Help me decide between these pistols!
- Thread starter long shot
- Start date
Well, I will not claim to be an expert, but here's my shiny penny...
Beretta Elite:
Never fired it. I have fired several other Beretta's however and they exhibit certain caracteristics that would probably have me looking elsewhere. They are nicely made pistols and feel good in the hand. They are machined well, but seem a little more finicky than others in the digestion of certain types of hollow points. Also the ones that I have had experience and long term exposure to dotn seem to wear as well as other brands. NOTE: I am not trying to step on the Beretta lover's toes here; I am sure you have a fine specimen of Beretta or you wouldnt be a fan! These are jsut my experiences.
Glock anything:
Glock is what Glock is. Not my favorite but for every Glock hater there are 3 more who swear by them. Probably one of the best pistols for the money anywhere. I dont care for the trigger, personally, and I dont like the absence of a "decocker" even though intelectually I know the gun isnt "cocked". I also think they look a little industrial and I prefer a little more design to my pistols. Just my opinion. I have fired several variants of the Glock thing... They all went bang. Hard to argue with it, especially considering the price but they never "tripped my trigger."
Sig 226:
Probably my favorite of the bunch you listed. I recently gave my opinion on the pro's and con's of Sig pistols recently but the search function of this BB is not working so...
Sigs are nicely machined with perhaps the nicest trigger and accuracy right out of the box. They inspire confidence in shooting. They are a finely made machine which is a joy to shoot. They dont handle dirt as well as other more tollerant designs and the 226 (as I recall) has a rolled and pinned slide instead of a solid machined slide. I own one sig and it has performed amazingly well over the years although I take care to maintain it in a clean and reliable manner.
In the end, I think I personally would avoid the Beretta and stick to Glock if money was tight and Sig if I could afford it. Either way it will go bang!
J.T.
Beretta Elite:
Never fired it. I have fired several other Beretta's however and they exhibit certain caracteristics that would probably have me looking elsewhere. They are nicely made pistols and feel good in the hand. They are machined well, but seem a little more finicky than others in the digestion of certain types of hollow points. Also the ones that I have had experience and long term exposure to dotn seem to wear as well as other brands. NOTE: I am not trying to step on the Beretta lover's toes here; I am sure you have a fine specimen of Beretta or you wouldnt be a fan! These are jsut my experiences.
Glock anything:
Glock is what Glock is. Not my favorite but for every Glock hater there are 3 more who swear by them. Probably one of the best pistols for the money anywhere. I dont care for the trigger, personally, and I dont like the absence of a "decocker" even though intelectually I know the gun isnt "cocked". I also think they look a little industrial and I prefer a little more design to my pistols. Just my opinion. I have fired several variants of the Glock thing... They all went bang. Hard to argue with it, especially considering the price but they never "tripped my trigger."
Sig 226:
Probably my favorite of the bunch you listed. I recently gave my opinion on the pro's and con's of Sig pistols recently but the search function of this BB is not working so...
Sigs are nicely machined with perhaps the nicest trigger and accuracy right out of the box. They inspire confidence in shooting. They are a finely made machine which is a joy to shoot. They dont handle dirt as well as other more tollerant designs and the 226 (as I recall) has a rolled and pinned slide instead of a solid machined slide. I own one sig and it has performed amazingly well over the years although I take care to maintain it in a clean and reliable manner.
In the end, I think I personally would avoid the Beretta and stick to Glock if money was tight and Sig if I could afford it. Either way it will go bang!
J.T.
San Francisquito Bill
New member
Since this is for home, not carry, size is not a restriction, so here are my OPPINIONS. (i.e.--get what YOU want!)
1)Beretta Elite II 40cal.
The Beretta Elite II is a nice gun, and if you like DA pistols, you can't go wrong with it. Personally, I really like Beretta's, and the Elite is just an improved version. The only thing I don't like is that it has a decocker instead of a safety. I find the safety of the standard models to be very quick to disengage, and have grown to prefer the manual safety on these weapons.
2)Glock 21
This is an excellent gun chambering a very capable cartridge, but it does have a big grip (so does the Beretta) and if you have small hands, it may pose a problem. Also, it doesn't have a manual safety (as you probably know) so the "finger of trigger" rule becomes especially important. (Not that it shouldn't be observed anyway...)
3)Glock 35
Same things as the Glock 21 except a smaller grip, longer barrel, and .40 caliber. Personally, I REALLY like the .40 as a defensive round, and the longer barrel will push those 10mm bullets even harder. The longer sight radius will improve accuracy (how much is debatable)and the gun does have the 3.5 lb. connector (I like!) which is less "fear friendly" but feels better IMO. The 35 also has extended slide/mag releases--Good or bad--You decide. Personally, I like 'em.
4)Sig P226 40cal.
As for the Sig, I love my 239, but I have found that the new Sig Pro's seem to have better trigger pulls than the classics. The decocking lever is MUCH better, however, on the classic line. From what I've heard, and what I've experienced with my 239, Sigs are VERY accurate and dependable. This is also a great gun, but you do have to deal with a DA system, and it has no manual safety. If it fits you bill though, its a great gun.
In short, I think you should buy all four, the trouble is deciding which one to buy first!!!
1)Beretta Elite II 40cal.
The Beretta Elite II is a nice gun, and if you like DA pistols, you can't go wrong with it. Personally, I really like Beretta's, and the Elite is just an improved version. The only thing I don't like is that it has a decocker instead of a safety. I find the safety of the standard models to be very quick to disengage, and have grown to prefer the manual safety on these weapons.
2)Glock 21
This is an excellent gun chambering a very capable cartridge, but it does have a big grip (so does the Beretta) and if you have small hands, it may pose a problem. Also, it doesn't have a manual safety (as you probably know) so the "finger of trigger" rule becomes especially important. (Not that it shouldn't be observed anyway...)
3)Glock 35
Same things as the Glock 21 except a smaller grip, longer barrel, and .40 caliber. Personally, I REALLY like the .40 as a defensive round, and the longer barrel will push those 10mm bullets even harder. The longer sight radius will improve accuracy (how much is debatable)and the gun does have the 3.5 lb. connector (I like!) which is less "fear friendly" but feels better IMO. The 35 also has extended slide/mag releases--Good or bad--You decide. Personally, I like 'em.
4)Sig P226 40cal.
As for the Sig, I love my 239, but I have found that the new Sig Pro's seem to have better trigger pulls than the classics. The decocking lever is MUCH better, however, on the classic line. From what I've heard, and what I've experienced with my 239, Sigs are VERY accurate and dependable. This is also a great gun, but you do have to deal with a DA system, and it has no manual safety. If it fits you bill though, its a great gun.
In short, I think you should buy all four, the trouble is deciding which one to buy first!!!
My vote would be for the 226 because I know it fits me.The question is which one fits you?Your are the one that has to shoot it.The ball is in your court I think.All anyone else can do is rate the function and all probably function well.
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Bob--- Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed.
I'm old and deceitful.
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Bob--- Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed.
I'm old and deceitful.
Every post above contains excellent advice. Here's my two cents:
Beretta: I don't even know which model the Elite is. What I do know is that my first gun was a stainless 92, and I love the thing. It will shoot every bullet I've ever put through it (one FTF, norinco ammo, primer was bad, not the gun's fault), shoots well, well designed, gorgeous, etc. I don't find the grip particularly thick, but the gun in general is slightly larger than other competitive guns. Finally, if the Elite takes 92 mags, they are easy to find.
Glock 21: Big grip, big gun. A little big for me. I seriously considered a G20, but for the grip size. If that's not a problem for you, I'd go for it, especially if you don't plan on carrying, and especially if you don't own a Glock yet (everyone should have at least one).
Glock 35: Again, I'm not sure which this is (I lost count after the 27), but I think it's the .40 with the longer (though not the longest) slide. Nice gun, but you'll probably have trouble finding a holster for it if you ever decide to carry. My personal preferences are for the 19/23 size Glocks, but that's just my preference.
Sig 226: Nice gun. Again, I prefer midsizes and would go with the 228/228. My 229 shoots ridiculously well. Probably the nicest out of the box DA/SA trigger out there. Well built, solid gun.
My advice: try them out. Play with them, fondle them, touch them, love them.... getting a little carried away, but you get my point. There's not one that you shouldn't buy, just some that will fit your needs better. If all goes well, you'll have them all within the year!
Beretta: I don't even know which model the Elite is. What I do know is that my first gun was a stainless 92, and I love the thing. It will shoot every bullet I've ever put through it (one FTF, norinco ammo, primer was bad, not the gun's fault), shoots well, well designed, gorgeous, etc. I don't find the grip particularly thick, but the gun in general is slightly larger than other competitive guns. Finally, if the Elite takes 92 mags, they are easy to find.
Glock 21: Big grip, big gun. A little big for me. I seriously considered a G20, but for the grip size. If that's not a problem for you, I'd go for it, especially if you don't plan on carrying, and especially if you don't own a Glock yet (everyone should have at least one).
Glock 35: Again, I'm not sure which this is (I lost count after the 27), but I think it's the .40 with the longer (though not the longest) slide. Nice gun, but you'll probably have trouble finding a holster for it if you ever decide to carry. My personal preferences are for the 19/23 size Glocks, but that's just my preference.
Sig 226: Nice gun. Again, I prefer midsizes and would go with the 228/228. My 229 shoots ridiculously well. Probably the nicest out of the box DA/SA trigger out there. Well built, solid gun.
My advice: try them out. Play with them, fondle them, touch them, love them.... getting a little carried away, but you get my point. There's not one that you shouldn't buy, just some that will fit your needs better. If all goes well, you'll have them all within the year!
Long Shot,
Without question, I would opt for the Sig P-226. I have one (stainless two-tone) in .357 Sig. To increase its utility, I bought (approximately $190) a Bar-Sto .40 S&W drop-in barrel. The firearm is certainly one of the very best available: wonderful out-of-the box accuracy, superb reliability and durability, outstanding design and manufacturing quality.
I have a few other handguns that I -- personally -- like as much as the P-226. However -- factually -- there really is not a better semiautomatic made (in the <$1000 category). The other autoloaders you are considering are all fine firearms, but Sig's deserved reputation is the best of the group -- and the P-226 is as fine a pistol as Sig Sauer makes.
Without question, I would opt for the Sig P-226. I have one (stainless two-tone) in .357 Sig. To increase its utility, I bought (approximately $190) a Bar-Sto .40 S&W drop-in barrel. The firearm is certainly one of the very best available: wonderful out-of-the box accuracy, superb reliability and durability, outstanding design and manufacturing quality.
I have a few other handguns that I -- personally -- like as much as the P-226. However -- factually -- there really is not a better semiautomatic made (in the <$1000 category). The other autoloaders you are considering are all fine firearms, but Sig's deserved reputation is the best of the group -- and the P-226 is as fine a pistol as Sig Sauer makes.
Nothing, but nothing can take the place of renting or borrowing the pistols you're considering. What works for me may not work at all for you. After you've tried the different pistols at the range, then you can decide what you like best. All are quality defense tools, well built, reliable and accurate, it's just a matter of what fits your hand, what operating system and manual of arms you like better, and what balances best in your hands.
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"Get yourself a Lorcin and lose that nickel plated sissy pistol."
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"Get yourself a Lorcin and lose that nickel plated sissy pistol."
long shot, Tecolote just "bottom lined" it in a best way. But in case you still can't decide after some range time, stay with either Glock or Sig. Out of the bunch, I have P226 -- what a piece!
J.T.King, all P226 in .40 have slides machined from solid blocks of steel (ala P229).
J.T.King, all P226 in .40 have slides machined from solid blocks of steel (ala P229).
Man, I just keep getting hat one wrong 
The only 226 I have fired was a 9mm range rental, and it was rolled and pinned. I guess I really DONT know which Sigs are rolled and pinned vs machined.
Sorry for any confusion.
Altohugh it does bring up this point: Why get enything other than a Sig? ;]
Actually, when I bought my home defense gun I got a HK USP45f... love it.
J.T.
The only 226 I have fired was a 9mm range rental, and it was rolled and pinned. I guess I really DONT know which Sigs are rolled and pinned vs machined.
Sorry for any confusion.
Altohugh it does bring up this point: Why get enything other than a Sig? ;]
Actually, when I bought my home defense gun I got a HK USP45f... love it.
J.T.
long shot, I own and shoot 5 different Glocks, (in competitive forums), 2 G21's, G30, G19 and a G17. I have shot the Beretta Elite and the Sig P226, from my shooting partners, many times. All are quality handguns, and well made. I believe both the Berreta and Sig to be too complicated, and find the difference between first shot double action and follow up shots to different in trigger pull. I don't like the decockers and safetys on those guns. As far as the Glocks, well, the G21 is a big, fat gun. You need to see if your trigger finger is 'on pad' or too short. If you can't get a good grip on the G21, then the G35 is better for you. Personally, I don't like the kick of the 40S&W, but you get used to it. Why not try a G17?