And all metal gun for a plastic lover

[thewillweeks]

I love my Glocks. But I've decided I need an all metal gun. What is a good all metal (steel or aluminum) handgun that will fit my hand like a Glock will?

1) I don't like traditional safeties, the Glock type trigger safety works well for me, or a LCP type long trigger pull would work. But hey, I can learn if I have too.

2) Absolutely no grip safeties. No, no and no.

3) 45 acp or 9mm.

4) Double stack is preferred.

P.S. I also like the angle of grip on 1911's, but the grip safety has kept me from buying one as of yet.

Thanks guys and gals!

 

[Jed Carter]

Never even notice the grip safety on my 1911s, just the thumb safety, flipping it off becomes natural with repeated practice, it's automatic with the draw.
SIG has the decocker, no grip or thumb safety. CZ would be my choice for an all metal 9mm SP01 or a CZ75 pre B

 

[justin22885]

i wouldnt waste the money on aluminum, get something steel, sure it may weigh more but im not so feable a few more ounces is going to be the straw that breaks the camels back

for steel i like the CZ75, 1911, browning hi power, and eaa witness... the hi power id best describe as a double-stack 9mm similar to a 1911 and lacking a grip safety, might be what you want and the CZ75 is a DA/sA pistol based on the hi power, the EAA witness is based on the CZ75 but is also available in 45acp, 10mm, and 38 super

 

[sigarms228]

Check out the SIG P229 or P226 if you are looking for more full size. Not sure your budget though as 9MM P229 or P226 will run probably at least $750 new. The P229 Legion is awesome but are very hard to find and around $1150 at minimum right now.

A decent used P228 would be really sweet too but pretty hard to find these days, especially in nice condition.

 

[MIL-DOT]

I'd have to agree with earlier posts that a CZ or SIG (or even a Hi-power) would be among the better choices.
But, I'd also take a look at a 3rd generation S&W. They're outstanding all-metal pistols. Most seem to have a de-cocker/safety, but that's easily ignored. I believe the DAO models don't have safeties.

 

[JTQ]

SIG P226 family http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductList/pistols-p226.aspx

SIG P229 family http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductList/pistols-p229.aspx

SIG P220 family http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductList/pistols-p220.aspx

Beretta M9/92 family http://www.beretta.com/en-us/firearms/finder/?ds=Pistol#ds=Pistol&c=Full&mpp=24

 

[JellyJar]

Try a Sig with a DAK trigger. I have one and like it very much. Constant trigger pull with restrike capability if needed.

 

[CZ9shooter]

CZ75 or 97. Depends on which caliber you want. The BD models have decockers instead of traditional safeties. The single action trigger may take a bit for you to get used to, but I bet you end up loving it.

I replaced the plastic with factory rubber grips on my CZ75bd Police. It feels superb in the hand and makes Glocks feel like cheap toys.

 

[thewillweeks]

On a 1911 the grip safety doesn't bother me much, I just don't particularly care to have one. On the Springfield XD's it does.

CZ's have a safety on the frame, yes? It's not that I'm necessarily opposed to one, I was just hoping to find an all metal gun with the same functions as a Glock for quicker training. Day to day, I won't give up carrying a Glock. But having a range toy/back up that was all metal that functioned very much like a Glock (similar safety system, point etc) would be nice. Maybe such a beast doesn't exist. Essentially, I want an all metal handgun that all it takes to shoot is a straight pull back on the trigger, and that points like a Glock/1911 (either/or).

If it doesn't I guess I'll just end up with a 1911 since I know the point well for me, and learn to use their safety.

 

[Zerodefect]

1911. Learn to tune the grip safety so that it's not a problem. It's easy.

My only beef with the 1911 is that in the hundred years or so that it's been popular, not one single builder has made a frame that fits the 1911A1 GI mainspring housing flush. If the frame was swelled to meet the GI MSH smoothly, man that would be a ton nicer.

 

[thewillweeks]

Fair enough. Thanks for the feedback everyone, appreciate it.

 

[MIL-DOT]

.... not one single builder has made a frame that fits the 1911A1 GI mainspring housing flush. If the frame was swelled to meet the GI MSH smoothly, man that would be a ton nicer.

I never considered that before, that's actually a really good point !!

 

[Smitty79]

Get the CZ SP-01 Tactical or a CZ75 BD. Both are decocker guns. It's a rail/no-rail thing. Same kind of performance as a Sig with less cost. Maybe not as pretty. There's something wonderfully visceral about the look of a P226.

 

[justin22885]

personally if you like the 1911 grip angle but wanted a double stack, then get a double stack 1911, caspian if you want 9mm or 38 super as its thinner because it was designed around a double-stack 38 super mag, or even build one on a P14 frame if you want 45acp, a few companies make inexpensive double stacks now that you can just by and you can buy a one-piece backstrap that omits the grip safety or even just make one yourself

 

[thewillweeks]

If I were to get a 1911 (or, I should say, when) I'm going to stick with a regular single stack. Some things just work better when they're simple. The double stacks have iffy reputations in most cases (that I've seen) so I'll stick with the most reliable design I can find.

 

[lsudave]

Plenty of options; as mentioned, the CZ 75 is a wonderful piece of steel. With the rubber factory grips, it feels like it was molded for my hand.

 

[Tallball]

I am shocked that no one has recommended a Beretta 92. A Browning High Power or CZ75 would also be good. If you don't want a grip safety, a Star Super B is an excellent and inexpensive 1991-esque alternative.

I own all of those. The CZ75 is my favorite, but all of them are excellent firearms.

Note: I have enormous hands and all of these pistols fit them well.

 

[Zerodefect]

Don't see too many big M9's, CZ75's, and Ruger P95's in anything other than a duty holster for mostly on foot, or on horse/bike, officers/security/MP's etc. etc.

Those are big pistols. CCW and cruiser's favor slimmer 1911's and Glock types. Good pistols though. But many of us also despise the olde school DA/SA trigger.

 

[tarosean]

The double stacks have iffy reputations in most cases (that I've seen) so I'll stick with the most reliable design I can find.

What exactly have you seen??

I see 2011's run circles around every type of gun out there routinely.

* NO I do not own a double stack 1911/2011

 

[Zerodefect]

Good point. I think the 2011 mag bugs have been worked out. It's just that those are gamer guns shooting powder puff loads almost always. So the bad rep remains because of such use.

To call a single stack 1911 mag "more reliable" is folly. It's the worst major mag design I've ever owned. Love the floating 1st rough nose drop. Not sure what JMB was drinking on that day. Then again, he didn't really have many quality mag types to compare to back then.

I just avoid 2011's because......Glock. Particularly the 35 and 41.

 

[justin22885]

the biggest issues ive seen with double stack 1911s were those chambered for 38 super which still has enough of a rim to cause issues, its one of the reasons 9x23 winchester exists

theres nothing wrong with a double stack, i know the modern gun community has convinced themselves 17 round double stack mags and +P ammunition are an absolute must but frankly those people have an idea that a self defense situation equates to a game of team death match on call of duty

if you like the 1911, get it, and if you dont like the grip safety, just get a one piece backstrap and omit it

 

[optimator]

Try a CZ

 

[MechAg94]

The biggest issue I had with my Para P14 was crappy 3rd party mags with inconsistent springs. Para had started selling factory mags several years back. My pistol works great with those. It is still a bit heavy though.

+1 for CZ. They make great guns.

 

[lsudave]

If you don't want a grip safety, a Star Super B is an excellent and inexpensive 1911-esque alternative

EXCELLENT suggestion, especially since the OP says he has a lot of practical polymer guns.

The Star Super B will give you an ideal grip angle (like a 1911), has control functions that resemble the 1911 but without the grip safety, has a super smooth slide action, and can safely go cocked/locked. For a foray into metal "just because", it's a great price point for a fantastic pistol... you will see why many people prefer steel after shooting one of these. Very easy takedown too.
Just remember to ALWAYS use a snap cap in it when dry-firing.

Another good option, one I stumbled onto, is to find a S&W 915. These are inexpensive 3rd Gen guns with blued steel slides and black aluminum frames, parts are almost completely interchangeable with the 5906, and it provides a nice contrast to the Glocks. This is a pistol that the Glock beat out in large part due to price, not to any flaw on it's part. Double stack mag, safety/decocker, 4 inch barrel, clean lines. I found one for under $250 with 2 mags and night sights (dim but still visible), it's very smooth and controllable. It's also a good deal lighter than the steel 5906.

 

[lsudave]

A decent list of metal semi-autos from the used market:

• CZ 75
• Beretta 92FS
• Hi Power
• S&W 3rd Generation
• Star Super B and Star Model 30
• Sig P22x

These are guns that, frankly, cost a lot to make, and several aren't being made anymore. Star is gone, but they made fine steel weapons for a number of years, and right now they seem to be popping up on the market. Same thing for the S&W pistols. These are going to be durable, reliable guns, and as long as you learn their particular points (the Star Super B and the brittle firing pin), all will last a lifetime.

I wouldn't rush into a 1911 right now, because they will continue to be made, while some of these other models are either gone or might disappear (Beretta seems to have lost the US contract, and Sig and CZ are starting to make polymer frames now).