Oh, I definitely had a blast! The CZ 75 and Beretta 92 are a pair of "legends" that live up to the hype for me. Interestingly enough, the Hi Power is one that gives me trouble, and although it may be because it's a clone, I think the issue really goes to the design, not the manufacturer.
A brief note on each pistol, from my perspective:
S&W 915. 3rd Gen tech, with an aluminum frame. Smooth trigger with very short reset, this one has night sights so I got a good 3 dot picture, very comfortable with a lively little muzzle flip. Probably the lightest gun I shot. Factory Delrin straight back grip, fits my hand well.
Beretta 92SF. Larger gun, same basic control layout and operation. Very smooth slide action, longer sight radius, less flip. Also have night sights, got about the same picture I did with the S&W. Trigger has a longer reset. Hogue rubber grip panels feel great, a nice compromise between looks and feel.
Hi Power. I don't think the fact that it is made by Feg instead of FN makes a lot of difference; the gun shoots true, if I can hold it steady on target. Old sights make that a little harder, and the trigger is noticeably different than the rest, even when they are SA (and yes, I have removed the magazine safety, so that did help the trigger. A lot). I find it comfortable, but the muzzle wanders a little unless I really, really lock in. Original wood grips.
Star 30MI. Absolutely the total opposite of a "glock" in design; this is solid steel, finely crafted and very slick, with some odd external controls. The safety disengages the firing pin, but nothing else; so you can pull the trigger and drop the hammer without firing... if you so choose. For shooting, it's a joy, it completely soaks up felt recoil to the point where it feels like a 22lr. Unique sight picture, 2 red dots on the rear, a white vertical line on the front blade. Slide rides inside the frame, like the CZ 75. And did I say solid? I don't exaggerate when I say that I believe you could hit this gun with a hammer, and wouldn't bend or break it. It feels like it is an anvil that has been machined into a frame and slide, with openings for the barrel and magazine. Factory rubber grips.
CZ 75. My baby
. A pre B from '92, no firing pin block, rounded trigger guard. Extremely smooth, worn in trigger, with a tight click for the reset. Despite being all steel, the weight distribution, to me, doesn't feel heavy, just firm- if you get my point. Despite resembling the Hi Power in appearance, it doesn't point the same to me; the grip (factory rubber panels) seems to meld to my hand, and the muzzle feels like a weightless extension of the grip. It points effortlessly, for me. Narrow front sight blade against the rear notch is a little tougher to pick up than the 3 dot of the S&W and Beretta, but also allows for a little more precision. Of all my pistols, this is the one I feel the best with, if it came to something like shooting clothes pins. I bought another, an '89, for my son.
Zastava CZ 99. Most recent addition, still getting accustomed to it. Was an "ugly gun special" from Coles, but it's in the same condition as most I see online (slide is matte blued nicely, aluminum frame has an enamel paint job that comes off if you look at it hard. I've decided to address that by rubbing it with a scotchbrite pad and putting some Birchwood Casey Aluminum Black on the fresh white aluminum).
Shoots fine, if different. Definitely to point of aim. 3 dot sights, I believe they're dead night sights. Easy to acquire.
Trigger is like an exaggerated S&W, without the very short reset. Long pull, but very smooth, and then a clean break. Feels very much like a revolver, and not very heavy pull for what it does. Big, bulky but not heavy, points well. For those interested in such things, there is no external safety; the slide release is also the decocker, and everything is ambidextrous.
I own others, but this was 9mm Doublestack day for me. And boy, was it fun!
Range time with a few pistols!
Linear Mode
