I had the chance to shoot one of Mikes CZ P07 this past weekend and was really impressed. The stock DA pull is lighter than other stock DA triggers I’ve tried (sig, beretta, CZ Shadow). It’s definitely a viable option for carrying as its only a little bit larger than a G19.
Most complaints stem from the fact that the US military stupidly bought crappy aftermarket mags. Factory and Mec-Gar mags don’t have this problem. Also, most people are apparently terrified of lubing their guns. The 92, like the AR15, needs lube to run.
I think you’d be surprised how many top shooters out there cut their teeth on a 92.
I’m not saying its the perfect gun, but it’s a surprisingly good one. It is not as durable as the modern polymer wonder pistols. Fewer sight options and heavy as well. Requires more training to mitigate the slide mounted safety (unless you buy a 92G which is a decocker only version).
I vote for the Beretta M92A1 just for the options of the removable front sight and light rail. I actually plan to get one myself once the funds permit it…
SIG Pro or a Beretta 92.
Another vote for the Beretta 92. The only reason that I got rid of my old one was it didn’t have a rail for a light or replaceable sights without sending it off for machining. Either night sights or a light is a requirement for an HD gun for me. Granted this was before the 92a1’s came out which have both, and 18 round mags…I still miss my old Beretta. As other people have stated, reliable, good trigger as far as DA/SA goes, and dirty accurate.
This cured me of the striker fired coma I’d been in for too long.
The FNX45 is king , however, FN does make it in 9mm and .40
If you wanted smaller.
CZ 75 SP-01 Shadow, everything else pales in comparison in every aspect
Get a used SIG P226…you’ll love it!
The FNX line blows all other suggestions away. The HK45 feels better in my hand, but I shoot the FN better… plus you can get them for well under $700 if you look around.
Of the guns on your list, the P-07 is what I would go for especially if you’re looking for the best DA/SA value you can find.
To back up I’m very familiar with the 92, the CZ-75/P-01, and the Sig. The only one I’m not familiar with is the Beretta PX. Of the guns not on your list, I’ve shot the FN and HK. Neither of which meets your pricepoint, and both have mediocre to outright horrible triggers. I’ll never understand what people see in the FNX. I mean it’s ok, but it’s nothing special.
First the P-07 DA trigger is the best I’ve ever felt on ANY GUN right out of the box. This includes the guns on your list and subsequent recommendations. A well broken-in 92 comes in second best DA, and the 75/P-01. It’s a consistent 10lbs with nice smooth takeup. I was actually blown away.
I wasn’t as much a fan of the SA trigger, but being much more used to the M&P/Glock, I found I had trouble with the rhythm switching from DA to SA. There was a bit too much takeup so by the time you got to the break point it went its own way. This is a problem with the shooter, not the gun.
Second the accuracy is outstanding, with measured groups at 1.5-1.75 at 25 yards using Speer Lawman and Fiocci respectively.
Third it’s a dead simple gun, it’s a lot like a Glock in its simplicity, about the toughtest thing was switching over the mag release. Another nice advantage is that you can (in 5 minutes using a punch) switch from a traditional cocked/locked safety to a decocker. I opted for the decocker since the DA is so sweet and I still have to actively think about putting the safety on and off when using a pistol.
Magazine costs are about the same as M&P mags and for about the same height you get more bullets than the P-01. The second downside to the P-07 is that the slide is pretty thick. but they do a cool chamfer job on the slide so it doesn’t weigh that much more.
That said it’s hard to recommend as a CCW pistol as there are slimmer options out there (however it’s comparable in feel to the FNH or HK). I’m not saying it’s the best pistol out there (I carry M&Ps and prefer that gun), but for the need/price you spelled out, and the guns you mentioned, I can enthusiastically recommend it.
As a range/practice piece for very little coin, you’d be very hard pressed to beat the P-07. It will easily perform as well as the guns mentioned that cost 300-400 more.
Walther P99 AS or This less expensive clone
My vote too.
A used Sig 226 or a CZ. Whichever you can find first.
The OP did a pretty good job of spelling out his list, his requirements, and his price range.
I’m not sure why people persist in thinking they know better.
Used European made Sigs are nice guns, but nothing qualitatively better. They’re also pretty rare, and outside of his pricepoint.
Here’s an idea…How about answering the question he asked?
A used Sig 226 or a new SP2022. The 2022 is treated as the step child of the Sig family, but the people I know that have one love it.
Totally agree, the 2022 is the most under-appreciated member of the sig family. It’s the only Sig I’ve kept.
It was also a very radical design, first poly gun with interchangeable backstraps among other reasons.
I have a Beretta PX9. We’re still getting used to each other. The thing that strikes me the most about these guns is the lack of aftermarket upgrades for them, and it seems that all holsters are special order only. My PX9 came with a notice that tells me to only use 124 gr & heavier ammo. I of course tried 115 gr after break-in, and it worked okay but the gun felt sluggish somehow. Anyway, if I followed directions, everything worked perfectly. As noted with the 92s, buy quality mags, the cheap ones are awful. I’m picking up factory commercial mags as funds permit. The PX series use the same mags as the 92s, as long as you stay in caliber of course.
I just picked up a used sig 226 for $650 at a local Cabelas. It is a West German made one and is great condition. I have only put about a thousand rounds through it, and it has been flawless. Also has a great trigger. I also have a sig 239 that I have had for several years and have many more down the tube. It has also been flawless.
I have not had any trigger time on the others, so I can’t say how they compare
Beretta 92.
If they would make one the size of a G19 with a safety/decocker on the frame (Like a Taurus) I would dump all my Glocks for one.
My first love in auto pistols was the Beretta 92 series.
Fun to shoot, accurate, attractive and durable.
The only thing I don’t like about them is the size.
If I didn’t have 5 of them along with Armorer certification, enough parts to completely rebuild on except for the frame/barrel AND 66+ magazines:eek:, I probably would have already contemplated getting a Beretta 92 Compact instead of my G19s.