I went through a similar search a while back. Even though I prefer 1911s, I settled on a 9mm DAO Beretta Mini Cougar and a custom 9mm scandium frame S&W snubby - same ammo, similar triggers, both point and shoot. The Beretta was good for both on and off duty carry because you can use full size mags with grip extender sleeves to make it the same size as a standard Cougar. It was a good combo until I soured on the 9mm for duty carry.
These days my duty gun is a FNP45 Tactical and I love it - 16rd capacity, ambi everything, DA/SA or cocked & locked (my preference), decocker, second strike capable, same grip angle as a 1911, optic ready slide, 100% reliable, and very accurate- it is everything I ever wanted in a duty piece. Plus, fully loaded with 16 230gr rounds and equipped with a Trijicon mini red dot sight, it actually weighs less than a 1911 loaded with 9 rounds of the same ammo.
I've come to the conclusion that, for me, ammo compatibility between primary and back up isn't all that critical. The two guns have different uses and don't need to be exactly the same. My primary needs to be able to fill a wide range of needs but my BUG is a last ditch, "get off me˝ gun that must be simple and reliable, and function under the worst possible circumstances using either hand and my snubby fills that roll perfectly.
These days my duty gun is a FNP45 Tactical and I love it - 16rd capacity, ambi everything, DA/SA or cocked & locked (my preference), decocker, second strike capable, same grip angle as a 1911, optic ready slide, 100% reliable, and very accurate- it is everything I ever wanted in a duty piece. Plus, fully loaded with 16 230gr rounds and equipped with a Trijicon mini red dot sight, it actually weighs less than a 1911 loaded with 9 rounds of the same ammo.
I've come to the conclusion that, for me, ammo compatibility between primary and back up isn't all that critical. The two guns have different uses and don't need to be exactly the same. My primary needs to be able to fill a wide range of needs but my BUG is a last ditch, "get off me˝ gun that must be simple and reliable, and function under the worst possible circumstances using either hand and my snubby fills that roll perfectly.
