I’m looking for a DA/SA pistol to do some training/practicing on so as to familiarize myself with that type of trigger. I have only really put time in on striker fired consistent triggers and would like to expand my horizons. Now I much prefer a consistent pull but would like to expand my training a little bit.
I know HK’s are sweet and if I move to a DA/SA pistol for permanent carry I will pick up a P30 or HK45c. However, I cannot justify at this time spending upwards of 1K on a pistol to just train/practice with and not use as my EDC or possibly end up dumping altogether. My EDC will remain a Glock for the time being.
So I’m looking at staying around $600 or less for getting a decent pistol to train DA to SA transitions and possibly take a class. I want something that’s going to be reliable. So far I’m considering the following:
[ul]
[li]Beretta 92
[/li][li]Beretta PX4 FS or Compact
[/li][li]Sig SP 2022
[/li][li]CZ P-07 (thanks to the link put up to Mike Pannone’s review)
[/li][li]CZ 75 P-01
[/li][/ul]
I realize a Sig Certified Pre-owned would be the way to go, however I’m having trouble finding one and I’m leery about buying something off the internet, especially if its used. ’
Beat me to it. Have a 92SB I picked up for $300 a couple years back, very nice shooting handguns and I do love mine. An M9A1 or 92A1 is on my list of guns to get. I don’t feel you can go wrong with one.
While your description of the gun is accurate, Ben shoots (or shot, he’s switched to a Stock II now) because that’s the gun he had at the time and he had too much invested in the platform over the years to switch without a good reason to.
I would consider the following pistols all in 9mm simply for the largest amount of shooting time because of the cost of ammunition.
In no particular order:
SIG 226
Smith and Wesson 5906/ 3rd Generation autos
Beretta 92
Taurus PT-92
HK-USP Full Size
If you are looking to shoot alot of rounds, I would lean towards the USP because of the durability and lower maintenance costs.
Otherwise, my first all around choice is the SIG 226. Although, all are quite serviceable. The best bang for you buck would be the Smith and Wesson. The 3rd Generation S&Ws are solid guns.
p.s. You can find some excellent guns on Gunbroker type websites, you just have to do your homework, be patient, and only deal with reputable sellers.
I have a lot of trigger time with the Beretta 92FS and it is not a bad pistol, but it would not be my first choice. I would vote for the CZ-75. I like the ergonomics of the CZ better than the 92FS. The CZ is reasonably priced, durable and has decent accuracy.
Really its a tossup. I would suggest an SP-01 over a standard 75… I think they are aluminum framed. Both cz’s and the 92s are known for good accuracy.
cz
-thinner
-better safety (if you go that route, if not, no safety which is better if you wanna learn DA, and you dont have to worry about inadvertently engaging the safety).
-easy to smooth up trigger (never messed with a 92 trigger, or even looked at one).
-watch the slidestop
Beretta
-smooth
-tons of aftermarket support
-cheaper mags(slightly)
-smooth
-watch the locking block after 15k rounds IIRC.
you could probably just pick which one looks better or is cheaper, both should last long enough to be of service to your grand-kids.
Out of your list, Beretta 92 series pistols are the most common in US law enforcement and military. Being familiar with a Beretta could be a useful trait depending on what you do, and what your plans are from a training/career standpoint.
If it is just a fun plinker… Just choose whichever one tickles your fancy if you get a chance to try/rent a few…
Buy the FNP, FNX 45 pistol. You can get it for under $700. It is the main competitor to the HK45. It, like the HK45 was built to compete to be the new sidearm for the military. then they pulled the solicitation. Google and read, it’s the best kept secret in the handgun world.
It’s large, same size as HK45. Very large. But it shoots great. Has a better trigger than the HK and holds 14/15 rounds of 45!
Another vote for Beretta 92FS with D mainspring. This is perhaps the best DA/SA trigger on the market without a Bruce Grey level makeover (the Sig SRT is a very close second place). the D mainspring is very easy to install with multiple sets of instructions on YouTube. They can be had for under $600 on CDNN.
If the whole point is training familiarization with that type of trigger, I’d echo what so many others are suggesting and get the beretta. Use the most common quality tool. Why spend more on a sig or an hk if it’s not going to be your main pistol platform?
Of those you listed, I’d opt for the 92, for all the good reasons others have listed. The down sides to the 92 are (a) grip size, which is on the largish size, (b) a horribly placed and difficult to use safety/decocker, and (c) the aforementioned locking block issues. One of my old teams actually broke the safety levers on every one of our M9s after a year of HARD training, but I think that was a pretty rare issue.
Having said all that, I’d actually spend the time and energy looking for a good used Sig P226 over any of your choices. The Sig’s trigger is typically pretty good out of the box, and wears in very nicely, and they’ll match or surpass the accuracy of any of the others on your list.
Hey guys thanks for the reply’s so far. I am surprised to see that the Beretta 92 is so strongly recommended. I assumed it was the red head stepchild due to the litany of complaints I’ve read about, all of which are on the internet :rolleyes:
I’m not looking to replace my Glock’s. I’m simply wanting to get some trigger time in on a DA/SA platform so I am familiar with it. If I found myself in a situation and ended up with a gun with a DA/SA trigger, I don’t want to be on a learning curve and have my life depending on it.
I think out of the choices you have the Beretta is probably the best option. You could probably score a used Sig 226 or 220 within your budget if you look hard enough, and that would be my choice for a DA/SA pistol.
Also, I realize that people love their Hk stuff on here, but I owned a P30L and it had the worst trigger on a pistol I’ve ever shot bar none. I’d rather buy a S&W Sigma than that thing.
I would also go with the 92FS. I’ve got one with 15,500 rounds through it. Very solid gun.
Other than that I would go with a Sig 226 or 229, but those will jump you up a price tier.
Then of course, HK… but those come with HK prices which has already been touched upon. The USP line isn’t too bad and similar to the Sig in pricing…
So, for the $600 range, 92FS is a solid choice. I think the M9 version comes with three 17 round mags, but don’t quote me on that. Hell, a local place has (had of their last flyer a few weeks ago anyway) the plain-Jane 92FS for $499.
