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9 MM expert opinion please

Moktown
Hey everyone,

This is all new to me (firearms) but it's something that I have become very passionate about in a short time (I'm hooked).

I frequent the shooting range, have read multiple training books from gun safety, to home defense.

To the point, I feel that I haven't rushed into this and I'm ready to purchase a pistol. I've asked around to compile a list of reasonably inexpensive pistols that are still of a good quality (or at least that's what I've been told) no jamming, accuracy etc.

I've shot various guns now, but I'd rather leave my bias out of it because I still don't know. For example, if a gun has a poor trigger pull as of now I wouldn't really recognize it.

Here's the list

Taurus 24/7 pro
Bersa Thunder
Stoeger Cougar 8000
Ruger P89
Ruger 95
Ruger SR9
EAA Witness Poly 4.5"
S&W sw9ve
Springfield xd *
CZ 75 *
Beretta 92FS *
S&W 5903 *

*= pushing my budget, I suspect the feedback will suggest these are the best but please consider the others as well.

Home defense and range shooting are my reasons for owning a gun. I realize that when it comes to safety/home defense you shouldn't concern yourself with 'the least expensive option' because you get what you pay for but that is just my reality right now as it is for many.

FYI, my budget is around $400 give or take.

I'd love to get your opinions on some of these pistols, if you have the knowledge and a little time to rate them I would certainly appreciate it. Please feel free to offer other suggestions as well.

Thanks a lot in advance!
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Comments

12 comments

Date Votes
  • cpermd
    CZ

    CP
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  • lcdrdanr
    given that you are limiting yourself to Range and Home defense with a budget of $400, I say go with the Ruger P89. I have a P85 and a P89 and, while they aren't target pistols nor small enough for Concealed Carry, they pretty much act like a duracell battery and just keep on going and going ............... you get the picture.

    Trigger pull isn't anything to write home about but they are sturdy, reliable, will last near forever, will hold their value, and you can pick one up with ammo and change to spare.

    Dan R
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  • beantownshootah
    To respond to the above. I'd suggest as a first gun a .22 automatic instead of a 9mm. Shooting one is cheap, pleasant, and provides excellent practice in sight alignment and trigger control that will carry over to ANY pistol.

    Next, you should not avoid your "bias", particularly since a lot of this is subjective. If a gun has a poor trigger pull, I think you WOULD know it, if you did a "Pepsi challenge" between two different guns. Ditto for feel of the gun in your hand and your ability to work the controls easily. Trying a gun on paper targets at the range is really the best way to see which one(s) you like best.

    In terms of which to choose, I think I've shot most of these at one point or another.

    Bottom line, I think is that most of the ones on the list are reasonable, and ultimately it comes down to personal preference and budget. I also wouldn't fret over a difference in $100. In general, the "name" brand guns will keep their value better in resale compared to the second and third tier guns, and if you get one, you're a lot less likely to second guess yourself later about picking the "right" gun.

    -What action type do you like (single-action, traditional double-action, Glock-like striker action)?

    -Which gun fits your hand and points well for you?

    I'd say if the gun is for home defense and range use only (ie you don't intend to carry it) then you should go for a full sized all steel gun. The bigger guns will be a little easier to aim, and being heavier will offer a little less recoil.

    Again, largely subjective, but my personal favorites from that list would be (in order):

    1. CZ-75 (super ergonomic grip, can go SA or DA, good trigger).

    2. Beretta 92 (reliable workhorse, but suffers from fat grip and slightly heavy DA). For what its worth JG Sales in Prescott AZ has a bunch of surplus used Beretta 92s for sale for about $350 right now. So this may be closer to your budget than you think.

    3. Springfield XD (striker fired gun, good ergonomics).

    Never shot the polymer Witness, but the all steel one is comparable to a CZ-75, of which its a clone. If the gun is just for range and home use, I'd suggest an all steel Witness (or CZ-75).

    I'd say stay away from the Smith Sigma (which is basically a Glock copy), on account of a notoriously poor trigger pull. Gun is inexpensive, but in this case I'd rather pay more to get more.

    The number-series Smiths like the 5903 are pretty good service guns, being reliable and full of nice touches like Novak sights, ambidextrous safety, and stainless steel. In my opinion these are usually good buys for the money. They definitely have an American "look" to them, if that means anything to you.

    Haven't shot the Stoeger Cougar, but its the same gun as the Beretta Cougar just made in Turkey (on Beretta machinery) to save on manufacturing costs. Beretta owns Stoeger, for what its worth. If you like the ergonomics, this one is probably a good "sleeper" choice in terms of quality for the dollar. You're basically buying a new design Beretta, just with Stoegers name on it and at something like half the cost.

    The older Ruger designs are sort of ugly looking, but they're tough as bricks, and shoot fine. These are really pretty good guns for someone on a budget.

    Can't comment on the Ruger SR9 since I haven't shot one, but I'm a bit skeptical about what advantage this gun has over half a dozen other striker-fired polymer autos (eg Glock, Springfield, Smith M&P, etc) that have been around longer. I'm also skeptical of any new Ruger design, since Ruger has had a few recalls on new pistols in the recent past.

    Also haven't shot the full sized 9mm Bersa Thunder, and while its probably OK, I'm a little reluctant to recommend this gun, since I don't know what Bersa's quality control or customer service is like.

    Along the same lines, I'm sort of skeptical of Taurus guns because of variable quality control over the years, and personally speaking, that's another one I'd skip. Taurus 92 (which isn't on your list) is similar to the Beretta 92 (again, Taurus was originally founded in Brazil using old Beretta machinery), and if on a budget, that's probably the only Taurus auto personally I'd consider.

    Just my $0.02
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  • mango tango
    Sig 226
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  • Mark G
    Save your money and get a good used SIG P226.
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  • FEENIX
    Welcome! +1 on beantownshootah's 1-2-3 recommendation.

    Good luck!

    Ed
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  • Maalox
    I am fond of the XD line myself. New would be above your $400 budget, but you should be able to find a good used one for that price. A new one should be less than $500.
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  • montanajoe
    • Community moderator
    My opinion...take taurus off the list. Get a sig p226 in 9mm with a .22lr conversion kit. Practice, practice,practice with the .22,the switch it to the 9mm. Good luck. Let us know what you get.
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  • lwal50
    If money is the object and its for Home Defence and Range get the P89 or 95. They will shoot forever and you can use the rest of the money for ammo to practice. Be advised that they are not carry guns.
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  • drobs
    I agree with beantownshootah as well.
    Of you list I would consider the following.

    Taurus 24/7 pro
    Bersa Thunder
    Stoeger Cougar 8000
    Ruger P89
    Ruger 95
    Ruger SR9 (questionable Ruger has had lots of recalls of late)
    EAA Witness Poly 4.5"
    S&W sw9ve
    Springfield xd *
    CZ 75 *
    Beretta 92FS *
    S&W 5903 *


    Also check out www.summitgunbroker.com (sells on here but has better deals on his website) he frequently has deals on Police trade in Glocks in that $375 and under range.

    Taurus is junk. They offer a lifetime warranty to cover the junk they put out.

    I owned a Bersa Thunder during the AW ban. Good gun decent accuracy but magazines were hard to find then.

    The Stoeger Cougar, I'm sure is fine, but I personally didn't care for it when it was called the Beretta Cougar. There just isn't enough metal on the slide to get a decent hold on it for clearing the pistol.

    As beantownshootah mentioned the Rugers are blocky but they work. I would give the SR9 a few more years before I would consider one. They have already had 1 recall on the gun already.

    Witness pistols are good working guns, just not really fancy. Mags are available but somewhat expensive. I had a 10mm steel frame Witness and enjoyed it.

    The S&W sw9ve is a dog. Resale on them is horrible if you ever decide to trade up. They just don't sell well - new or used. S&W was sued by Glock for copyright infringement and Glock won. It would have to be really cheaply priced ($175 or less) for me to consider one. They frequently sell used for $275 or less. Pretty sad when a customer has $450 or more into one.

    Springfield xd - I've shot them and I shoot good with them. A 45acp variant will be in my collection soon.

    The rest of these -- all excellent reliable guns.
    CZ 75 *
    Beretta 92FS *
    S&W 5903
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  • Txs
    From your list, I'd go with either the CZ or Beretta.

    It's not a high capacity pistol, but you might also consider the SIG P6. There are a lot of these German police trade-in's on the market these days and they're an excellent buy.
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  • rsnyder55
    I suggest you go and see if there is a range that will allow you to rent these guns and try them. Different guns fit different people and I am sure of all of the ones you listed, one will feel better.

    My personal favorite is a Browning Hi-Power just because it fits my hand so well and is accurate enough for most of the things I do.

    I have other 9mm's guns and guns of other calibers that are more accurate, have larger magazines, or have different actions, but the one I shoot the most is the one that feels the best and has the accuracy for what I am doing.
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