I am thinking about getting another semi-auto pistol.
I currently shoot a High Std Victor ( .22), S&W Model 52 (38 special), S&W 686 6 inch (357) and Colt 1911 GCNM (45 ACP).

From a HANDLOADING and VERY GOOD TARGET gun perspective does anyone have any recommendations??

Can’t carry here in MD – so size is not an issue and I don’t hunt with a pistol. I prefer the heavier steel guns over the polymer ones, but would be willing to get a polymer if it met the other criteria

9mm, 0.40, 10mm, 38 super????

I looked into the Glock 34 some – might go that way – don’t know yet.
any recommendations and thoughts from forum members here will much appreciated

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I'd like to agree with you BUT

Personally, I wouldn't look to add another caliber. I suggest finding one in a similar caliber you have now, that way you don't have to buy additional components/dies. One choice might be a model 625 would get you another revolver but in 45acp.

A 3rd Generation S&W auto in 45 ACP.

The 4506 comes to mind. Dead-nuts accurate, heavy but steady.

This forum is the information source for all of the 3rd Gens...
Smith & Wesson Semi-auto Pistols

I have always been a 40 S&W fan. These past few weeks have reaffirmed this in my mind for the following reason:

I went to the local stores (Gander Mnt, Academy Sports, Wal Mart) and saw that the shelves were bare... with a few exceptions. At all 3 places, I could buy the following items of interest: 40 S&W (ample stock) 45 acp (decent, but not ample) 38 spl (decent) 44 mag (ample) and at Wal Mart .357 mag (ample).

Now I do hand load, but in a breakdown of government event (either nationally or due to a local disaster) I want to be able to run to the store and get my ammo of choice. That is why 40 S&W is my choice (beside that I am issued two weapons in that caliber and carry it every day).

45 acp is not a bad choice by any means either. But a 9mm.... That ammo was the second to leave the shelves, right behind .223.

I do have one 9mm, my CCH. I shoot it only to ensure I "still have it" with that gun, and then clean it, load it back with my Federal Hydrashocks (looking to rotate those out soon, prob. with Speer Gold Dots) and put it back in my waistband.

So, I say pick a caliber that is readily available in times of shortages (such as now) and that components are available for. That is how *I* would pick.

At this time when just about any semi auto that can facilitate more than 10 rounds are very scarce. I would still urge you to fire a CZ 75b either in 9mm or .40.
Most who handle and fire one for the first time end up purchasing one,It's a very intuitive and comfortable gun to shoot accurately.

How about a model 14 in .38 special? Accurate, well made, and reasonably priced.

Another option would be a model 25 in .45ACP. Or perhaps a 625.

Good luck!
Lou

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NRA Certified Instructor & RSO

CZ 75 in 9mm.

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Still Running Against the Wind

novalty - I know - that's logical - but actually I am kind of looking forward to adding another caliber - I do single stage - so its not that big of a deal
I should add - my son wants me to get another semi and he wants me to get a 9mm or .40 but I tell him "we'll see"
a 45ACP revolver is on my list for down the road

blujax01 - the 4506 is also dead-nuts gorgeous - a good possibility

tappedandtagged - all good points - I will keep them in mind

duppie and Rule - my cousin has a CZ - I'll try it out - another good possibility

Lou NC - when I find and see a model 14, or possibly a model 15 - I already decided, I'm buying it - that one doesn't count
that's one reason I am looking for a semi-auto now - cause I know I am getting that revolver

keep 'em coming - a gun show is coming up Sunday

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I'd like to agree with you BUT

Well, thinking outside the box, and since you are interested in a quality centerfire that is accurate, how about one of the European .32 target pistols? Walther, Hammereli(spelling ?), maybe a few others make them, or at least did, and they were Olympic grade accurate.

Larry

The 3rd Gen S&W's come in many flavors, including 9, 10, 40, 45, and 357 sig., TDA, DA only, SS, CS, Alloy, 3", 3.5", 4", 4.5", 5", 5.5" and I believe 6. Single stack double stack with or without an accessory rail. Curved backstrap, straight backstrap, square or round trigger guard.

I do not like green eggs and ham...

+ 1
I have 2-1911's and 4-45acp S&W revolvers. You will enjoy a 625 with moon clips--whole different ballgame and a hoot to shoot!

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NRA Life Member
AF&AM #129

If you like heavy all metal guns with hammers with or without decockers, SA or DA The CZ is one of the best guns out there. It is used by more military and police than any other gun (we are talking the rest of the world) not what you see here in the US.

I have several and a real expensive CZ 75 SP01 Shadow target.A tack driver one hole wonder.

CZ are used in a lot of competition shooting

The regular CZ 75 will shoot as well it just does not have the enhancements, aluminum grips, and really tweaked trigger work. Less money also. Will last forever.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Sounds like a bullseye set up. Id pick up a m&p in 9 and have some fun with it but it will be your least accurate handgun.

I was off on the CZ & S&W sites.

S&W doesn't make these anymore?? Do they have anything comparable? seems all steel guns are only in 45 ACP & 22. Why do these companies discontinue their great products.
Colt with there Python and Woodsman S&W their Model 52 and 14 & 15, etc.

I plan on checking into used - but want to go new.

Rule - I was looking at the CZ 75 SP01 ShadowTarget on their website for the last 1/2 hour - exactly what I was looking for!! Somehow I'm of the opinion that target guns should have adjustable sights - but I'm a rookie pistol guy - so don't really know
I'll see if I can handle one at the gun show this weekend.
I may end up starting with the 75B - my son will probably adopt/steal it - then I'll have to get the "SHADOW" for myself

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I'd like to agree with you BUT

that's exactly how I picked them - I'm no bullseye shooter, I only compete against myself - I doubt I could group 8" one handed with any but the Victor - but I don't want any inaccurate guns and plan on passing them onto my sons.

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I'd like to agree with you BUT

You made excellent choices, you're missing a model 14 though.

Check out CZ Customs for all the upgrades you'll need,target even full race guns. Angus is also a CZ international competitor and a real good guy to deal with.

38 Super.

As accurate if not more then most, You allready buy bullets for the 9mm too, right? (same bullets).

Personally, I'd find a six inch with adjustable sights, but, I could settle for a 5"....

If you want a 9 mm, and like the looks of the CZ, then you may also want to consider a Browning Hi-power. CZ modeled their grip design from the BHP. If you want a stainless gun, then you might want to consider an EAA Witness, which comes in a couple of the calibers that have been discussed, and their Witness Match line has adjustable sights.

thanks - its not that I'm wise - just smart enough to figure out who to listen to - my choices were mostly made from the good advice given here on this forum

and yes Titegroups that has become obvious to me in the past 2 months - that it's "the missing gun" in the line up. I classify it as "buy immediately" when I come across one. I love the looks of the Model 14-5 with the full underlug

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I'd like to agree with you BUT

Did you go to the custom website or CZ USA?
I doubt you will find a custom at a gun show. To be honest adjustable sights are really not needed. Most comp shooters don't use them. I like them just because it gives me something to mess around with if I change a load. But as mentioned a Browning High Power is a excellent choice also, it has the slide inside the rails like the CZ or the CZ like the Browning (it came first) The BHP has a damn mag safety which really effects the trigger pull. I do not care that it has a safety, just that it messes up the trigger (I took mine out)

You can get one configured anyway you want.

CZ Custom Shop

PM me if you have any questions, I am a CZ fan.

This site has overall good guns not strictly target, I do not agree with a lot of them but that's why there are so many choices in the world.

http://www.best9mm.com/

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Still Running Against the Wind

Simple. SiG220. Every other .45 ACP pistol pales in comparision.

Agreed but he has a 1911 45 so I thought he wanted a different caliber?

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Still Running Against the Wind

Target gun? Here's what I think you should get into.
http://www.1911addicts.com/showthrea...Xtreame...Pics!
It ain't a P220 but it should suffice.

That one too.

How about a vintage colt government or 1911a1? You can shoot it and it will go up in value.

I know what you mean....The "jam a mag" Bersa and the worst trigger Sig ever made p250?

Roy, after I handled, shot and owned a SiG220, I got rid of all my 1911's. (Well almost. I kept a ParaOrd P14 that has sentimental value).

I was first exposed to CZ75 overseas, they're very hard to beat.
The Compact decocker alloy frame:Strictly business.

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Halfway and one more step

Handloading and "very good target" gun? The obvious S&W choice seems to be one of the Performance Center pistols, such as 952 or the PC1911.

If not S&W, what about Les Baer Premier II with his 1.5 inch group at 50 yards guarantee?

If I had to get rid of a 45 and only have one it would be the Sig 220 for all around best 45 out of the box. I have a Dan Wesson 1911 that will out shoot it by a hair but I like the Sig better.

Sigs are my favorite guns but they do not make Revolvers so SW is still tops on those

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Still Running Against the Wind

I knew we were on the same page!

I grew up on the following mantra... "Winchester Rifles, Remington Shotguns, Smith & Wesson Revolvers and Colt's Pistols." Somewhere along the line I think that SiG kicked Colt's off the playground....

Funny you've mentioned it. After I've sorted brass after my last range visit I came up with almost a 100 cases of 380, so my first thought was: hmm, should I start shopping for a PPK so I can reload 380s

I recently walked in a gun shop, not looking for another handgun, and walked out with a S&W MP 45 C. Most comfortable, accurate auto I've owned yet. Try one before you buy anything. The thumb safety configuration is awesome.

thanks all - all the input here is valuable to me and appreciated.
I'm making some notes on the 45 ACP and revolvers for future additions, but for this one, its going to be a semi-auto

most likely want to order new, but I will check out a few dealers and gunshows for the discontinued S&W 3rd generation models and others and see if they have current models to hold

a few other points/questions
I enjoy load development and loading my own ammo is a must, are there any handloading differences/concerns between 9mm, 38 super or 40? lead bullets?

and I'll probably want to mount a small 1x red dot on it for 25yd to 50yd play (vision limits me to 25 to 35 feet with open sights) - so really adjustable sights or not is not a big issue its just I want target gun tolerances - not service gun tolerances or in other words "paper bullseye targets" - not 6 inch or 8 inch steel gongs or human size paper targets

along the same lines, I really like the light trigger pull on the H.S. Victor, S&W M52 and Colt GCNM, these all come manufactured with target triggers. Are any of these suggested pistols comparable to my 3 guns??

thanks again

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I'd like to agree with you BUT

There is the belief that a 1911 chambered in any of the three can have a barrels fit and shoot the other two.

I have a Super with a 9 barrel too, I've yet to see proof one way or the other that a 40 chambering works too.

BUT I can tell ya, if your shopping target pistols, (in 1911) you can buy a Super, and get a 9mm barrel, and still have the same if not less then the 9mm version alone would cost.

Also, Super mags usually work with 9mm but not the other way around. Plus, 9 mags are 10$+ more per mag....

Load wise, Super is more forgiving then the other two....

YMMV

I haven't read all of the above posts but am going to throw my 2 cents in the mix. For a gun used at the range I have the following criteria:
a.) Full Size - easier to shoot well, b.) good trigger - usually means a revolver or single action auto and c.) adjustable sights - I like to be able to use reduced loads and still have it hit where I aim. For center fire cartridges I like the 357 Mag (38 Special) in a revolver and the 9mm in an auto. Both are available in many factory loads and inexpensive ammo. The 9mm has low recoil and is cheap to shoot.
Gun recommendations - well this is the Smith & Wesson forum - I like S&W and Freedom Arms in revolvers and for an inexpensive auto you should look at the STI Spartan with adjustable sights. It may need some minor trigger work but it's a heck of a good gun for the money. If you can spend more money on an auto, look for a S&W 952 or the SIG P210.

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Dick

Sig p210. Get a CZ when you can't find the Sig.