Battle of the Budget 9mm's - Page 2

osbornk · October 31, 2015, 03:49 PM

Quote:

My thing is this... If you cant afford to buy a $600+ gun or around there, you probably should wait until you can afford to buy it.. Dont settle, when saving a little bit more will give you a much better result. Look at other options such as used guns and things of that nature, that might help him get a better quality gun for something still closer to his budget. Just because they're used, doesnt mean they're not good.

Spoken like a true gun snob. You say "Just because they're used, doesn't mean they're not good." I say "Just because they're cheap, doesn't mean they're not good." I have only bought 7 handguns ranging from $125 (Hi-Point) to just under $500 (RIA 1911 Tactical). I traded the Hi-Point for a old but nice Taurus 38 special revolver. My "cheap" guns have been reliable and accurate (some more than others). My SD9VE has been very reliable but not as accurate as my Ruger Mk III Target or RIA 1911 Tactical ( I think it is operator error because of the weight difference of the guns). They are both very accurate as well as reliable.

triplebike · October 31, 2015, 04:27 PM

leadcounsel pretty much nailed it. Post #7

I purchased the B6P on a whim about a month ago for $200. I have shot, owned, and do own many 9mm handguns. I have never been so impressed as I have with the SAR.

For me, this may be the perfect handgun. It has excellent ergos, fantastic trigger & is beautifully built. I have fired a 1000 rds of varying brands through it without even a flicker of a problem.

In my neck of the woods, they're $279 NIB at my local LGS. That is a STEAL for this handgun.

O4L · October 31, 2015, 04:40 PM

I think you can get more bang for your buck if you shop around a little.

Full size M&P 9s are going for $399 online, and the SD9 is $269.

Big Shrek · October 31, 2015, 05:10 PM

I think suggesting a different Taurus might be in order here...the 24/7 Pro C.

Here's the latest version, courtesy of Taurus

Compact, yet holds 17 rounds per mag.
Quite good for carry or home defense.
Currently my Wifey has two...one blued, one pink...
she's carried the blued Gen 1 for 7 years, just got the pink two days ago

Should easily be able to find a Gen 1 in the $300 range.
About a hundred more gets you a G2

6mm · October 31, 2015, 06:23 PM

My daughter has a Taurus PT111 G2. Had a few feeding issues when we first got it, buy once broken in runs great. Have shot the Canik and it was a good shooter, just ignore the decocker. The Canik is on my list for future purchase.

I have tried the Ruger SR9 and didn't like it at all. The S&W SD9VE, I can't give an opinion, have a bad taste from the old Sigma's and don't even want to try one.

I retired my Glock 19 this past spring for a Sig P250C. I wouldn't go back.

Brando1992 · October 31, 2015, 06:42 PM

6mm what do you like more about the p250?

Armybrat · October 31, 2015, 06:49 PM

PSA has the S&W SD9VE for $270:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/catal...view/id/14713/

(Halloween special)

6mm · October 31, 2015, 07:59 PM

Brando1992

For me at least, it is more comfortable to shoot. It has a better grip angle than the Glock. I have thousands of rounds thru Glocks and they are a good gun, but for me the P250 was just a super easy gun to shoot.

When I started shooting handguns over thirty years ago, the revolver was king, and I learned to shoot with a Ruger Security Six. When I started shooting the P250 it was just like riding a bike, shooting DA. My P250 has a beautiful smooth 5lb trigger, just love it.

O4L · October 31, 2015, 08:06 PM

Here ya go. Lots of deals here.

http://www.slickguns.com/category/ha...=1&mobile=true

(Glock 19 Gen 2 trade in $360, for example)

Brando1992 · October 31, 2015, 08:19 PM

6mm

Sounds great looks like I need to go out and get my hands on one!

I do love my model 10 my grandfather passed down to me. Sounds like it's probably a similar feeling trigger!

Limnophile · October 31, 2015, 08:52 PM

Easton Firearms Refinishing in PA does some nice refinishing and customization work. They did a lot of CZs, and a couple/few years ago they started tackling Caniks. There are some examples of what they have done with Caniks and Cajun Gun Works parts: http://eastonfirearmsrefinishing.com...1&make=canik55.

BigBL87 · October 31, 2015, 09:08 PM

Wish he'd been looking a couple months ago, recently traded my B6P with mags and holster for my Taurus PT92. I liked the B6P but just wanted something with a little more mass. I could have concealed my B6P ok, I had an SHTF Gear holster for it. They also make one for the B6P compact.

sigarms228 · October 31, 2015, 09:16 PM

The Caniks and SAR series look promising as a nice budget pistol consideration but around here no one seems to carries them? Are they available only online or are they becoming available at local gun stores? I checked their websites and was not much help.

My LGS is pretty large and they stock the Witness series of handguns but I can recall ever seeing a SAR anything. I will have to double check next time. I have a Cabelas not to far away also.

Radny97 · October 31, 2015, 09:19 PM

I've got 15,000 rounds through my Canik T-120 (desert sand) without a single misfeed. Not one. I just took third place in my local shooting competition last week with it, competing against some folks with more than $2000 into their guns. I have made zero upgrades or alterations to it. A couple months ago I took it out with some friends and shot it side by side with my friends glock as well as an FN9, a Rock island 1911 9mm, a sig 226, a beretta 92 and an hk. It matched or exceeded all in accuracy. We all unanimously agreed it was the favorite gun of the batch.
I paid $360 for it out the door when I bought it two years ago.

leadcounsel · October 31, 2015, 09:39 PM

A lot of inane comments to ignore. Ignore the following:

Quote:

Factory triggers are irrelevant. ALL new firearms require a trigger job due to frivolous law suits.

I'm a pretty good judge of a sufficient trigger. Many companies produce factory guns with good-to-excellent triggers. I've purchased several SARs for instance, and the triggers are all consistently good in DA and excellent in SA (1911-like, as I said before; very light and crisp). The statement quotes is pure nonsense snobbery.

Quote:

The only thing that matters is how well any handgun fits his hand.

Sorry, but again a really dumb statement. Handguns are designed with most adults hands in mind. Marginal folks don't like this or that, but the funny thing is that most people can and do adapt their hand to the gun. Hardly "the only thing that matters..." because in reality is barely matters as long as the gun can be operated properly.

Quote:

Tell him to think about the cost of extra mags too. A mag for that giant Walther PPS 9mm runs $40 at Midway. $24.99 for a Glock 17/34.

Such a trivial point for a gun purchase and while yes, it is factored in, the difference per magazine is so small it's probably not even worth factoring in at this stage.

Quote:

Canik's are imported by Century Arms from Turkey. RUN, do not walk, from any firearm Century had anything to do with.

More internet bunk about Century imports. I've had many Century guns and no issues I can attribute to Century. By the way, they simply import a lot of stuff; hard to blame them. And finally, Caniks have a stellar reputation for quality and such. Can you give Century some credit, please?

Quote:

If you cant afford to buy a $600+ gun or around there, you probably should wait until you can afford to buy it.. Dont settle, when saving a little bit more will give you a much better result.

Apparently this person has not shopped for a gun in awhile. Gun prices are ROCK bottom right now. Not everyone can, nor should, need to drop $600 on a handgun when OUTSTANDING examples are in the $300 range. Not everyone has a lot of money to spend on a gun. I would feel perfectly well suited in self defense using a number of sub $300 handguns currently on the market.

Quote:

Used is the only way to go in the sub $350 arena.

Poor advice indeed. I just picked up another SAR B6P today, less than $300 total out the door. It's fabulous in build quality, trigger, fit, finish... just an outstanding well-built pistol.

If you were totally ignorant about gun makers and pricing, and laid the SAR B6P ($230 online) or the slightly cosmetically different EAA Polymer 9mm (about $270 online, includes a few upgrades) next to offerings from CZ, Glock, Sig, HK, SW, FN, etc, you'd never be able to tell which gun was more valuable or better designed with much accuracy. In terms of build quality I'd put the SAR darn near the top. It really does feel that good in the hand and the quality is very impressive. Did I mention the chrome barrel, steel guide rod, tight fit and finish...?

Sure you can spend days, weeks, months hemming and hawing, shopping around, kicking tires, wringing hands and wasting time researching endlessly. Or, just take some good advice and buy a B6P. It would be near impossible to lose money on such a purchase if the buyer hated the thing; probably lose less than the cost of a rental. Buy it for $280 total, hate it, then sell it for what, $250? Out what, $30 to try it? And I highly doubt anyone could not like the pistol. It's that good.

But like all things, these likely won't last indefinitely and will dry up and then folks will chime in, "I wish I had gotten one of those when they were so cheap" just like they did with CZ, Savage, SKS, Mosins, and on, and on, and on. They're junk in the eyes of snobs, until the price doubles, then they are the cats meow... lol
Don't miss out on these as they appear to dry up. How can you possibly go wrong for under $300...

Radny97 · October 31, 2015, 10:08 PM

^^^^^^^^^^ yep, absolutely.

Radny97 · October 31, 2015, 10:11 PM

Sigarms228 try buds gun shop.com. That's where I got mine because they had the best price but I was able to handle one at my LGS first.

sigarms228 · October 31, 2015, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Sigarms228 try buds gun shop.com. That's where I got mine because they had the best price but I was able to handle one at my LGS first.

Thanks but yeah I am looking to be able to handle one first. I plan to go shooting soon so I am going to check my LGS again. I would like to have more options to recommend to new shooters or those that ask but to me it would be important to be available locally so that potential buyer could handle it and get repair/warranty support easily if need be.

NevadaBob · October 31, 2015, 11:26 PM

My vote is for the Taurus PT111 G2. I've had mine for about 6 months and nary a problem. The ergo and decent factory trigger make it a great shooter. Also, the felt recoil makes it very manageable. It's good to go right out of the box. It handles all my reloads nicely. I guess you can tell I'm partial to it. Taurus has a winner with this one!

Brando1992 · November 1, 2015, 12:48 AM

leadcounsel, really appreciate you putting my thoughts into words there...

Seems like the SAR B9C is well worth getting. I am saving up for the Glock 34, been hankerin for one of those since the first time I shot one. looks like I might have to put that on hold and get EAA to try out... have the prices been pretty steady on the EAA's recently? I would hate to wait on getting one till after the 34, and end up missing out on such low prices.

By the way, this thread has been great and I am loving everyones input. Love it when I can learn something new.

My bud went to a gun show today and ended up leaving with the SD9VE. He is stoked about it and I'm sure it will serve him well for years, it was the best deal he found and I think he already had his mind made up before he stepped in the door. I may be getting some time behind its trigger soon, if so I will post my thoughts!

Keep up the responses, I'm always looking for a good deal on things that go boom

tahunua001 · November 1, 2015, 12:49 AM

I agree with Lead council's most recent post. however, I would point out that I did get a lemon from century. my Canik TP9 wouldn't enter battery about 80% of the time and I'd have to manually push the slide shut after every shot. century's customer service was great, turn around time was only a couple of weeks and I never had another problem with it other than accuracy, and heavy trigger(likely related issues). however that's not a problem with century, that's a problem with the canik.

Kosh75287 · November 1, 2015, 05:01 AM

If he MUST have a 9mm, and it MUST be in the price-range specified, I recommend the Canik sold at Academy. I have one that I am trying to wear out, and it's not cooperating with its planned obsolescence. It gobbles up ammo that other 9mms won't feed reliably, and the trigger gets better, the more rounds I run through it. Cz parts and magazines interchange, and it has no magazine disconnect. Others mentioned in this thread might, I'm not sure.

Super Blackhawk · November 1, 2015, 08:19 AM

For mostly conceal carry purposes the Smith&Wesson Shield is ideal n can had for about $350-390.
For an all around high reliability all around range n home defense the Sig 2022
Is great value n a solid reliable Sig

SARuger · November 1, 2015, 08:31 AM

Another vote for the P250c

johnwilliamson062 · November 1, 2015, 08:38 AM

I've always liked to go used over new when it comes to budget.

Get him to a range with rentals though.

The only new hand gun I would recommend to a new shooter is a hipoint. They resell for within a Jefferson of their purchase price, they work, and a whole lot of people with more expensive guns think having one is worthwhile.
They aren't comfortable to shoot a lot at the range though.

Putting up any more money than that I would want to have them shoot it first.

October 31, 2015, 04:27 PM	#27
triplebike Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: Eastern, Pa Posts: 301	leadcounsel pretty much nailed it. Post #7 I purchased the B6P on a whim about a month ago for $200. I have shot, owned, and do own many 9mm handguns. I have never been so impressed as I have with the SAR. For me, this may be the perfect handgun. It has excellent ergos, fantastic trigger & is beautifully built. I have fired a 1000 rds of varying brands through it without even a flicker of a problem. In my neck of the woods, they're $279 NIB at my local LGS. That is a STEAL for this handgun. Last edited by triplebike; October 31, 2015 at 04:45 PM.

October 31, 2015, 05:10 PM	#29
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	I think suggesting a different Taurus might be in order here...the 24/7 Pro C. Here's the latest version, courtesy of Taurus Compact, yet holds 17 rounds per mag. Quite good for carry or home defense. Currently my Wifey has two...one blued, one pink... she's carried the blued Gen 1 for 7 years, just got the pink two days ago Should easily be able to find a Gen 1 in the $300 range. About a hundred more gets you a G2 __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

October 31, 2015, 06:23 PM	#30
6mm Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2000 Location: Nebraska Posts: 198	My daughter has a Taurus PT111 G2. Had a few feeding issues when we first got it, buy once broken in runs great. Have shot the Canik and it was a good shooter, just ignore the decocker. The Canik is on my list for future purchase. I have tried the Ruger SR9 and didn't like it at all. The S&W SD9VE, I can't give an opinion, have a bad taste from the old Sigma's and don't even want to try one. I retired my Glock 19 this past spring for a Sig P250C. I wouldn't go back. __________________ You carry a Badge, You carry a Gun Sean Connery - The Untouchables Here endth the lesson

October 31, 2015, 06:42 PM	#31
Brando1992 Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2015 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 268	6mm what do you like more about the p250? __________________ Frequently asked Questions: Q:First gun purchase, what should I buy? A: Get training and go rent all of them and buy what fits your hands. Q:What upgrades should I get for my gun? A: None, just buy ammo and training. Q:Are you using sarcasm? A: Is the Pope Catholic?

October 31, 2015, 07:59 PM	#33
6mm Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2000 Location: Nebraska Posts: 198	Brando1992 For me at least, it is more comfortable to shoot. It has a better grip angle than the Glock. I have thousands of rounds thru Glocks and they are a good gun, but for me the P250 was just a super easy gun to shoot. When I started shooting handguns over thirty years ago, the revolver was king, and I learned to shoot with a Ruger Security Six. When I started shooting the P250 it was just like riding a bike, shooting DA. My P250 has a beautiful smooth 5lb trigger, just love it. __________________ You carry a Badge, You carry a Gun Sean Connery - The Untouchables Here endth the lesson

October 31, 2015, 04:40 PM	#28
O4L Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2015 Posts: 646	I think you can get more bang for your buck if you shop around a little. Full size M&P 9s are going for $399 online, and the SD9 is $269.

October 31, 2015, 06:49 PM	#32
Armybrat Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2009 Location: Round Rock, Texas Posts: 976	PSA has the S&W SD9VE for $270: http://palmettostatearmory.com/catal...view/id/14713/ (Halloween special)

October 31, 2015, 08:06 PM	#34
O4L Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2015 Posts: 646	Here ya go. Lots of deals here. http://www.slickguns.com/category/ha...=1&mobile=true (Glock 19 Gen 2 trade in $360, for example)

October 31, 2015, 08:19 PM	#35
Brando1992 Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2015 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 268	6mm Sounds great looks like I need to go out and get my hands on one! I do love my model 10 my grandfather passed down to me. Sounds like it's probably a similar feeling trigger! __________________ Frequently asked Questions: Q:First gun purchase, what should I buy? A: Get training and go rent all of them and buy what fits your hands. Q:What upgrades should I get for my gun? A: None, just buy ammo and training. Q:Are you using sarcasm? A: Is the Pope Catholic?

October 31, 2015, 08:52 PM	#36
Limnophile Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2015 Location: Issaquah, Washington Posts: 1,032	Easton Firearms Refinishing in PA does some nice refinishing and customization work. They did a lot of CZs, and a couple/few years ago they started tackling Caniks. There are some examples of what they have done with Caniks and Cajun Gun Works parts: http://eastonfirearmsrefinishing.com...1&make=canik55.

October 31, 2015, 09:08 PM	#37
BigBL87 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2014 Location: Tonica, IL Posts: 473	Wish he'd been looking a couple months ago, recently traded my B6P with mags and holster for my Taurus PT92. I liked the B6P but just wanted something with a little more mass. I could have concealed my B6P ok, I had an SHTF Gear holster for it. They also make one for the B6P compact.

October 31, 2015, 09:16 PM	#38
sigarms228 Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 2011 Posts: 1,768	The Caniks and SAR series look promising as a nice budget pistol consideration but around here no one seems to carries them? Are they available only online or are they becoming available at local gun stores? I checked their websites and was not much help. My LGS is pretty large and they stock the Witness series of handguns but I can recall ever seeing a SAR anything. I will have to double check next time. I have a Cabelas not to far away also.

October 31, 2015, 09:19 PM	#39
Radny97 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2015 Posts: 1,021	I've got 15,000 rounds through my Canik T-120 (desert sand) without a single misfeed. Not one. I just took third place in my local shooting competition last week with it, competing against some folks with more than $2000 into their guns. I have made zero upgrades or alterations to it. A couple months ago I took it out with some friends and shot it side by side with my friends glock as well as an FN9, a Rock island 1911 9mm, a sig 226, a beretta 92 and an hk. It matched or exceeded all in accuracy. We all unanimously agreed it was the favorite gun of the batch. I paid $360 for it out the door when I bought it two years ago.

October 31, 2015, 10:08 PM	#41
Radny97 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2015 Posts: 1,021	^^^^^^^^^^ yep, absolutely.

October 31, 2015, 10:11 PM	#42
Radny97 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2015 Posts: 1,021	Sigarms228 try buds gun shop.com. That's where I got mine because they had the best price but I was able to handle one at my LGS first.

October 31, 2015, 11:26 PM	#44
NevadaBob Member Join Date: January 19, 2014 Posts: 16	My vote is for the Taurus PT111 G2. I've had mine for about 6 months and nary a problem. The ergo and decent factory trigger make it a great shooter. Also, the felt recoil makes it very manageable. It's good to go right out of the box. It handles all my reloads nicely. I guess you can tell I'm partial to it. Taurus has a winner with this one!

November 1, 2015, 12:48 AM	#45
Brando1992 Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2015 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 268	leadcounsel, really appreciate you putting my thoughts into words there... Seems like the SAR B9C is well worth getting. I am saving up for the Glock 34, been hankerin for one of those since the first time I shot one. looks like I might have to put that on hold and get EAA to try out... have the prices been pretty steady on the EAA's recently? I would hate to wait on getting one till after the 34, and end up missing out on such low prices. By the way, this thread has been great and I am loving everyones input. Love it when I can learn something new. My bud went to a gun show today and ended up leaving with the SD9VE. He is stoked about it and I'm sure it will serve him well for years, it was the best deal he found and I think he already had his mind made up before he stepped in the door. I may be getting some time behind its trigger soon, if so I will post my thoughts! Keep up the responses, I'm always looking for a good deal on things that go boom __________________ Frequently asked Questions: Q:First gun purchase, what should I buy? A: Get training and go rent all of them and buy what fits your hands. Q:What upgrades should I get for my gun? A: None, just buy ammo and training. Q:Are you using sarcasm? A: Is the Pope Catholic?

November 1, 2015, 12:49 AM	#46
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	I agree with Lead council's most recent post. however, I would point out that I did get a lemon from century. my Canik TP9 wouldn't enter battery about 80% of the time and I'd have to manually push the slide shut after every shot. century's customer service was great, turn around time was only a couple of weeks and I never had another problem with it other than accuracy, and heavy trigger(likely related issues). however that's not a problem with century, that's a problem with the canik. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

November 1, 2015, 05:01 AM	#47
Kosh75287 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2007 Posts: 820	If he MUST have a 9mm, and it MUST be in the price-range specified, I recommend the Canik sold at Academy. I have one that I am trying to wear out, and it's not cooperating with its planned obsolescence. It gobbles up ammo that other 9mms won't feed reliably, and the trigger gets better, the more rounds I run through it. Cz parts and magazines interchange, and it has no magazine disconnect. Others mentioned in this thread might, I'm not sure. __________________ GOD BLESS JEFF COOPER, whose instructions, consultations, and publications have probably saved more lives than can ever be reliably calculated. DVC, sir. انجلو. المسلحة. جاهزة. Carpe SCOTCH!

November 1, 2015, 08:19 AM	#48
Super Blackhawk Member Join Date: October 23, 2015 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 50	For mostly conceal carry purposes the Smith&Wesson Shield is ideal n can had for about $350-390. For an all around high reliability all around range n home defense the Sig 2022 Is great value n a solid reliable Sig

November 1, 2015, 08:31 AM	#49
SARuger Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2014 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of VA Posts: 954	Another vote for the P250c

November 1, 2015, 08:38 AM	#50
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	I've always liked to go used over new when it comes to budget. Get him to a range with rentals though. The only new hand gun I would recommend to a new shooter is a hipoint. They resell for within a Jefferson of their purchase price, they work, and a whole lot of people with more expensive guns think having one is worthwhile. They aren't comfortable to shoot a lot at the range though. Putting up any more money than that I would want to have them shoot it first.