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

[WVGunman]

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.

This sounds like a good idea. My current handgun (to answer some queries) is indeed a Hi-Point C9. I have read they are reasonably accurate, and I already knew I was not a good shot, but there was just some nagging thought in the back of my mind that maybe I could just tighten up my groups with something a little more high-class. The truth is, I never bought the gun with this kind of thing in mind, and it's only an issue now that the new steel target range is open.
Regarding that, this is actually a private club, and they run a tight ship. They want to make sure people don't mess up the range by hosing down every part of the targets EXCEPT the plates with bullets. I gather this has happened in the past. It may sound overbearing, but their aggressiveness about enforcing high standards for their range is one reason I am a member. Basically, anyone who acts like an idiot twice gets tossed. It makes for a relaxing time every time I go there, knowing all the Rambo wannabes won't be.

And yeah, I probably just need to practice a lot more. To me, going to the range and shooting 100 rounds is a lot of shooting. (!!!) If i didn't say it before, money is an issue, and I don't own a progressive press.

 

[Bobson]

I don't want this to come across as an insult at all, because I'm no world-class shooter, myself. Having said that, I think it's honestly somewhat concerning that this qualifier seems to be enough of a challenge for you to post about. A six inch group at 15 yards probably isn't intended to be a challenge, but to establish whether or not a shooter has a grip on the basics. Its my opinion that anyone who fails this qualifier, and doesn't have some sort of physical handicap or other physical limitation, clearly doesn't have an understanding of the basics.

The point of this is not to suggest you're not as good as anyone else. The point is simply, given how you're (apparently) shooting - that you doubt your ability to pass the qual - further time spent practicing on your own may prove to be completely fruitless, or at least be a much longer process than necessary.

I'd look for a range that offers basic courses. Take a basic NRA pistol course or something similar, and I expect you'll be passing the qual confidently and without issue by the end of the course. You don't need a new gun, and the course itself will likely cost less than $100.

Best of luck. Don't sell yourself short.

 

[CWL]

I'm not trying to discourage you with my post, but it is often more the shooter than the gun...HOWEVER, I do admit that the right gun in hand can instill a lot of confidence in the shooter.

If your budget is 3-4 bills, then your best bet is a used firearm. Contrary to what some may think, aside from cosmetically, most used pistol remain good & accurate weapons.

I'd agree with a used CZ75.

 

[Captcurt]

I have sold several Sars K2P's and have never had a bad review from any of my customers. If I was really serious I would look for a CZ 75 but it might be hard to find one under $400.

 

[Teachu2]

If you were in my neck of the woods, I'd loan you a G34, a SP2022, or a CZ75b. My new RIA 1911 9mm has nearly as many rounds shot by others as I've put through it myself. I would think many shooters at a private range would be willing to help out.

 

[Captcurt]

If you were in my neck of the woods, I'd loan you a G34, a SP2022, or a CZ75b. My new RIA 1911 9mm has nearly as many rounds shot by others as I've put through it myself. I would think many shooters at a private range would be willing to help out.

I forgot about the 2022 Sig. That is a lot of gun for the money.

 

[SleazyRider]

Under 400? No problema!

I forgot about the 2022 Sig. That is a lot of gun for the money.

Here's my latest acquisition, a SP2022 in .40 caliber (also available in 9mm), from Kentucky Gun Company. It's accurate enough---or I was lucky enough, more likely---to hit a chuck at 30 yards. The two-tone version with carrying case and replacement grip was $359.00 delivered several weeks ago. Who could say no?





The CZ vz. 82 is also a 9mm (9 X 18, that is), which is astonishingly accurate with its polygonal barrel that is just a tad under 4 inches in length. Although the supply has dried up at many of the surplus outlets, they are easily had for under 300 bucks on Gunbroker and the like. The CZ82 fits my hand like no other pistol, and IMHO, represents the very best value in 9mm.

 

[Wanderling]

For between $400-$500, you can get a brand new Glock or CZ or Ruger SR9 and any of them would be more accurate than you can dream of.

But I think your current gun should be capable of 6" at 15yards.

Can you ask the club owner to test fire it for you ? If he hits that target, you know it's not the gun.

 

[just for fun]

A lady friend and I had a standing joke between us when shooting steel plates. If one of us were having a "bad day" the other would take the edge off it by saying "Stand closer"!
Sooo--- one day Pappa and son showed up and setup close by. Pappa had set his target up on the 7 yd. line and had brought along some paper plates with what looked like about 3 inch red circles.
Five shots later (snubby), no hits, another 5 and one hit at 5 o'clock just on the edge. Hey, we all had to start some where at one time or another. His gun, his bullets, leave him alone! As in mind your own business! If he wanted our help, he would have asked!

My lady friend, who was a very good shot and in her mid sixities, made the comment to ME, "maybe he should stand a little closer!" Problem was the shooter over heard her. Never said anything to either of us, just packed up and left!
Bottom line keep practicing!!

 

[shlike]

I agree that it's more of a shooter issue than a gun issue. Any good 9mm auto or revolver should easily be able to do it.

That said, my Kahr CW9 is dean-nuts accurate at that distance with a long, smoooooth trigger pull. My S&W M&P 9C would also easily accomplish the task.

 

[mizer67]

It's not the gun.

That being said a Hi-Point is not a good place to start.

With a $400 upper limit, your best bet aside from used is a CZ P-07 2013 model, which runs about $409 now. The 2014 version is slightly improved, but runs about $450 so it's out of your price range. It's a solid gun that not many know about.

The P-07 is a DA/SA (double action/single action) gun with a decent SA trigger. If you get to start this test from SA, I'd go the P-07 route as the factory trigger runs about 4 lbs. in single action and I've seen a few test targets from these in the 50mm range (about 2"). That's more than good enough to hit a 6" plate.

 

[greenr18]

Cheapest: Hi-Point C9. Yes lots of people will scoff, let them. I've owned many Hi-Points and had 0 problems with their pistols at least (carbines different story,) and for what they are they are impressively accurate. As for the $300-400 range, I'd go with a surplus Hi-Power, either a FEG, Kareen, or if youre lucky enough to find one at that price, a Browning or Mauser production.

 

[DeanV]

My first centerfire was a sr9c. Last time at the range, I rented a kimber 1911 in 9mm. Never shot a 1911 before but my groups where less than half the size at 7-10 yards. Maybe my sr9c is a dud or I am doing something wrong.

 

[1SOW]

Your CZ 75 is a full size steel pistol that is pretty accurate. It should be well-suited for your qual test.

If it's DA/SA, the DA gives some shooters problems until they practice first shot DA. To make it easier, start cocked and locked and shoot all SA shots. Don't see a white plate. See a bullseye target with an X in the middle.
May sound like humor, but it's not.
If that were a bullseye target with a small X in the middle, how close could you come to the X reliably with slow fire careful shots.?
Grip, trigger pull and front sight focus.

 

[Manny]

Unless something is mechanically wrong, any decent 9mm will meet that mark. The best $300-$400 9mm gun you can get to meet the challenge may be the one you already have with that money invested in ammo for QUALITY practice. NOT just running rounds through the gun, but focusing on proper sight picture and trigger control and making EVERY round count.

 

[mgmorden]

As stated - any production 9mm can do what you're describing. Its the shooter that will make the difference. I don't even like them but if you wanted this could be passed with a $150 Hi Point.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I'm shocked, shocked to find that gamb... er, Sigmas work.

As much as I would have bet against it before backing into the ownership of one, I have to offer up the S&W SW9VE as a righteous alternative.

I know all about the earlier Sigma stigma but this 9VE has proven to be cheap, very comfortable, accurate and reliable.

Sure, you'd do well to upgrade the trigger and it's still long but easily gotten used to unless you're one of these hot-house-flowers expecting "***** Perfection" in everything regardless of price.

The gun's cheap, the mags're cheap, it'll run forever on motor oil, feels good in your hand, hits what you point at surprisingly accurately and the trigger? Not nearly as bad as folk make it out to be and inexpensively addressed.

 

[Potatohead]

WV Gunman,
Seriously, please listen to what Im about to say. When I first started shooting pistols a yr or two ago, I was very frustrated with my groups. I PM'd a moderator here, 9mmepiphany and asked him about my grip, and how to form a proper one. He told me to start a thread to see what kind of feedback from others I'd get, and that he'd jump in and help too. So I did, and I had better results almost instantaneously. I suspect something is wrong with your technique and their are people here who can help. Slow firing, I can pretty much hit darn close to where I want with my sr9 now (within 6" easily). And +1 to the sr9.

Some folks (a friend I shoot with, and my dad) have no idea that their is a proper way to hold your pistol. The thread I opened is linked below. Hope it can help. PH

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=719736

 

[SDGlock23]

Double stack I would lean towards either a Ruger SR9/SR9C or Sig 2022.

Single stack the Kahr CW9 or slightly larger CT9 would be a great choice, all the Kahrs I've ever owned were very good shoooters.

 

[MarshallDodge]

Sig SP 2022 in 9mm would be my first choice in your price category.

Next buy a case of ammo and go to a class with a reputable trainer. Without training the gun is useless and you could be practicing bad habits.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I've been researching cheap but accurate 9mm's as well... for me:

1st choice: Ruger 9e (stripped down version of the SR9) -about $325 out the door
2nd choice: Sig SP2022 - about $450 out the door

Others to research: Ruger SR9 (rather have the 9e), Sig 250/320 (funky triggers), CZ-p07 (frame bulge issues), or a host of used firearms

 

[area51]

Cz75 (used)

Bingo!

 

[vaalpens]

+1 on the SP2022. It is a great gun (I have one), but the only problem is that some shooters can't get used to the DA and the first follow-up SA shot. It is definitely in the right price range. Another non-expensive gun from Sig is the P250. It has a very good DA only trigger pull and can currently be found at a very good price. It is especially a good gun for those moving from DA revolvers to semi-autos. Bothe these guns can be found with a 4" barrel, which should be easier to aim than the 3.5" you have.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

Be careful of the SR-9 recommendation these days. The new SR-9s or the SR-9Es are shawdow of what the originals are.
Mine is one the first ones and had the trigger recall. I fixed mine myself instead of sending it in. It is superb now and never causes me any problems but it's 5 years old.

The range I shoot at rents guns out. They bought two SR-9s two years ago and they were both junk, the first in two weeks and the second in 6 months.

Those of us who own the original SR-9s have good pistols, I wouldn't spend $50.00 on one of the new ones. They're not the same as they used to be.

I personally would have to recommend the Shield. It's as good as my original SR-9 and is smaller and much easier to carry. My Shield is extremely accurate and is a pleasure to shoot. It is what the SR-9 used to be.

This is entirely my opinion and is not meant to upset anyone.

 

[Potatohead]

Not so fast my friend!
I bought my sr9 about 2 yrs ago and she's as reliable as can be.

That said, I did have to send her in, and they replaced the extractor. It was choking on some ammo, that weird double feed malf where it loads the next round into the fired one. Totally jams everything up. Runs like a dream now. No trouble since.