MA resident trying to decide...SIG or S&W TSW?

Ok, so first off I have to say I'm a Massachusetts residents, so your sympathies are very welcome :banghead:

So what that means is that, due to the two levels of heavy scrutiny that handguns have to pass before they be sold in MA, the newest pistols that make my mouth water are out of reach for the forseeable future and I have to start being realistic about which pistol I want to purchase next.

So please help me out here... My favorites now a days, despite the lack of MA compliance, for a pistol thats good for semi-concealed protection and range shhoting are:

Browning Pro-9/FNH-M in 9mm & .40
Beretta px4 Storm
Taurus PT945 w/ Rail
Ruger P95PR M

If you can't tell by the simularities of the above pistols, I am looking for the following characteristics:

DA/SA with "exposed hammer" (no Glock type actions)
3.75" to 4" barrel
Lightweight (under 26 oz w/ Semi-polymere if I can help it)
Not too wide (1.1"-1.3")
High capacity
Manual safety
P. Rail for laser & light
Small frame (I have small frame wrists, so for controllability)
Ability to add a Doctar holo sight on in lieu of rear sight
Short recoil
Reliability
Easy break-down
...and accurate as hell

I'm not asking for the world, right?

What i've found is that this is unrealistic being a MA resident... I'm old fashioned, I like the manual safety, but love the rail and want a lighter weight for control. So i've had to become realistic...

What i've come to find is that my two best options are the SIG 2022 or 229 for a modern, reliable weapon thats allowed in MA or the S&W 4013TSW Pistol since it has all the ammenities, just a little heavier than I would like but I tried out one with the rubber grip, ad added exposed hammer, rail & vented barrel and it felt great in my hand, well balanced...for a $1,000 pistol)

As far as the SIG's are concerned, to get the ammenaties, i'd have to forego the manual safety for a decocker. I 'think' i can live with that if need be, but i can't decide between the P229 and the SP2022... The SP2022 is the modern cat's meow, but its take down & parts are less reliable than the P229 but it's thinner than the cumbersoem 1.5" P229...

I'm looking for any suggestions all around, thank you.


Nan'

 

i'm from mass too, and i can tell you from my experience that you can find many great guns that arent exactly mass compliant if you spend a little time looking around. if i were in your position, i would add an hk usp (possibly uspc for a little more concealment), as it is an excellent pistol in the da/sa category. you may also want to look into the p2000 series as well. hk makes a wonderful pistol, and the usp (not sure about the p2000 as i have never actually shot one) has a manual safety, which sounds like something you are interested in. you can find them used in very good condition for around $800, and it will likely be worth every penny, hk makes a real quality product, and its recoil absorption is second to none, as is its reliability. if you must buy new, i can only comment on the 229 as i have shot many of those (although i have only shot 9mm 229s) and they are certainly great guns, very accurate, and a fairly nice da/sa trigger pull if you ask me, but they can improve greatly with a little action work. i havent shot that model smith and wesson, but have experience with m&ps and s&w 1911s, and they are hard to beat. if you want to look for a usp, try northeastshooters.com, they have an excellent classifieds forum where many guns that are hard to find in mass have a way of turning up. good luck in your search!

 

I love the 229's. Just absolutely love them. They are a bit heavy and thick, but they shoot lights-out.

I had a 39313 TSW and a 4513TSW that both performed well. I don't think S&W is making them anymore, so parts and mags might be an issue. But they are excellent guns.

I'd agree with the USP recommendation as well.

 

Ha ha, too funny, I was JUST on the HK website...i gotta do what i do and breakdown the choices on a spreadshhit, but good point on the S&W with it not being produced anymore. Great pistol, but prob not worth the hassel..

Thanks all, keep the suggestions coming. Hell, there should be a "MA resident firearms enthusiest" support group ;-)

Man, can't HK make a lighter pistol?!?! 1.47-1.65 lbs?!? Might as well have a desert eagle ;-) Still, their great pistols!

 

There is. It's called Northeastshooters.com

Go there to talk about MA laws and such. Check out the classified ads also. You can find many Non-MA compliant handguns legally by private sale. You will pay a premium, but you may find what you want if you are patient and willing to pony up the money for it.

 

Ok, so thank you all for the Northeastshooters website, its a godsend.

What i've come across is a mix between the FNP-9 DA/SA - M or the Beretta Px4 Storm...now I just need to decide the caliber.

Originally I was gonna go 9mm, then I looked at .45's and started to drool over a single stack Kimber .45 with rail...

Any thoughts? I've seen some sweet Winchester +P+ 9mm ammo that put everything else to the test, with double the magazine capacity to boot...

I probably should try and get some work in today, we'll see...

 

I have both a SIG and a 4013TSW. I still carry the SIG, but the S&W is a safe queen now.

 

Nantucketeer, what gun shop are you planning on checking out stuff at? I am a former Cape Codder, let me know I might be able to help you out or divert you from trouble...........

 

......as in avoiding a certain shop that begins with "P" and ends in "N".

 

chipperman, whatever do you mean, P and N huh............... I think I might know of a certain store with those letters...........