Help me find a gun that matches these criteria...

[bigfische]

My girlfirend and I are in the process of trying to pick a handgun out for her. She put together what she learned from my guns, and made a list of features that she wants in her gun.

1)9mm or .380
2)a midsize pistol....somewhere close to 7" in length
3)decocker external safety
4)not to heavy, not to light.....24-27oz?
5)external hammer
6) da/sa
7)about 600 bucks(quality used guns would be considered)

Best I could come up with is a Beretta px4. Anything else out there?

 

[9mmepiphany]

The first thing that comes to mind is the Sig P6 or a used Sig 228

 

[Telekinesis]

I'll second the used Sig 228 or 229. Great guns.

 

[rellascout]

CZ P01
Sig SP2022
Sig P229
Sig P228
FNX 9mm

 

[G.barnes]

If it doesn't have to be sa/da then xd or m&p with manual safeties. There is also used h&k

 

[Zerodefect]

My girlfirend and I are in the process of trying to pick a handgun out for her. She put together what she learned from my guns, and made a list of features that she wants in her gun.

1)9mm or .380
2)a midsize pistol....somewhere lose to 7" in length
3)decock and ext safeties aren't needed on certain models, especially with a proper holster
4)not to heavy, not to light.....24-27oz?
5) why limit to hammers only?????
6) I never recommmend DA/SA anymore
7)about 600 bucks(quality used guns would be considered)

. Anything else out there?

If we kill a few of your specs that really aren't nessasary, or truely aren't a big deal, it really opens up your choices.

And why limit to $600. The right gun for you is the right gun for you. Ignore price. (Need more cash? Cancel your TV cable)

 

[bestseller92]

Ruger SR9

 

[JCallaway82]

+1 on the PX4.

PX4 Compact is nice. right in the middle.

I have the full-size. I have shot the sub-compact and it is really nice as well, although it lacks the rotating barrel. The compact, however, is right between the two size-wise. And still has the rotating barrel design.

She needs to hold it though for sure, and see how she likes the ergonomics...

 

[Telekinesis]

If you want to drop the some of your requirements, I might recommend a HK P7 PSP. It's SA Only, but the grip safety/slide release also cocks the gun when you squeeze it and decocks the gun when you release it. The triggers are great, and with the exception of the heel mag release, it is one of the faster guns to reload from slide lock (just squeeze the grip and you're ready to fire). It is also single stack, so easier for people with smaller hands.

The downside to one is that they've been out of production for a while now, so mags are a bit expensive and holster selection is not great (though I've found several higher end holster makers that seem to have P7 holsters). Another downside is you run the risk of falling in love with the gun and will want more of them and start recommending one to everyone you know...

If you're interested, HKparts.net has some PSPs in for about $650. They're police trade in guns, but from what I've herd from people who bought from that store, the $650 grade is very good to excellent.

 

[labhound]

Stoeger Cougar 9mm. $419 NIB. Meets your requirements but weighs about 30 ounces.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

What about a P-64?

It's 9mm Mak, right in between 9mm & .380, and it will run you about $200.

 

[bigfische]

She has shot a Cougar in .40 quite a bit. She does like the gun, just a little heavy for her tastes. The Cougar is what made me think of the px4 as well.

As for the criteria, like i said, they arent mine. I tried not to steer as much as possible. I the thing that is not optional to her is the external safety/decocker, everything else will have to be a little bit of a give and take more than likely.

I think the hammer is more of an asthetic thing, im not sure. But why not try to get everything you want if possible?

The DA/SA part is she doesnt quite know how she wants to keep it. it will be a bedside gun, so she liked the idea of a DA trigger for picking it up in the dark.

 

[9mmepiphany]

If we kill a few of your specs that really aren't nessasary, or truely aren't a big deal, it really opens up your choices.

While your explanations are valid, some folks just have certain preferences...plus it adds variety by not having the same answers always come up.

There are things you can do with a gun with a hammer that you can't with one without.

If you're going to have a hammer, you'll need a de-cocker/safety unless you go DAO with a Sig DAK or H&K LEM

 

[bigfische]

Also, i dont have any experience or first hand knowledge even about cz pistols. I know they make nice rifles, are their pistols considered reliable as well?

 

[Zerodefect]

Also, i dont have any experience or first hand knowledge even about cz pistols. I know they make nice rifles, are their pistols considered reliable as well?

Yes. Very reliable.

A friend of mine let me shoot his all steel 9mm CZ. It was a small fullsize, or large mid size. It ran 100%, had simple but very nice sights, light trigger, and allmost zero recoil.

I forget the model. Maybe this one:
http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-75-compact/

It wasn't my type obviously, but it was very nice. The proper spacing of daylight between the sights was a nice touch.

 

[Remo223]

if you must have a decocker, stick with a sig. every other decocker made is underwhelming...i mean the actual decocker lever, not the overall pistol.

 

[dcarch]

I would take a very hard look at the CZ SP01. I am a self identified CZ fanboy, but they are some of my favorite guns for some pretty good reasons. They are not only accurate and reliable, they are also very ergonomic. Give the CZ series a good once-over before you make up your mind on anything.

 

[CarolinaJack88]

Taurus PT 809

 

[wrench]

S&W 3913?
Single stack 9mm
External hammer
Decocker/safety
Compact size, but not tiny
DA/SA
Super quality, reliable, accurate.

 

[MCMXI]

1)9mm or .380
2)a midsize pistol....somewhere close to 7" in length
3)decocker external safety
4)not to heavy, not to light.....24-27oz?
5)external hammer
6) da/sa
7)about 600 bucks(quality used guns would be considered)

How about a SIG P239.

1. Available in 9mm Luger
2. Overall length = 6.6"
3. Decocker = yes
4. Weight = 29.5oz with magazine
5. External hammer = yes
6. Trigger = DA/SA with SRT available
7. Price = $700 to $800 depending on model

There are a number of models to choose from but I'd suggest the SAS Gen 2 with night sights and short reset trigger (SRT). That's the one I have and it's a keeper. Very accurate, very reliable, great trigger, comes with night sights and 8 and 10-round magazines are readily available.

http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductList/pistols-p239.aspx

 

[Cactus Jack Arizona]

Don't forget to consider a CZ 2075 BD Rami. It qualifies for everything you listed. Oh, and you should be able to get one for less than what you listed as willing to spend.

 

[CZ57]

The CZ P-01 is a great pistol that fits your criteria.

 

[scythefwd]

FEG P9r.
CZ Rami BD is a bit small for your requirements, but fits everything else.
Smith mod 59.

 

[CrazyO]

Have her look at the CZ 75D PCR. It is as accurate as my full size 75B and quite a bit lighter. Another good choice would be a Sig P225, being a single stack for smaller hands.

 

[loneviking]

The Sig P6/225 matches up with the requirement. Smith & Wesson have quite a few autos that also match up very well with the requirements with the 3913 being a very good choice.

When choosing, look at parts availability and costs of the magazines. The one problem with the Sigs is that factory mags run about $50 each. Mech-Gar makes aftermarket mags for some Sigs that I've heard are reliable, but they don't seem to make 'em for the P6/225.