Alternate Title: Help Jay Choose His Next Gun...
Alright, here's the deal. I've got a chunk 'o' cash sitting in the gun fund. I've just sold off an "extra" gun, so I have "permission" to make another acquisition. So what now? The Sig 245 I asked about earlier seems to have fallen through (no response to my offer after four days).
Here's the basic criteria: I want a full-sized, all-steel (metal) 9mm semi-automatic handgun. Why a large, heavy gun chambered in the dreaded "Europellet"? Several reasons:
*9mm is quickly becoming the only affordable centerfire round short of reloads (which I will only run through my wheelguns as a general rule).
*Instructional purposes. When introducing new shooters, I like to progress up the chain of firepower. Start off with a .22LR revolver, then a .22 semi-auto, then a .38 special. It would be nice to have a heavy (less recoil) 9mm (ditto, and cheap) semi-auto to transition to after the .38 special.
*Fill in a hole in the armory - I only have one gun chambered in 9mm, and that's a polymer-framed, DAO compact carry gun.
What don't I want? I don't want any polymer guns. I don't want any DAO guns. I don't want any compact guns. But even with these restrictions (and living in the Volksrepublik of MA), the field is still pretty open.
The major contenders are:
Sig 226 - German engineering, high quality, high cost. Bonus points for the SigArms academy being less than an hour from my house.
Beretta 92FS - lots in circulation means cheap used prices; plenty of pre-ban magazines; kitchy Lethal Weapon/DieHard appeal.
Smith & Wesson 2nd or 3rd generation pistols (many models) - "red-headed stepchild" of autoloaders mean bargains galore.
Ruger P-series - reliable as hell, but ugly as sin.
Retro options: Walther P-38, Star 9mm - pros are cheap C&R acquisitions, cons are expensive magazines and single-stack only.
So... What am I forgetting? I've included guns I know to be MA-compliant, which significantly narrows the list. I'm open to any and all suggestions, pro- or con-, for or against.
What say ye?
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21 comments:
What are you missing???
Well, that's easy - the King of Nines: The Browning High Power
Here's one , not far from you
+1 on the BHP, a defacto world standard. Lots of parts, accessories, and some copies of uncertain parts interchangeability.
I'm looking at an FP9 from Hungary which certainly looks BHPish but can't vouch for part compatibility.
There must be sites for these.
Don't forget the CZ-75B. All steel, nothing fancy, but dead nuts reliable and accurate.
It was my first gun purchase. I bought it at my first gun show, under the direction of my general manager at the time. A marine.
After the show we went back to his house, cleaned the new pistol, a couple of his, and took them to the range.
He ended up shooting better groups with my CZ than he did with his Sig 226 and Beretta 92FS that day. In his words, "Your pistol is confused. It's a combat weapon that shoots like a target pistol."
Worth a look. You very rarely find a CZ owner that regrets their purchase.
I'll speak up for the Beretta. It's a love/hate thing. Try one out, if you like it I think you'll be happy.
I love mine, others...'not so much.'
Believe me, I'd LOVE a Browning. However (RCOB time), they're not on "The List" (Approved Firearms Roster {spit}), so the only ones I can buy are ones that were in-state before 10/98.
And the asking price is somewhere upwards of $1K. Too rich for my blood.
And it goes the same for anything from CZ that's not C&R eligible...
Needless to say, I hate this state...
I'd second that CZ-75 - I bought mine for exactly the same reasons as you: cheap to shoot yet still centerfire.
Haunt the gunshops until you find one ('cause I ain't selling mine!); you won't regret it.
Oops, almost forgot. Take a look at the ParaOrdnance P18 or the Tac5 - both doublestack 9s. Who knows, you may be able to find pre-bans for them. Not sure if they were made pre ban, but even with neutered mags, Para is good stuff.
Of the guns that you listed, the Sig P226 (in the folded steel) is da bomb. My boss still has his duty gun and it is a sweet shooter.
You will get inundated with the BHP folks, but outta the box, they have some trouble with non-ball ammo. My first pistol ever was a BHP and I had to get it worked on the chamber hollow points. Pathetic.
Kittery Trading Post has four BHP's listed in the $400-$555 range (as well as a New Hampshire storefront). Oh, wait, that's right. Never mind.
Heard many good things about the CZ, but I would like to say this about the Ruger P-Series pistol: It is ugly, but that level of reliability has a beauty all its own.
Taurus PT-92?
As soon as I started reading, I immediately thought of my 92FS. I'd go all descriptive, but you already know all about them. I love mine. Actually, I "loved" mine. My wife fell in love with it. Now it's hers. DAMMIT! Good thing she finds it in her heart to stay with me...:)
Additionally, I should throw in a nod for the BHP. I want one of those myself. BAD. But (at least here in TX) they tend to command a premium price. 92's are everywhere, and are less expensive.
Just my $0.02.
Good luck!
tweaker
I would like to suggest you at least look at the Baby Eagle. I hate that designation, btw. I own one, purchased back when it was still marketed as the Jericho in the US. It has a comfortable feel and I have had excellent performance from mine.
Ruger P- series for "get-er-done", but don't forget EAA (witnes, et cetera) as some quality iron.
I'm currently in a similar situation, but due to living in a different state I have a wider choice range.
That said, the Beretta 92F/FS/G is one of the three that are on my short list.
I shot one at an indoor range in December, and it was pretty sweet.
My list, FYI, is Beretta Storm (9mm), Beretta (or Stoeger) Cougar (9mm), and Beretta 92F/FS/G/M9 (9mm).
Folks over at the Beretta forums are pretty up front about their love of them.
Jay, if'n you're looking for a 9 to teach new shooters, be aware that the Beretta M9/92FS has really large grips... I find it hideously uncomfortable to try and hold. OTOH, my Ruger P90 fits me just fine... if the Ruger 9s use the same grip frame, they might be a great choice.
My P90 is the world's ugliest gun (aside from a Glock, of course) but it's totally reliable.
ross,
I know you've got your finger on the pulse of the MA gun shops and all (inside joke, he keeps sending me eeeevil tempting messages about rare and exotic wheelguns he's seen around MA...), so if you see any CZs or BHPs let me know, please!
And good point on the 92FS grip for noobs... Will keep that under consideration. Maybe I'll just get the S&W 639 at Four Seasons???
andrew,
Why did I have a feeling you'd like the Sig? :)
bruce,
Shaddup.
Although the NH gig may be closer than previously thought if they get their "15 gun maximum" law passed. That's a deal-breaker for me right there...
pistolero,
There's a lot of truth to that - my Makarov and CZ-52 are testament to that...
ebm,
Taurus isn't "approved" for sale in MA...
tweaker,
So that's a definite +1 on the 92FS... ;)
irishdoh,
See above. Not MA legal.
freddy,
Another one rubbing it in... :)
15 gun maximum? That's a YEAR right, not total? This is New Hampshire we are talking about?
'Bolt,
No. 15 guns total. Ever. That's MA - my comment meant that I'd be heading for NH if it passes.
That's the new proposal floating its way through the (90% Dem) legislature as we speak.
I'd have to sell, well, a SHITLOAD of guns...
Well, for Jay G's Massachusetts fire-sale I'd drive all the way up to the Mass Border.
First dibs on the 1911s he sells!
Brother, I'm gone to NH if this passes. I've got more than 15 guns I inherited from my grandfather. If they think they're taking those away from me, they're sadly mistaken...
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