I REALLY like my Forty-Nine. It is actually the stainless 40 model. The grips are perfect for me. There are no grooves, no weird backstrapping. The pebbled grips are almost like the Gen 1 Glocks, but close to a Robar job grip stipling refinish. Yeah, the trigger is heavy, but I like it. The RSS reset is pretty good and smooth. I bought it for a great deal, and actually like it better than the Sigma 40 I originally planned to buy. I bought the 40VE recently, and I like it, too. The Forty Nine is a better gun, though. It strips like a Kahr. You can find them for $250-300 on the used market. If the magazines are dumping them at $279 or so, expect the total to be around $300 with shipping, and FFL fee, etc. The thing I like most about the Forty Nine is the slide top configuration. It is round; almost like a 1911. SIG holsters will generally fit this gun. The FNP-9 is a bit more expensive, and has a manual freame safety and some backstrap inserts. I saw one for $540, but I hear they are also on clearance for some of the old models. I shall wait for the $300 opporutnity. I can get about 3-4 inch groups shooting off hand at 15 yds, slow fire. Recoil is typical of 40 from a polymer handgun.