What is the most accurate out-of-box 9mm available for $3-400?

[WVGunman]

So, the local gun club has a steel target range that all members must qualify to use. The standard is 9 of 10 shots on a 6-inch circle from 15 yards, shot standing, without any kind of a rest. This may not sound hard, but at the most recent qualifying meeting, a dozen guys tried it and NOT ONE passed!

From time spent at the range, I am very uncertain that I can ever meet this standard with my current handgun. So I am considering getting something a bit more accurate to practice with, so at least I can tell if the problem is me or the gun. (I'm not a world-class shot at the best of times.) It has to be 9mm because I am committed to that caliber; I have everything I need to reload it, and only it. I am assuming it will be an autoloader, because most revolvers I've ever heard of in 9mm (the Blackhawk, S&W) were not cheap. But I'll take what I can get. Any suggestions?

 

[DaddioDan]

My Ruger SR9c....but then, it's the only 9mm I own. But, it is damn accurate and with a sweet trigger. Nary a single hiccup with anything I've run through it, including cheapo steel cased stuff.

 

[TennJed]

SR9 would be in the running

 

[Jaymo]

Ruger knocked it out of the park with the SR9/40/45.
SR45 is on my short list. I like it about as much as I like 1911s.
I freaking love my SR9.
Sweet shooting gun.
Accurate, soft shooting, boringly reliable.

 

[CWL]

What gun are you shooting now? Is the qual test timed?

Would $3-400 worth of ammo practice help with your shot placement? how about borrowing a couple pistols from other club members to really see if it is you or your gun?

 

[Jlr2267]

Cz75 (used)

 

[tarosean]

Unless your current handgun has issues, I dont see why it couldnt perform this task.

 

[45_auto]

The standard is 9 of 10 shots on a 6-inch circle from 15 yards, shot standing, without any kind of a rest. This may not sound hard, but at the most recent qualifying meeting, a dozen guys tried it and NOT ONE passed!

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but it's not the gun.

ANY 9mm ever made that still has rifling in the bore is easily capable of keeping 10 shots inside a 6 inch circle from 15 yards.

It's the failure of the shooter, not the gun, that's keeping people from passing the test.

 

[jrdolall]

Have to agree that this is a practice issue. I too am not a wonderful shot and my eyes are not even close to what they were 10 years ago but I have 2 Hi Point C9's that will easily pass that test. I got a new CZ-75 back in February and finally got to shoot it this weekend due to some major family issues. It took me 2 mags to figure out the sights and grip and then I was easily doing what you are talking about. With my initial mag I was high with nearly every shot so I had to make some mental adjustments.
With the exception of a couple of old POS .22 revolvers I have I don't think that should be a problem for any modern pistol. I know I have the luxury of shooting often so it comes a little more "natural" to me but a few boxes of factory 9mm and you should be able to pass this test.
You have a plethora of good to decent quality firearms available to you in this price range especially if you are willing to look at used guns. I think the CZ was in that price range and it is an excellent, steel gun. Ruger should be in that price range. Heck even the lowly HP, as mentioned above, will do the trick.

 

[NGIB]

It's a rare shooter that can out shoot the mechanical accuracy of nearly any properly functioning handgun. This being said, some folks find a particular platform better suited to them. I shoot a 1911 better and more naturally than any other platform but would not have much trouble hitting a 6" circle with anything I own...

 

[bannockburn]

I think just about any service grade 9mm. should be capable of making the grade with those accuracy requirements. I would go along with those who suggest more practice rather than trying to find a more accurate pistol.

 

[Fiv3r]

It's amazing how poor of a shot many shooters are, and i place myself in that group as I do not get enough practice to be what I would consider a "good" shot.

I would say that any pistol that is mechanically sound should be able to keep in the 6" area at 15 yards. I would say that the sr9 would be a solid choice, but it sounds like your pistol should be just fine. Out of my collection I would go with a 92fs since it has such a long sight radius.

 

[JDR]

You might consider saving up some more money for a CZ-75B.

 

[1KPerDay]

Interesting qualification.... What's the range afraid of? Don't they have a good backstop? IMO any well known brand of pistol should be able to do it. I shoot a lot of steel at 15 yards. The 6" targets aren't EASY but nowhere close to impossible either. You do have to know what you're doing.

 

[The Bushmaster]

I have an old firestar that can out shoot me. It will put your 10 shots into a 6" target at 25 yards benchresting.

Practice, practice, practice!!

 

[smkummer]

A berretta 92F minimum standard is 5" at 25 yards. A friend of mine was trying to keep up with me shooting a Colt officers model match 38 and was unable. He called Berretta and was told this from a rep.. So he bought a K38. Sorry to get off of topic but at your range, any ammo that works should easily hit that standard. If no one thought of it, the trick is to draw or paint a small target within the target. Such as pasting a 2" circle within the 6" plate (aim small miss small). Try that and dry fire to check for flinch. Let us know if that helps.

 

[Wishoot]

Interesting qualification.... What's the range afraid of? Don't they have a good backstop? IMO any well known brand of pistol should be able to do it. I shoot a lot of steel at 15 yards. The 6" targets aren't EASY but nowhere close to impossible either. You do have to know what you're doing.

My thoughts exactly.... I've never seen a range that makes you qualify to join by shooting targets. I've had to take their range safety classes, but never had to qualify by shooting targets.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

Check out Bersa.

 

[Willie Sutton]

From time spent at the range, I am very uncertain that I can ever meet this standard with my current handgun.


I highlighted the operative words above.


Work on looking at the front sight and getting a surprise break. There's no pistol thatbwill do it for ya...


Willie

.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

A Hi-Point will shoot that accurately, so if you can't, it's just a matter of spending the money in practice instead.

That being said, don't handicap yourself by shooting the course with your Rohrbaugh R9, either.

 

[Jlr2267]

From time spent at the range, I am very uncertain that I can ever meet this standard with my current handgun.


I highlighted the operative words above.


Work on looking at the front sight and getting a surprise break. There's no pistol thatbwill do it for ya...


Willie

.

Some pistols are *much* easier to shoot accurately than others. Changing pistols might make a rather large improvement. Of course, no one pistol is best for everyone

 

[crestoncowboy]

Some are more accurate than others, even if u have two of the same gun, but I agree that most any gun can out shoot 6 inches at 15 yards slow fire unless it is faulty or a pocket 9(I don't own one and don't plan to, but I bet in a vise they would do it too, just much harder to do). Even with my Glock 27 (a .40 I know but I don't have a 9) sub compact with many round through it, I'd bet money I could do better and I'm far from a great shooter.

 

[Furncliff]

Borrow, buy or make a pistol rest. The ammo shouldn't make a lot of difference at that range, but if your test show your shots landing all over the place switch ammo (especially if you are using your home rolled ammo). By resting your pistol you will be taking most of your input out of the equation. This is the best way to decide if it's you or the pistol, or the load.

There is a little bit of technique to shooting from a rest, here's one way...
http://www.chuckhawks.com/shooting_handgun_bench_rest.htm

I have this rest.....http://www.amazon.com/HYSKORE-Hyskore-Swivel-Pistol-Rest/dp/B004TAB7W2

My girls gave it to me for my birthday. I use it a lot for load testing. It works fine, and I prefer something like this over sand bangs.

 

[Eb1]

The only 9mm I own is a 2007 XD9 Service, and it is very, very accurate. I think that I have read the Bersa Compact 9mm is very accurate as well, and in your price range.

 

[verdun59]

SR9C will do the job, and be well mannered while doing it.