Preferred full size pistol, other than a 1911
- Thread starter RoyalWe
- Start date
1911's ...full sized, 5" barrels, all steel ..in 9mm or .45 acp ...are my carry and go to range guns...( my preference is Wilson Combat )....but
in my collection, the other full sized guns I like:
a. Sig 226 ....and Sig 226 X-Five L-1 model.../ in the standard 226 I have the typical DA/SA trigger and its pretty good, gun fits my hands, I can reach all the controls, good looking gun, mine are all stainless..........in the X-Five L-1 model, its all stainless, SAO gun, heavy ( 55 oz with a full mag in it - holds 14+1 in .40S&W..), nice gun, great looking gun, adjustable 2.0 - 4.0 lb trigger and very good - but not better than a well made 1911.
b. N frame S&W revolver in .357 Mag or .44 Mag...but my favorite is .357 Mag...( older models 27's or 28's )...newer models 627's...)..all very nice guns in 2 1/2" - 4" or 5" or 6" ...and I really like them in a 4" or 5"...( I prefer .44 mag - older models 29's newer models 629's --- in 6" or 8 3/8" barrels ).../ N frames fit my hands better than K frames... L frames ( 686's are pretty good too ) ...but N frames are just a little better for me.
Comes down to what fits your hands the best, triggers you like, grip angles - controls, all the little things...
in my collection, the other full sized guns I like:
a. Sig 226 ....and Sig 226 X-Five L-1 model.../ in the standard 226 I have the typical DA/SA trigger and its pretty good, gun fits my hands, I can reach all the controls, good looking gun, mine are all stainless..........in the X-Five L-1 model, its all stainless, SAO gun, heavy ( 55 oz with a full mag in it - holds 14+1 in .40S&W..), nice gun, great looking gun, adjustable 2.0 - 4.0 lb trigger and very good - but not better than a well made 1911.
b. N frame S&W revolver in .357 Mag or .44 Mag...but my favorite is .357 Mag...( older models 27's or 28's )...newer models 627's...)..all very nice guns in 2 1/2" - 4" or 5" or 6" ...and I really like them in a 4" or 5"...( I prefer .44 mag - older models 29's newer models 629's --- in 6" or 8 3/8" barrels ).../ N frames fit my hands better than K frames... L frames ( 686's are pretty good too ) ...but N frames are just a little better for me.
Comes down to what fits your hands the best, triggers you like, grip angles - controls, all the little things...
I'm a "it's a tool box" kinda guy. That is I don't really care what type of handgun must ride in my holster, as long as it works reliably, fires an effective cartridge, and is accurate. I will train with it until I am proficient with it, so make, model, cool factor, and ergonomics all take a back seat (but they ARE still in the car!). That said, I still have my favorites, and I'll break them up into two categories: "On the job" and "personal favorites".
On the Job: Most companies & departments want a DA or DA/SA operation.
Striker fired:
Ruger SR series
Glock
S&W M&P series
Springfield XD
H&K VP
Walther PPQ
Sig 230
DA/SA:
CZ-75 (and clones)
S&W Gen 2&3 (5906, etc.)
Beretta 92/96
Sig 226, 220, etc.
H&K USP
Walther p-5
Para Ordinance LDA
Ruger P-series
Personal Favorites This has some oldies-but-goodies on it, but most would never be allowed by most LE Agencies and Security Companies. Some would be great for CCW, Home Defense, Bugout, etc. Most are military classics. I have left out pistols that are no longer practical combat arms, such as the Mauser C-96, Luger, and Bergmann designs.
Browning P-35/GP/HP
1911 and clones, copies, updates.
Walther P-38
TT-33 Tokarev and clones
CZ-52
Beretta M51
Star Model A/B
On the Job: Most companies & departments want a DA or DA/SA operation.
Striker fired:
Ruger SR series
Glock
S&W M&P series
Springfield XD
H&K VP
Walther PPQ
Sig 230
DA/SA:
CZ-75 (and clones)
S&W Gen 2&3 (5906, etc.)
Beretta 92/96
Sig 226, 220, etc.
H&K USP
Walther p-5
Para Ordinance LDA
Ruger P-series
Personal Favorites This has some oldies-but-goodies on it, but most would never be allowed by most LE Agencies and Security Companies. Some would be great for CCW, Home Defense, Bugout, etc. Most are military classics. I have left out pistols that are no longer practical combat arms, such as the Mauser C-96, Luger, and Bergmann designs.
Browning P-35/GP/HP
1911 and clones, copies, updates.
Walther P-38
TT-33 Tokarev and clones
CZ-52
Beretta M51
Star Model A/B
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Sig 226 in 9mm. It's exceptional accurate, reliable, comfortable, low recoiling, and well made. I like the control layout and prefer decockers to safeties. They have a great trigger right out of the box and the SRT as good as it gets for a short reset in this type of gun. The have many parts available from Sig and the aftermarket. Mec-Gar flush magazines give it a 18+1 capacity.
The other full size model that I like quite a bit is the Steyr L9_A1. It's lighter than the 226 but has a similar recoil and muzzle flip feel. It has one of of the best Polymer striker fired triggers out of the box. Mine;s been almost as accurate as the 226 and just as stone reliable. The grip is very nice on this gun even though it's not adjustable. It has a unique looks to it as well as it trapezoidal sights. I have both flush 15 round and slightly extend 17 round magazines with the gun.
The other full size model that I like quite a bit is the Steyr L9_A1. It's lighter than the 226 but has a similar recoil and muzzle flip feel. It has one of of the best Polymer striker fired triggers out of the box. Mine;s been almost as accurate as the 226 and just as stone reliable. The grip is very nice on this gun even though it's not adjustable. It has a unique looks to it as well as it trapezoidal sights. I have both flush 15 round and slightly extend 17 round magazines with the gun.
WaltherRuger
New member
- CZ 75BD (Classic look and great egronomics; easy to work on and modify to your liking; some changes require fitting as with the 1911, though)
- Browning High Power (classic and SA like your 1911)
- Sig P226 (kind of thick but great shooter)
- Sig P220 if you like .45 acp (great shooter)
- HK P30L (Great great shooter; I really like the LEM trigger; not as much soul as a steel full size, but much more soul than a Glock)
EIGHTYDUECE
New member
Beretta 92 in all its variants. The 92FS/M9 is my favorite.
Tucker 1371
New member
I have a Colt 1911 and a Canik TP9SA, issued a Glock 22 for work. I really don't have a complaint with any of them, the Glock has the worst trigger of the three but it's more than adequate for duty use. My next acquisition is going to be a CZ SP01 in 9mm. I'm picking it up (hopefully after I get off work today) because I've read/watched/heard that they are extremely controllable and because they hold 18+1 rounds.
It's really hard to go wrong with any full size pistol made by a reputable company these days. It's just a matter of what features you're looking for (safety, rails, sights, grips) and what your budget is.
It's really hard to go wrong with any full size pistol made by a reputable company these days. It's just a matter of what features you're looking for (safety, rails, sights, grips) and what your budget is.
jaytothekizzay
New member
226 all day, everyday
92
I'm really surprised how many people endorse the beretta 92/M9. I had always heard of people grumbling about the M9 while I was in the army, not got to shoot one them myself as only the 240 gunners, commo guys and the 1sg had one. Accuracy of them was pretty impressive though. I may have to pick one up in the future, a few places online seem to get LEO trade ins that sell for about $300.
I'm really surprised how many people endorse the beretta 92/M9. I had always heard of people grumbling about the M9 while I was in the army, not got to shoot one them myself as only the 240 gunners, commo guys and the 1sg had one. Accuracy of them was pretty impressive though. I may have to pick one up in the future, a few places online seem to get LEO trade ins that sell for about $300.
I like the CZ75 (ideally non-B or SA variants). The highpower is great, but they need a lot of work to make the greatness apparent. I've wanted to like a number of Sigs, but they always disappoint me in person.
If we're including revolvers, the S&W 19 and 586.
When you get right down to it I'm happy with the 1911 design if I want a full size auto in any caliber in the 9mm through .45 super range. I don't see a lot of reasons to go to another design. They're frequently profoundly disappointing in comparison.
If we're including revolvers, the S&W 19 and 586.
When you get right down to it I'm happy with the 1911 design if I want a full size auto in any caliber in the 9mm through .45 super range. I don't see a lot of reasons to go to another design. They're frequently profoundly disappointing in comparison.
shootingblanks
New member
I really enjoy my Sig P220 that my next gun will be the Sig P226 MK25 with a threaded barrel.
The German SIG P210 Legend. I had previously owned the Swiss versions, so was familiar with these pistols in general. Beautifully fitted and finished, outstanding accuracy, flawless reliability and the Legend versions have a beavertail and side button mag release. No more hammer bite and magazines easily changed............ymmv
Go to a local pawn shop/gun shop that has a lot of used items...
check out Everything...see what feels good in your hands!!
If you find something odd that really fits,
whip out your smartphone & look it up
You never know what pistol might just jump out at you and scream
TAKE ME HOME!!
check out Everything...see what feels good in your hands!!
If you find something odd that really fits,
whip out your smartphone & look it up
You never know what pistol might just jump out at you and scream
TAKE ME HOME!!
scoobysnacker
New member
These are among the guns I own, along with a S&W 3rd Gen and a Star 30M (and others). All are great in their own right. My son recently turned 21, and I planned on giving him his own pistol, after having shot mine over the years.
After noting which guns he gravitated towards over and over, the choice became clear. I bought another CZ 75
