Hello, all. I'm trying to decide on my next "just one more" handgun, and have it narrowed down to two choices. I want something optimized for home defense, but I'll probably be carrying it on occasion too. Competition use is a possibility. At a minimum, I want a reliable full size 9mm with above average capacity, long sight radius and simple controls (no manual safety). Tritium sight options and light mounting options would be nice.
Lots of choices out there fit this criteria, and people will want to recommend striker-fired options. I've had experience owning several striker guns, such as the SR9, SW9VE, M&P, and Glock 19. I still own a Glock 26 which is a keeper for the CCW role, but I want to go hammer-fired for this new gun. Partially because I generally like the trigger feel better than on a striker, and also because I've been thinking about the philosophy of carrying/storing a gun decocked for greater safety and transitioning to a single action pull for easier accuracy. It does make sense in some ways, provided you train with it.
Anyway, after doing some research and looking at prices, I've got two contenders in mind:
Beretta 92G, $550 online. On a whim I rented a 92FS at a local range and that's what got me on the hammer/decocker kick. I learned that the double to single transition really isn't much of an issue at all. This pistol has long proven reliability, a big but comfortable grip, a smooth double action trigger and a crisp single action. I shot nice well-centered groups with it using either trigger mode. The elegant looks don't hurt either. The only issue I had with it was in some cases activating the manual safety by accident when racking the slide, which is why I'd buy the decocker-only "G" model which was just rereleased by Beretta. 15 round mags are standard but factory 17, 20, and 30-rounders are easily available. If I want night sights I would apparently have to send the slide off to have the front sight drilled and a tritium insert installed. The 92G doesn't have an accessory rail but adaptors for lights exist.
CZ P-09, $439 online. I unfortunately have no hands-on experience with this gun as of yet, but everything I've seen and heard is very very positive. Reliability and accuracy are excellent by all accounts, the polymer frame makes it lighter than the Beretta, it has 3 backstraps for different-sized hands, a rail for lights, and available tritium sights. Capacity is excellent at 19+1 factory. The decocker seems like it would be easier to operate than on the 92. The price is very attractive compared to the Beretta. The gun isn't as "pretty" as the Beretta but it does have a very purposeful, business-like look. The main downsides I can see for this pistol are the lack of long-term track record compared with the 92, the expensive mags, and the fact that I've never had the chance to test one.
So in summary, I really want one of these awesome handguns and can't decide which. Please vote for one and let me know why you voted the way you did. Direct experience with one or both is preferable.
Thanks guys!
Lots of choices out there fit this criteria, and people will want to recommend striker-fired options. I've had experience owning several striker guns, such as the SR9, SW9VE, M&P, and Glock 19. I still own a Glock 26 which is a keeper for the CCW role, but I want to go hammer-fired for this new gun. Partially because I generally like the trigger feel better than on a striker, and also because I've been thinking about the philosophy of carrying/storing a gun decocked for greater safety and transitioning to a single action pull for easier accuracy. It does make sense in some ways, provided you train with it.
Anyway, after doing some research and looking at prices, I've got two contenders in mind:
Beretta 92G, $550 online. On a whim I rented a 92FS at a local range and that's what got me on the hammer/decocker kick. I learned that the double to single transition really isn't much of an issue at all. This pistol has long proven reliability, a big but comfortable grip, a smooth double action trigger and a crisp single action. I shot nice well-centered groups with it using either trigger mode. The elegant looks don't hurt either. The only issue I had with it was in some cases activating the manual safety by accident when racking the slide, which is why I'd buy the decocker-only "G" model which was just rereleased by Beretta. 15 round mags are standard but factory 17, 20, and 30-rounders are easily available. If I want night sights I would apparently have to send the slide off to have the front sight drilled and a tritium insert installed. The 92G doesn't have an accessory rail but adaptors for lights exist.
CZ P-09, $439 online. I unfortunately have no hands-on experience with this gun as of yet, but everything I've seen and heard is very very positive. Reliability and accuracy are excellent by all accounts, the polymer frame makes it lighter than the Beretta, it has 3 backstraps for different-sized hands, a rail for lights, and available tritium sights. Capacity is excellent at 19+1 factory. The decocker seems like it would be easier to operate than on the 92. The price is very attractive compared to the Beretta. The gun isn't as "pretty" as the Beretta but it does have a very purposeful, business-like look. The main downsides I can see for this pistol are the lack of long-term track record compared with the 92, the expensive mags, and the fact that I've never had the chance to test one.
So in summary, I really want one of these awesome handguns and can't decide which. Please vote for one and let me know why you voted the way you did. Direct experience with one or both is preferable.
Thanks guys!
