Need Help Making a Pistol Decision

[vbosch]

Hello all, as the title would suggest I need your help deciding between a few guns. Currently I am torn between a Beretta 92A1, Sig P226 and a Kimber Custom TLE II.

The purpose of this pistol is for it to pretty much go wherever I go, day in day out. Something that I can have for years to come as well. I plan on taking it to the range, having it as my home defense gun, bringing it in the vehicle and carrying it every so often. I know these may not be the best for concealed carry but I am more than willing to put the money and effort towards making one of them work.

I understand that all three are full-size guns and that's the way I want it to be. I have handled all 3 and they all feel great in my hand and I shoot them all pretty darn well. I don't need any suggestions towards a different gun. I appreciate all your opinions and I wouldn't be coming here if I didn't but these 3 guns are the only ones I want to consider. And no, as nice as it would be I cannot afford all 3. Just one.

So, if you could only pick one to have with you wherever you may go: Beretta 92A1, Sig P226, or Kimber Custom TLE II.

 

[shootniron]

Kimber...but, honestly, that is biased as I am a 1911 guy and I have never seen a Beretta 92 or a Sig that I would have.

 

[mikemx5]

As an all around range gun, especially if its your first or only gun, I would go with either the SIG or the Beretta.

 

[CNobbe]

I vote P226 but I don't think I'd want to try to conceal any of them.

 

[JDR]

The Sig P226 works well for what you want to use it for

 

[Twiki357]

I have a Kimber Crimson Carry that is a great gun and I would recommend it.
Never had a Sig, so I can’t say.
I do have a Beretta and will never have another. Bought it used about 3 years old and it’s a POS. Berettas warranty is only for one year and only to an original purcher so I guess they know their stuff is crap.

 

[zerobarrier]

I carry a Beretta 92fs Brigadier, Glock 23, Kimber custom CDP II 5" and I conceal them all really well. You do have to put some thought into what you are wearing and get a really good gun belt, thebeltman makes awesome ones, it makes carrying a larger pistol easier.

For the 3 I carry, the Kimber seems to be the easiest, yes it is long but skinny, Skinner is easier to carry. The beretta is probably the biggest but I like the fact that mine has 18rds in the mag and 1 in the pipe.

I think all 3 of your choices would be great as long as you have a good carry rig, also really skinny guys and really fat guys tend to have a harder time concealing the larger pistols. Its us average guys that can do it.

I think your decision might boil down to capacity and caliber. Are you ok with only 9rds of 45acp, maybe carry a few extra mags? Or would you rather have 19rds of 9mm and no extra mags. or 13rds of 40sw?

Between those 3 my choices would be Sig, one with night sights in either 40sw or 9mm, close second Kimber TLE, possibly in 10mm, then the beretta. The sig is cheaper then Kimber which allows you to get a good holster and belt. Also a rail on it if you want to add a flashlight. I put a viridian light on my glock 23 and it is really bright and fits great, Hidden hybrid holster can make and holster for any gun, light combo. Plus it is an OWB and IWB holster.

 

[NWcityguy2]

Those guns don't suit your purposes well, and the odds are you'll be looking for a smaller and lighter gun before too long. I know you phrased your post in a way that says you don't want to hear that, but you're not the first person who has tried to fit a square peg in a round hole because he fell in love with a gun he doesn't own yet. Full-size guns are the worst choice for someone who isn't committed to carrying every single day, no matter where they are going.

Between the three, you'll probably be happier with either a 92A1 or a P226, as 9mm is much cheaper to train with than 45acp. The price of ammo adds up pretty quickly.

 

[Capt. Ct.]

For your case I would vote for the Sig.

 

[JTQ]

The sig is cheaper then Kimber which allows you to get a good holster and belt. Also a rail on it if you want to add a flashlight.

I suspect the Beretta would be the least expensive of the group (typically a $700ish gun), with the Kimber and the SIG basically in the same price range.

Here are Top Gun Supply prices for the Kimber TLE II and the SIG P226.

TLE II at $960 http://www.topgunsupply.com/kimber-custom-tle-ii-45acp.html

SIG P226 at $1,000 http://www.topgunsupply.com/sig-sauer-p226r-9mm-nitron-siglite-night-sights-da-sa.html

I'm a 1911 guy, and own no 9mm pistols, but if I were buying today, I'd probably pick the Beretta. I have been seriously been considering getting one. I'm a little concerned with the 92A1's uniqueness in the Beretta line-up, and it will be harder to find a holster for it (I'm a holster hound and I've been looking) than for the Kimber or the SIG.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I have issues with Kimber and think they are overpriced for what you get. They may shoot great, but I personally will not spend money on a Kimber product. However, a lot of folks swear by them and have had great experiences.

I have a Beretta/Wilson 92 Brigadier Tactical. I really like the 92 design and feel of the gun. However, I don't think I'd care for it quite as much if it wasn't a decocker only gun. I'm not a fan of slide mounted safeties as you can inadvertently activate the safety when wracking the gun.

I've never owned a Sig, but will eventually. I like that they are decocker only guns, and they fit me well. For the do everything role you describe, the Sig would likely be my choice of what you have listed.

 

[bannockburn]

I had a SIG P226 years ago and chose it over a Beretta Model 92 because the P226 had a better feel to it and I preferred it's design ergonomics. Nowadays I have a P229R as my all-around gun with her as a range gun, home defense, and concealed carry if need be.

 

[ATLDave]

All fine guns... all of them have totally different controls/operation. The Beretta and the Kimber will require you learning to take off a safety on the draw, but the muscle memory will be opposite. The SIG won't have one, so if you want one, too bad. The Sig's decocker and slide release positions may prevent you from using the high-thumbs grip that is otherwise state of the art.

I would suggest that you put a little thought into what "manual of arms" you want to burn into your memory. It's not that you cannot change to a different arrangement later, but it will mean re-learning some stuff for draws and other rapid gun manipulations. If you're just going to punch paper at the range, this may not matter very much, but if you're talking about carrying or using for home defense, you need to learn this stuff.

Consider what families of other guns will have similar muscle memory/controls. The Beretta will set you up to run the slide-mounted-up-to-fire-safety guns, such as most metal-framed S&W's, Walther PPK-family guns, IMI guns (Desert Eagle, Baby DE/Jericho), etc.

The Kimber will train you for all the JMB-style frame-mounted-down-to-fire-safety guns, which will include all the 1911s (and 2011s), Hi-Powers, many CZs, Tanfoglios, Browning Buckmarks, etc. It will almost force a high grip, which most think is a good thing.

The Sig will train you for decocker-only equipped guns, which include some H&Ks, the D version of some CZ's, and a few others (I don't pay much attention to this category). It may encourage a curled-thumb grip; some people find that any kind of thumbs-forward grip interferes with the controls that are clustered at the top of the left-side grip panel. That grip will also work well with revolves, since it puts the thumbs behind the barrel/cylinder gap. But it's not what most high-speed shooters are using/teaching these days.

So, think about what you want your grip to be like. Think about what kind of operation you want the gun to have. Then pick a gun that fits with that.

 

[shooter1]

If it's going to be carried a significant amount of time, the Kimber. I've owned 4, they have all been top rate. If it's between the two DA/SA guns, then the 226 without a doubt.
str1

 

[Sheepdog1968]

All three are good. Sigs were love at first shot for me. They just fit me a bit better. If one feels a little better in your hand, I'd pick that one. Having said that, I dislike the DA to SA transition. I'm not saying I can't do it.

 

[Zerodefect]

The Kimber. But, that's only because it's a 1911.

You'd be wise to look towards Colt or Dan Wesson 1911's right now. Everything I carry is a Glock or 1911 now. Maybe a J frame on rare occasion.

 

[GoldieMI]

Have to Agree with everything ATLDave said above in post #13
of the three personally, the 226 just fits me best. Fits into my hands and allows me to fire it accurately with the least amount of getting situated. I love 1911 guns but the 226 just fits me best. My 92FS is a great shooter but doesn't sing to me like the 226 does.

 

[Milkmaster]

My choice would be the Beretta 92. DA/SA and you don't have to turn off a safety if you carry it in DA! 15 good shots and then run. My 92 is a great shooter and as accurate as I am. It is a large pistol and fits my hand well. Others find it too thick, but it works for me.

 

[Pilot]

If going 1911 I am not a Kimber fan. As others have said, Colt or Dan Wesson. These are all VERY different guns. You should shoot them and see.

 

[Valkman]

1911's fit my hand the best so I'd say the Kimber. I've had 3 of them and they were all fine guns and I still have 2 of them. One has been my carry and nightstand gun since 2003 and I would recommend them.

 

[jmr40]

I've owned all 3 in the past. The Sig is the only one left. I've owned a BUNCH of 1911's in my life, still own a couple. The Kimber is one of the better options in my experience, but I consider all 1911's range toys, not serious weapons for personal protection. Even the best of them can't compete with more modern designs, and despite the hype there has never been a shred of proof that 45 is a bit more effective than 9mm. All of the research and testing rate them virtually the same.

Between the Sig and Beretta the quality and reliability is about equal. I'd trust either of them, I just like the ergonomics and the layout of the controls a little better on the Sig.

Even though I kept the Sig, it is the Glocks that I'd reach for 1st. They do anything the others do at considerably less cost, less weight, more capacity, and better durability.

All 3 of your options make decent HD or duty weapons, none are practical for CC. If you want to carry there are much better options. I'd pick one, then add a 2nd gun for dedicated CC when I could afford it.

 

[guyfromohio]

Find the Kimber you want and then get on Bud's site. Match that price with another manufacturer and go with them. Colt Commander TALO...Dan Wesson CBOB or VBOB (for a little extra $$). The 1911 will provide you with accuracy and carry comfort, but will lose capacity and simplicity.

The 226 is a fine gun. Probably my pick of the 3.

The Beretta is a great gun too. I would go without the rail though. Tridents can be had for <$500 right now Brand New. Probably the least concealable of the three, but a solid shooter.

 

[cslinger]

For what you describe the P226 gets my vote. May I also suggest a P229 as an option. Pretty much a slightly more compact P226 that might make a better do it all gun more easily.

 

[seeker_two]

I'm curious.....why do you prefer the full-size guns over the compact models (92 Compact, P229, Commander/Pro series)?

 

[Electron]

You can't go wrong with a Sig!