First handgun...$850max...H&K>?<SIG...

P

pieyedpiper

Inactive
So i have been saving up some money and managed to get a very nice pistol safe, i figure by new years i will have about $975 saved towards a high quality handgun. Thing is i only wanna spend $850 with free shipping and save the rest for FFL and TAX, im really considering H&K USP, H&K P30, SIG P226, SIG P229. I already have a REMINGTON 870 and RUGER MINI 14 for home defence and storm season power outages, this handgun will be more or less used as night time outdoor cigarette gun and the indoor shooting range here in RHODE ISLAND. Now i like to plan my saving and spending long before hand and plan on making a choice by FRIDAY is the reason i created this thread. Any input would be very much used in the decision i make. THANKYOU
 
I'm a Sig fan so I'm of course going to recommend them. I see several issues here: 1. What caliber? 2. Possible CCW? 3. Rail for light attachment? 4. Ammo availability in your area? These are all things that in need of consideration. As much of a Sig fan that I am, I don't want to CCW my 229 or 226 everyday. Its just not comfortable in the long run. The beauty of a Sig though, there are slide conversions out there to swap your original caliber to .22lr for practicing. And Sigs can swap around calibers with a simple barrel swap and/or mag swap. But with the 226 and 229 you are limited on calibers (9mm, .357sig, 40S&W). If you are interested in .45acp, I'd look at the 220 or new this year 227. Biggest difference is the 227 is a higher capacity vs the 220.
 
Have you considered the HK VP9? It's reasonably priced, is ergonomic and accurate. I prefer my VP9 over the P30. I have several USP's and a couple of P7's as well. The VP9 has become one of my favorite range day guns. Fit and finish is great and the versatility of the grip with all the panel and back strap combinations makes for a real comfortable shooter. The big plus is that you're getting a striker fired HK for right around $625 plus tax. While I carry the HK45C the VP9 is less expensive to plink with. JHMO :D
 
Ok so i really appretiate the quick responses, ive just started doing some more research this morning and am really liking the H&K USP COMPACT 9MM V3 and the SIG P229 CLASSIC. To reply to your questions i wont be mounting any accessories to this handgun and ammo is supprisingly easy to come by here in RHODE ISLAND. Im really looking into a DA/SA with saftey and decocker so i can have it single action on safe, there wont be any CCW involved as i will only be using it for smoking cigarettes in my sun/wind room late at night and of course the indoor shooting range. Also i am thinking about going 9MM for the decent capacity and ammo cost, will be carrying some sort of JHP and firing ball at the range. Was also wondering if my price range can get me a 2012 and up model of these guns as oppossed to a 2011 and below model. I was looking at a H&K P30 but i dont like the similarity it has to the H&K VP9 with such a higher cost and talk of a bad trigger. I really like the no nonsence dehorned look of both the USP and P229, something really leans me towards the H&K but i can be swayed, also fullsize is on my radar but im really feeling the compact size on these two models. THANKYOU
 
I tend to lean towards steel framed pistols. Since you won't be carrying it the extra weight won't matter. And it will be a bit nicer to shoot at the range. I have a USPc 9 and I rarely bring it out. But my Sig 226 and M9 are always in my range bag. All in all I say go for the Sig. (although CZ-75 is next on my list after shooting one)
 
Between th HK USPc and Sig 22x - I would go with the Sig.
My only Sig is a P6 (Like a P225) - I like it a lot - shoots very well. It is on the small side for my hand. On occasion, it will fail to lock open because my thumb would sometimes rest on the slide stop/release tab; I have shot a 226, 228, 229 and the slide release location is the only gripe I have on Sigs P-Series.
I have an HK USP SS V1 9mm - too much gun for a 9mm, DA trigger should be better considering the price (I think the new ones are better). I have shot 2 USP compact 9s years ago, they were OK.
...But for a range gun, I would consider a CZ 75 custom or a 1911.
 
Can anyone point me in the direction of a good online vendor that has free shipping for a SIG P229 with night sights in 9MM that i can carry in SA on safe for $850max. Figure ill do a little SIG viewing since alot of people are pointing me in that direction.
 
I would strongly suggest finding a range nearby that you can go to and test fire as many of these, and other, handguns as you can. Own what you like to shoot, what is comfortable to shoot, what you shoot well with, not what people tell you to own.

Given your DA/SA decocker+safety interests, you should strongly consider the FNH FNX. The FNX has the same safety+decocker setup as the USP series, 15 rounds in the magazine, and is lighter than anything that you are considering, with a much lower price than either the Sig or HK.

All the same, shoot the Sig and HK if you can find a rental at a range. Pick the one you prefer and shoot bettter.
 
Per your request, Bud's has a P229 in 9mm with night sights and three magazines for under $800. If I am not mistaken, there may still be a promotion right now where, if you can a show a recent proof of purchase, Sig will send you an additional two magazines.
 
Ok so im pretty sure im going to drink the SIG SAUER kool aid, thing is im actually going to want an accessory rail and night sights. Now im stuck on which model i want, polymer is out of the question so i would want it to be either a P226 OR P229. Ive noticed alot of people get the SIG in .40s&w, so 9mm or .40s&w are the two im looking at. Like i said im willing to spend $850 with the free shipping, any input will be greatly appretiated because i am going to do the lay away from BUD'S or GRABAGUN sometime this week. THANKYOU
 
Again, I can't urge you enough to go out and handle and actually shoot the firearms you are looking at.

The P226 is a full sized brick of a gun. The P229 is like a Colt Commander size, cut down a bit, with a smaller grip. I have large-ish hands and with a flush fit magazine, my pinkie rests on the magazine footer of the P229.

Both are alloy framed, heavy, durable as can be, tear down easily, eat whatever ammo you feed them, and are more accurate than the average shooter. The P229 has the same capacity as the P226 in whichever caliber you get.

My .40 S&W P229 shoots like a dream. Maintain a strong grip, and the handgun will pound a ragged hole in a real hurry. Being big and heavy, and over engineered to the cartridge, the P229/226 will survive the .40 S&W (then again, most modern .40 cals will, too). In 9mm, the 229 and 226 feel like pop guns. Very controllable.

Go out to a range and get your hands on them.
 
Can't go wrong either way really. I have a Sig 226 and a HK P-30. I like both quite a bit and they each have their strengths and weaknesses compared to one another. If I could only keep one on them, the Sig would stay. The P-30 could use some trigger work, and that can be done. You can't get the other HK's (minus the VP9) to feel like the P-30 or to be as adjustable. The P-30 has a few more parts than the VP9 that adds to its cost and I like the P-30's controls better than the VP9's which seem more like afterthought's.

One other DA/SA higher quality option would be the Sphinx SDP.
 
Can anyone point me in the direction of a good online vendor that has free shipping for a SIG P229 with night sights in 9MM that i can carry in SA on safe for $850max. Figure ill do a little SIG viewing since alot of people are pointing me in that direction.
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Sorry but there is no animal. The P229 does not have the option to carry the gun cocked and locked. It is a standard DA/SA trigger with a decocker.

There are SA versions of other P series pistols like the P220 & P226 but not the P229.

I personally would pass on the FNX. If you do some research you will find there are a lot of issues with those pistols. If you are looking for a 9mm that can go DA/SA or SA only keep looking at the HKs & CZ 75s.

The biggest issue I have with HK is that for a $850 + gun they have a horrible DA trigger pull. It is way to heavy and not particularly smooth. For a gun made of plastic in that price point they should have put more $$$ into make it a better trigger. I would pass on the older USP feels like a 2X4 in the hand and focus on the P30. YMMV
 
Ok so i know this sounds stupid but i went a diffrent route, me and my bro went to a local range/FFL and they only had a HK USP .45acp V1 fullsize. I felt it and compared it to a GLOCK 17 GEN 4 with large backstrap and wasnt much diffrent. From there we went to dunkin donuts and talked about my bros HK 45 fullsize that he loves so much, needless to say i put down a holding fee and im paying off an H&k USP .45acp V1, should have it buy mid november. I have have trouble waiting and im gonna get rid of my MINI 14 RANCH GUN to my bro so i will be good to go. My decision is final but i would still like to here your input on my purchase. PS: I have medium sized block shaped hands. THANKYOU
 
Sorry but there is no animal.
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I'm pretty amazed it took that far into this thread for someone to point out there is no P229 with a manual safety.

The biggest issue I have with HK is that for a $850 + gun they have a horrible DA trigger pull. It is way to heavy and not particularly smooth.
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A Wolff hammer spring runs you all of $4.29 + shipping. I recommend the OP pick up a 12 lb. and a 10 lb. one to fit to his preferences. If you want too, order the light firing pin block spring from HK parts and that stacking at the end of the pull goes away. I've never noticed the smoothness to be an issue, certainly no less smooth than a current production SIG. I do probably invest $25 or so in springs when I pick up an HK, but it's a small price to pay (IMO) for a DA/SA pistol that is lighter and (again IMO) likely to have less flaws out of box than the SIG. The SIG can have a better trigger, but I've felt some recent production models that had sublime triggers and some that were pretty bad. I am hoping the QC stabilizes after their recent move.

I would pass on the older USP feels like a 2X4 in the hand and focus on the P30.
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If you think the USP trigger is bad, how can you recommend a P30? It's noticeably worse than a USP. A longer takeup in both DA and SA as well as a much longer reset. There's also very little you can do to improve it. Bruce Gray can improve the reset but not the lengths of the pulls. At least with the USP you can go the match trigger route. HK sadly has no confirmed plans for a match P-series trigger and with the VP9 just out I don't see it happening. The P series does have great ergos, but if the USP fits you it honestly has an edge shooting wise.

My decision is final but i would still like to here your input on my purchase.
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Lol, okay. If your decisions is final what does it matter? Just want validation from others? You went from saying you were almost definite on the SIG to grabbing the first HK you saw. Were I you I'd save myself a few hundred dollars and find a nice used one, either HK or SIG. If you're not going to carry it I'd go SIG.
 
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A Wolff hammer spring runs you all of $4.29 + shipping. I recommend the OP pick up a 12 lb. and a 10 lb. one to fit to his preferences. If you want too, order the light firing pin block spring from HK parts and that stacking at the end of the pull goes away. I've never noticed the smoothness to be an issue, certainly no less smooth than a current production SIG. I do probably invest $25 or so in springs when I pick up an HK, but it's a small price to pay (IMO) for a DA/SA pistol that is lighter and (again IMO) likely to have less flaws out of box than the SIG.
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Proving my point on a $800+ gun why on earth should you have to pay an additional $25 become a home gunsmith. :eek: PS I don't buy new Sigs. The only one I have even considered in the last 5 years was a LNIB P227 SAS a gun was selling a the fun show for $650. I was a steal but I passed.

If you think the USP trigger is bad, how can you recommend a P30? It's noticeably worse than a USP. A longer takeup in both DA and SA as well as a longer reset. There's also very little you can do to improve it. Bruce Gray can improve the reset but not the lengths of the pulls. At least with the USP you can go the match trigger route. HK sadly has no plans for a match P-series trigger and with the VP9 just out I don't see it happening. The P series does have great ergos, but if the USP fits you it honestly has an edge shooting wise.
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I find the trigger on most HKs to be horrible. I think the USP is a double whammy in that the grip is horrible as well. Just not a HK fan have owned USP 9/45 P30 and HK45 all bought and sold within 6 months of ownership. When I shot them compared to other guns I could not believe people pay $800+ for these things. I never paid near that always bought LNIB used and sold for what I had in them or more. YMMV

In the end to the OP whatever floats your boat. If you are happy then we are happy. In the end buy what you want with your money and be happy. If sometime down the road you change your mind sell the gun a move onto something else. Then Rise and repeat..... ;)
 
FNS-9

You might be interested in the FNS-9. Striker fired, polymer frame, nice feel and runs about $500 with tax and shipping.

It can be carried CCW if you desire to.

I have one and have several hundred rounds through it w/o issue.
 
So I know the only indoor range in Rhode Island and the shop to which it is attached. Have done many purchases there. Not a bad selection of rentals are avaiable, but nothing that the OP wanted. The shop is also not so big on SIG right now, at least of last time I was there. So trying what he wanted was not in the cards. Also, trying to get a carry permit in this state is like pulling your own teeth, painful and almost never with a good outcome.

That said, I have only picked up HKs over the years in the shop, never liked the size of them, full size is just to big for what it is (I don not have small hands either). Just my opinion on this. As for the P229, I can atest that it is a top of the line shooter. That would have been my choice. My advise would have been to check out the local shop often, good deals come through there all the time, just have to look and not be afraid to haggel a bit.

Anyways, welcome to the ranks Rhode Island of gun owners.
 
My P-30's trigger is very smooth and so is every P-30 that I've shot or dry fired. Pull weight is fine from the factory, although a little less would not hurt. It's the creep and the longer reset that I would like to have improved on. Sigs just have better triggers overall even though I've felt some very nice HK triggers.
 
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