Help me choose my gun outside the US part 2

As much as I like my Glock 26, I am not sure I would pay $500 more for it than the Beretta. If you are big enough to conceal the Beretta, it seems like the best value to me. I have both, but I don't conceal the Beretta - I'm not a big guy. The Beretta is a smooth operating, well made, reliable, and accurate pistol, though. At those prices, and with your apparent confidence in your ability to carry the larger gun, my advice, worth exactly what you paid for it, is to go through with the purchase of the Beretta.
 
Bachá,

I don't think the Zastava is in the same league as the others you are pondering, unless it is very much less expensive:

http://www.cz99.org/ez.php.

Of the pistols you list above with prices, the Beretta is the best deal from the perspective of being the least inflated above the US MSRP:

- Beretta M9A1 -- 62% above US MSRP
- HS9 -- 73%
- G26 Gen 4 -- 166%
- G23 Gen 3 -- 167%
- SIG Sauer P320 -- 125%
- SIG Sauer P2202 -- 130%.

The HS9 is a close second. The Glocks and SIGs are priced for suckers -- there is no way their performance commands such an extravagant price premium. If money is so inconsequential to those urging you to buy one of these grossly overpriced pistols, I'm sure they will back up their recommendations with sizeable contributions to the Bachá Gun Fund -- if they are serious.

If the Inox finish is stopping you from buying the M9A1, record its serial number and e-mail Beretta customer service to ask if it is a real Beretta. If it is you can have a unique, corrosion-resistant sidearm.
 
How much does the Zastava EZ9 cost? I agree with Limnophile that it's not in the same class as the others (with the possible exception of the HS9), but it might not be a bad pistol. The real question is what is the value per dollar?

I have a number of viable self defense pistols. I often pick up off-brand pistols just to check them out and see for myself how good or bad they are. I have a use for pistols that are dedicated range blasters. From your posts, none of this applies to you. You have a definite, serious need for a self defense pistol. You do not have extra money for dedicated range blaster pistols. Therefore, get a serious pistol, and learn how to use it. Get a range blaster for your next purchase.

If you REALLY can't afford the Beretta, consider a cheaper pistol like the HS9 or the EZ9. If you can reasonably afford better, do so.

Just my advice, and worth what you paid for it! :D
 
I agree about the artist side of you and the Beretta. They are a pleasure to own and shoot. Go here and explain what you desire. These guys live and breath Beretta. I have a great fondness for them myself. The frames on the Inox aren't painted, they're anodized.

http://berettaforum.net/vb/
 
I don't think the Zastava is in the same league as the others you are pondering, unless it is very much less expensive:

http://www.cz99.org/ez.php.

Of the pistols you list above with prices, the Beretta is the best deal from the perspective of being the least inflated above the US MSRP:

- Beretta M9A1 -- 62% above US MSRP
- HS9 -- 73%
- G26 Gen 4 -- 166%
- G23 Gen 3 -- 167%
- SIG Sauer P320 -- 125%
- SIG Sauer P2202 -- 130%.

Thanks... yeah, I have an excel spread sheet with those calculations :D

As I explained in other post it turned out no to be an INOX m9A1 but a refinished one. The fact that the guy insisted it was from factory put me a little suspicious of that store... but the owner apologized saying that he never instructed his guys to tell the finish is from factory.

It is the only store that sells M9A1. Everybody else sells M9s without rail and for $300 more.

Do you know if major manufacturers give any support to firearms outside the us? I read that you guys in the US can email or call the manufacturer and some have even gotten free pieces or somethings.

How much does the Zastava EZ9 cost? I agree with Limnophile that it's not in the same class as the others (with the possible exception of the HS9), but it might not be a bad pistol. The real question is what is the value per dollar?

I have a number of viable self defense pistols. I often pick up off-brand pistols just to check them out and see for myself how good or bad they are. I have a use for pistols that are dedicated range blasters. From your posts, none of this applies to you. You have a definite, serious need for a self defense pistol. You do not have extra money for dedicated range blaster pistols. Therefore, get a serious pistol, and learn how to use it. Get a range blaster for your next purchase.

If you REALLY can't afford the Beretta, consider a cheaper pistol like the HS9 or the EZ9. If you can reasonably afford better, do so.

Just my advice, and worth what you paid for it!

The Zastava is on sale for $833.

But like you said... while I want to spend as little as possible I want a serious ultra durable, ultra dependendable, ultra reliable pistol.

Knowing how overpriced guns are in my country I don't think I will be forming a collection or something. Maybe other berettas, as this store that has the m9A1 has really good prices on them (for my country :-( )

I agree about the artist side of you and the Beretta. They are a pleasure to own and shoot. Go here and explain what you desire. These guys live and breath Beretta. I have a great fondness for them myself. The frames on the Inox aren't painted, they're anodized.

http://berettaforum.net/vb/

Thanks... I am in those forums already.Really good advices.

This grey m9a1 turned out to be a refinished one that the store did.

As much as I like my Glock 26, I am not sure I would pay $500 more for it than the Beretta. If you are big enough to conceal the Beretta, it seems like the best value to me.

Yeah... seems painful to pay those prices.

"Funny thing" is I can make all the legal paper work to import a gun... but I have no idea if any store in the US would like to do business that way. Any opinion?
 
what can you guys tell me about beretta´s corrosion resistance? I live in a humid cold environment, with not so unusual hot days and in every circumstance I manage to sweat like a pig! :(
 
Bachá,

Is the refinished M9A1 used? Does the shop have factory finished M9A1s in stock for the same price?

I suggest you contact Beretta customer service and ask some questions of them directly. Here is the registration websire for Beretta USA customer service:

http://berettausa.custhelp.com/app/utils/login_form/redirect/ask.

I'm sure they can put you in touch with any service support center in your region or at corporate in Italy.

As to buying a handgun from the US, it may be possible, but it seems a lot of shops note they do not ship out of the country. It can't hurt to ask, though.

In a humid environment rust is always a potential problem. You may want or need to wipe down your gun at the end of each day with a silicone-impregnated cloth. I'm sure your local gunshop can give you pointers on a maintenance routine specific to the gun and climate. There is no shortage of good videos on YouTube on how to field strip, clean, and lubricate most any gun.
 
Is the refinished M9A1 used? Does the shop have factory finished M9A1s in stock for the same price?

Thanks... no, no used guns.

The have stock M9A1s and refinished ones too. What the owner told me is that some folks like the "inox" finish better. They charge $100 more for the refinished new guns.
 
^In that case I'd opt for a stock M9A1, carry it in a holster with a sweat guard, and wipe it down nightly with a silicone-impregnated cloth. A good rule of thumb is to field strip and clean your firearm anytime after you fire it or it gets exposed to the elements, such as rain. Without being fired or so exposed the gun should be field stripped and cleaned monthly, with the cleaning focusing on lubricating and protecting from corrosion (no need to clean the barrel with solvent if the gun hasn't been fired).

My holsters are cowhide. Horsehide holsters are not as common and are more expensive. Horsehide has a benefit over cowhide -- it is less impervious to moisture. Horsehide may be a good choice for heavy perspirers.

https://youtu.be/WSEsOLul570

To get an idea as to whether you can comfortably conceal an M9A1, go to the gunshop and try concealing it in attire you expect to wear. Keep in mind that it is often suggested that one wear a shirt a size larger than normal for good concealment, and for IWB carry, pants a size larger to allow for the gun to fit inside your waistband. The shop may have holsters you can borrow for the experiment, but you can just stick the gun in your waistband.
 
I have no direct experience with importing or exporting handguns, but my understanding is that it would be easier to do from Europe. I know several guys who have bought guns on egun.de and then imported them to the US. There are established export houses in Germany that will handle the transfer from their end, for a price. This assumes you can arrange payment and customs brokerage on your end. This may have tightened up with recent law changes in Germany that have caused issues with HK and SIG exporting pistols.

Plus, we have the ITAR law in the US, making export of even gun springs and the like prohibitive. I have no idea how that would work for individual quantities of firearms.
 
Do they sell Glock 19's?

That's the one I would get. Same capacity, just as reliable, just as accurate as the Beretta - far lighter and far easier to carry concealed.
 
Are these new?
In most of Latin America a retired police officer is a great source for used firearms.

I said Glock at first, but at those prices I'm not so sure.
If you really like the looks of the M9 and that is important to you go for it. It isn't like it is a deficient design.

personally, if I didn't already own Glock holsters and magazines I'd probably be looking hard at the Sig 320.
 
Are these new?
In most of Latin America a retired police officer is a great source for used firearms.

Yes, all new guns. I dont want to buy any used guns, and I would NEVER sell a gun to anybody I dont know very well... Some of my premises now that I decided to own a gun. Things can get fishy really rapidly here...

Is concealed carry even an option for the OP in his country?

What is OP? :-)

Plus, we have the ITAR law in the US, making export of even gun springs and the like prohibitive. I have no idea how that would work for individual quantities of firearms.

Seriously? One of the main reasons I was gravitating towards the beretta is because I thought I just can buy parts online. According to the law of my country I dont need any special permit to import anything other than barrels, trigger groups, and frames. But I would be much more worried having trouble in the US side than here....

That would absolutely put more weight towards the glock, because I can get glock parts here (equally overpriced)

. Do they sell Glock 19's?

That's the one I would get. Same capacity, just as reliable, just as accurate as the Beretta - far lighter and far easier to carry concealed.

Can you elaborate why everyone recommends the 19? Difference with the 17 doesn't seem to be much...
 
Bachá,

Can you elaborate why everyone recommends the 19? Difference with the 17 doesn't seem to be much...

Compact handguns are a bit less long and a bit less tall than their full-size counterparts to make concealed carry a bit easier while retaining much of the shootability and not sacrificing too much capacity.
 
If you want to know what can be exported out of the USA you can always call or email Sandy Morainville at Brownells.

Thanks... Do you have her email? For what I read in their site EBERYTHING requires a permit to ship outside the US :-( I have a forwarding address in the US so I would not ship outside the US, don't know if that would make any difference.
 
UPDATE :-)

So I am retaking this...

The guy got me so confused with the refinished beretta and with all the holliday craziness I just put my order on hold. Yesterday I was at the gunshop again (I have to travel almost 4 hours), But it was good because like I said in another post I really need something more compact for concelability.

He had beretta px4 sub compact and he agreed on a discount for the G26 he had because it is the last one of the last batch and was the "demo model" the one they had in exhibition but never used of course. And it is now one of my 2 options. So the options are:

$1660 for the G26 Gen 4 Austria. I now this looks outrageous to you guys in the USA but I will elaborate.

$1076 for the beretta PX4 sub compact.

So the G26... That price is outrageous to you guys, but in here it is actually a good deal. Normal price for a glock in stores is $2000 to $2200, normal price in this store is $1860. All of this in the context of a country where the minimum wage is $341. So, it is actually a good deal here to have a G26 for $1660

Loved the beretta PX4 sub compact. Feels even better in hand than the glock, and with more mmm "interesting" looks :-) Almost $600 less than the glock. I know the PX4 is a relatively new offering, that is the only disadvantage I see. Since I dont plan to sell or trade guns I want something for a lifetime with lifetime support. Also dont know how does it compare in quality to the glock.

So any further opinion on this would be really appreciated, and thanks to everybody, you have been really helpful.
 
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