Well I was going to say Staccato, but not in his budget.

I've always liked the p226 and its many variations. Apparently it's discontinued but the p226 Tacpro was an awesome hand gun.

It's a plastic gun but the USP still stands as a pistol that is high on my list.

For my taste:

1. Dan Wesson VBOB 9mm.

2. Sig P226 SAO Legion.

Used Staccato then

Buy the best under $1500, starts w a s and ends w ig you like

New or used

Dan Wesson Guardian $1,500 ish

Sprinfield Range Officer under $1,000

Two of favorite not plastic 9MM

You just missed a hell of a deal on a Sig X5 on the forums for $1500. That would be my vote for a non plastic non carry semi auto

My $$ goes to

Dan Wesson 1911 Specialist with a rail mount green laser

SIG Legion with threaded barrel, little on the heavy side.

Any SIG 320

BUDGET: Canik CMTE with threaded barrel. or, Springfield XDM Elite

The sweetest 9mm I’ve ever shot was a Bob Marvel Nighthawk. In a different league than any auto loading pistol I have shot. It is 3 times the budget so I went with a Hi-Power. Still the military side arm for 50 countries for good reason.