Needed 9mm Firearm Advice / Opinions

[Rhetorician]

Hello all:

I have been playing "internal mental tennis" for a while. You know, "should I buy-or should I not but" a new gun or caliber or whatever it might be. You know that internal debate we all have from time to time.

I have been considering something in a 9mm for a long while; revolvers, micros, just a little bit of everything. Pro: the 9mm is probably the cheapest thing one can shoot if you do not load yourself. And I do not see that in my future. Con: buying another caliber weapon is somewhat like having a new baby or getting another hunting dog--just another mouth to feed.

My point is this, I was wondering what might be a good option so I will not have to spend too much on the front end to see if I like the caliber or no? I am not sure I want a "micro" anything. I carry a Taurus 738 380acp (that I might add runs flawlessly), Ruger LCR 357, and a Smith Model 360PD Scandium in my rotation. Any Micro 9s "kinda-sorta" defeat the purpose of my time and money to buy at this point of my internal discussion. Would not make a good range gun IMHO.

So, I was thinking of a SCCY or a Hi Point??!! The HP can be bought for about 1/2 of the SCCY. Both, as appraised by those on some other gun boards, are either "love-um" or "hate-um" responses.

I am leaning towards the HP. I have a friend who has the 40 and the 45, and they both run flawlessly. Heavy as a boat anchor. Ugly as a mud fence. Then the SCCY does not have as good of reviews as the HP. But it sure is "purdy" by comparison.

These are my thoughts!

Yours?

rd

 

[jonny13sb]

Get a CZ75B it's much better quality than the HiPoint.

 

[Grimjaws]

SD9VE

Instead of these brands I would recommend a Smith and Wesson SD9VE. Great gun for the value, fits well in the hand, lifetime warranty and gets you a reliable home defense and range gun.

Just saying.

 

[Harrison]

For a carry piece, the Glock 19 is hard to beat.

 

[petepeterson]

Consider investing in something that you can easily sell for close to what you paid for it.

There's not much to dislike about 9mm. You can probably find a used Shield in the low 300s if you look around. Nice shooting pistol, but still concealable. Lots of choices.

 

[litenlarry]

You might consider a used LE trade in..A Glock G17 can be found for a tad over $300 in some areas..Magazines are inexpensive as well..

 

[hobby-gunsmith]

9mm firearm advice

There are many guns on the market that are top notch. First, what is your price range? I would visit your LGS and try the gun for size and fit. Is it too bulky, heavy, polymer, steel and try shooting some of those selected for recoil, concealment and caliber. Do not let anyone select one for you. You have to be satisfied with your selection. Would you purchase a suit without trying it on or altering it for comfort and style. There are plenty of guns in the $500.00 to $700.00 range that are top notch. The manufacturers such as CZ, H&K, USP, Springfield XD, S&W, FN are all quality guns but the final choice is up to you. Do some research on line for up to date guns. The market is crazy with guns and you need to weed out the ones that have some flaws that may alter your choice.

Nick

 

[Rhetorician]

Rhetorician Response

There are many guns on the market that are top notch. First, what is your price range? I would visit your LGS and try the gun for size and fit. Is it too bulky, heavy, polymer, steel and try shooting some of those selected for recoil, concealment and caliber. Do not let anyone select one for you. You have to be satisfied with your selection. Would you purchase a suit without trying it on or altering it for comfort and style. There are plenty of guns in the $500.00 to $700.00 range that are top notch. The manufacturers such as CZ, H&K, USP, Springfield XD, S&W, FN are all quality guns but the final choice is up to you. Do some research on line for up to date guns. The market is crazy with guns and you need to weed out the ones that have some flaws that may alter your choice.

Nick

Price range? That was the point and maybe I did not make it clear enough in the OP.

I wanted to spend just a couple of hundred bucks. I know, I know all of the arguments!!!

But I am not sure I want to spend a bunch of $$$$ for a caliber I may not even want or like or keep.

I am a wheel man and stuck on the 357 /38 /38 +p calibers. Have 4 all total with 2 of them being Smiths. (I must say if I had not bought the two Smiths for a song I would not own them or be on this board!!! But there is that special something about a Smith no doubt!).

You will not believe what I have been reading and studying this AM just now. I have been reading and watching videos on the Zastava M70s and M88s. They can be had new for about $250 in some quarters.

I seem to like and am drawn to the quirky guns. Just a character flaw I guess. Major purpose of the purchase would be just to see if I want to play in the 9mm pool or not. I am afraid that some of the present discussions are many, many $$$$ over my head.

Just some clarification thoughts.

Opinions?

Thanks,

rd

 

[jonny13sb]

Okay here goes.
Opinions; 1. You get what you pay for.
2. You can re-sell a higher quality gun more easily than a
lower quality gun.
3. I'd rather wait until I had saved the cash for something nice
than settle for less.

Just my opinion....

 

[nrz]

Litenlarry nailed it on the head, pick up a used Glock G17 and if you like it, great, if like the caliber but not the gun, it will be worth the same amount you paid for it. No loss with this option. Good luck.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

You may want to check out the Rock Island Armory's 1911 full size tactical in 9mm. The price is right, its a single stack all steel gun that is a real hoot to shoot. Recoil is minimal with the all steel beastie and mine has been 100% reliable right out of the box and accuracy has been very good.

 

[hobby-gunsmith]

needed 9mm firearm advice

Jonny13SB stated the true facts. You get what you pay for and fit and finish is the ultimate end. For a few hundred dollars, there are plenty of guns on the market that will fill the bill but will not last and I surely would not depend on poor quality if my life or the life of my family is threatened. Again, there are quality guns out there that you do not have to break the bank. But would you forfeit quality and dependability for an inferior firearm?

Nick

 

[JJEH]

A 3rd Gen S&W would be my choice...

 

[whraven]

Many good suggestions, but the thing is, they aren't necessarily you. Everyone has different preferences, so suggestions may or may not fit you, personally. One suggestion I can make, however, is to find a range that rents firearms. They usually have a very good variety, especially if they are run by a gun shop, and you can try them out without committment. That way, you can find out if you like the caliber before you commit yourself to a purchase. I realize this is an additional cost, but may be worth it in the long run.

 

[ironhead7544]

I would go with a used Glock. It will be easy to sell if you dont like it. There are also some used S&W autos out there as police trade ins.

 

[rwsmith]

I'd stay away......

I'd stay away from very small guns if you want to use them on the range and are not interested in carry. They just ain't that much fun to shoot compared to a gun you can get your hand around.

 

[LVSteve]

I would only buy a HiPoint if I was really strapped for cash, not because they don't function, but because there are way better guns out there for just a little more money.

Find a Star Model B or a B Super. J&G sales has them right now. Failing that, search around Gunbroker for a FEG HiPower clone or a Tristar or Witness CZ75 clone.

 

[johnnyflake]

Hands Down!

CZ Makes the best 9mm semi-auto handguns out there and they are reasonable!

My newer model CZ P-09 in 9mm - 19 +1 is an exceptional handgun!

 

[armorer951]

9mm

If you're looking for a "range gun" as you said, how about considering a used 3rd generation S&W? I purchased this 5906 a couple of years ago. The result after a good cleaning, new OEM grip, silica shower and some new springs......a good, accurate, reliable shooter that is built like a tank. Total investment around $300.

 

[zonker5]

Don't overlook the FEG version of the Browning High Power. Excellent fit and finish and about half the cost of a Browning. Excellent examples are found around here for $350 or so at the shows.

The Taurus PT-92/99 is also an excellent gun to be had at a reasonable price. The earlier ones built on the Beretta jigs are very nice.