Help me decide on a CCW full size pistol...

[Cluster Bomb]

I am saving money for a new pistol. And would like some suggestions. Only post if you have had personal time with it.

What I am looking for.

1) lite weight, full sized.
2) cheap mags, factory extended mags must be 13+
3) Heavy trigger pull.
4) have hammer pull back (SA & DA)

5) Cal must be either 357 sig, 45 acp, 9mm (Not a fan), 380 (not a fan) and 32 (not a fan) (I am a large cal revolver fan) so anything bigger in my budget is a +

The budget is 400-600. and again #2 is a big plus along with #1 and #5

thanks.

 

[mljdeckard]

What's your idea if lightweight? Polymer or alloy?

Most 'full-size' guns even in .45 carry more than 13. Are you including compacts?

What's your idea of heavy?

Do you mean an exposed hammer?

 

[Cluster Bomb]

like this


Heavy is the phone book.
lightweight is half a bottle of beer.
somewhere in between would be nice.

 

[JTQ]

Deleted

Ooops, I over looked this one.

Only post if you have had personal time with it.

 

[GI_Jared]

CZ 75B, 9mm 16 rounds, around $470-$500

or
FNP-45, 45acp 15rounds, around $600-$650

 

[ichiban]

Another vote for the FN line. Often called "the poor man's Sig." Great guns for the money. I don't know how cheap the magazines are but it comes with three and I've found that to be sufficient. FNPs are being replaced with FNXs som there are lots of good deals out there. FNP9, FNP40, FNP357, FNP45.

 

[56hawk]

Because of your price requirements I would say Beretta PX4. I have one in 9mm but they also make a 45. They also match the rest of your requirements. My actual full size carry gun is an HK USP 40. It fits all your requirements except price and cheep mags. You should be able to find a used one in your price range though.

 

[CaptAwesome]

check out cdnn... right now they have some good prices on FNP-9 or FNP-40 stainless slide for 389.99 and the mags on there are 28 per. They also have some decent pricing on fnp45s and px4s

 

[SuperBoomTurbo]

+1 for FNP 45, but I'd go USG for the cocked and locked option. They're extremely light, tough and reliable (and in your price range). The grip fits like a glove in the hand, though I thought the slide was a little fat. Mags as someone stated range between 28 and 34 for what I've seen in the last month, 15 rounds of .45.
Aint spending tax money fun?

 

[Mr.510]

What about an XD45 or Compact? It's not a DA but meets your other requirements. I've got almost 10k rounds without a hiccup through my XD45C and it's a great firearm. I carry it IWB in a Comp-Tac MTAC every day.

 

[partricp]

Taurus PT92 or PT100

 

[sigarms228]

Used or CPO SIG P226 or P229 in .357 SIG.

 

[chris in va]

I'd have to go with a Sig 229. My friend has one, feels good in the hand and soft shooting.

 

[TheBurns]

I am currently working on carrying my beretta 92fs. I currently carry a taurus pt145: 45 acp, 10 +1 capacity, bought my extra mag on gunbroker for 7 bucks...

retails for around 350.00... readily available on gunbroker for about 70% that.

 

[SteampunkQueen]

Id say SIG's like a 220

 

[wojownik]

Take a gander at the p229 in .357 sig. They are light weight, DA/SA, with affordable MecGar mags at 13-14 round capacity. Also look at the p226 in .357 sig, which is definitely full(er) size.

The Sig Pro SP2022 might be worth considering in .357 sig (though personally I'm not a fan of the polymers, though it is a good gun at lower cost than the p229).

Your capacity requirements knock out the p220/p220 carry (8 rounds), which I would have otherwise recommended, and most other .45 cal pistols I can think of off hand (but my thinking is a bit fuzzy today).

If you extend your requirements to 9mm, then you might consider the p229 in 9mm, CZ-75, CZ P01, CZ P7. All fine handguns that fit the rest of the requirements. I carry the p228 and p229 regularly in 9mm. I've carried the the CZ-75, and that is one reassuringly solid feeling chunk of metal at your side (said affectionately).

 

[trex1310]

A Sig P226 CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) in .357 Sig should fit
your requirements.

 

[TheBurns]

Sig makes an excellent handgun

 

[justice06rr]

Berretta 92FS or PX4. Another suggestion is a HK USP45 which is a bit overbudget but still great pistols.

 

[saturno_v]

Bersa Thunder Pro

Alloy frame, steel slide, the lightest and smallest full size (4"+ barrel) metal pistol on the market.
9mm 18+1 (Thunder 9) or 40 S&W 13+1 (Thunder 40)
DA/SA Ambi safety and decocker, reversible mag release button, round in the chamber indicator.
Great trigger, accessory rail.
Lifetime warranty, cost $400.

 

[CZ223]

Third generation Smith

I am not exactly sure of the models with spur hammers and decockers but there are plenty of theem out there in you price range. You will probably have to go with one of the doublestack 9mm or 40 S&W's to meet you capacity requirements.

 

[SARDiver]

like this


Heavy is the phone book.
lightweight is half a bottle of beer.
somewhere in between would be nice.

Ummmm...That a swastika?

 

[Cluster Bomb]

yea, pic is from GB.

 

[Stormin.40]

I have a .40 Beretta PX4 Storm and I really like to carry and shoot it. It meets all your requirements except "Cheap Mags." around here they run $45 each, but you can get 14rd mags that fit flush or 17rd extended mags.

 

[Michael R.]

Ruger p95. Cheap and reliable, they are great guns.