Davidson's vs. CDNN

[Willow Drifter]

I am thinking of purchasing a new M9. I have searched through the boards a bit and understand there are 3 different slide finishes that vary depending on serial number range. I am looking for a black one without the import markings being changed as happened on the parkerized M9s. What have you all gotten from CDNN and Davidsons? Any trends?

Thanks for the help.

WD

[CGuns]

CDNN. Bunch of good ol' Texas boys at CDNN. Stand up gents that are a pleasure to do business with. Wish most places conducted themselves like CDNN and that is directed not just towards the firearms industry, but, in general. As a caveat, pricing tends to be better.

Regards, CGuns

[RIPPED]

CDNN here.

[dsgrntldPW]

Davidson's offers their "Lifetime Guarantee" program. Basically if you have problem with something you buy from them, and it cannot be fixed, they replace it. Maybe not a big deal with many of the 'Big Boys' who have their own lifetime warranty programs and service departments, but might be handy for the M9 since Steyr does not seem to have a strong service presence in the U.S. Price ain't that much different, with an M9 currently running $285-290 @ Davidson's.

[Aerobolt]

I purchase all my guns either from Davidson's or private party. I have had "lemon" weapons and the lifetime replacement worked without a flaw - a call to Davidson's, drop the weapon at the dealer, wait a day and pick up new weapon! Very Slick!

The Steyr's I purchased from Davidson's were a black satin finish - S40 & M9.

[Navy87Guy]

What are the odds I'll need the Davidson's warranty on my M9? I'm trying to weigh the benefits versus the cost. It will run me about $60 more to buy through Davidson's than CDNN. That's 25% of the cost of the gun!

The other issue is how the warranty would be honored. Since the M9 is being discontinued, Davidsons will repair the gun or replace it with a "comparable" model at their discretion. I'm assuming that if I had any problems after the two-year Steyr warranty is up, that they won't find an M9 to replace it with. So then I'm stuck with waiting for repairs or having them decide what to replace it with. Unless it's a new M-A1, I'd probably opt to keep the M9, in which case I'll have to pay and the Davidson's warranty becomes useless.

It doesn't sound like folks have had a lot of problems with their M9's -- so I'm leaning toward CDNN. Anyone violently disagree??

Thanks!
Jim

[dsgrntldPW]

Could you break down that $60 difference for us? I did not realize CDNN was selling Steyr M-series for around $210. I ordered an M9 online this evening through one of Davidson's dealers near me:

Costs:

M9 $277.49 (Also saw it for $270)
Shipping $12.95 (Fedex Standard, I'm in AZ)
Tax (AZ resident) $22.48
Total $312.92

You would not have sales tax if you are not in AZ. You're shipping and FFL fees should be about the same from either place. I do not see how there can be that much difference.

While Steyrs are a very reliable pistol, there may still be a lemon or two out there. Steyr does not have much of a service network out there at this time, and they have changed distributors at least once, if not more, over the past few years. Good factory authorized service may be hard to come by if you do have a problem. If it cannot be fixed Davidson's will replace it, probably with the newer model. But if they offer something else in its place I would bet it will be as good as the Steyr. They have a reputation to maintain and know what could happen if that reputation was tarnished in the gun community. If you do not like the replacement offered you could still keep the gun and find a gunsmith to fix it for you, just as you would do if you bought at CDNN. For the difference in cost between the two sellers in this particular case (Steyr M9), I think Davidson's is worth a hard look. The difference may be more, or less, on different model firearms though. And each may offer a particular model at a sale price at any given time, so it pays to shop.

[Navy87Guy]

For me, it works out:
Davidson's - $329 (incl shipping, tax and FFL fee.)
CDNN - $250 + $10 S/H + $17 FFL = $277

That's $52. I'd save another $10 because I'd order spare mags from CDNN at the same time -- one shipping charge.

The "Davidson's" price is set by the local shop -- Davidson's tells them their dealer cost and let's them set their advertised price for the Power Search. That's why it varies. The shop near me is offering the gun for $292. Because you buy locally from the shop, you end up paying sales tax in whatever state you live in - not just Arizona.


I'll probably end up going with Davidson's just because I'm conservative. :)

[KONY]

Navy87Guy,

I went with Davidson's as well. My total came out to $317 out-the-door at Virginia Arms. I think the extra $ was worth it for the peace-of-mind, IMHO.

[DougK]

Interesting discussion.

I called my local shop and asked them about getting an S-9 from Davidson's. They checked into it and said it would be best for mr to buy from CDNN, and they would handle the ffl $25.

Makes you say umm.

The other thing is I have never had problems with quality manufacturers, Steyr is a quality manufacturer.

Doug

[FWF]

Actually, I kinda would like one with "GZS, Baldwin, IL" on it. Zanders is our local wholesaler. The funny thing is, I don't recall seeing the Steyrs ever listed in their catalogs; I wonder how that deal went down.

[KONY]

I called my local shop and asked them about getting an S-9 from Davidson's. They checked into it and said it would be best for mr to buy from CDNN, and they would handle the ffl $25.

Strange, perhaps they just didn't care for Davidson's? Did you try getting the prices for the Steyr from the three closest FFls that Davidson's search gives you? As I said, CDNN will definitely be cheaper but not by too much.

The other thing is I have never had problems with quality manufacturers, Steyr is a quality manufacturer.

Although I agree with you that Steyr is a quality manufacturer, the fact is that ALL guns (regardless of manufacturer) can have issues, IMHO. Plus, since Steyr is still establishing themselves in the States, it's nice to know that you will get your pistol repaired and/or replaced. No more M9's? give me one of those M9-A1! ;)

[DougK]

The shop that said to get it from CDNN, also got me a Ruger .44 mag that was on sale from Davidson. The price difference between Davidson was close to $70. That was not worth the life time warranty for me.

[FlaChef]

umm, Ruger puts a lifetime warranty on Rugers. The davidson's warranty is only worth it in the cas of something like the steyr warranty which is 2 years original owner.

an analogy...

Honda has one of the shortest warraties in the auto business, my first prelude died at 265,000 miles because I didn't change the timing belt (still kicking myself on that one). I knew a girl w/ a kia (big 10yr100k mile warranty)that spent as much time in the shop under "warranty work" as it did on the road.

That being said, there has been a bad honda or two, and i did buy my second Steyr through davidson's for $30 more. Conversley when I bought my current prelude it was just out of warranty and did not spend the extra to buy an extended plan (never said i was consistant;g ).

[DougK]

And the real reason why I buy from CDNN is because I Live in Texas...

End of Conversation....lol j/k

[KONY]

And the real reason why I buy from CDNN is because I Live in Texas...End of Conversation....lol j/k

DougK, good enough for me! ;)

umm, Ruger puts a lifetime warranty on Rugers. The davidson's warranty is only worth it in the cas of something like the steyr warranty which is 2 years original owner.

FlaChef, I agree!

[Yo]

Guys,

Read the literature that accompanies your Rugers. It says in three or four different places "No Express warranty". That's right, alone among the major manufacturers (and Amer. Rifleman will never tell you this), Ruger disavows any warranty coverage with their pistol.

That said, I've never had a problem sending a busted or defective Ruger back to get fixed. But Ruger reserves the right to say no. This and rather astonishing fit/finish variances between guns of the same caliber/product number is why I've purchased my last Ruger. Both my Ruger cowboy guns had to go back twice for multiple serious problems.

[KONY]

While I agree that the best warranty is one you'll never have to use ... a gun is a mechanical device made and used by man and as such, they are prone to malfunctions that may require you to send them in for repair. If this does happen with my Steyr, the good folks at Virginia Arms told me to just bring it to them and they'll get me a new pistol. With me being allergic to U.S. Post Offices and UPS, I can't ask for anything better. Another "silver lining" = going to the gun shop and looking at more guns! ;f