Full-frame, .40 cal, SAO (not Glock or XD) - options?

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jbauch357

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So I'm on the market for another pistol, the last time around took months before I landed on a G26 for my carry pistol (and I'm damn glad with my choice)...

Requirements for the new pistol:
- .40 cal (have a 9mm for carry, don't like .45, don't trust availability of .357sig, 10mm is too much)
- Prefer single action only (but the LEM trigger isn't too bad - this is going to be my range/home pistol, not my carry rig. Also I've had DA/SA pistols before and can't say I'm a huge fan of the trigger action)
- Full-frame (max capacity, recoil absorption and I'm not going to conceal this one)
- NOT a Springfield XD or Glock (while I like the ergenomics of my G26, the double-stack full-frame models in these manufacturers feel like crap to me)
- Under $1k

So far what I've been able to find that fits the bill is:
- HK USP (DA/SA unfortunately)
- Sig P226 X-five (holy christ this thing is expensive - but it looks perfect)
- Browning Hi-Power (looks nice, just have to find one to shoot before I buy)
- Walther P99 (doesn't exactly sound like a SAO but close, and will be hard to find for "try before you buy")
- CZ 75 B SA (looks great, might be hard to find locally for try before you buy)
- Smith & Wesson M&P (looks great, might be hard to find locally for try before you buy)


Can't say I'm a fan of 1911's either - and don't know the Ruger, Smith&Wesson, Beretta, etc lines all that well.

After reading all my rambling do you have something in your head that sounds perfect?
 
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I suggest a Browning Hi-Power in .40. I'm getting one on Saturday. I was originally looking for a 9mm, but my favorite gunshop had one for a good price.

From what I've read the BHP is one of the easier .40 pistols to shoot. The all-steel construction dampens the snappy recoil of the .40 round.
 
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Browning HP would be the first choice.
Or the FNP or a CZ in SAO, not as easy to find as the DA/SA variants, but they do exist.
 
Sounds to me like you are looking for a Smith and Wesson M&P.
Full sized, 15 round capacity in .40. Adjustable blackstrap for different hands and doesn't seem as bulky as a Glock. Also you can get them for under $500.00 in some places.
 
Pardon my ignorance but is there a difference between the trigger on an SAO & a SA/DA that's in SA mode ( for example a 75B Vs. a 75SA ) ?
 
I'm a BHP harlot, so naturally I'm going to endorse it, but a close second would be the CZ-75.

Wes
 
Can you actually choose SAO vs DA/SA with these pistols?
Click to expand...

Yes, I preffer to carry DA but I can carry my 75 B in Condition one if I choose. Every CZ I own is like that

Is that the question you're asking
 
if you're willing to install an SA trigger, the 40b is a hell of a deal. $289 plus ship and FFL, then with the low cost compared to your high $1k budget, you can probably just pay a gunsmith to install the SA trigger ($40). mine works just fine, and is reliable and accurate. no failures yet at 15k rounds and climbing.

cz40b_SAO_small.jpg
 
CZ 75B is DA/SA with frame mounted safety can be
carried Cocked & Locked - first shot instead of manually
dropping the hammer to the safety notch as
The Variant the CZ 75BD which has a Decocker that
replaces the thumb safety - the Decocker lowers the
hammer to the safety notch but w/o a thumb safety
Cocked and Locked is not available

ANother Variant in the CZ 75B 'Family,' 'is the
CZ 75B SA where the trigger has no Double Action
mech. and it is Single Action only. I think it is popular
with IPDA/IPSC competitors because the SA trigger
action is shorter.

Ther's also a Hammer replacement that reduces
SA travel in the 75B SA trigger pull.

R-
 
Just to close on this thread I picked up a Smith & Wesson M&P 40. It was the only one on my list available to rent, and one of the very few that were in stock. I finished the package with a Streamlite TLR-2.

SWMP40small.jpg
 
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I think you will like the Smith. I'm one of those guys who does not really like Glocks but have found they are probably the best gun for me. Recently I bought one of the Smith's in .45 and am still getting used to it. I do not shoot it quite as well as I do a Glock at this time but the difference is getting smaller with each trip to the range. I do like a lot about it better than the Glock
 
Enjoy the S&W , I don't have one but I hear they are reliable guns. I fired off a mag with one just like yours once, and the trigger was fairly awful on that particular gun. I can't say if it was just that one, or if they are all like that. The funny thing though with this thread is that the M&P isn't an SA ( or SAO ) gun. It's technically a striker system DAO.
 
Enjoy the S&W , I don't have one but I hear they are reliable guns. I fired off a mag with one just like yours once, and the trigger was fairly awful on that particular gun. I can't say if it was just that one, or if they are all like that. The funny thing though with this thread is that the M&P isn't an SA ( or SAO ) gun. It's technically a striker system DAO.
Click to expand...

I'm going through the same thing with this as I did with my Glock. The rental pistol had a buttery smooth trigger pull, but the new pistol has a gritty/uneven trigger pull. It's just a matter of getting a few thousand rounds down the tube to smooth out the action, and maybe getting in there to do some polishing work if just plain shooting doesn't help.

I"ll keep looking, but it seems to be harder and harder to find a nice crisp SAO pistol - especially when I want to shoot it before I buy it. What will likely happen is I find the specific model that has the specs I like (CZ), and then just order it hoping that it shoots/feels the way I want...
 
I know you said no, but have you held the XD-M? While I don't think it looks great, it feels pretty good in my hand.
 
especially when I want to shoot it before I buy it. What will likely happen is I find the specific model that has the specs I like (CZ), and then just order it hoping that it shoots/feels the way I want...
Click to expand...

I know the feeling all too well. Here in NY there is no such thing as pistol rentals, at least not anywhere I've ever been. Some indoor ranges (not nearby) here have just a few range guns you can 'borrow' with the purchase of accompanying ammo and range time, usually old beat up frankenguns that never get cleaned. When buying guns while living in this state though, one pretty much has to takes ones chances, unless you can find a friend locally who already has one.
 
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