AboutDean Speir Expertise I can answer questions about Handguns, Rifles, Ammunition, the Firearms Industry, the "gunzine game," practical accessories for self-defense (CCW) handguns; rumor control on firearms myths, errata on the "gunshop grapevine."
I am NOT an Attorney, and nothing I provide here should be relied upon as legal advice. Therefore, please do NOT make inquiries about Criminal Justice issues... this is the Second Amendment topic.
Nor do I do "Private Consultations." Want to made it "private," retain an attorney.
Experience 25 years practical and competitive hangunning; 26 years in the firearms industry; 15 years writing for the gunzines, including 4½ years as Industry Editor for The New Gun Week; maintainer of www.thegunzone.com.
Organizations Life Member, NRA
Publications Guns Magazine, Combat Handguns, Petersen's Handguns, American Handgunner, The New Gun Week, Gun & Shooter, American Handgunner, Shooting Industry, American Firearms Industry, Machine Gun News, Practical Shooting International, Law Enforcement Techology, Police Product News, The American Guardian, The Shotgun News, Visier (Germany) and various DBI Books.
Education/Credentials BA in English
Graduate Lethal Force Institute
Graduate Gunsite
Graduate Defensive Training Institute
Question What do you consider the best automatic 9mm under $500, taking into consideration, accuracy, construction & life.
Answer Hello, Ed...
This is a difficult inquiry to address with a short, simple answer considering the fact that there are other criteria you didn't address, starting with "intended use" (i.e., target shooting, personal protection for carry, personal protection for home defense, casual plinking, etc.)
My all-time favorite in that chambering is the 3900-series Smith & Wesson (my personally-owned variant may be seen at http://www.thegunzone.com/3913nl.html), but I'm not sure you can still find one within your price parameters.
Another popular one is the Glock (Models 17, 19 and 34), and if you look around you can probably find one of the first two variants for under $500, although aesthetically, I lean toward the last-cited.
An up and comer is the Springfield XD9, originally known as the HS2000 when it was imported directly from Croatia... the MSRP is $514, but you can often find a "good deal" on one.
There are many, many lesser-known "off-brands" around well beneath your $500 price ceiling, but they are unknown quantities to me.
Again, there should be more dialogue on this to help focus in on a proper solution for you, and the best way to do that is go to http://www.ambackforum.com/viewforum.php?f=75, register and post your follow-up questions there.
