9mms around 300

A

AndABeer

New member
I know this subject has been covered ad nauseum but I owe it to the person who is seeking advice from me to ask it once more here. A coworker want to purchace his first autoloader. He wants to stay around the 300 range and does not want to go too much over as he wants to have a little left for accessories.

I have recommended the CZ75B, Rugers, and the HS2000. I am aware of the Baby Eagles and EAA but have heard mixed reviews and am hesitant to mention them. My own bias has probably steered him to the CZ. He was offered a S&W 459 pretty cheap but turned it down of his own volition and I told him he was right in doing so IMHO.

Did I miss any?

I tried talking him into adding a 100 and looking for a used Glock 19 but he has pretty much set this budget in his mind.
 
1. CZ-75 (Usually about $350)
2. Ruger P95, P93
3. Steyr M ($369 in CDNN, close)
4. HS 2000 (now imported by Springfield Armory, price will go up)
5. Jericho ($279) Good gun, an Israeli version of a CZ
6. Z40 ($299, but it is a .40, but a very nice gun)
7. FN49 ($299) sucky trigger
8. Sistema ($299) Very pretty, but is is a .45. But a great deal on a .45. :)
9. Baby Eagle (The last ones I looked at were closer to $400)
10. South African RAP (around $250) but I have never shot one, but it felt like a solid little gun. No real knowledge of how good it is though.
11. Dae Woo DP51? (around $300) These are being imported again. There were a couple a the last gun show. Tri action trigger, takes S&W mags. Supposedly the best pistol from Asia, but I've never used one myself, so no first hand knowledge.
12. Kel Tec P11 ($250?)
13. Kahr E-9 (a little over $300) nice basic economy Kahr. Good luck finding one. Very similar to the K9, but a few cheaper differences. Cheaper finish, uglier markings.
14. Talon ($200?) Never seen one, other than the Shotgun news. But it looks like a cheaper version of the Kel-Tec (Is that possible? :p )
15. Sigma ($249 in CDNN) I don't like them. At all.
16. Economy S&Ws, I don't like them, so I couldn't tell you what they cost.
17. Star Super B (Well under $300 IIRC in SOG) Never used one. But I think it is based on the 1911, only scaled down to 9mm. No real knowledge.
18. UltraStar, (somebody was having a close out on these a couple of months ago for around $250 IIRC). Never used one, but they had a decent rep.

My local gunstore has an original Glock 17 used for $350. But it is well used and very ugly. In fact the tag says "Ugliest Gun in Utah." Comes with one 10,and one 17 rounder. If your friend is prepared to shop for used, there are lots of great guns out there for around $300.

Hmmm... I've exhausted my poor brain. Thats all that I can think of right now.

If I had to go with the above list, I would buy the .45 Sistema, then the Z40 in .40. Or a pair of Makarovs. :) Ok, seriously if I needed to get a 9mm, I would probably shop around for a CZ 75 or HS2000 at that price.
 
forget about the HS200
or as i am now calling it the HS3000 since s/armory took them over/importer the price is just over $400 retail!!!! a $100 jump
the CZ's are a very underrated gun, even though they have been in the usa for over a decade.
now if you want economical them perhaps one of the bulgarian makarovs in 9x18. not 9x19 but a healthy little pistol. a cross between a mauser and a walther. average price $159.99 and for the difference you can pickup 1k worth of ammo.
 
Remembered some more:

19. Feg Hi-power clone ($250 last one I saw). I was surprised how much I liked this gun. It was ugly compared to a real HP, but it seemed to be reliable, and with the mag disconnect removed it had a good trigger pull.
20. Arcus Hi-Power (Approx $275). Haven's seen one of these.

That is kind of sad that I can think of 20 of these off the top of my head. Why can't they have a TV gameshow like Jeopardy for Gun Nuts. I would do pretty good I think. :)
 
You may be able to find the HS2000 if you look or call around.
If you can't find it, I'd get the cz. Darn nice looking gun, that cz.
 
The CZ and the (pre-Springfield XD) HS2000 are superb values in the $300 range. And don't forget about the TZ-99. Nicely built, and two 15rd mags for under $300. Mine shot like a dream. Also, I've heard good things about the Arcus Hi-Power clones --- and they're way under $300.

Take care. Marko
 
Here's the ones I own that I would personally vouch for. Each one of these is an exceptional value.

HS2000 - $269 - $299 IF you can still find one. This would be my first choice for an all around combat pistol.

TZ-99 - $269 at Aim Surplus. This is a SIG 226 clone, and comes with 2 - 15 round factory prebans. Grip is large, but the pistol is accurate and reliable.

Arcus 94 - $219 at Aim Surplus. I was shocked by the quality and accuracy of this pistol. It's a Bulgarian made HP Clone, in a two tone finish, with finger groove rubber grips. It comes with 2 - 10 round mags, but will take HP pre-bans, and most HP aftermarket parts. Think of it as the Bulgarian Mak version of the HP.
 
As you can tell, some great choices, almost too many to sort out. But I have a question for your friend, and this is what purpose will this gun be used for? If it's home/self defense it may lead to one decision. And if it's just for plinking you may choose another way. I'd be real careful buying "cheap" for home/personal defense use personally (IMHO). I hope that along with price, other considerations as to how it handles, feels, shoots, etc will be factored in. And anything considered for purchase should be shot first to confirm the above factors. If your friend doesn't like the way it feels, shoots etc, don't buy it regardless of price, or what others may say about "theirs" (I'll never own a glock because it doesn't feel right in MY hands, but others just love them for example). But don't bet your life, or that of your family, on a $100 decision! good luck choosing :)
 
Ruger. Not a knockoff, a copy, or a "bargain" gun like most others in this range. P89 or 95 for 9mm, depending on whether you want plastic or metal.
 
Schmakey wrote:
>>>Ruger. Not a knockoff, a copy, or a "bargain" gun like most others in this range. P89 or 95 for 9mm, depending on whether you want plastic or metal.<<<<

By that measure, you can't buy the Ruger, either. The CZ75 is none of the above. It is least well known in the US but has been on the market for 25 years and arguably would have beat the Beretta 92 in the service pistol competition, if they weren't excluded because they were commies at the time.
 
The z 40 mentioned above is a ? cz 40 ? just curious. Any cz
is an awesome gun..alot of others on the list also. Take your
friend around to some gun shops and see what size/caliber/
features he feels most in love with. And start your hunt that
way. I was gonna buy a ruger (awesome rep, etc etc owned
many pistols of theirs in the past) but as soon as I picked one
up...hmmmmmmmm, no way. I just didnt like it in my hands.

Shop around in person , narrow your options and start shopping
on the net for a deal....cant fail. Shoot well
 
EAA Witness.... :barf:
Maybe the full size 9mm would be more reliable than my compact .40S&W, but after 2 trips back to the factory, it still jams.
:barf: :barf:
 
300$ 9mm compact...tee hee hee

I dropped by a gun store in town today...browsing, nothing new
..the guy does the can I help you thing...Na, just looking. What
is it you are looking for...I dont know something small and 9mm.
Do you like CZ's? Ya I have one... I just got this in, we have a collection in on consignment..Its a 75 compact pcr, LNIB for 300$
Less than a box of rnds through it, in fact you can talk to the owner of the collection.. He is standing behind you. Alex meet UT83. 300$ really? Ya , do you want it? My visa had friction burns. SWEETEST trigger I have felt on any gun.....PERIOD.
CZ 75 PCR Compact w/ 2 mags.....out the door for 325.73 grin.

Now I think I have to sell my baby....who wants a .40 s&w stainless Taurus pt940...as dependable as any gun you will
find. 95% shape, no mods.....and has one sweet trigger also.
Make me an offer...it goes in the paper sunday. Shoot well
 
ut83: Man, you stole that PCR! Great deal on a great little pistol. I can't say enough good things about mine --- hope yours treats you just as well.

Take care. Marko
 
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