I need some ideas for the sweetest 9mm $1000 to $1200 can buy...would like it to be capable of 2 inch groups at 50 yards and stainless.

Dave

Sorry but I don't know of any. You can get a 2" capable 9mm, sig P210 for example, but not in stainless and not even near that price. The custom shop Smith 952 is available in stainless but I doubt you can get a new one for less than $1400-1500. You could probably find a nice used one for under $1200.

Other than that you'll need to buy something and send it off to one of the good pistolsmiths.

I have a NIB browning Hi power---is this a good platform to start on and who could I send it to???

http://www.cylinder-slide.com/
Very good pistolsmiths.

http://www.theactionworks.com/browning.htm
These guys are known for combat pistols, not sure about bullseye type work.

http://egw-guns.com/egw.htm
Evolution is really known for their 1911's but do fine work on High Powers also.

http://www.apwcogan.com/Browning.htm
I have not shot one of their pistols but am seiously considering sending my spare MKIII in .40 S&W. I've talked to them and liked what I heard.

And there are others I didn't mention because I don't have their web pages bookmarked. I have a High Power Competition model in 9mm, with the slightly different trigger geometry it's a superb target pistol. I thought about going to a 1911 style gun in 9mm but the High Power just seems to fit better for me.

Most people would not consider the High Power for a pure target pistol, the trigger set up means it can never be quite as clean or light as a really good 1911. But it's good enough for me. With a good trigger job, well fitted competition grade barrel and a hard chrome finish you might be there.

Browningguy gave a lot of good info. If you haven't already, snoop around on this forum and you'll see several threads that are pertinent to your question:

Louder Than Words

I bought a second-hand BHP customized by Ted Yost and it is accurate, beautiful and has as good a trigger as I've ever encountered on a BHP.

problem is you want stainless. the 952 is steel & I don't think there is a stainless HP. Accuracy wise the 952 is the best, but it it built as a target gun, whereas the HP is a field gun

quote:

Originally posted by lubbockdave:
I have a NIB browning Hi power---is this a good platform to start on and who could I send it to???

I dont think it is possible to get a Hi-Power up to Bullseye accuracy level. If, you do find someone who can, do let me know....I would love to get one that good.

I think the only 9mm with this capability is the S&W 952.

My High Power Competition model will do that out of a Ransom rest with the right load. Not with me behind the wheel though, although the Competition model has a great trigger (for a High Power), it's still not as good as a really good 1911 trigger.

The CZ-75 SA is certainly a candidate and the price is in the $400 range. There is also a new accurizing system for the Beretta 92 that is very capable of making it a sub 2" gun at 50 yards!

can you provide more info on the "accurizing system"? Who installs it, where can I get it done? cost?

Thanks everyone for the replies!


Dave

I have had some work done by Tip Burns in Canyon Lake, Texas. He install a set of Hi-Viz sights on my Browning Hi-Power.

Give hima call. A nice fellow who does good work!
Burns Gun Repair

Dave: The system was developed by the armorer for the US Army's pistol team. The Armorer retired from the army and put his system on the market. I believe I heard about it at http://www.czforum.com or maybe at http://www.thefiringline.com. Probably the best place to check would be http://www.berettaforum.net
Sorry, but it's been awhile since I saw it, but it is hard to forget when you hear about a system that enhances accuracy like this frame/slide tensioning system does. Some groups were close to 1" at 50 yards and not many people believe the 9mm is an accurate round! Hah!

The CZ 75 SA is a single action version of the 75 B and has a trigger stop provided in the blade style trigger and they can be amazingly accurate. I don't really have a report for 50 yards, but 1/2" groups at 25 are not uncommon and if you increase the range by distance and minute of angle, it does make it 50 yard, 2" capable. Very few stock guns in any caliber are capable of this kind of accuracy. As previously mentioned, the SIG P-210 was always rated near the top, but the last time I saw one, the were around $2500, or about what a comparably shooting 1911 will cost you. At CZ forum and over at the forum I administrate on we have a resident gunsmith who does a fine trigger job (3-3.5 lbs) on CZ pistols with manual safeties for about $135. http://www.miossigunworks.com

My favorite 9mm is an all-Belgium Browning HP that was fully customized by Wayne Novak. It's a superb pistol in every way, absolutely reliable, beautiful, and a real tackdriver.

ALWAYS replace the barrel on a HP with a new match-grade custom job, always have a no-bite hammer installed as well as an enlarged custom safety, sights you can really see, a trigger job, as well as a complete dehorning job. Those are the basic "must-dos"..........

http://www.novaksights.com

AD

Cylinder & Slide (in Nebraska) is famous for their work on Brownings. They can make it shoot like you want. I would buy a CZ. Go over the CZ forum and check it out with the folks over there to find out which model, who the good CZ tuners are, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by lubbockdave:
I need some ideas for the sweetest 9mm $1000 to $1200 can buy...would like it to be capable of 2 inch groups at 50 yards and stainless.

Dave

That kind of accuracy is great. But according to law enforcement statistics the average conflict involving hand guns is under 15 feet.

I like Hi Powers a lot. At least one person gets pretty good results with them.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Accuracy.htm

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/FN%20Competition%20Model.htm


If you buy something new, here may be just the pistol you're asking for.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/520103904/m/166109429

My CZ 75 will do 2" @ 50 yds out of the box. They are made to zero @ 30 meters with +P. The other two criteria are the shooter and the ammunition.
All that steel also helps to hold steady.

This might ruffle some feathers, but I would buy a glock and juice it up. I am in the process of getting a G22 ready for IPSC right now. I will post specs/pics when I am done-Ben

I'll second the Glock!!

I've got a box-stock 29 that will go 4" at 50 yards off sandbags........and as a pistol shooter, I suck. I'd imagine this gun could be really dangerous with some competent accurizing.

I don't know why I didn't think of it before, but if you're not wedded to stainless, an option is to nickle plate a Hi Power. My partner has one done by Pachmayer over twenty years ago and it is still a sharp looking, accurate pistol.

Here is a favorite of mine

I just picked up a blued 952 used but like new for a grand. I havent had a chance to do load development for it and probably wont till spring. But i took it to the indoor range and shot a couple rounds of ppc with it and a couple with the old reliable gold cup and the smith defineatly outshot the colt and the colt is a 1.5 inch gun at 25 yards and unbelievably i was just using a box of winchester white box cause im still waiting for a star sizer die for the 9s.

G17L, and put steel adjustable sights on it.

Cheers, Dave.