HELP!! Choosing my first big boy gun.

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Mikethebowguy

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Hello fellow nuts, I have a couple of 22 cal pistols and I love shooting them. It's time to shop for a big boy gun. I am opting for 9mm because it is cheaper and available bulk. I don't think the paper at the range know the difference anyway. After holding many many in hand and considering many options I had my heart set on a CZ 75 in matte stainless in 9mm. Classic beautiful pistol and a good reputation. I had one on order right as the dollar tanked. The supplier could not commit to a price so I backed out. I am not a competitive shooter and likely never will be but I want a reliable steel framed pistol that shoots well and is as accurate as I am trying to be. I found a CZ sp01 at a "reasonable" price but still into it for a grand by the time i get it shipped which for my level of shooting is a lot of cash. The SP01 is poly coat and I had my heart set on the stainless for no other reason then it's pretty. I decided if I'm going to compromise the stainless anyway then I may as well look at other firearms. Here are a few I found that feel good in my hand or are knock offs of the CZ so I expect they will have the same feel.

Tristar t-120
Tristar s-120 Haven't held these but they are CZ clones. They are about 2-3 hundred cheaper than the real deal. Any thoughts??

IWI Jericho - Feels great but I'm told they mark easy. Not that much cheaper than the real deal either.

Zastava M70A - Ugly duckling for sure but feels good in my hand and all kinds of good reviews online. It's been around for ever and apparently Norinco Mags fit it so spares are available. At 300 bucks for a range kit it is pretty cheap so I'm leaning towards this as an entry level gun until the dollar gets better or I get richer:) Thoughts???

Norinco - Several models to choose from. Not meaning to offend, I am apprehensive to buy Chinese. They make good stuff if they want to but quality control seems an issue.
 
I have a Jerico 941 and I have nothing bad to say about it. The steel version feels a little heavy (personal preference as I don't like the polymer), but that reduces recoil and aids in accuracy. The gun itself is based off the CZ. Read some reviews and judge for yourself. I got mine from www.alflahertys.com for $630 with free shipping and that price was for the gun with 3 mags, mag holder and holster (range kit). Thay also have the CZ 75 SP-01 Shadow 9mm on sale for $879.99 but it's not the stainless version.
 
Thanks Rick I appreciate the response. I have a co-worker with the Jericho....he loves it too. I've been leaning to the Zastava. Usually I'm a firm believer in "you get what you pay for" but these review really well all over the net. I'm trying to justify ( to myself and my wife ) the extra 3-4 hundred bucks going to anything else.

Cheers....Mike
 
Hi again Rick. I am leaning towards the 941 now. I love the sport but I do have kids to educate!! How would you rate the accuracy of your Jericho. I'm no sniper but I do like accuracy. I want the CZ but simply put can't justify the money. I was leaning to the Zastava because it's cheap and according to almighty google " goes bang every time". But if it's not accurate there is no point to shooting it.
 
Big boy gunhuh?

First choice 1911 in 4acp, no question - lots of options
second choice, anything full steel

9mm? Get a SAM in 9mm maybe in 1911?
 
All I can say is this. I have 6 CZ75's and purchased a Tristar S-120 in chrome cerakote from Wanstalls in the spring. I put it on par with the CZ. It shoots and feels exactly a like. It is seriously being slept on. Just like the CZ it is VERY accurate and the trigger is pretty good out of box. CZ parts do not interchange without fitting execpt for the sights and springs of course so keep that in mind but you will not find a closer clone than the S-120. CZ Custom Shop even sold upgraded versions from their gunsmiths.
CANIK_1963_zpsbe6ded59.jpg
 
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I can confidently say the IWI Jericho 941 (Steel) is a great pistol. The trigger isn't the best, but then it's a "duty style" pistol. Though after 3-5k rounds, it DOES smooth out nicely. Think I'm up to about 7k rounds through mind. No issues with "marking" easily.. But I'm careful with my firearms and don't throw them around like a hammer.

The Shadows will definitely have a much MUCH better trigger. If you want to get into serious competition, then that's the gun you want. If you just want a cheap nice plinker, the Jericho is a good option. Personally, I love the weight of it.

As for accuracy, it has more to do with you as a shooter then the gun. I'm more accurate with my Jericho them my buddies Shadow, but that's because I have over 7k round behind it.
 
No problems at all. The gun is well made and parts are put together with tight tolerances which leads to a good shooting gun. But the gun can only do so much, a lot of accuracy has to do with stance, the grip of the gun, and trigger control. If you can shoot your 22's well it shouldn't take you long to get use to shooting a 9 mm and doing it with accuracy.
 
Thanks everyone for replying with good input. I am ruling out the Zastava. I guess it will be the Jericho on a budget or the CZ if I get brave with the wallet. I looked at the Tristars but they are almost as much as a Jericho and they have analuminum frame ( according to almighty google??). I'm sure they are fine but something makes me shy away from that idea. SP01 is on sale right now....might be the answer. With the dollar in the tank I might have to bide some time but who know's...I might get lucky.


Cheers.....Bowguy
 
Mikethebowguy said:
Thanks everyone for replying with good input. I am ruling out the Zastava. I guess it will be the Jericho on a budget or the CZ if I get brave with the wallet. I looked at the Tristars but they are almost as much as a Jericho and they have analuminum frame ( according to almighty google??). I'm sure they are fine but something makes me shy away from that idea. SP01 is on sale right now....might be the answer. With the dollar in the tank I might have to bide some time but who know's...I might get lucky.


Cheers.....Bowguy
Click to expand...

You are incorrect. The S-120 has a steel frame and the L-120 has the aluminum frame. Put it back in your option list and ahead of the Jericho.��
 
I would vote for any CZ 75 variant, the SP 01 Shadow being hard to beat.

If you are trying to keep the initial cost down, the Norinco 1911's are definately a great value if you can inspect/handle it. I didn't like the "made in China" idea either, but I've shot a few that were actually nice and accurate. I'm probably going to grab one in 45. Much better platform than the Zastava in around the same price point.
 
Another lower cost gun is the Girsan Regard (a Beretta clone). Very well made, reliable, shiny ;) and best of all relatively inexpensive.
Here's a pic of mine (for sale BTW):

Girsan White w. Rail - 1 of 9.jpg
 

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Thanks again everyone. Istand corrected. I will take a closer look at the Tristar. I love the look of the Beretta but it doesn't fit my hand well.
 
The norcs work well and are accurate. I've owned 2 of them. The quality is poor though. My last was an NP29. I put a bunch of money into it cause I really liked it. Then one day I noticed the barrel lugs mashing due to a short link and not enough engagement with the slide. So if you don't shoot much it may not matter. If you save a bunch of money and are disappointed with your gun then it's a waste. If you spend a little more a get something better and have pride of ownership then you'll never regret it.
 
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