Your "favorite" semiauto

John_R · Oct 12, 2018

I've settled on two revolvers as my favorite revolvers to shoot. It doesn't matter what they are, it's different for everyone and this isn't about revolvers. But those two are guns that just plain work and feel like an extension of my hand.

I have tried a lot of different semiauto pistols over the years and have never found one that I can say I just love to shoot. Sure, some are pretty good, but I haven't found "the one" yet. What I'm looking for is a 9x19 in a "full" or "duty" size.

I don't think "the one" will be a striker-fired gun, the action just doesn't feel "real" to me, but for serious self defense or going to war it's plenty good enough. I like hammer fired guns for fun range shooting, but I'm not a huge fan of single action (1911) triggers. About the only mainstream guns I haven't tried are the CZ series, Beretta 92 series, or Beretta Storm series.

Some I've tried:
Ruger P- series
M&P series
H&K
XDM
FNX45
BHP
1911 in all sizes
Glocks
Kahrs
Bersa Thunder 9, both compact and full size
3rd gen S&W

Are there any others out there that are just pure joy to shoot, no vices, reliable, and accurate?

jar · Oct 12, 2018

My favorite semi-auto(s) are a Sig 230 in 380 and a Star UltraStar 9mm. Those two just feel like they were made specifically for my hands.

After those two I'd probably choose my Browning BDM, my East German Makarov and then a HiPower (or clone). There was a whole herd of Sigs that were really, really, really nice but I sold or traded or gave all but the 230 away. The Dan Wesson (Monson) 1911 Patriot/Pointman Experimental would bring up the bottom of the favorites list. Stricker fired semi-autos would fall in the right after the turtles class.

sigarms228 · Oct 12, 2018

John_R said:
About the only mainstream guns I haven't tried are the CZ series, Beretta 92 series, or Beretta Storm series.

IMO you should try a Beretta 92FS/M9, CZ 75B or SP01, and a SIG P226. Not sure what HKs you have tried but I really like my P30L

Good luck.

John_R · Oct 12, 2018

It was an HK45. I did try a Sig in .45 and it did feel good, but I only shot it a little. I need to go rent all these...

Skgreen · Oct 12, 2018

John_R said:
I haven't tried are the CZ series, Beretta 92 series, or Beretta Storm series

I prefer hammer fired.

The 9mm of mine that seen the most range time is my PX4 (DA/SA)

Also have a Tanfoglio Witness Elite in 9. (SA CZ-75 clone) It's one of my latest acquisitions and also see's a good amount of range time.

Have a 'Stoeger Cougar' in 9. (A ~Beretta Cougar~ made by Stoeger, DA/SA) All metal with Beretta's rotating barrel. Basically a predecessor to the PX4. I've lent it to my Father and I'm unsure if he'd part with it now,,,

Have fondled some 92's,,, Only thing that keeps me away is the grip needs to be just a touch longer to accommodate my mits.

The Walther PPQ is a striker-fired pistol with great reviews,,, I've shot mine back to back with my PX4 using identical rounds.

It's ~nice~, but I keep coming back to the PX4,,,

As always,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, YMMV

cheygriz · Oct 12, 2018

For me, it's the SIG P226.

Zaydok Allen · Oct 12, 2018

Sig P220, 229, 226, and 227

Beretta Brigadier

bannockburn · Oct 12, 2018

Favorite centerfire semi-auto has got to be my Browning Hi-Power Mk.II. Great design, trigger, sights, and reliability make it one of my constant range companions.

Favorite rimfire semi-auto is the other gun I usually take with me to the range; my Beretta Model 70S. Very comfortable to shoot along with amazing reliability, durability, and accuracy.

Ironicaintit · Oct 12, 2018

No contest for me: Browning Hipower. I have a mkIII and an old C series, and I love them both.
I grew up shooting the platform, so my opinion is totally biased.

My 2nd is a para ordnance P45. another one I grew up with and could shoot all day.

tark · Oct 12, 2018

C-96 Broomhandle Mauser. In 7.63 Mauser. Lousy sights, lousy ergonomics, lousy trigger and a pain in the butt to load without stripper clips....but more fun than a monkey with a hand grenade to shoot !!!

Blue Brick · Oct 12, 2018

P90 and P85.

mdThanatos · Oct 12, 2018

My favorite has become my SP01 and then my Beretta 92FS.

John_R · Oct 12, 2018

I need to spend some more time with my Hi Power.

Good Ol' Boy · Oct 12, 2018

Out of what I actually own it would be my Canik TP9SA.

Out of anything I've shot so far it would be a Sig 226 Legion.

Mn Fats · Oct 12, 2018

Browning Hi-Power for me.

John_R said:
I like hammer fired guns for fun range shooting, but I'm not a huge fan of single action (1911) triggers.

I can't comprehend this...

NIGHTLORD40K · Oct 12, 2018

Skgreen said:
Also have a Tanfoglio Witness Elite in 9. (SA CZ-75 clone) It's one of my latest acquisitions and also see's a good amount of range time.

The Witnesses don't get enough credit, very well made, accurate, and reliable guns!

Blue Brick said:
P90 and P85

The P-series Rugers are also unfairly overlooked. Tough and bulletproof, though a tad bulky and unrefined. On the plus side, even perfect examples are still going for giveaway prices! Grab a couple now before they start to climb like the Six-series revolvers!

I would add the Star Firestars to the "oft ignored" category. Small and slim enough for CCW use (though heavy due to their all-steel construction), and one of the very few single action autos out there which isn't based on the 1911 or HiPower. Nice guns.

Walkalong · Oct 12, 2018

1911, hands down.

Dibbs · Oct 12, 2018

Favorite is a difficult term. My FNX45 is my night security go to. I like the 92 and the 1911, but sometimes carry
the 6906. But the P-90 is a very respectable gun.

Sistema1927 · Oct 12, 2018

My all time favorite will always be the Browning Hi-Power that saved my bacon back in the 1970's/ However the financial pressures of grad school led to me selling it in the 1980's. I now have 3 Hi-Powers, an Israeli surplus MkIII, and FEG, and a newly acquired Tisas Regent BR9 (pictured below).

cfullgraf · Oct 12, 2018

M1911 here as well.

somethingbenign · Oct 12, 2018

My favorite gun to shoot is my CZ RAMI but since you're looking for full size I'd have to go with P07/P09. I own a P07 but have shot a P09 to be convince they handle pretty much the same. Has the "real" feel of a hammer fired gun and at least the model I have came with the parts to switch between safety or decocker depending on you preference. Has different size backstraps to better tailor the gun to your hand as well. They have polymer frames so you can still pretend to fit in with the hip crowd too!

nettlle · Oct 13, 2018

What I shoot best is my Colt Wiley Clapp. My favorite for carry is my CZ PCR. I wouldn't part with either one of them.

TTv2 · Oct 13, 2018

I really enjoy shooting my Ruger SR22 and I shoot it quite well. I'm sure I can shoot better with a Mark pistol or a S&W Victory, but they're so plain in comparison. The SR22 is DA/SA, has a hammer to play with, +5 mag extensions, it's easy to rack the slide, and it's easy to carry.

If Ruger would take the Mark design and size it up to shoot .32 ACP, that would probably be my favorite semiauto pistol. I want so badly a quality made .32 ACP pistol that's not solely designed around concealed carry or as an officer's pistol, but a real shooter for the target range.

ingliz · Oct 13, 2018

somethingbenign said:
They have polymer frames so you can still pretend to fit in with the hip crowd too!

The all steel CZ75 SP-01T.

JONWILL · Oct 13, 2018

CZ guns are my favorites. Comfortable grips and very accurate.

Your "favorite" semiauto

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