For those of you with a Beretta 92FS, how often (if ever) do you detail strip the slide and clean out the firing pin channel? One thing I really like about my M&Ps and SDs is that taking out the striker and cleaning out the channel is very easy...no need to knock out pins, etc.
What DA/SA pistol would you recommend?
- Thread starter GKC
- Start date
If this gentleman is married and only plans to buy one gun, he may want to consider something they both can shoot. The Beretta is a little big.
He hunts when he wants, fishes when he wants, eats what he wants, wears what he wants, watches what he wants on TV, and goes where he wants...so, he doesn't need a second or smaller gun.
YET!!!
He's 45, divorced, his kids are grown, and he's happy. I don't think he plans on needing another handgun...
Well, he might decide he needs more for HIM! One certainly isn't enough for me!
Fishinfool
Member
GKC- I am going to swim against the current here and mention the Ruger P series pistol. For several years I conducted training for new recruits for an agency that issued these pistols. I have seen many thousands of rounds put thru these guns, and I am impressed with them.
Yea, a little clunky looking, not as sexy as a SIG or H&K, but they are as reliable as all get out, accurate, and feel good in the hand. Trigger action on the D/A only, and DA/SA versions is very good, and the price and Ruger's reputation for standing behind their product is icing on the cake.
Class after class shot these same 25 or 30 range guns on about a daily basis, and the only problem I noticed was a few broken extractors. A lot of the big name shooting iron did not do as well from the reliability aspect.
Larry
Yea, a little clunky looking, not as sexy as a SIG or H&K, but they are as reliable as all get out, accurate, and feel good in the hand. Trigger action on the D/A only, and DA/SA versions is very good, and the price and Ruger's reputation for standing behind their product is icing on the cake.
Class after class shot these same 25 or 30 range guns on about a daily basis, and the only problem I noticed was a few broken extractors. A lot of the big name shooting iron did not do as well from the reliability aspect.
Larry
Beretta 92FS. Not only is a very good handgun but there will be parts,
magazines and accessories available for many years to come. I have
three, a standard model, a Centurion and a Centurion DAO. I have
never felt the need to detail strip a slide but I haven't fired a large
number of rounds through any of them. Lots of info on the Beretta
forum.
magazines and accessories available for many years to come. I have
three, a standard model, a Centurion and a Centurion DAO. I have
never felt the need to detail strip a slide but I haven't fired a large
number of rounds through any of them. Lots of info on the Beretta
forum.
Gunsnwater
Member
Sig SP2022, bought used SP2023 police trade. More accurate then
glock 23 police trade, both 40s. And Sig runs like a champ on everything I fed it, not so with G23. I replaced all the springs in both with factory new springs before I ever used them. The 92 is great but fat and heavy. The others I have not shot but the ruger P89 was a great (big) gun so the 95 should be a keeper. Sig has replaceable back strap in 3 sizes and a supertuck carries it well.
glock 23 police trade, both 40s. And Sig runs like a champ on everything I fed it, not so with G23. I replaced all the springs in both with factory new springs before I ever used them. The 92 is great but fat and heavy. The others I have not shot but the ruger P89 was a great (big) gun so the 95 should be a keeper. Sig has replaceable back strap in 3 sizes and a supertuck carries it well.
kozmic
Member
+1 on the FNX. I have the FNP it is an amazing piece.
I'm sure you will influence him now won't you?
I think what would be best is for him to buy one of each of these recommended pistols plus a few million rounds of ammo...then I will do exhaustive range testing for him. It may take me several years, but I will be tireless and diligent in my efforts to find just the right gun for him.
I voted for the CZs. I have put more rounds through my CZ85 Combat than any other 9mm.
To help you understand CZ's model names, "B" means the model has a Colt Series 80 style firing pin safety and a roll pin retaining the firing pin. Both those changes were for the worse. "85" means a 75 with ambidextrous safeties. Pre-B CZ75s and CZ85 Combats have a 1911 style stop plate retaining the firing pin and no Series 80 firing pin plunger. CZ offers a nicely polished blue finish for a few dollars more than their ugly painted finish. Stores seldom stock CZ's better finishes. Usually you have to order them. When I bought my CZ blued, satin nickel and ugly paint were all the same price yet the stores still only stocked ugly painted CZs. Prior to the buying frenzy that started in last November CZ USA and CDNN sold new CZ 75/85 15 round factory magazines for $20. It's likely they will again, or at least they'll get back down to $25.
CZ's Cadet .22 LR upper is one of the best .22 conversion kits despite being moderately priced at $250 to $300. Rather than trying to make a .22 LR move a large slide it has a small steel slide moving within the rear of what looks like a slide. Consequently it retains the weight and balance of the center fire slide. A .22 conversion is a worthwhile training/plinking accessory. A Cadet conversion would bump him over his $600 limit but it can be purchased later. Besides, every one needs a .22 handgun and the Cadet is a good one.
Regarding your exclusion of 3rd generation autos, all S&Ws made after about 1989 have a lifetime warranty whether or not you are the original owner. S&W still makes production runs of 3rd generation autos to fill police department orders. It will be a long time before it's difficult to get one repaired.
To help you understand CZ's model names, "B" means the model has a Colt Series 80 style firing pin safety and a roll pin retaining the firing pin. Both those changes were for the worse. "85" means a 75 with ambidextrous safeties. Pre-B CZ75s and CZ85 Combats have a 1911 style stop plate retaining the firing pin and no Series 80 firing pin plunger. CZ offers a nicely polished blue finish for a few dollars more than their ugly painted finish. Stores seldom stock CZ's better finishes. Usually you have to order them. When I bought my CZ blued, satin nickel and ugly paint were all the same price yet the stores still only stocked ugly painted CZs. Prior to the buying frenzy that started in last November CZ USA and CDNN sold new CZ 75/85 15 round factory magazines for $20. It's likely they will again, or at least they'll get back down to $25.
CZ's Cadet .22 LR upper is one of the best .22 conversion kits despite being moderately priced at $250 to $300. Rather than trying to make a .22 LR move a large slide it has a small steel slide moving within the rear of what looks like a slide. Consequently it retains the weight and balance of the center fire slide. A .22 conversion is a worthwhile training/plinking accessory. A Cadet conversion would bump him over his $600 limit but it can be purchased later. Besides, every one needs a .22 handgun and the Cadet is a good one.
Regarding your exclusion of 3rd generation autos, all S&Ws made after about 1989 have a lifetime warranty whether or not you are the original owner. S&W still makes production runs of 3rd generation autos to fill police department orders. It will be a long time before it's difficult to get one repaired.
I also like the Ruger P95. I have one of the older ones, bought when it first came out for around $230 new. It's the P95/DC with the slide-mounted decocker lever. Unlike S&W autos I can actually reach the decocker. I believe current P95s have a more rubbery textured frame and an accessory rail - the original frames were a little "slick" feeling.
One thing that I really like about the P95 is that it is easier to rack the slide than most any other full-size auto I know of. Part of it is the big fat slide that is easy to grip but it also seems like the springs are softer than other autos. A lot of women that I've taken shooting like it because of that - many times it's the only gun (that's bigger than a .22) that they can operate.
duppie
Member
The CZ75B 9mm. Arguably the best all steel 9mm semi auto for the price.
Proven reliability and support,accurate,comfortable and intuitive grip,cycles any ammo,available with either decocker or safety,ability to carry cocked and locked,numerous finishes.
Hmmm...that is news to me. I don't have a manual for a Gen3 pistol, but all my other S&W manuals say the warranty is for the original owner only. They will repair guns made after 1989, but as far as I know, the coverage under warranty is for the original owner only.
It would be great if that was the case...however, a Gen3 still doesn't meet his criteria unless we could find one that is new, which is pretty unlikely. (It's not my criteria, but his.) That's OK...if during my search I come across a great Gen3 pistol, I know it will find a home.
Aticus
Member
92FS. the most comfortable double stack I've ever shot and accurate to a fault. Works with everything I've fed it.
Doug M.
Member
Reconsider. Please reconsider. DA/SA is a counterproductive solution in search of a problem, foisted on shooters mostly by ignorant LE and MIL bosses who should have disciplined for incompetence/dereliction, then had a guardianship filed on them since they have demonstrated a lack of ability take care of themselves.
Safety is not improved by this mechanical abomination, and shooting ability is made worse. I had to carry one for a while (2 different models, the 1076 and 4566) and they were pigs looking for lipstick.
Safety is not improved by this mechanical abomination, and shooting ability is made worse. I had to carry one for a while (2 different models, the 1076 and 4566) and they were pigs looking for lipstick.
r a y
Member
Im also gonna speak out for the Ruger P95. Cant deny that at it's price point its gotta be one of the best values out there, hands down. Everything you hear about them is true: Accurate, reliable, "built like a tank" tough... all for around $300 bucks. I vouche for all of that, I own 2 P-series pistols myself (P90 & P345). It may not be the prettiest or thinnest weapon out there, but it does what its supposed to do and then some. Don't get me wrong, the other handguns listed are all outstanding as well, but for those who are on a budget or who are "financially responsible" you just cant go wrong with a P95.
