acceptable.
Hope that helps you make your decision. Don't rush yourself into it and end up with regrets!
And if you are looking for a bargain pistol because you are strapped, you should consider that saving up for another couple weeks to buy a much higher quality pistol that only cost another hundred or so will most likely save you time, money, and stress in the long run. Those smiths folks have linked for you are good pistols as well, you'd be well off picking one of those up. If its going to be a pistol you might in a moments notice depend on your life for, isn't you're life worth it? I know a couple people that have keltecs and have been happy with them, but I know several more who haven't or are oblivious to the fact that having a self defense pistol jam up even once or twice every trip to the range isn't acceptable.
Hope that helps you make your decision. Don't rush yourself into it and end up with regrets!
Oh, I'm not rushing. I've been looking for months. Heck, I've been looking at the Bersas for about a year just because I like them. I may end up with one of those, I don't see many bad reviews other than rear site set screw issues. They run out of Buds for $250 brand new, are reliable, accurate, lifetime warranty, are well built and easy to work on and aren't expensive to shoot.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/178/products_id/25373
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/178/products_id/25373
I don't have a lot of experience with the Kel Tec or the EAA. The Star is good if you get a good one and that's a 50/50 proposition AFAIC. I'd get the Kel Tec of the the 3 you mentioned as warranty service is most likely a lot easier on that than the other two. I've been thinking of getting a P11 myself. But if you're really going to rely on the gun I'd spend a little more and get a Glock 19.
madmike38
Member
the star gets my vote,,
I've been looking at the Toks, I just wish they made a shorter barrel version that shared length with the new M88. Otherwise they're what I want, reliable, cheap, powerful enough, and cheeeeeeeeeeep to shoot.
Plus you can convert them to 9mm with just a barrel from what I've read.
Plus you can convert them to 9mm with just a barrel from what I've read.
UrbanCombat45
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Star LOVE single action semi's. And, it's a small package.
hemiram
Member
Of the three, I would have to go with the Star too, but I personally would go with any one of the following before any of the three:
S&W 59XX (A lot of different models) You can get used police trade in guns for less than $300. Not the prettiest things, but they shoot great and will last forever. I recently got a fantastic 5906 for $325, in the box, with two mags and all the paperwork.
Astra A-75, great little all steel gun. Sold new as the RAP 401, if you can find one.
Tanfoglio/Witness compacts and full size. Lots of these guns are out there for less than $300.
Like this one, how can you resist it with that name on it?
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=185781932
S&W 59XX (A lot of different models) You can get used police trade in guns for less than $300. Not the prettiest things, but they shoot great and will last forever. I recently got a fantastic 5906 for $325, in the box, with two mags and all the paperwork.
Astra A-75, great little all steel gun. Sold new as the RAP 401, if you can find one.
Tanfoglio/Witness compacts and full size. Lots of these guns are out there for less than $300.
Like this one, how can you resist it with that name on it?
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=185781932
MICHAEL T
Member
Bersa 9mm compact 13 rounds and about size of the KelTec .
SwampWolf
Member
That's what I'd look for-or any of its Third Generation brethern.
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