Looking for 9mm for less than 600 dollars - leaning towards a Glock

[Ellen Ripley]

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I'm looking for a semi-automatic 9mm pistol. My maximum budget is 500 dollars but I want to spend 400 or less. I haven't really looked at guns over 400.
The best I can find that are legal in California are the Ruger Security 9, SAR B6C, and Beretta APX.
The Smith & Wesson SD VE is very good. The Kel-Tec P11 is pretty good. The SCCY CPX-2 and Hi-Point C9 aren't that great in comparison.
Out of the Ruger, SAR, and Beretta, I prefer the Beretta, but it's also the most expensive. I'm looking for guns that have magazines with 9 or 10 rounds and all of these guns have versions with magazines with 9 or 10 rounds. Am I missing anything that's great? If not, which should I choose between the Ruger Security 9, SAR B6C, and Beretta APX?
TIA!

 

[bannockburn]

Of the guns you have listed the Ruger Security 9 and the SAR B6c would be my two top choices. Are any Taurus pistols on the list of approved guns in California? The Taurus G3 is a relatively inexpensive but decent pistol and comes in a limited 10 round magazine capacity version.

 

[Ellen Ripley]

Thanks! I'll look at the Taurus G3.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Welcome aboard!
The Ruger, Beretta, and S&W are all perfectly good pistols with lots of available accessories such as holsters, factory parts/warranty support, and cheap/available spare magazines. Of those three, try to find a range that will let you rent them and pick the one you shoot best.

My biggest reservation with the SAR is they are made in Turkey, and if our geopolitical relationship with them sours further, we may be cut off from any sort of factory support.

Also, dont rule out a gently used Glock 19 or SIG if you get the chance to shoot them and like them- they can still often be found under $500.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I would take a look at the S&W Shield EZ, but of those you mentioned, the APX would get my money.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I have the Taurus G3c, not sure about capacity for CA legal. Mine holds 10rds and shoots very well. They have had some issues with magazines falling out, but mine has been flawless .

 

[commygun]

Not on your list (we have a tradition of providing answers that weren’t asked) but the S&W M&P 9C with the thumb safety would be my choice for a one-and-only 9mm. Compact (but by no means micro), reliable, good trigger, durable.

 

[Ellen Ripley]

I'll look at the Taurus G3c as well.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Not sure which models are on the CA list, but Springfield Armory makes a very wide range of polymer framed 9mm pistols of all shapes and sizes with a myriad of optional grip styles and sights that can be easily modified to suite your particular preferences, in addition to possessing wide aftermarket and factory accessories and support under their XD Series line, which are in the $500 arena mostly.......mostly.

 

[Ellen Ripley]

The Glock 19 looks great.
I don't want to buy used, but I might pay up to 500 for a new Glock.

 

[RA40]

That's a good price point though consider that budget level guns often have some level of compromise to reach that price point. One of the lower priced semi autos that I felt is a good value is the Sig SP2022/Sig Pro in earlier variants. You'll get most of that Sig workmanship at a nicer wallet point. The one area is that finding a variety of holsters can be challenging.

At the time I bought this they were $460. Added night sights for $85 and 10 Sig magazines. Buying Mecgar versions of the magazines is the better option since they are half the price and they make the factory versions anyhow. Both made in Italy.

The trigger is pretty nice and if you like it you'll likely get hooked for more Sig products.
This is the one I have:

 

[stevek]

Good luck in your search! The pistols you listed, as well as others, do not use clips. They use magazines. MANY new folks also make this mistake, but a sincere welcome to the forum!

 

[ontarget]

SD9VE is a decent choice, but the M&P Series (Shield) get great reviews, and can be had well within your budget.
I bet you could find a Rock Island 1911 in 9mm inside your budget too. Those get good reviews and the platform has basically unlimited aftermarket support.

 

[Ellen Ripley]

Good luck in your search! The pistols you listed, as well as others, do not use clips. They use magazines. MANY new folks also make this mistake, but a sincere welcome to the forum!

Thanks for that.
I know a little about handguns, but I don't know all of the terminology yet.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

The Glock 19 looks great.
I don't want to buy used, but I might pay up to 500 for a new Glock.

Going to be hard finding a new one at full retail under $5.....but put yourself on the notification list from several of the larger online retailers and a special may pop up from time to time under that cap. In my neck of the woods, brand new G19s are to be found between $550 and $600- not sure if they go for a premium in CA.

Glock will sometimes offer factory-refurbished trade in specials as well which have full warranty support and may bring the price down a bit, but these usually sell out fast for obvious reasons.

Honestly, if you shoot one and it fits you well, the Glock 19 is one of the most popular and trusted law enforcement and self-defense guns of the last 3 decades with a near-mythical reputation for reliability and durability. If I found a "cosmetically challenged" used example that is mechancally sound, I would not hesitate to carry it and trust my life to it.

Just my 2c of course. Nothing wrong with holding out for new.

 

[Buzznrose]

Ruger is a good choice, as is the APX. I don’t know much about the SAR.

You may find a basic Canik or Walther PPQ for under $500, both are fine. And any used Glock you find would likely be fine

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Also, make sure to choose how many spare magazines you want, price them, and add that to your total budget. Some $400 pistols only come with one magazine and spares might be $50 each.....whereas some $500 guns come with 2 or 3 and extras may only be $15-20 each.

This is one spot where Glock shines as their mags are omnipresent and inexpensive.

 

[Zerodefect]

Cut the cable. Save up for a Glock 45, 48, 41

 

[AustinTX]

Am I missing anything that's great? If not, which should I choose between the Ruger Security 9, SAR B6C, and Beretta APX?
TIA!

The APX hands down, IMO.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

The APX is pretty nice. I dunno if it's on the roster but the Beretta Nano is a great pistol as well. It's very compact yet easy to shoot with the 8+1 mags.

 

[Zendude]

The APX hands down, IMO.

Agreed.

 

[Mars5l]

I've seen Apx in stores for less than $400 here, but this isn't California

 

[5-SHOTS]

I also think the Beretta APX is the best choice for your budget. Close second is the S&W SD9VE. But if you want to spend as little as possible and still have a good gun, then I think the Taurus G3 is hard to beat.

 

[gc70]

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I'm looking for a semi-automatic 9mm pistol. My maximum budget is 500 dollars but I want to spend 400 or less. I haven't really looked at guns over 400.
The best I can find that are legal in California are the Ruger Security 9, SAR B6C, and Beretta APX.
The Smith & Wesson SD VE is very good. The Kel-Tec P11 is pretty good. The SCCY CPX-2 and Hi-Point C9 aren't that great in comparison.
Out of the Ruger, SAR, and Beretta, I prefer the Beretta, but it's also the most expensive. I'm looking for guns that have magazines with 9 or 10 rounds and all of these guns have versions with magazines with 9 or 10 rounds. Am I missing anything that's great? If not, which should I choose between the Ruger Security 9, SAR B6C, and Beretta APX?
TIA!

I could not find any of the guns mentioned in your post on the California Roster.

The most attractive pistol I saw while I was searching the roster for the guns you listed was the original S&W Shield. At 7/8 rounds, it works with California mag limits, the price is right, and several million owners can't be wrong about the pistol being pretty good.

Several Glock models such as 17 and 19 (presumably both Generation 3 versions) are still on the California Roster, but would be priced closer to $500 than $400.

 

[Hugger-4641]

If you catch a sale on the Sig P365, it's also a good choice close to your price range. It's what my wife carries, but it's a double stack, so I don't know if there is CA legal version of it.