BoatBanter.com - Which to get...

From Best9MM.com

Best 9 mm pistols, $600 or less.

Note: The haggle price is the best deal you should get from your local
dealer.
Best 9mm Pistol
1. CZ 75b: Haggle Price $470-$500
What a shooter. Nice trigger. Never a jam! Over 10,000 rounds and still
going strong. The CZ 75b gets better the more you shoot it. After the
first 1,000 rounds, it performs like a tuned competition pistol. The
accuracy is amazing. Even die hard revolver guys shoot good with this
gun. It points like a M1911 and handles like a Hi-Power. If you spend
some time shooting the 75b, you will fall in love with it too. I don't
think you can do better for under $900. Ditto for the CZ 85b. Could CZ
better the 75b platform? Yes; see the awesome CZ SP-01 and SP-01
Tactical. The SP-01 can be bought for under $600 if you haggle!
CZ USA CZ 75b Review CZ 75b Overview Video

2. Springfield XDm 4.5": Haggle Price $550-$580
Spending only $75 extra for the XDm over the standard XD is one heck of
a bargain! The XDm I tested was brand spanking new and the trigger has
very little take-up with a short reset. So nice! I could not believe I
was shooting a DOA striker fired pistol! It should be classified as a
single action! The match grade barrel, two 19 round mags, plus all the
extra goodies that come with the XDm are another plus. You can swap out
the rear grips to fit your hand better too. Don't get me wrong here, as
the standard Springfield XD is a very fine pistol. Springfield pulled
out all the stops with the XDm and built close to the perfect handgun.
It just shoots so good! I was having so much fun, I went through $50
worth of ammo in minutes. The XDm is excellent for combat or police duty.
Springfield XDm Review video

3. Baby Eagle 9915R: Haggle Price $510-$540
The MRI Baby Desert Eagle is all steel with a 4.52" barrel. Handles just
like the CZ 75, but more solid. Very good shooter with a strong heavy
feel to it. About 500 rounds for break-in. I love shooting this baby.
The good trigger and solid feel makes this the ultimate double-tap
pistol. It is as close to the perfect shooter as you can get. The MRI
Baby Eagle is a good choice for combat competition. I would have ranked
it above the CZ if the exterior finish was better. Overall quality is
great. The Baby Eagle is built to last a lifetime. The Isralies sure
know how to make fine firearms. Also known as the IWI Jericho 941. This
is NOT a CZ clone! Note: MRI is importing them again!
Magnum Research Website
4. CZ SP-01 Phantom: Haggle Price $530-$560
How do you make the best polymer framed pistol? You start with using the
SP-01 (CZ 75b) top end and guts; then add a mean looking poly stock with
accessory rail to get the weight below 29 ounces. Then add an
interchangeable backstrap section to make it easy to configure for any
hand size. This is not a sweet little gun for concealed carry. The
Phantom is a full sized service pistol with 19 round capicity that works
good for competition too. Trigger break-in takes about 400 rounds. I
have been waiting for over a year for prices to drop. The Phantom will
own a combat course and embarass your shooting buddies. You must try the
Phantom to gain the religious shooting experience like I have. My range
brothers, the Phantom is a heavenly shooter and the most accurate poly
pistol you can buy! Amen.
SP-01 Phantom Preview Clip
5. Beretta 92FS (M9): Haggle Price $570-$600
Great performance on the range. This is a man's pistol. A true warrior
that replaced the 45 ACP 1911 service pistol. The Beretta M9 (or 92FS)
is the most tested pistol since the M1911-A1. Used by the U.S. Military
and thousands of poilce officers. Beretta 92 pistols with over 75,000
rounds have been reported. This solid designed pistol is what replaced
so many police revolvers. Nothing shoots better than a well used Beretta
92FS. Allow about 300 rounds for break-in. Good long range pistol. I can
hit the 50 yard gong over and over again. Easy to find magazines and
holsters for this popular gun. The Italian made ones are tight! See the
new 92-A1 with 1913 Picatinny rail.
Beretta USA Unofficial Beretta Site 92FS In Combat. WOW!
6. Taurus PT 92: Haggle Price $430-$460
The stainless steel model is awesome ($25 more). This Beretta 92 clone
is just as good as the Beretta in every way. Taurus made some good
improvements to the Beretta design. Reliably feeds every brand of 9mm
ammo including Wolf and Blazers. With the 5" barrel, it is a
tack-driver. Allow a few hundred rounds for break-in. Don't pay
attention to all the disinformation from Beretta snobs. The PT92 is a
very high quality piece! The only thing cheap about the Taurus PT 92 is
the price. The PT 92 must be the best pistol bargain in the industry,
and an economical way to get into combat shooting. Sure is pretty. Also
see the more compact PT 911.
Taurus Website PT92 Video
7. Glock 17 Gen 4: Haggle Price $530-$560
The Gen 4 pistols are the best shooting Glocks ever! A nice feature with
the Gen 4 series is the 3 backstrap choices to fit different hand sizes.
This feature is the biggest selling point for me. Older Glocks feel like
you are holding a block of wood, while the Gen 4 series molds right into
your hand. Glock 17 range performance is very good and the trigger is
almost accetable for combat. It might be just me, but the Gen 4 feels
like it has less recoil than the old G17. Glock has a proven durability
history and is one of the most popular police carry guns. Glock does
have a cult following, and ranking it #7 will upset many. If you want a
Glock range champion, spend the extra cash for the awesome G34; or make
your Glock 17 shoot like a G34 with the inexpensive Ghost Ultimate 3.5lb
Trigger Connector! Also check out the new 21 ounce Gen 4 G19 with a 4"
barrel.
Glock Site Glock Gen 4 Review Pro Shooting Glock Gen 4

8. Walther P99 AS: Haggle Price $560-$590
The Walther P99 grips so good. It feels like it belongs in your hand.
The P99 trigger is great for a striker fired gun and would get an 9 out
of 10 rating. The trigger in SA mode is short and crisp like an 1911
combat pistol! At the range the Walther P99 feeds all ammo just great
with no jams. The poly stock takes the recoil abuse and is good for all
day shooting. You have 3 backstrap choices for hand fitment too. The P99
is the perfect police carry hangun, and shoots better than any 4" barrel
pistol on the market. At less than 23 ounces empty, the P99 could work
well for concealed carry too. You get 2 mags, plus some extra front
sights. The Magnum Research MR9 Eagle is close to the same gun, but cost
less. I love the MR9 stainless slide. If you want a P99 with the Glock
style trigger safety setup, see the Walther PPQ. The PPQ trigger is
lighter and faster than the Glock 19 or Springfield XD.
Walther P99 Page P99 Combat Video MRI MR9 Eagle PPQ Review

9. Beretta PX4: Haggle Price $480-$510
The PX4 Storm wins the award for the most pretty pistol. Design, fit and
finish is excellent. You can swap out backstraps to make it fit your
hand better. It the hand, it points and feels like the perfect pistol.
The bigger 92FS is a better long range shooter, but the PX4 is better
for carry. Allow about 300 rounds before the trigger smoothes out. I
like the common DA/SA as found on most steel guns. With the rotating
barrel and poly frame, recoil is almost nothing. It kicks like a .380!
My wife just loves this gun. I also had the chance to shoot a PX4 in .40
S&W, and the recoil was only a little bit more. The PX4 Storm is gaining
popularity as a cop gun. Good choice for combat too. Have you noticed
the best combat shooters have dish-pan hands. Dish washing may be the trick.
www.px4storm.com PX4 Storm Review PX4 Combat Video
10. FN Herstal FNP-9: Haggle Price $430-$460
Made in USA! The finish and quality of the FN FNP-9 is very good. The
FNP-9 handles like a Sig P229 or H&K USP, only lighter weight. It has
one of the best triggers you will find on a carry pistol. A nice feature
for those with small or large hands is you can swap out backstraps. Good
gun for your lady. I like the standard DA/SA with no goofy trigger
saftey. Feeds any 9mm ammo great. The FNP-9 is one of the best holster
guns you can get. Cops should love this gun. It's a keeper! Note: Most
distributors are ordering FNP-9 pistols with only 10 round magazines (to
help boost FNX sales?). You can still buy 16 round mags for this gun.
The new FNX-9 is mostly hype! It does not shoot any better than the
FNP-9. I do like the FNX-9 safety and 17 round magazines. Ask yourself
if the FNX makeover is worth the extra money. The FNX is a sweet
shooter....just like the FNP.
FNH USA Site FNP-9 Review FNP-9 Video Preview
11. S&W M&P: Haggle Price $470-$500
This is no Sigma! If you like poly framed guns, this Smith is one of the
best shooters. It is accurate as a steel framed pistol. The balance is
perfect considering it weighs only 24oz. You can tell it will be a good
shooter just by holding it in your hand. The M&P trigger pull is 6
pounds, but feels like 4. The M&P uses a trigger safety. You have a
choice of 3 backstraps so you can tune it to fit your hand just right.
Follow-up shots are so quick. The fit and finish is excellent. The M&P
would be a top choice as a competition or police carry gun. It looks
mean too. The M&P replaced all the premium steel cop guns in the Smith
and Wesson line, so you know it is good! Spend the extra $60 for the M&P
Pro Series with the awesome trigger and better sights. It cost much less
than a trigger job! The Pro would rank #7 on this list! There is also a
"L" version with 5 inch combat barrel. Check for rebates on these fine
shooters.
S&W Site mp-pistol.com Lady Competition Shooter
12. Sig Sauer Pro SP2022: Haggle Price $410-$440
Sig Pro SP2022 prices have come down to the bargin bin zone! For the
price of a Taurus, you can own a Sig! Buy the integral fire control unit
($45) and change the pistol from DA/SA mode to DAO if you want. No
break-in needed, as the single action trigger pull is very smooth and
just over 4 pounds. Recoil is very light, plus you can tune the SP2022
to fit your hand by swapping out grips. Great for females! Accuracy is
excellent and on par with the FN FNP-9. At 29 ounces, the Sig Pro SP2022
is a little heavy for a polymer framed pistol this size. In fact it
weighs more than the CZ P-01 metal framed pistol. It must have the beef
in the right places because the US military uses the SP2022. With a
decocker and 15 round magazine, it is an excellent cop gun. (Only one
magazine comes with the gun)
Sig Arms Sp2022 Review Sig Pro SP2022 Video
13. Ruger SR9: Haggle Price $410-$440
I just spent some time with the new SR9 with the "D" shaped mag release
button, and wow! The third release of the SR9 is a winner! I like the
trigger better than the Glock! It shoots worlds better and is very
accurate. Zero malfunctions in 300 rounds! The grip is slimmer than a
1911 single stack, even though the magazine holds 17 rounds. It has a
thumb safety and tactical rail. The SR9 points like a Hi-Power and the
sites are first rate. You can tune it to point like a Glock by flipping
the backstrap. Police chiefs that buy weapons in mass should take a hard
look at the SR9, as it is a darn good gun. Plus the price is right. For
under $30, you can install the Ghost Rocket 3.5lb Trigger Connector and
end up with a competition shooter! With the Ghost Trigger Bar, you get a
tight trigger pull under 4 pounds and ready for combat! SR9 Ghost Rocket
Trigger Connector
Personal SR9 Review Video

14. Bersa Thunder Pro HC: Haggle Price $400-$430
Don't pay attention to all the FUD from people that have never owned a
Bersa. Bersa makes darn good guns! I can't believe you can buy such a
nice handgun for so little money. The Thunder HC model holds 18 rounds.
The Thunder 9 has that expensive pistol feel to it. I did get a number
of FTE jams with Winchester white box. After break-in, the cheap ammo
feeds fine. Don't pass judgement until the Thunder Pro has at least 400
rounds through it! Very tight gun! The 4.2" barrel, DA/SA, and good
trigger, provides excellent accuracy. Good for combat! This metal framed
pistol weighs only 29 ounces, and is a fine carry gun. The Bersa Thunder
Pro HC is a proven military and police sidearm in South America. A buddy
of mine has an older Bersa 9mm with about 4000 trouble free rounds.
Lifetime warranty.
Bersa USA Site Team Bersa In Combat
15. Baby Eagle 9915RL Polymer: Haggle Price $480-$510
Just wow! I have never shot a handgun that feels this good in your hand.
The Baby Eagle 9915RL is the polymer framed version of the Baby Eagle
9915R listed as #2 above. They both shoot great, however they don't feel
the same. The polymer framed version feels better in the hand, and is a
much better holster gun. At 30 ounces, it is light enough for all day
open carry on your hip. The recoil is very low and feels like an 380.
Cops that have handled my 9915RL have said: I need to get one of these.
How much do they cost? Each pistol comes with two 15 round mags. What
keeps the 9915RL from being #1 is the lack of switchable backstraps for
hand fitment, as this is a must for poly framed pistols nowdays. I have
medium hands and the grip feels perfect to me. If you want a slightly
smaller duty version, see the Baby Eagle Semi-Compact on the 9mm
Compacts page.
MRI 9915RL Page
16. Stoeger Cougar 8000: Haggle Price $380-$410
Beretta replaced the Cougar with the PX4, and moved Cougar production to
Turkey. The Cougar 8000 was too good to let die. With lower production
cost, You can now get a Cougar for half the price! Allow about 300
rounds for the trigger to smooth out. The accuracy is amazing with the
short 3.62" barrel. We are talking 2" groups from a rest at 25 yards!
Accuracy is better than many full size pistols. This gun is so tight!
The rotating barrel design and great trigger are the reason the Stoeger
Cougar 8000 shoots so good. This proven design feeds all types of 9mm
ammo just fine. The recoil feels like a .380 ACP. The magazine for this
gun holds 15 rounds. Great pistol bargain for concealed carry or duty use.
G&A Stoeger Cougar Test Cougar Commercial
17. Taurus PT 809: Haggle Price $360-$390
I can't believe this pistol is priced so cheap! It would be a good
bargain at $500! The PT 809 is the new Taurus duty pistol giving cops
what they have been asking for. Features such as DA/SA instead of
striker action, and different backstraps for hand fitment. Even though I
have medium sized hands, the smaller grip feels the best. It shoots very
nice at the range with no ammo problems at all. The PT 809 will fool you
into thinking it is a metal frame handgun. It feels that solid! SA
trigger pull is right at 5.5 pounds and very crisp. It should get even
lighter with use. If you are looking at getting a 24/7 pistol, check out
the PT 809 first. It will be the best $2 extra you ever spent. I let my
H&K snob buddy shoot it. He could not believe I only paid $390 for the
PT809, as it handles so good! My little woman has claimed this pistol
for herself. It fits her hand well, plus the recoil is mild. Also see
the new 24/7 G2 pistols, as they come with many of the positives of the
PT-809.
Shooting PT-809 Short Movie Clip.
18. Armalite AR-24 Full: Haggle Price $480-$510
Make sure to get 500 rounds through the Armalite AR-24 before passing
judgement, as the stiff trigger turns buttery smooth. The AR-24 is one
of the most accurate 25 yard pistols you can buy. I like the grip and
smaller feel of the AR-24 better than the Witness or Beretta 92. In your
hand it points so good. Good sights. No ammo feeding problems. Good
solid gun. I can see myself using it on the combat course. If you
blended the best of the Witness Steel and Sig P210 pistols, you would
get the AR-24. Sarsilmaz has been making firearms for over 100 years and
the quality is excellent! Too expensive for a Turkish made gun? It
shoots like it cost $800! The AR-24 Compact model with a 3.86" barrel is
a big seller.
Armalite Site

19. EAA Witness Steel: Haggle Price $460-$490
Don't be fooled by the low price. This is a very high quality Italian
pistol. Decent trigger. Tanfoglio builds world champion competition
pistols, and you can feel the performance in the standard Witness Steel.
This is a very fine shooter. A well used Witness will hold it's own with
custom combat pistols on the range. This is a big pistol as it uses the
same frame as the powerful 10mm. Overbuilt indeed! You can convert it to
22LR, 40, 45, 38 Super, or 10mm with a $240 kit. The single action
factory custom shop tuned Witness "Elite Match" model would rank at the
top of this list. You can get the Elite Match (production legal race
gun!) for under $600!
Nice Article on Witness pistols Witness Elite Match Overview

20. EAA Zastava EZ9: Haggle Price $470-$500
What the heck is Zastava? Zastava has been in business 90 years longer
than Glock or H&K! Remember the awesome Charles Daly ZDA? The Zastava EZ
is pretty much the same gun with minor changes like the 1913 rail. This
Sig clone is very high quality and the finish is excellent. The Zastava
EZ is a very tight pistol and takes a few hundred rounds to loosen up.
The trigger is above average and should get even better with use. Zero
ammo problems. The Zastava is very accurate for it's size. So fun to
shoot! This is an $950 gun for half the price; making the EZ9 a real
bargain. It ranks at #20 because it is that good! There is also an EZ
model that is ported! Zastava is a quality company that makes long guns
for Remington.
Tabletop Zastava EZ9 Video
21. Taurus PT 917 C: Haggle Price $410-$440
The PT 917 is a work of art and one of the most beautiful handguns ever
made. This is not a compact, but a smaller mid-size duty gun. The PT 917
is not as big and clunky as the PT92, and is more accurate than most
striker fired pistols. The trigger is very good and would get a B+
rating. The PT 917 features an open slide (like Beretta) and nice finger
grooves in the alloy frame. At the range the PT 917 handles better than
some $900 pistols. Amazing 20 round capacity! Over 600 rounds fired and
never a jam! This is a very high quality duty pistol, and sheriff
deputies on a budget should take a hard look. The stainless finish is so
pretty! Great for smaller hands. The PT917 is popular with female combat
shooters.
Taurus PT 917 Page Lady shooting PT 917 Vid
22. EAA Witness Polymer Full": Haggle Price $450-$480
For the money, it is difficult to get more gun. It has a great trigger
and handles more like a steel gun. The poly frame soaks up recoil. At 30
ounces, it is overbuilt for a polymer framed handgun. It comes with top
features like 18 round magazine capacity and accessory rail. No funky
trigger or switches, as the DA/SA works the same as their steel pistol.
This gun is a good shooter. Take it to the range with the Glock or XD9
and you will see how good it is. I am always worried about poly framed
guns taking the abuse. It is a big gun. The 9mm uses the same frame as
the 45 ACP. If it can handle the hammering of the .45, the 9mm should be
fine. It shoots like a top 10 pistol. The Rock Island (Armscor) MAPP is
the same pistol!
Witness Polymer Full Size Test (before updated stock)
23. Sig Sauer P250 Full Size: Haggle Price $390-$420
I wanted to hate the P250 before I even tested it. The P250 is a modular
pistol with a 6.5 pound DAO trigger, thus not the makings of a good
shooter. Surprise! The P250 is a really nice shooting pistol. I expected
a modular gun to be loose fitting, but the P250 is very tight. A lighter
trigger with less take-up would be welcome. It feels like a DAO revolver
trigger and the reset is long making double-taps much slower than the
XDm or Glock. Sig does make a short trigger (shorter reach) you can buy
that should make the P250 shoot great. I did get a few FTE jams with
UMC, but the hot Fiocchi loads worked fine. Typical new gun blues. I
shot two mags through a friend's P250 Compact with the "short" trigger,
and it shoots much better. A good bargain is the 2-SUM kit where you get
everything you need to have a sub-compact OR Full size handgun. The Sig
P250 should be a darn good duty pistol. It's a Sig, so it should last.
Bargain priced!
Sig P250 Commercial
24. Ruger P95: Haggle Price $300-$330
The Ruger P95 shares many of the same internals as the metal framed P89.
This means the P95 has a mushy trigger. You do get the feel of the
trigger after a few mags, then you start shooting good. I did get a few
stove-pipes during the first 200 rounds. Allow time for break-in, then
ammo feeds fine. The P95 is one of the most durable handguns ever made.
Just like the older P89, you can't break it! Low felt recoil. At only 27
ounces the P95 is a very nice carry gun. Look at the cheap price! Can
you believe the P95 is made in the USA? I have known a few cops that
carry the P95 and just love it. I swapped the hammer spring for a 19lb
Wolf ($5), and used rubbing compound on the trigger guts. This really
improved the accuracy. With the Wolf spring mod, don't use Federal ammo
as the primers are too hard.
P95 Video Review
25. Smith & Wesson SD9: Haggle Price $390-$420
I was not looking forward to doing a SD9 review thinking is was just a
modified Sigma. Boy was I wrong. The SD9 is a very fun and good shooting
gun! Trigger pull was a smooth 7.5 pounds, but feels lighter. There is
no trigger stacking to speak of, and feels like the Kel-Tec trigger to
me. S&W is marketing the SD9 as a home and personal defense handgun.
Why? I can see an officer using the SD9 as his everyday carry weapon!
SD9 range performance was very good and ammo problems are not an issue.
It does not handle or feel like a M&P or Sigma, but does feel good in
the hand. At about 23 ounces, the SD9 would make a nice concealed carry
piece. What is Smith and Wesson going to do with the poor Sigma?