I just went to the fun shop over lunch and handled a bunch of guns.
The Sig P320 is nicer than I thought, but they only seem to make a Compact in 45. That was a dumb decision on their part. Sig's out of the running altogether now, I don't want to settle for a single stack.
They had a Beretta PX4 in 9 mm. I checked online and the dimensions are the same on the 45. I like this one more than I thought I would. It is so slick-operating, (as Berettas are) and not as ugly in person as in pix. Feels GREAT in the hand. DA trigger is long & heavy, but smooth and with no stacking. Much better than the HK45 that costs $300 more. (the Germans are proud of their stuff, aren't they?!) I now understand the earlier criticism of the HK trigger. It's better than a Glock trigger, but that's it. This gun has everything except a long sight radius. It'd be fun to have the rotary action, too...
I handled the latest Glock 21. It fits much better than the 2nd gen one I last shot. Ergos are good too, but that spongy, stacky trigger is still standard. It's a wonder they're still selling pistols with Walther on the scene now...
I handled a Walther PDP in 9mm. Hands-down, it is the best striker action I've ever tried. It's light, with almost no stacking and a short reset. It's better than a lot of SA/DA triggers in SA mode.
I handled whatever the latest striker-fired CZ 45 is. It's OK, but much bigger than I like. (height) Its trigger is just like a Glock's, but instead of the gun being blocky and thick, it's taller to get the same capacity.
The one that surprised me the most was a service size Springfield XD. I would order the Tactical model, with the 5" barrel. It feels great in the hand, the grip safety doesn't worry me. (unless it pinches or something?) I like that SA isn't trying to rape us for extra mags; they have that Gear Up Package with 4 extra mags and a range bag. This is worth $200 easy.
Beretta PX4:
+ Rotary recoil design is unique and reduces felt recoil
+ Designed for 150k rounds with no parts breakages (HK designs for 20k)
+ Very good trigger, by all accounts
- Only 4" barrel and commensurate sight radius; may be a handicap in competitive shooting?
- No provisions for optics
- Kinda ugly
- Made in Italy
Verdict: I'm not sure if the shorter sight radius will let me shoot it as well as the SA XD45 Tactical. It's a sleeper. I love it.
Springfield Armory XD45 Tactical:
+ 5" barrel & long sight radius
+ Cheap as chips still?
+ Gear Up package saves $200 on mags!
+/- Can an adjustable rear sight be fitted?
- Ugly as can be
- Made in Croatia
Verdict: Feels good, look bad, good shooter, great value. I'm lukewarm about it.
Walther PPQ:
+ Great trigger
+ Great ergonomics
- No aftermarket
- Mags are expensive and hard to find?
- Flippy recoil
- Made in Germany
Verdict: Astoundingly good trigger put this one in the running despite the cons.
SAR-USA K2 45:
+ Beautiful
+ 14 rd capacity without being too bulky
+ Inexpensive
+ Handsome
- Mags hard to find?
- No one has them, so I'd have to buy sight-unseen
- Made in Turkey
S&W M&P 45 2.0:
+ A good middle ground in all respects?
+ US-made
+/- Need to find one to handle and try the trigger
Ruger American Pistol Duty:
+ US-made
- Poor quality?
+/- Need to find one to handle
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Sig Sauer P220:
+ Nice trigger
+ Low felt recoil due to weight
+ Readily available used at good prices
+ Mags will be easy to find, too
+ Classic design (1975)
- 8 round capacity or protruding mags
Sig Sauer P320:
+ Nice trigger, but heavier
+ US-made
+ Light recoil
- Expensive
Glock 41:
+ Has all the right specs
+ Low bore axis
+ High capacity
+ Optics-ready
+ Easy-to-find mags
+ US-made
- Awful trigger
- Ugly