Suggest a full-frame gun for me that's not a Glock or 1911 variant?

[MCMXI]

Just buy a P220 Carry already ... it's an excellent pistol ... I know since I have one. If you don't mind the extra weight, consider an all stainless model. If you'd like a little less weight, buy the standard version. There are numerous Carry models to choose from.

http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/ShowCatalogProduct.aspx?categoryid=37

 

[Mark-Smith]

Just buy a P220 Carry already ... it's an excellent pistol ... I know since I have one. If you don't mind the extra weight, consider an all stainless model. If you'd like a little less weight, buy the standard version. There are numerous Carry models to choose from.

http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/Sho...?categoryid=37

It's either that or the CZ 97BD

 

[MCMXI]

I shoot my P220 Carry (DA/SA) at the range A LOT and it's my bedside gun with a Streamlight mounted on the rail. I swapped out the factory sights for Meprolight night sights and retrofitted a serrated 10mm trigger to replace the short trigger. At 65 yards, 12" square plates don't stand a chance!! There really isn't much to say about the Carry other than it's simply an accurate and extremely reliable pistol.

 

[Mark-Smith]

I noticed the P220 carry has a barrel that's 1/2" shorter than the regular P220 - does that affect accuracy at all when the two are compared?

 

[MCMXI]

Not as far as I can tell. The shorter sight radius may be an issue for some but many find 4.25" 1911s just as accurate as 5" 1911s. In my experience, the same is true for the SIG P220 and P220 Carry. Like I mentioned, I consistently hit 12" steel plates (and smaller) at 65 yards shooting offhand so the Carry is plenty accurate if you're talking combat accuracy. I haven't compared any of my standard P220s with the Carry off a rest at 50 yards or anything like that, but I haven't noticed any difference in performance with the kind of shooting I do.

 

[LawofThirds]

CZ 97 or M&P 45

 

[Mark-Smith]

Out of curiosity, is a longslide version of a gun automatically more accurate, or are they somewhat hit and miss (the AMT Hardballer comes to mind...)

 

[9mmepiphany]

Out of curiosity, is a longslide version of a gun automatically more accurate, or are they somewhat hit and miss (the AMT Hardballer comes to mind...)

A long slide version is not automatically more accurate...it is potentially more accurate due to it's increased sight radius. However the same thing that makes it easier to see imperfections in sight alignment also make it harder to align the sights perfectly as you break the shot.

That is unless you've learned the mystical secret to sight alignment...seeing the aligned sights without consciously looking at them and allowing that perception to cue your trigger press

 

[Mark-Smith]

it is potentially more accurate due to it's increased sight radius.

If all it serves is to extend the sight radius, why not stick the sights on a simple aluminum extension that goes past the muzzle? Is something like that already out there, or is it kind of a case of diminishing returns?

 

[9mmepiphany]

I can't find a picture, but that was what they used to do for NRA Bullseye shooting before they allowed optics

 

[Mark-Smith]

In what situations do scopes or optics make sense on a pistol (outside of hunting, that is)?

 

[Cryogaijin]

EAA Witness 10mm? I rather like mine, and 15+1 rounds of 10mm is sexy.

 

[onthecount]

Beretta 92 or 90-Two series. I have a Beretta 90-Two in .40 S&W, favorite handgun I've owned so far.

 

[Ken451]

In what situations do scopes or optics make sense on a pistol (outside of hunting, that is)?

Well one definite use for scopes is for us older folks. As one ages, their ability to focus near and far declines. A scope (or red dot) can be helpful.

I could be wrong, but it's my view that a scope would over ride the sighting advantages of a longer barrel. Of course you generally get higher velocity with a longer barrel. But you also become more susceptible to variations in muzzle flip with a longer barrel.

 

[Jeb21]

"Simple, Beretta 92FS 9mm....Superb, buttery smooth action, the king of the hill in reliability, long but excellent trigger, outstanding accuracy, easy to maintain and repair, and one of the most beautiful pistols every produced. "

I agree 100%. Also 9mm ammo is relatively inexpensive to shoot so it is a weapon that you can get a lot of trigger time with. My particular 92FS is a police trade in. I use it for concealed carry and competition. I have about 5k of flawless rounds through it. I have far too many handguns to choose from, including Sigs and Glocks, and they are all fine weapons, but the Beretta 92fs is one of the guns that find that I keep selecting for self defense and competition.

 

[Lazyshooter]

Sig P226

 

[Dunedain]

SIG P220, or Cz 97 (slightly larger version of the deservedly famous Cz 75). Both are superb.