First pistol, SA/DA

Note the Beretta M9/92FS/92A1/etc., with the exception of those models with a "G" in them, like the 92G-SD, have a safety/decocker. When you switch the lever down to decock, it safe's the gun, and keeps it on safe unless you move the lever back up to the fire position.

The "G" models have a decocker only, which will decock when the lever is pushed down, but the lever will spring back to the fire position. Just so you know there is a difference in the way the Beretta levers work.

MemeMagic

Between the three I would have the CZ SP01 Tactical and the SIG P226 tied for 1st place. Both are great guns and would have a tough time deciding which one to get. The Beretta Model 92 is also a fine gun, just not as good of a fit for me ergonomically. The only variant that works for my smaller size hands is the Vertec. Don't think you could go wrong with any of them; get the one that fits you the best (I would still go with the 9mm. over the .40S&W). My own personal preference is a CZ P01 and a SIG P229R.

I have a Beretta 96 and a 92 "clone". They are good pistols. But I like my CZ75 better. It is my favorite centerfire semi-automatic pistol out of many. After my shooting buddy shot it he bought himself one.

You're looking at the Big 3. I have a CZ 75 and a Beretta 92FS; I don't have the Sig P226, but I do have a Zastava CZ99, which has similar enough operations to be a relevant comparison.

CZ 75- frame is steel, the Beretta and Sig are aluminum. Advantage CZ in my opinion, a little more durable and more refinish options down the road. If you want steel frame in the Beretta or Sig, you're talking a BIG price jump.

Takedown- the Beretta and the Sig have a lever that turns, then you pull the slide forward and off. The CZ requires you to push a pin out, while holding the slide slightly back. The Beretta and Sig win this, the CZ is harder to mess with (not a lot, but it is a level above the others).

Controls

• - the CZ has a frame-mounted safety (or decocker- but not both) similar to a 1911. CZ 75 has it on the left hand side, CZ 85 is the ambidextrous version. If you want to shoot a 1911 too, the control layout is similar enough that you would not change anything with muscle memory.
• Beretta has the safety/decocker on the slide. Also ambidextrous.
• Sig has a totally different layout, and it's all on the left (no ambidextrous options; that's where the CZ99 comes into play). Slide release is where the safety is on the CZ and 1911. Decocker is forward of that. No safety. Incidentally, the CZ99 from Zastava has a similar layout, but the decocker is also the slide release, and the controls are also ambidextrous. It has nothing where the 1911 safety would be.

Slide stuff- the CZ 75's slide rides inside the frame, and some people find it a little harder to get a solid grip on it due to the smaller area. The Beretta has that huge open slide, which practically negates the chance of a failure to eject. Sig has a big blocky slide, which some people find make the gun top-heavy.

All three have accessories and upgrade options available, to either make it more 'tactical' or more elegant (wood grips etc). Any should be a keeper as a shooter.

My personal choice is the CZ 75, it just seems to fit my hand perfectly, and the balance is perfect. I have an older pre-B with no firing pin block and the rounded trigger guard, it shoots exactly where I want it to. I've put the factory rubber grips on it and it feels beautiful. This would be the last gun I would let go. I've handled an aluminum frame CZ 75 Compact, it felt very nice indeed, and the 2 would make a fine combo.

My Beretta is very smooth and a nice shooter, has some fading Trijicon night sights on it. I like it a whole lot. I haven't handled a more compact version of the Beretta, but I do own a S&W 915, it has the same control layout and functions, with a 4 inch barrel (the Beretta has a 4.9 inch barrel). It also has old Trijicon sights, and it's really easy to go back and forth between these two pistols for shooting purposes (no, the mags don't interchange, and the takedown is totally different).

Can't help you with the Sig on a compact, I imagine the P228 would be a good complement.

MemeMagic said:

You're right, but I am going to get one with Brigadier slide (the extra thick one) either right out (92G-SD), ...- That slide is decocker-only.

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Not exactly true.

The 92G-SD and the Wilson Brigadier Tactical are "G" models. However, the Beretta 92 Brigadier is not. It has a safety/decocker and is not decock only.

Beretta Brigadier http://www.beretta.com/en-us/92-brigadier/

...or getting it separately for the 92A1

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Be advised, the 92A1 is somewhat of a unique animal. I'm pretty sure you can't put other 92/M9 slides on a 92A1, other than a 90-Two slide. Forum member Shipwreck, or one of the other real Beretta fans will no doubt come along to clarify this point.

On the other hand, there is a universal set of "G" levers coming soon (depending on your definition of soon) that will allow the user to reconfigure their 92FS to a 92G. Previously, this required gunsmith level skills.

I would just buy the compact right away.

The 92A1 frame can accept other slides, but there is a gap around the dust cover and the built in buffer isn't contacting the slide properly. People do it, but it isn't the way the gun was designed.

However, a 92A1 slide is heavier and buffered. There is no reason to replace it with a Brig slide. so if you like the 92A1 and its rail, I'd buy that and leave it alone. It is the most refined version of the 92 series Beretta has developed.

I'm convinced the 92A1 is a dead end, just like the gun it replaced, the 90-Two. In my magic crystal ball I see the M9A3/Vertec slide as the standard slide of the future. The only reason the 92A1 is really around if for the buffer, and that is really just for the 96A1. The .40 S&W is fading from LE use, and I think Beretta would rather sell those folks a PX4 in .40 S&W rather than a 96. When 96A1 sales trickle down to virtually zero, the 92A1 and 96A1 will be gone from the catalog.

If you get a Beretta, definitely get a "G" model, de-cock only. I've carried both the M9 and P226 overseas in bad places. I prefer the 226 and it is my personal CCW gun. It may make more sense to go with a P229 or M11 off the bat. Good range and HD gun, good carry gun. The full size 92/P226/CZ75 are a bit large for CCW.

I own a Beretta 92FS and a SIG Sauer P229. My experience with CZs is pretty limited having never owned one and having shot only a few.

I suspect you can't go wrong with any of the three so I would probably go with whatever grabs you. For my part, I think that the DA/SA trigger action on the SIG Sauer classic P-series pistols is significantly better than that of the Berettas. The Beretta trigger has a relatively long reset. The SIG trigger reset is shorter, and can be made much shorter still by installing the short reset trigger kit modified sear, if the pistol does not already have one. On the few CZs I have shot I was a bit disappointed with the double action trigger which I felt to be rather gritty compared to either the Beretta or the SIG.

The Beretta 92 series has a reputation for feeding nearly anything with its non-tilting barrel design, and ejecting nearly anything with its open slide design. The 92 FS is also quite reliable, but the locking block is the weak link in the design and many experienced Beretta shooters recommend replacing it at 20-25,000 rds, if you get there, or sooner if you see any evidence of cracks. Not a big deal, really, as it is easily done and costs $35. In my experience, the Mec-Gar "plus two" magazines work very well in the 92FS and offer 20+1 capacity with a barely extended magazine.

The SIG P-22X is a great shooter with a reputation for outstanding reliability as well. The SIG P229 is as compact as the Beretta 92 compact, or more so, but shoots like a full-size pistol. It is only slightly taller than the Beretta 92L and significantly shorter. There are some very good deals right now on police trade in and certified preowned (CPO) SIG P226s and 229s but many of these are chambered in .40 S&W. You might consider looking for one of these, then buying a 9mm conversion barrel for it from either Bar-Sto or EFK FireDragon. That would allow you to shoot both calibers from the same pistol.

I think any of the three guns listed will do fine, though out of them IMHO the CZ-75 is my favorite. Feels best in the hand and has the best trigger IMHO. If I had to rank them I'm say 1. CZ 2. SIG 3. Beretta.

As mentioned though I think any of the three would be "good enough" if you're wanting a DA/SA gun.

If CCW is in the future, I'd skip the full size and go right to the CZ P-01, CZ 75 D Compact PCR, or whatever the most current shipment names them. These are fantastic weapons priced in the $500-$550 range that will shoot with the bigger boys all day long.

I think Sig is a better option for decocker-only than Beretta, but Beretta makes fine guns too. I love my Sig P239, but it is not my favorite carry gun due to the weight vs capacity issue. But it shoots and shoots well.

Of the listed pistols, I would go with the Sig P226, or if you want to save yourself a few bucks down the road, just get a P229 to start. Reason being, P226 mags don't work in the M11-A1 or the P229. All of the guns in the running are great guns, but I prefer the Sigs because of the control layout, the ease of racking the slide versus the CZ. On that not, I'm talking about actual real estate to grab onto not the effort to rack. And while a great gun, I'm not a fan of the Beretta's control lever location as you can inadvertently engage the safety/decocker when racking the slide on it. It is less of a problem on a 92G that's decock only, however.

Sig Sauer P226 above the others.

From what you wrote, a Model 1911 9mm. Any of the manufacturers from Rock Island to Colt and in between. Whichever fits your budget and makes you happy when you pick it up. Maybe a "Commander" or compact model. No one can go far wrong with one of these and they are the benchmark. The other guns listed are all fine weapons.

All good choices. I own a couple P226s and a CZ SP01. Between the two, my choice is the P226. Don't own the Beretta but it is a terrific pistol too and I really like shooting it.

Good luck!

Blacksmoke said:

From what you wrote, a Model 1911 9mm. Any of the manufacturers from Rock Island to Colt and in between.

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I'm not sure you read the OP's request properly. While he admittedly used the non-standard terminology of SA/DA, where we usually use DA/SA, he is clearly looking for a DA/SA, i.e. double action gun with a decocker and not a single action 1911.

My recommendation would be the SIG over any others, as it's (1) far more ergonomic than the Beretta for most most folks (though the CZ-75 platform sports great ergos for many); (2) is available with far superior sights from the factory than either the Beretta or a CZ, and (3) is typically more accurate out of the box than the others (assuming you're looking at the entry-level models).

Parts are easier to find, inexpensive, and easier to replace on the SIG P-series than the others. SIG has always packaged up replacement parts and springs, so no excuse not to have them on hand.

None of the three on the OP's list are particularly difficult to field-strip or clean. Reliability is probably a wash between the SIG and Beretta -- CZs are typically reliable, but some models are more proven than others. As far as functioning in more extreme environments, the SIG (Navy SEALs, military aircrew and investigators) and the Beretta have certainly proven themselves for years.

I have decided on a hammer fired, decocker-only, all metal, 9mm (though I am still thinking about .40S&W), from a mainstream maker.

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Your description is pretty much the CZ 2075 RAMI. See: http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-2075-rami-bd-9mm-black-alloy-3-dot-tritium-sights-14-rd-mags/
The compact version of the CZ 75C is not a decocker model according to their web site.

If you loosen up your decocker requirement, the options go soaring. One of my CCW 9's is a TriStar C100, a well done Turkish clone of the CZ 75 C with alloy frame, 3.93" bbl, 15+1 and hammer without decocker. I manually lower the hammer then pull the hammer to the half cocked position and set the external safety. The CZ 75 BD with decocker lowers the hammer to the half cocked position but does not have an external safety so the much less expensive clone is actually a safer gun in that regard.

JTQ said:

I'm convinced the 92A1 is a dead end, just like the gun it replaced, the 90-Two. In my magic crystal ball I see the M9A3/Vertec slide as the standard slide of the future. The only reason the 92A1 is really around if for the buffer, and that is really just for the 96A1. The .40 S&W is fading from LE use, and I think Beretta would rather sell those folks a PX4 in .40 S&W rather than a 96. When 96A1 sales trickle down to virtually zero, the 92A1 and 96A1 will be gone from the catalog.

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All of the 92 guns use most of the same small parts, blocks, barrels and mags. Whether the 92A1 is a "dead end" or not, it is the best technology of the 92 series and someone buying one will have no trouble keeping it running. It has replaceable sights, inexpensive G mod for the safety and is probably the most durable 92 made - because it was designed to withstand .40.

The only reason I'd go with a different 92 version is to avoid a rail.

Scarpia said:

The compact version of the CZ 75C is not a decocker model according to their web site.

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This is true, but if I was looking for a carry gun I would get one of the aluminum framed compacts - like the PCR or P-01. They are lighter, very durable and have little muzzle rise. The Omega trigger is an improvement found on some of these models and some you can switch between decocker and safety.

I think the P-01 makes more sense than a P229 or 92 Compact for both size and price. And I think compacts in general make more sense than full sized guns you'll never carry. Well designed compacts don't give up much to full size for shooting.

Y'know, a lot of folks will scoff at this suggestion, but if you're willing to buy used and a discontinued model, you can probably locate a pair of S&W 3rd Gens that would be quite the bargain. You can get both a fullsize (59xx) and a compact (69xx) for well under $800 total, probably a good deal less if you look around enough. The slides should interchange between the two guns, and the compact will accept the fullsize magazines too. You can find frames in stainless steel or aluminum, depending on your needs. Gunbroker has a bunch of them, and it seems Cole's (CDISales) has a lot currently.

Note- they have a bunch of 6906's listed at $290, and mistakenly called alloy frame. Anything that's xxx6 is stainless frame. If you want to venture into the decocker arena, they have both a 5926 for $350, and a 6926 for $350. These decock like Sigs, they have the lever on the side in front of the grip. Stainless frame and slide, so appearance doesn't really matter that much (you can hit them with a scotchbrite pad and restore the appearance). Throw a new set of springs in if you like, and you should be good to go for a long, long time (who breaks a stainless gun?)

JTQ said:

I'm not sure you read the OP's request properly. While he admittedly used the non-standard terminology of SA/DA, where we usually use DA/SA, he is clearly looking for a DA/SA, i.e. double action gun with a decocker and not a single action 1911.

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I must have missed interpreted that. Thanks.

lsudave said:

Note- they have a bunch of 6906's listed at $290, and mistakenly called alloy frame. Anything that's xxx6 is stainless frame.

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Except in the case of the 6906, which does in fact have an alloy frame. It is quite obvious just looking at pictures of the 6906.

The 669 has the same naming problem, but it also has an alloy frame.