As an understudy for my 357 Magnum, I am considering the purchase of a 9mm autopistol. The gun specialty on line sites are full of budget-priced guns...Zenith, EAA, Tanfoglio, Canik, Ruger, CZ and some S&W...higher $$$, but still not out of reach. Are the "off brand" guns as reliable and durable as the ones we are familiar with, and seem to regard more highly?

I am thinking a Ruger SR9 full size, or S&W M&P 2.0 Compact if it will fit my largish paws or, the new series of the Browning Hi Power by a manufacturer that has bought the rights from FN, due to the fact the original Browning and subsequent models are discontinued. But the prices on some of the lesser known (to me) guns are really tempting.
I would dearly love to have a the newly resurrected Sig 210, but, the price? Nevah Happen, on a retired man's income!

But, I say to myself... In the worst possible scenario, if something breaks, Will it be available from a foreign manufacturer?" What say, gun gurus?

My first question would be what is your budget? Then how important is the manufacturer's warranty to you? Do you want a manual safety? Many manucafurers are making quality reliable firearms now.

There are so many nice, used firearms on the market for reasonable prices. I don't personally buy any firearm (rifle, shotgun or handgun), that's not made in the USA. Just bought a LNIB S&W M&P 9c for $325 at a LGS. A little more info on your budget would help, lots of nice 9mm's on the market, if that's what you're looking for.

I have two Tanfoglio's. A mid 1990's 9mm P19 (CZ 75 clone) and a brand new Witness 1911 .45.

The P19 has a very tight leade into the bore from the chamber, so much that some factory 124 gn loads jam in the rifling before the slide is fully forward. It shot very low to the point I had an overtall Bull Cherokee rear sight installed and still had to file the front sight down close to the white dot (or where the dot was, I blacked it out). The trigger has been replaced with a single stage unit that is very heavy (my next project is to polish it up as I have just mounted it in a carbine frame). Having said that two other identical pistols bought in the same month from the same supplier had no barrel leade issues and shot pretty close to POA

The Witness 1911 .45 is just the opposite. very nice finish, was a crisp trigger right from the box if a little heavy for competition work. Polishing up the trigger bow I was amazed how little polishing was required. It usually takes me 1 1/4 - 1/1/2 hours to lightly polish the bow but I was finished in less than 20 minutes.

It was almost perfectly sighted in from the box and although the rear adjustable sight is unbranded it appears to be identical with a Caspian Arms BoMar rear sight I have on hand.

I have handled and dry fired a couple of the recent CZ SP01 and Shadow 2 Tanfoglio CZ style pistols, and they appear much better quality than my 1990's vintage version (incidentally the EEA Witness is now the Tanfoglio too).

The best thing about the Tanfoglio CZ models is that they can be carried hammer down for double action first shot (no hammer drop though, got to be careful) with or without the safety engaged, or cocked and locked.

And Tanfoglio now have a US based manufacturing plant so repairs/warranty are even easier..

Ruger have a good history too. But as for striker fired pistols, I am not a fan.

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View from down under

I owned an SR9 briefly, and it was a great shooter. I just can't seem to stick with a striker fired gun for some reason. However, that SR9 had such a nice trigger, I would not have carried if without a safety. It's a very nice pistol for the dollar spent. I am keeping two of my striker pistols though, and that's my Shield 9, and a Taurus PT 111 G2. Now that is a gun for your money!

Had a Sig 320 and swapped it for a 2022, but I let it go for a Beretta PX4 Storm. You owe it to yourself to at least try one of those before settling on something. My normal EDC in warmer weather is a S&W 6904, when I wear more clothes, usually a 4516. So many to choose from.........

Since you list both hammer and striker models, and not mentioned intended use or preference for action type or safety, you've not narrowed the field at all.

I'll throw one suggestion on the table. The family of CZ 75's. Reliability is excellent, the model variations cover different sizes and action types, and ergonomics for large "paws" is excellent. As for parts availability, we called them when we lost the Loaded Chamber Indicator on a PCR, and had a new one at the house a few days later, free.

Hubby and I carry the 75B based, compact PCR, but the full sized 75B is the universal favorite of people we take range shooting.

S&W,Beretta,Sig, CZ, .......... are my first 4 choices since; 1990 (6906,3913),1988 (92F Compact),1989( W. Ger. 220) and 2014 (75B and Kadet .22lr) ..

Came to CZs late because I'd already had several other autos. If I was starting from scratch........today, with new guns.....CZ might be at the top of the list. They make both full size and compacts.

Beretta's get a bad rap as a " too big 9mm"...... but they do make a nice Compact (13+1) and Centurion (15,17 or 18+1).
A favorite of mine is the Centurion; w/ a full size grip frame mated with a Compact 4.2" barrel and slide...... newer guns have a radiused backstrap and you can get ultra-thin G-10 grips....... G-model or G-kit ($50) make the safety decocker only....... 18rd Mec-gar flush fit magazines... ( for the ultimate tricked out Centurion check out Wilson Combat)

3rd gen Smiths are hard to beat........ 915,6906/04 3913/14s 5906

Sig I like the older P-series.... 220 (.45), 245 (Compact .45) and 229

If long term support is the issue, I'd stay with S&W or Ruger. If you want the most bang for your buck , the Caniks are a super deal. We sell quite a few at the shop and customers love them.
If cost is the biggest driver, then buying used has the potential to put you into more gun for your $. ( Personally, I'd buy a used M&P 1.0 vs a new 2.0 and save some $).

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Dave

If you want a compact try a CZ P-01 compact or a CZ PCR.

I've heard nothing but good things about the EAA/Tanfoglio Witness. Apparently it's based on the CZ-75, only it's less expensive and available in way more configurations.

I've been tempted multiple times by the Witness in 10mm Auto and .38 Super due to the price as well as the scarcity of firearms chambered in said cartridges.

if you want a high quality inexpensive "square revolver" look for a Sig Sauer P250... long smooth DAO trigger, light weight and accurate... I got one in a trade... fell in like with it... kinda got addicted to the modular thing... I can make 9mm, 40S&W, 357 SIG & 45 acp configurations in various sizes... nice that no one wants them... they are a real bargain out there... usually in the $350-$400 in new or nearly new condition...

If you are looking for under rated bargains, I would at least look at the Smith & Wesson 908, 910 and especially the S&W Model 915. These can generally be had for significantly less, are durable, and do whatever any other 9mm handgun can do. Less so the 915, depending on where you are, but they are from the "economy line" in the 90's which is now "they do not make them like that anymore". IMHO, the S&W M&P 2.0 is not vastly different from the original M&P which can generally be had for considerably less - again depending on where you are.

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Havent warmed up to the polymer frame guns...yet... but its hard to beat the lifetime warranty on the new S&W M&P 9mm's.

That being said my favorite range gun is a late 70's Model 39-2 and a 3rd gen S&W 6906.
Have a Browning HP...old technology and pricey.
Walther P1's are nostalgic and still can be found for under $400 if you look hard enough.
Have a SS Cz 75B and a pre B CZ Model 85,
the ambi safety broke on the CZ 85 last year ... CZ said too bad so sad part no longer available,...BUT if U mail it to us we can modify it to use the current style ambi safety (by drilling the frame hole larger) for $600.... wont ever buy another CZ.

Even though 9mm ammo is alot cheaper than .38 special I tend to burn through alot more ammo when shooting high cap autos compared to my revolvers.
While polymer 9mm autos are cheap n plentiful another option is to look for an older Ruger Blackhawk .357 with matching 9mm cylinder.

Perhaps my being older has me misinterpreting this. An understudy to a revolver should be a revolver. So, none of what you mentioned would qualify.

Kevin

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Unshared knowledge is wasted.

Striker or hammer fired? Caliber? Home defense? Conceal carry? Range toy? Metal frame? Polymer frame?

....please narrow down what you are looking for so we may help. If you don’t know which features you want, then eventually you’ll be disappointed and bored with whatever you buy. If you buy a gun that meets the features you are looking for, then you won’t regret it.

U can get some real nice used Beretta 92F pistols for under 5 bills easily..No difference between them and the 92FS really other than the slide block machined lug modification that was a solution to a non-issue from the get go. I have 2 92F police trade ins that I have refurbished...parts by the boat load all over the internet...they R stupid reliable....that's my suggestion.

To me an "Understudy" is basically a lighter or smaller caliber gun that is of a similar shape, model & function that is easier or cheaper to shoot for the purpose of practice.

While I'm not at all saying you should not buy another type of gun, brand or style, I would not classify the ones you mentioned as "Understudies" for a 357 Revolver. Example: A good Understudy for a 4" model 19 is something like a 4" model 18 or model 15 (smaller, lighter and easier to handle for practice).

They make this thing, it's called a "Glock". A used Gen4 17, 19, or 26 will run about $400. Buy one, and shoot it.

If you're determined to not buy a Glock, buy a CZ, EAA/Tanfolio, S&W, or Sig. There are quite a few affordable Sigs (I believe the P250 was mentioned, I like it, but I think the trigger breaks kinda late for it to be very good). Stay away from Caniks and such, any of the real no-name brands. They come with lifetime warranties because they figure that nobody's going to actually fire the 350 rounds it takes to break one.

Although I have to confess, I have no idea how a 9mm pistol relates to a .357 Magnum revolver. If you want to shoot for cheap, pick one of the following:

*Buy a .22.
*Buy a case of .357 or .38 Spl.
*Learn to reload.

Re: OP. I have messed around w/ a bunch of big name and no name 9mm pistols. This past Summer I bought a Sig Legion 226 in 9mm. Just about ideal. It does everything right. It has an excellent DA for the first shot. The SA is superb. As to function, it works with every type of ammo I've been able to find, buy and shoot through it. It is perfectly sighted for shooting out to 25 yds. w/ 115 gr. FMJ's as well as common defensive loads. The beaver tail grip is a improvement over the normal 226. The finish looks great and stands up to wear. Sincerely. bruce.

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I agree with brucev. The 226 legion is a great gun. They just work. Even if you get a standard version 226, you will be very satisfied.

I've owned quite a few 9mm over the years;long story short,the one I have now stays here.CZ 75 Shadow 01.A nice action job and a spare slide stop(they break one about every 20Krds)and the thing is scary accurate(single hand 4'' at 20 yds just like my S&W model 14).The thing is so heavy it dampens recoil nicely.
And please don't get me wrong;I'm a revolver guy at 80%,the rest being SA.

I think you're the only one that can answer what kind of gun you should buy, but a Glock 19 or 17 (since you mentioned big hands) would be near the top of my list.

I'll throw out some unasked for advice: if you want 357 power in an auto, buy one of the police trade in .40 S&W pistols floating around now. The deals are amazing.

I recently got a SIG P226 for under $300 (new street price ~$700), and a HK USP Compact for $400 (retail ~$800). There are also SIG P229s and S&W M&Ps out there for very cheap (as little as $250 for the M&P).

I've read reviews that state Underwood's 135gr .40 S&W chronos at 1350 fps from a Glock 23. That's HOT.

Glock . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I bought a Ruger Security-9 (15+1) and its been a great shooter, never misses a beat, and pretty accurate for me at 25 yards, mid to full sized. Only shot it maybe 400 rounds and never had a hiccup. Its little brother, the EC9s, is a nice pocket gun. Both 9mms cost me under $600, maybe closer to $550. There are better guns and less reliable ones, but the Rugers are good guns, so far, for me. I don't know your budget, but the Security-9 is a nice 9mm to get your feet wet with and if you don't like it you won't be out too much cash. If there are any of those used 92S Berettas left for sale, they are an inexpensive yet reliable 9mm pistol, though heavier than the plastic guns, which is a plus as it doesn't kick because of its weight. I'm sure all of the guns listed by others above are worth a try, also. These are just my 3 cents! Good luck, Sniper!

Wise;
Have several .22s
Do reload
Haven't bought a case of ammo yet...may never.

Obvious answer: They're both GUNS, they shoot. One reason for investigating quality and reliability for the not-so-famous and lower $$ alternatives. I'll work out the small stuff...Carry, Safe Queen, range, budget after I am satisfied regarding the important (to me) things.
Regardless of endless discussion, both calibers have good reputations for all-around usefulness, AND...variety is the spice of life, don'tcha know!
A new/different gun is always a good thing!
Happy New Year!