I was going through the gun photos on my back-up hard drive the other night. Man I sure owned and sold a lot of double action semi-automatic pistols before I finally made up my mind to stick with single action 1911 and 1911 like pistols!

Over the years here are the DA and DAO's I've tried: Beretta 92F, Browning BDA .380, CZ-75, CZ-75D, Glock 22, Kahr K-9, Kahr CW-45, Sig Mosquito, Sig P-6, Sig P-220, S&W's: M39-2, M59, CS-45, 3913, 4566, 5906, 6906. Taurus PT-22, Taurus TCP, Walther P-38, Walther P-22.

The most accurate pistols were the S&W 3913, CZ-75 & Sig P220. The 3913 is the only one I actually regret selling.

The single worst pistol on the list; the Taurus PT-22. Its slide would fly off and land ten feet in front of the pistol every so often. Other duds were the Kahr-CW-45, Sig Mosquito (junk!!) and Walther P-38.

Best cheap pistol was the Taurus TCP. Once broken in it would feed all .380 ammo and everything hit point of aim. I ditched it as a carry gun because the magazine release would get partially depressed in my pocket holster turning it into a single shot pistol.

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Virtue,Liberty & Independence

I don't like double-action autos for anything but very short range, deep concealment guns, where a ****** trigger pull isn't that important.

I've never seen a DA auto that didn't have a lousy DA pull (and usually the SA as well).

I stick with SA autos like the M1911 and BHP, and "safe action" guns like the Glock.

I don't currently own a DA gun, and wouldn't, other than a something like a PPK for pocket carry.

I'm just the opposite, I just sold my last 1911 and bought a CZ-75 9m/m. I actually love the GI style 1911 .45 and will surely get another one some day, but my first choice defensive handgun is the CZ-75 and it does have a stiff DA trigger but I have a pretty strong trigger finger so hits are not a problem. The single action pull is only 3lbs and I can clear the plate rack at my range with this gun faster than with any gun I have ever owned, and I have owned a LOT of handguns over the years!

I'm not surprised-your list omits all but about 3 of the best!

Yeah, I went through quite a few. The CZ-75 was the last to go bye, losing its place to my S&W Pro 1911 9MM. A lot less autos in the safe now, but I can follow the same basic manual of arms for all.

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Virtue,Liberty & Independence

Someone give me a review about the Colt Double Eagle......45 in a d/A.

I'm a think'n, and I'm a look'n.




WuzzFuzz

The CZ-75 and CZ-75D Compact were both great shooters. I'd still have the CZ-75 if I intended to carry a full size 9MM double stack pistol. Plus, I have a target sight Browning High Power so the CZ went to a new owner through the Forum classifieds.

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Virtue,Liberty & Independence

Glad you found what you like.

I tend to shoot DA revolvers a lot so I'm just used to DA.

I'm just glad there are so many different kinds to try!

While I don't agree with everything the man wrote, my favorite quote from the late Col. Jeff Cooper was, "Double action in an auto pistol seems to me an ingenious solution to a non-existent problem."

I own a couple of DA/SA autos; a couple of CZ83's, a Beretta 85SF, a Sig P232. Never carry them in DA mode.

I'm not much of a pistol guy as I have more revolvers. I've owned a few DA/SA pistols and never found anything that seemed to be a deal breaker. The Sig 220 was the best. Then I tried a 1911 and sold everything else. Just didn't want to be switching between two fire control systems and I like the trigger on the 1911 that much. I can see why the military and LE agencies like DA/SA but they have different requirements than I do.

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That's just somebody talkin.

Started with a 1911, will no doubt always have one...

Tried to love the SIG 220 .45 but could never hit a bull in the butt with it, no matter what I tried. Finally gave it to a fellow officer who liked them because of all the times he paid for Chinese lunch when I was poor.

My Kahr CW45 had a really great, revolver-like DA pull and shot quite accurately--when it worked.

I sometimes wonder who absorbs all the expenses involved if the design, development, manufacture, and support of these also-rans...

Say what you will about Gaston Glock, he came up with a saleable mouse trap, sold a million of them, and got rich. Hell, even I own one now.

For close in defense, a DAO is the best choice. Point, shoot, take great pictures.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Not surprised to see the CZ mentioned several times. I had the compact in 9mm but just never felt the love. It was heavy, solidly built, accurate and very reliable. The trigger was gritty but became smoother with use. All of these things were positives for me. The negative was the long reach for the trigger when in double action and lots of take up when in single action. I may be picky but the trigger was the deciding factor in selling it and replacing it with a 1911. Like steamloco, I'm sticking with that platform.

Congradulations on finding what works for you.

It's been an observation that few people can really like a DA auto , that wern't already confortable with DA revolvers. And then to complicate matters DA revolver people have a highented sense of what a good DA pull is supposed to be , and lots of DA autos fall short.

But when you do find one that fits your hand , and has a near revolver quality DA , then things look up.

My P225 ( civillian , not a surplus P6 ) has the best DA I have yet to experience on a bottom feeder. My Ruger P90 has a quite servicable DA, and is current prefered carry .45acp. My previous M469 was also quite servicable , and saw frequent usage in its day. CZ's I have put thru their paces have been generally good.

But I'm me , and everyone else is themselves , and we live in a semi-free country.

There is a whole generation of shooters now who have only experienced striker fired semiautos, and that that defines "normal". . But even on that front there is a little hope. A Glock w/ std trigger , and NY-1 trigger return puts me in mind of a Colt DA revolver.

That's probly the best pistol that you ever had... and you didn't even know it. If ya shot at somebody's head with it, and missed... the slide might have knocked him out.

I've never understood putting a double action trigger on an auto. The crisp SA trigger on a well tuned 1911 is tough to beat. How many people have long heavy triggers on their rifles and shotguns?

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Common sense isn't so common.

The slide would've hit the assailant in his family jewels, not the head. Either would more likely be a better stopper than the inaccurate .22 LR fire coming from the barrel.

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Virtue,Liberty & Independence

I would consider my CZ to be the best of 'em and will likely never part with it.

I sure love the smooth trigger on my ParaOrd 7.45. The problem for me with it is practicing the trigger reset.

I will be the first to admit to loving the crisp pull of a good 1911, but I keep a Sig220 next to the bed. I want that long heavier pull if I get woke up by breaking glass in the middle of the night.

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Always bet on stupidity.

I am happy with the trigger on my Kahr CW40. It is the first pistol with a cap gun trigger that I shoot well. I enjoy my cz75 but shoot it SA most of the time.

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Front sight and squeeze

I been playing with my CZ 85db(it's a amberdexterious cz 75) after some 25 yard range time I cut her loose at 100 yards. Using 3' of Kentucky windage I can pop any small rock on the 100 yard berm. With its 4"+ barrel is it a short range pistol? I did smooth out the trigger with some moly paste.

Ever think of Elmer Keith's 230yds shot with his 4" barreled m29/44mag?
He used Kentucky windage too. On you tube hickok45 makes Elmers shot.
If we watch hickok45 close enough when he makes a long shot and misses he adjusts the Kentucky windage and walks his next shots to the money round.

I enjoy testing my skills after the shoot is over at the range with some long
distance practice shots. Try the 100yds berm shots.

The cz 75/85 is my favorite 9mm luger/parabellium auto.

Regarding how to handle DA autos, look for Ernie Langdon YouTubes 1,2,3--all only a few minutes--on manual of arms.
It works.

Basically when you draw pistol, you DO PUT FINGER ON TRIGGER and start pressure as you zero in on target. With SA, it's usually taught to keep finger off trigger until moment you're ready to fire.

For a DA/SA suto, the S&W Mod 39-2. Nuff said, at least for me.

Charlie

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SWCA # 2294

That's the problem. "A well tuned 1911" is not factory and costs money. While I like the 1911 I don't like to buy something and then have to pay for it to work better. That's like buying a new car at full price and then going to buy an engine. I'm also not a fan of having things fitted. That means I don't have the gun and I have to pay hopefully a competent gunsmith a lot of money. Lots of rifles have a longer and or heavier pull. FAL, HK91, PTR 91 and their copies, SCAR, AK, VZ58, most stock ARs, in fact most combat rifles.

Generally I'm not a fan of DA because they are so inconsistent. Beretta is heavy and gritty, CZ is usually heavy but sometimes not...weird. About the only ones I like are Sigs and I'm not a Sig fan and S&W 3rd gen. Both are long but smooth. HK I like but they have too many variables. I very much prefer constant, same pull every time thus most of my firearms are striker.

I noticed quite a few Kahr problems. As much as I like them they are either cherries or lemons.

In the end it comes down to the manufacturer's history. If it's quality but need to go to a gunsmith it's not something I want to rely on.

I like the idea of a heavier DA trigger for the first shot. More likely to keep me from doing something rash in the heat of a hostile encounter. Not that I am likely ever to do so, but I have confronted and dealt with an intruder in my home, so I know a little about how that feels, and how small-muscle control goes by the wayside under stress.

In any case, if I want a single action first shot, all I have to do is cock the hammer.

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Not in jail.

Glad ya found something.

My personal favorites are 1911s, BHPs and P7's.

I hate Glocks and DAO. But, don't mind DA/SA: Sigs are my favorite, followed by H&K. I liked my Beretta at my last agency and it was the first NIB semi auto I ever purchased.

Third gen S&W are cool in 10mm but don't really have an use for the others. I'd like to try a 4516 but there are mixed reviews. I guess they worked for SIS though.

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Cheers, Charles
SWCA #2442