SAO, C&L'd compatible 9mm and/or 45's...

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Proton Lenny

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So I've been lurking around here for a bit. This is my first post. If something similar to this has been posted before, feel free to redirect me. Didn't see it though. I have a two part question.

Here's the situation:

I recently bought a Dan Wesson Valor. Absolutely love it! The trigger is like glass, and it shoots like a dream. I have all the gear to carry it as comfortably as a full sized 1911 can be carried. However, I'd like to have to option of carrying something smaller when I just don't feel like carrying all that weight and size around.

So first part:

What other guns can be carried cocked and lock, and are single action only? I want that really smooth single action trigger. Would prefer to not have DA/SA, want every trigger pull to be the same. And in my experience SAO's usually have the best triggers vs DA/SA guns. I'd prefer it to be a 45 or 9mm. The gun I'm looking at to fill this role is a Bob'd 1911, like the Dan Wesson CBOB or V-BOB, but I'm curious as to what as is out there. So suggest something OTHER than a small 1911 please! :)

Second part:

I'm also looking for just a plain old 9mm that is SAO and can be carried cocked and locked. The ones I've seen so far are the Sig 226 X five, CZ-75 SA and SA Target, and obviously the Browning Hi Power. Any others out there though? I really like the CZ-75 SA Target. It is really hard to find a 9mm that has these characteristics.

I know I could probably get a Glock 19 and basically fulfill these requirements: smaller, lighter, 9mm, trigger pull is the same each time (not a SA, but feels pretty damn good). Doesn't have the external safety, but I could learn to cope with that. I just hate Glocks aesthetically. I wish CZ made a SAO model that was a compact.

Anyway, kind of a broad thread, but I'm just having fun brainstormin'. So what do you guys think?
 
The problem is your spoiled. You started with the best possible trigger (a good 1911) and want everything else to match it. Not going to happen.
A BHP is most likely the closest, short of another 1911, but the BHP trigger will never be as nice as a good 1911 trigger.
I have found that I like the trigger on the XD's better than the Glocks, and they are considered SAO unlike the Glocks.
 
Yeah, I'm not expecting to find a trigger as good as a good 1911 trigger. Just looking for a possible carry gun and 9mm auto that feels similar (i.e. SAO and C&L'd compatible). Like I said before, the best 9mm I've found is that CZ-75 SA Target. Fills my 9mm boat and the grip feels great, although I'd still take some suggestions. But it is barely smaller and lighter than my Valor, so that doesn't solve the carry issue. I'll probably just have to save and wait to buy both the CZ to fill the 9mm boat, and the V-Bob for the carry issue. :eek::)
 
the 2nd part first:
of the one's you've mentioned, i think you'd be the most surprised by the Sig 226 X-5. it was designed to compete with the 1911 in USPSA Limited.

one to the 1st part:
my personal choice would be a Springfield EMP, while it carries and handles just like the 1911, it has been sized and re-timed for the 9mm cartridge length...but if you'd like something just as nice as a 1911, but with a lot of style, i'd look very hard at a H&K P-7
 
"i think you'd be the most surprised by the Sig 226 X-5"

I know I was. Already had the 1911, BHP, CZ-75B among others and then I stumbled across a SIG X-5 TAC at a gun show. Well, well, well. I bought it. No the trigger isn't adjustable, but it's 4.5# and perfect. It feels like 3.5# and the alloy frame keeps the overall weight down to somewhere in the more normal range compared to my other full-sized pistols. I didn't really want the threaded barrel, but that's what it had and I really wanted the pistol. And yes, it's accurate as claimed. For the money I could have bought another Python. :)

John
 
CZ 75 Sa + comp hammer for $65 bucks = 600 dollarish SA cocked and locked gun.
 
XD's are single action (the striker is fully cocked when the slide is racked) and you can get them with thumb safeties. Probably not what you're looking for, but they do satisfy all your requirements.
 
I can't believe I'm the first one to mention an H&K 45 compact! I have a USP compact . . . but the same goes for the more recent non-USP version, as well. These guns conceal just fine and carry 8+1 rounds of .45acp. The variant 1 model . . . the most common out on the streets, allows one to carry in condition 1 (cocked and locked). You also have the capability of carrying the gun chambered with the hammer down . . . and then the first shot would be a double action pull (with the remaining being single action). So with an HK compact you have the best of both worlds! By the way, I saw that CDNN's new catalog has a sweet deal on the USP 45 compact.

IMG_2337_2.jpg
 
When I first posted I hadn't thought of the P7. I would like to second it as a fine choice. Not exactly C&L, but even safer and easier to operate with a great SA trigger.
 
OK, so after some research and handling, here is what I've discovered thus far:

I really want to avoid decockers. They just aren't my thing. Even in the case of a gun like the H&K USP where you can choose to carry condition one or decocked, the decocker is a problem for me. Since I "ride" the safety with my thumb, I accidentally decock the pistol sometimes. So with that in mind the H&K's are out. Along with this, I'm not a big fan of the DA/SA thing. I really just want a straight up SAO. Can the CZ mods you guys were talking about be done to make a normal DA/SA CZ-75b turn into a SAO CZ-75?

Secondly, I tried out an XD, M&P, FNP, and Glock 19. I really have a hard time getting into polymer. Most of these do not feel good in my hand. Most of them are too chunky. Out of the polymers, I seem to like the Glocks and FNH's the best.

The Sig X five is a great pistol, but it is too big for my tastes. I like thin grips, not wide, round grips. Also, it is a little pricey.

The CZ-SA is where I'm leaning for a solid 9mm. I love the Custom SA target. The trigger feels great, and the Aluminum grips are thin like my Valor's which I really like. Also I like the Fiber optic front sight.

I also really like Hi-Power's, but I'd have to do some work to them to make them feel right to me (remove Magazine Disconnect, change sights depending on what they have, change grips). After all that it would probably end up being about the same amount as the CZ Custom SA.

And to you jerks who showed me the P7 I hate you! :) I'm such a sucker for unique pistols. It is so tempting to try one of these. They are unique. I like the aesthetics. It is small (relatively) which is nice for a smaller cartridge. And I like the manual of arms. I just wish they weren't so damn expensive. I know I could get a PSP pretty cheap, but not having a thumb activated magazine release and drop free mag really kills it for me. If I got one of these, it would have to be an M8.

So the search continues until I can decide on one of these choices or something else.

P.S. As far as a carry gun is concerned, I'm getting more and more used to the size and weight of my full sized 1911. Eventually I might get something like the Dan Wesson CCO Bobtail for carry, but in the meantime, I think my next purchase will be a fun pistol (i.e. 9mm, Colt SAA, etc...). Don't need another carry piece just yet.

P.P.S. Obviously these are just my opinions. Nothing against any of these pistols in particular. Just not my cup of tea. Not trying to start a flaming war.
 
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The SIG P220 (a .45) comes in a SAO version. I am rather partial to it and wish I had tried one instead of their lemon 1911. It has a pretty good trigger but not quite the equal of a good 1911. In fact, none of the other guns mentioned do, either, although they are perfectly usable.
 
I think the range I go to rents out a P220, I'll try it tomorrow. Although I went to a gun shop today that had a P7 PSP. I love that little thing. Might be my next purchase. The heel mag release isn't too annoying either.
 
Lenny, I certainly wouldn't try to dissuade you from a Sig -- I've got several of them and love them. . . especially the 220. But, back to the HK 45 (and USP 45). While I earlier informed you about the Variant 1 model (with a decocker and safety), there is also the Variant 9 model (with only the safety). This would allow you to ride the safety level with no worries about decocking the pistol. The sweet thing is that you can carry it cocked and locked, or, hammer down for an initial DA shot.

I love my P220, and I love my USP 45. But there are times I wish the Sig had the option of being carried in condition 1. Mind you, I know about the P220 SAO model. But that eliminates the DA option. I've got 1911's for SA shooting. YMMV
 
There are some FNP-9's made that are SAO but I don't think they're currently available.
 
The heel mag release isn't too annoying either.
Click to expand...

the heel release on the P-7 is the fastest and easiest to use...rivaled only by the release of the original Beretta 92.

your hand isn't in the way of the mag when it ejects (it doesn't just drop free) and the press forward is very ergo compared to the rearward push of most heel releases...it alos puts your hand in the perfect position to "rip" the mag out if it sticks
 
Yeah, I've pretty much decided on a PSP. Just need to get the $750 to grab one before they run out!
 
Most Pistols that have been listed so far are as large as a 1911 plus a double stack magwell. CZ 75C is a SA compact 9mm with a 3.9" barrel much easier to carry concealed. SIG may be working up an 9mm version of their P238 but this is a maybe, someday pistol. I carry a CZ PCR, DA/SA, or the SIG P238 depending on how I want to carry. As far as defensive pistols go the striker fired pistols make good choices, not to light not to hard of trigger pull. If I did not carry the PCR, I would most likely carry a Glock G19.
 
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