What DA/SA pistol would you recommend?

Which DA/SA 9mm pistol would you recommend?

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GKC

GKC

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If you were in the market for a DA/SA 9mm pistol, which one would you choose? I am only interested in NEW guns that are CURRENTLY IN PRODUCTION (which leaves out S&W 3rd Gens, unfortunately) and which can be purchased for around $600 OR LESS (which leaves out H&Ks and most SIGs, for example.) Please only comment about pistols that you own or have owned, or had significant experience shooting.

I understand that many people don't like DA/SA pistols, think revolvers are the only gun to own, or have other opinions...I respect all those, but for this discussion, please comment with your recommendations on current DA/SA pistols. I've added a poll with a few makes/models, plus an "Other" category. If you select "Other" please indicate the make/model you are recommending.

Thanks for your responses! :)
 
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Since 3rd generation is not in consideration, and I own one, I voted for the 92FS because that's the one I would add to my collection if I was buying another.
 
I can't say the the CZ-75 SP-01 is the best, I haven't shoot them all yet. I will say that it is a fine pistol. Excellent quality and shoots like a dream. 17+1 rounds of 9mm goodness.
 
Cz 75/85, compact, P/SP01.

Sig can be had @ $500 and under as long as you dont mind used police guns. Coincidently those are the only ones I'd look at. Mid 90s - early 00s. After that their QC went down the drain. Basically any Sig thats all W. German or a mix of W. German and Exeter NH parts.

HKs can also be had for under $600. For the same reasons as Sigs, used police guns. I bought a USP 9with with HK light, LEM trigger, night sights, two 18 round mags and a jet funnel kit for $475

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2
 
If you shoot a FNX,in any caliber,you will never look back.I think they are the best shooting of any pistol.Please,this is my opinion,not a debate.Thank you.
 
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The 92F......but, I'd just save up for a Sig P series. I don't know how you could beat a P229 in 9mm.
 
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An answer would depend on just what the intended purpose for the gun is. Is this a carry piece? A target piece? A plinking piece? A home defense piece? You could get a different answer for each different purpose. There is no such thing as a completely satisfactory handgun for every purpose.
 
I personally like my CZ75B.
If you want something quality but inexpensive, don't forget the EAA Tanfoglio pistols either.
 
My Question is

If we all kill ourselves to Find & Buy Classic "Out of Production" S&W Revolvers
Why NOT Include 3rd Generation Smith DA/SA Autos in your choices?

I know its your poll and your choice
but i just am wondering why?
 
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I don't like DA/SA in a full sized gun.

The only such gun I'd ever consider would be a CZ75 because it can be carried cocked and locked like an M1911.
 
jeffsmith said:
My Question is

If we all kill ourselves to Find & Buy Classic "Out of Production" S&W Revolvers
Why NOT Include 3rd Generation Smith DA/SA Autos in your choices?

I know its your poll and your choice
but i just am wondering why?
Click to expand...

I'm actually helping a relative (NOT a straw purchase) and he only wants to consider new guns that are still in production and at or below $600. I thought I'd see if I could get some other opinions, than just my own. I had forgotten all about FNs, for example, so that was a good suggestion.
 
H Richard said:
An answer would depend on just what the intended purpose for the gun is. Is this a carry piece? A target piece? A plinking piece? A home defense piece? You could get a different answer for each different purpose. There is no such thing as a completely satisfactory handgun for every purpose.
Click to expand...

No, it won't be for concealed carry, so a full size gun is fine. It won't be for target shooting or competition. It's more for home defense and range fun. He might carry it in the car but not on body (he doesn't have a CHL and doesn't plan to get one.) He said the only handgun he has ever fired was a Beretta M9 when he was in the Marines, apparently as part of a training exercise...he wasn't issued one. He wants the same basic style (DA/SA), but doesn't care if it is all metal or a polymer framed gun.
 
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I bought an FN FNX40 and love it. It for me is a tool gun. Camping/hiking, motorcycle CCW.

It has fully ambidextrous controls, can be carried like a 1911 cocked and locked on safe or with the hammer decocked for a DA first pull, great for motorcycleing, and the barrel is normally rifled not rifled like a Glock so lead reloads do well.

Also, the disconnector is like a 1911; it is on both the left and right, so the trigger feels very good. On many poly pistols (and my Ruger MK II's and III, the disconnector is on one side which make sear release feel a bit mushy.

Price is right too.
 
I voted for the Beretta because it's most likely to have repair faciities in your area and spare parts may be more available. The slide also operates easier than Browning or Petter style locked breeches if a weaker person ever has to use the gun.

My second, very close, choice is the CZ-75B. I really doubt he'd go wrong with either.

But if this is an ex-Marine who doesn't have extensive interest in guns, that's even more reason to choose the Beretta M-92FS or the M-9.

I suggest Federal's HST 124 grain JHP or Speer's 124 grain Gold Dot ammo for defense. That 's what goes in my Beretta and in my son's and his other 9mm's.

Do not buy a PX-4 without seeing if the trigger rides so high that it touches the trigger finger too low. The tip of my finger is right on the tip/end of the trigger, not higher up, as it should be.

Other 9mm's I'd use are not on your list, and only the Beretta and the CZ meet my standards.

These guns do need some hand size and the ability to reach the trigger well in DA mode.
 
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Texas Star said:
The slide also operates easier than Browning or Petter style locked breeches if a weaker person ever has to use the gun.
Click to expand...

I recently bought my first Beretta 92F and was amazed at how easy and smooth the slide was to rack—this could be an essential feature. If the desire was for a DA/SA with a decocker I'd pick the 92F. It's big, but I've got small hands and have no issues manipulating any of the controls. I swapped the hammer spring out for a D spring and both DA and SA trigger pulls improved (especially the DA pull).

Texas Star said:
My second, very close, choice is the CZ-75B. I really doubt he'd go wrong with either.
Click to expand...
Agreed—I've owned three CZ-75s: an original 1980s Pre-B, an SP01 and a Shadow. The latter two would be a challenge to carry (although the SP01 is nice with factory night sights and light but not too light SA pull and rail if a light or laser was desired). This or a 75B or even Pre-B would be my choice if the desire was for a pistol that could be cocked and locked.

I also like the SIG P226 a whole lot--they go for around $700 used but in good shape here; what would be pricing in your neck of the woods?
 
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Texas Star said:
I voted for the Beretta because it's most likely to have repair faciities in your area and spare parts may be more available.
Click to expand...

That is one reason he wants a new gun...warranty coverage.

Texas Star said:
But if this is an ex-Marine who doesn't have extensive interest in guns, that's even more reason to choose the Beretta M-92FS or the M-9.
Click to expand...

He is mainly interested in rifles and shotguns, and hunts extensively. He's mainly wanting a handgun for home defense, and has never owned one. All the recent craziness have him convinced he should get one now, while he can...especially if it holds more than 10 rounds. He lives in Texas, though, as I do, so that is unlikely to be an issue.


Texas Star said:
Other 9mm's I'd use are not on your list, and only the Beretta and the CZ meet my standards.

These guns do need some hand size and the ability to reach the trigger well in DA mode.
Click to expand...

For my own curiosity, what would those be? And as for his hand size, he can palm a basketball...while I can palm a ping pong ball. :o
 
Kahr would be my choice in low capacity mag, Beretta 92FS for larger capacity. But then again I prefer a .45ACP which 92FS is only 9mm. Have a Kahr CW .45 and have never had a problem with any ammo. Beretta might be my next gun purchase. Then again my wife has a Ruger LC9 Lilac small and light 9mm with 6+1 capacity but longgggg trigger pull.
 
Dragonfly said:
I also like the SIG P226 a whole lot--they go for around $700 used but in good shape here; what would be pricing in your neck of the woods?
Click to expand...

I love P229s...but he only wants a new gun; a new P226/9 sells for $800 + in shops around here. I rarely see used SIGs in the local shops, at least not P226/9 models, but the ones I do see are usually not in good shape (at least cosmetically) and still command a pretty high price.
 
gdnagle said:
Kahr would be my choice in low capacity mag
Click to expand...

He only wants a DA/SA action, though. I just thought about Bersa...they make a DA/SA .45, but then he wants 9mm; of course, they make a DA/SA 9mm too.

gdnagle said:
Then again my wife has a Ruger LC9 Lilac small and light 9mm with 6+1 capacity but longgggg trigger pull.
Click to expand...

My wife has a TALO Gold LC9, and hers is 7 + 1. The trigger pull is long, but smooth...and she can rack the slide easily on it, which she can't on most of my pistols.
 
GKC said:
I love P229s...but he only wants a new gun; a new P226/9 sells for $800 + in shops around here. I rarely see used SIGs in the local shops, at least not P226/9 models, but the ones I do see are usually not in good shape (at least cosmetically) and still command a pretty high price.
Click to expand...
Well there you go! If it was me I'd go for Beretta 92F or CZ75B or SP01.
 
Dragonfly said:
Well there you go! If it was me I'd go for Beretta 92F or CZ75B or SP01.
Click to expand...

Of those three, the only one I've owned is the 92FS. I was leaning toward recommending the SIG SP2022 to him, because I like the trigger and the decocker on it, but since I started this thread, I'm going to go over the results with him and see what he wants to consider. The problem is, finding some of these guns to see in person. I've seen lots of Berettas and SIGs in the local shops, but I don't recall ever seeing a FN or CZ. Maybe they were there but I just wasn't seeing them.

BTW, he said he'd pay for my gas to go around and find some to look at for him...and then he'd come with me when I had them located. Man, I can't believe this...getting PAID (at least for my gas) to go to gun shops and look! I may have just found my new career...
 
GKC said:
That is one reason he wants a new gun...warranty coverage.



He is mainly interested in rifles and shotguns, and hunts extensively. He's mainly wanting a handgun for home defense, and has never owned one. All the recent craziness have him convinced he should get one now, while he can...especially if it holds more than 10 rounds. He lives in Texas, though, as I do, so that is unlikely to be an issue.




For my own curiosity, what would those be? And as for his hand size, he can palm a basketball...while I can palm a ping pong ball. :o
Click to expand...

They'd be SIG's or the Star M-30, if I found a really good deal on the Star, which is out of production. But he rightly wants a new pistol with parts and support available.

Most members do not read OP's well and inject their own criteria in answering. I understood your requirements, and answered accordingly.

It is very important to have him handle the gun before purchase. Academy Sports sometimes sells CZ's in Texas. Berettas are much more widely sold. I think Beretta has better QC, as some CZ finishes and grind lines along the front edge of the grip vary. Stainless CZ's may have better uniformity there.
CZ-USA is seemingly doing well now, and their rifles are also well worth considering.

BTW, the M-92FS has a slight radius at the back of the grip, which lets it fit many hands better than the actual M-9. You have to feel the difference to believe it. I tried both at once; bought the FS. I think I paid $450 on sale, with two mags. But that was several years ago.

I've never seen either the M-92 series or a CZ-75 jam. Both tend to be quite accurate.

My son found the issue M-9 to work well even in sandy Iraq, as long as real Beretta or Mec-Gar mags were used.
 
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I've not seen a SIG SP2022 but from what I've read it looks like it'd be a fine choice. Too bad about the scarcity of CZs--they're fairly common in Canada (well, as common as a handgun can get here which is to say, not very).
 
consider total ownership issues

With some of the lesser named/popular guns, finding extra mags and aftermarket grips, sights, upgradeparts/support and holsters can be limited (or expensive). Been there -Done that-Won't again. Of those mentioned, I've owned the Beretta 92 and the CZ75. Neither impressed me enough to keep around.
Personally I would go with the Sig 2022 of those mentioned. I like the interchangeable grips and aftermarket support is plentiful. I have a the 40 cal flavor of this gun and it's a keeper!
Curious though that you didn't include a 2nd/3rd gen S&W? I'd match many of those against most of your list.
My advice would be to go handle (and shoot if you can) before you buy from spec. Otherwise you'll likely be disappointed in whatever you buy.
 
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