Budget 9mm CCW, which one?

Thanks for the suggestions. Still haven't decided which direction to go. I'm actually thinking about getting an Armscor M200 revolver instead and using my B6P for CCW. Experimented a little today, mind you without a holster but still, the B6P tucks into my waist band very nicely. Hadn't thought about it but being 6'5" and 280 I probably have an easier time concealing than some.
 
Don't buy anything until you actually get to handle/try one. I once bought an expensive 9mm sight unseen based on stellar reviews and heavy recommendations--and I hated it.
 
If you are willing to venture on to the used market, A Ruger P-95 can be had under $250 if you are savvy. It is not small but it is incredibly durable and shootable and ready for solid defense duty with no questions as to build quality, reliability and functioning. I would submit that it would be "last man standing" of just about anything mentioned thus far in this thread, with the exception of the two different Smith & Wesson pistols that won't be had on this budget.

The P-95 would outlast, outrun and out-do anything that Taurus or Kel-Tec could muster anywhere near that price point.
 
I know you don't want to hear this, but why not wait until you get your CCW, then decide? That will give you more time to make your evaluation and choose wisely. By then you may have squirreled some more money away and be able to buy outside of the nearly impossible price range that you are now tied to.
 
In Illinois, you have to do training and pass a test, which requires that you have a firearm and holster for it. Like I said, the B6P could serve the purpose, and I'm warming up to it as an option. My wife actually commented she would like a revolver for the simplicity over a semi should she need to use one, so I may very well end up getting the revolver and considering the B6P my CCW option for the time being.
 
I just picked up the pt111 from psa for 200$. I really like it overall, but it has some quirks. the trigger is "interesting", I really like it, although having an extremely short travel it's very strong. probably the heaviest trigger I have owned outside of DAO's. the trigger breaks at the very back of the guard requiring a strong grip and it got my finger very sore after about 300 rounds. also, the gun is very peppy, but really quick to get back on target. the sights are nice and right where you want them to be. the magazines springs are soooo freaking tight it's insane, but they will break in. the mags drop very free though. I think the size of the gun is about perfect. it's not terrible to shoot like the LCP, this gun is much better suited to past 10-15 yards than the ruger, kel-tec or sccy. but just know it has a very short travel, but heavy trigger, crisp though with sharp edges. it's recoil isn't hellish, but authoritative.

it has a very steep angled feed ramped, polished to a shine. I was expecting to have issue with very wide HP's and flat-nosed .357 bullets. but it fed everything great. did 100 hornaday FMJ, 50 each of horn 125 and 147 xtp's,100 sierra 90gr HP's and 100 cast .357 flat nose 125gr. it's a quality built gun and haven't heard "too" many bad reports. I did hear one about a bad ejector and one about a firing pin( Taurus fixed both), but have heard dozens of positives. it's my new carry gun and am pleased so far even if I get an extra callous on the side of my trigger finger

the sar is the gun I was carrying, great gun, sucks for carry. before that I was carrying the t100/canik shark-c, awesome gun....really sucks to carry. but if your not a really experienced shooter, they would be great for you, their bigger size and sa/da make them a breeze
 
I guess i wouldnt be looking for a $200 pistol to protect my loved ones so I really dont have a choice. There are some good ones at $400
 
S&W SD9VE should be close to your price range.
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The cheapest one I have seen advertised was $279. I procrastinated and waited for their next sale at $289.99. Still an excellent value for a Glock 19 clone for a little over half price. It has been a pleasure.
 
I got mine for 300 out-the-door, hated it. not that it was a terrible gun, although it did have some magazine issues. it just didn't shoot worth a darn. I think the canik's are twice the gun the sd9ve is. just one man's opinion though, I won't argue with those who like it
 
Pistol Pop in Salisbury North Carolina has the Taurus 111 Millennium G2 for 219.00 + tax puts you at about 234.00 and also he has the sccy cpx-1 AND 2 for 240.00 + tax
 
I predict that if you find a Taurus PT111 G2 and shoot it, you will not look any further.
They would be worth twice the price they go for.
 
BigBL87 said:
I'd like to pick up a 9mm for when I eventually get my CCW license. My budget is in the $200ish range, which obviously limits my selection greatly. So far I've come up with these options...



Taurus PT111 ($199)



Zastava M88a ($207)



EAA SAR B6P Compact ($240)



I plan on carrying IWB.



I already own and like the full sized B6P. One additional thing to consider is I have above average sizes hands, so subcompact are pretty much impossible for me. Anyone have any recommendations I missed or any experience with these? Also, please don't pull the "Save more and buy a ______" card. My budget is my budget and disposable income is tight.
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I understand the dislike for the response type, but just remember you get what you pay for. I saved for a year and got an XDSC in 9mm and it is the greatest handgun I think I will ever own. It has never failed, even with crap ammo. I know my cousin bought a cheap 9mm and ended up paying as much as I did to fix all the problems.

But if you can find a used glock or XD in your budget, you are probably doing just fine. A friend of mine has a glock survive a house fire (burnt the dresser around it and all that was found of the dresser was the metal handles and a glock).
 
$200

Nothing wrong with a revolver.......for less than $300 though, you'll have to beat the brush for a used quality firearm in decent shape.
 
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I am 6'6" with large hands. I shoot 38 snubs very well. You might find a used one in your price range. My Taurus model 85 is excellent and I paid around $200 for it (used).

Otherwise, CZ clones are great guns. If it is small enough for your purpose, it would be a fine choice.
 
I would buy the Kel Tec PF9 without hesitation. Lots of gun for the money and guaranteed for life. They are better than most think they are, and good quality pistols. I owned a Taurus millennium PT 111 and had issues with the trigger breaking all the time.
 
My Kel-tec P11 is a good little gun for the money, and I've heard good things about the PF-9 too. Falls in the OP's price range.

The trigger is the heaviest of any pistol in my safe, but it actually feels very safe for carrying because of that. Plenty accurate and eats any kind of ammo.
 
i made a video on the pt111. not trying to self-advertise or anything, there just seems to be a lot of interest in a gun for 200$. sorry, I never made a youtube vid before, so it's a bit long. but I tried every ammo I could scrounge up and couldn't find a fault with the little gun. I went to the range again yesterday and got it over 1200 rounds. only issue I have is when using the 357 flat-point cast bullets it wont feed from releasing slide lock, but loves any other ammo that's actually made for a 9mm. I really like the gun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVyL3kNiauo
sorry for such I long vid, I suck at editing and stuff. asnt testing for accuracy for anything, but I did some yesterday and it proved very accurate for such a bitty gun. Taurus made a winner for real
 
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