Sub $500, 9mm recommendations for 1st pistol?

[P90Puma]

Used glock 17.

ETA: I own a P226.

 

[BigRhino]

The Rugers are fantastic pistols. I have one chambered in .40s&w. I paid 549 for mine and its a beaut.

 

[subdermal]

SAM commander 1911....

Seconded. The Commander version in 9mm at Wolverine is just over your limit at $530, but the Military is $495. And the quality for that money is impressive and there is no more well-documented and well supported platform to start with IMO.

http://www.wolverinesupplies.com/details/1713/SAM-Military-1911-9mm.aspx

 

[Markus]

I like my NZ-85 Norinco. Accurate and reliable.

 

[bearmaz]

Glock 17.....save a few more quarters. Worth every penny.

 

[Claven2]

Agree with those above. For a NEW gun, you are looking at the Ruger SR9. You might also find a dealer with MP446 Vikings under $500 and they aren't bad.

If used, look for an older Glock 17, but even used they tend to be more in the $600 range.

Other options for used is an older Beretta 92F, Walther P1, post-war P38, Iraqui M1951, etc.

For between $500 and 600, I sometimes see Steyr M9A1's or S&W M&P9's in the EE, and they are great if you can find them in that range. On the other extreme, there's a guy now who wants well over $1000 for a Steyr M9A1, but lots of stuff there is overpriced chaff you need to look past when shopping.

EDIT: Although a lot of guys will steer you to a 1911 platform, I'm not a fan of them in 9mm. I do love the 1911 platform in .45ACP, but it's a big heavy gun for a small round like the 9 and the modern wonder-9 tupperware pistols will be infinitely more reliable than most any 1911 under $500.

 

[kevinc]

Does one exist?

P&D had the Ruger SR9 in stock last week for $430

Regards

 

[andrew3081]

You can get a USED S&W M&P 9 for $500 easily.

 

[MusicianShooter]

I like my NZ-85 Norinco. Accurate and reliable.

CZ-75. No compromise.

Go ahead and buy used. They're still the original and best.

 

[mk3]

MP 446 Viking? Epps seemed to have a few for under $500.

 

[Grove]

Few years ago I lucked out on buying a BRAND NEW Ruger P89 on sale for $400+taxes.

Loved that pistol for the time I had it, and you could bump load it extremely easy, just slap the mag in and the action snaps shut ready for business.

 

[Ballox]

Some of the site sponsors above have them in stock now.

Not if you want the stainless one. Contacted every one of them last week.

 

[trebor2880]

You can get a USED S&W M&P 9 for $500 easily.

Or a new NP29 for under $450, taxed and shipped. With a forged frame, not plastic.

 

[burnaby]

Many exist like the aforementioned NORC NP29 and SR9.

Best to try them out before you buy. Go to POCO range on a Saturday, bring several boxes of ammo, ask nicely and most folks will let you try their toys. I go as far as to ask the females and young ones to try my toys, nothing like encouraging more folks to shoot than friendly offers AND they all really appreciate it.

Does one exist?

 

[mshundal]

you can usually find a s&w mp9 for 500 on EE

 

[90vette]

Or a new NP29 for under $450, taxed and shipped. With a forged frame, not plastic.

Are you really comparing a CHINA made NP29 too a S&W???? Thats the funniest comment, in a long time.

 

[trebor2880]

Are you really comparing a CHINA made NP29 too a S&W???? Thats the funniest comment, in a long time.

I'll take a real gun made by Norinco, over a plastic one, made by S&W, all day long!

 

[w0nder.]

Ruger SR9 gets my recommendation, love mine

 

[mshundal]

nothing wrong with norincos - i've even seen nork 1911 in 9 used in IPCS classic that held up very nicely - only caveat is it had all its internals replaced and some major tuning done - lesson the user learnt was two fold -

1: you gotta pay to play
2: pay slightly more upfront will save you much more down the road

take it for what its worth

 

[90vette]

I'll take a real gun made by Norinco, over a plastic one, made by S&W, all day long!

LOL your to funny. You havent shot a real gun you shoot Norinco's.