Target 9mm? (Don't laugh!)
9mm ammo being as cheap as it is, I was thinking of getting a 9mm pistol specifically for target shooting. (Yes, I know .45s are better, but I'm not up to reloading, and come on. . .they must shoot 9mm target in Europe!)
Is there any particular model that people like for that?
My choices are kind of limited here in MA.
I've basically got Smiths, Browning Hi-Powers, and I think those "Witness" pistols are available (at least the plastic ones). Is there a Sig model that lends itself well to this purpose? How about a Beretta?
I could do a Glock, but to me those just aren't "target" guns (not great trigger, not great accuracy).
Is there any particular model that people like for that?
My choices are kind of limited here in MA.
I've basically got Smiths, Browning Hi-Powers, and I think those "Witness" pistols are available (at least the plastic ones). Is there a Sig model that lends itself well to this purpose? How about a Beretta?
I could do a Glock, but to me those just aren't "target" guns (not great trigger, not great accuracy).
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What you want is a SIG 210. The only problem is the cost. 0 -
The EAA Witness's are an excellent pistol for the money. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Pearyw
What you want is a SIG 210. The only problem is the cost.
That's, unfortunately, not the only problem.
The Sig 210 (besides costing more than my car) is also NOT on the MA "approved" weapons list. So getting one legally in MA is going to be pretty darn hard (if not impossible).
Are any of the other Sig models comparable for target use (eg the 226?).0 -
the army /navy / marine corps teams have begun converting berettas to match specs. theyve been shooting them sucessfuly now for over 10 years. basically, you take a milspec 92fs, strip it down, remove all the parts, install rebuilt new ones, and you got a 9mm target gun. so in a sense, its buy a 92fs, throw it away, get another custom one. average conversion cost is close to 1500.00. in order for them to work properly, a special round had to be made to cycle it. its a match round marked 'for match only' much like the milspec 308 7.62 was for the M-14. seems like an awful lot of trouble just to get a good shooter. in my opinion, its a dead end idea. 9mm just doesnt have the umph to make it out to the 50yd line during matches. go with a s&w 52 and shoot 38 wad's. its cheaper than 9mm.
former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, former navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction. NRA certified instructor.0 -
Like Bobski says, if you are shooting at 50 yards get a 38 special. If all you will see is 25 yards, then 9mm is ok. A nice Browning Hi Power from the 70's is my favorite. They can be bought in nice condition for 7-800. If you want cheap ammo then you need to start reloading. 0 -
Hey Bud, You can't go wrong with a Beretta ....
Look, It's pretty accurate right out of the box. you don't have to strip it, break it, paint it, doo hickey this or that to it. IT works fine from the word go. plus the prices are pretty good on them.
have fun with your shoots no matter which choice you make.0 -
Smith & Wesson Model 952 is a 9mm target gun.If you like the Berettas,I'd look at a Taurus model 99 with the adjustable sights.[^] [^] 
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Hello Go with a 1911 type either buy the parts and build you a gun or buy the gun and build up with match grade parts . There is a master pistolsmith In Va. that built 2 9MM for his police 2 man team that not only won the national police match but set a record that was the biggest jump in scores in over 20 years.The ONLY and I mean Only reason the BERETTA 92 is used by mil marksmanship teams is because the 1911 is not legal in CMP hardball matches .I have seen groups from 9MM 1911"S that were 29 out of 30 in less than .8 inch with the first of the 30 shots out side of group by 1/4 inch. quote:"PRAISE THE HARDBALL GUN" 0 -
Thanks for your thought-out answers!
Apparently, (like every other match gun) there was some problem with the Smith 9/52 pistols being compliant in MA, (http://www.camfour.com/swcomplianceletter.htm) but S&W has probably fixed that issue by now. I'll look into that and the possibility of a tuned 9mm 1911. (Why didn't I think of that before?).
Bobski, I didn't know you could get a target auto that shoots .38 wadcutters! Due to its ubiquity, I'd probably still prefer a 9mm, but this is definitely an option I'm going to check into.
I'm really just starting to get into shooting, but the major problem in MA I've run into is that the number of legal NEW pistols you can buy is vanishingly small, and the "list" basically doesn't include anything other then the mundane. Colt. . .no. Les Baer. . .no. Kimber. . .no. Hammerli. . .no. Pardini. . .no. (etc).
Even *if* you are lucky enough to find a used gun registered in the state prior to '98, you're still going to pay through the nose for it. I suppose one could customize a gun into a match gun, but that's time-consuming and expensive. If you want any kind of new match pistol, Smith and Wesson is literally the only game in town here.0 -
Hello beantown .Clark, Giles and others have taken 38 supers and turned them into 38 special on a 1911 type frame they shoot great if built correctly but only shoot flush loaded wadcutters.If you have or can find a 1911 in 45 all you have to change is the slide with it's parts the ejector and a BARSTO barrel and bushing to 9MM this way if you have the 45 then no paperwork or permits needed . 0 -
wadcutters are easier to score than 'rn' bullets. they leave a nice round circle on paper. in a match, it could mean the difference btwn a disputed call and lost points when the overlay is called out. the 38 wadcutter is the better gun than 9mm. 0
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