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

Dr.Islay said:
Coincidentally, our local shop got a few of the MP-446's in stock. Been looking at them (repeatedly!). Feel quite nice in hand, ad are definitely very Glock-like (I know! I know! I can hear the cries of 'just get a Glock!').

Here's one of the reviews I dug up while looking deeper into this:

http://www.special-ops.org/pistol-baikal-mp-446-viking/
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Thanks for digging that up, although the translation is pretty tortuous at times:)
After buying mine, I've meant to post a range report/evaluation. I have it rough copied but haven't gotten around to posting it. I saw the factory accuracy acceptance was 15 cm at 25m, but I have to say the ones I'm aware of are much better. With most loads, groups were 3" or better at 20-25 m when I tested mine off a sandbag rest.
 
sksscrew said:
Intersting choice with the Viking. No it has not been posted that I recall. Have you used the polymer? Can you compare this weapon to something I may be more familiar?
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The metal frame viking weighs in at 33.x oz the polymer at 29oz according to the factory specifications unloaded which is fairly heavier than a glock(22.05oz). Sourcing parts for it would be a pain. I've never shot one, so my knowledge on them ends there.
Also I'm not sure where you can find magazines for it. If you won't shoot it that much then sure buy whatever floats your boat, but if you will be shooting reasonable volume I highly recommend looking at glocks.
 
ztunelover said:
Also I'm not sure where you can find magazines for it. If you won't shoot it that much then sure buy whatever floats your boat, but if you will be shooting reasonable volume I highly recommend looking at glocks.
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I've heard from 3 different sources now that obtaining extra magazines for the Viking can definitely be a challenge and an expense. That being said, and at risk of being repetitive, interammo.com has some pretty reasonable looking packages.
 
Dr.Islay said:
I've heard from 3 different sources now that obtaining extra magazines for the Viking can definitely be a challenge and an expense. That being said, and at risk of being repetitive, interammo.com has some pretty reasonable looking packages.
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Initially it looks like a reasonable deal.

I'm not saying don't buy it, for me I like to run my guns hard, I don't grab the mag pull it out and put it on a table, I drop it and pop in a new unit, if it busts a follower or a feed lip(Hk mags are supposed to be tough but you never know) I need to be able to source spare followers or whole mags. Yes HK mags are a ##### to source as well. But I can usually get a decent set from irunguns for a reasonable price. I did some searching and honestly I can't see who stocks them. interammo is coming out as negative. and the 6 mag deal is glock 17 money. And I am not convinced this gun is glock 17 good.
 
TDC;9287710 [QUOTE said:
Package deals are used to entice you to buy lesser quality gear under the guise of "one stop shop".
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Tdc[/QUOTE]

Ouch ! :)
I don't think (with respect to your experiences and opinion) that this would apply to the Viking. The Russians have lots of problems, but their arms manufacturing industry isn't one of them. Russian Army pistol trials were extensive with this model.

However, you guys are right that Glock spares and accessories are no doubt very well supported/available because of the brands' overwhelming popularity. Only the Baikal distributor can answer questions re: mags and other spare parts availability....

But, if we refocus on the OP's question "sub $500 9mm pistol" (and assuming he won't buy /take a chance on a used piece), the Viking should fit nicely, or the Ruger SR9.
 
Waynetheman said:
Never knew the ruger sr9 was so cheap till this thread.
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I think that is why it is somewhat difficult to find in stock at most places. After fairly extensive research on my part, I have yet to find a person who feels it is not worth the money you pay for it (although I am sure you are out there). All signs point to it's quality and reliability. It also fits nicely in the hand (mine anyways) and looks great in my opinion. Seems like the strongest contenders are the Ruger SR9 and the Glock 17 (used in order to keep it sub-$500) or spend a few extra bucks and buy it new.

I wouldn't knock any of the lesser known models without researching reliability, service life, and the overall performance history of the firearm. Availability of parts and accessories is also something to consider. Certainly you don't always have to pay for the name but in some cases you just can't go wrong.
 
sksscrew said:
I misread what you had stated.
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Glock mags are everywhere. I doubt anyone has a package deal with glocks simply because they sell themselves. But spare mags are plentiful and not that expensive.

zupermann said:
Ouch ! :)
I don't think (with respect to your experiences and opinion) that this would apply to the Viking. The Russians have lots of problems, but their arms manufacturing industry isn't one of them. Russian Army pistol trials were extensive with this model.

However, you guys are right that Glock spares and accessories are no doubt very well supported/available because of the brands' overwhelming popularity. Only the Baikal distributor can answer questions re: mags and other spare parts availability....

But, if we refocus on the OP's question "sub $500 9mm pistol" (and assuming he won't buy /take a chance on a used piece), the Viking should fit nicely, or the Ruger SR9.
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Can this 446 fire +P or +P+? I remember reading one key difference between the 443 and the 446 was a barrel that cannot handle a hotter load of ammunition, I could be mistaken, if so please do correct me.
The sr9. Yechhh. I hate that mag disconnect. Just a stupid feature to put in a gun. And I have read too many issues when surfing on the internets to be convinced of it being viable on a long term basis.
 
sksscrew said:
I think that is why it is somewhat difficult to find in stock at most places. After fairly extensive research on my part, I have yet to find a person who feels it is not worth the money you pay for it (although I am sure you are out there). All signs point to it's quality and reliability. It also fits nicely in the hand (mine anyways) and looks great in my opinion. Seems like the strongest contenders are the Ruger SR9 and the Glock 17 (used in order to keep it sub-$500) or spend a few extra bucks and buy it new.

I wouldn't knock any of the lesser known models without researching reliability, service life, and the overall performance history of the firearm. Availability of parts and accessories is also something to consider. Certainly you don't always have to pay for the name but in some cases you just can't go wrong.
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I started researching after and indeed all signs point to it being an amazing deal.

Personally there's no $500 limit so I'd likely buy the glock instead.
 
This has turned out to be a very useful thread. I wasn't the OP but I am not sorry I hijacked it (ok continued it's revival). hahaha I actually was not bound by the $500 either but it's great to know what is available for the budget conscious or a first time shooter who is unsure if this is something they want to continue. One good thing is that if it turns out that it is not your cup of tea, guns retain a good resale value (for the most part).
 
sksscrew said:
This has turned out to be a very useful thread. I wasn't the OP but I am not sorry I hijacked it (ok continued it's revival). hahaha I actually was not bound by the $500 either but it's great to know what is available for the budget conscious or a first time shooter who is unsure if this is something they want to continue. One good thing is that if it turns out that it is not your cup of tea, guns retain a good resale value (for the most part).
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Quality guns in demand usually hold a fair value. Cheap junk that no one wants or is unsupportable is worthless. Use caution.

Tdc
 
ztunelover[QUOTE
]Can this 446 fire +P or +P+? I remember reading one key difference between the 443 and the 446 was a barrel that cannot handle a hotter load of ammunition, I could be mistaken, if so please do correct me.
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[/QUOTE]

Yes, I remember when they (the Vikings) first became available to me there being much confusion about this. The factory reps were apparently being very secretive (?scared) about running afoul of Russian export regulations, involving milspec barrels on commercial use (exportable) guns. Hence they wouldn't directly say that the barrels could handle the high pressure Russian 7N21/7N31 9mm ammo (this is a very specialized round not commonly available supposedly).

Anyway, I did find a Viking thread here on Gun Nutz (link below), where the Interammo representative states that +p+ ammo can indeed be shot in the Viking. Check out posts #15 and 16. I hope that it will elevate your opinion of this rather under-rated pistol.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/914805-Baikal-MP-446-Viking-Parts


The sr9. Yechhh. I hate that mag disconnect. Just a stupid feature to put in a gun.[/Q
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UOTE]
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I couldn't agree with you more on this one :) It's a feature that says :"we don't trust you to safely handle firearms"
 
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you know that it takes literally 2 min to remove the mag disconnect on the SR series of polymer pistols right? super easy, and it makes the pistol nicer to shoot too.

Same as on M&P etc. Many modern pistols have em
 
JR Hartman said:
you know that it takes literally 2 min to remove the mag disconnect on the SR series of polymer pistols right? super easy, and it makes the pistol nicer to shoot too.

Same as on M&P etc. Many modern pistols have em
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It also voids the warranty no?

zupermann said:
Yes, I remember when they (the Vikings) first became available to me there being much confusion about this. The factory reps were apparently being very secretive (?scared) about running afoul of Russian export regulations, involving milspec barrels on commercial use (exportable) guns. Hence they wouldn't directly say that the barrels could handle the high pressure Russian 7N21/7N31 9mm ammo (this is a very specialized round not commonly available supposedly).

Anyway, I did find a Viking thread here on Gun Nutz (link below), where the Interammo representative states that +p+ ammo can indeed be shot in the Viking. Check out posts #15 and 16. I hope that it will elevate your opinion of this rather under-rated pistol.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/914805-Baikal-MP-446-Viking-Parts
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I'm not entirely convinced, if I have money to burn in the future I could contemplate trialing one to see how it would do, but I doubt I would be chucking out my usp or p30L for one. I want to meet an owner that has shot it a lot, then look through his maintenance data and see how the pistol wore. (No 5000 rounds is not a lot 50000 would be more like it)
 
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