[Nightcrawler]

I'll have to ponder this some more, and try out some more types of ammo. But, to date, my CZ-97 has had a hard time feeding JHP ammo. Silvertips, Cor-Bon, Triton...all have had misfeeds (whereas it's 100% reliable, even with dirt in the action, with FMJ ammo).

I really like the gun, and it's so nice. For the price, I'm amazed at the fit and finish. However, if I can't get it to reliably feed JHP ammo, I'm going to sell/trade it.

So, what should I get? I have a few criteria.

-There must be holsters, etc. available for it. One of the troubles with the CZ-97 is finding stuff that fits it. There're no barrels, few holsters, and no grips.

-It must reliably feed even wide mouthed JHP ammunition out of the box. I'm willing to to have a short break in, but it MUST be able to swallow stuff like Cor-Bon, Triton, Texas Ammo, and Buffalo Bore.

-It must be STRONG. It should be able to withstand large amounts of +P/+P+ ammunition. I like guns that I don't have to baby.

-It must be reliable. Not just with ammo, but when dirty.

-Calibers? .45ACP or 10mm. This part is non-negotiable.

-Nothing too expensive. I don't want to drop $1200 on this pistol. Rougly $500 or so seems right, less is better, more is doable with some saving.

-Must be lefty friendly. The fact that I can't easily get an ambi safety on my CZ-97 has bugged me.


Well, there are the criteria. What do you think? I'm thinking Ruger KP90 perhaps. It seems to fit the bill. The Glock's a little blocky for Nightcrawler's hand, but a G20/10mm does sound appealing. HK USP45 would be nice, and I could get lefty controls installed (is that something I can do myself or do I have to find an HK armorer?), but they're pricey at rougly $750 in my area.

So?

[valnar]

I don't shoot +P ammo in it, but I've never had an issue with my SIG P220 feeding anything.

It's also a relatively light gun compared to an all steel 1911. Dunno about strength then....

If you want something that will eat anything and can take it, get a S&W 625. It's much more fun to shoot!

Robert

[seeker_two]

Ruger P90/97
1911 (Colt, Springfield, Kimber, Charles Daly, Dan Wesson would work. Ambi safeties easy to find.)
Beretta 8045 Cougar
Sig 220/245 in DAO
S&W 45-series in DAO
S&W P99

Good luck w/ shopping...

[Morgan]

Hmm... I'd look for a used USP45.

[Nightcrawler]

Hmm...don't like Double Action Onlies. And the Sig's controls are a little awkward for a left handed person to use.

Are Springfield Mil-Specs and comparable entry-level 1911s really that reliable out of the box? I don't like the Springfield loadeds. In a 1911, I'd prefer something with no front cocking serrations, a spur hammer, and an ambi safety. I'd have to start with a Mil-Spec or basic Colt and modify.

USP sounds good, but oh so pricey, and the $50 a pop 10-rd mags don't help either.

Given my price range, I'm thinking a Ruger P90 or P95 might be best. The P95 will be lighter, but I think it's decock only. (if you're going to have the slide mounted safety anyway, may as well have the option to carry with the safety on).

[Darrin]

One of my coworkers recently bought used .40USP for $550.

I bring this up not to talk you into the .40, but to show the price used.

You didn't specify 'new' or 'used.' Any criteria there?


edit: My bro has the Ruger P95 (if that's the .45....) Can't tell you what kind, but he only shoots JHPs. Well, some FMJs, but not many. He's had no complaints for the $450ish he spent.

[Nightcrawler]

Two of my three handguns were bought used. However, there're only a couple shops in my area, and the odds of finding something used that I like are not great. If I find a used deal I'll pick it up, but for discussion I often run on the assumption that I won't be able to find a used gun that I want. *shrug*

[Darrin]

My buddy bought his at the gunshow in the aisle. Sold his Colt Series 70 1911 for $550.......hey, I lied to you, he paid $500 for the USP. (I knew $550 was in there somewhere.... :rolleyes: )

I've shot that USP and fondled, err, held the P95. I reeeeeally like the feel of the P95, but never shot it.

[seeker_two]

Are Springfield Mil-Specs and comparable entry-level 1911s really that reliable out of the box?

From what I've heard & tried, yes. Colt 1991's too--mine's bone stock except for LPA adj. sights.

Hmm...don't like Double Action Onlies. And the Sig's controls are a little awkward for a left handed person to use.

Not if you sling-shot the slide. And SIG DAO is pretty smooth--from what I've heard.

Given my price range, I'm thinking a Ruger P90 or P95 might be best. The P95 will be lighter, but I think it's decock only. (if you're going to have the slide mounted safety anyway, may as well have the option to carry with the safety on).

P95 is the 9mm. P97 is the .45ACP. And they do make them w/ slide-mounted safeties as well as decockers & DAO. I'm considering the P95 as a "traveling" 9mm...

Good luck on your shopping...

[Nightcrawler]

P97...that's what I was thinking of.

Basically it comes down to whether or not I want a polymer frame or an alloy frame. I've never held a p97...the P90's grip angle wasn't at all unagreeable, and could probably be improved with different grips.

With the P97, you have the option of one of those Hogue or similar grip sleeves.

Hmm...I'll have to think about it. I've grown very fond of the CZ-97, after all, but I'd just prefer a pistol where I didn't have to hunt around to find ammo that it liked (it has overall length of cartridge issues, I think, and that' why it's so picky). Others' CZ-97s seem to be more reliable than mine, even.

Still...a Ruger would allow me to find holsters, barrels, and other accessories without having to hunt around. They don't even MAKE certain accessories for the CZ-97.

[longeyes]

Glock 30.

[Nightcrawler]

Glock 30.

I don't think so. I'm looking for a full sized right now anyway.

[Ladybug]

I LOVE my Beretta Cougar 8045. It's not super-easy to find holsters and other stuff for it, because I think the .45 model is fairly new, but otherwise it's an excellent pistol.

[Correia]

Hmm... Tough criteria.

If you need to choose between the P90 and the P97, I would take the 97. I have a P91 (.40 version of the 90) and the trigger pull is clunky. Plus the gun is enormous. The 97s I've played with seemed to have better triggers, and were not nearly as clunky.

However I would go with a 1911 with an ambi safety, but that is just me. Most of the good manufacturers will have a warrenty good enough so that if your gun doesn't feed hollow points they will fix it. I had one Springfield that I send back for just that reason. They did a throat and polish job, tested it with 3 types of ammo, and payed for the shipping both ways. The problem is that $500 is pretty low for a good 1911. But I love single action.

Now if you don't mind double action, (and apparently you don't) the Beretta Couger is a fine gun. But they are still over $500.

As is the Smith 4506 series. (though they have a grip like a 2x4, you can get Houges for them that aren't bad). CDNN has 4553 and 4583 TSWs for $449. But they are DAO. The 4506 is $579 and that is getting into USP territory.

CDNN is also advertising used USPs in the $400 range. However they are in .40 and I'm assuming PD trade ins.

[10-Ring]

Shop around for the used USP! I got my USP 9 last year for $485 and I've put 3000+ rounds through it since...you can't go wrong w/ HK ;)

[gudel]

i have the USP 45. it does everything you ask except it's not cheap. i paid mine for $829, new.

[Andrew Wyatt]

consider a steel framed 1911.

[Nightcrawler]

Will an entry level 1911 (Springfield Mil-Spec, for instance) reliably feed JHP ammunition out of the box? The reports I've heard on them seem to be that some do, some don't, it's hard to say. It's already got one strike against it, being that it won't come with an Ambi Safety, so it had better be reliable.

[Blueduck]

-It must be STRONG. It should be able to withstand large amounts of +P/+P+ ammunition. I like guns that I don't have to baby.

When I was considering coverting my 4506 to 45 Super (never got around to it) I was advised by Triton that they would hold up and in fact they used them as test guns for that reason. Big heavy and really absorbes the recoil of hotter rounds. Never shot any +P+ through mine but have put a box of Winchester Ranger +P 230 grain bullets through it, no problem (never had a feeding problem with any sort of hollowpoint btw) While I'm sure the Ruger 97 is a good gun (as most Rugers are) I'm not sure it's raw strength can really compare to the 4506.

As for grips I tried the Houges but they made the gun feel way too big for my taste. S/W makes flat and curved backstrap regular grips for this gun. Only problem I got with mine is that .45 ammo is too expensive and it's hard for me to recover cases to reload where I shoot. Gun should be left handed friendly as well, give one a try along with the shorter barrel variations. Might be just what your looking for.

[Tom B]

Oh my Gawd he's having feeding problems with his CZ so lets send him to get a 1911! That'l break him from sucking eggs! :neener:

[Lennyjoe]

http://www.taurususa.com/imagesMain/H_945SS4.jpg



A full size, full power .45 ACP pistol built to last and be relied on. The three position safety for carrying cocked and locked is ambidextrous!

[GitSome45]

Ruger P-97...

For cost and durability, the Ruger P-97 is IT...

I`ve owned a couple, and they are BULLETPROOF...!

Bought it just after the "Torture test" was done by one of the prominent gun magazines when Ruger was first bringing it out, and they TORTURED the *poop* out of it 5000 rds + , and it actually got "more accurate" according to the reviewer, and ran absolutely "FLAWLESSLY"...

I would personally even run .45 Super loads through it on a limited basis if I could find a heavier recoil spring, w/o concern... (never did it, but would'nt probably hurt the gun IMO...)

Maybe not .45 Super, but ,45 acp +p+, NOOOO PROBLEM!

Just a "GOOD GUN" all around.

JMHO,

Howard

[CB900F]

Nightcrawler;

I am also a left handed shooter. I carry the USPc in .40. I've had my H&K for about 6 years now. No problems, ever, at all, shooting both factory & handloads. H&K retro-fitted the ambi operating lever to mine last year at reasonable cost & quick turn around time.

I've also had a Ruger P90. The trigger was vastly poorer than the H&K. The gun is strong, durable and reliable. But, like any semi with a slide mounted safety/operating lever, it's ergonomically incorrect. That's bassackwards to what your thumb wants to do while you're getting a grip on the draw.

When I was shopping for the semi carry gun, the two choices that met my criteria were the Taurus & the H&K. I've never regretted spending the extra bucks. The Milt Sparks Exec's companion IWB holster is a delight also. I also believe that I've seen used H&K USP's on Gunsamerica going in the $4-500.00 range. The H&K fit my hand much better than the Glock, and I don't consider either the Glock or SIG to be very left friendly.
900F