Been in Japan too long! Need a GUN!

[Minute_Of_Torso]

Ok, here's the deal. I've been in Japan for two months and am coming home soon. I'm going to kiss the wife, hug the daughter, sniff some CLP and head for the gunstore . . . haven't seen a gun this whole time except for the abused M9's and Mossbergs on the military base. :banghead:

I'm buying a new pistol as soon as I return. I've narrowed my list down to the following:

Beretta 92FS
Springfield XD9
CZ75B
SIG P226
Glock 17/19

I will be using this pistol for CCW and home defense. I carry nearly 100% of the time, so it will have to prove itself to be my constant companion (will be replacing a Ruger P95 and a SA MilSpec that I've been carrying for a while). I have had severall Beretta 92's in the past and have no trouble concealing a pistol that size even in summer weather. I am not a small man and have no trouble with large grip sizes, long trigger reaches, large frame guns. Where I live, wet weather is always an issue so the finish/materials need to be able to withstand moisture.

Extra requirements: I often carry with my CCW tucked in my waistband.

Based upon all this, what is the recommendation of the esteemed members of this forum? I posted a similar question a while ago but now I've narrowed my list down to some specific makes and models.

 

[WonderNine]

Stainless Steel (Inox) Beretta 92FS!

 

[Snake Eyes]

I recently parted with about 6 of my guns in order to make room/raise cash for more. I must have taken my 226 out of the safe 4 times. And then put it back.

Even though I haven't fired it in probably a year, I just can't bring myself to part with it. Easy access to full cap mags, utter reliability, and perfect point-ability. The ubiquitous 9mm--there will never be a shortage of ammo.

My Beretta 96 FS went bye-bye instead.

 

[PCRCCW]

2 Months....man You need to find a 12 step program over there....for support! "My names John.....and I miss my guns" 'Hi John".

I dont blame you.

As far as what youve mentioned.
The XD is a top choice, but the Glock my conceal better for you..both are top notch in the poly dept. For the CZ75 my recommendation is the Compact version, the PCR carries better than other CZ's and you lose 1 rnd with the Hi Caps if you can find them. You lose NOTHING in accuracy over the bigger/heavier guns. Its right up there with the Sig in EVERY right including dimensions etc. Both are top notch again.

Shoot well

 

[Oracle]

If you like and can conceal full-size pistols, go for the Glock 17. It's utterly reliable, and the Glock's finish is probably the most corrosion resistant around.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

It is not a good idea to carry a Glock inside the waistband with no holster, so if that's what you meant, I'd go with a CZ, SIG, or Berretta. The XD would be safer than a Glock to carry w/o a holster due to the grip safety, but I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it.

 

[Preacherman]

Sig 226 or Glock 19 - both utterly reliable, both well proven, and plenty of hi-cap magazines available for both. I've gone with the Glock for all but my .45 ACP pistols, and the SIG for that caliber. Very happy with both makes.

 

[JeepDriver]

Sig 226 (or look into getting a 228!!)

I like the overall feel of the Sig, when I grab a Sig it feels so right. My 228 becomes an extention of my hand.

 

[10-Ring]

Of your choices, I've had the best luck w/ the 92fs.

 

[allan]

SA MILSPEC

If you are used to carring a 1911, why would you choose a lessor platform

 

[RTFM]

SIG, 226R so you can mount the toys you could not play with over there.

 

[caz223]

I would add a SIG 228 to your list, at least to fondle, if possible.
Or, if you're serious about carry, a 239.

 

[tlhelmer]

Glock 19

 

[Chris Pinkleton]

If no holster inside the waistband carry is a must.....then the Glock is out of the running. I used to carry a G33 IWB, but in a holster -- do you really want a 5.5lb trigger to be the only thing between you and "removal" of the other very important equipment down there? I would think a manual safety is a must here -- how about the Beretta or CZ?

Otherwise, the Glock is great. Just a bit thick, but I do prefer polymer to steel for more comfy carry close to the body.

 

[Kalrog]

Why are you replacing the Ruger? What do you want new/better? Doesn't sound like the size is a problem... and you didn't mention any reliability problems. So just wondering. Might make a better choice to get something as different as possible from that just for variety sake if that is what you are going for.

I would personally pick either the CS75 or the CSP01 - but that is just me.

 

[longeyes]

Glock 19 with a Saf-T-Blok on trigger "just in case."

 

[BerettaNut92]

Gosh, I carry a Beretta 92G, but you really can't go wrong with any of those listed above....I'm a small guy (115 lbs??) and have no problems with the 92 either

 

[clubsoda22]

The glock and XD are gonna carry the best due to their weight. Since you say that you're going to carry tucked in your waistband, If you go XD, get it in BI tone, because the black finish supposedly isn't very sweat friendly. If you don't like silver finishes, or prefer an even tougher finish, you can get it with the standard model teflon coated by springfield from the factory (they call it armory cote or something for a bit less than $100) You'll pay about the same for a XD bitone/teflon and a glock 19. You'll be hard pressed to find glock drop-free high caps, whereas you can just use XD40 mags in your XD9 to have 15rd capacity.

 

[mlk18]

For your intended purpose, I would recommend the Glock 19 or 23. The perfect combination of size, weight, capacity, concealability, accuracy and reliability. I like every gun on your list, and everyone of them is a fine handgun for home defense. But for CCW? Only the G19 fits the bill in my opinion.

mlk18

 

[Devonai]

Ichiban Beretta, Torso-chan! Kudasai, Beretta 92, domo!

 

[Minute_Of_Torso]

Thanks, all. Will be on the plane in just a few days and will be doing some research while flying and when I get home . . . you've given me some good input, especially on the other models of SIGs.

Just to answer some questions: I do often carry with no holster, pistol tucked in waistband. That is why I've avoided Glocks this long. However, if I do choose the Glock, I'm going to be using an IWB holster. Also, I should have said that I'm not REPLACING the Ruger or SA, I'm going to be adding this new gun to the CCW rotation. A few months of this, a few months of that, practice with all of them on a regular basis . . . I like variety.

I have also considered getting the Glock 23 with and an Oly Arms 9mm barrel so that I can CCW with .40 and practice with .40 and 9mm. Any personal experiences with that combination.

Thanks.

 

[RON in PA]

Glad to hear that you are not replacing the Ruger which IMHO can do anything any other pistol can do except perhaps ease of concealment. I recommend the SIG 228, if for nothing else, has the best SA/DA trigger going.

 

[BerettaNut92]

Ichiban Beretta, Torso-chan! Kudasai, Beretta 92, domo!

"Honorable....ahhsooo...." [bow]

 

[Wolfy]

I agree with clubsoda get the XD with the 40/357 Sig mags for 15 round capabilities. I have both the XD9 and XD357 and use the magazines from the 357 with the 9 all the time and just load them with 357 when I want to take that to the range. Magazines only cost $22. This is the best gun out there I think the beavertail safety was a real stoke of brilliance. You cannot rack the slide without depressing the beavertail safety, plus the trigger safety means this gun will not "accidently discharge". I can't say enough good things about them.

 

[Minute_Of_Torso]

Back in the good ole US of A and am truly grateful! Made my well-informed trip to the gunstore.

I began by handling all of the SIGs present: SIGPRO SP2009, SIG P226, SIG P220, P239. Truth be told, from the research and from the posts on this board, I had narrowed my search down to a SIG or the Beretta 92. Anyway, the SIGs are a thing of beauty and fit/function/finish are truly impressive . . . but they just didn't sit comfortably in my hand.

Next was the Springfield XD9. I'm sure, too, that this would be what I call a "lifetime" pistol but the same thing happened . . . just didn't feel "right" and the natural point-of-aim was off for me.

So I proceeded to the Beretta 92. Once again, having owned several of these before, it felt right at home. I've always been impressed with the manufacturing and looks of the Berettas, so I was about to say, "Wrap it up, I'll take it" when I remembered that I was not going to make a hasty decision.

The next choice was the Browning HP. The shop had a very well maintained HP on consignment that was a great fit in my hand but I had decided earlier that I didn't want single-action-only/locked-and-cocked for this purchase.

Just so I could say that I had checked all the options of my original post, I asked to see the CZ75B. I was going to give it a quick look, disregard it as "typically substandard Eastern European" and go back for the Beretta. Imagine my surprise (and delight) when I left the shop a half hour later with a brand new CZ75B! This pistol feels GREAT in my hand. The slim lines and snagless exterior make carry (holsterless or otherwise) a breeze. Just from the feel of it and a quick inspection of its innards, I can tell that this is a solid, rugged performer. I am also truly impressed with the trigger - very smooth and crisp. Plus, no one had previously warned me of the included accessories: two company-supplied renewable snap caps . . . great idea that I wish some other manufacturers would copy.

I will be posting my range report after this weekend's outing.

Thanks for all the inputs.

Good to be home.