Torn between choices for next pistol

General Firearms Handguns - Semi Auto
1

Ok, so I have one pistol permit (yes, here in NJ, we have to apply for a permit per pistol) to use up. Being that I’m in a middle of a career change now, this may likely be the last gun I can get for the next year or two, so I want to make this count.
The pistols I have thus far are Glock 19 Gen3, Walther PPQ (9mm), Browning Hi-Power, 1911, and a S&W 686. The G19 and the PPQ are what I consider my primary shooters.

Here are some considerations for me…

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[li]Another Glock 19, perhaps a Gen4. Seems like the Gen4s may be as reliable, if not more, than current Gen3s, especially if you are willing to purchase the Apex extractor. The fact that I already have all the extra mags, holsters, and that I know how to service everything myself is a plus. I can soon get Glocks pretty cheap since I will qualify for the first responders discount in a couple months.
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[li]Another PPQ. Love this pistol, and have to say, it’s definitely more enjoyable to shoot than any Glock I’ve tried. Love the paddle style mag release too. There are actually a few left at my local gun store, and I am thinking about this one because it looks like very shortly, I won’t be able to get the PPQ with the euro paddle mag release anymore. If I went for another PPQ, I would have to act real fast.
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[li]M&P9. I had thought about this gun for a couple years, but the various issues have always turned me off from it. From the sounds of it though, the accuracy issue is more under control lately, and can be dealt with later if not. I never liked the trigger, but that’s what the Apex kit is for. The main reason I still want this gun is because I feel this gun would be best suited for low-light conditions more so than the Glock or PPQ, due solely to the CTC lasergrips. I don’t care for the CTC units for the Glock and it affects my grip of the gun. And of course, no lasergrips for the PPQ yet. The grip for the M&P, however, is just freaking awesome.
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[li]S&W 442/642. Never had a J-frame, but I can definitely see the appeal for it when CCW’ing in light summer clothing. There are times I may not want to wear a larger covering garment to hide a larger semi-auto. Would have to get CTC grips of course.
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The initial reason I wanted another G19 or a PPQ is to have a backup for the ones I already have. However, I’m not sure how necessary it is, since they are both 9mm, and if one is out of commission or missing, I am perfectly comfortable with using the other as the primary. I would never carry 2 pistols that size with me together, and for training classes, I have no problem bringing mags and holsters for both guns. So not sure now how important it is for me to have 2 of the exact same primary gun. Plus at this point, I haven’t decided which one is going to ultimately be my main defense pistol.

Anyhow, just looking for perspectives from all you seasoned shooters/collectors. I keep going back and forth on all the above choices, so I’d be happy to hear any input. Thanks in advance!

2

Heres what I think.

Get the J-frame man. You don’t have a belly gun. While J-frames aren’t fun to shoot IMO, everybody needs one.

You know you want the J-frame. Thats what I would get. You already have 3 9mm handguns, and the J-frame would compliment that 686 NICELY.

I vote J-frame

3

Walther or Glock. It doesn’t matter. They’re both great. And I’ve thought about switching to Walther, but it doesn’t seem right for me just yet.

4

I agree with MS. Except that the Glock can be more work to make sure that you get a good one. When they are good, they are great.

I have five M&Ps and three PPQs. My opinion is that the M&P quality is not near that of the Walther. The Krauts trump everyone in the handgun building business. If you go with S&W or Glock, you are playing the reliability lottery to some extent.

I was in a handgun course a few weekends ago where one gentleman’s Gen 4 G19 puked throughout the entire course.
Perhaps APEX parts might have fixed it. I am done buying “kit” guns where you have to complete the build yourself if you want it to be reliable or accurate.

You may also take into consideration what style of mag release you want to end up with to have the same manual of arms on all of your handguns. I am still not there yet myself as I do carry my Shield when I need smaller than my PPQ. I am considering the possibility of purchasing a PPQ M2 for this very reason.

By the way, I was already close, but, still on the fence about getting rid of my M&Ps (except for the Shield) prior to reading and hearing Larry Vicker’s opinion on the Walther and H&K line in regards to quality. His opinion helped with my decision process. If you really want quality…

5

J frames can be found and purchased just about anywhere. If I can get another PPQ and a sufficient amount of mags,I’ll dump all my Glocks except the G26.
Right now I think the magazine issues take priority.

6

Discount, extra gear already, know how to service. Win, win, win.

As far as Gen3 or Gen4 do you need the MBS system? Reliability
is hit & miss on both. Gen 4 does come with 3 mags but the cost
kind of covers that so really no gain except G19 mags are hard to get
right now so…

Do they have quite a few left because they are so sought after?
Or did they over stock?

7

You’ve got a nice range of pistols. Now, you need to add a CZ-75 variant. If it is something you think you’re going to carry from time to time, a lightweight (alloy framed), compact version like the 75D PCR or P-01 are advisable. They are very accurate and excellent for range guns as well as still having 15 + 1 capacity as such they are great for CCW and Home Defense. I carry a PCR daily, and have a 75B more for home defense, but it can be carried as well.

If you want something for course, IDPA or home defense then the SP-01Shadow (all steel) or SP-01 Phantom (polymer framed) are great as well as the 75B, 85B, etc. The Shadow and Phantom have rails (as does the P-01) if you want that.

Another suggestion would be a Sig P229, but I still prefer the CZ’s due to superior ergos, but we’re all different.

8

My only CZ was a SP-01 Shadow. Had trigger issues requiring work.
I would never have another CZ. Why? The PPQ is more reliable, half the weight, more accurate and way less expensive.

I would carry a M&P or Glock way before a CZ. Of course, I would probably go back to a H&K again if there were no PPQs on earth.

9

I agree with a few posters here…

You can’t go wrong with a CZ75… plus ammo compatibility/redundancy would be a big plus since you said that you already own a Glock 19.

But if you’ve never had a J-Frame - I’d say go with a J-frame… and buy a Galco Ankle Glove for it - the most comfortable way to carry one as a backup that I’ve ever found. I’m a relatively slim guy and I can easily conceal a 638 in an ankle glove wearing Levi’s 527 bootcuts. I’d say skip the scandium and go aluminum… Great track record and doesn’t weigh much more - plus it’s about half the price.

10

I can’t help but agree with just about everything in this post…To a large extent, this mirrors my experience’s exactly…I have two 9mm’s now…A PPQ, and a HK P-2000 with a light LEM…both are accurate reliable, I too, am done buying “Kit” guns, I want them to be both accurate and reliable out of the box…The PPQ does this, so will any HK pistol.

11

Are you looking for a serious use gun? Or a fun gun to have at the range?

If you’re looking for a fun gun and something a bit different, I recently acquired a CZ P-07 to do a bit of T&E since I was so disappointed with the other, more conventional, options (glock etc.). It’s lasted a lot longer in my collection than the PPQ, which is IMO the one of the more overrated pistols on the market (stiff recoil, lots of flip/poor followup shots, expensive mags/parts, lousy grip/ergos, too huge slide catch, not to mention that paddle mag releases are just wrong). I really wanted to like the Walther but in the end it didn’t come close to either my M&P or Glock. Sure the PPQ is a well made gun, it’s just not nearly as shootable as either the M&P or Glock.

The P-07 is really a nice gun, and dead nuts accurate. The trigger is the best DA/SA trigger I’ve felt and it’s easy for the user to switch between a decocker and a safety. The only downside is that it’s a bit thicker in the slide.

My real advice to you, if you’re looking for a serious gun and you’ve got the time and manipulations on a G19, is to stick with that and get another.

I’m not sure I understand why people get all kinds of different model guns outside of the fun factor.

12

I’m of the line of thought that you need 2 of what you carry or at least a full size and compact of the same type.

I also don’t see a .22 in your stable. You might consider adding one or at least adding a .22 conversion to what you have now (I wonder how that fits into NJ law).

13

After reading your first post, it seems to me that you like your PPQ better than your other options. With that being said, why don’t you buy another PPQ as a back up.

14

Funny that you had such a bad experience John. I don’t doubt that the gun just doesn’t work for you but I think it is a shame. Probably how the Glock never really worked optimally for me (took me longer to figure it out). I was recently at a class where I let a group shoot my PPQ. They all (as I recall) could not believe how well they were able to hit with that gun.

Ralph, we have definitely been down the same path. I recall that you had the same problems as I did with the M&Ps. I sure do miss my light LEM P2000.

15

Thanks for the suggestions guys, keep it coming!

I did forget to mention, that I’m only interested in striker fired guns. No DA/SA…been there, done that (I sold off all my DA/SA pistols a while ago). Though, if I could get my hands on a Beretta 92G-SD, I’d happily make an exception to this rule.

Regarding the .22, I’ve thought about getting one on and off. I used to have one when I first got into shooting, but I sold that one off too because it was not 100% reliable. Plus to be honest, I found it kind of boring. I’m not fully convinced that shooting a .22 will help your skills with measurable/timed drills (ie. Bill Drill, el prez, etc) vs. actually practicing on a caliber I would carry with. I’m open to that suggestion, but I’d only get a .22 if I can be convinced that spending time on a .22 will make me much better in the long run. I don’t have a problem with sight alignment and doing a smooth trigger press on static ranges. The practice is needed on timed drills.

Thanks again for all the suggestions so far!

16

Why 442? and not DA/SA?

17

Striker fired? I know I’m gonna get flamed for this one, but buy an XD or XD-M and forget that the Glock ever existed… or better yet sell it AND buy a J-frame!

18

PPQ overated? I Carried a Glock 23 & 19 for over 13 years, & if anything glocks are overated. Such a high percentage of the newer glocks are problematic, yet people continue to use them even though they complain about ftf’s, fte’s, and erratic ejection. The biggest argument i see for the glock is that there are more accessories available & parts and magazines are cheaper. There is not much the PPQ needs to improve as it comes from the box, really night sights are the only modification necessary. I have had no malfunctions or issues with any of my PPQ’s, Cant say the same for the last few glocks I’ve owned.

19

I don’t really like the transition between going from DA to SA mode. I like to have a trigger pull consistent for every shot that is in the 5-6lbs range or less.
The XD series definitely isn’t for me. I’ve handed a few before, and knew instantly that it didn’t suit me.

I recently go to shoot my friend’s Steyr M-A1, and let’s just say I was pretty underwhelmed by it overall. The Caracal is a no go for me due to the complete lack of sight options, and the almost non-existant slide release. Plus the current recall on it is a little off putting. Overall, I’m staying away from the less popular 9mm polymer options as well.

20

If you dont own a J-frame, that would be my vote.