Thinking of getting a new 9mm for range/target work.. what to get?

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hawk45

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I've got several 9's right now and like them all but got the urge to pick up another one. This will be a range gun and maybe try in some matches. I perfer longer barrels for range/target work.

I have two Glocks (26,19) so I'm proficient with the platform and they point fine for me. I have a CZ 75B, and Sig 226 to round out my 9mms. I've read the reviews on all of them and know they are all solid guns, no debate there.. just looking for something to help push me towards/away from one. Like would it be dumb to get anther Glock 9mm? Or would it be dumb to switch platforms? That kind of stuff.

Here is what I was thinking of possibly (open to others recommendations also):

Glock 34 - stick with what I know but longer barrel/sight radius.. make a great match gun

Glock 17 - it's a classic (but close to size of my G19).. figured step up to the G34 instead?

M&P9 Long or Pro - Maybe just the Long b/c not a fan of fiber optic sights on the Pro. But I hear the Pro has a better trigger due to compatition sear. Love the grip/feel.

XDM 9 - Match barrel.. 19 rounds (not big deal) good sights.. not sure I like the texture of the grip.. have to go feel one again.

HK - More expensive than I want to go and mags/parts are harder to come across (few buddies have and love .. but what they tell me).

Beretta - Used to have a 92 and couldn't shoot it for the world. Others shot it well but it just never came around for my shooting style.. can't say I want to risk it again.. plus it was super heavy for a 9mm.

CZ- Some cool new stuff from them and do like the 75B I have. Great value gun and super accurate. It is a bit heavy compared to the plastic guns though.

So that's what I've thought.. feel free to chime in with your thoughts/recommendations.

Hawk
 
I am by no means an expert as I have only shot a handful of different pistols but I can tell you that I have an HK P30 and I love it. I've put around 500 rounds through it so far without a single hiccup. It feel perfect in the hand as well. It is pretty expensive though. Just my $.02
 
I like your choices in 9mm's that you currently have. I've had them and also like them. I was in a similar situation. I chose to sell my G19 and use a g19 mag and mag extension on my g26 so I could carry it as a compact or subcompact. This would allow you to kill two birds with one stone. Get another Glock and something else.

When I was in your situation I went to a 92fs, then an HK (which I could never really warm up to) and ended up settling on a browning high power. I wanted something I could tweek that was more refined than my CZ-75B SA.

The BHP gave me a project for a while....trying different springs, adjustable sights, pulling the mag disconnect, putting on a C&S trigger, sear and hammer. With your current list of 9mm's it's kind of hard to add something that's any better, I'd try the classic BHP.

Best,
Jerry
 
If you are looking for something different, then how about an STI GP6?

I don't own one, so I can't endorse it. But, I am definitely interested.
 
Get something different. You need a single-action gun.
Go with a Browning Hi-Power. :cool:
 
My most accurate (at least in my hands) 9mm is my Witness Elite Match made by Tanfoglio in Italy. It's single action with a very nice trigger. Probably the best trigger of my semi-autos. I know that they're used competitively.
Witness002.jpg
 
Had a 34 once...great shooter.

Not a Kel-tec PF9...great carry gun, not made for lotsa range time.
 
if you are going with an out of the box shooter, take a look at the M&P9 Pro. Has a nicer trigger than the Glock or XDm. If you get the M&PL, an Apex sear is $30, which is better than the M&P Pro sear.

i just bought a XDm-9 a few weeks back and a M&P9 Pro this weekend. need to go to the range and shoot them along with my G24.
 
Good responses so far.. thanks everyone.

P30 - I may have to look at this as it gets great reviews and is up to 60+ thousand rounds over on the pistol-training.com site and still going. I used to have a HK USP40 I just didn't like.. too bulky, but maybe the P30 is better.

Taurus - I've just never warmed up to them for some reason.. maybe have to try one at the range sometime..

BHP - Yeah.. I would love to have a real nice blued version with classic wood grips. Go good with my 1911's. I do like the "classic" guns.

Sig226 - have one as mentioned in post

EAA Witness - I had one in wonder compact 40 version years ago and the quality (at least of mine) sucked. I sold it and got the CZ which to me was 10x better for me. I like CZ quality.

CZ Tac/Sport - I'll have to look into this one... Yeah, for a range gun I'm not concerned about weight.. up till this point most of my guns were based on carry.. I have enough of those so going with fun to shoot now and not concerned about small/light guns.

M&P9 - Are the M&Ps as easy to work on as Glocks? If dropping in the sear is an at home job this may be a good option. I'm not a big fan of sending new guns out for smith work.
 
I don't know about the previous EAA pistols, but there is nothing wrong with or cheap looking about the this Witness Elite. If I were going to compete, I'd want to look at something with a SA trigger. Same pull every time. Lighter and crisper too. And from what I've seen, the CZs in SA and the Witness in SA have darn nice triggers. I've got an XDm, and without a trigger job, I'm not crazy about the trigger. I've never handled a Glock or any of the other striker fired pistols, so I can't speak to their triggers, but if they're similar to the XDm, I probably wouldn't like them either.

So, if it were me, I'd be looking at a metal gun with a hammer in single action. But your mileage may vary.
 
CZ Tac/Sport - I'll have to look into this one... Yeah, for a range gun I'm not concerned about weight.. up till this point most of my guns were based on carry.. I have enough of those so going with fun to shoot now and not concerned about small/light guns.
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That tactical sport is a sweet gun. I have never fired one, but I have handled them and dry fired them. They got a really light, crisp trigger right out of the box, like 2lbs I think. The only thing I have felt better was a tuned 1911.

I am a CZ fan however so I am biased.

You might get a 1911 in a 9mm, but I think a CZ would give you better value as most 1911's in 9mm are overpriced for what you get.

The m&p pro has a nice trigger too, best out of the box trigger I have felt on a striker fired gun. With the longer barrel, competition sights, and tuned trigger I personally think it offers good value for the money too.

The witness line looks nice and I have handled a few of those but EAA customers service kinda scares me off. I dont see anything they offer that looks like a better target gun the CZ tac sports either, although they do offer an open class race gun.

I got a CZ 75b single action with a trigger job on it from the custom shop and an extended mag release.

Best thing about it, is that kadet 22 caliber kit fits on it, talk about cheap practice, I can shoot all day long with a box of 22's for $16. Its really improved my shooting game.
 
Wbwanzer, I did some reading after your post and the Witness Elite Match does get some really good reviews. Maybe I'll have to give them a try again as I really did like the platform on my older .40, just not all the malfunctions. Looks like that isn't an issue with the 9mm versions, or mine could have just been a lemon. I polished the feed ramp and everything.. but didn't like standard 180gr factory loads.
 
Love my Glock 34 :) Just throwing that in there since you are considering. Great trigger, easy to shoot, low recoil, high capacity, tons of upgrades out there, 100% reliable
 
how about a 9mm 1911? STI has a 9mm Spartan (~$650) that should be out soon.

The m&p pro has a nice trigger too, best out of the box trigger I have felt on a striker fired gun. With the longer barrel, competition sights, and tuned trigger I personally think it offers good value for the money too.
Click to expand...

Just picked one up this weekend for $430. only 50 rounds through it :)

DSC_1445.jpg
 
Not a 92Fs but a 90-Two

Beretta - Used to have a 92 and couldn't shoot it for the world. Others shot it well but it just never came around for my shooting style.. can't say I want to risk it again.. plus it was super heavy for a 9mm.
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...

I just shot a buddies 90-Two, light weight, 9mm and it is far superior, shooting wise to a 92FS. It is so docile, like shooting a 22lr, when it comes to weight and balance, falling back on target, and he had comp springs which made the DA light, smooth, along with the SA break was light, pure, just a joy to shoot compared to his 92 Inox that I shot, as well.

And, IMHO, there is a very noticeable difference in weight/balance, recoil, accuracy, etc., favoring, without doubt, the 90-Two. He also had a full fingered Hogue slip-on sleeve which, to me, was the icing on the cake, which, to me, just gave the gun a natural feel for my grip, as well.


Ls
 
Hawk,

For something different and not prohibitively expensive, how about a used H&K P7 PSP? German police trade-ins can be found for around $600.
 
If you like and carry Glocks, practice with a Glock.

If you want something different and inexpensive look at Stoeger Cougars. IMHO they are the best value in handguns right now. You should be able to find one for less than $400. The rotating barrel design makes them extremely accurate.
 
If I was going to get a full size frame 9mm that was not for use as a primary daily carry piece it would definately be a Browning Hi-Power.

Either that or a CZ with a trigger job.
 
How about a Steyr M-A1? They're not always easy to find anymore but they're out there. I wish now I'd scooped one up when they were plentiful and in the $300 range. By the way, that Taurus G2 looks schweet!

pix252948203.gif
 
CZ Tactical Sport SA
cz_tactical_sport.jpg
 
A friend of mine, just bought CZ's best kept secret.

He found a nib CZ 75SA for $385. It was problem free and very accurate OOB. He then replaced the hammer with the Custom Shop Comp Hammer and did a minor polishing of all the trigger components-- cost $55. He's intends to put on the comp rear and fiber optic front sights--$80. Total investment $515.

He went on to buy the 18 rd SPO1 mags (exact fit), competition holster and mag holders, and is shooting "successfully' in USPSA limited division.

I also saw where the CZ Custom Shop has put out a "Target" version of this same gun and available soon from CZ USA. WAY more dollars.

This is one smooth gun. I've tried the trigger and it truly is as good as any finely tuned high dollar .45, or competition STI.
 
I have the G34 love it, definitely out shoots the 92 fs and CZ 75B, the G34 works good for both IDPA, USPSA. But if you want to really shoot tight groups, with low recoil and fast recovery, then get an STI Spartan or step up to the Trojan. Or basically most 1911 9mm clones will out match most 9mm service pistols. Of your choices I would get the G34, change the factory sights to Dawson Precision, change the connector to the 3.5#, maybe a compensated barrel just for the noise. Out of the box, G34 definitely your best choice.
 
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