Redcoat3340
Well-known member
Took 3 new-to-me guns to the range today. All "compact" about the same size....Glock 19, S&W 6906 and Beretta PX4 compact. Shot 115 gr. ball out of each as I didn't want to use my good ammo for these break-ins. Here are my first impressions:
Gen 3 Glock 19 "custom"
My first Glock. And my last. One. Ever.
It was awful. The gun had custom sights with red tritium front and plain black rear. Sights were okay except the back one fell off after the last mag. (That's not Glock's fault, but the guy I bought it from is getting a sharp note). Trigger was supposed to be custom as well. If it was, I can't imagine how bad the regular Glock trigger is. (Actually, I can, that's why it took more then 20 years to buy my first Glock.) Grip was like holding a big bar of brown soap....even with the finger groves ground off and the skate tape applied. Got my pinkie pinched twixt the grip and mag and there's no recoil absorption at all. Not snappy, just uncomfortable. No "feel" at all. Folks who say it is just a "tool" are right....it's like a shovel....no personality. Once the sight is fixed I'll give it another try....but look for an ad soon.
S&W 6906
I am again reminded why I love S&W 3rd generations. Nice trigger, filled my hand perfectly, front sight needs to become a fiber optic (aging eyes, not the gun). Trigger broke clean and crisp and the gun soaked up the recoil. This is what a pistol was meant to be and, like my other Smiths, is an absolute keeper.
Beretta PX4 Compact
All I can say is "Wow." As solid a feel as the 6906, crisp 4 lb. SA trigger (9lbs DA...gotta find my stash of D springs), decent 3 dots (looking for fiber optic for the front) and it just feels right. Shot best with this of the three. Don't know if it's the rotating barrel or just it's heft (and yes, it's probably heavy for a plastic gun) but follow-up was a snap with very little recoil. Glad I got the compact as it's plenty "big" and carryable (although it won't replace my Walther aP99cAS and S&W 640 as my EDCs).
I really like this gun. And really dislike the Glock. But the Glock gets another chance.
Gen 3 Glock 19 "custom"
My first Glock. And my last. One. Ever.
It was awful. The gun had custom sights with red tritium front and plain black rear. Sights were okay except the back one fell off after the last mag. (That's not Glock's fault, but the guy I bought it from is getting a sharp note). Trigger was supposed to be custom as well. If it was, I can't imagine how bad the regular Glock trigger is. (Actually, I can, that's why it took more then 20 years to buy my first Glock.) Grip was like holding a big bar of brown soap....even with the finger groves ground off and the skate tape applied. Got my pinkie pinched twixt the grip and mag and there's no recoil absorption at all. Not snappy, just uncomfortable. No "feel" at all. Folks who say it is just a "tool" are right....it's like a shovel....no personality. Once the sight is fixed I'll give it another try....but look for an ad soon.
S&W 6906
I am again reminded why I love S&W 3rd generations. Nice trigger, filled my hand perfectly, front sight needs to become a fiber optic (aging eyes, not the gun). Trigger broke clean and crisp and the gun soaked up the recoil. This is what a pistol was meant to be and, like my other Smiths, is an absolute keeper.
Beretta PX4 Compact
All I can say is "Wow." As solid a feel as the 6906, crisp 4 lb. SA trigger (9lbs DA...gotta find my stash of D springs), decent 3 dots (looking for fiber optic for the front) and it just feels right. Shot best with this of the three. Don't know if it's the rotating barrel or just it's heft (and yes, it's probably heavy for a plastic gun) but follow-up was a snap with very little recoil. Glad I got the compact as it's plenty "big" and carryable (although it won't replace my Walther aP99cAS and S&W 640 as my EDCs).
I really like this gun. And really dislike the Glock. But the Glock gets another chance.
