Need accurate 9mm range/competition pistol - The Firearms Forum

obxned · 01-05-2010, 08:28 AM

I am looking for a reasonably priced ($750 or less) 9mm range gun capable of making very small groups. The more accurate, the better. I am not planning on using it in one particular type of competition, but plan to try both bullseye and practical in the future. Other than having adjustable sights so I can easily use custom loads, I am open to any suggestions.

At present all my handguns are compact and sub-compact, ideal for carry and accurate enough for their intended purpose.

deadin · 01-05-2010, 09:13 AM

I can't speak to anything except Bullseye, but I don't see anyone using 9mm in Bullseye competition. I don't know if it's because the 9mm isn't inherently accurate as other chamberings or because the cartridge doesn't lend itself to handling target loads. (Wadcutters, etc.) Maybe with some special tuning and such you could make a usable one up, but I haven't seen anyone trying it.

obxned · 01-06-2010, 11:42 AM

If and when I decide to get seriously involved in a particular type of competition, I will get a pistol specificly for that. In the mean time, I need a very good range gun that can be used to try out different types of matches to see what I like best.

I know that the best gun for bullseye is not going to be the ideal practical shooting pistol, and vica versa, and that no $700 gun will be perfect for either. However, I have to start somewhere.

Claude Clay · 01-06-2010, 11:56 AM

P7 used fits your budget

though its short sight radius will make 25 yards problematic,
it will shine at 25 feet like no other

a S&W 952 is highly thought of also

cakes · 01-06-2010, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obxned

In the mean time, I need a very good range gun that can be used to try out different types of matches to see what I like best.

Isn't that the idea behind the Springfield XDm? Might be worth a look.

Nolaphoto1 · 01-07-2010, 02:35 PM

I second the XD nomination. I have the 5" XD in 9mm and it is an enjoyable gun to shoot, extremely easy to disassemble and clean, and accurate out of the box. Now, in my personal experience, it did not like the Remington bulk pack I bought. The Remington bulk pack of FMJ simply lacked the power to cycle the slide and instead of firing with authority, these rounds would go off like a dull thud or a push. Perhaps I simply had a bad batch of ammo. After two magazines of the stuff, I simple gave the rest away at the range. I seem to have lucked out. For target practice, my XD likes a healthy diet of Winchester White Box FMJ. It can tolerate WOLF, but I think the WOLF I tried was a little hot for my preference. I wonder if that might have something to do with case design...aluminum cased Wolf versus Winchester brass.

ANYWAY, I know we are all here to share info and socialize. However, picking a gun is such a unique and personal decision that it's best left to you. Every gun is different. Every single copy of a production lot is unique. One man's nightmare of a pea shooter is anothers' favorite plinker. I would suggest you find a gun shop that also has their own range. We have one in New Orleans that lets you rent just about every common handgun they stock. You can spend an hour or two with the model of gun you are interested in before you commit to buying the new one. Good Luck.

Shooter45 · 01-08-2010, 10:08 AM

Buy a Springfield XDM and when the time comes, send it to the Springfield Custom Shop. American Handgunner did an article on a custom shop XDM 9mm a few months ago. Not a one inch group but not bad.
If you want sub one inch groups, buy a custom built 1911 and load your own ammo.

hogger129 · 01-08-2010, 10:18 PM

H&K USP.

Redhand · 01-08-2010, 11:16 PM

Ruger SR9!!!!!! Great shooter!!!!!

mncarpenter · 02-07-2010, 03:22 AM

CZ SP01-http://czcustom.com/testproduct-298.aspx-only problem with CZ's is they are like potato chips, ya can't stop at one...I have the p01 and shot with a buddy who has a XDm-he went and bought a P01 the next day...

TTUshooter · 02-07-2010, 08:11 PM

my Glock 17 is plenty accurate and if you drop a Bar Sto barrel that will tighten up tolerences even more and make it more accurate.

Old Guy · 02-07-2010, 09:41 PM

I don't know if you have already bought or not, but I am looking at the Ruger SR9 and the CZ75. The CZ is probably the better pistol but he SR9 has great reviews, is American made, and is in the $400 to $500 range depending on models, etc.

obxned · 02-10-2010, 10:31 PM

I bought the CZ-85 Combat. I have only owned two pistols that were more accurate. One was a customized Gold Cup using match ammo. The other was a high-dollar .22 target pistol.

todd51 · 02-11-2010, 01:44 PM

I would like to hear more about your experience with Ruger's SR9. My best friend purchased one last summer and the trigger pull was terrible. I had to wind up using index fingers on both hands to finish off a mag. He sent it to Ruger and it was returned with less terrible trigger but it is still bad, bad, bad. Have seen others give the SR9 good ratings so maybe this one is an exception. It functions fine in every other way except that horrendous trigger pull.

dbltap · 02-18-2010, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claude Clay

P7 used fits your budget

though its short sight radius will make 25 yards problematic,
it will shine at 25 feet like no other

a S&W 952 is highly thought of also

Yes on the 952 but that is double his budget. they are Performance Center guns. Perhaps when he gets serious.

taz4 · 08-07-2010, 07:12 AM

i have been using a para-ordnace p9-18 for ipsc for awhile now...in my veiw it is the best out of the box 9mm there is...i use factory reloads and also military fmj's and altho there is a huge difference in snap they are both very accurate...if you hand load your own then the accuracy gets heaps better
ps have no idea what they cost in USA

01-05-2010, 08:28 AM	#1
obxned Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,342	Need accurate 9mm range/competition pistol I am looking for a reasonably priced ($750 or less) 9mm range gun capable of making very small groups. The more accurate, the better. I am not planning on using it in one particular type of competition, but plan to try both bullseye and practical in the future. Other than having adjustable sights so I can easily use custom loads, I am open to any suggestions. At present all my handguns are compact and sub-compact, ideal for carry and accurate enough for their intended purpose. __________________ Proud member of a North Carolina Committee of Safety "If we loose Freedom here, there's no place to escape to. This is the Last Stand on Earth!" Ronald Reagan -->

01-05-2010, 09:13 AM	#2
deadin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 867	Re: Need accurate 9mm range/competition pistol I can't speak to anything except Bullseye, but I don't see anyone using 9mm in Bullseye competition. I don't know if it's because the 9mm isn't inherently accurate as other chamberings or because the cartridge doesn't lend itself to handling target loads. (Wadcutters, etc.) Maybe with some special tuning and such you could make a usable one up, but I haven't seen anyone trying it.

01-06-2010, 11:42 AM	#3
obxned Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,342	Re: Need accurate 9mm range/competition pistol If and when I decide to get seriously involved in a particular type of competition, I will get a pistol specificly for that. In the mean time, I need a very good range gun that can be used to try out different types of matches to see what I like best. I know that the best gun for bullseye is not going to be the ideal practical shooting pistol, and vica versa, and that no $700 gun will be perfect for either. However, I have to start somewhere. __________________ Proud member of a North Carolina Committee of Safety "If we loose Freedom here, there's no place to escape to. This is the Last Stand on Earth!" Ronald Reagan

01-06-2010, 11:56 AM	#4
Claude Clay V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Central CT Posts: 451	Re: Need accurate 9mm range/competition pistol P7 used fits your budget though its short sight radius will make 25 yards problematic, it will shine at 25 feet like no other a S&W 952 is highly thought of also __________________ teachers may learn you the rules; experience will teach you the exceptions. NRA Instructor Last edited by Claude Clay; 01-06-2010 at 11:59 AM..

01-07-2010, 02:35 PM	#6
Nolaphoto1 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 109	Re: Need accurate 9mm range/competition pistol I second the XD nomination. I have the 5" XD in 9mm and it is an enjoyable gun to shoot, extremely easy to disassemble and clean, and accurate out of the box. Now, in my personal experience, it did not like the Remington bulk pack I bought. The Remington bulk pack of FMJ simply lacked the power to cycle the slide and instead of firing with authority, these rounds would go off like a dull thud or a push. Perhaps I simply had a bad batch of ammo. After two magazines of the stuff, I simple gave the rest away at the range. I seem to have lucked out. For target practice, my XD likes a healthy diet of Winchester White Box FMJ. It can tolerate WOLF, but I think the WOLF I tried was a little hot for my preference. I wonder if that might have something to do with case design...aluminum cased Wolf versus Winchester brass. ANYWAY, I know we are all here to share info and socialize. However, picking a gun is such a unique and personal decision that it's best left to you. Every gun is different. Every single copy of a production lot is unique. One man's nightmare of a pea shooter is anothers' favorite plinker. I would suggest you find a gun shop that also has their own range. We have one in New Orleans that lets you rent just about every common handgun they stock. You can spend an hour or two with the model of gun you are interested in before you commit to buying the new one. Good Luck. __________________ Jeff Gun List: Beretta A300 12ga., Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk1, Savage 10FP heavy barrel .308 w/ 4-12x 50mm Ballistic range finding scope and Harris bipod, Bushmaster AR-15 M4-A2, Springfield Armory XD Tactical 9mm, Marlin Model 60 .22, Browning Buck Mark .22, and Springfield Armory 1911-A1 Stainless Steel "Loaded," Browning BL-22. I also "shoot" with Canon cameras. Does that count? Wish list: H&K USP, Beretta 92-FS, CZ-75B, Anschutz 64MPR, FN-FAL,& an M-1 Garand

01-08-2010, 10:08 AM	#7
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,790	Re: Need accurate 9mm range/competition pistol Buy a Springfield XDM and when the time comes, send it to the Springfield Custom Shop. American Handgunner did an article on a custom shop XDM 9mm a few months ago. Not a one inch group but not bad. If you want sub one inch groups, buy a custom built 1911 and load your own ammo.

01-08-2010, 10:18 PM	#8
hogger129 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,078	Re: Need accurate 9mm range/competition pistol H&K USP. __________________ Samuel Adams once said, "among the natural rights of the colonists are these: first, a right to life, secondly to liberty, thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can."

01-08-2010, 11:16 PM	#9
Redhand Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 622	Re: Need accurate 9mm range/competition pistol Ruger SR9!!!!!! Great shooter!!!!!

02-07-2010, 03:22 AM	#10
mncarpenter V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Minnesota Contributor Posts: 480	Re: Need accurate 9mm range/competition pistol CZ SP01-http://czcustom.com/testproduct-298.aspx-only problem with CZ's is they are like potato chips, ya can't stop at one...I have the p01 and shot with a buddy who has a XDm-he went and bought a P01 the next day... __________________ *"No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is as formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women."- Ronald Reagan* *"Remember to have your democrats neutered or spayed" -Ann Coulter*

02-07-2010, 08:11 PM	#11
TTUshooter V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: DFW/Lubbock TX Posts: 159	Re: Need accurate 9mm range/competition pistol my Glock 17 is plenty accurate and if you drop a Bar Sto barrel that will tighten up tolerences even more and make it more accurate. __________________ Guns cause crime like cameras cause porn!

02-07-2010, 09:41 PM	#12
Old Guy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Beaufort County, NC Contributor Posts: 343	Re: Need accurate 9mm range/competition pistol I don't know if you have already bought or not, but I am looking at the Ruger SR9 and the CZ75. The CZ is probably the better pistol but he SR9 has great reviews, is American made, and is in the $400 to $500 range depending on models, etc. __________________ Old Guy ___________ NRA Life Member GOA Life Member

02-10-2010, 10:31 PM	#13
obxned Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,342	Re: Need accurate 9mm range/competition pistol I bought the CZ-85 Combat. I have only owned two pistols that were more accurate. One was a customized Gold Cup using match ammo. The other was a high-dollar .22 target pistol. __________________ Proud member of a North Carolina Committee of Safety "If we loose Freedom here, there's no place to escape to. This is the Last Stand on Earth!" Ronald Reagan

02-11-2010, 01:44 PM	#14
todd51 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central, Ohio Contributor Posts: 2,594	Re: Need accurate 9mm range/competition pistol I would like to hear more about your experience with Ruger's SR9. My best friend purchased one last summer and the trigger pull was terrible. I had to wind up using index fingers on both hands to finish off a mag. He sent it to Ruger and it was returned with less terrible trigger but it is still bad, bad, bad. Have seen others give the SR9 good ratings so maybe this one is an exception. It functions fine in every other way except that horrendous trigger pull. __________________ Retired Praefectus Vigilum NRA Endowment Member

08-07-2010, 07:12 AM	#16
taz4 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 7	Re: Need accurate 9mm range/competition pistol i have been using a para-ordnace p9-18 for ipsc for awhile now...in my veiw it is the best out of the box 9mm there is...i use factory reloads and also military fmj's and altho there is a huge difference in snap they are both very accurate...if you hand load your own then the accuracy gets heaps better ps have no idea what they cost in USA