Need a Workhorse Pistol

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Olympus

Olympus

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I'm in the market for what I am calling a "workhorse" pistol. Something I can just use the crap out of for all kinds of different things, CCW when needed, woods carry, range shooting, truck gun, etc. I've got a lot of really nice pistols, but I don't really have a true "workhorse" pistol. I've been carrying the P365 and still really love that little gun because it carries so easily and shoots very well. Outside of summer, sometimes I think I'd like to carry a slightly bigger gun though. But for some reason I can't seem to decide on what to buy. I'm thinking 9mm caliber here.

I think my first thought is obviously Glock 19 size. Something in that 4" barrel length seems to be a really good compromise between still being able to be carried and also big enough to be comfortable for a lot other kinds of shooting. So think Glock 19 is probably top of my list right now just because of the HUGE aftermarket support and also being priced very well. I've had a Glock 19 and a Glock 26 in the past and ended up selling them both though because I have medium sized hands and they just felt too fat for me to be comfortable with. I was able to shoot them decently well, but I never picked one up and just thought "man that feels good in the hand" like you get with some guns.

Some of my other choices are the M&P 2.0 Compact, but I read that the trigger on those is still not great and most people end up putting in the Apex trigger kits which starts adding to the overall cost of the gun. Not to mention that mags are a little more expensive when compared to the Glock. I like to have at least 10 mags per pistol. Another option was the CZ P10C which is just ok. It wasn't super impressive and it wasn't super disappointing either. It was just so-so for me. One option that I took off the list was the Sig P320. It felt way too thick in my hand and seemed like it had a high bore axis too. I love the P229 platform but it is also just too thick feeling in my hands.

Does anyone have any recommendations for something that might fit my needs?
 
Glock 48 or 43x. Silly reliable and small but pretty much full length grip. Only drawback is 10 round factory magazines. Sheild arms is making 15 round steel mags but I’m not sure about reliability of those. Commonly on sale for $450.
 
I have owned most of those you list and have below average sized hands. The SIG with the small grip module fit me better than the Glock, the S&W M&P with the small backstrap installed was better yet but still not quite right (for me). From there I went to the Glock 48 and found the gun that actually is a natural fit to my hand. I found the grip texture to be a little to slick for my liking so I added a set of Talon rubberized panels. Minimal increase in circumference and huge improvement in traction.

I suggest you try the S&W. I didn't find the trigger to be a problem and it's a substantial gun. Hopefully you can rent one to try.
 
I’m not a Glock fan. I had to carry them at work. They just don’t fit my hands well at all.

That said, probably the toughest, most reliable, beat it, don't clean it, get it wet, drop it, sweat on it and, it will still go bang 9mm is the Glock 19.

I have a bag in the trunk of my car. Shovel, saw, poncho, fire starter kit etc. And, a Gen 2 Glock and a box of 50 rounds. It’s simply, for me, a very good tool.
 
I have the M&P 2.0 Compact in .40. I have seen the 9mm version online recently for around $300. I like the trigger on my M&P 2.0. I do believe it has smoothed out & lightened up with use. Unsure about magazine prices. After buying mine I did pick up some full sized magazines. I want to say I found them for $20 but I might be wrong.
 
Sgt127 and you answered your own question. I may take a gander at the walther ppq though.
 
I wear a medium in glove size. My most common issue is the trigger reach is too long in many double stack guns. The small grip panel on my Ruger American Compact is an ideal fit and I use the gun as my “workhorse” gun. It’s built like a duty pistol so I don’t worry about round count.
 
For a workhorse, it'd be hard to beat something in the compact class: ~4" barrel, 12-15 rounds. Most but not all would come in polymer, striker-fired pistols. That's a very crowded field:
G19/23
SR9c
XD(something; there's a bunch)
CZ (I always forget the model)
M&P

I've had a G19 for 6-7 years and about 2k rounds, and it's been a very good pistol. Not perfect, but very good. With that said, I'd also look long and hard at the S&W M&Ps. I'm considering selling off my G19 to fund an M&P. I haven't shot one yet, but I've handled them on a number of occasions, and I think the ergos may fit my had much better than the G19 does. The 2.0 9mm Compact also carries 15 rounds and is almost exactly the same size as the G19. I will also say that I'm on these gun boards just about daily and I haven't seen very many complaints about reliability about either pistol.
 
I bought a G22 Gen4 specifically for this reason. I'm still making it the way I want it (including caliber change), but the general concept is a handgun that can be used in a variety of pratical rolls, and still be a pistol that I could easily replace.

I have a G23 also (bought that as a beater too). But having rather large hands, I find the full-sized version more comfortable in the hand. Plus the extra barrel length, sight radius, and capacity are nice.

I appreciate the Glock design but I don't like them especially. So I don't mind too much if they get beaten up, so long as they still function as intended. Parts and accessories are pretty easy to find, and usually pretty cheap in comparison to some other brands.

I wouldn't over think it if I were you. You want a 9mm in a G19 size of pistol; go get a G19 and be satisfied.
 
The M&P M2.0 Compact has a much shorter effective length or pull (center of grip strap at tang to trigger wall around the grip) than the Glock 19.

I have large hands (an M2.0 Compact is a 2.5 finger pistol for me) but short fingers and still find the largest backstrap does not make the effective pull length to long for me. It also find it opens up the grip on the support side allowing me to get more contact with the support hand.

I guess my point is that it's not always about what feels right. You have to experiment.

If you have longer fingers I suspect a G19 would be a more natural fit and grip angle differences are just a matter of training.
 
Olympus said:
I'm in the market for what I am calling a "workhorse" pistol. Something I can just use the crap out of for all kinds of different things, CCW when needed, woods carry, range shooting, truck gun, etc. I've got a lot of really nice pistols, but I don't really have a true "workhorse" pistol. I've been carrying the P365 and still really love that little gun because it carries so easily and shoots very well. Outside of summer, sometimes I think I'd like to carry a slightly bigger gun though. But for some reason I can't seem to decide on what to buy. I'm thinking 9mm caliber here.

I think my first thought is obviously Glock 19 size. Something in that 4" barrel length seems to be a really good compromise between still being able to be carried and also big enough to be comfortable for a lot other kinds of shooting. So think Glock 19 is probably top of my list right now just because of the HUGE aftermarket support and also being priced very well. I've had a Glock 19 and a Glock 26 in the past and ended up selling them both though because I have medium sized hands and they just felt too fat for me to be comfortable with. I was able to shoot them decently well, but I never picked one up and just thought "man that feels good in the hand" like you get with some guns.

Some of my other choices are the M&P 2.0 Compact, but I read that the trigger on those is still not great and most people end up putting in the Apex trigger kits which starts adding to the overall cost of the gun. Not to mention that mags are a little more expensive when compared to the Glock. I like to have at least 10 mags per pistol. Another option was the CZ P10C which is just ok. It wasn't super impressive and it wasn't super disappointing either. It was just so-so for me. One option that I took off the list was the Sig P320. It felt way too thick in my hand and seemed like it had a high bore axis too. I love the P229 platform but it is also just too thick feeling in my hands.

Does anyone have any recommendations for something that might fit my needs?
Click to expand...

Have you thought about just adding an XL grip frame to your existing P365?

If you love the traditional DA/SA Sig platform have you tried the SP2022 grip (if it's not to big for you). That's what a friend bought for his first carry pistol do it all pistol who shot the P229 well. It is a very good pistol at an affordable price with a better trigger (in my opinion) than the P229.
 
A Glock or M&P would be a logical choice.

If you prefer a hammer fired gun the Beretta PX4 full size at 50,000 rounds




or PX4 Compact

 
Most every post had good imput. Choosing the one for YOU is just too subjective. The best thing is to go to a gun store with a large selection and coon finger each one in the size you want and go from there.
 
Olympus I wanted to correct myself. I stated I paid about $20.00 for my spare M&P magazines. I did a search & about the best price I can find is around $30.00. I think I did pay $25.00. Anyway I do think you should dry fire an M&P 2.0 for yourself & not base you opinion of the trigger on the posts of others. Maybe you should go to a rental range & try out some of your options.
 
If you liked the Glock 19, but didn't care for the width, you should at least check out the 48. I started with a 19, years ago, but went to a Kahr because it felt better in my hand and I could shoot it very well, very easily. When the 48 came out, my interest was sparked, but I didn't care for the silver slide. When they released the 48 with the black slide, I couldn't stop myself. I'm glad I bought it. It actually conceals a bit better than the Kahr (CT9) due to the short grip length. The 48 also shoots a whole lot like the 19, except that I can get a better, more comfortable grip on it.

Since I got mine, I did 3 things that I thought were necessary. I changed the sights to XS, I sanded the safety lever in the trigger so that it was flush when squeezing the trigger and I added Traction Grips. It shoots like a dream. I don't know about the 43 or the 43X, but my 48 also came with a minus connector. The trigger is actually pretty good and according to the trigger gauge, breaks at around 5 and half pounds, give or take.
 
I find that the HK P30 is quite ergonomic. It might be worth a look. Magazines are expensive, though.

There are lots of good suggestions on the thread.
 
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