Battle of the Budget 9s

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Tecolote

Tecolote

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I'm looking for a range beater, something in the $300-$350 range. I prefer to buy new so LE trade ins aren't an option. SA or DA/SA doesn't matter, but reliability and accuracy are a must.

Right now I'm debating between a Ruger P95, CZ75B and aTaurus PT92. Opinions, suggestions and pics welcomed.
 
First vote for the CZ. My PCR is accurate and totally reliable and feels better in my hand than any gun I've ever held. Looks good too. Took it out the door for $411. The full size 75s might be even better as a range gun but the PCR is more accurate than me.
 
If you handed me a Taurus for free, I'd walk directly to a pawn shop and trade it in on an Astra. Maybe a Raven. Possibly a Phoenix Arms .25.
 
Tecolote,

I think you would be fine with any of the 3 you metioned. But my preference would be for the CZ, then the Ruger, and last the Taurus.

Another two you might want to look at is the Taurus PT911 - da/sa and a fantastic trigger - quite accurate. Or the Bersa Thunder 9 - very easy take down - hi capacity - pretty accurate. One used can be quite a bargain.

For a little more money there is the FNP9. Excellent craftsmanship. Made right here in the USA.

Good luck.

- w
 
I have a CZ 75BD and a Ruger P89 and P93. The Rugers aren't very sexy, but they are reliable and accurate handguns. The biggest issue I have with them is the lack of aftermarket accessories (holsters, sights, etc.)

I am currently shooting my CZ 75BD in USPSA Production. I did change out the sights, but otherwise the gun is stock. It's also very reliable and accurate. They maybe slightly above your $350 price range, but you might consider a private resale on a low-mileage gun. They certainly stand up to normal range use with no problem.

Both Rugers and CZs have pretty rough triggers. Youc an replace the hammer spring in each pretty easily to lighten up the pull. There are probably more CZ smiths around who could do a trigger job for you if you ever wanted one.

All things being equal, I'd probably give the nod to the CZ.

Jim
 
I agree with Navyguy....maybe it's because I'm Navy also. The Ruger P95 runs about $350 plus tax.....reliable as all get out and combat accurate.

The CZ75b runs $400 plus tax, reliable and VERY accurate, and after some dry firing has a nicer trigger.

Taurus has a lifetime warranty. Don't have personal experience with their 9mm.

As Navyguy was saying both the CZ and Ruger need reduced hammer springs to lighten and smooth the trigger pull.

Jerry
 
No comment on the Taurus, no experience. I've owned a CZ 75B and had reliability problems due to springs. My Ruger 95 has never malfunctioned and the trigger, while rough when new, has improved with use.
 
My personal preference is the CZ, but I think with any handgun purchase it comes down to which one fits your hand the best. All three should function fine and are reliable, but each one has a different feel to it. If I were in your shoes I would pick the one that feels the most comfortable in your hand.
 
If you're buying new my experience with those three brands is that it's a wash. For a "range beater" all 3 will serve you quite well.

Rugers are bulky and ugly, but you just can't stop them. I wouldn't buy one of their semi-auto's just because they're so ugly, but I wouldn't hesitate to depend on one.

CZ has a solid reputation. Probably the most aesthetically pleasing of the three, IMHO. If you think you'll ever contemplate carrying for CCW you might check out the CZ P01.

Some will put down Taurus. In my experience these are people who have never owned one *or* owned one in the Bad Old Days before they got their act together. Barring the inevitable lemon any manufacturer puts out, any Taurus made in the past 10 years should be just fine. Check owner reviews here for quite positive statements about the 24/7 (in .45/.40/9mm) or the PT92. I don't own any of their semi-autos, but in a home replete with handguns made by SIG, Springfield Armory etc.., a Taurus revolver is my bedside gun.

At least handle all three first. If possible try and fire as many as you can before you buy.
 
Go with the Ruger P-95. I love mine. Good accuracy, good customer service, mags are easy to find, etc.

I had a trigger job done by my local "Smith"...love it more!



Lex
 
CZs rock. Best value out there, period, IMHO. Rugers are built like tanks, tough like tanks, and carry like tanks, too. Don't fit me at all...
Taurus? Well, had a few, don't have any more. Might have another sometime.
 
CZ is hard to beat. Go with a CZ.

I have never owned a Ruger center fire auto, but know they are reliable and durable, but ugly.

Taurus in the past was hit or miss. Never owned a Taurus but there are better guns for the same money. They are called Rugers.
 
Unless it's David Starsky's,Sonny Crockett's or Jack Bauer's LE trade in,why not? Most LE trade in's are just new guns that rode around in a holster in the front seat of a police crusier.
The best value for a little cost. :)
 
I gotta vote Ruger mainly because I've never even fired a CZ. I think Ruger P guns even LOOK good, but then I guess I'm weird that way. And, if I thought they were in the least bit ugly, all I'd have to do is look at a Glock for comparison. :D And, heck, if that don't do it for me, I can always look at a Hi Point. Compared to that, even the Glock is a good lookin' piece. LOL! Rugers are extremely strong and durable and shoot well and are 100% reliable.

I'm sure the CZs are good guns. I'm not enough into autoloaders to want another one, though. My future gun dollars will likely be spent on revolvers. I'm just sorta a revolver nut I guess. I prefer round to square where looks are concerned. :D I've got all the functional guns I need. Anything I buy in the future will be just because.....
 
I personally can completely understand not wanting a used gun.

Out of those three, I've owned Ruger P series before but not the 95. However I have dryfired a 95 and gotten to play with it and I consider it to be the best of the lot.

I think the grip of the Taurus PT92 feels like a sewer pipe.

However the CZ 75B is a classic and I liked mine a lot. If not for XDs I'd have CZs probably. So that's my vote.
 
In order of preference, given the three choices suggested I would choose:
1)CZ
2)CZ
3)CZ
 
"If you handed me a Taurus for free, I'd walk directly to a pawn shop and trade it in on an Astra. Maybe a Raven. Possibly a Phoenix Arms .25."

Ouch! I have to agree. While I don't have any first hand experience with the Beretta copy that is supposed to be a good gun, I have a very low opinion of Taurus in general. The guns I have had from them were sub par to say the least and they were not really that much cheaper than a good gun. I think it is false economy to 2nd rate knock-offs of good guns. Get the Beretta or the S&W or the original that Taurus is copying and you will be much happier in the long run.

If the CZ and the Ruger are the same price, go with the CZ, they are more refined. It has been my finding that CZs are not as cheap as every seems to claim they are. Somehow online the price of a CZ-75 is only about $300 but everyone I have seen was at least $360-400 + tax. You would be lucky to get a CZ for less than $400 where I am from. Rugers on the other hand can actually be had for about $300 if you find them on sale.
 
I'd urge you to look at some of the used s&w's semis like the 5906. Its reliable and will out last out of all and quite a bargain at the prices you can get them for.
 
See which one fits your hand the best. They are three very different guns and they each have a different "Feel."

If all else is equal, I'd go CZ, Ruger, Taurus. But, if one fits you better, go with that one.
 
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