Another Poll to help with aDecision

Which Striker for CCW?

  • PPQ 1

    Votes: 14 17.9%

  • Glock 4

    Votes: 20 25.6%

  • M & P

    Votes: 16 20.5%

  • Steyr

    Votes: 2 2.6%

  • Other

    Votes: 26 33.3%
  • Total voters
    78
  • Poll closed .
Nothing wrong with a striker model over a DA/DA or DAO for CC if that's what you want.

I like the Walther PPQ and Steyr M9-A1 quite a bit. They are similar in size and weight to one another. Both have great factory triggers, are accurate, reliable, and have good ergonomics. The PPQ has an adjustable back strap. The M9-A1 has less muzzle flip and recoil of the two. The PPQ can be had in M1 (Classic) or M2 versions. The M1 (Classic) with the excellent paddle magazine release and the M2 with the more traditional button release. The Steyr can also be had in the C9-A1. It has the full grip of the M9-A1 with a little shorter barrel.

The Sig 320 C would also be a good choice in a similar sized package to the above models. It's equals in terms of accuracy, reliability, ergonomics, and trigger characteristics (good). The HK VP9 is another good model but, is a little bigger than the others and does not really offer anything over the similar PPQ M1 for me.
 
I think all our responses will be based on our own preferences, so keep that in mind. Personally I dislike glocks. Tried them numerous times and just can't get a feel for them. I've never even seen a steyr, so that leaves the m&p and the ppq. I've heard a lot of good things about the m&p but never shot one, and I HAVE shot the ppq and I loved it. So that gets my vote.
 
There have been shifts to stryker fired guns...but there are still a lot of guys, me included, who favor hammer fired guns ..or even 1911's...( and 99% of the time I will carry and shoot a 1911 - because its the gun I like the best - and shoot the best ).

It comes down to what fits your hands the best...what controls you like the best ...( or what you don't like )...type of sights --- all the little stuff.

Don't exclude 1911's or any single stack options...and understand the 1911 trigger system vs most any other trigger that is a pendulum hung from a pin..the 1911 trigger is unique ( goes straight back and forth in frame) vs a trigger suspended from a pin moves thru an arc. How they break and reset are very different.

Sig 220's are single stack in .45 acp ...but very different from a well made 1911 ..like a Springfield TRP as an example ( a mid range priced gun - with a lot of popular options standard ).

1911's come in a variety of entry level configurations.. ( Colt, Springfield, etc ) ...and some high end configurations ( Wilson Combat, Ed Brown)...and in 9mm as well as the traditional .45 acp....and I really like a 1911 in a 9mm.

There are pros and cons to DA/SA like a Sig 226 ( double stack, 1st shot is around 10 lbs, subeqeuent shots are around 4.4 lbs...)....Sig X-Five models have some SAO models in 9mm or .40 S&W that you might like .../ there are guys that like the stryker fired options - and a lot of us that would never carry one because we prefer something else.

You have to shoot a lot of handguns to understand the pros and cons - just like you do in a good clays gun.../ there is a lot to picking out a "target grade shotgun"...LOP, drop at comb, drop at heel, weight, length, balance...and all of those nuances are a factor in handguns too ( grip angle, what kind of trigger you like, do you want ambi safeties, do you want a thumb safety or a decocker or a stryker fired, width, barrel length, type of sights front and rear, mag well or speed chute, cerrations on grips, backstrap, frontstrap - or none, caliber, maybe capacity ( although I think capacity is way overrated on CCW), type of holster, holster material (I favor horsehide )....and a good holster and belt make even a full sized 1911, steel, 5" barrel very easy to carry.

Shoot a lot of guns - talk to a lot of shooters...don't be in a rush to make up your mind.../ find what works best for you. Especially since you said cost is not the issue ...the entire field of handguns is open to you - to try out and experience before you buy.
 
BigJimP:
Thank you for the very informative reply. Yes, alot of time to find the right clays gun-and the most expensive is seldom it.

You said: "Don't exclude 1911's or any single stack options...and understand the 1911 trigger system vs most any other trigger that is a pendulum hung from a pin..the 1911 trigger is unique ( goes straight back and forth in frame) vs a trigger suspended from a pin moves thru an arc. How they break and reset are very different.

Agreed. However, unfortunitly, my hand shape does not depress the grip safety when I leave my thumb on the slide safety(Even with the bump mod. on the grip). This makes it a fun range gun.

Glocks. Gen 4 might fit my grip. All other Glocks are pushed front sight high due to grip angle.

PPQ: How reliable is it with ammo specifically HPs?
 
If you're having issues on the grip safety on a 1911 ...it might be related to the thickness of the grip panels. There are a lot of options these days...and good gunsmiths for 1911's - can modify the features on the grip safety too / the higher end mfg's like Wilson Combat have a lot of custom options if you special order a gun ( but wait time for Wilson is about 18 months right now ). As I've gotten older - a few more hand issues, arthritis, etc -- has affected my grip a little too.

But if a 1911 isn't what you want that's ok too...

To ask about a specific model ...or a mfg ( say Sig as an examply ) -- if they are reliable with hollow points is too generic and not valuable. Most all of the big name mfg's guns are reliable with some of the "defense" ammo ...but all models, tend to be defensive ammo finicky in terms of how it feeds from a mag...and overall length of the ammo is a big factor. Some Defensive ammo tends to be shorter overall than a lot of guns prefer...and some ( like Ranger ) tends to be a longer overall length to assist in feeding in more guns. So once you select a gun - then its a different process to select the best Defensive ammo to run in that gun.../ or maybe change the mags that came with the gun to a better option. Not all mfg's ship the best mags with their guns...

( and just like in shotguns ...in handguns you often get what you pay for )...most expensive isn't necessarily the best .../ but all mfg's are trying to hit a price point that is attractive to most buyers. But there is a big difference in Wilson's semi custom 1911's ( even at his mid price points of $3K - $5K )...over a lot of the more common 1911's seen in a lot of shops ( like Kimber, Springfield, etc )....just like there are differences between the lower end poly frame guns ...over the higher end guns ( like H&K)..or the steel or alloy frame guns like Sig Sauer....

Weight is a bigger factor than you might think now in a handgun - just like it is in shotguns ( I like my Trap guns at around 10 lbs, my skeet or sporting clays guns at around 8.5 lbs )...and I like my CCW guns full sized at about 42 - 45 oz.../ but you have to figure out that stuff as you get into this more.

I have big hands...and everyones are different...so no wonder all of these mfg's are making so many models.../ and just like in shotguns --- some of it is marketing bs ...vs real differences --- but you need to figure that out too.

And no matter what - have fun with the process !
 
The only two semis I own are striker fired - a Ruger SR9 and a S & W Shield . . . both are excellent 9mm as far as I'm concerned. I've never shot a Glock or the others so can't attest to any of those. I usually CCW a J frame revolver - a Model 36. I sometimes switch off to either the Ruger or the Shield depending where i'm going. Those two give me a choice between a double stack high capacity mag and a single stack 8 round capacity.

Buy what you like and what fits your hands best. As far as function on the two I own, I've never had an issue with either. They pretty much eat whatever I feed them - both store bought and my lead reloads.
 
My PPQ M1 has been 100% reliable from my cheap hand loads up to defensive HP's. This gun has seen several thousand rounds with HP's being the least amount.
 
Hey Chemcal, allow me to add my two cents. I normally hang out over on the Walther Forums site so I am not on TFL that often. I own two PPQ M1's, one for range use with over 12,000 rounds through it in 16 months. The other M1 is staying in my safe as I believe Walther will eventually stop selling the M1 here in the US.

My advice to you is as follows. You need to answer these questions honestly.

A) The PPQ is carried pre-cocked. This means that once the trigger is pressed, it releases the firing pin. That's it. Some people are not comfortable carrying a EDC weapon pre-cocked. As I have plenty of training time with it, I don't see it as a problem.

B) Will you be comfortable carrying a almost "full-sized" handgun? Depending on your build this may or may not work for you.

C) The trigger is very light and has a very short amount of travel. This is not a gun you want to carry Mexican-style.

If you're new to concealed carry, maybe buy a starter gun until you're comfortable and then move on from there.

Thanks and I hope I made sense.
 
I have a PPQ 9mm have shot over 15k using all kinds of ammo not one glitch. Love it so much I sold my glock and my xd 40 to buy a PPQ 40 5" and love that one too. Buy the one that feels the best and you shoot the best.;)
 
JMO, I am not going to carry a weapon valued at more than 500 bucks. Chances are that if you are ever in an altercation, even if just pulling it, the LEOs are gonna confiscate it for evidence and I may not get it back.

Therefore, I carry what I don't mind losing.
 
The choice depends so much on what fits you that it is hard to advise. Myself, I mostly CCW Glocks (19/23/30S, sometimes 21) because I have found they fit me best of the striker options. Primarily I just don't care for the M&P and PPQ triggers and I prefer the Glock trigger (blasphemy I know).

What works for me definitely doesn't work for everyone.

JMO, I am not going to carry a weapon valued at more than 500 bucks. Chances are that if you are ever in an altercation, even if just pulling it, the LEOs are gonna confiscate it for evidence and I may not get it back.

Therefore, I carry what I don't mind losing.
Click to expand...

Though I understand your reasoning, I would prefer to carry the best I can afford. In the event that I have to use it, it likely saved my life, and however much $$ I may lose on the gun is totally worth it for me. Just my opinion, YMMV.
 
The cost of the gun, in my view, should not really enter into the decision on what to carry ...or the discussion we're having to assist the op...in how to best make his decision.

I understand what you're saying about cost and we all have budgets .../ but while it may make me sad to have a gun locked up in evidence for awhile.../ it is not very likely that I will be involved in a Defensive shooting ...( I still train with, and I still carry a semi-custom wilson combat 1911 - just in case )....but the reason I train with it and carry it -is because of all the factors listed...( trigger, width, weight, sights, reliability, grip angle, etc )....and because its the platform I shoot the best.

Part of the reason it runs 100% is because it was well made -and its been well maintained even after a little over 90,000 rds thru it now at 8 yrs old / ...and I continue to test it every week / I'm going to range this afternoon - with 6 boxes to run some of my tactical drills on a rainy day when I have little else to do .../ and I would not be nearly as confident in a cheap 1911...or a gun that has not been tested as thoroughly ).
 
Two other striker fired guns you might consider for CCW:

Springfield XDm compact. Two advantages are the grip safety and the larger full-capacity magazines with sleeves around them to emulate a full-sized gun's grip. Also has a pretty good trigger in my opinion, and it shoots well

Kahr CW9 or other Kahr models. Slim, small, light, and has a pretty good barrel length in relation to it's overall size. Trigger is not bad for a double action
 
Are you incapable of making a decision? I have met people like this before.

How may polls and what does it even mean? Man up or person up and begin to make your own decision unless you are totally incapable of doing so. Which might mean there is one block you should check on the form which might keep you from buying a firearm.

Do you know how to make a decision point as when to shoot or not to shoot. The are extremely important decisions that have to be made in a matter of fractions of a second.
 
lamarw:

I've been thinking this was a friendly firearms forum to exchange and discuss ideas rather than verbally bludgeon someone:confused: for doing this.
 
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