Best value in a 9mm today?

[schapm]

Smith & Wesson 9mm Model 915 Part #SW-915

I was looking for pistols for my brother-in-law to buy and happened across this deal. Can anyone else beat it in terms of value for dollar? Doesn't necessarily have to be under $230 if it is more gun for the money.

 

[Dr_O]

That one is used.

Hard to compare value until you know just how used it is.

 

[Osobuco]

yep - those are used - may be police trade ins

 

[Hoosier8]

Police trade ins, not produced for very long, and not desirable thus the lower price.

If you want a full size, spend just a little more and buy a Bersa Thunder Pro. I picked up a NIB one (earlier model without the rail) for $305 at the Indy 1500 a couple of years ago.

from best nines The Best Nines - Best 9mm Pistol Site handgun review test gun dealer auction

19. Bersa Thunder 9 High Capacity: Haggle Price $350-$380
What a nice shooting pistol! The HC model holds 17 rounds. I can't believe you can buy such a nice pistol for so little money. The Thunder 9 has that expensive pistol feel to it. I did get a few FTE jams with Winchester white box. After break-in, the cheap ammo should feed fine. Premium ammo was no problem. The 4.2" barrel and good trigger provided excellent accuracy. It points and handles like a Smith 5903, but grips smaller. At only 28 ounces, it is a fine carry gun. Team Bersa is making noise in combat contest. The Bersa Thunder is a proven military and police sidearm in South America. A buddy of mine has an older Bersa 9mm with about 3000 trouble free rounds. Lifetime warranty.

 

[SSGSAD]

Police trade ins, not produced for very long, and not desirable thus the lower price.

If you want a full size, spend just a little more and buy a Bersa Thunder Pro. I picked up a NIB one (earlier model without the rail) for $305 at the Indy 1500 a couple of years ago.

from best nines The Best Nines - Best 9mm Pistol Site handgun review test gun dealer auction

19. Bersa Thunder 9 High Capacity: Haggle Price $350-$380
What a nice shooting pistol! The HC model holds 17 rounds. I can't believe you can buy such a nice pistol for so little money. The Thunder 9 has that expensive pistol feel to it. I did get a few FTE jams with Winchester white box. After break-in, the cheap ammo should feed fine. Premium ammo was no problem. The 4.2" barrel and good trigger provided excellent accuracy. It points and handles like a Smith 5903, but grips smaller. At only 28 ounces, it is a fine carry gun. Team Bersa is making noise in combat contest. The Bersa Thunder is a proven military and police sidearm in South America. A buddy of mine has an older Bersa 9mm with about 3000 trouble free rounds. Lifetime warranty.

Thanks, for the link .....

 

[gunman41mag]

EXCUSE me but that is a SMITH & WESSON, It's Q U A L I T Y !!! That is an E X C E L L E N T price for a S & W 9MM

 

[Squib]

Since the S&W is used, that opens the permutations to, say 50,000 of them. Right now I'd say the best deal in a 9mm is the Kahr CW9 from Bud's for $366, and that includes shipping.

 

[revance]

Back when there was a good supply, I would say the best deal was the German Police trade-ins of the Sig P6. They were < $300. Now they are more because there haven't been any imported lately.

 

[bullet]

It's just my opinion, but smith should just stick with revolvers. Their semi's have never impressed me. But I'm basing my opinion on a pos 4506 I had in the past.

I saw a used state trooper Beretta 92 for 300 the other day. IMO much better deal.

 

[88E30M50]

I'll second the Bersa as one of the best deals out there. I have both compact and high cap versions of the 9 and both have been great. My favorite of the two is the 9UC (13 rounds) as it just feels very well balanced but the 9HC (17 round) is a great gun as well. I recently picked up a Bersa 45UC from my son and it's actually been getting carried more than my 1911s in the last week or so. I love 1911s, have 1911 sheets on the bed and 1911 boxer shorts but, that Bersa just feels good right now. It will not replace the 1911s, but it does make a nice carry gun.

 

[funkeecowboy]

Bersa's are nice guns and I'm a Smith fan but IMHO the best value in a 9mm is a Ruger P95. You can buy a new gun and a box of ammo for under $350 and walk away with a gun that will probably never fail you.

 

[black1705f]

I wouldn't mind getting a police trade in S&W 5906 if I knew it wasn't beat up.

 

[changelac]

For the price the Bersa (if you can find one) would be a good way to go. I've got the 9 UC and love it. Never a malfunction. The P95 seems nice too. I've read a lot of good things about them.

 

[Newbomb92]

You guys are crazier than a chithouse rat to recommend a bersa over a 3rd gen S&W. I have a 915 and the gun is great. No flaws.

 

[LtScott14]

Have to say my vote would be used: Glock 17,19 or G23/22. 3rd gen Smith or Ruger also good choice a lot of used Stainless Steel ones if you look around.
Seems newer models are overpriced, forcing used pricing up so people can't afford to buy.
Keep looking a lot of sale ones by personal owners, and find mags and holsters in the used box at some of the gun shows.

 

[schapm]

Thanks for all the replies so far. My personal list of best values includes a Ruger P-series and a Ruger SR-9. He already knows Glock is a good gun, so I didn't bother including it. I have always liked the older Smiths though. Good solid guns and I am not too worried about buying used. Obviously there's an element of risk, but I have yet to get burned too badly, and I've gotten some great deals. Most likely the springs would get replaced if he gets the Smith and then I suspect he would have a hell of a nice gun for less than $300 total. Throw in a couple spare mags, holster, etc and he could still get a couple of training classes for less than $1000 initial investment.

 

[Knight 1]

I have owned or own S&Ws, Bersa's, Ruger, Colts, CZ's and Charter Arms and while I am not an expert feel the Bersa's are the best for the money. You can pay more to get more but for around $225-250 you can get a Bersa Thunder 380 and that's very hard to match. It seems the Bersa haters have more often than not never owned one and base their views on like individuals.

 

[311thewiser]

Police trade in Smiths are where its at. For 300 bucks you can get a sweet shooter that will outlive you. Loved my 5906. Fantastic weapon.

 

[kawtech87]

I cant belive no one has mentioned what is, arguably, considered to be the most under rated pistol on the market.

The Sig SP2022.

SIG SAUER SP2022 9mm w/ Night Sights & Free Laser! : Semi Auto Pistols at GunBroker.com

Here is one for $415.00 brand new. They can be had cheaper used obviously, and if you find a certified preowned Sig SP2022 I dont think you could possibly go wrong.

Ive never shot one of the S&W but they also have a good rep. And for the price you listed I wouldnt think twice about it.

 

[M67]

Stoeger Cougar isn't bad either.

Sig 2022 (as mentioned above), a newer Sig 250, CZ 75, or maybe a Smith 39 if it's not shot to death.