Next Polymer Handgun?

[Olympus]

So I'm just starting to dip my toes in the poly pistol world again after about 10 years of shooting strictly metal frame guns. I recently bought a Glock 19 Gen4, my first Glock purchase ever. I immediately upgraded to the Ghost Edge 3.5 connector, did the 25 cent trigger job, and installed a Storm Lake threaded barrel so I could blast away with my lead reloads. Since these polymer guns aren't as expensive as what I'd normally spend a metal gun, I can just about buy two polymer guns for the same price that I'd normally be spending on a metal gun. So I'm thinking about what polymer gun to buy next.

Here is what I like about Glock in just the short time that I've owned one:
1. Relatively inexpensive
2. Incredibly easy to disassemble and maintain
3. HUGE amount of aftermarket parts (most are very affordable also)
4. Mag interchangeability
5. 33 round mags (PITA to load, but a lot of fun to shoot at the range)
6. I already have one, so adding a second would not be a new gun to "learn"

But I also like to consider new things and try out new brands. Maybe there is something better. I'm initially considering the HK VP9 and the Sig 320 as those seem to be getting a lot of great press lately. I've seen a TON of recommendations for the Walther PPQ, but I had a P99QA in the past and hated that gun. For some reason, I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it. And of course to go alone with my G19, I'm thinking maybe G17 or G34.

Interested in hearing thoughts and opinions!

 

[CNobbe]

You said you had the P99 with QA trigger....ever try the P99 with "AS" trigger?

It's basically a DA/SA striker fired gun which may be a little more familiar to your metal guns if they're DA/SA. The DA pull is a little heavier but the single action trigger is fantastic. In my opinion even better than the PPQ (which I happily ditched after trying the P99 AS). I don't care for the QA walther trigger either, perhaps why they discontinued it from the P99 family.

VP9 would be my second choice, good trigger as well.

Then again, at the end of the day a Glock 17 is a great gun too..as well as any M&P or XD. Tough choice, I prefer metal guns too, but the plastic guns have their place.

 

[armoredman]

Top quality, CZ P-09. 19 round flush fit magazine.



If you don't like hammer guns, then it's not the one for you, but I am very fond of mine.

 

[Thursday45]

I do not own a Glock 19 but I do own the 20 which I bought mainly for the 10mm round for woods carry. The 19 is a fantastic pistol for the reasons you mentioned and more but I stubbornly like to be different so I've gone the long route of trying to find a carry pistol that isn't a Glock 19 which it seems everyone owns and carries (I know, I know, there's a reason it seems everyone carries it). So let's see, in the polymer variety of pistols I own the VP9, FNS9, PPQ, CZ P09, HK P30 and I just put in an order for a Sig 320 in FDE (and of course I own the before mentioned G20 too). I've also owned the CZ P07.

The FNS9 is a great value. They can be found for about $450. My issue with the FNS9 is that it's basically a full size so it never made it into my carry rotation. Fun range gun and it would be a great home defense gun but just didn't fit right for conceal carry for me YMMV. Also after market is weak as it will be for most guns not marked Glock or M&P. But the FNS9 is a very underrated gun at a great price point.

If it doesn't have to be a striker fired gun the CZ P09 and P07 are excellent guns in about the $450 range as well. DA/SA that can be carried with a decocker that is easily switched out with a safety to be carried ala a 1911 if that's what you're used to.

Anyways, my next polymer pistol is the Sig 320. The biggest complaint I've heard about the 320 is it's bore axis but, while it is rather high, I've carried a P229 as my duty gun for 8 years. Talk about a high bore axis. I don't think the 320's high bore axis will give me any issues.

Good luck on your search for your next gun.

 

[sigarms228]

I've seen a TON of recommendations for the Walther PPQ, but I had a P99QA in the past and hated that gun

Don't make the mistake of judging the PPQ based on that experience. The P99QA had a trigger like a S&W Sigma - horribly heavy and my LGS had one for over a year that they could not get rid of until they marked it way down LOL. The trigger on the PPQ is very sweet right out of the box. I just love mine and it is my main CCW and very easy and comfortable to conceal for me OWB or IWB in my Raven Concealment Phantom kydex holster. I also have the VP9 which is also terrific. IMO you can't go wrong with either. The P320 is also getting rave reviews. Lots of great choices.

As always your best bet is to try and shoot the pistols you are considering, ideally on the same range trip and choose what works best for you.

 

[JDR]

Anyways, my next polymer pistol is the Sig 320. The biggest complaint I've heard about the 320 is it's bore axis but, while it is rather high, I've carried a P229 as my duty gun for 8 years. Talk about a high bore axis. I don't think the 320's high bore axis will give me any issues.

My Sig P225 and P228 both have a high bore axis but they are both sweet shooting pistols. Same with my H&K P30. No issues with any of them! Now my Sig P226 in .40 S&W had a snappy recoil until I put one of those Hogue monogrips with the finger grooves on it, this noticeably helped manage the recoil on this one!

 

[usp9]

I'd go for the HK VP9 or wait a bit for the new HK P30sk.

The PPQ, like the P99QA, has a trigger in that it resets very quickly and has been known to produce inadvertent double taps if you shoot from reset. IMHO, the HK is the way to go.

 

[boatdoc173]

So I'm just starting to dip my toes in the poly pistol world again after about 10 years of shooting strictly metal frame guns. I recently bought a Glock 19 Gen4, my first Glock purchase ever. I immediately upgraded to the Ghost Edge 3.5 connector, did the 25 cent trigger job, and installed a Storm Lake threaded barrel so I could blast away with my lead reloads. Since these polymer guns aren't as expensive as what I'd normally spend a metal gun, I can just about buy two polymer guns for the same price that I'd normally be spending on a metal gun. So I'm thinking about what polymer gun to buy next.

Here is what I like about Glock in just the short time that I've owned one:
1. Relatively inexpensive
2. Incredibly easy to disassemble and maintain
3. HUGE amount of aftermarket parts (most are very affordable also)
4. Mag interchangeability
5. 33 round mags (PITA to load, but a lot of fun to shoot at the range)
6. I already have one, so adding a second would not be a new gun to "learn"

But I also like to consider new things and try out new brands. Maybe there is something better. I'm initially considering the HK VP9 and the Sig 320 as those seem to be getting a lot of great press lately. I've seen a TON of recommendations for the Walther PPQ, but I had a P99QA in the past and hated that gun. For some reason, I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it. And of course to go alone with my G19, I'm thinking maybe G17 or G34.

Interested in hearing thoughts and opinions!

IMHO walther ppq is the best striker fired gun out there

I do shoot glock 19 gen 4--and us eit for home defense-- and my walthe r ppq as well. BUT the walther trigger is a light one

the new HK VP 9 is close to the walther as far as feel BUT Hk guns use a 12 o clock hold--walthers are poa. glocks are slightly below the poa but not a 6 oclock hold-- it is so personal-- whatever you decide--have fun--seems like you like to customize the guns--stick with Glock then--the others do not have much that can be done to customize them

 

[boatdoc173]

Don't make the mistake of judging the PPQ based on that experience. The P99QA had a trigger like a S&W Sigma - horribly heavy and my LGS had one for over a year that they could not get rid of until they marked it way down LOL. The trigger on the PPQ is very sweet right out of the box. I just love mine and it is my main CCW and very easy and comfortable to conceal for me OWB or IWB in my Raven Concealment Phantom kydex holster. I also have the VP9 which is also terrific. IMO you can't go wrong with either. The P320 is also getting rave reviews. Lots of great choices.

As always your best bet is to try and shoot the pistols you are considering, ideally on the same range trip and choose what works best for you.

it is so personal--the glock fans love their glocks-- some hate striker fired others love them. Eithe ryou love H+K or you hate them --like glocks --I gues

I have walther ppq, sig p 320, glock 19 gen 4 and hk vp9--IMHO I rate the walther and hk very very close--followed by the sig then glock-- BUT I use glocks for home defense--the trigger is heavier--less likely to "just go off" the others I use for home defense(in 9mm) when I feel like it an d all go to the range regularly

my 2 cents for what it is worth

 

[Olympus]

Thanks for the recommendations. I forgot to clarify that I'm NOT looking for a carry gun. I have a Solo for that. Im thinking the G19 will go to the console of the truck and that frees up a slot for nightstand duty and range gun. I'm looking for something full size at this time.

I'm really only a SA trigger guy. DA/SA is not something I like. I prefer the same trigger pull no matter what.

Also, I know that I do not like the M&P and XD models.

 

[gglass]

I used to own a couple Glocks, but sold them when I moved to the M&P line of polymer wonders when I found that I shot them much better. I have owned many and still own several M&Ps but I also owned, then sold a couple of XDm 5.25s after deciding that I just didn't like them as much as the M&Ps.

In my search for polymer perfection I recently stumbled upon the Walther PPQ because of all the buzz about the trigger and accuracy. I completely ignored the P99 series of pistols from day one, but with all the glowing reviews, I finally decided to buy a PPQ. Like all of my pistols, I can never leave well enough alone. So I proceeded to make it my own with barrel porting and F.O. sights. None of my upgrades could be said to have made an already accurate pistol more accurate, but it did give me the ergos that I wanted.

Below is my PPQ, and I can tell you that even my custom 1911s will not out shoot it within 25-yards.


5-shot groups at 14-yards



I highly recommend that you check out a PPQ if you are in the market for a full sized polymer pistol.

 

[MIL-DOT]

You said you had the P99 with QA trigger....ever try the P99 with "AS" trigger?

It's basically a DA/SA striker fired gun which may be a little more familiar to your metal guns if they're DA/SA.

Yep,ditto, you beat me to it. I had a P99 about 10 years ago, in .40, but I never much bonded with that pistol, and sold it. But I recently traded ( a Glock 26,in fact) into a new P99AS, and I love that pistol !! Fantastic ergos, great sights, deadly accurate, and of course, never a hiccup.
Also, Walther is still suing the tenifer treatment, while Glock has gone to some,uh, well, I don't know what the hell finish it is, but nobody seems to be digging it, including me.
Other than the Walther P99AS, if you're gonna go polymer, I'd probably go with a CZ.

 

[GLOOB]

2. Incredibly easy to disassemble and maintain

I love my FNX, but it does not qualify for this. Neither does an XD. FYI.

M&P is as close to a Glock clone as you will find, IMO.

 

[Olympus]

I've had a S&W Sigma and it was an absolute turd. I had a Shield for a while and I thought the trigger was very unimpressive. I don't think I'm going to take another chance on a M&P.

The Walther and HK are still in the running though. I also thought maybe I need to finish up a couple other projects instead of buying another gun. I have two ARs that need optics, one has Magpul MBUS, but the other has nothing. So I'm wondering if I should use the funds to complete the ARs and maybe get a few extra mags and some new sights for my G19?

 

[CNobbe]

I love my FNX, but it does not qualify for this. Neither does an XD. FYI.

M&P is as close to a Glock clone as you will find, IMO.

The M&P comes apart almost exactly like the FNX, XD, and VP....and none of them are as simple to take down as a Glock or Walther 99/Q.

 

[GLOOB]

Not talking about a field strip. I'm talking about taking the gun apart. If you have any problem taking the sldie off any of those pistols, you're the problem, lol.

The XD extractor is held in by a roll pin just as one example. The sights being machine pressed is another. And the FNX? Well, you are expected to buy a new safety lever every time you take it apart, since they're designed to be inserted only once. And aside from that, the firing group is a complicated little bastard.

I can take apart my Glocks down to individual parts, 99% with one hand and a toothpick with my eyes closed. If I open my eyes, I can put it back together with one hand, too. Aside from the frame and slide, I can also buy any original manufacturer part of any of my Glocks from retailers, without a stupid piece of paper to certify I paid money to learn how to use a screwdriver, and it will actually be in stock.

 

[Teachu2]

If I were looking for a SA 9mm and trying to keep the cost down, I'd buy a RIA 1911 Tactical in 9mm. I know it's not polymer, and not a "pure" 1911 - but mine have been accurate, reliable, fun to shoot, and are the only model of handgun that I own three of.

If you must buy another polymer, consider the Sig 2022 - and just shoot it SA. Or get a Glock 23 and a .357Sig barrel and enjoy. Or a G30. Or a G34, 35, 26, 21, 41,.....

 

[Armybrat]

A very good poly gun under $400 is the Ruger SR9 (17+1):



My son liked it so much, I gave it to him then bought myself another... except in .45ACP (10+1). The SR pistols are almost as slim as most single stacks:

 

[ddhartma]

I went with the CZ P-09. Low bore sight and tight in frame slide makes for a very accurate soft shooter.

 

[armoredman]

Also, if you really like SA only, the P-09 can be switched from decocker to a standard safety for cocked and locked, and it can be done by the owner without a gunsmith. 'M just sayin'...

 

[WVsig]

I would check out the Sig P320. If you have held a P250 you have held a P320. Basically the same frames. The striker on these guns are excellent. They balance well and the multiple frame idea is interesting and actually might work this time where it never took off on the P250 because they had to sell it at such a low price point.

You can get a Compact or Fullsize with night sights for about $500.

If you will entertain a DA/SA gun I would look at the Sphinx SDP. There are SAO models coming but it maybe a while. They are like a Swiss time piece. They are CZ inspired but more refined then any CZ. Many compare them to the P07/P09 but IMHO they head and shoulders above them. Even if you sent your CZP07 to GGW it will not equal the Sphinx straight out of the box and a simple spring change. They are pricey but IMHO worth a look.

 

[TomJ]

Another vote for the CZ, although mine is the P07. It's as accurate of a gun as I own, and the ergonomics are excellent.

 

[Chocolate Bayou]

I love my CZ, but it is metal. Best Poly I have is the Springfield 9mm tactical with 5" barrel. I only own 2 poly's and both are Springfield. I like the metal and I have aCZ75B with manual safety, so it can be carried locked and cocked as all my 1911 platforms are carried that way. Poly or metal you can't beat a CZ IMO.

 

[suncoastarmory]

Top quality, CZ P-09. 19 round flush fit magazine.



If you don't like hammer guns, then it's not the one for you, but I am very fond of mine.

How's it shoot? Ive heard good things about these.

 

[armoredman]

I am not the worlds greatest shot by any means, but it is easy to use, the single action reset is incredible, and it is dead noots reliable.

This is an XTP load at 25 yards, standing.



Same load, same distance, just to see if it was a fluke.



Golden Sabre, same distance, standing.



Is good.