Can you help a geezer pick out a new pistol?

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Hokkmike

Hokkmike

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Can you give me your best choice for a pistol meeting the following requirements? I have been a shooter for 30 years but have stuck pretty much with bolt action rifles, and revolvers. (fiddle with a shotgun but I am no good) I recently picked up a .380 Bersa and it is so much fun I want to get a major piece in semi-auto pistol. I have decided to sell or trade one of my SAKO rifles to fund it
(I plan to use it just for fun. I may pack it in my car or backpack when camping. (I do have a CWP) If I carried anything around it would be the little Bersa as it is so compact and easy to hide, but I don’t know yet if I will do that.)
Here are the criteria. If you think I am amiss or missing something important please let me know!

9 mm or .45 ACP
stainless
large capacity magazine
double then single action
exposed hammer
right handed safety
decocker
grip for smaller hand
utterly reliable
price ceiling $700

I appreciate your advice, comments, and discussion!
 
A Sig comes close, but does not have a manual safety.

A Beretta 92 might be a pretty good choice to look into - the only point it may not be good for is the small hand grip. It worked fine for me, and I would guess I have average sized hands.

What would be your capacity limitations? Is 10 enough? Or are you looking more along the lines of 15 or so?
 
D-Man, I recognize that the requirement for a high capacity magazine and a smaller grip size may be mutually preclusive. Given a choice of 10 or 15 rounds it seems clear to me that if I don't have a pistol that fits comfortably then it it doesn't matter. Therefore, I guess it seems that I might need to sacrifice capacity to go to smaller size, maybe even a compact?

I do appreciate any suggestions. This is probably my weakest area of shooting "smarts"!

Thanks!
 
get a P99

They do make a titanium slide P99 but a blue one is just as good. As a general rule, stainless isnt as good for making a pistol then the usual steel because it doesnt mill as well, in other words it isnt as precise. The good thing about stainless steel is that it offers corrosion resistance. Honestly i have had no problem with corrosion since i take very good care of my weapons. The P99 in 9MM is great fun to shoot and great for self defence. Most .45's hold 7-8 rounds while a 9mm P99 can hold 15. SW99's are a knock off of the P99 so stay away from them.

go to wikepedia and check out Walther P99 or check out www.waltheramerica.com
 
No need to sacrifice that much capacity in what you are looking for, or go to a true compact model.

A Sig P239 is 8+1, single-stack grip, and while small is not too compact. The only issue is that this doesn't have a manual safety, so you may rule that out.
They have other single-stack models in their lineup as well.

A 1911 would be a decent choice, and you can use 8 or 10 round magazines, but these will almost all be single action. There are some models (made by Para Ordnance) that have different trigger styles, but none that are DA/SA that I am aware of. Para also makes double-stacked 1911's too.
 
D-Man, this may sound like a stupid question (I have already admitted my igmorance on the subject) but why does a pistol have no safety? Is it because, like a revolver, the first shot must be double action? If not fired, decocked then double action again? I note that the saftey on my Bersa disables the trigger. Seems like a comfortable arrangement. Is the safety requirement something I should forgo?
 
Hokkmike,

The idea of a safety on a gun is a heavily debated topic, and not something we should get into here (don't want to ruin your thread about gun choices).

Many people feel that on a defense handgun, and especially on one that may be carried, a safety is an extra thing that will need to be deactivated when needed. So for ease of use, people dont' prefer to have (or use) one. These guns are usually DA guns with a longer trigger pull. Though a Glock is the exception here, since it has a lighter pull.

In the end, the safety debate comes down to you and what you're comfortable with. I have 3 guns - one with safety/decocker, a standard 1911, and a Sig with decocker only.
 
have you looked at...

Hk USP or the Beretta 92FS both graet guns and meet your requirements.
 
I would recommend a Para Ord 1911 but it:
1. Is single action only
2. Does not have a decocker.

Para makes some high capacity models. Think about a 1911 because they are SWEET shooters. They are the most enjoyable. I also think a 9mm in 1911 would be great....low recoil and cheap fun!!

A CZ 75 in satin nickel would be great.
- you'll want to check your grip and reach to the trigger.
- An SP-01 may be good for range stuff.

The Springfield you posted is a compact. Most would recommend a 4" barrel on a 1911. If you are buying it as a shooter and not a concealment gun....go with a full size. If you may conceal sometimes, go with a 4".
 
Don't be in a hurry.

You said that you have $700.00 - you have plenty to chose from. You might want to put some ideas on paper to consider on each candidate prior to making any purchase.

a) Wheel gun or Semi-Auto :rolleyes:
b) what caliber :confused:
c) blue steel = stronger / shows wear :banghead:
d) stainless = looks better / ez to keep up / just a tad softer metal :cool:
e) polymer = high tech / :fire:
f) full - compact & all in between / size does matter :scrutiny:
g) sport shooting - carry - conceal = what is my purpose :eek:

(don't turn this into and Edsel / keep it simple / it's only a handgun)

THE MOST IMPORTANT: How does it PERFORM in MY hand.
Make it your choice. :D

For about $564.00, which includes tax, I chose what I preferred. (GLOCK 21)
I chose it for the protection of my family and personal use. I chose it because of the accountability on reliability. I want to know if I ever need to rely on a pistol, that it will perform as intended. No other reason. The .45 cal is my preference in caliber. :evil:
 
Sounds Like a CZ to me.

Though the Sig 226 is one of the nicest DA/SA pistols I ever handled.

Pick whichever fits your hand best.
 
A dealer recently told me that S&W is making the P99's sold here and that the quality is not a good as the German made units, which I took to mean the German manufactured guns are no longer sold in the U.S.
Click to expand...

Hmm if you want a p99, just look at it, it will have the deer horn, the eagle over n proofmarks on the frame, slide, and barrel, those are made in germany. I have never seen a p99 that was half sw and half walther.

This makes me wonder if the p99 slide will fit on a sw99 or vice versa.

my p99 is in .40 and has excellent workmanship, i know brand new, my p99 had the ramp polished, and other parts were polished so it seems like alot of hand fitting was done at the factory.

I field stripped a sw99, and it does not seem to have this done to it.

I would pick a sw99 in a heartbeat though if i had the funding and if my top of the list guns were in my posession.
 
Divide your money, get two good guns.

Split your money and get two guns. :D If I had $700 + / - , would be looking :what: at two guns. Like say a CZ 83, and a S&W 686 used. Plenty of well taken care of 686's out on the market. You would have a ammo range from .380 w/ the CZ, up to .38 spl, .38 +P, .357, and Shell Shots for snakes w/ the Smith & Wesson. :rolleyes: The CZ would serve as low profile concealment in the Blue Steel, or the ez care of the Stainless Steel to serve harsh duty assignments.

Now you got something to think about :evil:

Hope you git something nice, that's a good one. :)
 
I'm not familiar with the specific S&W model #'s for their autos (the different models and numbering system drives me nuts), but in general they are solid guns, and might also be a good choice for you.

The biggest thing with them is to make sure the gun you get is in good working condition with as little wear as possible.
 
With regard to S&W police trade ins, If you find a model 6906 in very good shape and priced no higher than $300., it's a good buy. It has a decocker and very short trigger reset and is toatlly reliable. The 3rd generation S&W's are great guns and come with a matte stainless steel finish.
I would also suggest you take a look at the CZ PCR. It is an alloy frame 9mm.
that is compact and light weight. You can get 12 rd. mags and it has a decocker. It does not come in stainless but it has a very hard wearing finish and great ergonomics. Pick one up and see how it feels in your hands. Brand new it runs about $425. Brand new, the trigger is a little stiff but use it and it smooths out nicely. If you want a light rail, choose it's newer cousin the P01.

Both great guns and should be checked out. I have both the PCR and the S&W
6906. For me the PCR works and shoots the best but I wouldn't part with either
gun.
 
Not a hammer pistol but everything else your looking for is right here, 13 round 45 acp magazine capacity!! reliable, durable and accurate right out of the box!!:) Plus you get all the gear for free.


http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-xdpstl-45acp.shtml


And here is a good price on it as well, only $20 shipping..

https://www.gilbertsguns.com/index.php?request=main.viewproduct&productid=2506&categoryid=8

If you want to read more up on this pistol this forum is excellent!! browse around, register, ask questions, I guarantee you cant go wrong with this pistol

http://www.hs2000talk.com/index.php

Oh and you can now get that XD45 in bi tone.

http://www.hs2000talk.com/viewtopic.php?t=37325
 
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Ruger P-series semi-autos. A good gun at a good price, although they tend to be a bit heavy. Their P-94, P-95, and P-97 have so many variations that you'd surely find one that met all your requirements.

As other posters have stated, a Sig, HK or Beretta may be more than your $700 limit. But that's NIB. A used one normally is substantially cheaper. I picked up a used HK USP45F that was carried a lot and shot a little for $500. There are good buys to be found, you just have to be patient and do a little looking.

Mike
 
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