Talk me into a handgun.

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

burntgraphite

Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2011
Messages
10
Location
Oregon. Beautiful country. Great things to shoot.
Okay, here's the deal; I will soon be in the market for a handgun. I've shot plenty of different models, and I own quite a few rifles. I'm not terribly interested in using my handgun for self defense, except possibly as a hiking gun. I am in the military, so I don't have a ridiculous amount of money...but who does these days?

So here's my list;
1. Good, comfy grip. 1911s feel good, so does the 5.7. Glocks do not.
2. Not too expensive to shoot.
3. Durability. And I don't mind if I could kill someone by throwing it at them, but that's not necessary.
4. Not ugly as sin. It doesn't have to be made of redwoodburl and titanium.
5. Will last me 80 or 90 years :)
6. At least as accurate as the p229 that I shoot at work . Obviously any gun can be more accurate than I am, but not something that is lousy off like the judge.
7. Some options for bling.
8. It doesn't have to stop a bear. I'm not dumb enough to try and kill one when I'm not hunting it. I go around.
9. Good holster and mag pouch options for the MOLLE system.

I'm not trying to buy one this month, but I do want some good options. So talk me into your favorite sidearm!
 
Not sure about holster options, but the CZ 75 meets all the other criteria. Not too expensive and built like a tank.

7665f8ddf20d19dc0f275a2422bb3e2c.png
 
What's wrong with owning a P229 for home use? I say that because you're already familiar with it since you use it for work. And, it meets all your other criteria.

Come to think of it, I think the Sig P229 is the perfect choice given your punch list.

But, let's see.

Glocks are out.

You like 1911's, but want something that is inexpensive to shoot. So, that knocks out .45s.

Here's what comes to mind.

1. Sig P229 (9mm).
2. Springfield Armory XD9.
3. Sig P226 (9mm).
4. Browning Hi-Power (9mm).
 
It sounds like you're a woodsman. I recommend get yourself comfortable with Glocks as there's not a better semi-auto woods gun than a G20.(preferably a G20SF unless you have big hands)

I recommend this gun all the time and may start to sound like a broken record, but it's by far my favorite handgun I've ever used. To me it just does everything right.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_43/products_id/56858

Factory it packs up to 16 rounds of powerful 10mm goodness in a reliable, easy to use, and very manageable package. You can abuse the heck out of it and treat it like crap, and it's going to hold up and stay looking new better than most any other brand of gun out there. Some people hunt hogs and whitetail with the thing, and if I did have to try and stop a bear with a semi-auto pistol the only gun I would pick over it would be a Desert Eagle in .44Mag, or .50AE.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSq96T-UrJ0


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qes_vlx9orU&feature=related

If you want something inexpensive to shoot, but big enough for a SD round then buy a 9mm. Larger handgun rounds are costly to shoot.
 
Last edited:
burntgraphite said:
Okay, here's the deal; I will soon be in the market for a handgun. I've shot plenty of different models, and I own quite a few rifles. I'm not terribly interested in using my handgun for self defense, except possibly as a hiking gun. I am in the military, so I don't have a ridiculous amount of money...but who does these days?

So here's my list;
1. Good, comfy grip. 1911s feel good, so does the 5.7. Glocks do not.
2. Not too expensive to shoot.
3. Durability. And I don't mind if I could kill someone by throwing it at them, but that's not necessary.
4. Not ugly as sin. It doesn't have to be made of redwoodburl and titanium.
5. Will last me 80 or 90 years :)
6. At least as accurate as the p229 that I shoot at work . Obviously any gun can be more accurate than I am, but not something that is lousy off like the judge.
7. Some options for bling.
8. It doesn't have to stop a bear. I'm not dumb enough to try and kill one when I'm not hunting it. I go around.
9. Good holster and mag pouch options for the MOLLE system.

I'm not trying to buy one this month, but I do want some good options. So talk me into your favorite sidearm!
Click to expand...
XD 9 or 45 maybe? has a 1911 style grip,very reliable,room for accessories,in the $450-500 price range.

Coming from left field but any thought about maybe a good 357 revolver?If so then a GP 100.Its built like a tank,extremely reliable,can shoot 38 or 357's.theres room to customize sites and grips,might stop a bear!?
 
The P229 also comes in the standard DA/SA that is Sig's trademark.
Click to expand...

And one of the more obnoxious triggers out there, IMO.

Sigs are good guns, but the triggers always felt cheesy to me.

IMO, the S&W 5906 or CZ-75 are the way to go with these requirements, the 5906 getting the nod for cost and durability, the CZ having more aftermarket support.

If you have larger hands, the Tanfoglios are CZ copies with larger frames and more options for customizing (see Henningshootsguns.com). They can also be had for ~$400 new in basic trim, and can be switched between .22 LR, 9x19, 9x21, .38 Super, .40 S&W, 10mm and .45 ACP for about $250/caliber:

Conversion kits
 
MachIVshooter said:
And one of the more obnoxious triggers out there, IMO.

Sigs are good guns, but the triggers always felt cheesy to me.

IMO, the S&W 5906 or CZ-75 are the way to go with these requirements, the 5906 getting the nod for cost and durability, the CZ having more aftermarket support.

If you have larger hands, the Tanfoglios are CZ copies with larger frames and more options for customizing (see Henningshootsguns.com). They can also be had for ~$400 new in basic trim, and can be switched between .22 LR, 9x19, 9x21, .38 Super, .40 S&W, 10mm and .45 ACP for about $250/caliber:

Conversion kits
Click to expand...
I don't think your suggestions meet his extensive list. Every one of the guns mentioned in my list meet his requirements.

If you want your Sig DA/SA to be smooth like butter, then you can get a trigger job done at Sig that will lighten the DA and smooth out the SA. The SA, by the way, is typically outstanding on Sigs. My P226 is simply awesome. If you want the DA first pull lightened and smoothed out, then that can be done for a reasonable fee.
 
WinThePennant said:
I don't think your suggestions meet his extensive list. Every one of the guns mentioned in my list meet his requirements.

If you want your Sig DA/SA to be smooth like butter, then you can get a trigger job done at Sig that will lighten the DA and smooth out the SA. The SA, by the way, is typically outstanding on Sigs. My P226 is simply awesome. If you want the DA first pull lightened and smoothed out, then that can be done for a reasonable fee.
Click to expand...

I agree.

I have several SIGs and the triggers on them are all outstanding and quite a bit better than any CZ I have ever tried. My son has a CZ SP01 that has over 1000 rounds and the trigger does not compare.

I was at LGS today and handled a really nice looking CZ 75B for $399 that the outside of the barrel showed had been fired a fair amount. I tried dry firing and the SA was not good so I handed it back to him. I ended up buying a new old stock P229 in .357Sig with triple serial numbers for $529 and the trigger was amazing. I can't wait to pick it up later in the week. SIGs have really spoiled me for a nice trigger though the Walther PPQ and P99 AS are also outstanding right out of the box.

Since the OP is already used to the P229 I would recommend a DA/SA SIG P229 or a P226. I would also recommend looking into a Walther P99 AS or Walther PPQ if he can live with their limited third party support.
 
Last edited:
I don't think your suggestions meet his extensive list.
Click to expand...

Well, by all means, enlighten us as to what a P229 does that a 5906 or CZ75 doesn't for half the cost. Aside from no decocker on the CZ, they have all the same features.

And I didn't say Sig triggers are stiff or rough; I said obnoxious in my opinion. They're quite spongy/springy and undefined.
 
American Classic ll around $400 in 45 acp
RIA same price different finish
5906 or 6906 police trade-ins less tha $330
Many choices in the 3 to $400 range. Think all of these will out last you or me. Good luck.
 
MachIVshooter said:
Well, by all means, enlighten us as to what a P229 does that a 5906 or CZ75 doesn't for half the cost. Aside from no decocker on the CZ, they have all the same features.

And I didn't say Sig triggers are stiff or rough; I said obnoxious in my opinion. They're quite spongy/springy and undefined.
Click to expand...
A CZ doesn't have nearly as many after-market options. Sig and Glock are probably the two Top-Dogs in this area, with Glock being the clear #1.
 
burntgraphite said:
I looked at the sig military price list. Out freakin standing. Looks like I will be going with a sig; now I just need to figure out which one.
Click to expand...
Wise choice!!

P226 is pretty much a little bigger version of the P229. Either are phenominal pistols and well worth the price and your discount makes it all that much sweeter.
 
Sig and Glock are probably the two Top-Dogs in this area, with Glock being the clear #1.
Click to expand...

Yeah, there's not much out there for the 1911 :rolleyes:

There is a ton of support for the CZ/TZ pistols as well.

He also never said anything about wanting to alter the firearm, just wanted good holster and mag carrier options. Plenty for the CZ there.
 
The first handgun I ever purchased, out of extensive research, was the SIG P229 in 9mm. It's still one of my favorites. It may not have the bling factor, but its a handsome gun in a utilitarian way.

If you want something cheap to shoot, then you should probably stick with 9mm. Good for self-defense, but it may not do much to any animals you encounter (but that's what your rifles are for). If bling is important and you like the 1911 styling and trigger, try a Browning Hi-Power or a 1911 in 9mm.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top