Does such a beast exist

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David4516

David4516

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I'm considering buying a new pistol. I know what features I want but I don't know if any one gun combines them all. Wondering if I'm overlooking something...

First a little background. I am in my mid-30s, and for almost all of my concealed carry life (about 14 years) I've carried a Makarov. When I was in my early 20s it was one of the few pistols I could afford and the 9X18 ammo was cheap and plentiful back then. I kept saying "I'll upgrade to a better gun later" but never did so until very recently. This was in part because the Mak had proven itself to be very reliable and also because I was getting to be a pretty decent shot with it (not amazing, just decent, I'm much better with rifles than I am with handguns).

Anyway about a year ago my wife got me a Glock 43. I really like it for the most part, I like 9x19 (especially compared to .380 or 9X18), I like that it's lighter and easier to carry, etc. I have two issues though. One, I am having a tough time shooting it with any kind of accuracy. I am used to a light single action trigger pull, not the Glock trigger (to be fair though the Glock trigger is better than most striker fired pistol triggers I've tried), and I hate the sights on this thing. The second issue is that my wife is talking about taking it for herself.

I'm inclined to let her have it and buy something that agrees with me more. I'm just not sure what that something is, which is why I am here posting this thread. What would you guys recommend that fits the following:

9X19 Luger

Single Stack

DA/SA action, with hammer not striker

Roughly the same size as a Makarov

Same or less weight as a Makarov (Ok with steel, aluminum, or polymer frame)

I can't think of anything that meets all these points. I can think of plenty that meet most of them though, so I might have to compromise. Closest thing I can think of is a Springfield Armory EMP, but it is SAO, so I'd have to re-train myself to carry "cocked and locked". I like the DA/SA because I can decock, and carry with a round in the chamber, hammer down, and not have to mess with a safety
 
sig p239 is kinda close they made a sig p232 i think would be close IIRC- someone i think H&K made a copy of a PPK in 9mm also


And that one\l/
 
You will probably have to look for a double stack that's not as wide as something like a Beretta 92. The width of the Sig 225 is almost the same as some double stacks.
 
SIG P-239 is about the closest I can think of ...

The S&W 3913/3914 at just tad bigger has all the features you want.

A little training curve comes with it, and it's SA only (like the SA EMP), but the SIG P-938 has a lot going for it ... especially in the sights and accuracy department.
 
That Sig P239 looks like a serious contender, I'll check it out

The P225 looks like the same pistol almost, but a little bigger?

I guess what I really want is a Mak in 9X19 LOL (I know that's not ever going to happen with the Mak being a blow-back mechanism)
 
You shoot the Mak already, you are familiar with it, and 9x18 is a decent performing round for such a small pistol. Anything more powerful in a small package will be harder to shoot. A larger pistol, and you may find yourself not carrying as often because it's uncomfortable. My vote is stick with the Mak.
 
I put a set of tru glo night sights on my 43 and, along with a fair amount of dry firing, it has improved my group size tremendously.

Try using more trigger finger, similar to double action revolver shooting.
 
You shoot the Mak already, you are familiar with it, and 9x18 is a decent performing round for such a small pistol.
Click to expand...

I had my Mak ('Maks' actually I have 2 of them now) converted from 9X18 to .380 due to the .380s greater selection of ammo and reloading components.

Also I'm getting into IDPA and the Mak isn't IDPA legal. You can shoot .380 but only in the newly formed "BUG" division. The Makarov barrel is too long for BUG (max barrel is 3.5 inch, Mak is 3.6). Next division up is CCP (compact carry pistol) which Mak is the correct size for, however minimum caliber for CCP is 9X19

I want to be able to compete in IDPA with the same gun/gear that I use for concealed carry. Most IDPA folks don't do this (see alot of Glock 34s for example) but for me it seems silly to spend that much time shooting a gun I won't carry.

I have shot the Makarov in a couple local level IDPA matches where they aren't that anal about the rules. The higher level matches are another story. The G43 is BUG legal and I've switched to it for IDPA (as well as making it my current primary carry gun). It's a good, reliable pistol (eats everything I feed it no problems). My scores with it suck though (again that accuracy thing).

So what I'm looking for is a pistol that I can carry/conceal easily/comfortably and also shoot it in BUG or CCP division IDPA, and that is as similar as possible to what I'm already used to (Makarov). The p239 really might be the best option I'll have to see if I can find one someplace and see how it fits my hand. Maybe I could find a place to rent one and send a few rounds downrange, see if I like it...
 
If you are comfortable with the Mak and don't really feel the need for more power then I don't see any reason to switch.
 
As others have said, look at the Sig 239. I bought mine used for $450 4 years ago.

The newly released 225-A1 is longer on paper but when placed side by side with a 239 you will see that the extra length appears to be in the beavertail and/or hammer, neither of which are noticeable under a cover garment. The 225 feels very slim. Specs place it right there with the 239 but the 225 feels slimmer. Holster options for the 225 are more plentiful than the 239 due to the 239's severely rounded and sweeping trigger guard.

H&K makes the P2000sk and the P30sk. Both are hammer fired DA/SA but both are double stack. Although, according to the published specs, the width of the HKs isn't appreciably thicker than the Sigs 239 or the 225.

Going back in time, S&W made the CS9 or Chief's Special 9 but those are rare as hen's teeth now and spare parts are probably getting just as scarce.

Take a good hard look at the Sigs.
 
For both value and features, I'd say give serious consideration to either the Sig P6 (police version of the 225) or S&W 908 ("value" version of the 3913).

As far as your check-list:

9X19 Luger: Yep.
Single Stack: They are.
DA/SA action, with hammer not striker: Both have 'em.
Roughly the same size as a Makarov: I sold my Macs a few years ago, but they are in the ball park size-wise.
Same or less weight as a Makarov (Ok with steel, aluminum, or polymer frame). Pretty much.

I had Sig do a trigger job and put night sights on my P6 (they were offering a special at a great price) and the S&W has a very nice trigger right out of the box. You can also find the 908 in stainless if bling attracts you.
 
Para LDA officer.

96641_lda_officer.png

I personally never got used to the trigger in my P18 limited LDA but it was the lightest DA trigger I have ever felt.

Really more like a really long SA trigger on a 1911 but it's called A DAO. The hammer is bobbed and only moves to the rear when you pull the trigger but you are not overcoming the mainspring when doing this.
 
9X19 Luger

Single Stack

DA/SA action, with hammer not striker
Click to expand...
This is what I wanted. I believe, for what you want, an old S&W is the only thing out there that is reasonably priced. The Bersa Thunder Ultra carry is the smallest DA/SA I could find, but it is quite a bit bigger that a true single-stack. If you can live with SA, there is the Kimber Solo (like the Sig, for a lot of money).

It is kind of weird no one makes one - seems like a natural. I didn't want to chase down an old S&W, so I ended up with a Shield, but you already have a Glock 43. Anyway, good luck.
 
GOT SIG?
I cant say enough good things about a P239. Mine is a great shooter. Very accurate and with the best double/single trigger I have.
Its a little light in the capacity department for IDPA but I guess you can get ten round mags for them.
 
I carry a P239 in .357 Sig everyday. Weight is really the only negative to this pistol.
 
The Ruger LC9s or LCPs Pro, especially the latter I'd striker fired, but has a pretty light trigger pull. Might be worth your wire to give it a look...
 
you've just described the classic S&W 3913, as others have noted -- one of the finest and most respected single stack 9mms ever made.
 
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