Makarov vs CZ 52 vs Ruger 90 or 97
Hi, I am 22 going through collage and am looking for a cheep hand gun plinker. I currently have a 22 rifle, 22 pistol, and a china sks. I am interisted in getting a higher caliber pistol. I did some research and found the best out of the list of cheep auto plinkers are the Makarov 9x18, the CZ 52 7.62x.25 and the Ruger 90 or 97 .45 APC. My budget is below $350-$400. I know the Ruger is a higher class than the other two but I do not like the 9 m.m. and the only exception is the 9x18 because it is cheap. Also it fits my hands better than the CZ 52 but I am willing to make an exception. The pistol might be used for home protection along with plinking, however a 12ga shotgun might be taking it's place in that department. The spotlight is yours. Thanks.
Knightrider
Knightrider
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The CZ has a lot of power and is very accurate, the controls and SA setup might be a little dangerous for a beginner. The Makarov is very simple and safe but you'll find the recoil is sharp, it's a lot of power in a little package. The P90 is a good .45 but isn't cheap to shoot with. Just my input[;)]
Love them Beavers
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You can also get a 9mm barrel for the CZ 52 and have "two guns in one".
Pete
"Be kind to your neighbor, he knows where you live"0 -
First off,WELCOME to GB!!
That said,
I love my CZ 52.I plan on converting it to 9mm just so I can do more plinkin' per $$$.
BW
IT'S WHAT PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THEMSELVES THAT MAKES THEM AFRAID.0 -
I own and like my CZ52, but the milspec carry sights are not in any way as good as the sights on any of the other handguns you have listed. The CZ is very well made out of excellent metals, probably better then any of the others on the list. The the 7.62x25 ammo is a real handful if your hands don't fit it's grip well. The makarovs that I have shot, both 380 & 9x18, handled well. Still it is a compact pistol and it sight set up isn't very good for plinking. It is probably best suited as a CCW of some sort. For the dual purpose you describe I'd go for the Ruger if you have to live with this list only. If you would like a suggestion, go look at the CZ 75 series of handguns. They may be in your price range and offer good flexability in switching from 9mm to 40SW in a high capacity format. The CZ75 is suposed to be a modernized rehash of the Browning high power, an all time great handgun. 0 -
I agree with the other posters in that the CZ52 is a wonderfully robust, reliable pistol, but I will personnally opt to reccommend the Makarov, and at that, a Russian or East German Mak. I do not like the Chinese or Bulgarian guns although I have never had serious problems with either. The CZ 52 is a little limited as to what projectile you can buy (almost all FMJ stuff)and it is a screamer in terms of FPS, which would be a serious proiblem in a home defense with overpenetration and the like. Go with the Mak...cheap, durable, reliable, better than a 380 and there are at least 5 different hollowpoint designs that have all fed flawlessly through my German Mak.
"When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
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"History is written by winners"(Patton)
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quote:Originally posted by knightrider
Hi, I am 22 going through collage and am looking for a cheep hand gun plinker. I currently have a 22 rifle, 22 pistol, and a china sks. I am interisted in getting a higher caliber pistol. I did some research and found the best out of the list of cheep auto plinkers are the Makarov 9x18, the CZ 52 7.62x.25 and the Ruger 90 or 97 .45 APC. My budget is below $350-$400. I know the Ruger is a higher class than the other two but I do not like the 9 m.m. and the only exception is the 9x18 because it is cheap. Also it fits my hands better than the CZ 52 but I am willing to make an exception. The pistol might be used for home protection along with plinking, however a 12ga shotgun might be taking it's place in that department. The spotlight is yours. Thanks.
Knightrider
9mm is cheaper than 9x18 makarov. Check out www.ammoman.com
9x18 1000rds Wolf = $139 = $6.95 a box of 50
9mm 1000rds Fiocchi = $129 = $6.45 a box of 50
9mm 1000rds Wolf = $115 = $5.75 a box of 50
Also 9mm is way more common and easy to find than 9x18. You will shoot better with a fulsize Ruger than you will a Makarov (Walther style) gun. If I were you I would get a 9mm Ruger. Heck if your budget is $350 to $400, download a catalog from www.cdnninvestments.com you ought to be able to find a used Sig or Glock for under $400.
Regards,0 -
Thank you for the input; however I think I need to clarify the original question. Putting the Ruger P90 and 97 was a possible example of how high I am willing to go. A cheap 1911 or even the CZ 75, which was mentioned, are one of the possibilities. I just placed the $300 to $400 as a ballpark price of a Ruger. Also I know that a normal 9mm is cheaper than the 9x18 the only exception I am making with the 9x18 is because I am a history nut. I would own a Luger, Broom handled Mauser, and a Walther P-38 if they were in my price range just because of the history of the guns and not because they are 9mms. The fact that they are 9mm I could deal with. Now, if someone knows where I can get a reasonable Luger or the others I am all ears; however I do not have a FFL and live in IL but not close to Chicago. Your thoughts. 0 -
For about $25 you should be able to find an FFL who will transfer to you any gun you are legally able to buy in your state via gunbroker. So if you can find a Luger (etc) anywhere (ie on GUNBROKER), you can get it legally shipped to you though the FFL holder. (Try your local gun store).
All else being equal, I'd always pick 9mm luger over 9x18; Ballistically, its a better round, and there is a wider variety of ammo available, including pretty hot 9mm+P ammo (you did say you might want to use it for defense). 9mm ammo itself is cheaper and slightly easier to find. Finally should you want to upgrade, a 9mm gun is probably easier to sell.
People always forget this, but I think its important to bear in mind that if you shoot a lot, eventually you will spend more money on AMMO than you will on the gun! $2 a box difference in cost adds up if you are shooting a box a week. So ammo cost is a consideration for a "cheap plinker"!
If your budget really goes as high as $400, there is absolutely no need to limit yourself to the $150 Commie-bloc cheapies you described. That kind of money will buy you a nice, brand new, high quality 9mm (like the CZ-75, or many others). Even a used Glock can be had for $400.
You can do well for less too. EAA Witness is a clone of the CZ-75 which can be had NEW for under $300. Here's a decent looking used one for $200:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=32805396
Smith and Wesson is really not known for autos, but their guns are decent, and they'll give you great customer support. There are many out there for under $300. Take your pick:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=32884820
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=32961816
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=32671494
A nice Taurus you might bid on:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=32764114
And here's a REALLY unconventional "9mm" that would make a great plinker. I actually kind of like this one (note the interesting "caliber conversion")
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=328277390 -
quote:Originally posted by knightrider
Thank you for the input; however I think I need to clarify the original question. Putting the Ruger P90 and 97 was a possible example of how high I am willing to go. A cheap 1911 or even the CZ 75, which was mentioned, are one of the possibilities. I just placed the $300 to $400 as a ballpark price of a Ruger. Also I know that a normal 9mm is cheaper than the 9x18 the only exception I am making with the 9x18 is because I am a history nut. I would own a Luger, Broom handled Mauser, and a Walther P-38 if they were in my price range just because of the history of the guns and not because they are 9mms. The fact that they are 9mm I could deal with. Now, if someone knows where I can get a reasonable Luger or the others I am all ears; however I do not have a FFL and live in IL but not close to Chicago. Your thoughts.
For the P38 check out these post war police issue samples at:
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Walther.html ($239)
They also have war issue guns but they are almost double the cost.
The CZ75 is probably one of the best buys out there. If you are looking more modern.
Regards,0 -
if you aren't set on an automatic, there are tons of real nice used revolvers out there for less than 300. 0 -
I think all the firearms mentioned are fine choices, with your stated price range, with some reasonable shopping around, you can find many nice examples that you would be happy with. Another good choice would be to find an Croatian Intrac HS2000, same thing as the Springfield Armory XD, it was imported before SA bought the import rights. They sold new for less than $300, now with the XD out, the nice ones seem to be bringing around $325. That's compared to the XD's $400+ price. Same gun for a lot less money.
I wouldn't be any too concerned about those low priced commie block pistols either. Most are very nice pistols. I have a few handguns in the $400+ price range, but have been putting my recent money in the Makarovs, CZ52s, P-64 Randoms and such. They are very high quality pistols for the price. And you could buy two for what one of the higher priced suggestions mentioned would bring.
You are young. Considering you are a history nut, I would buy a Makarov and a CZ52, both of them. Or maybe the CZ52 and a P-64. Heck, even the very low priced 1895 Nagant will do for home protection, and has a lot of history, and is a very interesting firearm (plus they shoot all sorts of available ammo). You will have several years to buy more expensive firearms when you can afford to.
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